Bible Study at Surabaya - Monday, May 14, 2007

CHURCH OF THE FLESH

Jude 1:8-9
8 Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries.
9 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!"

Here are the signs of fleshly church:

1. dreaming or intruding into illusions, which are contrary to what was written in the Bible and spiritually meaningless. Such is carnal soul/mind symbolized with number “6”
2. defiling the flesh or doing the works of the flesh (Galatians 5). Such is carnal body symbolized with number “6”.
3. speaking evil of dignitaries.
   “speak evil” is the word opposite in meaning to “worship” and both are about the spirit. Thus, speaking evil is such of carnal spirit symbolized with number “6”.

Revelation 13:5-6
5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty–two months.
6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven.

Watch out for mouth! Only by Holy Spirit this mouth will worship God.
Blasphemy is a heap of slanders. Now many people blaspheme Tabernacle Teaching, saying that it is old-fashioned and Law, and exclaiming that Bride Tidings is pornographic. Their blasphemies aim to no other things than prevent themselves from being purified.

Thus, the church of the flesh is nothing else but carnality (carnal body, carnal soul, and carnal spirit), being sealed with triple six and directed to worship antichrist. It is no wonder that they blaspheme the Lord, the true doctrine, and all saints, since they do not worship the Lord our God.

Today the false seems to progress more than the true church, as the fact is: the tares grow faster and higher than the wheat. Nonetheless, a complete separation will sometime be manifested in two different great feasts as follows:

1. Great slaughter for the false church
   Revelation 19:17-18, 20
   17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, "Come and gather together for the supper of the great God,
   18 "that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great."
   20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.
   This great slaughter will swallow up victims a thousand times as many as any of the first and second world wars could do. There was no such terrible thing and it will never happen again.
   Whom the slaughter is prepared?
   • unbelievers
   • worshipers of antichrist
     Revelation 19:20
     20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.
     Those who are going to receive the mark of triple six and worship antichrist are the church of God who formerly worshiped the Lord but now have been deceived with physical signs.
   • those who reject the word sharper than any two-edged sword and who blaspheme Tabernacle Teaching.
     Revelation 19:21
     21 And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.
     The word of God is the sword of sanctification as well as the sword of slaughter in case of being rejected.
   All victims of the great slaughter will be raised in the second resurrection for judgment and second death/hell.
2. Marriage supper of the Lamb
   Revelation 19:9
   9 Then he said to me, "Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!?And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God."
   That is the eternal glory to bridge the association of Jesus Christ as the heavenly Groom and the Church of God as His Bride. As Jesus was taken up into heaven, so will we be in like manner if we give our lives be sanctified by the teaching word / the word which is sharper than any two-edged sword.

Back to Jude 1:9
9 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!"
While the fleshly church will be left and slain, the true church will be lifted up as Moses was. Moses had died but his body was still disputed. How annoying is Satan! I am sorry for saying this, since there is no other term suitable for Satan. The woman of Babylon is drunk with your blood, especially young men. As soon as you loosen the bond of teaching word, the woman of Babylon preys and devours you. Just imagine: Satan disputes about the corpses of the saints, how much more it will be about the live.

It is written in Deuteronomy 34 that none could find the grave of Moses; it means Moses had been raised and taken up into heaven, representing the true church.

Deuteronomy 34:5-6
5 So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.
6 And He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth Peor; but no one knows his grave to this day.

Servants of God become the target of Satan.
The Most Holy Place = the glory of heaven.
The Veil has four pillars, denoting four people who had been taking up into heaven.

The table below shows the four persons having taken up into heaven:

• Group I (the Age of Father God)= Adam-Abraham= represented by Enoch
• Group II (the Age of the Son)= Abraham-Jesus' first coming= represented by Moses and Elijah
• Group III (the End of the Age)= Jesus' first coming-second coming= represented by Jesus Christ

Note for pastors: we need no other books, besides the Bible. It is more than enough for our learning.

Now what we need to know is the process of being taken up into heaven. Enoch was a man with a nature like ours; then what caused him to be taken up?

Genesis 5:22-24
22 After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters.
23 So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty–five years.
24 And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.

The reason is: Enoch walked with God three hundred years. It is not just walking but walking with God three hundred years (verse 22). If only he had not walked with God for three hundred years, he would have not been taken up. Thus, the point is “three hundred”, which is related to Tabernacle as follows:

1. Court of Tabernacle
   (http://gptkk.org/pelataran-en.php)
   Tabernacle was one hundred cubits long and fifty cubits wide.
   Walking with God, which is related to Tabernacle, is created by the periphery of Tabernacle, according to this formula:
   (2 X length) + (2 X width) = (2 X 100) + (2 X 50) = 200 + 100 = 300
   Thus, all around the Tabernacle are 300 cubits.
   The late Rev. Pong Dongalemba said: “Facing problem, we come to the Lord seriously for one hour and we find peace in heart as the result. Imagine how it will be when we walk with Him 300 years? We will be taken up to heaven. What will it be like if we walk with God three hundred years? We will surely be taken up.
   Here are the four objects in the Court followed by their denotations:
   1. Gate (http://gptkk.org/gerbang-en.php), signifying the faith of Jesus by hearing the word of God; we love hearing the word.
      If one bores in hearing it, he does not enter the Gate yet although he seems to believe in Jesus and sacrifices/praises for Him. Let us be careful because teaching word is considered old fashioned. For example, in Holy Bible we find a verse “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
      We should not have faith by sight as Thomas has. There is a person says that it is old fashioned. The modern one says about the faith by sight.
   2. Altar of Burnt Offering (http://gptkk.org/mkb-en.php), signifying repentance, stopping sinning and returning to God. None who repeats sin will walk with God or enter the court.
   3. Laver (http://gptkk.org/bejana-en.php), signifying baptism of water.
   4. the Door (http://gptkk.org/kemah-en.php), signifying baptism of Holy Spirit.
      Baptism by water and by the Spirit results in newness of life, that is, walking in righteousness.
      Entering the Court, we have to confirm our faith, repentance, and renewal of our lives until we live in righteousness.
2. Holy Place and the Most Holy Place of Tabernacle
   The Holy Place was twenty cubits in length and ten cubits in width. Thus, the area of this place was: 20 X 10 = 200.
   The Most Holy Place was ten cubits in length and ten cubits in width. Thus, the area of this place was: 10 X 10 = 100.
   Now the extent of both are 300. The Most Holy Place implies perfection, something that we are achieving. After entering the Court and living in righteousness, now we must place ourselves in the Holy Place, which means continuing steadfastly in the three main services, that we will someday enter into the Most Holy Place.
   There are in Holy Place three objects which signify three main services as follows:
   1. Golden Candlestick (http://gptkk.org/pelita-en.php), signifying patience in Public Service or Sunday Service, in which we walk with Holy Spirit God (Christ).
      There is oil, referring to the Holy Spirit , in the candlestick.
   2. Table of Showbread (http://gptkk.org/mrs-en.php), signifying patience in Bible Study Service, in which we walk with the Son (Jesus) by the word and the holy communion. The Table of showbread is the only one equipment which has the pitchers for pouring (Exodus). The wine means the blood of Jesus as well as the bread means the word of God and the body of Jesus. Thus, Bible Study service is held together with the Holy Communion.
   3. Golden Altar of Incense (http://gptkk.org/dupa-en.php), signifying patience in Worship Service, in which we walk with Father God (the Lord) in His love.
      By continuing steadfastly in the three main services (which means being shepherded), we walk with God the Trinity, the Lord Jesus Christ.
   Take a look at the details below:
   • Table of Showbread, signifying our association with the Son in teaching word and holy communion, or patience in Bible Study Service.
     Actually, all the Gentiles cannot walk with the Son. The verses below show and mean to us.
     Matthew 15:21-27
     21 Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
     22 And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon–possessed."
     23 But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, "Send her away, for she cries out after us."
     24 But He answered and said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."
     25 Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, "Lord, help me!"
     26 But He answered and said, "It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs."
     27 And she said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters' table."
     Verse 21: Tyre and Sidon are the regions of the Gentiles.
     Verse 26: children are the Israelites and dogs are the Gentiles unworthy for bread.
     Thus, it is the great mercy of God that the Gentiles may attend Bible Study Service. We must therefore be grateful by our good listening as if dogs licked the scattered crumbs.
     Verse 27 shows the best conduct of a Gentile.
     Without Bible Study Service, the church of God will be severely demon-possessed and walk in the nature of a dog, in suffering. Let us now eat the bread seriously, or else our lives become as dogs.
     Proverbs 26:11
     11 As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly.
     Job 5:2
     2 For wrath kills a foolish man, And envy slays a simple one.
     That is to say, being a fool for wrath and envy.
     Everyone without bread (without Bible Study Service) must be stupid and foolish – regardless of their possessing a highly developed intellect or being uneducated. So wrath and envy are their heart and vomit is their favorite; they love to speak of untrue matters, slanders, and blasphemies toward God.
     Also, pastors without bread are empty; taking the rostrum and talking much to offend people. Consequently, the congregation finds vomit, not bread. Pray for your pastor because you may imagine how helpless it be when Gentiles (the foolish ones) eat vomit.
     For that reason, we should be like the woman of Canaan, confessing herself in sufferings and need of eating the crumbs which fall from the master’s table. Let us, the Gentiles, appreciate the crumbs now. We are indeed dogs, but whose tongues are used to lick the crumbs, not vomit. Crumbs refer to the word disclosed its mystery and the holy communion is the Body or Bread broken up. Now it is the due time to lick the word and the holy communion, a moment in time to hear and obey the word of God that they become our blood and flesh. In such a manner, dogs are made sheep under His shepherd.
     John 10:27
     27 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
     If anyone hears and obeys the word of God – as if a dog licked the bread – he shall never be under death.
     John 8:51
     51 "Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death."
     The term “never see death” does not mean that he cannot die, but saving from destruction and being taken up into heaven. Moses, for instance, was dead but raised up; he thus did not see death. None can find his grave for he had been taken up.
     Deuteronomy 34:5-6
     5 So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.
     6 And He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth Peor; but no one knows his grave to this day.
     Moses was not under death as he died according to the word of the Lord. People such as Moses, who walk with God, must know everything.
     We are indeed the Gentiles with unclean mouths. Only if we return to the word of God, God will lift us up at the time of Jesus’ second coming.
   • Golden Candlestick, signifying our association with Holy Spirit in His anointing or patience in Public or Sunday Service.
     The Holy Spirit is so much important to gentiles that:
     • They are sanctified and accepted by God.
       Romans 15:16
       16 that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
       After water baptism, we will still be baptized by the Spirit that we are sanctified from the natures of Gentile and acceptable by God.
     • They are equipped with gifts and priest’s offices.
       With the gifts, the priest’s offices from the Son of God will be confirmed soon. For example, you have a little ability to play guitar and you practice it more and more. Then you are anointed by Holy Spirit and you have the gift to play guitar as well as you have the priest’s office as guitar player (minister) in church. Without the gift, one who has the ability will not minister God.
       The gifts of Holy Spirit are a marvelous capability to perform the priest’s offices on duty. Gifts and priest’s offices are named the tunic of many colors. No office, no tunic. It more means losing the beauty of life and walking in a shame.
     What should be done with gifts and offices? We must be faithful and fervent in spirit – no matter what restrains us.
     2 Timothy 1:6
     6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
     Romans 12:11
     11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
     The holy and fervent ministers of God are like a flame of fire.
     Hebrews 1:7
     7 And of the angels He says: "Who makes His angels spirits And His ministers a flame of fire."
     Likewise are the eyes of God.
     Revelation 1:14
     14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire;
     Thus, the holy and fervent ministers of God are the eyes of God – even though they are gentiles. None and nothing can restrain such from serving God, even the earth cannot withhold him from going up into heaven by a chariot and horses of fire, for example, Elijah.
     2 Kings 2:8-11
     8 Now Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the water; and it was divided this way and that, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground.
     9 And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?" Elisha said, "Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me."
     10 So he said, "You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so."
     11 Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
     The Jordan could not even obstruct Elijah. He struck the water with his mantle until it was divided this way and that. For us, the Jordan is defined as natural phenomena such as tsunami. Indeed, none and nothing (including Satan) can obstruct the holy and fervent ministers of God. Students of Lempin-El, you will graduate and face obstruction whether you are sent to village or city. Such will be defeated only by the flame of Holy Spirit (holiness and being fervent of Spirit will defeat all obstruction).
     Elisha did not focus himself on a great number of the congregation, but a double portion of the Spirit, that is, the double Holy Spirit at the end of the age.
     See., the main need of the Gentiles is the word and the Spirit, neither huge church building nor much money. For all without the word and the Spirit are in vain, even the church will be like dogs. If the pastor is holy, faithful and fervent in spirit, the church will be also fervent; but if the pastor is always absent from feeding the church, the church will lag in diligence. Only the minister of God who is like the flame of fire may have victory over the fire without being burnt. Elijah went up into heaven with the chariot of fire and someday we will go up into heaven like him.
   • Golden Altar of Incense, signifying our association with Father God in His love, or patience in Worship Service.
     God is setting His eyes upon the Gentiles to convert the function of their tongue, that is, from vomit to bread and water.
     Judges 7:5-6
     5 So he brought the people down to the water. And the LORD said to Gideon, "Everyone who laps from the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set apart by himself; likewise everyone who gets down on his knees to drink."
     6 And the number of those who lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, was three hundred men; but all the rest of the people got down on their knees to drink water.
     God chose the people through the way they drink; whether s a dog laps or getting down on knees to drink.
     Our mouth should lick water or the love of God (worshiping God) and should not lick vomit (speaking evil). Actually the Gentiles are donkeys, whose necks have to be broken after being born. The neck shows worship. The necks were broken, the Gentiles cannot worship. Besides, as a dog licking vomit, Gentiles cannot worship God. Only by the grace of God we may worship Him now. The three hundred men imply the three hundred years of Enoch’s walking with the Lord. This means to us: worship to feel the love and mercy of God.

King David connoted worship as lifting up the hands toward God, as a symbol of surrender. As a result, God also gives His loving and merciful hands to do the following things:

1. redeem or deliver us from the bondages of sin and suffering.
   Deuteronomy 7:7-8
   7 "The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples;
   8 "but because the LORD loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
   We worship Him now and His mighty hand delivers us from slavery and disease or anything else, such as sorrows. God was able to deliver Israelites from sorrows of the slavery in Egypt lasting for 400 years. He is able to deliver us from everything now.
2. guard and care us in a marvelous way, just as a mother nurses her child.
   Isaiah 49:14-16
   14 But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me, And my Lord has forgotten me."
   15 "Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you.
   16 See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.
   The late Rev. Pong Dongalemba often said that God cares for our lives ordinarily and extraordinarily, which means as follows:
   • ordinarily: we are hungry; suddenly someone comes and satisfies our hunger.
   • extraordinarily: we are hungry and none satisfies, but we neither complain nor seek from anyone. We just feel full and strong at last.
     I was once allowed to have no water and rice, but I did not seek to obtain from anyone. I only worshiped God. What happened then? God marvelously sent someone to me. We do not need to be afraid, therefore. God is the Mother who never forsakes His nursing child.
3. exalt us in due time.
   1 Peter 5:6
   6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
   to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God = to worship God.
   Like a wheel rotates, so is the up and down in our lives. If we are now down, we will someday be exalted. Lest be downhearted or complain, just worship much. As the Gentiles, we cannot do anything. As youth, you may feel bad future in front of you. Worship God and the mercy of God will settle all and lift us up to heavens as Jesus comes the second time. Let us now walk with God, that is to say with the bread of His word, Holy Spirit, and the water of His love.

God bless you!