Bible Study at Surabaya - Monday, November 05, 2007

Jude 1:24, 25
1:24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
1:25 To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.

Verse 24 is the appearance of Jesus as Great Shepherd, who is mighty to keep His sheep, so we do not stumble and be left when Jesus comes a second time as well as to lead us to become blameless or spotless as His perfect bride, ready to welcome His second coming.
How can we become perfect as His Bride? The process is real through Jesus as Great Shepherd leads us to enter into the revival of Holy Spirit in the last rain or the revival to perfect the Church of God. It is written in Old Testament that the revival is as Joshua's entering into Canaan or the last journey of Israelites or the Church of God.

Joshua 3:1-6
3:1 Then Joshua rose early in the morning; and they set out from Acacia Grove and came to the Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they crossed over.
3:2 So it was, after three days, that the officers went through the camp;
3:3 and they commanded the people, saying, "When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, the Levites, bearing it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it.
3:4 "Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before."
3:5 And Joshua said to the people, "Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you."
3:6 Then Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, "Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over before the people." So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people.

The revival of Holy Spirit in the last rain is as Joshua's crossing over the Jordan to enter into Canaan or the promise land, being lead by the Ark of Covenant. Canaan was in the Middle-East area, referring to New Jerusalem now.

What is the meaning of the Ark of Covenant?
The ark of Covenant is equipment which is in the furthest part of Tabernacle. It is also the most important equipment, whose two parts are as follows:

1. The first part, namely mercy seat with two cherubim, referring to godly matters.
   The first cherub refers to Father God or the Lord; the mercy seat refers to the Son of God or Jesus, and the second cherub points to Holy Spirit God or Christ.
   In shorts, it is Father God, the Son of God, and Holy Spirit God or the Lord Jesus Christ as Heavenly Bridegroom.
   
   
2. The second part, namely the ark which is made of black acacia wood overlaid with pure gold, referring to godly matter so the wood cannot be seen anymore. It refers to the Church of God or Heavenly Bride, who becomes same with Heavenly Bridegroom.
   The black acacia wood points to sinful carnal men.
   

The Heavenly Bride has not been formed yet, but now the ark of covenant points to the tidings, namely Bride Tidings so we can become the bride of God. Thus, the revival of Holy Spirit in the last rain is the revival led by teaching Word/Bride Tidings.

I always repeat that there are two kinds of the preaching of the Word. The first is the preaching about the Gospel of salvation as it is written in Ephesians 1:13, namely the Word preaching about Jesus' first coming to die on the cross to make sinful people believe in Jesus and be saved. The Gospel is to add the quantity of the members of the body of Christ or the bride of God because the quantity has to be accurate in line with the will of God. For example, our fingers should be five because it is not perfect if our fingers are only four. In shorts, the Gospel is important to add the quantity of sinful people who believe in Jesus and are saved by God. Flowing from that, we cannot despise the Gospel because it is important.

Nevertheless, it is not enough that we have fulfilled the quantity, so we need the second one, namely the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ or the teaching Word or Bride Tidings preaching about Jesus' second coming as King of Kings and Heavenly Bridegroom to perfect Christ's body or the congregation. The saved are perfected to fulfill the quality of perfect congregation or Heavenly Bride as Jesus is. This kind of preaching is called the teaching Word or Bride Tidings.

The revival of Holy Spirit in the first rain is in the Gospel in order to add the quantity. It can be explained as in the beginning that only Jesus, then twelve disciples were saved, seventy disciples were saved, and three thousand people were saved when Peter gave sermon, then five thousand people were saved. It continues until now.

Besides, there is revival of Holy Spirit in the last rain that is in the teaching Word of Bride Tidings to reach the quality of the congregation to become perfect as Jesus is. We must follow it now.
It is said in Jude 1:24 that the Great Shepherd covers us to keep us from stumbling and to present us faultless or to guide us to enter into the revival of Holy Spirit in the last rain or the revival in teaching Word or Bride Tidings.

We have to be careful because there is example in holy bible about the revival of service to God which is not lead by the ark of covenant, referring to there is no revelation of God's Word but determination (in negative meaning) in the service and ministry to the Lord.

Numbers 14:44-45
14:44 But they presumed to go up to the mountaintop; nevertheless, neither the ark of the covenant of the LORD nor Moses departed from the camp.
14:45 Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who dwelt in that mountain came down and attacked them, and drove them back as far as Hormah.

They presumed to go up to the mountain top to fight but the ark of covenant and Moses were in the mountain foot. Thus, the service and ministry or spiritual revival without the ark of covenant or without the teaching Word will only result in loss in fighting against enemy, or loss in fighting against sin so the sins are added more because the past sins spread again or increase.

My fellow servants of God, you are in your own shepherding. You will get loss and the congregation will be scattered even the spirituality decreases if there is no revelation of God's Word or the ark of covenant in your ministry.
Committing fellowship without the revelation of God's Word, one will go home, getting loss, and there is no use but disadvantage. Likewise, the congregation who commits fellowship that does not have the revelation of God's Word will get tumult in household or marriage. The more they commit the service, the more they are scattered.

Thus, we have to pass through the revival in the first rain if we want to reach perfection, but it must be continued with being led in the revival in the last rain in the ark of covenant or the revelation of the teaching Word, and the space between us and the ark must be according to the rule.

Joshua 3:4
3:4 "Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before."

The space is two thousand cubits by measure, referring to the Holy Place of Tabernacle, whose height and width are each ten cubits, and the length is twenty cubits, so the volume is two thousand cubits square.

Thus, the space means that we are in the revival of Holy Spirit in the last rain or we live in the Holy Place or shepherding. Formerly there were three equipments, referring to perseverance in committing three main services.
We enter into the revival or the fullness of Holy Spirit in the last rain by firstly persevering in committing three main services, not going anywhere without any purpose. I always say what the Late Rev. In Juwono and the Late Rev. Pong Dongalemba has said that revival service is the abundance of what has been inside the congregation. The fellowship cannot happen from the empty congregation because it will run out. I am afraid of it because it is a serious matter. On the contrary, the abundance must be brought outside, or else the egoism will make an explosion.

In shorts, the beginning of the spiritual revival is perseverance in committing three main services because it is the real spiritual revival that we go out after being blessed with the abundance of the Word of God. I hope we can understand.
We will find dead-lock or a way full of stumbling-blocks which makes us fall if we are outside the shepherding (the figure two thousand), even there is another figure two thousand, that is the negative one. It refers to two thousand swine or uncleanness. The swine are bred, meaning the uncleanness becomes greater. It is serious matter indeed. Therefore, we have to keep the positive figure of two thousand because it is the real spiritual revival.

Joshua 3:4
3:4 "Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before."

Being shepherded, we find new way in the shepherding because Great Shepherd leads us. My fellow servants of God, you have to be shepherded with perseverance in shepherding so you do not find a way full of stumbling-blocks or dead-lock, that is to say a way full of uncleanness or revival in uncleanness.


We will find other way or new way in the shepherding, meaning as follows:

• Way without Herod or way without stumbling-blocks. Wise people had met Herod before they met Jesus. Herod commanded them to detect and told him where Jesus was. Nevertheless, they were told in a dream to pass through a new way. If they had returned to Herod, they and Jesus would have been killed. The way without Herod or the way without stumbling-blocks means we will not stumble or be stumbling-blocks.
  
  
• We always experience life-renewal from carnal men to spiritual men.
  
• Way out of all problems. There must be solution in the shepherding. Passing through a way that is not known before, people in the world must go astray. It is different to those who are in shepherding because there must be solution in it. I have experienced as a pastor for fifteen years. There are many proofs about perseverance in committing three main services. There were some members of congregation coming to me in facing dead-lock. I gave them advice not to be far away from God but to persevere in committing three main services. Do not leave God because of problem. There will be solution little by little if we do not stumble or become stumbling-blocks, or else there will be no other way. I hope we can understand.
  

How are our attitudes to the ark of covenant? We have to have the positive attitude as follows:

Joshua 3: 3, 6
3:3 and they commanded the people, saying, "When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, the Levites, bearing it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it.
3:6 Then Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, "Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over before the people." So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people.

• Seeing it
  
• Following it
  
• Bearing it
  

Those are attitudes we should do to the Bride Tidings which was revealed by God to Moses when he received two tablets of stone and commandment to make tabernacle on the Mount Sinai. Paul, the apostle, also received the revelation from God because he often taught about heavenly kingdom or the Bride or Bride Tidings. It was also revealed by God to the Late Rev. Van Gessel so he could arrange the sixty books of holy bible in the system of tabernacle. Do not do other things!

We only can see, follow, and bear the Word God has revealed from age to age. Israelites did like what Philistines had done when they returned the ark of covenant they had brought after defeating the Israelites, that is to say they set the ark of God on a new cart. Consequently, the oxen and the cart stumbled.

What is the meaning of seeing, bearing, and following?

1. Seeing and following mean that all aspects of our life must see the Word of God or be according to the teaching Word or Bride Tidings we have received. Youth, you have to see the Word first before you get married, not the money or salary first. Afterward, the attitude of the husband and wife must be according to the rule because the rule is complete, not only in the marriage but also in our job and service to the Lord. All aspects of our life have the rule like Moses made the tabernacle according to the pattern he had seen from heaven precisely.
   
   
2. Bearing means we are responsible to practice the teaching Word or Bride Tidings.
   
3. Afterward, we are responsible to preach the Word wherever we are sent by God. Preaching the Word after practicing it, it will never run out although we face many obstacles in preaching it like Joshua's facing River Jordan. Preaching this Word is not only giving sermon but can be through our life testimony in our office or anywhere.
   They are positive attitudes to the Word. I hope we can understand.

On the contrary, there is negative attitude that Israelites imitated the Philistines. They defeated Israelites and seized the ark of God but then they returned it by set it on a cart because there was a mess there.

2 Samuel 6: 2, 3 6, 7
6:2 And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, whose name is called by the Name, the LORD of Hosts, who dwells between the cherubim.
6:3 So they set the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart.
6:6 And when they came to Nachon's threshing floor, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled.
6:7 Then the anger of the LORD was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by the ark of God.

King David thought that it was difficult to bear the ark because it was heavy, so it was better to set it on a cart because it would be fast to go.

Being set on a cart means as follows:

1. Using worldly way
   We often suppose that we are greater than God so we have wrong attitude to the ark or Bride Tidings that is the revelation of God, through mixing it with worldly ways that give flesh pleasure. It is as the way of Philistines causing the oxen stumble.
   
   Stumbling means going astray or not going to New Jerusalem anymore. One may use worldly ways because of desire to go faster but s/he stumbles and goes astray. Using worldly ways, there are many people going astray. Stumbling and going astray are caused by false teachings, so the journey is no longer toward New Jerusalem.
   
   
2. Putting out hand to the ark of God means human's interfering in the Word of God. The Word may be added with knowledge or experience because of considering that the Word has many weaknesses. Human's interference in the Word by adding or eliminating Bride Tidings is an error. Consequently, one goes astray even his spirituality dies and perishes in hell. Do not put out hand to the ark of God. The things we may do are seeing, following, and bearing it. Bearing means only the pole we may touch, not the ark itself.
   
   Students of Lempin-El must continue to study under Jesus' feet after graduation from Lempin-El. Do not add or eliminate the Word because it is as you put your hand to the ark of God or having error and dead spirituality. Studying under Jesus' feet is enough, that is to say seeing, following, and bearing the ark because whatever coming from God cannot be added or eliminated. It is a serious matter. Let us check ourselves!
   

In shorts,  the negative attitude is through stumbling or going astray, and doing error or having dead spirituality because of human's interference by knowledge and experience. Therefore, let us now not stumble or do error but have positive attitude through seeing, following, and bearing the ark. It is enough to bring us to enter into New Jerusalem. I hope we can understand.

The results of seeing, following, and bearing the ark of God are as follows:

1. Peace and rest in the middle of the very hot desert of the world.
   I think we will not feel peaceful when we feel hot weather, at least we will move our hand with fan.
   
   Numbers 10:33
   10:33 So they departed from the mountain of the LORD on a journey of three days; and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them for the three days' journey, to search out a resting place for them.
   
   It is said in Matthew 11 that we will feel easy and light if we have rest for our soul.
   
   Matthew 11:28-30
   11:28 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
   11:29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
   11:30 "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
   
   "Come to me" is Jesus' invitation.
   The meaning of giving us rest is as follows:
   
   • All our labor and heavy burden have been helped by God. Those who labor and are heavy laden will find rest if there is Bride Tidings coming from God and preached solemnly, because all labor and heavy burden have been born by Heavenly Bridegroom.
     
     
   • We have become meek and humble so there is no hardness of heart which makes our heart without peace, and does the arrogance. We may feel so great in the beginning but we can be meek and humble right after we hear the Bride Tidings, so we can confess our weaknesses.
     
   
   It is the work of the Ark of God. Let us now come to God while we are heavy laden, so the work of God or the light of glory of God's Word can pass through our heart. Do not harden our heart or be arrogant but humble ourselves much more by confessing our faults and weaknesses, so we can find rest for our soul. I hope we can understand.
   
   
2. We experience the power of sanctification done by Bride Tidings in our life as follows:
   Joshua 3:14-17
   3:14 So it was, when the people set out from their camp to cross over the Jordan, with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people,
   3:15 and as those who bore the ark came to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who bore the ark dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks during the whole time of harvest),
   3:16 that the waters which came down from upstream stood still, and rose in a heap very far away at Adam, the city that is beside Zaretan. So the waters that went down into the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, failed, and were cut off; and the people crossed over opposite Jericho.
   3:17 Then the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan; and all Israel crossed over on dry ground, until all the people had crossed completely over the Jordan.
   
   
   • The waters which came down from upstream stood still, and rose in a heap.
     It means the sanctification from past sins we have done like flowing water. Accepting the Bride Tidings sharper than any two-edged sword, we can little by little confess our sins, and then do not repeat the sins after being forgiven. Doing it continually, our past sins will be settled or finished. All sins we have said or thought are forgiven, and then do not repeat them. In such condition, sin burdens have been finished.
     
     
   • The waters that went down into the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, failed, and were cut off.
     There were water in front of the priests but the feet of the priests who bore the ark dipped in the edge of the water, and the waters that went down into the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, failed, and were cut off.
     It means the sanctification for future sins that want to ensnare us to make us stumble. Our past sins have been finished and the future sins have been also by Bride Tidings or the Word sharper than any two-edged sword. Keeping doing sins indicates that there is no work of the teaching Word.
     
   
   Let us check ourselves. Being heavy laden all the time, not experiencing the work of Bride Tidings yet, and the sins flow like river even flood, let us pay attention to our attitude to the figure two thousand, whether we have persevered or not. Having already been persevered, let us pay attention to our attitude, whether we have seen and practiced the Word or not. Practicing the Word, we get real result, namely rest for our soul or hard things become easy and light. For my fellow servants of God, your hard ministry will become easy and light. Heavy burden in marriage or about children and economy will become easy and light.
   
   Those are the works of the Ark of God, not the work of education certificate or our works. You may try your best effort but what determines is the work of the Ark of God giving us rest. In addition, there is sanctification from sins because all sins, behind and front, are cut off, so the ground becomes dry and there is no obstruction on our way until we can be spotless.
   
   Ephesians 5:25-27
   5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,
   5:26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,
   5:27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
   
   Being holy and without blemish means being perfect.
   Do not blame the teaching or the Ark of Covenant when we have not got any result because the Bride Tidings is the revelation of God, who is never false. It is us who are false in our space and attitude to it. Let us correct ourselves, and not argue about it but keep our space or attitude to the ark because it is the most important thing to get the real result.
   
   
3. We get extra strength to make us strong and of good courage.
   Psalm 132:8
   132:8 Arise, O LORD, to Your resting place, You and the ark of Your strength.
   
   The ark does not give strength of muscle which is great, but strength that makes us strong and of good courage in facing these things:
   
   • False teachings. Do not receive one who talks about the ark of God which is touched by hand or knowledge, or else you will stumble.
     
   • Problems in these last days.
     
   • Sins
     
   
   In shorts, the work of the ark of God is to make us hope fully in God, not in others, to give us peace, to sanctify us, and to make us strong and of good courage. He Himself will settle all things and we will never be left alone.
   

1 Chronicles 28:20
28:20 And David said to his son Solomon, "Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God--my God--will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

Facing all things with strong heart and of good courage, and hoping fully in God, God will never leave us alone in our struggle. He will always be with us until He settles all things as what He has said on the cross "It is finished."
Holy Communion is the proof that He is able, and He is struggling with us because He does not leave us alone in our struggling. He is struggling together with us to settle all our problems and sins until He makes us His perfect Bride.

Youth, you will never be left alone in facing your future as long as you have the ark of God, so you have rest or peace, sanctification, and strong heart. He is struggling together with you and He settles all things as He has said "It is finished" on the cross. Do not be doubtful!
Let the Holy Communion strengthen you again because the Lord has settled all things, not only problems and sins but until we become His perfect Bride, who is worthy to welcome His second coming.

Psalm 27:14
27:14 Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!

Being strong and of courage, we can welcome His second coming without stumbling anymore but we can be lifted up together with Him forever.
He wants to see our attitudes and space to the ark of God now. If we have the right attitudes and space, we will get the results, namely peace, sanctification, and strong or courageous heart, so He will never leave us but He will settle all problems until we become His Bride, worthy to welcome Jesus' second coming. He will always be with us forever.

God blesses you.1