ENTERING INTO THE HOLIEST

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Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Heb 10:19-22 KJV

God wants to have fellowship with man and lead him back to where he rightly belongs with the Father. However there is a problem of holy proportions and that is God's holiness! Anytime a holy God attempts to draw near to sinful man it triggers a reaction that results in sinful man's death. Sinful man coming into the presence of God is like bringing fuel soaked paper near to an intense fire...spontaneous combustion!!! Ultimately because of this catastrophic dilemma man is ultimately destined for eternal separation from God, unless something is done...hold on...Someone already did that something! Jesus!

To see the Lord one requires holiness

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Heb 12:14 KJV

So…What is holiness?

The approach of the Israelites at Mt Sinai was very tentative and fearful. God gave specific warnings about their approach not being to close lest they die. When we approach the New Testament however we see a vast difference.

1. God wants us to be partakers of His holiness!

For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Heb 12:10 KJV

2. We are invited to come boldly!

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Heb 4:16 KJV

3. Our boldness in approaching is a result of the Blood of Jesus!

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Heb 10:19-22 KJV

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Eph 2:13 KJV

Many times we read the following passage in James and usually miss the part where it says “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.”

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Jas 4:6-8 KJV

For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. Heb 7:19 KJV

 God actually wants us to get close to Him!

It is not in the nature of man to draw near to God. The SON however dwells in the bosom of the father. If we are in the Son we cannot help but be brought into God’s presence!

We need to stop acting like natural beasts that need a bridle in their mouths to be drawn near! Many are so fearful of God or son indifferent to their great need to get near to God that they need to be restrained in order to stay in the way!

Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. Psa 32:9 KJV

So once again…what is holiness?

In the Old Testament worship there were degrees of approach to God. The ordinary people remained in the outer court. The priest ministered in the Holy Place but the high priest went into the holiest of all that is the Holy of Holies where Yahweh came down and filled with His glory!.

Look at our key passage again:

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Heb 10:19-22 KJV

We are informed that WE HAVE BOLDNESS, not to enter the outer court or even the holy place but right into the HOLIEST of all with our high priest. This boldness is because of the BLOOD!

The HOLIEST place in the whole of existence is the throne of God and this is made approachable to us by the precious Blood of Jesus!

As we approach nearer to God we get nearer to holiness, ultimately to the holiest and we realize that it is not a series of ‘don’ts’ and dos’. It is more a decision to draw near to God! How did the ground in the Midian desert get holy so that Moses had to take off his shoes? It was because Yahweh manifested His presence in the burning bush!

We are told to perfect holiness by moving away from the unclean towards the Father. The closer we get to God the farther away we are from the unclean until in the every Holiest in the heavens…the throne of God there is absolute holiness to which we have a right by the Blood of Jesus!

We are informed that we become partakers of His Holiness by yielding to His dealings with us in moving and directing and nudging us away from the undesirables towards Himself!

We are reminded to pursue holiness, without which we cannot see the Lord. This is pretty obvious since the more we pursue holiness the closer we get to God since His throne is the Holiest place of all which is God’s destiny for us! There in His presence we can behold His beauty and you do not even begin to understand what beauty is all about until you see the glory of God! What we called beauty fades into insignificance… a jaded memory before His face!

God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.  Psa 47:8 KJV

Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.  Psa 48:1 KJV

The Bible repeatedly refers to the beauty of holiness!

The Journey to Holiness!

And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Isa 35:8-10 KJV

Everything mentioned pertaining to holiness is made possible by the Blood of Jesus. We get on the highway of holiness through His Blood! It is not therefore a series of dos and donts but a journey with a destination…the throne of the Father!

THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST!

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Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 1Pe 1:18-20 KJV

What is the most precious commodity that is an ever constant factor before the Father?

I cannot deal with such an inexhaustible topic as the Precious BLOOD of Jesus Christ in a few short moments so I would like to focus on a few factors that are presently on my heart.

In our minds Christ was crucified more than 2000 years ago, a completed and finished fact in the past. In the mind of the Father, past, present and future are always present before Him for He dwells in eternity. For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.  Isa 57:15 KJV

There is no past present and future sequence before God for these are phases of time. Therefore Christ Who was slain before the foundation of the world is seen as slain in the present a constant before God the Father. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. Rev 5:5-6 KJV

Why is the Blood of Christ described as precious?

In heaven Christ's sacrifice and death is always in the present, as a Lamb slain!

What or Who is most precious to the Father? His Son the Messiah (Christ) of course!. It therefore follows that the blood is an ever present constant before Him PRECIOUS beyond anything else!

Invoking the Blood strikes a tremendous chord in the heart of the Father because of what Christ did. Can you imagine the response to those who reject this Blood that obsesses the Father’s thoughts?

God became human to obtain precious innocent blood...human blood for an offering, a purchase price. For the span of His human life on earth Christ carried blood in which was the life of the flesh! But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.  Gen 9:4 KJV

And whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people. For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.  Lev 17:10-11 KJV

The human body of the Messiah was a vessel for the precious Blood which was poured out as a sacrifice and offering before the Father when Christ was slain. The priests of the Old Covenant offered the blood of animals in the tabernacle and the temple.

 

Where was Christ’s Blood offered up?

But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Heb 9:11-14 KJV

It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Heb 9:23-28 KJV

When we come to God on the basis of the Blood we come based on the most precious commodity in all creation and beyond. The holiest place in all creation and beyond is the Holy of holies in heaven. I would like to speculate and say that there is no other blood in heaven of any kind, but ONLY the blood of Jesus the Messiah ever present, ever fresh, ever living, and ever powerful! Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 1Co 15:50 KJV

Jesus said to his disciples: Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. Luke 24:39 KJV

So just how valuable is the Blood of Christ to us?

When we believe and yield ourselves to His Blood we become as close to the Father as His Son is! And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.  John 17:22-23 KJV

When we begin to say in our hearts that no one understands us and no one feels our pain, if at that time we take a look at the Cross we see Messiah hanging there and begin to understand that He feels, He understands, He suffers with us, which is why He hung there!

His BLOOD:

1. Washes our sins away!

And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,  Rev 1:5 KJV

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1Jn 1:7 KJV

2.  Redeemed us from slavery!

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 1Pe 1:18-20 KJV

They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:) Psa 49:6-8 KJV

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. Act 20:28 KJV

3.  Provides for our healing!

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 1Pe 2:24 KJV

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.  Isa 53:5 KJV

4. Overcome the devil

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.  Rev 12:11 KJV

5.  Purges our consciences

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?  Heb 9:14 KJV

We need no therapy or psychologist or psychiatrist just the Blood of the LAMB!

6. Boldness to enter His presence!

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Heb 10:19-22 KJV

The Blood is an ever present constant before the throne of God! It will always be the most memorable event before God the Father. It will always be the most precious thing in any and all realms forever!

CHARACTERISTICS OF LIVING SPIRITUALLY-MOVEMENT

Living things move!

Not all that move is living but all that is living will have some form of movement whether noticeable or not.

Some movements are internal with substances being transported from one part of the body to another. Other movement is external and visible to the observer viz. Locomotion, blinking of eyes, and movements of limbs.

While you were sleeping apparently dead to the world a lot of movement was taking place within your body.

Movement in living things is self directed i.e. it happens by volition of the individual.  Movement in healthy living things always tends towards more favorable environment.

Movement in human beings also usually takes the form of exercise or recreation.
A living fish is able to swim against the tide...a dead fish simply flows wherever the tide takes it.

We are either a movement or a monument! 

A Christian's life is never static but is always in motion. It's either forward or backward....upward or downward ...progression or regression...building or breaking...or as our LORD said...gathering or scattering! So...are you with me or against me here? J

 Our Christian life is a walk, a race, a journey…a movement

There is movement away from and movement towards.

We are commanded to follow after certain things:

Romans 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

1 Corinthians 14:1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

Most important is that we follow the Good Shepherd and not stray away from His Voice!

We are also advised to move away from, or flee from certain things.

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. 1Co 10:13-14 KJV

Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 1 Corinthians 6:18  

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 1Ti 6:9-11 KJV

Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. 2Ti 2:22-23 KJV

PHYSICAL MOVEMENT	SPIRITUAL CHARACTERISTICS	SCRIPTURE/COMMENTS
Movement from one place to another geographically	We are on a constant spiritually journey upwards. Jesus’ command to follow Him implies that He is taking you on a journey. It is a walk of faith with the disciple trusting the Lord to lead him as he follows by faith.	Philippians 3:12-14 KJV 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.  13  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
There is within the body, constant movement that is vital to the well being and development of the body. Cells are continuously on the go, transporting, building up and repairing while getting rid of harmful substances.	We are to be perfected through patience In our life we are to constantly present our bodies to the LORD and be transformed by the renewing of our minds. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 2Co 4:16 KJV	My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. Jas 1:2-4 KJV I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Rom 12:1-2 KJV
There is also a finely coordinated movement between various organs and parts to benefit the body as a whole.	The Christian benefits from the corporate assembling of the body developing and maturing through that which every part supplies.	And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Heb 10:24-25 KJV From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. Eph 4:16 KJV

Romans 12:1-2 KJV  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Philippians 2:12-13 KJV  12   Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.  13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Ephesians 3:20-21 KJV  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,  21   Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

1 Corinthians 6:19 KJV What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

A temple is a place where a lot of worshipful activity should be taking place.

Hebrews 13:20-21 KJV Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,  21  Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Hebrews 12:1-2. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:12-13 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; 13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

Romans 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.