A Final Thought

There were seven major furnishings of the Tabernacle. Of these seven, the Lampstand was number four and the Altar of Incense was number five.

Speaking in terms of the warlike remnant, the firstfruits of the Church that are being called out by the Spirit, they are wrestling in the Lord that they might move past Pentecost, the Lampstand, and press forward until they apprehend all that the Altar of Incense represents.

The future of the Kingdom depends upon the success of the godly remnant of today pressing their way to the Altar of Incense.

The first four furnishings, the Altar of Burnt Offering, the Laver, the Table of Firstfruits, and the Lampstand profit man. Man is forgiven his sins. Man is cleansed in water baptism. Man is born again at the Table of Showbread. Man is filled with God's Spirit at Pentecost, the Lampstand.

The next step, as typified by the Altar of Incense, the Ark of the Covenant, and the Altar of Incense, has to do with the coming to earth of God's Kingdom—that which profits God.

There was at one time a colossal rebellion on the part of the angels of God. Since that time God has been desirous of bringing the heavens under His control, forming an eternal bride for His Son, and revealing Himself in a company of sons formed in His image. These are God's needs and desires.

God wants everlasting righteousness on the part of all of His creatures, new heavens and a new earth wherein dwells righteousness.

Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. (Daniel 9:24)

Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (II Peter 3:13)

Satan understands that the material creation is superior to the spirit Paradise and it is here that he intends to rule. Satan's rule is not brought to an end in us or in the earth when we are forgiven, baptized in water, born again, or filled with God's Spirit. Satan's rule is not threatened until we come to the Altar of Incense, bow before God in stern holiness and obedience, and plead, "Not my will but Yours be done."

When we bow in stern obedience we make it possible for the Father and the Son to enter us and begin to work through us. The work of the Father and the Son is to put down all disobedience and to bring everlasting righteousness into our personality and actions and then into our surroundings. This is the Kingdom of God.

We understand, therefore, that nothing is actually happening, as far as installing the Kingdom of God in the earth, until God finds people who will love not their own lives unto the death, who will present themselves as the servant of the Lord, taking their place in the great Servant of the Lord, the Body of Christ.

To be continued.