The fifty gold clasps positioned over the veil signify that as we pass from the Church Age to the Kingdom Age there will be a Pentecost (fifty) of Divine (gold) blessing and glory.

There are three roofs placed over the linen ceiling. The first is black goat hair representing the sin found in the Christian. The second is ram skin dyed red speaking of the blood of Jesus that covers the sin found in the Christian. Finally a covering of the hide of sea cows, portraying the tough exterior that every saint must develop if he or she is to withstand the pressures of life.

Do you see the picture? The Christian has a glorious Christ-life within. However the body still has sin. But the sin is covered by the blood of Jesus. Then the entire personality has a tough hide that protects the personality from the pressures of life and also conceals the work of God from curious eyes.

Let us think about the first roof, the black goat hair. It also was coupled with fifty clasps positioned directly above the fifty gold clasps of the linen ceiling and parallel with them. But the clasps coupling the goat hair curtains were bronze instead of gold. Bronze typifies judgment, in the Scripture.

Consider this: there were fifty gold and fifty bronze clasps directly over the veil. This means there will be a double portion of Pentecost (fifty and fifty) at the time the saints move from the Church Age to the Kingdom Age. Part of this revival will include the gold of Divine glory and blessing and part will include the bronze of judgment.

The tenth chapter of Zechariah shows us that the latter rain will bring fruitfulness. But the eleventh chapter of Revelation reveals another side of the revival, the exercise of Divine judgment on the nations in anticipation of the furious cavalry charge of Christ and His warriors when they descend from the sky to drive the wicked from the earth.

Like it or not, awesome change is upon us. The next few years will be critical for the United States of America. The churches either will turn away from sin and bring blessing on our nation, or else business as usual will continue in the churches until judgment falls. The period of judgment will not prove to be a pleasant time for the believers.

Some are saying that it is too late for America. Our sins are too great. This may be true. However, I think I have it from the Lord that there is still a brief period during which the churches can humble themselves and seek the Lord.

But I do think we need to preach a tougher message. I don't believe people can be loved into the Kingdom. I think we are to plant the cross of Christ in front of people and inform them that God has made a way through Jesus Christ by which they can receive complete forgiveness of sins, with the understanding that they will repent, be baptized in water, and then walk in a manner pleasing to the Lord. Let us reason with people concerning righteousness, self-control, and judgment to come until, like the covetous Felix, they tremble.

We are to bring people under conviction, not under condemnation. We are to warn them to flee from the wrath to come and then show them the open arms of Jesus so they have a glorious alternative.

But let us never compromise the demands of discipleship in order to win people. Let us be very clear that while God is willing to wink at our sins of the past He now wants us to come to Jesus for the power to turn away from the sins of our age and to serve God with a pure heart as has been true of the saints of all ages.

How do you feel about all this?