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The Messiah’s Secret – Fulfilment of Prophesies

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The Messiah’s Secret – Fulfilment of Prophesies 

The parable of the talents is not so much about money. It’s about Jesus leaving them at his ascension and his disciples being trusted to use their God given ability (talents) to tell people about Jesus and it’s the same for us today
Verse 15, “To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability.” Using our ability God’s gifts to tell people about Jesus
 
The Apprentice
Three teams to promote the Bible.

The task: each team takes one of these three Christian items to hand out: Comic strip, Christmas Cards, Book Markers.

Each person in the congregation can only receive one of these three things.

You will have only 3 minutes to complete the task.
The team that distributes the most, when the egg timer fills the lower bottle, is the winner.
Second – this team come back next week
and the third team will be fired. This team give their item to the winning team.

The parable of the Talents informs us that Jesus expects us
 to be actively contributing to the work of making Him known
in expectation of his return to the earth.

Readings: Matthew 25: 14-30. 1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11
The Apprentice game was about working as a team everybody having apart to play whether in producing the handouts or in offering it to people as a gift. The gift is the message in our readings this morning it speaks of Jesus at some point in the future returning to the earth.
In the Bible we find prophesies that indicate that Jesus’ return is nearer than we think and one of those prophesies is in the process of being fulfilled .
In Luke’s gospel Jesus pointed to a time when he said, “Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” Luke 21. 24 
Many Christians believe that this prophecy was fulfilled in 1967 after the 6 Day War when after Israel took over Jordan’s eastern half of the city. Israel controlling Jerusalem after a gap of 2,000 years.    

However, today many more Christians believe that this prophecy was fulfilled only in part in 1967. The times of the Gentiles continues until Jesus returns.  
Romans 11: 25, 26. “Hardening has come upon part of Israel until the full number of the Gentiles comes in, and so all Israel shall be saved; as it is written, The Deliverer shall come from Zion and he shall banish ungodliness from Jacob.”                                                                                                                                       
This hardening of Israel’s heart, is their rejection of Jesus as the Christ that will persist until Jesus returns, so this is the period of time we are in now, it is linked with other prophesies that lead us to understand that Israel has to control Jerusalem until Jesus returns.
According to Zechariah Israel’s present day defence of Jerusalem is described as a great stone like the heavy stone that grinds the corn. 
 Zech 12: 2, 3. “On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it shall grievously hurt themselves.” Meaning that Israel is using a strong hand against their enemies, as we have seen over the last few years in the contention between Israel and the Palestinians.                                                                                                                                                 
Since the 1970’s there have been numerous attempts to bring a peaceful settlement between Arab, Jew and Palestinian. On Wikipedia which is an on line encyclopaedia The website ’Israeli – Palestinian peace process’  summarises the peace initiatives and treaties up to the present day: like the UN resolution 242 November 22nd 1967, The Oslo Accords, Camp David year 2,000 and the ‘Road Map’ for peace.
During this time some agreements have been made making process towards peace. The website concludes on a positive note there are people on both sides involved in Joint economic effort and development.
But prophesies indicate that Israel will find no true peace until Jesus returns
Zechariah 14: 2-4 “I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city. Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights in the day of battle. On that day his feet will stand on the mount of Olives.”
We are living now in the time that is leading up to where Jerusalem will be surrounded by the armies of nations and Israelis will flee to the mountains and only a remnant will remain. 
Jesus calls the church to watch, be ready for when this sign is being fulfilled.
“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you know that its desolation is near.“ Luke 21: 20  
As Paul wrote we who are in the light and are awake to this prophecy. Paul assured the Christians at Thessalonica, we are not destined to be involved in this battle at Jerusalem
Paul had informed the Thessalonians that Jesus will call out his body of believers to meet with him in the air, before he returns to the Mount of Olives. This meeting is were both those who have died in faith are awakened and those who are alive, in the light, all will come together at this awesome event and meet Jesus face to face.
After this takes place when Christians are taken out from the earth, people who come to faith they will go through  the tribulation, this period of time when the tension will build up  between the nations against Jerusalem and those who come to faith during this time will suffer.
So, this is when the times of Gentiles are fulfilled, when the full number have come to faith. Jesus will return and take up the fight with the remnant of Israel and Jesus the Christ defeats the nations that will be lead by the antichrist against Jerusalem.                       

To conclude: At God’s timing Jesus will call out his church before this battle takes place and he will call when we least expect, so we must be ready, the sign of Jerusalem no longer being trodden down by the Gentiles is quite significant and so we can be sure that God will bring this prophecy to its full conclusion.

34 prophesies were fulfilled in one day, on the day of Jesus crucifixion, so we can rejoice with the angels as they watch with great anticipation as these events unfold, looking and expecting Jesus to call out his church.


Jerusalem, Millennium, prophesies, ruling rod of iron, Third Temple, wailing wall

The Messiah’s Secret – The Third Temple

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Jesus prophesied through the sign of Jonah which inferred his resurrection and the Jews rejection of that sign.
The scribes and Pharisees asked for a sign from him, he gave them the sign of Jonah saying that has Jonah was three nights and days in the belly of the whale so would the Son of man be in the heart of the earth. The people of Nineveh will condemn this generation as they repented when they heard the message from Jonah and take notice something greater than Jonah is here. Some one greater than the Wisdom of Solomon was in their midst, it was Jesus who instituted the temple.

The Messiah’s Secret page 166
“Jesus was with his disciples for 40 days after his resurrection, speaking to them about the kingdom of God. One of the disciples remembered his confrontation with the Pharisees when Jesus had told them the parable of the Vineyard owner. After the tenants had killed the heir, the vineyard was let out to another nation to produce the fruit of it. The disciple asked if Jesus would restore the kingdom to Israel. Jesus said that only his Father knew the time of his return and the circumstances of it. He said that he would return within their lifetime, but some of them would not see death before the Son of man would return with the angels and power of the kingdom. Mark 8:38. 9:1”

The Messiah’s Secret
The disciple thought that Israel had lost their opportunity to accept Jesus as their Messiah/Christ – the Anointed One. He did not realise that the Messiah had to die be raised from the dead and ascend into heaven before he could be accepted by the leaders as their Leader and Saviour. Acts 5: 31. For their leaders to accept Jesus the apostles first had to proclaim him as the Christ. Acts 2: 36

The temple was in place, the people were in anticipation of the Messiah’s coming. They were chosen by God to take the good news of the establishing of God’s kingdom on the earth with the Messiah, the King of God’s kingdom at its head. Israel its people, recognised by God as being a kingdom of priests, responsible for the worshipping of God. The nation of Israel had been given the covenants and promises of God. Exodus 19: 24. Ephesians 2: 12.

The Ruling Rod of Iron of the Kingdom.
“Ask of me, and I will make nations your heritage and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel. Now therefore, O Kings, be wise be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, with trembling kiss his feet lest he be angry, and you perish in the way for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all those who take refuge in him.” Psalm 2: 8-11. Revelation 19: 15.

“The Messiah’s Secret” page 110 A word from the Lord that I was given on 30th May 1996 was that, “The disciples were setting up the kingdom in at the beginning of Acts.”

Looking and Watching for Jesus’ Return
They had been told by Jesus to be awake, watching, looking for his coming within their life time, to be about their master’s business.”
Soon after Pentecost the apostles set up a community in Jerusalem. The Mishna rules allowed the setting up of a community with a ruling body that must be one tenth of the whole. There were 120 followers in the house at Jerusalem; Mathias made the number of officers up to twelve fulfilling the requirement of this law.

The disciples had been told by Jesus that in the new world they would as Jesus sat on his throne, they who had followed him would sit on 12 thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Matthew 19: 28
On the evening of the day of the resurrection Jesus came amongst his disciples and breathed on them the Holy Spirit and gave then his authority to retain of forgive the sins of people.
Peter carried out judgement in the case of Ananias and Saphira. Acts 5
Simon who joined the church had a Godly fear of Peter’s authority and repented. Acts 8: 24
Herod Agrippa1 was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they sent representatives to the king through Blastus the king’s chamberlain to seek peace as they depended on the king’s country for food.
On the appointed day they came before Herod as he sat on the throne, he spoke to them, in response the people present proclaimed that he had the voice of God not of a man. Herod at that moment was taken ill and soon after he died. Luke recorded the words of the person who gave him this account, “Immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he did not give God the glory; and he was eaten by worms and died.” Acts 12: 20-23.
I understand that the apostles were putting in place the ruling rod of iron of the kingdom of God. They were going about their master’s business in readiness of his return.

John the last of the Apostles did not see Jesus return even though Jesus had implied that he might see the kingdom come in. “The saying went abroad among the brethren that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was going to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you.” John 21: 23

A God of Justice
Our Lord God in his great love, gave Israel the opportunity to accept Jesus as their Christ at Pentecost and soon after. Acts 3: 17-21 and 70AD (See blog Wheat and Tares)

Today, now is the time to accept Jesus as your Saviour. Jesus has made it known to us in his word that we must make that choice to accept him in our present life. The parable of ‘The rich man and Lazarus’ confirms this. Also Paul in his letter to the Romans wrote of those who die without hearing about Jesus will be judged according to their conscious.
Short prayer: Lord, take me as I am, I accept you into my life, in faith I come to you. Amen.
Luke 16: 19-31. Romans 2: 14-16.

‘One World Government’ before the Tribulation.
In 2008 the discovery of more holes in the ozone layer across the world had caused the world leaders to enter into discussion as to what we should be doing about it. As these debates were going on in the TV and newspapers, these three words came into my mind, ‘One world government.’ In response to these words, I turned to my Bible to the Book of Daniel and to Arnold Fruchtenbaum’s book “The Footsteps of the Messiah” published in 1983.
I subsequently wrote about it briefly in our local newspaper.

“View from the Pulpit” Rossendale Free Press August 8th 2008

Bible prophesies are being fulfilled in our time. The prophecy in Daniel states that in the last times there will be an increase of knowledge. Daniel 12: 4.
I was born before television, computers, CD’s, mobile phones, and artificial hearts, gene technology and dishwashers. This amazing increase of knowledge has come about over my life time.
Another prophecy in Daniel chapter 7 verse 24 “As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise.”
In Arnold Fruchtenbaum’s book “The Footsteps of the Messiah” published in 1983. He writes that the division between the Soviet Union and the Western Alliance has to come to an end before a one world government will come into being made up of ten world powers (ten horns). He argues that this government is not the European Common Market but a world government. This one world government will eventually be dismantled, followed by ten world rulers (ten kings) from which the antichrist will emerge.
Since Fruchtenbaum wrote his book, in 1989 the Berlin Wall that divided West Berlin and East Germany was pulled down by the people living on both sides of the wall. The wall had been a symbol of the cold war between Soviet Union and the Western Alliance.
One world government is on the horizon.
The G6 that was formed in 1975, six world leaders met informally making voluntary agreements on global economic issues. In the 1980’s politics gradually came onto the agenda.
Out of necessity, to save our planet global issues have to be addressed by the nations of the world.
At July’s (2008) meeting of the G8 they had a ‘shared vision’ on climate change, however, the developing nations have declined to sign up to the G8 set emission targets.
Bible prophesies will come true. 32 prophesy were fulfilled in one day when Jesus was crucified.
The Bible also prophesies that those who accept Jesus as their Saviour will come to know Jesus the living God and that prophecy has come true for me and for millions more.”
—————-
The Third Temple
Herod the Great pulled down Zerubbabel’s temple and started to rebuild in 20BC. It took 46 years to complete his rebuild. The Jewish people and the church have never accepted that this temple was the third temple or Ezekiel’s temple because of the prophecy of  Haggai, “The latter splendour of this house  (Zerubbabel’s temple) shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts; and in this place I will give prosperity, says the Lord of hosts.” Haggai 2: 9. Jesus accepted Herod’s as his Father’s house.

The question arises will the Israelis build a third temple? Only the ‘Wailing Wall’ remains of the temple that once stood there.

The Jewish Temple Institute in Jerusalem has made replicas of the furniture and equipment according to the pattern given to Moses by God (tent tabernacle) Solomon and Zerubbabel temples. Herod extended the second temple.
Extract taken from The Temple Institute website.
The Temple Institute (in Hebrew, Machon HaMikdash), founded in 1987, is a non-profit educational and religious organization located in the Jewish quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City.
“The major focus of the Institute is its efforts towards the beginning of the actual rebuilding of the Holy Temple. Towards this end, the Institute has begun to restore and construct the sacred vessels for the service of the Holy Temple. These vessels, which G-d commanded Israel to create, can be seen today at our headquarters in Jerusalem. They are made according to the exact specifications of the Bible, and have been constructed from the original source materials, such as gold, copper, silver and wood. These are authentic, accurate vessels, not merely replicas or models. All of these items are fit and ready for use in the service of the Holy Temple.”

The Third Temple known as the Tribulation Temple.
In Arnold Fruchtenbaum’s book “The Footsteps of the Messiah”. “Nevertheless, prophetically speaking the Old City of Jerusalem had to fall under Jewish control. This can be deduced from the prophesies dealing with the third temple, sometimes known as the tribulation temple. There are four passages of scripture that speak of a specific event in relationship to the tribulation temple that will occur in the middle of the tribulation. They are as follows:

The prophesies of Daniel was quoted by Jesus in reference to his return, “But when you see the desolating sacrilege set up where it ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those in Judea flee to the mountains.” Mark 13: 14

“And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week; and for half of the week he shall cause sacrifice and offerings to cease; and upon the wings of abominations shall come one that maketh desolate; and even unto the full end, and that determined, shall wrath be poured out upon the desolate.” Daniel 9: 27

“Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself against every so called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.”
2 Thessalonians 2: 3, 4.

“Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told: “Rise up and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there . . . And I will grant my two witnesses power to prophesy for one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” Revelation 11: 1-3.”

We do not know when and where the third temple will be built in Jerusalem and the course of events that will bring it about, only time will tell. Arnold Fruchtenbaum writes that whilst none of these passages spell out a time factor as to when this was to occur. . . While the six day war itself was never predicted by scripture, what it accomplished clearly was.” Chapter 9 page 69

There are Three Millennium Views in connection with the Second Coming of Jesus (See Blog ‘Saved by the Blood)
I take the pre-millennist’s view that the church will be called out from the earth by Jesus before the tribulation takes place. 1 Thessalonians 1: 10. Romans 5:9. We are raised together with those who have died in the faith and we meet Jesus in the air. 1 Thessalonians 4: 14-17 Together we ascend with Jesus to where the marriage of the Lamb (Jesus) takes place. The Bride being the church, followed afterwards with the marriage supper. Revelation 19: 7-9.
Jesus returns to the earth with the saints and the armies of heaven and will defeat the antichrist and his allies and a remnant of Israelis will be saved. Revelation 19: 11-21.
We shall reign with Jesus Christ during the Millennium. Revelation 20: 4

Our bodies the temple of Jesus
The church on earth is the body the living temple of Jesus Christ; we are Christ’s presence on earth. The church will for ever be the temple of Christ’s body. “And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb.” Revelation 21: 22.
But the millennium temple that Jesus builds is in fulfilment of this prophecy in Chronicles. It is in looking forward to these future events we can not limit God because they are part of the plan of God.

Jesus will fulfil the Davidic Covenant.
“He shall build a house for me, and I will establish his throne for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son; I will not take my steadfast love from him . . . In accordance with these words, and in accordance with this vision, Nathan spoke to David.” 1 Chronicles17: 12 -15. 2 Samuel 7: 11-16. Isaiah 60: 7, 13. Psalm 89: 3,4,29,34-37. Jeremiah 33: 15-26. Zechariah 14: 16-21.

Ezekiel’s Millennium Temple
This is about Jesus building a house for worship at the beginning of his 1,000 year reign on the earth, ruling with a rod of iron. “From his mouth issues a sharpe sword with which he will smite the nations.” Ezekiel 40 Revelation 19:15.
Millennium Temple Arnold Fruchtenbaum’s book “The Footsteps of the Messiah” & ‘Ezekiel’ Ralph Alexander Published in 1976.

Christ’s house of worship will be on top of a mountain.
Arnold Fruchtenbaum’s book “The Footsteps of the Messiah”
“At the time of the second coming of Christ the land will undergo some tremendous geographical and topographical changes. One of the key changes in the land of Israel will be the rise of a very high mountain which will become the highest mountain in the world. On this mountain the millennium temple will stand. Isaiah 2: 2-4. 27:13. 66: 20 Ezekiel 17: 22-24
But not Jews only, for Isaiah 56 6-8 points out that this great mountain of Jehovah’s house will become a place of prayer for all peoples, Jews and Gentiles alike: Isaiah 66: 20-23. Psalm 24.

‘Ezekiel’ Ralph Alexander Published in 1976.
In the book of Isaiah we find millennium worship. Isaiah 60: 7, 13. 66: 20-23. Zechariah 14: 16-21
The sacrifices made in this millennium temple are made by all the people living on the earth.
Ralph Alexander writes that the sacrificial system described in Ezekiel is similar, though not identical, to the Mosaic system. Not all of the Old Testament Feasts or pieces of temple furniture are included; like the Feast of Pentecost, the Day of Atonement. No lamb is offered in the Passover in the millennium. No High Priest in the millennium instead the prince acts as both ruler and priest, a representative of the people.
Gentiles (foreigners) worship with the Jews and offer sacrifices. Isaiah 56: 6-8

Theologians make a comparison with the Lord’s Supper saying that the bread and wine are to commemorate the sacrifice Jesus made at Calvary. The sacrifices made at the millennium temple will too will be commemorative, looking back to the Mosaic Covenant.

Alexander makes distinctions between Ezekiel’s Temple and Jerusalem and John’s Jerusalem in Revelation
In both there is no temple in the city of Jerusalem. Ezekiel 48: 8-22. Revelation 21: 22. Jesus’ body is the temple of God.
In Ezekiel the temple and Jerusalem are two separate identities. In Revelation there is no temple at all and the measurements are not the same.
Both Fruchtenbaum and Alexander give detail diagrams of the layout of the temple, priest’s quarters and city.

Arnold Fruchtenbaum “The Footsteps of the Messiah” Published by Ariel Ministries Press 1983.
‘Ezekiel’ Ralph Alexander Published in 1976. The Moody Bible Institute at Chicago.

eternal city, Jerusalem, Jesus the light of the world, jewel., oyster

The Messiah’s Secret – Jesus the Light of the World

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Miriam, who had started to come to church, asked me, “How do I talk to God? How do you pray? Do you say your prayers like the ones on the service sheet?” “No,” I said, “When I pray I talk to God like I’m talking to you.” Not long afterwards she told me that she understood about prayer, she said, it was like scales falling from her eyes. The eyes of her understanding had been fully opened.

John the apostle recorded Jesus healing a man of his blindness; this man had been blind from birth. When his neighbours found out that he had been healed, they went with him to the Pharisees to give testimony of his healing and to offer thanksgiving to God. The response from the Pharisees when they heard, they criticised Jesus calling him a sinner for healing on the Sabbath Day.
In verse 18 we read that the Jews did not believe that the man had been blind at all. They knew of no one born blind being healed. They called his parents and questioned them, but their response did not satisfy the Pharisees. They questioned the man for a second time, he challenged them claiming if God were not with this man, he could do nothing; the Pharisees refused to believe and threw him out.
Jesus heard that he had been cast out, so he went to the man and asked him, “Did he believe in the Son of man?” The Son of man one of the names associated with the Messiah. The man replied, “And who is he, sir, that I might believe in him?” Jesus identifies himself as the Son of man. The man acknowledged Jesus, “Lord, I believe” and worshipped him. John 9: 1-38 Mark 1: 44.

The Pharasees did not discern this miracle was of God. In verses 39-41 Jesus pointed to the Day of Judgement when those like the Pharisees who had the knowledge, the oversight of the scriptures were accountable to God would be answerable to Jesus as God has given judgement to his Son. John 5: 22.
Matthew Henry in his concordance wrote, “The Pharisees gloried in that they weren’t blind, they saw with their own eyes and relied upon their own ability for their guidance.”

Let your light shine
In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians he advises every Christian to walk in the light, in the knowledge of Jesus Christ so that our deeds are pleasing to God. Ephesians 5: 8-10

Composition of Light – ‘Chemistry of the Blood’ Chapter 4 Chemistry of Light by Dr DeHaan
Light rays can be seen as shafts of light streaming through the clouds, seen, but not felt.
Heat rays are felt, but not seen. Chemical rays are invisible they can neither be seen nor felt.

Jesus in him there is no darkness at all; he is the lamp light of the world. His light reveals our creator God through his words. The words of Jesus are a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Psalm 119: 105.

Jesus’ words have been recorded in the Gospels and Letters they give people from all walks of life an opportunity to make a choice to believe or not to believe on the evidence in the writings.
Even though written 2,000 years ago, the recorded evidence takes on sight, inwardly in our soul/spirit. The words of Jesus are living words and eternal. The parable of the sower shows us that the sower sowed the word and the word is received by faith. Mark 4:14, 20

The fruit of light is found in all that is good and right. Ephesians 5: 9
.Abraham believed God and it was counted as righteousness. Genesis 15: 6. Romans 9: 30.
The seed of the word, received by faith contains all the righteousness of God. Characteristics and attributes of faith in the divine nature of our Lord God: truth, honesty, loyalty, trust, perseverance, and assurance in, commandments, virtue, self-control, knowledge, steadfastness, Godliness, brother and sisterly affection with love, compassion and kindness. 2 Peter 1: 5-8
Our deeds are brought to the light at the Judgement Seat of Christ. 2 Corinthians 5: 10. Romans 14: 10. We come before Jesus for rewards not punishment. Our deeds that were worldly will be burnt up and only the deeds of faith are seen like gem stones and are rewarded. 1 Corinthians 3: 12.

We reign with Christ in the heavenly Jerusalem.
Abraham looked for a city whose founder and maker is God. Hebrews 11: 10
John the apostle saw the heavenly city Jerusalem and described its appearance as a jewelled city.
“And in the Spirit he carried me away to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel was inscribed; on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” Revelation 21: 10-14

The twelve gates bearing the names of the tribes of Israel. On the high priest’s breast plate were the names and gem stones of the tribes. Exodus 39: 14.
The breastplate was covering the heart, worn close to the heart signifying how precious the tribes, the sons of Jacob were to God. ”So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of judgment upon his heart, when he goes into the holy place, to bring them to continual remembrance before the Lord.” Exodus 28: 29.

“And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” Revelation 21: 14.
“The foundations of the city were adorned with every jewel; the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eight beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst.” Revelation 21: 19.
Jesus said that the twelve disciples would sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Three gates on each of the walls, “The wall was built of jasper, while the city was of pure gold, clear as glass.” verse 18

The twelve gates made of twelve pearls.” And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl.” verse 21
Under law the Jews were forbidden to eat shell fish, therefore it must be under the grace of the new covenant for the gates to be made of pearl and have the names of the twelve tribes inscribed on them. Leviticus 11: 9-12. Deuteronomy 14: 9, 10.
The pearl is known as ‘The Pearl of Salvation’ to understand its meaning we look to how a pearl is produced; it is after an oyster’s shell is damaged, as a result a parasite enters the shell, this parasite would destroy the oyster. However the oyster sends to the parasite a solution ‘Mother of Pearl’ that covers it and the interior of its shell. After a period of time the solution builds on the parasite and forms the pearl. (In cultivated pearls a grain of sand is inserted into the oyster’s shell, which irritates the oyster. It sends the mother of pearl solution in the same way to the grain of sand which eventually forms the pearl.)

Pearl of Salvation
When we look at this process spiritually; the parasite is sin, the solution is the blood of Jesus for forgiveness of sin, which takes place within the darkness of the shell. The shell is opened to reveal the pearl and this is symbolic of the resurrection and Jesus’ victory over sin and death.

Entrance into the heavenly city through the Pearl of Salvation.
In the heavenly city the gates are the twelve tribes no longer under law but under grace.
The disciples all Jewish men were setting up the kingdom of God at the beginning of acts in anticipation of Jesus’ return with the angels of God. They were given the task of making Christ known as the promised Messiah, it was a national calling. Peter addressed the crowd at Pentecost, “Men of Judea . . . . Men of Israel . . . Brethren, I say to you confidently of the patriarch David . . . “First to the Jews and then to the Gentiles. Acts 2: 14, 22, 29.

Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus that it was God’s plan to unite Jew and Gentile into one body and one Spirit.
”So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets.” Ephesians 2:18-20

Jesus founded the church through the apostles, they witnessed to the death and resurrection of Jesus. They proved through the prophetic writings of the prophets that Jesus was the promised Messiah. The Holy Spirit gave them direction, guidance and gave testimony to Jesus, by signs following the word.
The Jerusalem church put in place the structure of leadership; Bishops, Deacons and Elders.
(See blog The Messiah’s Secret – The Way)

The prophecy of the out pouring of the Holy Spirit at the Feast of Tabernacles.
“The Day of the Great Hosanna” The Gospel in the Feasts of Israel by Victor Buksbazen.
“The ritual of water pouring lasted six days, climaxing on the seventh day, which concluded the Feast of Tabernacles. This day was called Hoshana Rabba, The Day of the Great Hosanna. It had special messianic significance. . . . the pouring of water from the Pool of Siloam into the altar basin, the blasting of trumpets by the priests, the singing of Psalms by the Levites, and the prayers of the people, “Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord,” when the Messianic fever was at its highest pitch, that the Lord Jesus Christ stood in the temple crying: “If any man thirst let him come to me and drink. He that believeth in me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” John7: 38. “What our Saviour said by implication was: “I am the answer to your prayers.”

The Permanent Light of the Heavenly City Jerusalem.
In the first and second temples at Jerusalem the temple were permanently lit using olive oil.
In 163BC the temple was desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanes he had pigs sacrificed on the altar.
After the Jewish revolt led by Mattathias Maccabee the temple was re-dedicated. In the temple they found a jar of cruise oil which was used in the temple for the permanent light. This jar contained only enough oil to last one night, by a miracle the oil lasted for eight days. The Feast of Dedication ‘Hanukkah’ in December celebrates this event.
The church celebrates Jesus the light of the world coming into the world, his birth in December.

The Feast of Tabernacles is also a celebration of light. The temple was filled with light.
The Gospel in the Feasts of Israel by Victor Buksbazen. ‘Temple Lights and the Light of the World.’
“Another central feature of the Feast of Tabernacles was the illumination of the temple in Jerusalem. The festive pilgrims came to the temple bearing lights and torches; while in the temple itself the golden candlesticks were lighted, transforming the temple into one brilliant focus of light which illuminated most of Jerusalem and surroundings. What an eloquent symbol of the Sanctuary of God which was to be a light of the world. Amidst all this splendour and the brilliant lights in the temple, our Saviour stood proclaiming: “I am the light of the world.”

The eternal light of Christ is in every believer.
I’ve seen the light of Christ shining in Christians on a number of occasions: In my twenties I saw the light of Christ in a young man who today would be described as having learning difficulties. It was lunch time and my sister and I were passing through a room where this young man was sat reading. We asked him what he was reading. He looked up and said that he was reading his Bible and began to quote from what he was reading; as soon as he spoke I saw his face was glowing in the light of Christ.
On another occasion I was at a church function the room well lit and full of people. I happened to look across the room and saw around the head of Ron Freeman our Vicar, a halo around his head and in the light the word ‘love.’
On another occasion a lady came to my market stall as we conversed she told me that she was a Christian as soon as she started to tell me this her face shone with the light of Christ.

The prophecy of Joel gives a clear indication that the created light will falter.
“The sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and manifest day.” Acts 2: 20
The prophet Isaiah wrote, “For the stars of the heavens and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be dark at its rising and the moon will not shed its light.” Isaiah 13: 10.
“Jesus said, “But in these days after the tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.” Mark 13: 24, 25.
These are future prophesies, and other prophesies have yet to be fulfilled before the heavenly Jerusalem comes from heaven to the new earth.

The eternal light of God will light up the eternal city.
“And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine upon it, for the glory of the Lord is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light the nations will walk; and the kings of the earth shall bring their glory into it.” Revelation 21: 22-24.

The church reigns with Christ in the heavenly Jerusalem.
“And night shall be no more; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they shall reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 22: 5.