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Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the
first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no
more sea.
John 10:7&9 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say
unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and
shall go in and out, and find pasture.
Jesus is the gate of the LORD. In our next scripture Jesus elaborates
more about ‘The Gate Of Entrance’.
Matthew 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate,
and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be
which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth
unto life, and few there be that find it.
Narrow is the ‘WAY’ (Jesus) that leads to eternal life. Jesus further
elaborates.
Luke 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto
you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
The ‘gate’ is strait and narrow, what this means is that no carnal,
fleshly, worldly people will be able to enter into the deeper things
of God.
Through our faith and belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God
we have access to the Father. Our prayers are heard because we
have this access. We have entered thru the ‘gate’, it is our
‘entrance’ into the kingdom of God, and therefore the Father
recognizes us.
After we have gone thru ‘the gate of entrance’ the first thing we
see is the brazen altar.
The brazen altar is where the animal sacrifices were made by fire.
The brazen altar represents the sacrifices that we have to make to
follow the LORD; we quit allowing the carnal man that dwells in us
to influence us. We start to resist sin.
We try to become like the LORD forgiving those who do us wrong,
we pray for our enemies, we learn to turn the other cheek. We
don’t avenge ourselves.
We start to become ‘a new man’. Here are a few scriptures about
this outer court experience at the brazen altar.
Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will
come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and
follow me.
Matthew 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth
after me, is not worthy of me.
Colossians 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off
the old man with his deeds;
Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him,
that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should
not serve sin.
Ephesians 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God
is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Colossians 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed
in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
At the brazen altar we learn to burn and yet not be consumed; just
like the burning bush that Moses saw when the LORD called him.
Exodus 3:2 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a
flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and,
behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight,
why the bush is not burnt.
The LORD thy God is a consuming fire, he burns all the dross out of
us.
The Laver
The second thing we see in the outer court is the laver. The laver is
a washbasin; its bottom was lined with mirrors. The laver is where
the priest’s would wash and examine themselves with the mirrors
on the bottom before they could enter into ‘the Tent of Meeting’.
The priest’s could not enter the Tent of Meeting with any
uncleanness on them.
The laver is a figurative simile of the WORD of God, when we
come to the LORD we start to learn the WORD of God and it makes
us clean. Spiritually the waters of the laver soothe the fire of the
brazen altar.
1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word,
that ye may grow thereby:
You often hear people talk about being ‘born again’ by the Spirit,
rarely do you hear anyone mention how important it is to be ‘born
again’ by the WORD of God.
No one is fully ‘born again’ until they are born by both the Spirit
and the WORD. Jesus explains this concept in our next scripture.
John 4:23-24 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true
worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the
Father seeketh such to worship him.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in
spirit and in truth.
1 Corinthians 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him
eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
Eat the WORD - drink the Spirit. The laver experience is a place of
self - examination.
After we have been to the brazen altar and the laver, and they have
had their work in us we are ready to enter into second heaven. First
& second heaven happens while we are alive here on earth, not
after we’ve died the natural death. God is the God of the living, not
the dead.
When we enter thru the vail into the Holy Place we find three
implements. To our left is the seven-branched pure golden
candlestick also known as the menorah, to the right the table of
showbread, also known as the bread of presence. Directly in front
of us we would see the altar of incense.
Psalms 18:28 For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God
will enlighten my darkness.
Psalms 36:9 For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall
we see light.
Psalms 43:3 O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me;
let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.
In Psalms 43:3 it says tabernacles in the plural, this is speaking of
the two compartments in the ‘Tent of Meeting’, a type of second
and third heaven. Only by the light and truth can anyone enter into
them. Light & truth is Spirit & WORD.
Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that
shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
John 1:7-9 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the
Light, that all men through him might believe.
8 He (John the Baptist) was not that Light, but was sent to bear
witness of that Light.
9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh
into the world.
John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light
of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but
shall have the light of life.
John 15:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will
guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but
whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you
things to come.
The next implement we would see in the Holy Place to our right is
the table of showbread also called the bread of Divine Presence.
The showbread was replaced once a week on the Sabbath the
priests would then eat the bread. Because the bread had been in the
Divine Presence it was considered holy and only the priests could
eat of it, it was not available to the average Israeli. The table of
showbread represents the deeper understandings in the WORD of
God, the average person will never understand because they don’t
study the word. Many people who come to the LORD, who by
choice have a superficial knowledge of the WORD. The reason
why some people who come to the LORD have a superficial
knowledge is because at some point they stop seeking (often
because they haven’t been taught). There are many Christians who
virtually know nothing about the scriptures.
Because of the cares of the world they have quit ‘seeking the
LORD’. It becomes a feel good religion, not a spiritual pursuit.
Baptism is the beginning, not the end.
John 6:31-35 & 41& 43-44 & 48 & 50-51 & 58 Our fathers did eat
manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from
heaven to eat.
32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you,
Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth
you the true bread from heaven.
33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven,
and giveth life unto the world.
34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that
cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me
shall never thirst.
41 The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the
bread which came down from heaven.
43 Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not
among yourselves.
44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me
draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
48 I am that bread of life.
50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a
man may eat thereof, and not die.
51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any
man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I
will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your
fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread
shall live for ever.
Jesus is the bread of Divine Presence. The bread of life was given
‘for the life of the world’.
So, we can see a connection between the smoke of the incense and
prayer. Our next scripture is from the TANAKH Translation
Jewish Study Bible. I would suggest anyone wanting a clearer
understanding of the Old Testament get a copy, it’s about thirty-
five dollars. Available at any major bookstore.
1 Kings 8:49 Then hear thou their prayer and their supplication in
heaven thy dwelling place, and maintain their cause,
The LORD hears prayer and supplication from heaven His dwelling
place, this is speaking of the third heaven.
The LORD loves and is concerned about our prayer. Prayer is more
than just asking for things, prayer is also being in persistent
mindfulness and thought in HiM.
Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is
stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Third Heaven:
Exodus 3:6 Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God
of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses
hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.
Later when Moses goes on the mountain to stand before the LORD
he is issued a warning, not to look into the face of God.
Exodus 33:17-20 And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this
thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my
sight, and I know thee by name.
18 And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.
19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and
I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be
gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on
whom I will shew mercy.
20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no
man see me, and live.
Exodus 33: 21-23 And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by
me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock:
22 And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I
will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my
hand while I pass by:
23 And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back
parts: but my face shall not be seen.
Moses finds favor and is allowed to see the backside of the Deity.
The radiant brilliance of such a Being transferred onto Moses and
his skin shined.
Exodus 34: 29-30 And it came to pass, when Moses came down
from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses’ hand,
when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the
skin of his face shone while he talked with him.
30 And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses,
behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come
nigh him.
TANAKH translation
Leviticus 10:23-24 Moses and Aaron then went into the Tent of
Meeting. When they came out they blessed the people; and the
Presence of the LORD appeared unto all the people.
24 Fire came forth from before the LORD and consumed the burnt
offering and the fat parts on the altar, And all the people saw, and
shouted, and fell on their faces.
Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat
of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the
stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that
receiveth it.
Hidden manna? What could that possibly mean? It thrills me that
we have not yet scratched the surface concerning spiritual things.
The half has not been told.
Isaiah 64:4 For since the beginning of the world men have not
heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God,
beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear
heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things
which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Job 5: 8-9 I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit
my cause:
9 Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things
without number:
Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and
knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his
ways past finding out!
The LORD is to big too wrap our minds around. The LORD is a
mysterious Being, to be revered and feared.
Psalms 113:4 The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory
above the heavens.
Isaiah 66:1 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and
the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me?
and where is the place of my rest?
Jeremiah 23:24 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall
not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth?
saith the LORD.
Revelation 5: 6-11 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.
7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that
sat upon the throne.
8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and
twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them
harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of
saints.
9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the
book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast
redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and
tongue, and people, and nation;
10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall
reign on the earth.
11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round
about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of
them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of
thousands;
You just read about the 3rd heaven; these are humans redeemed out
of every kindred, people and nation thru the period of two
thousand years. Ten thousand times ten thousand is at least one
hundred million plus souls in the third heaven. Truthfully it is an
innumerable multitude, an unlimited number. They are called
angels but they are redeemed humans, the reason they are called
angels is because they have received spiritual bodies like the
angels. Jesus speaks of these people in our next two scriptures.
Matthew 22:30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are
given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.
Mark 12:25 For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither
marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are
in heaven.
Humans that achieve third heaven receive a spiritual body like the
angels, an indestructible substance. One has to be a spiritual being
to be in third heaven. The spiritual body received by redeemed
humans is know by many different descriptions in the bible, its
called white robe, white stone, mansions, white garment, the
garment of praise, the garments of salvation, the robe of
righteousness, white raiment.
Revelation 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire,
that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be
clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and
anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Revelation 6:11 And white robes were given unto every one of
them;
Revelation 3:4-5 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have
not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white:
for they are worthy.
5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white
raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life,
but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his
angels.
Daniel 12:10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried;
but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall
understand; but the wise shall understand.
Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat
of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the
stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that
receiveth it.
Another good type of the 1st, 2nd & 3rd heavens is found in Noah’s
ark, which had three levels or stories to it. The 1st level house
unclean beasts, the 2nd housed the clean beasts and the 3rd level
housed Noah and his family.
In closing I want to leave you with a controversy that may cause
those who consider themselves ‘learned’ to scoff. There is no
‘third heaven’ angel that has ever fallen out of third heaven, no
third heaven angel has ever been expelled out of the third heaven,
there has never been rebellion or war in the third heaven. While
interpreting don’t exchange the figurative for the literal.
Revelation 12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his
angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his
angels,
Michael is Jesus, the name Michael means ‘he who is like God’,
there is only one like the FATHER, that is Jesus. The war in heaven
is in 1st heaven and it’s happening today. The angels or ministers
of Christ war against the dragon (civil & religious powers) and his
angels, all that have contrary ideologies to the WORD of GOD.
Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to
light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may
receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are
sanctified by faith that is in me.
Daniel 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great
prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there
shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a
nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be
delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
I believe that this ‘time of trouble, such as never was since there
was a nation even to that same time:’ is the tribulation or the last
fifteen years before Jesus’ return. The ‘war in heaven’ is on the
earth it is a war for 1st heaven not 3rd heaven. No division can exist
in the PRESENCE of The ALMIGHTY.
Fallen angels?
Isaiah 14:12-14 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son
of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst
weaken the nations!
13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I
will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the
mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the
most High.
Isaiah 14:4-5 ¶ That thou shalt take up this proverb against the
king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the
golden city ceased!
5 The LORD hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre
of the rulers.
Isaiah 14:3-22 And when the LORD has given you (Israel) rest from
your sorrow and trouble, and from the hard service that you were
made to serve, you shall recite this song of scorn over the king of
Babylon:
How is the taskmaster vanished,
How is the oppression ended!
The LORD has broken the staff of the wicked,
The rod of tyrants,
That smote the peoples in wrath,
With stroke unceasing,
That belabored nations in fury
In relentless pursuit.
I will rise up against them – declares the LORD of Hosts – and will
wipe out from Babylon name and remnant, kith and kin – declares
the LORD – I will make it a home of bitterness, pools of water. I
will sweep it with the broom of extermination – declares the LORD
of Hosts.
Let’s look at the Jewish Study Bible or the TANAKH, and read the
side notes on why O Shining One, son of Dawn! is used instead of
O Lucifer, son of the morning!
So, I believe the way that most modern Christianity has interpreted
this as Satan and one third of all the angels in 3rd heaven leaving
with him, is wrong. We are now drifting into something different
than our original study on Heaven- Heavens -1st 2nd & 3rd. This
lesson could be another fifty pages in length, yet I feel the general
synopsis has been presented. May God richly bless you!
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