"Then indeed even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. For a tabernacle was prepared...." (Hebrews 9:1, 2a)
Hebrews teaches us that, "a tabernacle was prepared," in Heaven----------- from eternity. It is the One which, "the Lord pitched and not man," to use the words of 2 Corinthians, "eternal in the heavens."
Some people may call what I am about to do as "spit balling." Well, okay, but let's look at some things here. By saying, "even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service," the writer seems to be saying, "If the first covenant did, why would it be difficult to accept the fact that the second covenant has, 'ordinances of divine service'"? Now the very thought of this would be considered a curse by many "free flowing" charismatics; much of the movement has always seen itself free of, "ordinances."
The Bible teaches us, however, that we have, and not in some liturgical past, but right now, a, "great High Priest," and not some ethereal being, but One in a glorious resurrected body, "That which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have...handled," living and performing, "ordinances of divine service," serving in, "the greater and more perfect Tabernacle," even Jesus, our Lord and King. The Books of Daniel and Revelation describe His High Priestly garments ("divine service"), and the Book of Hebrews gives a detailed description of His right-now, "divine service." This, my friend, is the fulfillment of "The Divine Liturgy."
Spit balling?-- maybe, but could it be that throughout eternity we will participate in the, "ordinances of divine service," which are a continual "reminder" of who we are, the People of Jesus Christ, from where we have come, Jesus Christ, to Whom we have come, Jesus Christ, and to "where" (time-space word) we are going, Jesus Christ? Since scientists say that the universe is continually expanding, galaxies rushing away from one another at tremendous speed, perhaps there is a similar "theology" of God's Eternal People, continually "expanding," evening learning, discovering more and more of all Who our God is, what He has done, and is doing, all all that is before us ---- "where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us...."
Father, in Jesus' Name, there is always that wonder of what Who You Are and What you do. Amen.
****************
Article: "Forgotten Christians of the Middle East" at, www.apf327.blogspot.com
Hebrews teaches us that, "a tabernacle was prepared," in Heaven----------- from eternity. It is the One which, "the Lord pitched and not man," to use the words of 2 Corinthians, "eternal in the heavens."
Some people may call what I am about to do as "spit balling." Well, okay, but let's look at some things here. By saying, "even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service," the writer seems to be saying, "If the first covenant did, why would it be difficult to accept the fact that the second covenant has, 'ordinances of divine service'"? Now the very thought of this would be considered a curse by many "free flowing" charismatics; much of the movement has always seen itself free of, "ordinances."
The Bible teaches us, however, that we have, and not in some liturgical past, but right now, a, "great High Priest," and not some ethereal being, but One in a glorious resurrected body, "That which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have...handled," living and performing, "ordinances of divine service," serving in, "the greater and more perfect Tabernacle," even Jesus, our Lord and King. The Books of Daniel and Revelation describe His High Priestly garments ("divine service"), and the Book of Hebrews gives a detailed description of His right-now, "divine service." This, my friend, is the fulfillment of "The Divine Liturgy."
Spit balling?-- maybe, but could it be that throughout eternity we will participate in the, "ordinances of divine service," which are a continual "reminder" of who we are, the People of Jesus Christ, from where we have come, Jesus Christ, to Whom we have come, Jesus Christ, and to "where" (time-space word) we are going, Jesus Christ? Since scientists say that the universe is continually expanding, galaxies rushing away from one another at tremendous speed, perhaps there is a similar "theology" of God's Eternal People, continually "expanding," evening learning, discovering more and more of all Who our God is, what He has done, and is doing, all all that is before us ---- "where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us...."
Father, in Jesus' Name, there is always that wonder of what Who You Are and What you do. Amen.
****************
Article: "Forgotten Christians of the Middle East" at, www.apf327.blogspot.com
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
