The Sword And The Gun

After waking up, getting dressed, taking the dog for a walk, and making myself a cup of tea, I got right into prayer. After prayer I opened my bible and finally settled on reading through a portion of Acts. As I read, I noticed that the Lord has given us examples of how the Apostles and disciples responded to their mistreatment by the authorities, both secular and religious. Time and time again, not once did any of the Apostles or disciples of Christ take up arms or resist in any way. Then I thought, “If it’s okay to fight against a tyrannical government, then where is the evidence of this in the New Testament? Where are the examples of the Apostles' physical resistance to government tyranny?” I couldn't seem to find any examples in the book of Acts, nor could I remember an instance in any other book of the New Testament.

Image: auctionpublicity.com

The founding fathers of our great nation had the foresight to set boundaries in which our government could operate. They also gave the people of this nation the authority to take up arms if our elected officials moved toward creating a tyrannical government. I used to think that coming against a tyrannical government was okay, but then my thoughts began to stir and I began wondering whether I was okay with this because I was walking in the flesh instead of walking in the spirit. Protecting our country from foreign and domestic enemies seems logical.  After all, attacks can come against the citizens of this country from outside our borders or from within. What I can’t seem to understand is where, in the New Testament, are the followers of Christ instructed to rise up against their own government by the use of force. Not even Jesus was concerned enough to speak out and rally against the Roman government during His time on earth. Jesus even went so far as to say that they should give to Caesar what belonged to Caesar and to God what belonged to God.

If we look at online news articles, we can see evidence that our nation is in a downward spiral. It seems as if decisions are being made by major organizations, judges and government officials (from the local level to the White House) that can only harm our nation and bring it to ruin economically, morally and spiritually; to bring us from a position of power in the world to one of submission to a one world authority. Gun confiscation, abortion, post-birth abortion, the Islamization of America, increased persecution of Christians, racial division, economic collapse, gay marriage, corrupt government, etc… In the face of what is happening in our nation, we have the responsibility to stand up and fight the corruption and sin, but we must proceed within the constraints of the law and, more importantly, the word of God. 

You may ask, “Didn't the Apostles and disciples operate in civil disobedience? Doesn't that make it okay for us to do the same?"

What kind of civil disobedience did the Apostles and disciples of Christ participate in? Their civil disobedience was limited to preaching God’s word, healing the sick and casting out demons, even when they were told not to do so upon threat of punishment or death. They certainly did not go beyond this level of civil disobedience to a more violent form by brandishing weapons or committing any form of physical violence.

All you have to do is look at the complete text of the New Testament and you will find only one instance where someone responded to authorities with force. It’s the recorded incident of when Jesus was betrayed by Judas in the Garden of Gethsemane in Matthew 26:50-54. Here Jesus rebukes Simon Peter for taking up the sword and striking the servant of the high priest. A few verses before this, we find that the "large crowd" who came to arrest Jesus were armed with clubs and swords. The modern equivalent would be to have the authorities show up brandishing their guns and tasers. Jesus rebuked them for showing up armed, but He did not resist them. An interesting note, though. In John 18:6 we see the power of God knocking the armed crowd to the ground as Jesus speaks to them. It's sort of a foretaste of what it will be like when Jesus returns and defeats His enemies with the sword from His mouth, which is the Word of God! Okay, getting back to the discussion at hand...

The same incident with Peter and the sword is recorded in the following portions of scripture:

Mark 14:46-48  Although this account doesn't mention Jesus’ rebuke, it does give us more details about the group that came to arrest Him… they appeared with weapons. So with this clarity, we can see that in Matthew 26:52, Jesus rebuked the use of weapons against the Roman and Jewish authorities, even though they approached Jesus and the disciples armed.

Luke 22:48-52  Again, the use of the sword against the servant of the high priest was mentioned, as were the weapons that the Romans (and possibly Jews???) were carrying.

John 18:10-12  Jesus had his hands bound before being led away.

I don’t want to ignore the scripture that so many people seem to quote to justify the taking up of arms against the government. That would be:

Luke 22:35-38  “And He said to them, ‘When I sent you without purse and wallet and sandals, did you lack anything?’ And they said, ‘Nothing.’ And He said to them, ‘But now, he who has a purse, let him take it, and likewise his wallet. And he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. For I say to you that this which is written must yet be accomplished in Me, "And he was reckoned among the transgressors"; for the things concerning Me have an end.’ And they said, ‘Lord, behold, here are two swords.’ And He said to them, 'It is enough.’”

Now why would Jesus instruct them to purchase swords and then tell them that the two swords that were already in their possession were enough? Obviously it wasn't meant for their present situation because Jesus rebuked Simon Peter for striking out with his weapon.

Were the swords to be used for protection from man or was it for another purpose? Look what Jesus said as recorded in Luke 22:35 “And He said to them, ‘When I sent you without purse and wallet and sandals, did you lack anything?’ And they said, ‘Nothing.’”

We see here that the Lord is making a comparison. Jesus had previously sent them out in pairs to the cities that He intended to visit. They were not to bring money, food or a change of clothing, yet they lacked nothing. Now, Jesus was about to be arrested and eventually crucified, so He would no longer physically be here on earth with them. It's now that Jesus is giving them instructions to take their purse and wallet and sandals. When you look at it that way, it makes sense. Things were about to get difficult for the disciples once Jesus was crucified. The Lord was no longer going to physically be here on earth. The Bridegroom was leaving and the disciples were going to be sent farther away than they had traveled when they were sent out in pairs by Jesus. Just as they didn't fast while the Bridegroom was with them, they didn't need to worry about their provisions while He was with them either.  

Again… why have swords? I believe it’s because Jesus knew that the gospel wouldn't be accepted by many and that the Apostles would need to fend for themselves, sort of like wilderness survival. They would be shaking the dust off their feet of more than one city and they would need to hunt and kill and prepare game for sustenance as they traveled. They would also need protection against any type of wild animal. Not once in the NT do we see anywhere (other than in the Garden of Gethsemane) that anyone actually used the sword or any other type of weapon against those who would come against them for spreading the message of salvation through Jesus. Nor did the Apostles instruct anyone to use a sword for defensive purposes. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.

Act 9:22-25  Paul didn't have a showdown with those who were plotting to kill him. Instead, he left the city secretly. He avoided the confrontation. Some “Patriots” operating in the flesh might see this as being a coward, but if you recall, Jesus escaped death a few times by walking away.

Acts 12:1-17  Herod has James killed by the sword, but there is no evidence James used any weapon to defend himself or that Christians formed a militia to defend James. This portion of scripture also describes Herod’s order to arrest Peter with the intent to kill him as well. Peter didn't fight his own arrest. He was bound and led to prison. What happened? He was delivered by God through a miracle, not through the use of a weapon.

Act 13:49-51  This example shows that the Jews were upset with both Paul and Barnabas and had them thrown out of the city. Again, they didn't fight the forced eviction. How did they respond? The shook the dust off of their feet as a judgment against the inhabitants of the city and they moved on to Iconium.

Act 14:4-6  Here is another example of being attacked by a group of people who were planning on killing Barnabas and Paul. Was their response to defend themselves with their own weapons or to call for backup? No, they became aware of what the authorities and Jewish leadership were preparing for them and they fled from the city. They didn't call for Christian arms against this group… they fled. Again, in the flesh they could be considered cowards, but that’s man’s interpretation of their actions, not God’s.

Act 14:19-21  We have a group of people who have stoned Paul until they thought he was dead. They then drag him out of the city to dispose of his body.  Did he or any disciples fight to protect him? No. After his body was disposed of, the disciples surrounded his seemingly lifeless body and watched in wonderment as he raised himself up on his two feet. Was Paul’s immediate response to seek justice against those who attacked him? No. The word of God says that he went back into the city and then left the next day.

Here’s one more.

Act 16:20-40  Paul and Silas are grabbed, stripped, flogged and thrown into prison with their feet secured in stocks. They didn't draw any weapons and neither did any other born-again believer. They submitted to the authorities, and while in prison that night, they prayed and sang songs to the Lord. What happened next was a miracle. An earthquake… doors flung wide open… shackles removed! The power of God revealed! As we continue reading, we see that the imprisonment of Paul and Silas also led to the salvation of the jailer and his entire family. Paul and Silas had their wounds washed and the jailer brought them to his own house that night and set a table before them. They ate and rejoiced. They were then brought back to the prison before daybreak and word came down that they were to be released. It was only then that Paul mentioned that he was a Roman citizen. This caused the judges to fear because it was against Roman law to injure a Roman citizen. They actually begged Paul and Silis to leave the city. They did… eventually.

Why didn't Paul prevent his punishment by informing the Romans that he was a Roman citizen? Perhaps it was because God wanted them to go to prison so that the jailer and his family could hear the salvation message and repent. Sometimes the Holy Spirit tells us to be quiet, and that’s probably why Paul didn't say anything before he was flogged and put in prison.

This reminds me of the story in Daniel when King Nebuchadnezzar decreed that everyone was to worship his image. Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah (also known by their Chaldean names of Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego) refused to worship the image and they were bound and thrown into the fiery furnace. They had their moment of civil disobedience, but that was because the word of God superseded the king’s law. Did Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah try to physically resist their captors? No. They allowed themselves to be led to the furnace and proclaimed their faith in God by saying, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to return a word to you on this matter. If it is so that our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, then He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods nor worship the golden image which you have set up.” (Daniel 3:16b-18 NKJV)

So here we have documented evidence of incidents that occurred where weapons could have been used for defense, but at no time was a weapon brandished or fists fly. What does that say to us in our current situation?

We need to be about the Lord’s work. If God’s word is in conflict with man’s law, God’s word supersedes the law. If the 2^nd Amendment is watered down or stripped from the US Constitution, we need to obey the law of the land. To form a group under our own authority in order to take up arms against a tyrannical government isn't scriptural.

As Christians, we must operate within the law unless it conflicts with scripture, no matter how unjust we believe the law to be. We must continue to pray that those in a position of power will have a change of heart and that the Lord will move them to back away from their attack on the 2^nd Amendment. If the attack continues and the 2^nd Amendment falls, we have to operate within the law and give up our weapons. That will be a difficult moment in any gun owner's life, whether Christian or not, but it would be necessary to follow the law of the land.

In my opinion, we've waited too long to correct the mistakes that the previous generations have made. The mistakes that this generation has made have compounded the problem. Unfortunately, I see this as an example of reaping what we've sown. As a nation we've supported countries where there are no civil rights or laws protecting the individual liberties of it’s citizens. We've condoned torture, murder and corruption. We've funded and armed rebels who have now become our enemy. Why should we expect our way of life to remain as it has been since the founding of this country? We're reaping the evil that this nation has sown across the face of the earth and within our own borders. God is lifting his hand of protection from our nation.

So what do we do in the meantime? We do what Jesus did, what the Apostles did, what the early church body did... we pray for God's protection and for His will to be done in our life and in our land while we strive to live our lives lead by the Holy Spirit. That’s what we should have been doing all along. By taking up arms, we have become our own protector instead of relying fully on God for our protection. If you still feel you need to arm yourself, you will need to find alternate methods of defending yourself in the eventuality that guns are outlawed or severely restricted. I, myself, don't feel the need to arm myself. I rely on God to be my Protector. I'd rather be injured or lose my life rather than take the life of someone who still has yet to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. But that's just me. Many people don't feel the same as I do.

One thing is for sure, the church age is coming to a close and a one world government lead by the Antichrist is quickly approaching, and no personally owned weapon can stop that from happening. If you have not accepted Jesus Christ (Yeshua) as your Lord and Savior, if you have not submitted your life to Him, please do so. Time is short. Here is a link to the salvation page of my blog.

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What Can We Expect From Martial Law?

Although I previously wrote an article about potential scenarios that Christians could relate to if we ever found ourselves in a state of Martial Law.  I'd like to take a more secular view on Martial Law to show that it would not just affect the born again believer in Christ (even though it will curtail our worship).  Let me begin once again by briefly defining what Martial Law is.

Image: beforeitsnews.com

Typically, the imposition of Martial Law accompanies curfews, the suspension of civil law, civil rights, habeas corpus, and the application or extension of military law or military justice to civilians. In other words, say goodbye to the United States as you've known it and embrace an extremely altered future.

So, what exactly does that mean? Well, it means that every aspect of life as we know it here in the United States would be under the control of the government.  That doesn't sound too bad, until you begin dissecting what that entails.

Mandatory curfews

• In the case of extreme emergency, no one would be allowed on the streets at all 24/7. 
• As things improved, citizens would be ordered to be in their home by a certain time and not allowed out again until the curfew was lifted. In this instance, curfew would probably be from sunset to sunrise, ensuring that no one would be out on the streets during nighttime hours.

Transportation curtailed (shipping, aviation, ground transport, railways, etc…)  Note: Executive Order 11005 allows the government to take over railroads, inland waterways, and public storage facilities.  Executive Order 11003 allows the government to take over all airports and aircraft, including commercial aircraft.

• Only military and government personnel allowed on highways.
• All airlines and other aviation traffic will be grounded.
• Military checkpoints will be set up, restricting transportation to local areas only.
• Transportation of goods nationwide will be curtailed. All goods will be obtained through government run distribution centers. These goods include: medical supplies, prescriptions, food, clothing, fuel, cigarettes  liquor, water, baby formula, diapers/incontinence items, pain reliever, personal hygiene items, pet food, etc…
• Railroads will be drafted for use by the government for the transportation of supplies and weapons.

Communications monitored

• Landlines and cell phones
• All forms of online communication

Control of all media  Note: Executive Order 10995 allows the government to seize and control the communication media.

• Television and radio stations will be controlled by the government and will only be allowed to transmit government approved messages and news (expect quite a bit of propaganda).  
• The same will hold true for printed media.

Suspension of civil law, civil rights, habeas corpus, and will replace this with military law or military justice.

• The Constitution will no longer be valid.
• All laws will be based on military law.
• Civil rights will no longer be applicable.
• Habeas corpus will be nonexistent.
• They can arrest you for whatever reason they want.
• They can imprison you without charging you with a crime.
• They can imprison you indefinitely (10, 20, 50 years).
• They are not obligated to provide you with a lawyer.
• You are never guaranteed to see a judge or to enter a courtroom during your entire incarceration.
• No hesitation… If you're out on the street during curfew or if you're deemed a threat for any reason, you can be shot without warning.  It doesn't matter if you're elderly, pregnant or a child.  If you think that can't happen, click here.
• Your home may be searched for any reason and at any time without a warrant.
• Eventually, you will not be allowed to grow your own food (even in a backyard garden) or to raise your own livestock for food.

Identification  Note: Executive Order 11002 designates the Postmaster General to operate a national registration of all persons.

• As Martial Law becomes the norm, everyone will be ordered to obtain a national identification card.
• You will be required to produce the proper identification upon request by any peace officer, US military personnel, UN peacekeeping forces and DHS/TSA personnel.

Relocation  Note: Executive Order 11004 allows the Housing and Finance Authority to relocate and establish new locations for populations.

• Individuals in rural areas of the community will be relocated to a more densely populated area or to a FEMA camp for their own “safety.”
• Individuals resisting Martial Law will be sent to a FEMA camp for “re-education.”
• Christians, who will refuse to sin against the Lord, and will have to disobey orders that would cause emotional or physical harm to others
• Patriots, who will defend the now defunct Constitution.

Slave to the System  Note: Executive Order 11000 allows the government to mobilize civilians into work brigades under government supervision.

• Those who have been receiving assistance from the government through food stamps, welfare, etc.. will be required to work for the system in order to continue receiving this assistance. 
• Those who have become unemployed due to travel restrictions will also be required to work for the government.
• Refuse collection and roadside cleanup
• Rebuilding and repairing roads
• Volunteering as clerks at government distribution centers
• Participate in community beautifying programs
• Work in menial government support positions
• Planting, maintaining and harvesting GMO crops

Where's My Money!  Note: Executive Order 11921 allows the Federal Emergency Preparedness Agency to develop plans to establish control over the mechanisms of production and distribution of energy sources, wages, salaries, credit, and the flow of money in U.S. financial institutions in any undefined national emergency.

• Bank accounts will be seized
• Employee pay rates will be regulated
• The flow of money, including all credit, will be controlled

Resources  Note: Executive Order 10997 allows the government to take over all electrical power, gas, petroleum, fuels, and minerals.

• Rolling blackouts will become the norm.
• Those showing any resistance will have their resources discontinued (water, electricity, gas, propane, cable/satellite television).

Health and Education  Note: Executive Order 11001 allows the government to take over all health, education, and welfare functions.

• Medical and dental care will be rationed.
• Those needing psychiatric care will be sent to a facility for their "personal safety."
• Schools will managed directly by the government. They will will receive instructions and government approved materials to be taught to students from K-College levels.

Redistricting and Elections

• Eventually, counties, regions and states will be redistricted as Martial Law maintains its grip on the nation. The country will be broken up into large regions instead of individual states. This will void individual state sovereignty and consolidate resources.
• Elections will become a thing of the past. The president will work closely with his advisers to seek representatives who he can trust to enforce his decrees.  Those individuals will be placed in the seats of power in each region.

These are just a few examples of what awaits us when our economy implodes or if the US is hit with a huge false flag event (possibly something that affects major areas of the nation).  It could only be a few weeks or a few months away.  How much of what I described will we have to endure before the Lord returns?  We just don't know.  Martial law doesn't even compare to what’s ahead for those who will go through the seven-year Tribulation. It’s just the beginning of a world system that will affect everyone living on the planet, believers and nonbelievers alike.

During the Tribulation, there will be only one hope, and that hope is Jesus Christ.  It's the hope of salvation through the blood of Jesus, a hope sealed by the Holy Spirit, a hope to be realized by our physical death or by the glorious appearance of Jesus Christ at the end of the Tribulation. As we watch the signs of the times, prepare for the worst but hope for the best. Prepare for martial law, but hope that the Rapture precedes it.

God bless and may the peace that passes all understanding fill your heart as we wait for the return of the Bridegroom!

If you like this article, or any of the other information on this web site, please consider following me. You'll be one of the first to be notified when I create new content! You'll find the section at the top of the right hand column on this page. It says, "Follow Tribulation Harvest by Email." After entering your email address, you may be prompted to sign in to your Google account. Thank you!!!

Repent and be forgiven! Believe and be saved!

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Eschatology And Misinterpreting Current Events - Enough Already!

As we get closer and closer to the Rapture, I find that many of my brothers and sisters in the Lord seem to be allowing current events to send them off on wild goose chases. There are many brothers and sisters who are so caught up in eschatology that they are looking for any bit of information, no matter how small, that they can use to confirm their own personal theories of where we are in end time events.

Here are the things I'm hearing online:

• "Obama is the Antichrist"
• "Obama is the clone of pharaoh Akhenaten"
• "We are currently in the middle of the Tribulation"
• "The 7-year peace treaty was signed a couple of years ago in secret"
• "North Korea is going to trigger the events that will bring on the Rapture"
• "The Abomination of Desolation has already happened with Obama's recent visit to Israel"
• "The man who showed up in St. Peter's Square in sackcloth may be one of the two witnesses"

Are you serious, people? Have you thrown wisdom out of the window? Are you now ready to misquote and misinterpret scripture? You look left and you look right as you take in world events, but are you filtering all of this information through the Holy Spirit? Some of you think you are, but you are just deceiving yourself.

There have been other generation who thought that they were going to experience the Rapture, but they were misinterpreting the signs of the time. They weren't filtering that information through the Holy Spirit and they were leaning unto their own understanding of the situations around them. The same can be said for Christians today. Yes, the Rapture and Tribulation is closer than ever. Yes, I believe that the Rapture will happen soon. What I don't believe is that every news item out there is linked to biblical prophecy.

There is a brother online that I follow on YouTube. He's a great brother in the Lord and he has been used by God in healing the sick at church and encouraging his brothers and sisters through his YouTube videos. He happens to be 100% positive, by his own admission, that President Obama is the Antichrist. I don't believe this to be true, as you can see HERE in a separate article I wrote on the subject.

Since this brother believes that President Obama is the Antichrist, he now believes that we are already in the Tribulation. This is only one example how misinterpreting the signs of the time can alter your perception of scripture. Scripture says that the Antichrist will be revealed when he brokers a peace agreement between Israel and her enemies. To believe that Obama is the Antichrist would thus lead you to believe that some secret peace treaty was signed a few years ago and that we're about to reach the midway point of the 7-year Tribulation. Of course, scripture refutes that idea, but wisdom seems to be tossed out the window when worldly understanding takes over our mind.

Why is this happening? It's the work of the Enemy, of course. He is the creator of confusion and will use anything to send the elect spinning in different directions, using their valuable time on this earth to chase after false ideas, which result in conclusions that can in no way be supported by scripture. These brothers and sisters are falling down rabbit hole after rabbit hole, always looking for those precious pieces of information that will support their theory, but which, in the end, lead only to altering the word of God to fit their own desires for confirmation.

I'm writing this article out of love for you, my brothers and sisters. Please... PLEASE... think about what you're doing! You're being used by the Enemy to bring confusion to your own lives and to the rest of the body of Christ and you don't even realize it. Many of you have predicted that certain events would happen and they haven't come to pass. You admit you were wrong, but then go right on predicting what you believe will occur in the near future. Can't you see that the information you're using to predict future events is itself corrupt?  

• Obama is not the Antichrist!  The Antichrist will come as a man of peace, not a man who uses armed drones to kill innocent men, women and children overseas. He is a type of anti-Christ but isn't the true Antichrist.  Nor is he a clone of the pharaoh Akhenaten.
• We can't be almost at the midpoint of the Tribulation for many reasons, one of which is that the Jews haven't even begun construction of the Third Temple on the Temple Mount.
• If Israel is not currently at peace with her neighbors, then how could the 7-year peace treaty have already been signed?
• The man who showed up at St. Peter's Square can't possibly be one of the two witnesses because he recognizes the Pope's authority over him and he is a believer in Catholicism.

I could go on and on. Please, brothers and sisters, think about what you're putting out there, in real life and online. You're passing off lies as truths, you're using scripture improperly to substantiate your claims and you're allowing yourselves to be deceived by the Enemy who only wants to cause confusion among the brethren and keep you off balance. Even common sense is being ignored.

When an event happens, take a step back and compare it to scripture. Don't make scripture fit the event, check to see if the event fits scripture. The Enemy will continue to put information out there that he wants us to chase after in our vain attempt to somehow figure everything out. Don't be deceived! If you continue on, you'll be leading others astray just as Harold Camping did, who by-the-way was thoroughly convinced that he was correct in what he was teaching as well.

One final note.  In the past, I was guilty of this very thing that I'm writing about today, but the Lord corrected me. Will you give Him the opportunity to speak to you as well?

May the Lord guide your thoughts through His Holy Spirit. God bless!!!

If you like this article, or any of the other information on this web site, please consider following me. You'll be one of the first to be notified when I create new content! You'll find the section at the top of the right hand column on this page. It says, "Follow Tribulation Harvest by Email." After entering your email address, you may be prompted to sign in to your Google account. Thank you!!!

Repent and be forgiven! Believe and be saved!

TribulationHarvest.net

The Temple Symbolism in Genesis

I don't often copy and paste articles on my blog, but I found this article online and knew that to alter it in any major way would be a disservice, so I have copied it to my blog in an effort to share this well thought out description of “The Temple Symbolism in Genesis.”  I hope you enjoy the article.  I have posted links to the original article at the bottom.

The temple was a physical replica of God’s heavenly abode. When Moses was first ordered to construct a temple, he was told to make it portable — it was a tent, or tabernacle.

“Let them make me a sanctuary: that I may dwell among them. According to all that I show you, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall you make it.”  Exodus 25:8–9

In the Book of Hebrews we are told that the tabernacle, and all its services, were “...patterns of things in the heavens...” (Hebrews 9:23). The physical objects associated with the earthly sanctuary were “...figures of the true...” (Hebrews 9:24) — the “...shadow of heavenly things...” (Hebrews 8:5). Each physical item had its spiritual counterpart in heaven. So, as long as there was a tabernacle or temple on earth, there was a material reflection of God’s heavenly palace for mankind to see. The temple represented God’s home on earth. Of course, God does not literally dwell in temples made with hands (Acts 17:24), and though the temple at Jerusalem was a true image of the heavenly, in Hebrews it is made abundantly clear that the earthly sanctuary of God is “...not the very image of the [heavenly] things...” (Hebrews 10:1). It was only “...figures of the true...” (Hebrews 9:24).

If we wish to know what God’s heavenly abode is really like, then we must understand the significance of the three general compartments in the earthly sanctuary, the furniture, and the persons (the priests) who served within the holy areas. All these physical things typify spiritual counterparts in heaven. The heavenly dwelling place is where God is at the present.

In the Book of Revelation, which depicts a period of time yet future to us, John is transported by the Spirit into heaven (Revelation 4:2). While there, he saw a throne with God seated on it. Around the throne were 24 elders and four living creatures (Cherubim). Before the throne was a seven branched lampstand and a sea of glass. The heavenly beings gave glory and honor to the Father who sat on the throne (Revelation 4:2–11). Inside this heavenly temple — the inner temple — John also saw individuals worshipping God who no longer needed the sun for light (Revelation 7:16). In the inner temple he witnessed the true “...ark of his testament...” (Revelation 11:19) and received the promise of manna (Revelation 2:17). And finally, the inner sanctum contained “...the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:7).

Outside the Holy of Holies and just to the East of it was the general Holy Place. In it John saw a golden altar with incense and a censor associated with it (Revelation 8:3). Located in front of this incense altar, outside the Holy Place, was another altar under which were the “...souls of them that were slain for the word of God...” (Revelation 6:9).

Everyone of these heavenly features was represented in typical form by the physical sanctuary on earth. The complete and permanent temple was that of Solomon which he built in Jerusalem. It had all the heavenly factors exhibited. The celestial throne of God was portrayed by the mercy seat located in the Holy of Holies.

“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest [the Holy of Holies] by the blood of Jesus... through the veil...”  (Hebrews 10:19–20)

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy...”  (Hebrews 4:16)

The throne of God is one of mercy. Also within the holiest area of Solomon’s temple was “...the golden pot of manna...” (Hebrews 9:4). Those who will eat of this manna “...shall serve him day and night in his [inner] temple [the Holy of Holies]... they shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more...” (Revelation 7:15–16).

The Ark of the Covenant

Alongside this pot of manna was the “...ark of the testament...” (Hebrews 9:4). In the earthly tabernacle of Moses and the temple of Solomon the slabs of stone on which were inscribed the Ten Commandments were placed within this ark, a box-like structure supported by two horizontal poles that enabled it to be carried. These stones were called the “...tables of the covenant...” (Hebrews 9:4). These physical stones with their laws were meant only for Israel under the Old Covenant. Spirit beings do not need these Old Covenant physical regulations, so the ark of the testament in heaven does not have within it the two tables of stone or the extra scrolls positioned in its sleeves (Exodus 40:20; Deuteronomy 31:26).

Only the ark itself is in heaven. It represents the external witness that God has the power to make any necessary laws for the supervision of the universe. The ark could figuratively contain different laws for the administration of the various phases of divine government that God imposes on His creatures. Thus, the tables of stone which originated from the granite outcroppings at Mt. Sinai were never positioned in the heavenly ark. They were carved out of Sinai and only placed in the tabernacle in the time of Moses.

The Holy of Holies

But what else was located in the Holy of Holies? In heaven there were twenty-four elders. On earth these were typified by the twenty-four priestly courses (each headed by a chief priest) who performed the regular daily services in the temple on a rotation basis (2 Chronicles 24:1–19). The father of John the Baptist was portraying the role of one of these heavenly elders when he administered in the eighth course of the twenty-four orders (Luke 1:5, 8).

There were also the Cherubim in the heavenly temple. Statues were made of them and placed near the mercy seat in the earthly temple. Also within the Holy of Holies was “...Aaron’s rod that budded...” (Hebrews 9:4). This staff was made from a limb of an almond tree (Numbers 17:8). The almond is the earliest of the springtime trees to blossom in the Holy Land. It represents new life — the first new life of every new year. This rod made from an almond tree was typical of the tree of life located in the Garden of Eden.

“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 tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise [park or garden] of God.”  (Revelation 2:7)

With this reference to the tree of life, we are ready to investigate the theme of this Exposition: “The Temple Symbolism in Genesis.” The events associated with the story of Adam and Eve, the Garden of Eden, Cain and Abel, the land of Nod, etc., will take on normal temple features which anyone in the time of Moses would have recognized. Even in the New Testament the scenes within the Garden of Eden were reflections of things in God’s heavenly temple. John told the Ephesian church that they could have a right to partake of “...the tree of life...” located in God’s paradise in heaven (Revelation 2:7). There was once an actual “tree of life” in the Garden of Eden.

If all the symbolic features have literal counterparts (which they do) then this “tree of life” could have been represented by a real almond tree growing in the Garden of Eden. But there was also another tree in the Garden called “...the tree of the knowledge of good and evil...” (Genesis 2:17). Our first parents were allowed, at the beginning, to eat of any tree of the Garden.  Only the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was off-limits to them. If it's possible that the tree of life was the almond tree, what was this latter tree? The identification may also be given in the Bible. We will show this in due course.

The Plan of the Temple

It is necessary to recognize the basic patterns of the temple before one can grasp what happened (in a symbolic way) with the story of Adam and Eve. The temple had three compartments with major pieces of furniture located within each of them.

Note that the entrance into the temple was from the East. Only Israelites were permitted to pass the eastern gate and enter the court of Israel. On the West side of this court, and just before the entrance into the Holy Place, was the “altar of burnt offering.” This was the altar on which animals were sacrificed. Into the next compartment (the Holy Place) only the priests could enter — they also entered from the East. And into the third room (the Holy of Holies) only the High Priest could go on the Day of Atonement — again he could only enter it from the East. I am emphasizing that the entrance to all compartments was from the East. There is an important reason for this that I will explain in a moment.

The Temple and the Garden of Eden

When Adam and Eve were put into the Garden they were in a state of moral and spiritual perfection. As a result they were able to observe God in a visible sense and even talk with Him at particular times of the day. Only after they sinned was this privilege taken away. This occurred when they were cast out from the Garden.

Before they sinned, however, they were in a very privileged state. Of all the multitudes of spiritual beings in the universe, how many of them are able to have such a close and daily contact with the Creator God? Just very few — probably those associated with the throne itself such as the Cherubim and the twenty-four elders. But in the Garden were two human beings in the closest of association with God Himself. It must have been like a heaven on earth! And indeed, that’s just what it was, in a symbolic way. It was as if God’s celestial palace temporarily had come to earth. Even the Garden, the Cherubim of the Garden, the altar built by Cain and Abel, the land of Eden, and the land of Nod are all connected with the temple symbolism and are direct images of God’s heavenly abode. And for the brief period of time before the sin of Adam and Eve, "heaven” was really here on earth.

In the Garden our first parents were able to talk face to face with God. But note an important point. They only had conversations with Him at certain times of the day. They did not see Him on all occasions. It was “...in the cool of the day...” that they came into “...the presence of the Lord God...” (Genesis 3:8). The expressions “cool of the day” and “the presence of the Lord God” were a part of temple language. “The cool of the day” was the period when the Sun got lower in the sky and the cool sea breezes normally swept over the Palestinian region. This was the time of the evening sacrifice (1 Kings 18:36; Daniel 9:21) — about three in the afternoon. This was the time when the animals were being regularly sacrificed (and also in the morning about nine o’clock). At these times the people were then reckoned as being in the presence of God.

Finally, Adam and Eve sinned. They ate of the tree of which they were forbidden. This tree, like the tree of life, was also in the middle of the Garden. But with their partaking of it, God was angry and sent them out of the Garden. Never again could they enter the Garden in this life.

“And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:  Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.  So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.”  (Genesis 3:22–24)

This episode has some very significant features associated with it. Observe they were expelled East of the Garden. Cherubim (angelic beings — later connected with temple symbolism) were also stationed at the East gate to the Garden with a flaming sword to prevent Adam and Eve from re-entering.  When this happened, the tree of life became off-limits to them. Their face-to-face contact with God came to an end. The Cherubim guarded the East entrance (the only gate) into the Garden and forbade anyone to enter. We will see in a moment that these features represent precise arrangements found in the later tabernacle and temple.

Cain and Abel

Our first parents were cast out of the Garden — never to re-enter in this life. They still remained, however, in the territory of Eden. It is important to note that the “Garden” and the country of “Eden” were not synonymous. The Garden was in Eden, but the Garden did not represent all of Eden. Adam and Eve were simply expelled from the Garden that was in the land of Eden. They were still able to live in other regions of Eden.

Adam and Eve then had children. The first of which we have record were Cain and Abel. Cain became a tiller of the ground — he raised fruits and vegetables. Abel was a sheepherder (Genesis 4:2).

“And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord.  And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.  And the Lord said unto Cain, ‘Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?  If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.’  And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.”  (Genesis 4:3–8)

There are three major points to consider in this narrative. First, both men decided to bring offerings at a set time of the year — on a particular day. The phrase “in process of time,” in Hebrew, means “at the end of days.” It often signified the end of the agricultural (or civil) year and was near the beginning of Autumn. Recall that the Israelites were required to appear three times in the year at the temple (Exodus 23:14–17). One of these occasions was “...at the end of the year...” (verse 16). This was the season of Tabernacles. Cain brought token offerings of his crops “at the end of days.” This shows the brothers must have appeared before God at a precise time near the Autumn of the year. This means they must have been told by God when to bring them.

Second, they also must have been told where to bring them because they “brought” their offerings to one altar.

Third, they were no doubt told what to bring. God would hardly have been angry with Cain unless he brought offerings not sanctioned by God.

This is similar to what happened with the later Israelites in regard to the temple. They were told when, where, and what to bring to the temple. All sacrificial offerings could only be presented at the sanctuary. Under no circumstances was any other location allowed (Deuteronomy 16:5-16). With Cain and Abel, the same factors are in evidence. Back at that time, they went to the area where they knew God had been dwelling — He was a resident of the Garden. They built their altar as close to God as possible near the East entrance (the gate or door) to the Garden.

When the proper time came they both offered their gifts, waving them in sacrificial praise to God whom they believed to be in the Garden. God then issued His approval of Abel's offering, but He was displeased with Cain’s offering. The older brother no doubt had been told to bring a lamb or goat, but Cain offered fruit and vegetables. God was not pleased and Cain’s countenance fell. God then answered:

"...Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?  If thou doest well [in the future and bring the proper sacrifice], shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin [a sin offering] lieth at the door..."  (Genesis 4:6–7)

Many people for generations have stumbled over the meaning of this verse. Yet it is quite clear what is meant if one understands that temple language is being used. God was really being merciful to Cain. The mercy was this: If Cain would repent and still bring the proper offering, “if you do well”, then he would be accepted; but if he did not do so, then “sin [a sin offering] lies at the door.” This “sin” was a sin-offering. God said that He would provide a sin-offering which would lie “at the door.” What was this door?

The Gate of the Garden, the Door of the Temple

The matter becomes understandable once this “door” is identified. The word in Hebrew is {pehthagh" and refers in other parts of the Old Testament to the entrance of any tent (Genesis 18:1), but more particularly to the “...door of the tabernacle...” (Exodus 29:4), or the “...door of the temple...” (Ezekiel 8:7, 16), or “...the door of the east gate of the Lord’s house...” (Ezekiel 10:19).

In the case of Cain and Abel, they constructed their altar at the East gate of the Garden just in front of the Cherubim which guarded its entrance (Genesis 3:24). God was indicating to Cain that he still had a chance to obtain a proper offering and offer it. Cain, on the other hand, was a tiller of the ground. He had no lamb to give unless he got one from his brother. God understood the problem, so He added further: “if you do not well” (even if Cain was unable to obtain the proper animal sacrifice) God would have a sin-offering to lie “at the door” of the Garden where the altar was located.

The next phrase has been an enigma to many. “...and unto you shall be his desire, and you shall rule over him.” This expression is explained in Genesis 3:16. Like a wife desired her husband and like a husband ruled his wife in Old Testament times (Genesis 3:16), so Cain would have a sin-offering provided for him that would allow him to rule over “sin.” It simply meant that Cain would gain mastery over sin — over his mistakes — by an offering provided by God. (Genesis 4:7). This was a noble gesture of grace on God’s part. Yet in spite of this act of mercy, Cain did not obtain the proper animal, nor did he accept God’s grace of supplying a sin-offering for him to master sin. He responded with something very bad and in no way in accordance with the divine command. He offered up his own brother.

“And Cain talked with Abel” (Genesis 4:8). They got into an argument. “...Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.” (Genesis 4:8). This murder took place in the field. God then reprimanded Cain. “What have you done? the voice of your brother’s blood cries unto me from the ground.” (Genesis 4:10). In later times it was recognized that the murder of Abel was a sacrifice of one of God’s saints. Such sacrifices symbolically took place on the altar of God. Jesus said:  “That upon you [Pharisees] may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom you slew between the [inner] temple and the altar.”  (Matthew 23:35)

In Revelation the blood of righteous saints was also reckoned as flowing from the altar from whence they were figuratively sacrificed:  “...I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: and they cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘How long, O Lord, holy and true, do you not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?’”  (Revelation 6:9–10)

This is very similar to what God said about Abel. “...The voice of thy brother’s blood cries unto me from the ground.” (Genesis 4:10). Clearly, a New Testament connection was made between Abel and the end-time martyrs mentioned in Revelation. Like Abel, their blood was dripping down from their sacrificed bodies into the pool located under the altar. This receptacle for blood was supposed to be for that of animals, but in the case of righteous Abel (and all the other martyred saints), their deaths were considered human sacrifices — killed on the altar of God. Abel’s murder was too much for God to take:

“Now are you [Cain] cursed from the earth, which has opened her mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand ... a fugitive and a vagabond shall you be in the earth.”  (Genesis 4:11–12)

Whereas Cain had worked in the same area of Eden with his brother and parents, he was now to be sent away from the land. He was to be a wanderer — one without a fixed abode. He was to live at a distance from God, even “out of His sight.” Cain considered this almost too much to carry.

“...My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, you have driven me out from the face of the earth [the land where Cain lived]; and from your face shall I be hid...”  (Genesis 4:13–14)

Cain’s punishment involved him being “driven out” from the land he formerly tilled, and away from the “face” of God.

“And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the land of Nod [Wandering], on the east side of Eden.”  (Genesis 4:16)

What marvelous teaching is found in this latter scripture once it is understood that temple language was being used by Moses. Note that Cain was sent OUT OF EDEN. He went East of Eden. And by leaving Eden, he “went out from the presence of the Lord.” Now look at the second diagram.  It will be similar to the outline of the temple which we gave earlier, but this time we will involve the story of Adam and Eve, the Garden, the Cherubim with the flaming sword, the altar of Cain and Abel, the land of Eden, and the land of Nod [Wandering]. It has excellent teaching.

The Tabernacle of Moses

The whole story revolves around the later design of the tabernacle of Moses — and the temple of Solomon. The Garden in which Adam and Eve were first placed was later represented by the Holy Place into which only priests could enter. When Solomon built the temple at Jerusalem he decorated the outside and inside walls of the Holy Place in a way that made it look like a garden.

“He carved all the walls of the house round about with carved figures of cherubim and palm trees and open flowers, within [on the inside walls] and without [on the outside walls].”  (1 Kings 6:29)

Israelites came into the court of the temple and looked westward beyond the altar of burnt offerings towards the Holy Place, it looked like a garden protected by Cherubim. This exactly depicts the Garden in Eden.

When Adam and Eve were at first in the Garden, they could talk with God at certain times. He was “...among the trees...” (Genesis 3:8). The two important trees (the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil) were located “...in the midst of the Garden...” (Genesis 2:9). And in the Holy of Holies (in the “middle” of the temple), was placed Aaron’s rod that budded and produced almonds. This rod was not attached to the earth; it needed no water or nutrients to cause it to grow. It represented life coming from a supernatural source. It was a fit description of the tree of life. The tree of life was no doubt symbolized by the almond tree.

But there were many kinds of trees in the Garden (Genesis 2:9; Ezekiel 31:9). But the main type that Solomon most associated with the Garden was the palm — the date palm (1 Kings 6:29). In fact, in Solomon’s temple only the date palm figured prominently. This was also the case with Ezekiel in his future temple. So, alongside the main almond tree, it could well be that a date palm represented the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Eve “...saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes...” (Genesis 3:6). This could well describe the dates that grow in clusters near the top of the palm tree.

Maybe it was or maybe not, but within the future temple as described by Ezekiel there are representations of Cherubim and palm trees directly inside the Holy of Holies (Ezekiel 41:18–20, 25–26). This could show that the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, in the midst of the Garden alongside the tree of life (the almond) was the date palm. Of course, there is nothing wrong with date palms or the dates they produce, but if God said not to eat from a tree of the Garden (be it any type of tree), it became bad — not for the tree — but for any who would partake of it. This is the essence of the narrative.

Further Temple Teaching

Cain was sent into the land of Nod, East of Eden, away from the presence of God. He became cut off from the Eternal. God then gave him a “mark” to show that Cain was not completely forgotten and that a measure of protection would be afforded him and his descendants. Cain became a representative of all Gentiles. They were reckoned as being in Nod (wandering — without a fixed spiritual home). And while they could approach the East entrance to Eden, they could not go in. A barrier was placed around Eden. The altar which Cain and Abel constructed in the area of Eden near the East gate (door) of the Garden was out of bounds to those who lived in Nod.

This condition existed throughout the antediluvian period. But with the great flood of Noah, everything was destroyed — the Garden, the altar, the barriers, etc. When Noah and his children began to repopulate the earth, none of these former things were retained — except in the memory of man, and only in symbol. In the time of Moses, however, God selected the Israelites to be His nation — in favored status to Him. Moses was ordered to build a tabernacle which resembled the condition that existed in the pre-flood age. Outside the tabernacle was represented the land of Nod. The court on the inside of the tabernacle (the court of Israel) was Eden. The Holy Place was the Garden. The Holy of Holies was the center of the Garden. The tabernacle not only represented Eden and the Garden, but it was also a physical type of God’s heavenly abode.

The Israelites were reckoned as being in Eden like Adam and Eve were. However, even the privileged nation could only go to the East entrance to the Holy Place — which represented the Garden. Into the Holy Place (the Garden) only the Aaronic priests could go at the time of the morning and evening (the cool of the day) sacrifices. And even the priests were barred from entering “the midst of the Garden” — the Holy of Holies. They were only able to get close to the curtain that separated the outer Garden from its midst.

Only once in the year was anyone allowed to enter the Holy of Holies. On the Day of Atonement the High Priest, after many ceremonies of purification, and after he clouded the entire inner chamber with incense so that the mercy seat would be hidden from view, was able to push the curtain aside and briefly step into the inner sanctum. After he did his required duties, the curtain came down once again, and the Holy of Holies (the midst of the Garden) became closed for another year. This showed that while the tabernacle stood, God still reckoned barriers between Himself and mankind.

While Adam and Eve before they sinned were able to witness God’s presence, their sins caused them to be sent from the Garden (the Holy Place). Cain and his descendants were sent further East — they were expelled from Eden and went to Nod. But when the Flood came the Garden, the altar, Eden, etc. all disappeared from earth. Mankind now found itself without any physical area on earth in which God dwelt. That’s why the early descendants of Noah wanted to build a tower “to reach to heaven” (Genesis 11:1–9). They wanted to reach God, to have access to His heavenly presence. But God would not allow it. He had been angry with man for his ways, so He changed their languages and scattered them into all the earth. He sent all mankind into a condition of “Nod.”

Finally, God selected Abraham to be the father of a nation which would be responsible for leading man (in a step-by-step way) back to God. By the time of Moses, the Abrahamic family had now reached nationhood. Moses built the tabernacle, and Israel was brought back into Eden once again. A middle wall of partition was erected, however, that kept all Gentiles out. God even put restrictions on Israel. Even they were told to stay out of the Holy Place (representing the Garden). The Aaronic priests were allowed to go in. But no one was permitted in the Holy of Holies except the High Priest on the Day of Atonement — and even then he (the holiest man on earth, symbolically) was not allowed to see the mercy seat. All of this shows that God still had several barriers which kept many sections of mankind away from an intimate association with Him.

The Revelation of “the Mystery”

Through Christ (who was the sin-offering that God first told Cain about, which God would place on the altar at the door of the Garden by grace) through that offering the whole barrier system was to be abolished. Instead of a step-by-step expelling of man eastward into relative oblivion (as happened with Adam, Eve, Cain, the antediluvian world, and those at the tower of Babel), all the barriers to God as shown by the temple (and the Garden) were to be removed in Christ. Paul said, “...the middle wall of partition...” has now been broken down (Ephesians 2:14). This means that the Gentiles (like Cain) who were in a state of wandering and without any fixed spiritual home, can come into the court of Israel where the altar is located. This got them back to Eden. But there is more than simply getting access to the holy altar.

Once the “sin-offering at the door” is accepted they can join hands with Israelites (with both peoples now called “the new man” — not Israelite or Gentile), and both walk up the fifteen steps into the Holy Place. The Cherubim no longer will keep them out with their flaming sword. They are now back in the Garden from whence our first parents were expelled. But that is not the end. When Christ died on the cross, the curtain in the temple that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. "the midst of the Garden,” was supernaturally torn in two from the top down (Matthew 27:50–51). In Hebrews we are told that the destruction of this final barrier now gives us “...boldness to enter into the holiest [the Holy of Holies] by the blood of Christ ... through the veil...” (Hebrews 10:19–20).

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”  (Hebrews 4:16)

What glorious teaching! All the obstacles that God set up in a progressive sense to alienate Himself from man (in a spiritual way) from the time of Adam and Eve onward, He has systematically abolished through the work of Christ Jesus.

“Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances [decrees of separation]; for to make in himself of two one new man, so making peace;”  (Ephesians 2:15)

All the commandments and decrees which God formerly ordained to separate Himself from various peoples, have been removed in Christ. Adam and Eve, Abel and Cain, Israelite and Gentile, you and I, are now back “in the Garden” — and now in the very midst of it. We do not even have to wait for “the cool of the day” to come into contact with our Father. We now have a constant presence — in a spiritual sense. And the day is soon coming when we ourselves will be spirit beings (1 Corinthians 15:42–55).

When that day arrives, we will not only be able to talk with God face to face as did our first parents, but “...we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2). As God is Spirit, so will we be. We will then be “as he is” — as His own Spirit-born children. This is far more glorious than it was with our first parents. Indeed, reaching this position is the very purpose for living. Our experience with sin, with an alienation from God, with suffering, will help us for all eternity to love God our Father in a much greater way than our first parents were able to experience. What a glorious future awaits mankind through Christ.

The Holy of Holies is now open to all people on earth without social, racial, or outward religious distinction. It is Christ who has redeemed Adam and his family to Himself. Christ’s death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead are mankind’s guarantee of a certain salvation. It comes to us by God’s grace, not man’s works. One day all humanity will understand this truth.

Source:  The Temple Symbolism in Genesis, Ernest L. Martin, Ph.D, 1977, Edited and expanded by David Sielaff, March 2004

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