Life Matters

a. Relationships are Invisible

By the very fact that God’s kingdom is based on relationships, its emphasis is on the things that are not seen. Though we can see evidences of a relationship, the actual relationship itself cannot be observed with the eye. If we look closely at a husband and wife relationship, we cannot tell exactly how strong or stable that relationship is, we can guess by the things they say and how they relate to each other, but we can’t see the actual relationship itself.

This is why God’s kingdom focuses on the invisible; that which occurs in the mind. Notice some Bible passages that describe this aspect of God.

Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

1Tit 6:16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

For this reason, those who are seeking a relationship with God will focus on the invisible things of life; a relationship with God, family and friends.

Referring back to our comparison between Abraham and Nimrod, we see this issue raised in the area of worship. Abraham focused on the invisible. His value was in his relationship with God and he did not need constant external reminders of that relationship. On the other hand Nimrod’s insecurity required constant external evidences of his value and since he had no real relationship with God, his worship focused on ritual and ceremony and that which can be seen.

Abraham	Nimrod
1. Family Structure (Gen 18:19)	1. Individual Dictator/Tyrant (Gen 10:10)
2. Nomadic Rural Dwellers (Heb 11:8-10)	2. City Builders and Defenders (Gen 11:4)
3. Identity by Parental Blessing (Gen 12:2)	3. Identity by Renown (Gen 11:4)
4. Observe Sabbath and Commandments (Gen 26:5)	4. Follow Personal Desires (Rom 1:21-32)
5. Belief in Death and Resurrection (Heb 11:17-19)	5. Belief in Immortality of the Soul (Gen 3:4)
6. Saviour as Humble Life Restorer – Revealed in Slain Lamb (John 11:25)	6. Saviour as Prideful Liberator and Subduer Empowered by Sun and Nature Worship
7. Focus of Worship on the Invisible	7. Focus of Worship on the Visible

Therefore, the issue of the visible versus the invisible will be an important indicator as to which kingdom is most influencing our thinking. And we see this reflected in Scripture:

2Cor 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

This issue is so important that God actually made it one of His commandments:

Exo 20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

The representation of God through earthly and material things is the fastest way to shift the focus from the invisible to the visible. The Bible calls it idolatry and God hates it because it disconnects His children from a real relationship with Him.

b. The Serpent’s Lie Shifts Focus to the Visible

Idolatry is a constant problem for the human race because of the serpent’s lie. This is because the belief that we have inherent life and power combined with a need for value demands that this power is demonstrated and seen. If we can’t see our own power demonstrated, we start to feel worthless. And in the realm of worship, the focus of worship is on power, the display and worship of power. A quick glance at idolatry through the ages reveals the objects worshipped were worshipped for some aspects of their power which the worshipper wanted to obtain or possess themselves. In worshipping the ‘god’ it was hoped that a worshipper would be favoured and receive some of their power. This is in complete harmony with the opportunity and threat mindset of inherent power. Seeing an object that possesses power, presents the opportunity to a person that through the right approach they might obtain some of this power.

When it comes to the worship of the true God, sadly many people become confused and seek to combine a love for God with a seeking to obtain His power. It is true that we need His power, but not to make us feel powerful and valuable, but that we might honour Him, reflect His character and enjoy His relationship. Many people perform good deeds, pray long and sacrifice much in order to win God’s favour and obtain His power. Such religion is empty and devoid of true love.

1Cor 13:1-3 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

c. The Journey Towards the Invisible

It is for these reasons that the Sanctuary service system was designed to lead its worshippers back towards the invisible, to the relational. You will remember from our introduction to the Sanctuary that this shift from visible to invisible is clearly portrayed.

The question that must be raised is: if God’s kingdom is in the invisible, then why did He give the Israelites a system that was so heavily visible? The answer to that question lies in that fact that God meets us where we are at and in order to teach Israel the true principles of His kingdom, He had to give them a model in the visible of how this worked. It must be remembered though, that the most sacred aspect of the worship service was never seen by the worshippers. The beautiful gold furniture, the ark, the commandments were never seen except by faith. Also there was a wall all around the Sanctuary that prevented the people from seeing anything from the outside. The only real visible things that the worshippers saw were the altar of sacrifice, the slain lamb and the laver of water for cleansing. The rest was hidden except for the priests who acted on their behalf.

It is vitally important to remember that the purpose of the Sanctuary journey is to write the law of God in our hearts, a place that cannot be seen. To do this effectively, the process of the journey must be through the mind of the worshipper.

With this in mind we can understand why Jesus would seek to shift the focus of the Israelites from the objects of the temple on earth, and place them on the heavenly invisible realities. The interesting thing about the Sanctuary on earth is that it was only ever a copy of an invisible heavenly original.

Heb 8:1-5 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; 2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. 3 For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. 4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: 5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

It was always God’s intention to shift people’s focus from the visible to the invisible, so the work of writing His law in the hearts of His people would be effective. This was one of the key elements of the ministry of Jesus: shift the people’s thinking to the heavenly.

Luke 17:20-21 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: 21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Jesus clearly told the Pharisees that God’s kingdom was not visible to the eye, but within a person. There would be no giant display to convince the Jewish leaders of this kingdom; it had to be entered into by faith. This shift in thinking is well documented in the conversation between Jesus and the woman at the well.

John 4:19-24 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. 21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23 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.

When the woman sensed that Jesus understood spiritual matters, she immediately questioned Him about the correct place or location of worship. Her mind was focused on the physical and geographical. But Jesus told her that true worship does not consist on a focus on earthly building and locations. It is not buildings that make a place holy, but the spirit of God that makes a place holy and sacred. He pointed this woman to true worship: worship in spirit (the invisible) and truth.

d. Satan Seeks to Shut the Door to the Invisible

The very fact that God had given a visible Sanctuary as a lesson book meant that it was used by Satan to get Israel to focus on this visible worship system. If he could keep their attention focused on the earthly temple system, then he could block their minds from shifting to the heavenly realities and the true invisible Sanctuary in heaven.

If we study carefully the dialog between Jesus and the Jewish leaders, this issue surfaces again and again.

John 3:3-12 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. 9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? 10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? 11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

Jesus told Nicodemus that he must be born again which, in its most literal reading, means to be born from above or the invisible. Jesus then went on to explain the invisible workings of the Spirit of God which the eye cannot see. Nicodemus struggled to understand this invisible focus.

Satan had to prevent the Israelites from following Jesus from earth back to heaven in their minds. If their focus shifted to the invisible realities they would lose interest in the earthly visible worship system which was the means of control that the Jewish leaders had over the people. With this in mind, every time Jesus spoke of this shift, it was seen as an attack on the Jewish leaders and their power base.

John 2:18-21 Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? 19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. 20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? 21 But he spake of the temple of his body.

The Jews wanted an outward or visible sign of the authority of Jesus, but in His answer to them Jesus spoke of the invisible rather than the visible. The whole Sanctuary system was a reflection of Jesus – the divine submissive agent. The whole object of this system was to make people like Jesus; Jesus is the centre and focus of everything and the aspect of Christ that was so vital was His character which was not visible to the naked eye.

Sadly, the Jews refused to move with Christ in their thinking to the invisible realm and clung to their earthly temple. It is interesting to note that on the basis of this statement above that the Jews finally condemned Jesus to death.

Matt 26:61-65 And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. 62 And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? 63 But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. 64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. 65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.

This obsessive focus on the earthly temple, cunningly devised by Satan through his lie of inherent power that causes a focus on the visible, caused a great tragedy for Israel. They missed the meaning of the services they were given and they rejected the very Person that was at the heart of their worship system. In a passionate and desperate effort, Jesus sought to awaken their minds to their foolish obsession with the visible.

Matt 23:16-25 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! 17 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? 18 And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. 19 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? 20 Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. 21 And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. 22 And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. 23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. 25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.

Sadly, they did not listen and the very system that was designed to bring the heart to a flourishing life was left in the state that Satan’s kingdom makes it – desolate.

Matt 23:37-38 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! 38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.

e. The Followers of Christ Make the Shift from Earthly Symbols to Heavenly Realities

This shift in thinking was hard to accept even for the disciples of Christ. They could not understand why He needed to go back to heaven and become invisible to them.

John 13:36-37 Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards. 37 Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.

John 14:1-5 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

If Jesus did not return to heaven, our human natures would focus on His physical person rather than His character. Jesus had to return to heaven, so that our minds would learn to think in the invisible. The wonderful news was that Jesus would still be present via His Spirit. He could still comfort His people while not being visible to them. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus could complete the work of writing His law; His character into their hearts.

John 14:16-18 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

John 16:4-7 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? 6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

Just as the temple needed to become invisible, so did Jesus. This was all part of the process of shifting from a visible power based system to an invisible relational system. How wonderful to know that Jesus is still with us through His Spirit. The one who knows our trials and sorrows and understands the challenges of human life is still present with us and comforts us. As Jesus stated it was vital that He go away as a visible identity and return via the Spirit and an invisible identity, in order that the real work of changing our hearts could be accomplished where it was needed – in the invisible, relational realm.

Much of the rest of the New Testament is about this shift in thinking to the invisible and Satan’s attempts to block this shift.

Acts 6:7-15 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. 8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. 9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. 10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. 11 Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. 12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, 13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: 14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. 15 And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

Acts 7:48-60 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, 49 Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? 50 Hath not my hand made all these things? 51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. 52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: 53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. 54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

The Jews claimed that Stephen was turning the minds of the people away from the earthly temple and therefore changing the customs of Moses – their most revered leader. Stephen tried to tell them in his trial that God does not dwell in temples made with hands; His kingdom is in the invisible. Again, in a desperate attempt to reach the Jews and awaken them to their enslaved focus on the visible, Stephen spoke to them directly that they and their forebears had consistently resisted the invisible – spiritual view. As a sign of the shift that had taken place and that Jesus was indeed in heaven, Stephen had a vision of heaven, where He saw Jesus at the right hand of the Father. This was the Jews final chance to accept that there needed to be a shift to the invisible. But rather than accept this, they silenced the voice of the man who pleaded with them. This act sealed their fate as a nation. As Jesus predicted their house was left unto them desolate. Devoid of the protection of God, the Jewish temple was destroyed 40 years later.

Sadly this desire to focus on the visible temple remains with us today. Millions of people believe that the earthly temple will be rebuilt, but such a belief denies everything that Jesus taught in regard to being born from above. The true worshippers of God will worship in Spirit – in the invisible and be comforted by the invisible Spirit of Christ until He comes in the clouds of glory and we see Him again when our hearts are cleansed of the serpent’s lie and the obsession with the visible is no longer a problem.

Nimrod	Christian Church Under Rome
1. Individual Dictator/Tyrant (Gen 10:10)	1. Individual Dictator/Tyrant (Rev 13:16,17)
2. City Builders and Defenders (Gen 11:4)	2. City Builders and Traders (Rev 18)
3. Identity by Renown (Gen 11:4)	3. Identity through Position (2 Thess 2:4)
4. Follow Personal Desires (Rom 1:21-32)	4. Commandments and Sabbath Changed to Suit Personal Desire (Dan 7:25)
5. Belief in Immortality of the Soul (Gen 3:4)	5. Belief in Immortality of Soul (Catechism)
6. Saviour as Prideful Liberator and Subduer Empowered by Sun and Nature Worship	6. Saviour as Prideful Liberator and Subduer – the Pope, Empowered by Sun-day Worship and Natural Law.
7. Focus of Worship on the Visible	7. Focus of Worship on the Visible