Aug 23
The First Stop of the Dark Night of …
If you can picture this - you have just made the decision to enter the white Tabernacle, which is the Earthly Kingdom of God, the Priest slowly pulls the curtain back, and you walk into its first chamber. This is the Outer Court, called that because there are two much more mysterious chambers, yet to be entered, but they are so much smaller than the court where you stand.
Anyone can enter this court, there is so much room and grace, but not every one will go on to the following, much smaller, covered, mysterious rooms that lie 210 cubits or 360 feet - 60 feet longer than a football field - across the court yard from you.
THE BLOOD
Once you enter the Kingdom, you are immediately confronted with the first piece of furniture, the Brazen Alter. It is the largest piece in the Tabernacle, it has the hardest task to accomplish. By the blood soaked ground around it, you know this is the place of sacrifice and the removing of sin. The sight is made even more difficult by the heat, the smoke, and the stench of burning hair and flesh.
THE SACRIFICE
To the untrained eye, the Brazen Alter, or the Cross-was not a beautiful sight, it was a place of death and despair, but to those with eyes to see, it is where everlasting life began - from that death. You have now learned just what the Bible teaches, that the Life of the flesh is in the blood and so in taking the blood, the flesh dies – dust to dust, ashes to ashes. It is the blood that paves the way for every thing else in the Tabernacle to work on our behalf. All the furniture in the Tabernacle has been sprinkled with it.
THE FIRE
As you keep looking, you cannot help but see the fire that blazes from the center of the Altar. That fire is to never go out and burn continually. It is this fire that must remain in our hearts for the next six stops in order to get where we are desperate to go.
So it is here, right from the start, the flesh or carnal nature is dealt with and the sanctification of your flesh is the result. Flesh for flesh, bone for bone, body for body – it is done. How well you accept this sacrifice on your behalf determines if you are allowed to enter the mysterious rooms ahead.
WAS I DUPED?
At this point you may wonder, “Was I duped.” But, a small voice whispers, “What is it that you are after? This is the place where everything changes, where you set the tone for the rest of your life. It will be worth it, your life will change, don’t give up, the sacrifice has already been made for you. To activate the blood shed for you, all you have to do is truly repent, after all it is not the blood of sheep, cattle, or doves, but the blood of Jesus that lies there on that ground.” To accept that sin is covered by anything other than blood is to go the way of Cain, who thought plant life could cover his sin. It is hard to accept that someone died so you could live.
You do not fully know whether to turn back or keep going. However, you are somewhat comforted by the fact that this is the only place where blood is shed in the Tabernacle and as you look you see no other blood anywhere on the ground ahead, so you take deep breaths and take the next step.
ROOMS OF MYSTERY
Once again you hear that whisper of a voice saying, “You must go on to the rooms of mystery.” Someone else reminds you, “If you overlook one spot, cherish one blemish, or think one wrinkle is unimportant – you will find yourself back here, at the Alter, only a little more broken, a little less confident, a little more contrite.” Alters are not bad they are just difficult to handle, that’s why they have horns.
You now know, to go further requires a no-nonsense frame of mind. To get across that courtyard and into those rooms of mystery will not be an instant door opening, curtain pulling entrance. The distance is significant and there is a reason. You see, once you make the commitment to come into His Kingdom, the process of becoming deeply spiritual is just beginning, it is not instant. Some things like killing the flesh just take time, even after you have cleaned up your act.
But, before you make the journey across the courtyard you must make one more stop, the second stop, at the Brazen Laver of water. Here you will see yourself as you are, which is not the most pleasant of sights.
Blessings,
John Paul
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I remember seeing myself in that brazen laver of water. It was not fun. It was as if God held up a mirror and the image that was in the mirror was not the same image I had once seen myself as. In time, God would show me another layer, deeper in those waters was the way God saw me. Amazing, the deeper you drink in and partake of the waters of heaven, the more valuable grace is, and the more you transform!
When I first saw myself in spiritual eyes at the water, I saw spiritually that I actually was full of boils and disease on my body, and I was limping with one leg. Two years later, in the natural physical plane, I had to get surgery on my foot for I had a huge infection-growth that was growing in my foot that made it painful and difficult to walk. (it was the same foot that I saw in the spirit that was ill) God had shared with me at that time that the things i had seen years before he was still working out, and that the manifestation in the physical was that of which was spiritual darkness that hindered my walking further onward in him.
The good news is I did carry on and continue the journey, and so I have absolute compassion for those who are currently looking into that cup of water… They will certainly find mercy in the least likely places!
John Paul, everyone could do with a lot more pruning from the Father…appreciate how you are slowly revealing secrets of the tabernacle. I can already see your intended purpose to point us to True, Pure, Spirituality…nothing short of the heavenly design. God being God designed the tabernacle to be more vast than we could think ever grasped its fullness. Its a beautiful structure with intricate designed purposes for the church. I know there is more issues about the Life than it, but great! I shall consume it slowly as you reveal its beauty. Its going to be a great feast! Because your insights brings more food to my table when i start pieceing things together. That’s my supper with Jesus btw…
Not the most pleasant of sights is true. (What an understatement!) The Brazen Laver is terribly difficult and painful to my pride. I think of it as the revealer of my hidden inner vows, beliefs and motives.
Well….that explains it. I am definitely at the Brazen Alter and for the first time I am seeing myself as I am. Yikes and Yuk!! Ouch! I can’t believe how filled of pride I am and have been. I have wanted to be something on my own apart from the sacrifice of God. I don’t like the fact that I am so filthy especially after having given my life to Christ twelve years ago. I am ready to dive in and be washed in the Blood of the Lamb. Apart from Him we can truly do NOTHING!!! Can’t wait to hear about the third stop.
You know, this is exactly what I’ve been needing hear!!
Keep pressing through, keep walking in obedience and when I want to return to Egypt I need to keep looking at the cross of Jesus Christ.
As The Apostle Paul wrote….
I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His suffering….Amen.
Thanks for the clarification. Sorry if I rambled on, I will keep it brief from now on. I am here to learn and not to debate.
Blessings!
Shirley C.
Oh the blood is so important! This is so true JP:”It is the blood that paves the way for every thing else in the Tabernacle to work on our behalf.” There is no way around it. We need the blood because no one else or nothing can atone and set us free except the blood of Christ!
“Here you will see yourself as you are, which is not the most pleasant of sights.” Getting a little ahead here but Augustine once said that he ran and ran from God until one day God took him from behind himself and put him in front of himself. And then Augustine says, “I saw myself and I was aghast!” When God shows you who you really are in His eyes in your sinful state, it is no pleasant thing.
But coming back to the blood, if we choose to get real with Him every time He points something out and we repent, the blood gets activated. And we find ourselves clean before Him to go to the next stage or level. It’s so difficult to get real with the Father every time but it is one of the most liberating experiences as well because then He gives back joy and peace inexpressible that the world cannot give you. What a trade!
What about learning how to get free from hidden things that have been suppressed through external controlling forces such as spiritual leaders, parents, siblings, co-workers and other people that have to one degree or another tried to exert their control in my life, causing me to just “toe-the-line” and not do anything stupid, foolish or sinful?
Only recently have I become totally and completely free from almost all forms of control. Most of my Christian life has been lived under the strong influence of very controlling people who thought for my own benefit it was a good thing to be controlling. The problem is though, I have only recently discovered hidden buried issues inside that have only been dealt with in the past through external forces; i.e. the fear of being rejected by others if I did do something stupid, foolish or sinful. This has only brought about external changes in my life and yet I still have a great desire to allow God to make the internal changes that I am only now just beginning to see.
You see, I no longer want to just, “toe-the-line” and keep myself “in-check” by succumbing to all of the controlling forces from all of the controlling people that have been in my life. I want to be free on the inside from all of the things that have caused me to have an “internal dissonance” of sorts. There are things, issues that have been held in check inside of me(the carnal sinful nature) for years, whether through my own will power or the controlling influence of others. Now in this season that I’m in, I am just beginning to discover that God wants me to deal with these issues on His terms. The question is how do I simply allow God to deal with these issues on His terms? I have never been in a place like this before. Only now 18 years into my Christian walk am I learning how to deal with these issues on His terms without the controlling influences of other people interfering with His plans and/or purposes. For years I have asked myself the question if this is all that there is? I know that there is more and I have a great desire to discover what that “more” is.
All of Christianity or following Jesus cannot just be about controlling people vying for positions of power within the structure of the Church, so they can exert their control over others and try and get them to conform to an external form of godliness. All the while leaving them helplessly in the dark, never able to get free from all of the things that plague the people of God on the inside.
I want to be free on the inside!! As someone once said “character, like a photograph is developed in darkness” I don’t want my actions or character to be molded and shaped by external forces that never allow for there to be any real internal change. I want the character that God is developing within me in this season to be given the chance to develop and grow in an environment that is free from all forms of control so that I can deal with the real issues that have only recently begun to surface. I have learned over the years that in order to get the right answers one must ask the right questions. I do not know if I have asked the right questions here but I am getting the feeling that this season of my life is bringing about the opportunity for me to discover what the “right questions” are, and hopefully, soon enough I will have the answers that I have been looking for, for years.
Sincerely,
Lyle
Fascinating stuff, incredibly insightful. Only one who has been through it, can write about it in such detail…
I have recently started writing my own blog and have included your Coffee Talk in my blogroll.
Unlikely, but if you are ever interested or have the time to read any of my posts, the link is http://www.ransom33.wordpress.com.
Blessings,
ransom33
Good! You are going to talk about each piece of furniture. I’m eager to see the process unfold.
For today, I’ll be having a cup of black coffee, please…and just as soon as I’m finished, could you please send in the firing squad for me…thank you…
The vile that I see in me is sad…sad…
And to think that I’ve done something, been somewhere, seen a thing or two…that’s when I see how great Gods mercy truly is towards us, towards the whole of mankind and creation!
…And yet, it’s just another glimpse…
GOD!
So… You know someone with a no nonsence frame of mind?! I’d like to meet him/her and ask how in the mother of pearl they acheived that….
Thank God for this teaching. I now can see clearly how selfish I am, always me,me, and me. I now understand why God asked me to cancel my driving lessons at the time I was busy with. After spending a lot of money, one day in a vision He told me to cancel everything. I could not believe that the father would ask me for that. Now I know, is was all about me.
Recently while I was in prayer, the Lord spoke to me, and said that I should help my family which is in Africa with finances. I have been helping them, but I believe for the father it was not enough. God has blessed me with a good job, and I make good money. I used to spend too much in material things, I may say I made my idols. I repent and asked God to help me resist this spirit or even get him out of my life for ever. I can see changes in myself since I allowed the Father to help me. Praise God.
Bless you JP…
Lyle,
Very well said. I couldn’t have said it any better myself. Your post sums up what I needed to be able to express today in my own life…questions that I was pondering. The Lord used you today, my friend. Keep pressing on and asking those questions. The verse that comes to mind is Deuterony 4:29. “But from there you will seek the LORD your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Keep searching and seeking. I am right there with you.
Blessings,
Nicole
This one has touched me in a very deep way, because this has caused me to remember an spiritual experience that I had and I will never forget it. I just want to thank God for sending Jesus to die in my place, for pardoning me from death. Thank you Jesus, for your sacrifice of love, the shedding of your blood, that releases life. I have seen myself compared to God and the conviction was very deep. But, I will say that it was not a painful experience, because of his love, which is what brings conviction and leads to repentance. The trials that I went through prior to this experience I had was extremely painful. At times it felt unbearable and many times I did not think that I would make it. But, it was all worth it, as it brought me into a place of intimacy with God.
John Paul, I have not looked at your web site for some time. How the Lord leads you at such a place and a time. I have been in transition for some time and it has knocked my socks off. This has so far been the hardest. As I clicked onto coffee talk and read the articles about transitions I could not belive what I was reading. Just what I am going thur and now I have a clear understanding what is going on with me. Thank You Lord, I can not waite for the out come. John Paul I fully Thank You and God Bless.
Patricia Garrison
Hey Lyle, sorry you had so many controlling people around you! I guess that’s part of life as I had that too and probably many can say the same. One of the things the Lord showed me was that as I grew up my feelings had not really been considered as important and so I learned to repress my emotions from early on. This revelation has helped me greatly to know how to deal with others especially those with strong characters and tendencies to control. Having fybromyalgia has been one of the consequences of this control and so has obviously affected my relationship with others. Neverthless as I’ve learned to express myself, I’ve learned a lot more about what God thinks of me and who I am, and as a result I’ve received more physical healing. My encouragement to you is, as you learn to beome more like ‘a child’ you’ll find it easier to be who you really are amongst controlling and non controlling people.
Learning to become as ‘a child’ - learning to trust the Father .. I guess I’m still around the brazen altar understanding that my pride has to die!!
Blessings
Correction … As I’ve learnt what God thinks of me, I’ve learnt how to express myself and know more of who I am …
It seems that Lyle is definitely on the right track with the questions and the true reality of where every believer is standing at this moment in the Body of Christ regarding the need for deep and everlasting transformation and it is up to us individually if we want to participate with the Lord in this process of change. I look at the way things are around me and then I am hastened to look deep within myself and have to say I am in 100 per cent with the Lord in continuing transformation. Somehow the brazen alter is the best place to start.
Shirley C
Years ago I watched a video by Sadhu Sundar Selvaraj from India, who was privileged by the mercies of God to see the worships of heaven. He saw the angels around the throne giving praise & worshipping God. As he was watching all these, knowledge was imparted to him that God devised a governmental system in heaven, each time the angels worship God for honor, glory & praise, He will return glory, honor & praise to them. In this way they increased in authority as they worshipped. This truth was imparted to Sadhu which was applicable to the church.
The Lord desires our worship. But few know that He also desires to honor those who honor Him. Worship is an offering to God, it comes back to us either in good measures or sparingly. It also produces a harvest. I have personally experienced a harvest of revelation from the word when I worship an aspect of God. God returns my praise & worship back to me. For example if I sing of His majesties, I receive kingly dominion revelations from the word & the incease of God. If I sing his holiness, I receive holiness. It doesn’t always have to come through the word, but it returns back to me in God’s way. I don’t even know where it would come from…God’s governmental system works on judgment. In this way heaven’s King reigns on the earth.
David & Lucifer were two of the greatest known worshippers in history, it was not coincidental that they too were also two of the greatest beings. Its not enough to knowing God’s acts, we should also settle for His ways. We should worship without compromise & with understanding of God’s ways. Worship brings the reign of the king upon the earth. True praise brings authority to bind kings on the earth Ps 149.
“even after you have cleaned up your act”. Point well taken. Another humbled step in the process.
And the journey continues. . . . .
Thank you JP
The reason we’re all in transition is love. In the early 1900’s the US National Park Service decided that they needed to protect the forests. In so doing they extinguished any forest fires that started. Many years later, it was discovered that the fires brought life by burning away the underbrush and dead growth from the forest floor. The NPS prevented the growth of the Giant Sequoia trees because the most effective way their cones release seed is with fire. They realized that there were no saplings except in the places where there had been an uncontrolled blaze. They now allow fires to burn for healthy reproducing forests.
The burning is love. Burning away the flesh is love. Painful? Yes! Fruitful? Yes! Healthy? Yes! In the burning, bones are ignited with firey passion and a flame of love is kindled.I choose to embrace the changes and allow love’s flame to grow!
During the last part of April, I had attended an orthodox womens retreat with a dear friend of mine who’s husband is studying to become an orthodox priest and the whole retreat blew me out of time and into eternity in one moment, because time became suspended, nothing but worshiping in the word back to the Lord from a place of intimacy and ectasy, where the Lord is your audience and not man. This was done in unison and in a faith community.
What an honor it was to be able to participate in the richness of their ancient worship that seem to flow right out of the book of revelation. It even seemed to be easier to receive revelations from the third heavens. After the retreat visions became clearer and my prayer life became more simplified and at the same time deeper.
The orthodox seem to set up their church and/or worship space to look like the outer courts of heaven from the book of revelation. Similar to what John Paul has been describing in this this blog regarding the layout of the outer court experience as it relates to the inner man.
They (the orthodox) participate in outer court worship which can go on for hours which gets us prepared to enter into the inner court interiorly. Their mode of worship is very time consuming because we come into it from time and into eternity. It is also contemplative and Holy full of incense worship and prayers going up to the throne room of God and the leaders of worship are singing to the intonations and frequencies of ancient songs coming forth from heaven, they have no musical accompaniment. Their voices are so harmonious they don’t need instruments because the choir of heaven comes and sings through their voices.
The goal in orthodox christianity is to totally cooperate with the grace of God by totally abandoning ourselves from the worldly way of doing and thinking. This may even go against the tide of where the church is at this moment in some cases. And becoming fully aware of the transformation process of the inner man so that an individual will come into the fullness of their destinies and their kingly inheritance which is making oneself totally available to discard themselves by dying to oneself and to put on the divine nature of Christ and to become one with the Godhead(trinity(Father Son and Holy Spirit) fully human yet fully divine in all of the divine attributes if God.
The church that I visited is called the Church of Transfiguration located in Brookline, Massachusetts on Harvard Street. The retreat was a day long and only $25.00, and it was one of the most inexpensive but yet the most powerful retreats that I have been on. For me this blog has been an extension of that retreat because of the focus of transformation of the inner man. so continue on John Paul you are doing a great work for the Lord in this season of the “New Breed”.
Lyle,
My name is Kyle and Im at a loss of words of how at peace your post about external control put me, because im going through the same thing, im right there with you brother. thankyou. you put into words what Ive been wanting to say.
I’ve just come from a long walk on the beach and it’s 10:48pm now, so it’s night time, where there is no light near the beach, it is dark near the sea, where it is also easier to walk and more refreshing due to the breeze…
In the dark, it becomes so dark, that it is hard to see what is right in front, and the street lights are far off, making it harder to see the beach right ahead as they flood ones eyesight. Even though there is light a far off, it doesn’t iluminate the beach, so one comes to the point where one stops seeing and the rest of ones senses become more hightened…
I can’t rely on my eyesight no more at this time…
It reminds me of the dark nights, is it that God may be developing our spiritual “senses” as we navigate through the dark, as part of what He does in the dark nights? As I walk through the dark, I see how the only thing that guides me is what is inside, as my main navigation instrument in this place “shuts down” from lack of useful information as to the ground ahead of me…So now I must navigate on what comes from within, faith and trust that as I go on I will eventually get to the end of the beach, to the street…and I won’t fall into any ditch along the way…
As I exit the beach and come into the streets, there are people and cars all over the place, there is noise. There is a lot of noise in comparison to the beach where all you hear is the sea…
In the streets, now I can see because there is light, but I learn how important it was to tune in to the Spirit, because now there is noise and it tends to invade the senses and tries to penetrate and block what comes from within…
So inner clarity and sensibility will come through cleansing and shutting our senses just to hear Him, time and time again?…
…one thing I sense, is that it will stand the darkest and noisiest environments…
God Bless!