The Minor Prophets Speak to Today
A Symbol Is Not The Fulfillment
Of The Things To Come
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“Listen to me, O Jeshua the high priest, and all you other priests. You are symbols of things to come."
The priesthood of believers is a symbol of things to come.
We are so focused on our selves and our personal journey,
We are so focused on blaming grace for our lack of holiness and visible transformation that
We severely damage the symbol of things to come.
No wonder people don't find Christianity something worth exploring.
No wonder the future life is viewed as non-existent or
Not worth a single worry.
"Listen to me, you priesthood of believers. You are symbols of things to come."
Last post we looked at the authority God grants to us as priests in the priesthood of believers. It comes with a price, but it also comes with a purpose.
The authority is given so that we may become symbols of things to come.
Now, I know a lot of people who gladly reject the authority available to believers. They do not want the responsibility and, sometimes, rejection and isolation that come with authority. But most of all they are not willing to pay the price: If you follow my ways and carefully serve me, then you will be given authority. They plan on receiving the second reward: I will let you walk among these others standing here; i.e. walking among the heavenly beings and holy people in heaven.
A Symbol Is Not The Fulfillment Of The Things To Come
Still others among the priesthood of the believers have slipped over into pride and arrogance. They believe the already are the things to come. They claim have received all the heavenly rewards except literally living in the city built foursquare.
Even the greatest of the saints, who live and have lived on the earth,
Even the holiest of those who live visibly holy lives,
Even those who follow the example of Jesus in all things,
Even Jesus, in his earthly body
Are symbols of the things to come.
Are not the fulfillment of the things to come.
But, Jesus in his glorified body in heaven
Is the example of the things to come
To those in the household of faith, the priesthood of believers.
Those who follow his Father's ways and carefully serve him.
A Symbol Is Not The Fulfillment Of The Things To Come.
If You Do Whatsoever I Command You. (John 15:14 NLT)
Perhaps Jesus had Zachariah's writings in mind when he commanded us, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5: 16 NKJV
Therefore, since we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 2 Corinthians 4:1-4 NKJV
So, do all things without complaining and disputing, that
you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in
the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as
lights in the world... Philippians 2:14-15 NKJV
There is coming a day about which the Lord of Heavens Army says, "‘And I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day." May he haste the day for: 
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On that day
Each of you will invite your neighbor
To sit with you peacefully
Under your own grapevine and fig tree.
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Photo Credits:
soldiers in the Azmut grove #2 by michael loadenthal some rights reserved @flickr.com
Grapes on a vine by elleneka102 some rights reserved @flickr.com
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