One of several characterizations of Jesus is a seed planted in humanity, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost was the early rain that fosters the decay of the planted seed (Section 6.2). After 1,000 years of the Middle/Dark Ages, the new blade from the planted seed emerged as the protestors who separated from Roman Catholicism and re-established the three sola’s as practice. The Protestant reformation was the first step in the spiritual progression of the church through the three, designated levels of production of spiritual fruit of the New Testament. And so, the new plant was brought to maturity by the latter rain (Section 6.2), a deeper spiritual experience which came upon the church in the early 1900’s as the Pentecostal movement with more rain during the mid-20th century.
We continue using the Israelites on their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land as a pattern for the chronological, spiritual progression of the church. The Israelites, after escaping from Egypt, have arrived at God Almighty’s mountain in the wilderness, and the events during the Israelites’ stay there foreshadow the events of the Pentecostal revival of the church. As in the last section, we will use furnishings of the Mosaic tabernacle–veil, table of bread, and lampstand in the Holy Place–to organize events at God Almighty’s mountain. The remaining furnishing, the golden altar of incense, is associated with the final leg of the journey to the edge of the Promised Land.
The following table correlates happenings at God Almighty’s mountain with the out pouring of the Holy Spirit upon the church in the 20th century. We continue with the types that we have been using. Moses is a type for the Holy Spirit, Aaron and his sons are now a type for the leaders of the Pentecostal revival, and the congregation of Israelites is a type for the laity of the various church organizations.
The veil to the Holy Place of the tent of meeting corresponds to the Israelites meeting God Almighty at His mountain, and both represent the outpouring of the baptism with the Holy Spirit upon the church in the early 1900’s.
After escaping slavery to the Egyptian empire, the Israelites arrived at God Almighty’s mountain in the wilderness.
In the third month after the sons of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on the very day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. When they set out from Rephidim, they came to the wilderness of Sinai, and there Israel camped in front of the mountain. Exodus 19:1-2 NASB
This gathering before God Almighty’s mountain is an indication of various gatherings in the late 1800’s, especially in America, of those who were seeking a deeper spiritual experience with God Almighty.
God Almighty provided a new covenant for the Israelites.
And Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself. Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.” Exodus 19:3-6 NASB
Here then is an indication that the baptism with the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in tongues occurred in meetings led by Charles Parham in Topeka, Kansas in early 1901. There followed the 1904-05 Welsh Revival which also included the baptism with the Holy Spirit.
God Almighty appeared to the Israelites by descending upon His mountain in fire.
So it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. … Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the LORD descended upon it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently. Exodus 19:16,18 NASB
This event in the wilderness, fifty days after the original Passover event in Egypt, was prescient of the day of Pentecost years later when the Holy Spirit from heaven appeared as tongues as of fire (Acts 2:3). It is also an indication of the Azusa Street meetings in Los Angeles, California, which began in 1906 and during which the baptism with the Holy Spirit was given freely. For three years, God Almighty used the meek and humble William Seymour, a black preacher from Louisiana whose parents had been slaves, as a leader of the Azusa Street revival.
The Israelite congregation was frightened by God Almighty’s appearance.
So it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. Exodus 19:16 NASB
Here then is an indication that many observers of the Azusa Street and other Pentecostal meetings were “frightened” by the events and became critical of the new “Pentecostal” ways. Lightning, thunder, smoke, and fire are suggestive of Holy Spirit-led worship, which was chaotic with shouting praises of God, dancing in the Spirit, speaking and singing in tongues, and manifestation of gifts of the Spirit.
Aaron went up the mountain to meet God Almighty.
Then the LORD said to him [Moses], “Go down and come up again, you and Aaron with you; but do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the LORD, lest He break forth upon them.” Exodus 19:24 NASB
Here then is an indication that news of the moving of God Almighty’s Spirit in the meetings in Los Angeles, California in 1906-09 quickly spread. Azusa Street became a place where Christian leaders from throughout the city, then from across the USA, and eventually from around the world would meet God Almighty.
God Almighty gave the commandments of the covenant to the Israelites.
Then God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, … ” Exodus 20:1-4 NASB
Here then is an indication that, along with spiritual gifts, Pentecostalism emphasizes a life of righteousness.
The congregation of Israelites agreed to the terms of the covenant by indicating that they would follow the commandments whereby they would become God Almighty’s chosen people.
Then he [Moses] took the book of the covenant and read it in the hearing of the people; and they said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient!” Exodus 24:7 NASB
Here then is an indication of a new level of obedience to the spirit of God Almighty for those in the Pentecostal revival at the designated, 60-fold level of production of spiritual fruit.
Once the covenant of the Law with its commandments was made known to the Israelites, they ratified it according to the pattern for ratification demonstrated by Jacob and Laban.
“So now come, let us make a covenant, you and I, and let it be a witness between you and me.” Then Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar. And Jacob said to his kinsmen, “Gather stones.” So they took stones and made a heap, and they ate there by the heap … Then Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain, and called his kinsmen to the meal; and they ate the meal and spent the night on the mountain. Genesis 31:44-46,54 NASB
The ratification of a covenant included building a stone memorial and eating a meal upon a mountain.
As one step in the ratification, Aaron, his two oldest sons, and seventy elders went up the mountain and there had a meal with God Almighty.
Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of elders of Israel, and they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself. Yet He did not stretch out His hand against the nobles of the sons of Israel; and they beheld God, and they ate and drank. Exodus 24:9-11 NASB
Here then is an indication that, in addition to the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angles, there were many other sites in the world-wide Pentecostal revival of the early 1900’s. The seventy elders are suggestive of the seventy that went before Jesus to announce the kingdom of God Almighty (Luke 10:1).
As the other step in the ratification of the covenant by the Israelites, there was a memorial of His commandments written upon tablets of stone.
And when He had finished speaking with him upon Mount Sinai, He gave Moses the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written by the finger of God. Exodus 31:18 NASB
Here then is an indication that the commandments of God Almighty were written, as prophesied by Jeremiah, upon the hearts of those in the Pentecostal movement.
“But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the LORD, “I will put My law within them, and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” Jeremiah 31:33 NASB
You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone, but on the tablets of human hearts. 2Corinthians 3:2-3 NASB
The leaders and attendees of Pentecostal meetings, by receiving the baptism with the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in tongues and other gifts of the Spirit, ratified God Almighty’s “Pentecostal covenant” with the church. Participants in the Pentecostal movement of the early 1900’s, with God Almighty’s commandments written upon their hearts, were on the path of a deeper spiritual walk.
After passing through the second veil of the Mosaic tabernacle, one encountered on the right side of the Holy Place the table of bread overlaid with gold (Section 4.6). Every Sabbath, twelve loaves of bread in two rows of six were placed on the table (Lev 24:5-8). The two rows of bread on the table are suggestive of the two loaves of bread which were offered as a first fruit offering of the wheat harvest in the Feast of Pentecost/Weeks. In addition, the two rows of loaves are suggestive of a doubling of the designated, 30-fold level of production of spiritual fruit associated with the reformation to the 60-fold level connected with Pentecost (Section 5.3). There is no directive about whether the bread on this table was leavened or unleavened, which is in contrast to the attention given to leaven in bread at other times. Thus, it is possible that both breads appeared upon the table, so we have a suggestion that the Pentecostal revival included both the holy and the profane. The table of bread corresponds to the construction of the Mosaic tabernacle at God Almighty’s mountain.
The Israelites provided the necessary materials and workmen for the construction of the tabernacle.
Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “See, I have called by name Bezalel, the son Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, to make artistic designs for work in gold, in silver, and in bronze, and in the cutting of stones for settings, and in the carving of wood, that he may work in all kinds of craftsmanship. And behold, I Myself have appointed with him Oholiab, son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and in the hearts of all who are skilled I have put skill, that they may make all that I have commanded you:” Exodus 31:1-6 NASB
Here then we have an indication of new players in the story of the Israelites–Bezalel and Oholiab—who are types for the saints who receive gifts of the Spirit and accomplish God Almighty’s work for the “building up of the body of Christ.”
And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13 NASB
Unfortunately, the Israelites were not faithful to the commandments of the covenant. Shortly after ratifying God Almighty’s covenant at His mountain, the congregation asked Aaron to lead them in worship to a false god.
Now when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people assembled about Aaron, and said to him, “Come, make us a god who will go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” Exodus 32:1 NASB
Here then is an indication that the Pentecostal movement in the early 20th century quickly became denominational. Within ten years, human-dominated organizations had captured and controlled the movement. As with the Protestant denominations, the Pentecostal denominations would evolve into harlot daughters of Babylon the Great. Certainly, with respect to the Holy Spirit, some in the revival must have asked, what has become of him?”
As requested by the congregation, Aaron fashioned a golden calf, offered it as a substitute god, and led worship of it.
And he took this from their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, and made it into a molten calf; and they said, “This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.” Exodus 32:4 NASB
Here then is an indication that many Spirit-filled ministers of the Pentecostal revival throughout the early 1900’s succumbed to temptations of sexual misconduct and/or financial misconduct and/or fake miracles. Many ministers of the movement saw the possibilities of a Spirit-led life but unfortunately claimed healing gifts independent of the movement of the Spirit. Consequently, many claims of healing were shown to be unfounded or fraudulent.
At God Almighty’s direction, Moses returned to the congregation to restore order.
Now when Moses saw that the people were out of control – for Aaron had let them get out of control to be a derision among their enemies – then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, “Whoever is for the LORD, come to me!” And all the sons of Levi gathered together to him. Exodus 32:25-26 NASB
Here then is an indication of the need for discipline of the leadership of the Pentecostal revival for they had allowed false doctrines and misconduct to infiltrate the movement.
The Levites, those who would become priests of God Almighty, killed 3,000 men of the congregation.
So the sons of Levi did as Moses instructed, and about three thousand men of the people fell that day. Exodus 32:28 NASB
Here then is an indication of the long list of disgraced Pentecostal ministers whose ministries were struck down by God Almighty. Early ministers who succumbed to errant ways were the pioneer Charles Parham (1907) and Amiee McPherson (1920’s).
God Almighty provided the skilled craftsmen for constructing the tabernacle, but the congregation provided the building materials.
And they received from Moses all the contributions which the sons of Israel had brought to perform the work in the construction of the sanctuary. And they still continued bringing to him freewill offerings every morning. Exodus 36:3 NASB
Here then is an indication of the sacrifice of time, resources, worldly pursuits, and even lives by the redeemed for the building up of the body of Christ.
Bezalel made the furnishings of the tabernacle.
Now Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood; … And he made two cherubim of gold; … Then he made the table of acacia wood; … Then he made the lampstand of pure gold. Exodus 37:1,7,10,17 NASB
Here then is an indication of building God Almighty’s spiritual house of living stones within the church that occurred behind the scenes during the first half of the 20th century.
And coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected by men, but choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1Peter 2:4-5 NASB
The lampstand (Section 4.5) is opposite the table of bread and on the left (south) side of the Holy Place within the tent of meeting of the Mosaic tabernacle. As the bread was to be continuously on the table, so also the lampstand was to be continuously lit. The lampstand corresponds to the dedication of the tabernacle by the Israelites and both represent the action of God Almighty’ Spirit post-World War II.
The work on the tabernacle was completed.
And Moses examined all the work and behold, they had done it; just as the LORD had commanded, this they had done. So Moses blessed them. Exodus 39:43 NASB
Here then is an indication of the movement of the Holy Spirit that began in 1948 with an emphasis on Spirit-led worship free from any human organization, i.e., free from denominational organizations which had throttled the Pentecostal revival shortly after it had begun. Some of the Spirit-led ministries which served the body of Christ during the mid-20th century were the evangelical ministry of Billy Graham and the healing ministries of William Branham and Oral Roberts.
Coinciding with the mid-century outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the spiritual son’s of Abraham was the return of Jews, the natural son’s of Abraham, to the Holy Land. After the Holocaust of World War II during which six million Jews were killed, Jews world-wide sought an independent state in the land of Palestine.
“Therefore, say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you went. And I will vindicate the holiness of My great name which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD,’ declared the Lord GOD, “when I prove Myself holy among you in their sight. For I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands, and bring you into your own land.” ’ ” Ezekiel 36:22-24 NASB
In May 1948, the State of Israel was created as a Jewish nation and allocated land in Palestine that included the western part of Jerusalem. Immediately there was a large migration of Jews to the new state. The “invasion” of Arab/Muslim homeland by Jews created bitter hatred, so there have been nearly constant hostilities in Palestine since 1948. During the Six Day War in 1967, the State of Israel consolidated control of Palestine by the capture of the West Bank of the Jordan River, the Gaza Strip and all of Jerusalem, including the Old City and the temple mount.
After the tabernacle was completed, it was dedicated, and God Almighty’s presence came to it.
Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Exodus 40:34 NASB
Here then is an indication of the Evangelical/Charismatic movement of the 1960’s which brought Pentecostalism, including baptism with the Holy Spirit and attendant gifts, into “main stream” protestant denominations and Roman Catholicism. In addition, there was a non-denomination component of this movement exemplified by the Full Gospel Businessmen’s Association.
With a completed tabernacle, the priesthood could minister within God Almighty’s tabernacle.
“Then bring near to yourself Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the sons of Israel, to minister as priests to Me — Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons.” Exodus 28:1 NASB
“And I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar; I will also consecrate Aaron and his sons to minister as priests to Me.” Exodus 29:44 NASB
Here then is an indication of ministries in new venues, the radio evangelist and then the televangelist.
Sometime after God Almighty’s glory descended upon the tabernacle–the exact timing is difficult to ascertain–two of Aaron’s sons offered strange fire and incense to God Almighty.
Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took their respective firepans, and after putting fire in them, placed incense on it and offered strange fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. And fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. Leviticus 10:1-2 NASB
Here then is an indication that some radio- and tele-evangelists became unsavory through false doctrines, fleshly nature, and unclean spirits.
The last event at God Almighty’s mountain was to remove from the camp those who had an infectious disease or who were unclean.
Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Command the sons of Israel that they send away from the camp every leper and everyone having a discharge and everyone who is unclean because of a dead person. You shall send away both male and female; you shall send them outside the camp so that they will not defile their camp where I dwell in their midst.” Numbers 5:1-3 NASB
Here then is an indication of uncleanness and the fall of televangelists of the last quarter of the 20th century. Two well-known fallen ministries were Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker (1970-80’s) and Jimmy Swaggart (1970-90’s).
fter the fall of the iron curtain in 1989, there was a mass immigration of Jews from the former Soviet bloc nations to the State of Israel.
“Therefore behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when it will no longer be said, ‘As the LORD lives, who brought up the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt’ but, ‘As the LORD lives, who brought up the sons of Israel from the land of the north and from all the countries where He had banished them.’ For I will restore them to their own land which I gave to their fathers.” Jeremiah 16:14-15 NASB
Jesus’ conception and birth have been patterns for the conception and birth of Jesus’ many-membered, spiritual son. Now, Jesus’ stay at the temple in Jerusalem suggests spiritual happenings of Pentecostal revival of the first half of the 1990’s.
In 2000 AD, there were an estimated 2 billion Christians in a vast array of church organizations.
0 Comments