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You Can Climb Up Onto Mt. Zion.

Lesson 66

11/27/11 MEETING: Grapeland TX
BT- Hear Me speak. I call you unto Me. Follow after My spirit. Become one with Me. Report of your sins and sin no more. You can climb up onto Mt. Zion. You can walk in My ways. You must in order to live. There will be much suffering. These things must needs be. Be obedient and come into covenant with me. Have the protection I am offering. Do what must be done. It is time to act. Things are in motion. You must move before this opportunity passes. Hear Me Speak. Do not delay. The time is upon you.
CT – Replenish yourself, your spirit, recuperate and rest in Me. Spend time with Me. This is where all your needs will be met – in time with Me. Maximum, sustained, keep it up and don’t stop but make it your routine. Read My words, hear My voice and heed My call. I’m calling you to spend alone time with Me just as I spent time separated out, from my disciples but with My Father who is in heaven (remember the times Jesus would go off by himself to prayer etc). Follow My example. Set up a procedure you can follow through with. Make it simple so that you can keep it up. Listen, listen, listen for Me. Just do it! (I felt like we are about to start a new year and I’m to keep this up throughout this new year. I also felt like He was telling me we need time alone together to obtain a higher level of intimacy.)
The Lord spoke of covenants in the words He gave us this week; therefore, in this study we will be talking about them. The definition of covenant is a formal (done in due or lawful form), solemn (marked by the observance of established form or ceremony), and binding agreement; a written agreement or promise usually under seal between two or more parties for the performance of some action. A pledge, contract or compact. Covenants seem to be a legal matter don’t they? You may remember that there are several covenants spoken of in the Old Testament. For example, there is the “rainbow” covenant spoken of in Genesis 9:9-17. There is the covenant God made with Abraham involving land and his seed multiplying from Genesis 15:18, 17:2-21 and Exodus 19:5. There is the covenant involving the Sabbath noted in Exodus 31:16 and there is the covenant concerning the Ten Commandments and the Law which we will discuss later.

Let’s start by looking at the very first covenant spoken of in the Bible from Genesis 6. In this chapter the Lord described how the wickedness of man was great. 6:5-6 Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. The Lord determined that He was going to destroy both man and all creatures from the earth; however, Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. 6: 9 Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God. So the Lord instructed Noah to build an ark according to His specifications. And the Lord stated in 6:17-18 And behold, I Myself am bringing floodwaters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breadth of life; everything that is on the earth shall die. But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall go into the ark-you, your sons, your wife, and your son’s wives with you. The Lord brought the floodwaters on and all was destroyed except for those who were living within the ark. Okay, lets stop right here for a moment and think about the story that was just recounted. We know that we can learn “spiritual” truths from that which actually occurred in the physical; therefore with that in mind, I think the Lord was painting a picture for us. And I believe the picture is this. All were destroyed except for those who were living within the ark, right? Well, when you think of an ark what other ark comes to mind… the ark of the covenant correct? I don’t think it is a coincidence that both of these are referred to as arks! But anyway back to the ark of the covenant -What is kept within the ark of the covenant - God’s laws, correct? Consequently, when we put all this together, the picture that I believe the Lord has painted for us is this; those who trust and have faith in the Lord just as Noah did, those who live within the structure of His ark (obedience to His law-seeking after His will) just as Noah did, these shall receive the same protections from destruction just as Noah did. Did you get all that? Let me repeat it, if you have faith and trust in the Lord, if you live your life according to the Lord’s will, within His structure, you shall receive protections just like Noah. Pretty awesome isn’t it. We have just received a “spiritual” truth from the physical. God is amazing!

The next step in the study of the Lord covenants that He has for us is to examine each element from the above statement. The first element to review is the element of living within His will. Exodus 34:28 states So he (Moses) was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And He(the Lord) wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments. The law was received during the time Moses spent with the Lord. It is through these laws that the Lord is teaching us the correct way to live. You could say they provide us with the “structure” we need so that it will be easier for us to live according to His will. Yes, they do teach us about sin but I think we can choose to look at these laws in a more positive light and say that His laws provide us with the “structure” and guidance we need to make good choices. The Lord assures us, You can climb up onto Mt. Zion. You can walk in My ways.

In our words this week the Lord said, Hear Me speak. I call you unto Me. Follow after My spirit. Become one with Me. This same thought, I believe, is the second truth we can receive from the verse in Exodus above. Like Moses, we can receive instruction and insight from the time we spend with the Lord. I know what you are probably thinking and you are correct, we aren’t all going to be Moses’, however, I do believe any time we spend with the Lord will be time well spent. This I think is because we will be getting to know the Lord’s heart. The Lord will guide us into understanding the thought or meaning behind His words. In the words we received this week the Lord also said, Spend time with Me. This is where all your needs will be met – in time with Me.

The next element we will look at is that of consequences. Very basically, we learned from the story of Noah, that you reap the consequences of your choices. Noah was found to be a just man who “walked” with God; his peers however were rebellious sinners. Noah received protections and the rebels received death. Likewise, we are told that we shall receive blessings because of our obedience. Deuteronomy 7:12-14a states Then it shall come to pass, because you listen to these judgments, and keep and do them, that the Lord your God will keep with you the covenant and the mercy which He swore to your fathers. And He will love you and bless you and multiply you; He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your land, your grain and your new wine and your oil, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flock, in the land of which He swore to your fathers to give you. You shall be blessed above all peoples. And in Deuteronomy 29:1-9 He instructs us to …keep the words of this covenant, and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do. But we are also told that there will be consequences for ignoring the Lord’s covenants. Leviticus 26:14-17 states “But if you do not obey Me, and do not observe all these commandments, and if you despise My statutes, or if your soul abhors My judgments, so that you do not perform all My commandments, but break My covenant, I also will do this to you: I will appoint terror over you, wasting disease and fever which shall consume the eyes and cause sorrow of heart. And you shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. I will set My face against you, and you shall be defeated by your enemies. Those who hate you shall reign over you, and you shall flee when no one pursues you. The road of disobedience leads to distress, defeat and ultimately death. It doesn’t sound like a road I want to be on; how about you? And the Lord said, Hear Me speak. I call you unto Me. Follow after My spirit. Become one with Me. Report of your sins and sin no more. You can climb up onto Mt. Zion. You can walk in My ways. You must in order to live. There will be much suffering. These things must needs be.

Thus far we have reviewed the definition of covenant, we have talked about living in God’s will and we have talked about consequences. Now I would like to talk about the last element and this is the element of faith and trust in the Lord. Remember all of these elements we are studying have come from our summation of the covenant the Lord made with Noah. The summation concluded that if you have faith and trust in the Lord, if you live your life according to the Lord’s will, within His structure, you shall receive protections just like Noah. So let’s see how faith and trust in the Lord relate to covenant.

I believe we demonstrate our faith and trust in the Lord through our choices. Jesus had complete faith and trust in the Lord and He demonstrated this faith and trust through his obedience. This trust, faith and obedience brought us the “New Covenant” Jesus spoke of in Matthew 26:28 “For this is my blood, which ratifies the New Covenant, my blood shed on behalf of many, so that they may have their sins forgiven.” Ratify like covenant seems to be a “legal” term. It means to approve or sanction (a formal decree or solemn agreement) formally, confirm. Jesus therefore is telling us that a new agreement has been legally established, performed, and confirmed through His blood.

The bible tells us that blood gives life. Jesus blood has given us new life through this “New Covenant”. 1 Peter 1:13-19 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. Jesus lived His life “doing” the will of God. And it was this following after the will of God, this obedience which brought us the “New Covenant”.

This “New Covenant” is summed up in these words from Romans 3:21-26:

But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart form the deeds of the law.

The traditions of man came in and corrupted the covenant of the law that the Lord established; but there is no legalism in the new covenant that Jesus spoke of. It has not become twisted as the covenant of law had been. No this “new covenant” is not according to men but according to God. Galatians 1:10b-12 For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

We have learned that Noah demonstrated his faith and trust through his obedience. And Jesus fulfilled or completed that which man corrupted by bringing us the “New Covenant”. Hebrews 11:6-7 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. Therefore the Bible has confirmed that Noah taught us of righteousness through faith and Jesus fulfilled this. As was spoken of in Romans 11:26-27 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins.” Jesus takes away our sins.

Paul said this in Romans 1:16-17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

Hear Me speak. I call you unto Me. Follow after My spirit. Become one with Me. Report of your sins and sin no more. You can climb up onto Mt. Zion. You can walk in My ways. You must in order to live. There will be much suffering. These things must needs be. Be obedient and come into covenant with me. Have the protection I am offering. Do what must be done. It is time to act. Things are in motion. You must move before this opportunity passes. Hear Me Speak. Do not delay. The time is upon you. It is time to come into covenant with the Lord. Remember what we have learned, if you have faith and trust in the Lord, if you live your life according to the Lord’s will, within His structure, you shall receive protections just like Noah.

May God Bless and Keep You,
Cindy

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