Spiritual Word of Wisdom

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Holy Spirit & Spiritual Gifts: From Prisoner to Prime Minister

Joseph, son of Patriarch Jacob/Israel, was the first person definitively mentioned in the Bible as having the Spirit of God in him. Though his spiritual gifts were emerging in his youth, they were not fully realized until God had placed him in many unique circumstances, which allowed him to demonstrate and develop his gifts, so he would be ready for the grand plan God had for his life.

Joseph was the son of “Rachel, who was shapely and beautiful and Jacob loved Rachel” (ref. Genesis 29:17-18). Even though Jacob had ten other sons, it was only after Joseph’s birth, that Jacob insisted on moving the whole family from where they grew up, back to his homeland in Canaan, so that Rachel’s son, Joseph, had the opportunity to collect his portion of inheritance (ref. Genesis 30:25-31-18). When Jacob came across his blood-thirsty brother Esau, with 400 men, Jacob strategically placed Joseph and Rachel towards the safety of the back of the caravan, with the rest of the family upfront, just in case violence erupted (Genesis 33:1-2, 7), so his favored son and wife had a greater chance of escape. Jacob was open about his favoritism towards Joseph and the presentation of his beloved son with an ornate coat (Genesis 37:3) cemented his brothers’ jealousy and hatred towards Joseph because “his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, [and] they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him” (Genesis 37:2).

When Joseph began having prophetic dreams and interpreted them to signify that he would be glorified over his family, his brothers and father rebuked him angrily, accusing “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us? What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?” Despite demonstrating a rare gift, they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said and were jealous of him (ref. 37:3-10).

Joseph first demonstrated his other gifts of organization and management as a young man of seventeen, when he was tending his father’s flocks. Joseph’s brothers were not thoughtful in how they kept the animals, carelessly moving from one region to another, without informing their father. Their mismanagement was recognized by their father Jacob, who sent Joseph, the youngest of his sons, to check in on the rest of the older brothers and the flocks, fearing something was amiss, since Joseph had previously brought a “bad report” possibly concerning how they conducted their shepherd duties. These critiques and possible suggestions on how to do their job better, especially coming from someone so young and comparably inexperienced, infuriated Joseph’s brothers and filled them with a murderous rage.

This hatred for Joseph led to his brothers initially planning on killing him, before deciding that selling him into slavery would at least benefit them with some silver.

Joseph was brought to Egypt and sold to Potiphar, the Captain of Pharaoh’s Guard, who saw that “the Lord was with Joseph and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, so Potiphar put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned [and] the Lord blessed…everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field. So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care.” When Joseph is approached by Potiphar’s adulterous wife, he responds that “With me in charge, my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. No one is greater in this house than I am” (ref. Genesis 39:1-9).

After being falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife, Joseph was thrown into prison where “the Lord was with him; and granted Joseph kindness and favor in the eyes of the prison warden [who] put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there…and all that he did, the Lord made it to prosper” (ref. Genesis 39:10-23).

While Joseph was in prison, he was put in charge of two of the Pharaoh’s officials, the Chief Cup-bearer and the Chief Baker, who both had a dream the same night and were dejected when there was no one who could interpret their dreams. When they shared their concerns with Joseph, he replied “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me” before explaining that the Chief Cup-bearer would be restored to his position in three days, while the Chief Baker would be executed in three days, on Pharaoh’s birthday.

Two years later, Pharaoh had disturbing dreams two nights in a row and told the reinstated Chief Cup-bearer how he had “sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt, but no one could interpret his dreams” (Genesis 41:8). The Chief Butler remembered Jacob who had interpreted his own dream, while in prison, and “Pharaoh sent for Joseph [explaining that he] had a dream, and no one [could] interpret it, but [Pharaoh had] heard that when [Joseph] heard a dream, [he] could interpret it”. Joseph correct Pharaoh, “I cannot do it, but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires”.

After Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams, which predicted seven years of good harvest before seven years of intense famine, Joseph shrewdly suggests that Pharaoh “look for a discerning and wise man and put him charge of the land of Egypt, appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance, collecting all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in cities for food. This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by famine”.

Pharaoh recognized Joseph as “being filled with the Spirit of God [and] since God made all this known to [him], there [was] no one so discerning and wise as [him], so Pharaoh put [Joseph] in charge of the whole land of Egypt,” (Genesis 41:37-41). It was the first day, of the first month, the same day Christ would later start His Ministry, that Joseph is elevated to Prime Minister over Egypt.

Joseph first began managing his father’s flocks, before taking over Potiphar’s household, then the affairs of the prison, and finally, the whole administrative system of Egypt. Likewise, Joseph started by first interpreting his own dreams, then those of Pharaoh’s officials, before finally explaining Pharaoh’s prophet dream, having developed so much in his gifting, that he recognized that “the reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter [had] been firmly decided by God, and God [would] do it soon” (Genesis 41:32). But Joseph realized that he was successful in his efforts because the Lord made them prosperous, just as his interpretations came from God.

Joseph’s chronicles, which began with tending sheep in the pastures, saw him falsely thrown into prison, and ended with him saving Egypt as Prime Minister, is a reminder that God gives us opportunities through each of our stages in life to not only grow deeper in our trust in Him, but also develop our spiritual gifts and prepare for the next responsibilities and positions He has planned for us.

Prepared by, Kent Simpson, Apostolic Prophet & Eric Sepulveda, PMT Administrator

Angels & Gift of Prophecy

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Holy Spirit & Spiritual Gifts: Restore & Refine

The Holy Spirit is the source of our spiritual gifts and their operation mirrors how the Spirit works in the world. Just as the Holy Spirit’s purpose is to restore God’s People to Him and refine them to be more like Christ, our spiritual gifts also are designed to refresh the quenched spirits of our Brothers and Sisters in Christ and work together to build up and edify the Church.

The Holy Spirit is seen at the beginning of Creation, when “the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters” and the “earth was formless and empty, and darkness was over the surface of the deep” (Genesis 1:2) and “by His Spirit, He beautified the Heavens” (ref. Job 26:13). When the Spirit is poured out on God’s People, He also pours “water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground” (ref. Isaiah 44:3) and “the desert becomes a fertile field” so rich it “seems like a forest” (ref. Isaiah 32:15).

The Spirit’s ability to construct and repair is not limited to the physical world, but was also seen in the deepest parts of men.

When Prophet Nathan scorned King David for his affair with Bathsheba, David cries out “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.” (ref. Psalm 51: 10-11). When confronted with Israel’s idolatry, Prophet Ezekiel is told that God will give Israel “a new heart and a new spirit”, that God would “take away [their] stony heart” and “give [them] a heart of flesh” and put His Spirit in them (ref. Ezekiel 36:26-27).

Throughout His Ministry, Christ demonstrated how we are to use our spiritual gifts for the restoration of the afflicted.

After being baptized by John and filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus is led into the wilderness where He is tested by the devil. Afterwards, Jesus returned to Galilee in the Power of the Spirit, and declared at the Nazarene synagogue that He was fulfilling Isaiah’s Prophecy (ref. Isaiah 61) that “The Spirit of the Lord [was on Him]” and anointed Him “to proclaim good news to the poor”. Christ explained that the Spirit had sent Him “to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recover sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (ref. Luke 4: 1-19). And “God anointed Jesus with the Holy Ghost and with power: and He went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil, for God was with Him” (ref. Acts 10:38).

Apostle Paul explained the purpose of the spiritual gifts is to perfect and equip the saints for the edification of the Body of Christ. By speaking Truth in Love and the effective operation of our gifts, we can join together through the unity of Faith, and the Knowledge of Christ, developing towards the measure of maturity and fullness of Jesus (ref. Ephesians 4:12-15).

Though there are a variety of gifts, their manifestation through the Holy Spirit is for the benefit of the whole Church (ref. 1 Corinthians 12:7), but we should still “earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire [the best] spiritual gifts,” (ref. 1 Corinthians 12:31; 14:1) and especially “strive to excel in gifts that build up the Church”. Paul specifically desired that all could prophesy, because it served to edify, encourage, comfort others, which strengthened and built up the Body (ref. 1 Corinthians 14:1-5, 12).

Paul writes extensive thanks to the Churches of Asia because he and his companions “were comforted in [their] comfort” and that their “spirit was refreshed by you all” (1 Corinthians 16:18; 2 Corinthians 7:13; Philemon 1:7, 20; 2 Timothy 1:16). Paul simplifies these two major roles of the spiritual gifts in his letter to the Thessalonians and Corinthians, urging them to continue to “comfort/restore and edify one another” (ref. Thessalonians 5:11; 2 Corinthians 13:11).

The Holy Spirit fell upon men to renew them when they needed to be re-tuned with Him and sought to bring them towards the fullness of God. Likewise, our spiritual gifts must focus on restoring those God has placed under our care and refine the Body of Christ to be built up in His Likeness. By understanding these two major responsibilities, we can better operate and mature in our gifts and fulfill our purpose within His Kingdom.

Prepared by, Kent Simpson, Apostolic Prophet & Eric Sepulveda, PMT Administrator

Gifts of the Holy Spirit

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Fruits of Spiritual Harvest: Seven Species

As the Israelites marched towards the Promised Land, God eased their fears about what kind of country they would be inheriting by describing the land filled with the Seven Species. These agricultural crops (Wheat, Barley, Grape Vines, Figs, Pomegranates, Oil Olives, and Date Honey) not only blessed the Israelites pantries but served as Prophetic Signs of Christ’s future relationship with those who would be part of His Spiritual Kingdom.

Wheat
Wheat harvest began with the Feast of Weeks/Pentecost, which all the Jewish males from around the world were required to observe. Christ explained to His Disciples that true Christians would be separated based on their fruits, alluding to the distinguishing between wheat and weeds during harvest. Likewise, those who bore good fruits would be collected and protected in the barn, while the weeds would be burned in the fire. Christ clarified that like a wheat kernel’s “death” before its production of fruits, so too would Christians need to cast off the physical to produce spiritual fruits. After Christ’s Ascension, it was during the wheat harvest/Pentecost when the first of Christ’s Followers were filled with the Holy Spirit.

Barley
Barley harvest began on the Feast of First Fruits which coincided and overlapped with the celebration of Passover. All men were required to present the first designated sheaths of barley to the Temple to perform a wave offering. As their households had been emptied of all un-sanctified grain before Passover, this presentation of the first fruits of their field was a display of faith that God would provide for all of their physical needs. Barley was the food of the poor but God performed several miracles to feed the faithful through this grain. Because Christ rose on the Feast of First Fruits, we too can be assured that we will not only have our physical needs provided for, but also conquer Death.

Grape Vines
Christ proclaimed that He was The True [Grape] Vine and His Disciples were The Branches. Apart from Him they could nothing and would become a Useless Vine like Jerusalem, which would be thrown into the fire for its unfaithfulness, like a grape vine which had cross-pollinated with a wild variety and was now producing only stinking rotten berries. But, if they instead abided in Him, whatever they wished would be done for them and whatever they asked in Christ’s name, The Father would give them to empower them in their charge to bear much fruit that would last. The Father was the Husbandman who would cut away any unproductive branches, but those which bore fruits would be pruned and purified so that they could bring forward even more fruits.

Figs
Fig trees were first mentioned when Adam and Even sewed aprons/tunics to cover their nakedness. Though figs were symbols of prosperity, they also represented the decadent religiosity that Israel fell into when they were flourishing financially. Christ likened Jerusalem to the barren fig tree which had hid its nakedness and lack of fruit with leaves. The cursed fig tree served as a warning to believers that He did not want useless presentations of pious displays and that all trees which lacked fruits would be cut down and thrown into the fire. The unique nature of fig trees to put out immature unfertilized fruits before developing leaves was also a reminder to focus on the production of spiritual fruits ahead of anything else.

Pomegranates
Pomegranates were prominently displayed along the hem of the High Priest’s ministerial robes interspersed between golden bells. This coupling of pomegranates and Lilies of the Valley was mirrored in the decorated crowns of the copper pillars at the entrance of the First Temple. The ironic pairing of pomegranates whose juice is known to stain nearly anything it touches and pure white Lilies of the Valley, were prophetic symbols of Christ’s blood which would conceal our blemishes and wash us white as snow. The hundreds of fruits within the pomegranates also serve as an intense reminder of the spiritual fruits we are capable and responsible for developing.

Oil Olives
Olive Oil was one of the key ingredients in many aspects of the Tabernacle and Temple worship services, but raw olives could not be used to create this ever important oil. They had to be heavily processed through pulverization before they could have their oil extracted and then go through a filtration process to create the “clear/pure oil of beaten olives” required to fuel the Tabernacle’s Lamp. The Early Church was likened to a wild olive branch that had been grafted into the domesticated trunk of Israel, giving them access to Christ’s Spiritual Kingdom. Believers would no longer be limited to anointing by olive oil, but could now be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Date Honey
Dates were the first fruits that the Israelites encountered after crossing the Red Sea, and the succulently sweet fruit of the 70 glorious date palms and 12 springs of Elim would have been seen as a source of salvation while wandering in the desert. This connection to salvation was seen in the waving of the date palm frond during the Festival of Sukkot/Tabernacles, as each year the Temple of Jerusalem was surrounded by tens of thousands of Israelite men waving date palm frond bouquets while chanting (transliterated: “Hosanna!”) asking God to save them and to send them prosperity. When Christ made His Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem for Passover, the adoring crowds recognized Him as the Messiah and instinctively found palm branches to throw before His path while chanting “Hosanna!” amongst His praises. Just as their forefathers gazed upon the high hanging fruits of the date palms in the wilderness as a source of rescue, Christ also wound hang to provide salvation and eternal life.

Though the Israelites understood the Seven Species to describe the richness of the Promised Land, we can fully comprehend how God provided them as prophetic emblems of what He would do through His Beloved Son. Just these fruits were the only acceptable offerings in the Tabernacle, only our spiritual fruits will be considered and accepted by God. Through Christ’s Sacrifice we need not fear Death, as we are guaranteed forgiveness of sin and Eternal Life. By Baptism of the Holy Spirit, we can instead dedicate our lives which were bought by His Blood towards the development of spiritual fruits.

 

Prepared by, Kent Simpson, Apostolic Prophet & Eric Sepulveda, PMT Administrator

 

Ascension Gift Ministries

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Fruit of Spiritual Harvest: Date Honey

Date palms are first mentioned after the Israelites left Egypt and were directed to Elim, where there were 12 springs of water and 70 date palms. The fantastically sweet date fruits stood in strong contrast to the bitter waters of Marah, which they had just left. Though the Israelites were now freed from bondage and slavery, the clusters of dates hanging high on the trees were a prophetic symbol of not only The One who would save them from Death, but Preserve them through Eternal Life.

Date syrup/honey is unique in the fact that since it is so rich in the monosaccharides glucose and fructose, most of its sugar content is absorbed into the bloodstream through the tissues in our mouths. Counter-intuitively, despite having such high sugar levels, it has a low glycemic index, meaning that it raises blood glucose levels more immediately and effectively than other types of syrups and is believed to help manage blood sugar in diabetics and those who are hypoglycemic. This extremely high sugar content also makes it tremendously shelf stable for possibly years or indefinitely under ideal conditions. Its antibacterial and antioxidant properties show potential to not only fight infections, but promote long-term health.

It’s important to note that not every reference to honey in the Bible is talking about date honey/syrup. When Samson walks past the carcass of the Asiatic Lion he had previously killed, “he saw a swarm of bees and some honey [which] he scooped out with his hands and ate as he went along” (Judges 14:8-9). When King Saul was leading the Israelite army to repel the Philistines, as his “entire army entered the woods, there was honey on the ground, and [his son] Johnathan…reached out the end of the staff in his hand and dipped it into the honeycomb” (1 Samuel 14:25-26). King David proclaimed the goodness of the decrees of the Lord as being “sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb” (Psalm 19:10). King Solomon’s epic musical Song of Songs has a character sing that they have “eaten [their] honeycomb and [their] honey}” as a way to metaphorically describe a sensuous encounter with their beloved (Song of Songs 4:11; 5:1).

Date palms were famous for their tall strong trunks and their generous arrangement of clustered fruits, which were also passionately alluded to in Song of Songs (7:7-8) when physically describing a gorgeous woman. Especially stunning women were often named Tamar after the palm tree’s Hebrew name. Some notable Biblical examples included Judah’s daughter-in-law, King David’s daughter, and King Absalom’s daughter. King Solomon was so enamored with the splendor of the date palm tree, when he designed the First Temple, he had the walls of the inner sanctuary and the doors to its entrance covered with carved engravings of palms trees, alongside cherubim and open flowers (ref. 1 Kings 6:29-35).

Palm branches were crucial during the Jewish harvest Festival of Sukkot, better known as the Feast of Booths/Tabernacles, which was closely tied to the completion of the agricultural harvest (ref. Exodus 34:22-24). On the “fifteenth day of the seventh month [after they had] gathered in the fruit of the land” all Jewish males were required to celebrate “the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days unto the Lord” by “[dwelling] in booths for seven days..[so] future generations [would] know that [God] made the children of Israel dwell in booths, when [He] brought them out of the land of Egypt”. The “first day [was observed as] a holy convocation,” “a Sabbath”, and “a solemn assembly [so they did] no servile work]”, but instead “on the first day [they took] fruit of splendid trees, branches of palm trees, boughs of thick leafy trees, and willows of the brook; and [rejoiced] before the Lord seven days”.

Several Jewish traditions have sprouted from this, with some communities building their temporary structures from the leaves and branches of the four types of trees listed. More frequently, a wave offering is conducted with sort of bound bouquet, sometimes referred to as The Lulav, named after the dominantly displayed date palm frond, which is made from the “Four Kinds”: lulav (date palm frond), hadassim (myrtle branches), aravot (willow branches), with the etrog (citron fruit) held in the other hand. When the Temple of Jerusalem still stood, tens or possibly hundreds of thousands of Jewish men from all over the known world would have marched around the Temple with Lulav (palm bouquets) in their hands as they chanted “Lord, save us! Lord, send us prosperity!” (Psalm 118:25) eagerly awaiting Christ’s Deliverance. Eventually, this phrase was transliterated into Greek as “Hosanna!”

This cry was also recited during the Hallel, which were the Psalms Jesus and His Disciples sung during their final Passover meal. Hosanna, together with the following line “Blessed be He that cometh in the Name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the House of the Lord” (Psalm 118:26) was mirrored as Jesus entered Jerusalem, when the adoring crowds sang “Hosanna! Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in Heaven and Glory in the Highest! Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord! Hosanna in the Highest Heaven! Blessed is the King of Israel!” (Matthew 21:9, 15; Mark 11:9; Luke 19: 38; John 12:13). While Jesus rode into Jerusalem before Passover, not only did the excited crowd cry out for Him to deliver them, while simultaneously singing Christ’s Praises, they came bearing palm branches, which they spread on the road before Him.

When the Israelites collected the palm fronds to celebrate Sukkot, their cries of “Hosanna!” were not only pleas of deliverance but a desperate cry asking for prosperity as well. Sugar enriched date honey restored the energy of the weak and weary, but also provided health and healing to the sick and wounded and its high sugar content ensured that it could potentially last indefinitely. Likewise, Christ came to not only take away our sins, but to give us eternal life and life more abundantly, by first hanging high on a tree for all the World to see.

 

Prepared by, Kent Simpson, Apostolic Prophet & Eric Sepulveda, PMT Administrator

 

Power Fruits of the Spirit

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Fruits of Spiritual Harvest-Oil Olives

Olive oil was one of the most important aspects of Tabernacle and Temple services: an ingredient of the grain offerings, anointing priests and furniture, and the source of fuel for the golden lamp-stand. But, it was only through the crushing of olives that the fruit could be fully reach its sacred potential.

Olives were first mentioned after the Great Flood, when Noah sent out a dove from the Ark a second time, which returned with an olive branch. Both doves and olive branches are common modern representations of Peace, but, more profoundly, doves and olive oil have been symbols of the Holy Spirit since the Old Testament.

The Holy Spirit coming upon someone through the anointing with oil was seen throughout the Bible, most notably the consecrating of priests (ref. Exodus 28:41; 40:12-15; Leviticus 8:12-13), the sacred furniture and utensils of the Tabernacle (ref. Exodus 30:26; 40:9-11; Leviticus 8:10-11) and the declaration of kings (ref. 1 Samuel 10:1; 16:1, 12-13). The Hebrew [ מָשַׁח ] “mashiach”, Romanticized to “Messiah” and “Christ” in Greek, means “the anointed one”, and related to someone dedicated to God, whether it was a king, priest, or prophet. When Jesus came up from the water after being baptized by John, the Holy Spirit came down from Heaven like a dove, anointing Him as God’s Beloved Son (Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22; John 1:32).

When God declared His Blessings upon Israel, He compared their splendor to that of an olive tree (Hosea 14:5-6). But, prophesying the future destruction of the First Temple and Babylonian Exile, Jeremiah received revelation that this “thriving olive tree with fruit beautiful in form…[would be] set on fire and its branches broken…with the roar of a mighty storm” because “the Lord Almighty, who planted [them], decreed disaster for [them], because the people of both Israel and Judah [had] done evil and aroused [His] anger by burning incense to Baal” (ref. Jeremiah 11:16-17).
Olive trees have legendary longevity and some have been dated to be over 2,000 years old. One of the reasons they are able to live so long is their ability to regenerate after an unproductive olive tree is cut or burned down to the root stump. This is alluded to when Isaiah prophesied the coming of Christ as a “shoot coming up from the stump of Jesse, a branch shall grow from his roots: And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon (anoint) Him.” (ref. Isaiah 11:1–2).

Because cultivated olive varieties typically produce the largest harvests of the best fruits, domesticated stems are typically grafted onto wild root stock, which have a higher tolerance for regional diseases and agricultural pests. Paul described the New Testament Gentile Church as a wild olive branch, which had been grafted into the cultivated Olive tree, after some of the branches had been broken off, contrary to nature (ref. Romans 11:11-24).

Though God was doing something new and different, incorporating wild branches onto a domesticated stem, the natural branches still had the opportunity to be reconnected. By stepping away from the hardening of their hearts and their lack of faith, Israel could receive “circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit” (Romans 2: 25-29) enabling them to return. This cutting away of the outside layer to be grafted in would have been recognized by the people in the region, who would have been familiar with the ring budding technique used in Olive Tree propagation.

Even if harvested from a domesticated tree branch, most olive cultivars and varieties are not palatable for consumption or ready for oil extraction until they have been heavily processed. Table olives must be cracked, cured, and fermented to remove oleuropein, a compound which makes olives extremely bitter and inedible. Olives must be pulverized into a paste before they are further ground to remove their oil, and then will go through a filtration process to remove any pomace (olive pulp) within the oil.

The sons of Israel were required to bring “clear/pure oil of beaten olives” for the Tabernacle’s menorah, so that it would burn continuously (Exodus 27:20, Leviticus 24:2). The intense manufacturing methods required to produce the highest quality oil for the Tabernacle’s lamp, would have been a strong reminder of the costs of spiritual development to become holy and closer to God.

Whether natural or grafted into Christ’s root-stock, we are blessed to not only be covered by, but infused and filled with the Holy Spirit. While holy anointing oil was used to sanctify priests, kings, and Tabernacle furniture and utensils, the olives first had to experience the pressing process to make them ready to be turned into “pure oil”. We must also go through trials and tribulations to develop and mature our spiritual gifts and fruits, only then can we serve as a source of eternal Spiritual Light to a Lost and Dark World.

 

Prepared by, Kent Simpson, Apostolic Prophet & Eric Sepulveda, PMT Administrator

 

Redemptive Gifts

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Fruits of Spiritual Harvest-Pomegranates

While all of the Seven Species (wheat, barley, grape vines, figs, pomegranates, olives, & dates) were acceptable Tabernacle and Temple offerings, only pomegranates were actively incorporated into these sacred spaces. Pomegranate’s iconic blood-red juice and it’s hundreds of nutrient-rich fruits pointed ancient Israel to Christ who would not only heal sickness, but whose blood would cover their spiritual blemishes.

Pomegranates are highly popularized as a “super fruit” for its array of health benefits. Pomegranate’s deep red come from polyphenols which are powerful antioxidants, which can help remove cell damaging free radicals. Due to its anti-inflammation properties, preliminary studies suggest that it can alleviate symptoms associated with arthritis and pomegranate juice’s ability to improve blood flow may aid in lowering blood pressure in patients not taking medications like statins. Like the previously written about copper, silver, and gold metals seen throughout the Tabernacle, pomegranates have shown to be strongly antibacterial and antiviral possibly helping to prevent contraction of common infections and viruses.

Several cultures viewed pomegranates as symbols of fertility (ref. Ezekiel 19:10; Song of Solomon 6:11, 7:12, 8:2) and beauty due to their hundreds of jewel shaped fruits. Song of Solomon describes a beautiful woman’s blushing cheeks (or temples) behind her locks of hair (or veil) like two halves of a pomegranate (ref. Song of Solomon 4:3, 6:7). Pomegranates were signs of prosperity and their absence was considered a signal that Israel was being punished (ref. Number 20:5; Joel 1:12).

Though they can contain between 400-1,200 arils, due to their strong connection to Jewish religious practices, it had long been rumored that pomegranates contain 613 seeded fruits, corresponding to the 613 commandments of the Torah, thus motivating many ceremonial Torah scrolls to be decorated with pomegranates on their handles. The pomegranate’s six petal flower has also been suggested to have inspired Israel’s current national symbol: the Star of David. Ancient coins struck during the First Jewish Revolt against Rome before the Destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. bear the image of a three fruited pomegranate branch, signifying that the Jewish independence fighters considered pomegranates national and religious symbols. Coins minted by the modern Israeli state continue to bear trios of pomegranates.

Aaron’s ministerial High Priest ephod garment was adorned with red, blue, and purple pomegranates around the hem of the robe. Alternating between these woven pomegranates were golden bells, whose sound would “be heard when [the High Priest] enters the Holy Place before the Lord and when [the High Priest] comes out, so that he will not die” (Exodus 28:35). This verse has unfortunately led to the incorrect belief, based on 13th century Jewish scholar Zohar’s conclusion, that the high priest wore a belt around their ankle or waist to be pulled out of the Tabernacle in the event that they died while ministering, just as Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu were burned up by Divine Fire when they offered “strange fire” (Leviticus 10:1-3). The silence of the golden bells, while the High Priest was in the Holy of Holies, was not something to even consider, since he only wore white linen garments while ministering on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:4,23,24,32).

When Solomon built the first Temple of Jerusalem, he ensured the inclusion of pomegranates in the design. The entrance to the Temple contained two 27 foot tall copper pillars which were decorated with a series of latticework carved in the form of 100 pomegranates encircling the capitals which crowned the pillars (2 Kings 25: 17; 2 Chronicles 3: 15-17). The pillars also included carved lilies amongst the pomegranate encircled capitals, which when considering the hem of the high priest’s ephod, may have also been bell-shaped, possibly implying they were Lilies of the Valley.

Pomegranates are famous for their deep blood-red juice, which seems to penetrate and stain nearly everything it comes into contact with. This seemingly stands in strong contrast with the radiantly white bell-shaped Lilies of the Valley they are likely paired with on both the hem of the High Priest’s ephod and around the capitals of the two pillars at the entrance of Solomon’s Temple. If pomegranate’s crimson nectar is meant to represent Christ’s Blood covering our sins and making them white as snow (ref. Isaiah 1:18), that would explain why the Ephod, hemmed with the crafted yarn pomegranates and golden bells, was not worn when the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement. Simply wearing lily white linen garments would have been the only way to have come before the Lord (ref. Ezekiel 44: 17-19; Revelation 19:8; Exodus 28:41-43).

Pomegranate’s maroon antioxidant-saturated nectar not only promotes radiant health, but represents the Blood of Christ that washes us as white as the Lilies of the Valley, offering us Eternal Life. Their hundreds of jewel like fruits are reminders that we are each capable and responsible for producing an overwhelming amount of spiritual fruits.

 

Prepared by, Kent Simpson, Apostolic Prophet & Eric Sepulveda, PMT Administrator

 

Pentecost Sunday

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Fruits of Spiritual Harvest: Figs

Fig trees are legendary for their abundant fruit harvests and were an idealized symbol of a land overflowing with prosperity and blessings. Their unique timeline of producing fruits before leaves, reminds us that the development of spiritual fruits should come first in our lives, before anything else.

Because fig trees were so common in the region, they were often closely associated with Israel, whose patriarchs and ancestors God lovingly refers to as “early fruit on the fig tree” (Hosea 9:10). Figs were also symbols of wealth, fortune, and stability as it was poetically painted that “During Solomon’s lifetime, Judah and Israel lived in safety, from Dan, even to Beer-Sheba, all [God’s People] under their vines and fig trees” (1 Kings 4:25).

Fig fruit, sap, and leaves have many important medical properties which include their high levels of flavonoids called luteolin which are strong antioxidants helping neutralize free radicals, making them highly effective in blocking the growth of tumors, aiding in the prevention and treatment of skin cancer. Prophet Isaiah received revelation from God and famously recommended applying a fig cake/poultice to King Hezekiah’s deadly “boil” (skin cancer) (ref. 2 Kings 20:1-7; Isaiah 38).

Fig trees often require extensive growing periods, often between three to seven years depending on the variety, to finally become established before a good crop can be expected. The vineyard owner of the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree (ref. Luke 13:6-8) would have understood this reality, so his complaint that the barren fig tree had not produced fruit for the past three years was not due to him being ignorant or impatient, since the plant was most likely fully matured already.

The vine-dresser who maintained the trees in the vineyard understood that the landowner had legitimate reasons to want to “cut [the barren fig tree] down”, because even though it had not be producing fruits, it would still be growing a huge amount of large green leaves and thus “using up the soil”. Suggesting that it should be aerated and fertilized to hopefully stimulate growth before the next year was a desperate effort by the vine-dresser to try to buy time to save it.

Nearly a year after the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree, when Jesus cursed the fig tree outside of Jerusalem (ref. Matthew 21:18-22; Mark 11:12-14, 20-25) the day before Passover, it was again for its lack of fruit. While Mark’s account specifies that it was not the time to expect ripened figs yet, many fig tree varieties produce an initial crop (breba or taqsh) in the early spring on the vegetative growth from the previous year, while the larger, more desired main crop develops in the summer on the current year’s growth. While the fig tree had leaves, which typically develop after the immature green fruits start to appear, since there is no early breba crop, it was a sign that the tree would most likely not be developing fruits that year at all.

The reason for the lack of fruit on the fig trees can possibly be attributed to a phenomenon called fruit drop, where a fig tree will unexpectedly lose all of its undeveloped green figs. While this can occur due to improper watering, soil nutrition, extreme and sudden weather shifts such as intense heat, cold, or strong wind (ref. Revelation 6:13), one of the most common reasons is a lack of fertilization.

Green figs are not actually immature fruits, but inverted (outside-in) flowers which are fertilized by a tiny fig wasp which enters through a minuscule hole called the ostiole. The characteristic crunch of figs are not wasps as some false rumors try to misinform, but seeds within the dozens of miniature fruits within the fig. If a fig “flower” is not fertilized it will not develop into the deliciously sweet fruit (ref. Judges 9:10-11) it is known for and will fall away. Likewise, one who is not filled with the Holy Spirit will not bear good fruits and will be cut down like the barren fig trees.

The first mention of figs is in the Garden of Eden, when, after eating of the Forbidden Fruit, Adam and Eve sewed aprons/tunics out of the fig tree’s characteristic large green leaves to cover their nakedness. This use of fig leaves as a covering may be a reference to a sense of external religiosity without the actual production of spiritual fruits as we saw with the previously mentioned barren fig trees symbolizing Israel.

When Disciple Philip found Disciple Nathanael to tell him about Jesus, Phillip references Christ as the “the one Moses wrote about in the Law and about [whom] the Prophets wrote about!” since Philip knew Nathanael’s focus was on deeply religious and dogmatic matters. Even Nathanael’s knee jerk reaction of “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” upon hearing of Christ’s hometown, was telling of his religious prejudice. Because Nazareth touched the borders of Gentile nations, it and all the people from there were therefore ritualistically unclean in Nathanael’s mind.

When Jesus first meets Nathanael, Christ makes a point of letting him know that He saw Nathanael under the fig tree. Nathanael, upon hearing this, overcomes his previous doubts and recognizes Jesus not just as “the son of Joseph” as Philip called Him, but declares Christ “the Son of God; the King of Israel” (ref. John 1:43-49). Nathanael’s response implies that “under the fig tree”, was not where Phillip found him and may have been a secret place Phillip did not know about and could not have mentioned to Jesus. It’s been suggested that “under the fig tree” may have been a place where Nathanael prayed and studied privately in peace, eagerly awaiting the Messiah.

Christ refers to Nathanael as “a true Israelite, in whom there is no deceit” because Nathanael was not just hypocritically and falsely clothed in religious dressings, like a fig tree producing only leaves. Though stumbling, Nathanael was already beginning to show signs of early fruits.

Fig trees are an impeccable representation of the loving patience God has for His People. He recognizes that the development of spiritual fruits takes time, often years, but that period must be spent building deep root systems, connecting intensely with God, and only after being filled with the Holy Spirit can many spiritual fruits begin to develop and ripen. In this way, we can begin to bring glory to our Creator by introducing sweetness into the lives of those around us and bringing healing to our diseased world.

 

Prepared by, Kent Simpson, Apostolic Prophet & Eric Sepulveda, PMT Administrator

 

It is Finished

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Fruits of Spiritual Harvest: Grape Vines

Grape Vines are mentioned more than any other fruit or plant in the Bible and were one of the most important crops in the Ancient World. Because the precious vines took so much time and effort by the Husbandman, who cultivated the vineyard, to become established and begin producing good long-lasting fruits, grape vines served as a symbol of constant faithfulness and dedication.

Psalm 80 describes Israel as a vine that had been “uprooted from Egypt“. After God “drove out the nations,” “cleared the ground for it,” “and transplanted [the vine],” “[Israel] took root and filled the land“. Isaiah 5, known as The Song of the Vineyard, poetically and prophetically describes how the Good Gardener dug up and removed the stones of a fertile hillside, before planting the choicest vines within it.

The domestication of grapes was tremendously resource intensive and even after clearing and preparing the soil, vineyards required the construction of additional infrastructure, such as tall walls, watch towers, and wine presses to be able to protect and process the fruits. Because sweet grapes were such a luxury in nature, they attracted the attention of wild animals such as boars (ref. Psalm 80:13), which would trample open, unprotected fields. Even vineyards with high walls were susceptible to foxes which would climb over the barriers at night and destroy the entire vineyard (ref. Song of Songs 2:15).

While outside threats from wild animals were a constant concern, cross pollination with wild grapes was a more insidious problem. Domesticated grapes, which have both male and female flowers on each plant, are self-fruiting, and do not require cross-fertilization. Though hybridization of domesticated and wild grape species typically created plants that were more disease resistant and temperature tolerant, this increased ability to survive in that specific environment came at the extreme cost of the quality of the fruit, which is still a major issue for viticulturists (wine growers).

After the Good Gardener had cleared the fields, built a watchtower and walls to protect the vineyard, and had cut out a wine press to process the fruits, when He looked for ripened grapes, He found only stinking fruit.

The Hebrew word used for “stinking fruit” (bĕ’ushiym) [בְּאֻשִׁםי] which comes from the word for “stench“, was typically applied to Mediterranean wild grapes, which were extremely sour and had a distinct “foxy” animal musk scent. Because the vine had been polluted by outside species, it was now producing the same worthless putrid berries as the native varieties.

The Song of the Vineyard additionally explains that the protected grape plantation was Israel, which God “had planted like a choice vine from the very best seed,” yet had turned away from Him “into a rotten wild vine” (ref. Jeremiah 2:21). Israel’s “cross-pollination” with the surrounding cultures through adopting their idolatry was a compromise that may have made them more suitably adapted to The World, but God viewed this collaboration as a corruption of the Vine He had established.

During the Last Supper, Jesus declared that He was “the True Vine, and [His] Father the Husbandman” who cuts away any branches which did not bear fruit, but “every branch that does bear fruit, He pruned it, that it might bring forth more fruit“. The Greek word (kathairō) [καθαίρω] means both pruning and purifying.

This pruning and purifying process of even those who bore fruit was necessary, as Israel had previously become a “luxuriant vine, yielding fruit only for [themselves]” and “the more [their] fruit increased, the more [they] increased their altars,” and “the better [their] land produced, the better [they] made their sacred pillars.” (ref. Hosea 10:1-2). Though Israel had become materially prosperous, they had also become idolatrous, and had separated themselves from the Living God that had cultivated them.

Christ declared Himself The True Vine and His Disciples were The Branches and that if they remained in Him, they would bear much fruit, but apart from Him they could do nothing. Jesus warned them not to become like Jerusalem, which had become a “Useless Vine“, thrown into the fire “because [the people of Jerusalem] had been unfaithful” (ref Ezekiel 15). If His Disciples did not remain in Him, they too would be “like a branch that is thrown away and withers” to be “picked up, thrown into the fire and burned” (ref. John 15:5-6).

However, if they remained faithful, they could “ask whatever [they wished] and it would be done for [them]” and “whatever [they] ask in [Christ’s] name the Father [would] give [them].” This was to empower them in their appointment to “bear much fruit,” “fruit that will last,” not for their own glory (ref. Mark 12:1-12), but for the Father’s (ref. John 15:7-8, 16).

Though God had cleared out and set His Protection over the Promised Land for His Choice Vine to thrive and prosper, they had turned from Him and involved themselves in the idol worship of their neighbors. This “cross-contamination” corrupted the fruit and made it rotten and useless, requiring the worthless vine to be cast into the fire. In contrast, those who remained solely connected to the True Vine, would receive anything they required in order to produce many good lasting fruits.

The image of God as the Good Gardener, tending, pruning, and cultivating His prized Vineyard, serves as a beautiful reminder of His Loving Faithfulness towards those He calls His Own. By abiding in Him, rather than the World, He not only provides everything that we need to survive, He empowers us and creates the perfect environments for us to thrive and produce abundant eternal spiritual fruits for His Glory.

 

Prepared by, Kent Simpson, Apostolic Prophet & Eric Sepulveda, PMT Administrator

 

Angels and Spiritual Gifts

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Fruits of Spiritual Harvest: Barley

Of the seven fruits God guaranteed the Israelites in the Promised Land, Barley seemingly stands out as the most mundane. But, this humble grain stood as an example of how God intended His People to fully rely on Him for their all their physical necessities.

Though we typically think of barley in relation to the feeding of the 5,000 Jewish men, with five barley loaves and two small fish, during Passover, there were multiple instances where it was used to miraculously provide for the physical requirements of those faithful enough to follow the instruction of God’s Prophets.

Barley, as explained in a previous article, stood as a kind of national grain for Israel (Judges 7:13). It was typically the food of the poor (2 Kings 7:1) and often fed to animals as fodder (1 Kings 4:28) and would have been the main and sometimes only source of flour during lean times.

During a great famine, Prophet Elijah asked a destitute widow for a small piece of bread to eat and she replied that she only had enough [barley] flour and oil to make a single serving for her and her son to split between them before they died. Elijah explained that if she made him food first, her supply of [barley] flour and oil would not run out. She trusted the Man of God and her faithfulness was rewarded by God blessing her pantry with a constant supply to feed the widow, her son, and Elijah during the food crisis (ref. 1 Kings 17:8-16).

Prophet Elijah’s successor, Elisha also experienced a severe drought and while gathered with a school of prophetic students for a meal, a servant went out foraging and accidentally gathered Citrullus colocynthis, a poisonous desert gourd, and cut it up into the stew. The men gathered ate the stew and quickly realized that “there was death in the pot“. This poisoning would have led to severe intestinal, kidney, and brain damage and possibly death. Elisha, in response, took [barley] flour and mixed it into the poisoned pottage and fed this to the dying men. It would have taken an extraordinary level of faith to trust that basic [barley] flour would have purified the stew and that eating this new mixture would heal rather than further poison them (ref. 2 Kings 4:38-41).

Later, a man from Baalshalisha brought Prophet Elisha “bread of the Firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley” which Elisha instructed his servant to distribute amongst the hundred men in the group. After his servant questions the command, Elisha explains that not only would the twenty loaves fill these hundred men, but they would have leftover as well (ref. 2 Kings 4:42-44). The man from Baalshalisha and Elisha’s servant’s faithfulness led to a miracle which served as a precursor to Christ’s feeding of the multitudes.

Passover and the Feast of First Fruits overlapped with the barley harvest and the need to remove all leavening from your household before Passover meant you deeply cleaned out your pantry of all grain before the feast. This essentially eliminated your backup food supplies if the barley crop failed, forcing you to wait for and rely on the wheat harvest, during Pentecost, nearly two months later.

The man from Baalshalisha faithfully brought his Firstfruits, despite being in the middle of an intense famine, trusting that God would provide a future barley harvest. The young boy who gave his meal of five barley loaves and two fishes, which led to the feeding of the 5,000 Jewish men during Passover, was fundamentally surrendering his only source of food security, demonstrating an extreme faith to fully rely on God’s promise to provide for his current and future needs.

Though it was often overlooked, Barley was center stage during the feeding of faithful flocks during some of the most extreme food shortages of the Israel’s history. Barley epitomized a people who were faithful, trusting, and fully reliant on God to provide everything that they needed. Today, we recognize that God not only supplies all of our physical needs, but through the blessing of the Holy Ghost, particularly during our most desperate moments, all of the spiritual needs of the Faithful are met as well.

 

Prepared by, Kent Simpson, Apostolic Prophet & Eric Sepulveda, PMT Administrator