Perfection Revealed in the Tabernacle of Moses 5
(week 46/06)
Olubi Johnson
This week, we conclude our study of perfection as revealed in the Tabernacle of Moses by examining ‘hidden manna’ and ‘Aaron’s rod’ operation and then how to judge ourselves and press on into the High calling of God in Christ Jesus.
The hidden manna represents the experience of the Christian who has completely cleansed out the sin nature from the mind, but not yet completely from the emotions and flesh.
Revelation 2:17 KJV: He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Such a Christian has a mind totally illuminated by the life of God so that his understanding is no longer darkened by alienation of the life of God; this is also what the Bible describes as the day star arising in your heart:
Ephesians 4:18 KJV: Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
2Peter 1:19 KJV: We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
This means that the Christian will have the mind of Christ, and naturally think like God thinks in any situation.
1Corinthians 2:16 KJV: For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
The last stage of Christian growth into cleansing perfection is portrayed by Aaron’s blossoming rod. Aaron’s rod was initially a dead piece of wood, which God caused to bring forth fruit (Numbers 17:3-8). Wood is often used in the Bible in reference to men or humanity (Psalms 1:3; Deuteronomy 20:19; Isaiah 61:3), and Aaron’s rod here represents the physical body of man which being shapen in iniquity and born in sin (Psalm 51:5), is initially dead spiritually, but becomes supernaturally fruitful with the fruit of the Spirit at this stage of development.
Romans 8:10-11 KJV: And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the spirit is life because of righteousness [right standing]. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken [give life to] your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
The nature of God, eternal life, at this stage, has completely cleansed the sin nature or substance from the physical body and not just in the mind alone, as it was for hidden manna stage. Paul describes this stage in 2 Corinthians 7:1 saying
… Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit; perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
The body, at this stage, becomes like Jesus’ body when He was on earth, without any sin nature, but full only with the divine life and nature of God. Again we wish to state that this does not mean the Christian can no longer sin but that this condition must be maintained by a diligent walk in the spirit:
1Timothy 6:14 KJV: That thou keep this commandment without SPOT, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Ephesians 5:26-27 KJV: That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having SPOT, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Judge yourself and Press on
You can now judge yourself to determine where you are living now by comparing what you are doing with the various stages of growth we have just discussed. I must reiterate that you cannot be stagnant in the Christian walk with God, and at any point in time you are either pressing forward or backsliding. It is possible to be in, say, the Holy Place and slip back into the outer court by becoming lazy or getting offended or by spiritual pride:
For instance, if a Christian operating in the Holy Place begins to despise or look down at others in the outer court, God will begin to resist him and he can begin to lose the revelation he has and the sin nature in the flesh will begin to have more dominion over him. Remember knowledge puffeth up but charity edifieth (1 Cor. 8:1). Your attitude towards those not as spiritual as you should be one of tolerance, patience and meekness: love them and pray for them; do not despise or reject them.
Romans 14:1 KJV: Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
Galatians 6:1-2 KJV: Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Romans 15:1-2 KJV: We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
It is important that you locate where you are and begin to press forward by the help of the Holy Spirit as Paul said:
Philippians 3:14 KJV: I press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
