Blessings, Friends,
Welcome back to “7 Steps to the Holy of Holies.”
Some time ago, I was working on a study in Exodus, the construction of the Tabernacle to be specific, and my head was swimming.
“All these details!” I said to the Lord, “I know it all means something, but for the life of me, I can’t get my head around it! Please! Help me!”
Later as I soaked in His presence, He began to show me. The key to understanding was in what I was doing at that moment. Enjoying the presence of the Lord.
“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?”
1 Corinthians 6:19
Though much of the modern-day church teaches that the tabernacle and sacrificial system of the Old Covenant was done away with when Jesus came, nothing could be further from the truth. Just as the High Priest of that age was a type of Christ, and afterward we who believe, so the Tabernacle was a type of God dwelling in our fleshly bodies, as we enjoy dual citizenship of Heaven and earth. Christ came to fulfill that plan, not abolish it.
“…you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
1 Peter 2:5
What’s missing in the church today is a genuine fear or reverence for the Lord. We get so caught up in grace, we lose sight of who God is. Even as holy priests, covered with the blood of the Lamb, we don’t go tramping into the Throne Room of the King and demanding an audience. He is still the Kings of Kings, and worthy of our respect and honor, and it is with reverence that we should approach His throne.
The duties of the priest in the Tabernacle is the perfect guide for entering into the Holy Presence of God, that we might know Him, be filled with His glory, and bring His glory to earth. This is the true fulfillment of the Old Covenant.
A word of caution before you begin: The last place the enemy of your soul wants you to be is the Holy of Holies, so be prepared for all out war. Take a moment before you begin to call on the Hosts of Heaven to surround and cover you and your family, to war on your behalf and minister according to God’s will and purpose.
As with anything you enter into, you begin on the outside.
The Gates of Jerusalem
Nothing warms the heart of the King more than honest, heartfelt worship, as David knew so well. Even as the sojourners of old traveled to Jerusalem for the appointed times, they sang the Psalms of Ascents (121-149) to prepare their hearts for their time with the Lord. And they did this before their sins had been atoned for.
“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving…”
Psalm 100:4
Before you even walk through the door of your prayer closet, meditate on all the Lord has done for you until gratitude permeates your spirit. A great place to start is picturing His Son hanging on the cross—for you.
His Courts
As you enter His outer courts, let your gratitude expand into awe at God’s sheer power, sovereignty, and love. Praise Him in song and in your Heavenly language for who He is.
“…And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.”
Psalm 100:4
The Altar of Sacrifice
You have to remember that sanctification is a process. Though Christ was our sacrifice for past sin (Romans 3:25), the sin offering was only one of many. The bullock represents our will, which is where the term “bullheaded” comes from, the ram represents our authority, power, and self-rule, etc. Seeking the Lord first thing in the morning, tithing, and fasting are all examples of First Fruits offerings.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”
Romans 12:1
As you are drawn into the inner court, let His glory reveal your desperation for Him and humble you. This is where you lay it all down, repenting of your sins, known and unknown, and renouncing any unclean spirits that have gained access to your life as a result of your or your ancestor’s sins. These doors must be closed!
Ask the Lord to bring to mind anything you need to lay on the altar, especially unforgiveness, always in an attitude of worship, wanting to please the Father.
“But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Matthew 6:15
The Bronze Laver
This is where you submit to the Lord, spirit, soul, and body. Ask the Lord to cleanse your hands, purify your heart, and make you a holy vessel to carry His presence and glory.
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
James 4:7-10
Sin cannot enter into God’s presence! Especially the sin of unforgiveness. Though He gives us grace through His Son, we must still, moment by moment, make the choice to lay down our will to Him. He purchased us with His blood. We belong to Him and He is our master.
The Table of Showbread and the Menorah
Notice as you enter into the Holy Place, you pass between the Table of Showbread (the symbol of the Bread of life, the unity of God and flesh, and office of the Apostle), on your right (the side of strength), and the Menorah (the symbol of the Holy Spirit, and the office of the Prophet), on your left. It is the power and authority of the risen Christ that granted us entrance to the Holy of Holies, and the Holy spirit who is the key. Just as it is the authority of Christ that establishes our sonship and the Holy Spirit who empowers us to establish His Kingdom on earth.
As Jesus stood between Moses (the Apostle) and Elijah (the Prophet) on the mount of transfiguration, so we must be centered between Jesus (the Word) and the Holy Spirit.
This is where I ask the Holy Spirit to invade, filling and surrounding me, my family and every situation, revealing His truth, opening my spiritual eyes and ears, and granting me greater faith in Christ and discernment in the spirit realm.
Altar of Incense
Now you are in a position to address—and hear from—the King.
“Let my prayer be set before You as incense, The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.”
Psalm 141:2
“Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.”
Revelation 5:8
Praying and claiming scripture is always a good way to begin, as is thanking and praising God for every spiritual gift He’s given you and every Word He’s spoken over you personally. (At this point in my walk, the Lord has given me so many gifts and prophecies in the spiritual realm, I’ve had to make a list. I thank Him for each and every one.) Not only does this tell God you believe and trust in His Word, but it seals His promises in your mind as well.
Some of my favorite scriptures to pray are:
Isaiah 61
Isaiah 58:8
Isaiah 60:1-3
Daniel 12:3
Job 22:28
Isaiah 30:20, 21
1 Chronicles 29:11
Isaiah 35:5-8
Ephesians 3:14-21
Let the Lord speak to your heart and show you what to pray. And be open to the Spirit’s leading. If you are moved to pray in your heavenly language, give the Holy Spirit free-reign. In fact, I can’t stress enough the importance of praying in the Spirit. It is so powerful and so good for you! Some of my most awesome times with the Lord and come through intercession and deep travail. Trust Him.
“Likewise, the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
Romans 8:26
Note: If you have not yet received the gift of tongues, ask in faith and keep pressing in. Let go of yourself and let the Lord take control. It’s a gift He wants you to have!
The Holy of Holies
Once you have poured out your heart to the Lord, you’re only halfway there. Now it’s time to quiet yourself and listen. This is probably the most difficult thing for people in our busy, instant-gratification society, but you must train yourself to quiet your mind and wait on the Lord. This is where the magic happens.
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
Psalm 46:10
Some call this soaking in His presence. Allow yourself to relax into His peace and focus only on Him. Begin to be aware of the air around you. You may begin to sense the presence of angels, or smell sweet fragrances. You may feel a sense of lightness or floating, or electricity humming over or through your body. Be aware of heat in certain parts of your body. This can signal purification, healing, or the imbuement of authority (if it’s your right ear).
The most important thing to remember here is not to give up when “things” don’t happen when you think they should. Know that even if you don’t see, hear, or “feel” anything, God is working, rewiring your brain and neurons, preparing you to receive what He has for you. Your spirit may spend a lot of time in Heaven before you’re made aware of it. Don’t make the mistake of comparing your experience with other believers. Trust in God’s purpose and timing for you.
“But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31
Our Heavenly Father literally sacrificed His all to open the gates of Heaven to His children. I pray that you will be encouraged to take full advantage of this gift, press into the presence of God and let Him show you great and might things!
“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”
Jeremiah 33:3
God is our only source of wisdom and knowledge, about Him and the world. He wants to talk to you as He did Moses, and the priests, prophets, and judges of old. People who rely on other people for wisdom and knowledge are easily controlled, manipulated, and divided. But the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit will never lead you astray, and they live to unify all of God’s children under Christ (Romans 3:4 and 1 Corinthians 12:12-14). I want to be a part of that unity, don’t you?
I hope you will share some of the great and mighty things God shows you with me. And, if you know someone who needs encouragement, feel free to share this article, that we might encourage one another to rise up on wings like eagles!
God’s grace and peace be yours!
Rebecca
