Who May Ascend the Hill of the Lord?
Hi Friends,
I have three visions to share with you today. I believe that the Lord’s desire is to call us out of the world and to separate ourselves unto him. Our nation and its people have gone astray, and are treading on thin ice. We as the church need to be strong and courageous, dedicated to the Lord to serve him wholeheartedly and to persevere in all circumstances. He is asking us to walk in his love and show love to others by being faithful in prayer and obedient to the word of God, which is the will of God.
The Visions
The Push Pin
In the first vision, I saw a push pin in a hand. The person pushed the pin into a disk made of Styrofoam about 6” in diameter and about ⅝” thick.
The disk was pure white and the push pin was clear. Usually a push pin attaches a note or hand bill to a bulletin board, but there was nothing that the push pin was attaching to the disk. I believe that there is a message, but it is unseen. The disk represents what is pure and holy. The hand is God’s. The push pin is the reminder of a message given long ago. The message was first given to the Lord’s disciples and to his apostles, and now his message is given to us through the Holy Spirit and his precious word, the Bible. The message is not written on tablets of stone as it was in the Old Covenant that God made with the Israelites, but it is written on the tablets of our heart.
Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant they broke, though I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD.
“But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people.
No longer will each man teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD.
For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more.” Jeremiah 31:31-34
Jeremiah was speaking of the New Covenant, the covenant in the Lord’s blood, a greater, more perfect covenant. We are living now in what was to be the age to come, the age that the apostles spoke of as “coming soon.” The New Covenant was to be established when the Old Covenant would be revoked and terminated. Paul spoke of the Old Covenant as becoming obsolete, and the age of the Old Covenant was soon to pass away. Paul died in AD 64 just six years before the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, putting an end to the age. This great event consummated or brought to an end the Old Covenant with its altar and animals sacrifices, the Holy of Holies and the Mercy Seat where the presence of God dwelt. Peter who also expected the resurrection, and the end of the age, like Paul, he died just before the destruction of Jerusalem. Paul, and Peter were martyred under Nero, the beast. And John was sent to Patmos, under Nero* where he wrote Revelation to prepare the church for that great event that was soon to take place. The gospels recorded Jesus’ words which he spoke directly to his generation, telling them that some standing there would not taste death before these things would come to pass. Jesus prophesied his coming on the clouds was to bring judgment upon the rulers and religious leaders of Jerusalem. As he had declared in the gospel of Matthew:
So you testify against yourselves that you are the sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of the sin of your fathers. You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape the sentence of hell?
Because of this, I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify, and others you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town. And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. Truly I tell you, all these things will come upon this generation. Matthew 23:31-36
Jesus himself warned those living in Jerusalem to flee when they saw the armies surrounding Jerusalem.
“When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. Luke 21:20-24
This is the message to the Church. Jesus came and fulfilled all prophecy concerning himself. There are 351 prophecies in the Old Testament that were fulfilled in Christ.
Jesus said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.” Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. Luke 24:44-45
We are now living in the New Covenant that was the age to come. We are living in the New Heaven and New Earth as was prophesied by Isaiah:
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:18-19
“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. Isaiah 65:17
The Lord spoke to John, which John recorded in his revelation, speaking of what was about to take place:
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. Revelation 21:1-7
If you will, let us look at each of these statements in the Lord’s revelation to John:
The New Heaven and the New Earth coming out of heaven was God’s New Covenant that was established at the coming of Christ on the clouds in judgment at the end of the age. The tribulation foretold in Jesus’ sermon, the Olivet discourse was the the siege of Jerusalem that began in AD 66 and ended three and a half years later in AD 70.
It was a new heaven and a new earth because the dead were raised out of Hades and faced either judgment or given eternal life with the Lord. Spiritual death as it was is no more. That is why “death has been swallowed up in victory,” for those of us who are in the kingdom of God right now will not face spiritual death but upon our natural death, we will be ushered into the presence of God in heaven!
The sea that is no more, is death as we have known it to be:
And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Revelation 20:13
The New Jerusalem is the Bride of Christ, the church. We are the dwelling place of God, for we are the temple of the Holy Spirit.
And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. Revelation 20:2-3
The Lord’s coming was to put an end to the Old Covenant, and bring an end to spiritual death for the believer. There will continue to be natural death, but the spiritual death that separated us from God because of Adam’s sin and our own sin has been destroyed. That is our hope and joy to know that we will spend an eternity with God in heaven. The knowledge of that reality is what dries our tears on this earth, knowing that in heaven there will be no sorrow, no death, no pain and no suffering. If we make our peace with God now on this earth, we will enjoy his presence both now and forever. Hallelujah! That reality is the new earth, and new heaven and and new Jerusalem. We can fellowship with God today and forever!
The Clear Gel
In the second vision, I saw a clear gel coming out from a hand pump and dispenser into the palm of a hand.
Years ago in a Chemistry lab in college, we had to take a clear liquid in a glass bottle and run a variety of tests on it to determine what it was. I put the liquid in a flask under the flame to see what it would happen. The end result was quite different than the other students’ samples. So, I took it to the instructor and asked him, why was my sample clear and everyone else’s white. He told me that whatever I did, kept the product pure, and that if it had turned white, it would indicate that the sample had been contaminated by impurities that were introduced into the product while handling it.
So the fact that the gel in the vision was clear, we know that it represents whatever is pure, and untainted. As I considered the vision of the gel being pumped into a person’s hand, I thought of this scripture:
Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from the God of his salvation. Psalm 24:3-5
I believe that the clear gel has to do with cleansing of not just the body, but of the heart, the mind, and the spirit. When Jesus washed the disciples feet, he was cleansing them with water, setting them apart as his own. This act of washing their feet showed them what was to be expected of them: to have a humble spirit, and a servant’s heart. Peter at first rejected the notion of Jesus washing his feet, for he felt that he was unworthy, and he should be the one to wash the Lord’s feet instead.
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me.”
“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not only my feet, but my hands and my head as well!”
Jesus told him, “Whoever has already bathed needs only to wash his feet, and he will be completely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” For He knew who would betray Him. That is why He said, “Not all of you are clean.” John 13:8-11
Jesus was speaking of being spiritually clean when he said, “And you are clean, though not all of you.” The water was a preparation for the ministry that they would soon undertake, and the trials that were imminent. But it is the Lord’s blood that cleanses us from all sin.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:7-9
The Lord’s blood cleanses us from all sin and wickedness. And the Lord prepares us for himself by washing us with the pure water of the word of God. It is his word of truth that cleanses and transforms our minds.
“..that he might sanctify her, (the Church) having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word..” Ephesians 5:26
If we want to know the Lord and “ascend to his holy hill,” then we must also cleanse ourselves from all unrighteousness and remove the evil from our lives.
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you. James 4:8-10
The Woman at the Table
In this vision, I saw a woman sitting at a table. She stood up and reached for an opaque water bottle or thermos and set it down on the table. She then took her seat and adjusted the place setting in front of her to align everything with her seated position.
The woman in the vision was not young or beautiful, as would normally depict the church. The woman was older and showing the signs of age in her face. Perhaps she represents the weary church, those believers who have allowed the cares of this world to affect their walk with God. They have allowed the world’s views to infiltrate their thoughts and motives. Their worldly concerns, cause fear and anxiety which robs them of God’s peace.
In the vision the woman seems tired, as she reached for her water bottle. Rather than drinking to refresh herself, she set it down on the table. She looked at what is in front of her, a place setting, and adjusted it as if it needed to be perfect.
Jesus called those like her when he said:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
She is the church that has become tired, and burned-out. She needs to operate by the spirit and not by the flesh. If we do things under our own compulsion, and power, by our own strength, we will become exhausted. We need to allow God to have his way in us. We need the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, not by exerting more effort on our part.
Then he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 4:6
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
Some burdens are too great for us to carry. God knows this and wants us to bring these burdens and lay them at his feet. He can do so much more than we can even imagine. He moves mountains, and strengthens us to do things we never thought possible.
Jesus said that “with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)
And: “All things are possible to him who believes.” (Mark 9:23)
Paul wrote to the Philippians to encourage them to pray and seek God for strength and for his provision.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
And we take our negative thoughts captive so as to guard our hearts and our minds:
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things… And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8
Let’s learn to be content in all situations:
I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. In any and every situation I have learned the secret of being filled and being hungry, of having plenty and having need. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:10-13
When we lose sight of God and fail to trust him, stress, fear, and worry consume our thoughts, but…
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3
If we allow God’s word to fill our minds, and his Spirit to lead our prayers, we can be at peace and able to resist the lies and schemes of the wicked one. We are called to be over-comers, to walk in faith and to not give up.
if we have grown weary, then it is time to strengthen ourselves in the Lord and in our faith. We have to know who we are in Christ, and the authority that he has given us. Did you know that we are seated with Christ in the heavenly realms?
But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved! And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages (the age that was to come, but now is: the New Covenant age) He might display the surpassing riches of His grace, demonstrated by His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-6
Jesus said that we would do greater things than he did while on this earth:
Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it. John 14:12-14
God has given us his authority to bind and to loosen, which are the keys that operate in the kingdom of God. We bind the powers of wickedness and we loose those in spiritual bondage, or suffering from sickness and disease. We cancel every assignment against our loved ones, and cover them with the precious blood of Jesus. We declare over them that no weapon formed against them shall prosper. We remember that life and death are in the tongue, so we declare in the name of Jesus what we want to see, and we cancel every curse spoken over ourselves, or the church, in the name of Jesus.
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. Galatians 3:13-14
We follow Jesus and do as he did, for we know that it is by faith in him that we are saved, not by our good works and our personal sacrifices.
For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life. Ephesians 2:8-10
Let us encourage one another, and help those who are tired and burned out in their faith. We are meant to persevere and to overcome for the Lord said that we will all be tested with fire:
Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other. Mark 9:49-50
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
As the Lord asked the seven churches long ago to overcome, he would have us do the same:
To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God. Revelation 2:7
He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death. Revelation 2:11
He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. Revelation 3:5
To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. Revelation 3:21
The Lord is faithful. He will never leave us nor forsake us. And what he has begun in us he will bring to completion!
Thanks for reading. Please share with others, for we all need to be encouraged in our faith. God bless you all!
* Note
Please read “Before Jerusalem Fell” by Kenneth Gentry, It concerns the dating of the book of Revelation which is especially important for understanding the historical and proper view of eschatology. Gentry makes the case that Revelation was written, in Nero’s reign. However those who support a future view of Revelation hang their hat on only one testimony, that of Irenaeus, a church father, who as a boy believed that Polycarp, a friend of John had told him that John was sent to Patmos during Domitian’s reign. Believing his testimony places the writing of Revelation in 93 AD which is 23 years after Jerusalem had fallen, and the temple had been destroyed. Therefore, the temple that John was asked to measure in his vision would not have been in existence. The whole of revelation describing the judgment against Jerusalem, and the warnings to the churches and the Lords words of “coming soon” make no sense in that scenario.
The historical accounts of Josephus, a Jewish eyewitness and historian, describe exactly what took place during the 3.5 year siege. Tacitus another historian confirms the details of the horrific event. And the internal evidence in John's revelation give support for the earlier date of writing prior to the fall. Gentry’s book of 400 plus pages provides such a volume of supportive facts that it would be difficult to come to any other conclusion. For a free pdf of the entire book click on this link: Before Jerusalem Fell
God bless you all and keep the faith!
