HERALD OF HIS KINGDOM 
Ascending into the Mount
Article of May 31, 2011
Clo DiPilato
PO Box 153
Windsor, CT  06095
All Rights Reserved,  2011
The kingdom of  God is preached, and every man presseth into it.  Luke 16:16
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.    Isaiah 9:7

A Herald of His Kingdom Article


....as it was shown thee in the mount, so shall they make it. Exodus 27:8. 

  How many times does this phrase appear in reference to the building of the tabernacle or it’s furnishings, ‘as it was shown thee in the mount’?   See Exodus 25:9, Exodus 25:40, Numbers 8:4.

A pattern was to be followed which would be a foreshadowing of the real things to come,  and in order for Moses to receive the pattern, he needed to go up into the Mount to meet the Lord.  

The main purpose of this offering  is to talk about “going up” to meet the Lord.  However, I want to lay a little foundation regarding the reason Moses had to “go up” to the Mount.  He needed to get the pattern for the tabernacle.   God wanted to have a relationship with His people, and this would be realized in a “tent of meeting” or the tabernacle, and so Moses needed to understand exactly how it was to be built.  

The writer of Hebrews re-iterated the importance of building according to pattern, and this is prime apostolic subject matter.

1Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; 2A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. 3For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.4For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: 5Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.  Hebrews 8:4,5

 Following accurately God’s pattern for the tabernacle was principle  to  the success of the true portrayal of the final product on display, which is Christ revealed in and through His people.  

The wonderous thing about the pattern Moses saw when he ascended into the mount, was that he didn’t just see a tissue paper two-dimensional rendering or a blueprint that he would have to come back to earth and configure and reconstruct from either his memory or images on paper into a 3 dimensional edifice that would accommodate the relationship between God and man in his day.  

Rather, the pattern was powerful and more genuine than any earthly duplicate of it because it was from heaven, and of heavenly substance.   The reality of heaven, spiritual realities are far sturdier than anything we can touch, taste, feel, see or hear on the plane of earth.  And   that which is of eternal value will always return to it’s source, and find it’s root and sustenance at its source.  

This is an absolutely mind-staggering, phenomenal thought:

God has a tabernacle in heaven.   Moses saw it.  In fact, he spent 40 days and nights in the Mount receiving direct revelation from God on this tabernacle he was to construct.  And the place he received it was in the cloud of God’s glory.  See Exodus 24:40.

9According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.  Exodus 25:9

John, the Revelator,  saw it!!

And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.  Revelation 11:9
5And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:  Revelation 15:5

It served as the proto-type for an earthly tabernacle in the wilderness.

5Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.  Hebrews 8:5

The earthly tabernacle served as example of the relationship between Christ and the Church,based on the better covenant realized through the blood of the One Sacrificial  Lamb whose sacrifice would be sufficient for all of Time and Eternity.  

Read all of Hebrews 8 through 10. Avail yourself of spiritual literature explaining the symbolism of the tabernacle as it relates to Christ and Christianity.  

The earthly temple of His body, the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, serves as the example for the believer:
Jesus refers to Himself as a “temple”.

20Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?21But he spake of the temple of his body.22When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.  John 2:20-22.

He is our example:

In His humility...
14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.15For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.16Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.  John 13:14-16.

In His holiness...
14As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:15But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;16Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.  1 Peter 1:14-16

In His suffering...
20For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.21For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:22Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:1 Peter 2:20-22

In His obedience...

5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  Phillipians 2:5-11

In all things...
1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.3For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.  Hebrews 12:1-3

The spiritual temple of His Body, which we are (the relationship between Christ and the Church)...
16Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?  1 Corinthians 3:16
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  1 Corinthians 6:19
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.  2 Corinithians 6:16.

becomes the tabernacle of God  perfected  for all eternity. 
 
26Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.27My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.28And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.  Exeziel 37:26-28.
2And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.3And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.4And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.Revelation 21:2-4

Meditate upon these things!!  It is absolutely staggering to consider the fact that both Moses and John had insight  into the heavens where God showed them the “heavenly tabernacle”.    I believe Moses actually SAW the tabernacle, whereas John was given a vision of the same thing that Moses saw.  And the visions seen were replete with intricate detail.  Why??  Because thesethings were a shadow of the reality we have in Christ Jesus, and a holy God does not wish to be misrepresented in any way!!

Understanding the pattern God gave causes one to see the truth of divine order as it pertains to our being built up into Christ.  (And the things Paul received, he received by revelation, or by being in the Spirit to see, hear  and receive.  See 2 Corinthians 12:1, 7; Galatians 1:11-13; Ephesians 3:2-4)

9For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.10According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.11For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:9-11. 1 Corinthians 3:9-11
6As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:7Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.8Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.  Colossians 2:6-8
4To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,5Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.6Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded  1 Peter 2:4-6.

Yes, in order for Moses to have vision to instruct others to build, he had to be in the mount.  In order to be in the mount, he had to “go up”.   Without an ascent, there is no true vision. 
 
David gave instruction to Solomon regarding building of the temple, and it was “by the Spirit”.  See 1 Chronicles 28: 9 on, and pay attention to verse 12. “And the pattern of all he had by the Spirit”.   David did not have a trip up into the Mount as Moses did, but God revealed his pattern to David “by the spirit”. 
  
David is a transitional figure in the Bible.  His life and the dealings of the Lord in his life bring connection, or an “overlapping”  between two covenants, even though his life and death were many generations prior to Christ.  

The prophet Isaiah lets us know that it is by “going up” that we receive revelation of His ways,His paths, His laws:

Come and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in his paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.  Isaiah 2:2-3.

Why such a long foundation before getting to the point I want to make in this article which is the fact that in order to truly be in the presence of the Lord where we receive rich and powerful revelation from Him, we need to “ascend” or “go up” into His presence??

Because when we consider that which has been handed down to us to insure us of the very foundations of our faith happened in the context of being in the Spirit, and in the glory of God, it behooves us not to take lightly claims of being “in the glory”!  It admonishes us to be properly prepared  by way of instruction of the scripture how we  can be confident that we are accessing the same realm of the heavenlies experienced by the patriarchs of the faith!!

What God showed Moses, and David, and the Apostle Paul, and John the Beloved by allowing them to ascend into the presence of the Lord had and continues to have eternal impact.  You cannot be in the true glory of God, and receive some light weight, flaky revelation.  Things of eternal substance ( which the revelation and glory of God IS) are always going to be weighty matters and they are never lightly dispensed, but come at a price.  

They come after much detailed preparation of the heart, and not just at a personal whim to experience such a thing.

There is a heart cry for deeper revelation, greater understanding, more of God’s presence and glory, but are we willing to take the time to make the ascent in order to be in a place where we can receive from Him?

Psalm 24

1The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.2For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.3Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?4He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.5He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.6This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.7Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.8Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.9Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.10Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.

Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord?  Psalm 24.  

I am giving my heart to meditating on the following illumination of key phrases in this passage of scripture in order to prepare my heart to “go up”.   As a Spirit-filled believer that doesn’t mean I will get to take a trip up some physical mountain where I will meet with the Lord, though I am sure such a thing is possible.  It means I will be in a personal spiritual atmophere of purity that lends itself to encouraging the presence of God to surround me, and His Spirit to speak and reveal things  through me.  

Here let me interject this article is assuming the reader has availed himself of the righteousness which is imputed unto him by faith in Jesus Christ.    This is ALWAYS the foundation upon which we continue to build all the spiritual activity of our lives, and service unto Him.  

Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord?  He that hath...

Clean hands.  Hands speaks of our actions.  All we actively DO requires the use of our hands in some way.  If a person has an upright life before the Lord, their  hands won't be extended to reach for unclean things, or things that would defile the temple of the Lord, which we are.  Their  hands will be used in things that are appropriate activities for a clean and healthy life style in  body, soul and spirit.  

Pure heart.  A pure heart speaks of our motives and intentions.  The Bible tells us that God searches the hearts, and tries the reins.  He wants us also to search our own hearts.  He wants us to consider what is behind our actions, even the ones that might seem outwardly very noble.  Is there actually a hidden agenda, or ulterior motive?  If we are going to ascend into the hill of the Lord, we must have purity of heart.  This article assumes the reader already has given their heart to the Lord, and has invited the Lord Jesus into his or her life.  That is the very first thing that must be done in order to have a pure heart.

Has not lifted his soul up to vanity.  I believe this speaks to us of actively maintaining a spirit of humility.  It is so  easy to become proud.  Especially if we have mastered the disciplines of having 'clean hands and a pure heart'.  Many have questioned why the Lord doesn't use them in greater ways when they know how 'good' they are.  Knowing how much we deserve from the Lord because we have done everything right and then dwelling on that fact causes the chest to begin to swell.
What is the antidote for this spirit of pride?  It's to quickly recognize the mercy and goodness of God, and how that there is NONE that doeth good, NO NOT ONE according to the scripture, and if we possess any ability to do the right things, and make the right choices it's because the Lord has granted us an amazing special grace to accomplish these things.  When we lift our souls (our mind, will and emotions) up to vanity, we are giving ourselves credit that belongs to God.  

Nor sworn deceitfully.  I read this part of the verse in a few different versions of the Bible trying to get a better understanding of what this means.  Remember all these things are attitudes or activities that keep us from ascending into the hill of the Lord, or into a higher realm His presence. This is actually is often the very thing a person will do in attempt to get the attention or a reaction from God, but it is something that repulses Him.  When we “swear deceitfully” we are attempting to manipulate God by giving Him ultimatums, or making vows we don't intend to keep, or that are impossible for us to keep.  It often starts like this: “Lord, if you do such and such, then I will serve you.”   We treat God as if He owes us something, when He has already given His all for us!!!! Early in our walk with the Lord, God may tolerate this, but as we mature in God, we realize that God expects a greater level of faith in order to receive from Him a clear word from the Lord, not founded on manipulation but on a word that comes from spending quality time in His presence...as we have been faithful to "ascend into the mount".

Lord let us be among the company of those who prepare their hearts for an ascension into the hill of the Lord. We stand upon Your promise that blessings and righteousness will be our portion!! Amen and Amen,
in Jesus Name, Amen.

Always in the Love of Jesus,

Clo DiPilato

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