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GARMENTS FOR GLORY AND BEAUTY
By J Leland Earls
"Let me show you, says the Lord, that which shall come
forth at the close of this age. It is even that which you read about in my Word. And what says it?
'Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it; 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.' (Ephes. 5:25-27).
Hear now the voice of the Seventh
Messenger speaking. Seven is the number of my church—those who have been called out of this world and joined to me; therefore I speak in the power or essence of the number Seven to those who will hear my voice and become a part of that which I am preparing
to bring forth. For the time is now, and all things are leading up to the coming forth of this glorious church.
You will notice that it is a glorious church that I will present to myself; I will not present it to myself and
then make it glorious. It will be glorious on earth before it is glorious in the Heavenlies. Let me take you, therefore, to my Word and unveil the type that I have enacted to portray this glorious church.
You shall turn to
the 28th Chapter of Exodus and there behold the High Priest and the garments that were made for him. It is written that the garments were ‘for glory and beauty’ (28:2). They were especially fashioned that the High Priest might minister to me in
the priest's office. Now hear my word!
The garments portray the glory and beauty which is to come forth in my church in this last day, for the High Priest and the garments are one picture of that which shall be fulfilled
in a people who have been completely joined to me. The High Priest is a type of the entire Body of Christ, both Head and members. The primary fulfillment of the ministry of the High Priest was realized in the person and ministry of Jesus Christ: His life,
death, resurrection and glorification.
But the complete fulfillment is to be manifested in the 'mystery' of His Body—that people who shall show forth His glory and beauty on the earth, and then be joined unto
Him in the heavenly Kingdom: who have been made ONE with Him in His high priestly ministry; who are 'members of His Body, of His flesh, and of His bones' (Ephes.5:30).
This unity is portrayed in the Psalmist's
picture of the anointing oil which was poured on the head of the High Priest and flowed down on his garments. ‘Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment on the head, that ran down
on the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments' (Psalm 133:1-2).
In order to show that the garments of glory and beauty with which Aaron was adorned represent the ministry of a glorious
church on earth, I would call your attention to the ceremonies enacted on the great Day of Atonement. There you will notice that the High Priest, in order to minister beyond the veil, which is a type of the heavenlies, divested himself of his beautiful garments
and changed into garments of pure white from head to foot (Lev. 16:4). These white linen garments were to be worn only in his ministry beyond the veil, and when this was finished he removed them and put on his regular garments (Lev. 16:23). Now what does this
portray?
It portrays the fact that when the Body of Christ has finished its ministry on the earth, there shall be a 'putting on' of changed and translated bodies which will no longer be flesh and blood but flesh
and bone (Luke 24:39).
Such bodies or garments are for those who are completely clothed in the white linen of righteousness (Rev. 19:8, 14). In their own native heavenly realm, these changed bodies glow with a soft
white light. But behold the type! The garments of glory and beauty made for the High Priest out of materials of blue, purple, scarlet, gold and precious stones, were for ministering in the Holy Place outside the veil, picturing conditions on the earth.
Therefore a glorious church must come forth on the earth before entrance beyond the veil into the heavenlies.
[The Clothing in Detail]
Now let us examine each of the articles of clothing
or apparel with which the High Priest was clothed, and in doing so I shall unveil that which will come forth in the people of my choosing. First, I would have you note that it was Moses who was commanded to make 'holy garments' for Aaron (Ex. 28:2), and it
was Moses who placed the garments on Aaron at the time of his consecration (Lev, 8:6-9). Here again is a double type. Even as the High Priest was a type, both of Christ and His Body, so is Moses a type of Christ and a certain portion of His Body. Basically,
the garments of 'glory and beauty' portray provisions of Christ in His atoning and redemptive work, but the adorning or bringing forth of the glorious church is also dependent on the ministry of certain chosen ones who make up the Moses company in contrast
to the Aaron company.
Who are these that must be brought to a place of power and authority ahead of the coming forth of the glorious church? They are the ‘manifested sons' who will put on immortality and be no
longer subject to death. And because of their spirit-powered ministry, they will be used mightily to bring the rest of the Body of Christ into a place of spiritual unity and power. There will be a two-fold manifestation: 144,000 first-fruit saints shall be
translated at the beginning of the tribulation period. They will have the ability to appear and minister to the saints remaining. A much smaller group will put on immortality in physical bodies, remaining on the earth to minister in a realm of power to
help bring forth the glorious church. Although the beginning stages are even now evident in many places, the full glory of the church will not come forth until the tribulation period has begun.
[The Ephod]
The first garment mentioned in the order of instructions for fashioning was the ephod. (Ex. 28:6-14). From the perspective of your God, this was the basic garment of the High Priest's clothing. The ephod was the outermost garment covering
the upper body. It was the most decorative item of his apparel. More than anything else it was the mark of his office. The ephod was made of two pieces of variegated material—of gold and blue and purple and scarlet and fine twined linen—joined
together at the shoulders and slipped over the head.
It was fastened around the body by means of a belt-like sash woven as a part of the garment. A part of the ephod were two engraved stones, set in gold filigrees and sewn on the garment where
the shoulder pieces came together. (Ex. 28:9-12). Also an integral part of the ephod was the breastplate of judgment (Ex. 28:12-30). It was made of the same variegated material as the ephod. The material was folded twice forming a pouch about 9-1/2 inches
[24 cm] square. It was secured to the ephod in front, over the heart, by being tied with chains of gold at the top. The chains were slipped through rings of gold, which were sewn on the borders at the top of each side of the breastplate, and fastened
to filigrees on the shoulder pieces. It was secured to the ephod at the bottom by ribbons of blue. The ribbons were slipped through the rings of gold, which were sewn on the inside borders at the bottom of the breastplate, and tied to other rings of gold sewn
on the sides of the ephod just above the belt-like sash.
Twelve stones, one for each of the tribes of Israel, were set in enclosures of gold and attached to the front of the breastplate, making four rows of stones (Ex. 28:17-21).
Each one of the stones was to have the name of one of the tribes engraved on it. The two stones on the shoulder pieces were also to have the names of the twelve tribes engraved on them, six on each stone. It was a part of the function of the High Priest to
bear these names on his shoulders and on his heart when he went into the tabernacle to minister before the Lord. (Ex. 28:12, 30). Inside the pouch-like enclosure of the breastplate were placed the Urim and Thummim, by means of which the High Priest secured
direct answers from the Lord God concerning the affairs of the nation.
The Urim and Thummim were special objects given to Moses when he was in the mount receiving the instructions for the tabernacle and the priesthood.
They were received from the hand of the Lord God even as the original tablets of stone on which were written the Ten Commandments.
The Ten Commandments were the basic precepts-in-righteousness which were to form the
foundation for the life of the nation; therefore they were engraved on specially prepared stones. The Urim and Thummim, in the possession of the High Priest, provided the means for direct guidance in the application and implementation of the basic precepts.
They were therefore an important adjunct to the tablets of stone. When used by the High Priest they would emit the basic colors that form light, much the same way that a prism refracts the light of the sun and breaks it down into the seven primary colors.
The very word 'Urim' means light.
No natural light was needed to use the objects; the light was within them; but they had to be used together in order to produce the effect indicated by the name 'Thummim' which means perfection. The word shows
the basic or primary answer received for a perfect application and implementation of the Ten Commandments. There was no excuse for uncertainty. The mind of the Lord could easily be received on any question and it would be a perfect 'break down' of the
truth or light given in the Ten Commandments. These objects will be considered later, for since all things pertaining to the High Priesthood were typical, and have their spiritual counterpart, it is not necessary for you to understand just how the Urim and
Thummim were used.
Since the ephod was the basic garment of the High Priest, let me show you what it typifies. All the garments of the High Priest portray various aspects of the human tabernacle which houses the
spirit begotten of God. Just as the tabernacle pitched in the wilderness consisted of two basic parts: the outer court and the tent enclosure; so are there two parts to that which houses the human spirit: the outer physical body, and the inner soul body. Contact
by the human spirit with the Divine Spirit is made through the vehicle of the soul. The soul partakes of the life forces of the physical, but is a much more highly tenuous vehicle which is sensitive to impressions from the spirit world.
Since the ephod was the garment which enabled the High Priest to communicate with Deity, it is a type of the soul of the born-again Christian. Before the soul can be a medium for communication with the Divine, it must first
be cleansed from the defiling effects of sin; this is effected through the blood of Jesus Christ. Then it must be infused with Divine life, making it possible for its forces to be oriented God-ward, and providing the means for its complete restructure in the
likeness of the Son of God. A soul which is steeped in sin is naturally attuned to the vibratory impingements of the enemy - Satan. It is extremely susceptible to the thought-impressions and desire-pulls of invisible evil forces. Therefore, in order to
become a medium for Divine-human communication, it must be thoroughly purged and purified, so that it will receive and entertain only those vibratory influences which are uplifting and edifying.
I shall speak to you concerning
each part of the ephod and its accompanying breastplate, and show its typical meaning as it pertains to the soul of the born-again Christian. To be 'born again' means to be regenerated within by the incorruptible seed of Christ (I Pet. 1:23, James
1:21), receiving LIFE into the soul; and causing the soul to become a deathless vehicle for the human spirit.
In the unsaved person, who has not received LIFE through Christ, the soul is subject to death even as
is the physical body (Ezek. 18:20, Matt. 10: 28). But in the saved person, the soul has been flushed through with eternal life, and in the event of the death of the physical body, the soul then becomes a functioning body or vehicle for the spirit in the celestial
realms. Now the powers or functions of the soul, which constitute man a living personality in the objective world, can be used either independently of God or in subjection to the mind and will of God. The purpose of this word of revelation is to show
how the soul becomes attuned to Divine life and consciousness, becoming no longer a vehicle for self-expression, dominated by uncleanness through the powers of darkness; but a vehicle for the expression of the very nature and being of the Christ
of God.
After the initial cleansing of the soul through the blood of Christ, and the receiving of LIFE through the incorruptible seed, a point of contact has been established within the soul which becomes a conductor for
the Spirit of God to flow to energize and uplift. Also, since the 'seed' which has been engrafted into the soul is from the glorified body of the Son of God, it contains all the essence of His very nature and being, and thus becomes a 'perfection vortex’
for the complete restructuring of the fabric of the soul into His likeness. Therefore the Living Word (the engrafted seed - the Christ within) and the Spirit (the Holy Spirit) work together to weave and furbish with 'cunning work' (Ex. 28:6) the 'ephod'
or soul garment of the born-again Christian. The basic material for the ephod was fine linen.
This fine linen is a type of the righteousness of Jesus Christ (Rev. 19:8) which is imparted to the soul by the Word and
the Spirit (I Cor. 1:30, Il Cor. 5:21, Rom. 8:4). The soul is 'made righteous' only through Christ; there is no other way. The righteousness of Christ which is first imputed to those who believe in His atoning work, causing them to be justified freely
by His grace (Rom. 3:22-24, 4:5-11, 22-25), must thereafter be imparted and 'woven' as an integral part of the fabric of the soul.
Other elements are also to be 'woven' into the soul-fabric, as indicated by the fine linen
being supplemented by gold, blue, purple and scarlet (Ex. 28:6). The 'gold' represents tried and proven character which comes only through the crucible of experience, as the grace of Christ, working by means of the Holy Spirit, causes one to rise above temptation,
pressures, and various fiery trials, weaving in the beauty of steadfastness, patience, and faithfulness, without bitterness, wrath, or turning back (Rom. 5:3-5, James 1:2-4, I Pet. 1:6-8, Heb. 10:35-39). The blue in the ephod is a type of heavenly aspirations:
that which causes one to set his mind on things that are above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God the Father (Col. 3:1).
'Thinking' is an important function of the powers of the soul. The creative ability of the mind can greatly
determine the warp and woof of the soul's texture. Through the power of the risen Christ within, the mind must be quickened to the present reigning of Christ as Lord over one's entire being, causing the entirety of one's thoughts to be centered in the continuous
reality of His presence, so that nothing is seen apart from His providential working.
If this concept can be inculcated and practiced daily, the mind will be continually renewed and the life transformed, enabling the
'blue' of heaven's aura to become an integral part of the soul's beauty (Ephes. 4:23, Rom. 12:2). The purple in the ephod is a picture of the crowning glory of one who is to be a king-priest with Christ, to rule and reign with Him in His Kingdom (Rev. 5:10,
20:6). Closely related to this, and indispensable to it, is the scarlet of sacrificial love; the willingness to give one's all to the Savior in devotion and obedience. For it is only love poured out that enables the Holy Spirit to 'weave in' these qualities
which partake of the scarlet and purple of the ‘royal priesthood’ and the beauties of maturing sonship. (I John 3:16).
[The Robe of the Ephod]
Before looking further, at the
typical significance of the ephod, the related garments must be considered. Immediately under the ephod was a garment known as the 'robe of the ephod' (Ex, 28:31-35). It was made completely of blue material. It was slipped over the head as was the ephod, providing
a complete covering for the upper body and reaching down to just below the knees. Since it was a more complete covering than the ephod, it could be seen where it reached down over the upper arms in the form of short sleeves and where it reached below
the ephod at the bottom. Being of a coarser material than the ephod, all of one color and unadorned, it is a type of the physical body which is the outer covering or 'garment' for the human spirit in the objective world.
This might be difficult to understand since it was worn under the ephod. But the garments of the High Priest are seen from the point of view of contact and communication with God; and the chief instrument which receives and transmits thought-impulses,
and becomes sensitized to Spirit awareness and Spirit workings, being fashioned and adorned with the very beauty and character of Jesus Christ, is that highly tenuous vehicle or body called the soul.
The soul interpenetrates the physical
body and forms a liaison substance between the human spirit and the physical body. Because its consistency is of a finely attenuated texture, it enables the indwelling spirit to 'seat' or make contact in the physical body and use the physical body as
an expressive vehicle in the objective world. Also because of its highly tenuous nature, the soul is very sensitive to impressions made upon it, much the same as a sensitive recording instrument; thus feeling and response function through the soul,
receiving and emitting mental-emotional reactions and attitudes.
It becomes then the sum and substance of a person's nature or personality; and also woven into its fabric is the essence of one's character. Since the
beauty and adornment of the High priest's garments were in the ephod, and not in the robe of the ephod, it portrays by type that the Christian-priest in the Body of Christ is to manifest the beauty of Christ's life and character from the inner man of the heart
or soul, and not be primarily concerned with the adornment of the outer or physical man (see I Pet. 3:3-4).
Also, since the ephod was worn on the outside and its beauty seen, while the robe of the ephod was under it
and only partially visible, it portrays the truth that what others should ‘see’ and be conscious of is the beauty and glory of the Christ within, shining through in expression of a soul completely re-shaped and fashioned in His likeness,
rather than the outward or exterior appearance of the physical man.
Around the hem of the robe of the ephod were sewn replicas of pomegranates made of blue and purple and scarlet. In between the pomegranates
were placed bells of gold, designed to make a sound as the High Priest ministered before the Lord in the Holy Place (Ex. 28:33-35). The pomegranates are a type of fruitfulness because of their multitudinous seeds. Since they were on the robe of the ephod they
indicate that ‘fruit’ or seed which is engendered by the life forces within the physical body. Only a small fraction of the billions of seed-cells produced within the body of a normal male are ever used to beget children.
Therefore it should be obvious to all that there is another purpose for this seed. It is beyond the scope of this 'word' to fully detail the hidden function and purpose of this life seed, but in the coming era of the manifesting
sons of God, it will become common knowledge. And even in the closing stages of this age, those who are to fully enter into the glory of the priestly ministry of Christ on the earth will come to know the mysteries involved. The ‘mystery’ of the
pomegranates is closely related to the golden bells which alternated between them on the hem of the robe of the ephod. Gold is a type of the Spirit and things Divine.
The bells, functioning as the High Priest ministered
before the Lord in the Holy Place, indicates, by type, that all of the life forces must be channeled to the 'gold' of Spirit, ‘that he die not’ (Ex. 28:35). In other words, this is the key to immortality in human flesh. It was in the Holy Place
OUTSIDE the veil that the High Priest ministered with these garments - with the pomegranates and the bells. Thus they portray a secret for those who would enter into the fullness of Christ's redemptive work while still on the earth in bodies of flesh
and blood. Even the Lord Jesus alluded to this mystery as recorded in Matthew 19:12.
[The Tunic]
Having considered the robe of the ephod, let me now show you the typical significance of
that garment which was under it, next to the body of the High Priest. A white tunic, woven of fine linen, and covering the entire upper and lower body was placed on the High Priest first. On top of this was worn the robe of the ephod, and then the ephod itself
was put on last. (Ex. 28:39, 29:5). The tunic reached to the feet and also covered the arms with long, tight-fitting sleeves. It was large enough to hang loose on the body, but was girded to the body by means of a specially made sash, decorated with various
colors. I have already shown you how the ephod represents the soul of the born-again Christian, and the robe of the ephod the physical body.
Forming a connecting link between the highly tenuous soul and the body
of flesh, is what is known as the 'autonomic nervous system.' The various nerves and nerve ganglia are represented by the strands of finely twined linen of which the tunic was woven. This self-acting nervous system, with its sympathetic and parasympathetic
systems, causes the physical organism to respond and react to desires, feelings and emotions that arise as a result of soul-powers resident within. This is why it is so important to have the right mental-emotional attitudes at all times.
The power of the soul to affect the condition of the physical body is great. For example, anger arising in the soul has its effect on certain organs in the physical body by their being activated through stimulation of the sympathetic
nervous system. Thus, a wide variety of negative and destructive emotions and ingrained feelings can greatly weaken the body's normal functioning and make it far more susceptible to the inroads of predatory organisms which are ever ready to take
advantage of areas of weakness in the physical body. The finely twined linen of the tunic, which covered the entire body of the High Priest, is an apt picture of the fine and delicate nerve fibers which act as a communications system throughout the entire
body. No person can adequately and effectively minister as a Christian-priest in the service of the Lord without a healthy influence of soul powers on the physical body. This comes only as the Christ within is allowed to control and direct all the
mental and emotional processes into channels that will spiritually uplift, and increase the flow of the life of the Spirit to the quickening of the physical body through the sympathetic nervous system. Otherwise the reactions of mental-emotional stimuli on
the body will be destructive and harmful.
Although the tunic itself was entirely of white linen, the sash with which it was girded was decorated with needlework of various colors. This again is to portray the typical
relationship of the tunic with the ephod, for the ephod was variegated with the same colors. In other words, the ephod, or soul, is closely connected to the tunic, which represents the autonomic nervous system. Through this system, the soul affects the body
of flesh, or the robe of the ephod, which was worn between the ephod and the tunic. Can you not see, my people, that the priesthood ministry involved the whole man?
It is my purpose that there should be a perfect relationship
between the functions of soul (the mental-emotional faculties) and the physical body. For only then can the physical body be a perfectly healthy vehicle for the priesthood ministry of My saints. Think not that the physical body was fashioned to be subject
to death. It is a necessary part of the total man in the service of his God. Its complete redemption is a necessary part of my total plan for man, and that redemption provides for the perfect relationship and functioning of both body and soul.
[The
Breastplate]
Now let us look more closely at the 'breastplate of judgment.’ Aaron was to ‘bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the Lord continually.' (Ex. 28:30). This was by means
of the twelve precious stones on which the names of the twelve tribes were engraved (Ex. 28:21). Primarily this portrays the judicial sentence which Jesus Christ, the true High Priest, took on Himself in order that those who believe in Him might be free.
The High Priest's bearing them on his heart continually portrays the continuous intercession of Jesus Christ at the right hand of the Father (Rom. 8:34, Heb. 7:25). But there is a further meaning as it applies to the life of the Christian-Priest. Precious
stones are cut to reflect the beauty of light as it casts its beams into the various color formations - causing each stone to sparkle with its own unique characteristics.
As each stone on the breastplate was engraved
with a name of one of the tribes of Israel, so does this portray the fact that each stone is a type of a particular characteristic or virtue which is to be imparted and 'engraved' into the very soul structure of every true Israelite. Such 'precious stones'
will reflect the beauty of the very life of Jesus Christ which fills the inner being of every Spirit-sanctified Christian. The typical and spiritual significance of every tribe and every stone should be fulfilled in the inner life of every Christian who desires
to enter into the full priesthood ministry of Jesus Christ. For every part of the High Priest's adornment is a portrayal of that which can become an integral part of the Christian's life and experience.
[The Urim and Thummim]
Placed inside the pouch-like fold of the breastplate of judgment were the Urim and Thummim. I have already shown you that these were objects given to Moses by which the High Priest could discern the mind of the Lord on specific
issues relating to the application and implementation of the Ten Commandments. But what is their antitypical significance in the life of the Christian-priest? The breastplate of judgment with its Urim and Thummim was an integral part of the ephod. I have
already shown you that the ephod is a type of the regenerated soul of the born-again Christian. Such a soul has been 'attuned' to the Divine consciousness, and if kept free from contaminating influences, is increasingly sensitive to communication from
the Spirit of the Lord.
In its basic or fundamental aspects, this communication is received in the form of impressions, spiritual discernment, dreams, and the spiritual awareness of parabolic experiences which are a
part of the daily providential oversight of every Christian. This is the Christian-priest with the ephod as he ministers unto the Lord, and as he receives from the Lord communication beamed through the glands and sympathetic nervous system into the soul or
inner consciousness. To this basic communication can be added the Urim and Thummim. This involves an increased sensitivity to the voice of the Lord, speaking more specifically, and not in general impressions.
Such increased
sensitivity is first brought about by the Urim, which means light. The 'light' is the increased whiteness, or purity, of the soul body, plus the adjustment by Divine intervention of certain internal 'cords' which make it possible for reception in
the human organism to be 'stepped up' to a higher intensity. Thus the ability to ‘tune in' to the light-rays beaming the 'voice of the Lord' to those who have come into possession of the 'Urim’ is greatly increased. The 'Urim' first comes into
initial functioning when a Christian submits himself to the operations of the Holy Spirit in that which is known as the fiery Spirit baptism. But most Christians are so woefully ignorant of the true nature and purpose of the baptism of the Holy Spirit,
and so ill taught on how to maintain their Spirit sanctification, enabling the soul to be kept free from defiling influences, that they receive little benefit from the spiritual operation of the 'Urim’ within.
The
ultimate in communication from the Lord can be experienced only as the Thummim is also working with the Urim. Thummim means perfection or completeness. It comes into operation in the human organism only after the entering into immortality. As long as mortality
is working in the physical body, there cannot be the ultimate in perfection within the life of the Christian-priest. Neither can he fully minister to the Lord in the antitypical adornment of the priesthood.
The
'Thummim ' functioning within causes certain changes to take place in the glandular system, enabling the immortal to be attuned to vibration waves and impulses that are not within the range of the mortal. The immortal thus not only 'hears,' but also 'sees'
that which mortals cannot.
There is not only an increased reception of vibratory impulses conveying the words of the Lord to the inner consciousness, but there is also the opening up of a whole new realm of
sight perception, as previously unseen visual impulses convey to the newly keyed receptors a vast range of color formations emanating from within the souls of men.
This is why it is said of Jesus that 'he knew all men, and needed not that
any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.' (John 2:24-25). Jesus walked on the earth as an immortal, and He could see the thought formations and emotional patterns which came forth in vibratory color-tones. Such formations and patterns vary greatly
from extremely ugly and grotesque to very beautiful. Thus the 'Thummim' added to the 'Urim' within the immortal makes possible a realm of experience and ministry far beyond that of the mortal.
[The Tribal Name Stones]
There is yet one more part of the Ephod which needs to be unveiled in its antitypical fulfillment: the stones on which were engraved the names of the tribes of Israel, and which were fastened upon the shoulder pieces of the ephod. There were two stones,
and each one was to have six tribal names engraved on it. (Ex. 28:9-11). Aaron was to bear these names before the Lord on his two shoulders for a memorial. (Ex. 28:12). In Biblical symbolism, the shoulder stands for strength. (Isa. 9:6).
The High
priest bearing the tribes of Isra
el on his shoulders is a picture of the sustaining strength of Jesus Christ, the true High Priest, in the impartations of His divine life and power to all who avail themselves of His grace. In its individual
fulfillment in the Christian-priest, the engraved stones upon the shoulders is a type of the overcoming grace provided through the strength or power of the Holy Spirit's infilling. This 'fulness' is portrayed by the engraving of all of the tribal names
on the two shoulder stones. The stones on the shoulder pieces and the stones in the breastplate were symbolically connected by means of the chains of gold which were secured to the settings of the shoulder stones and slipped through rings of gold attached
to the borders of the breastplate. Thus connected, both sets of stones indicate the two-fold work of the Spirit in regeneration and impartation. The stones in the breastplate are particularly indicative of the work of regeneration, and the stones set
on the shoulders are especially representative of that impartation which comes at the time of the Holy Spirit baptism.
[The Mitre]
The final part of the High Priest's garments to be considered
is the head dress with its plate of gold engraved with the words 'Holiness to the Lord.' (Ex. 28:36-37). The head dress, or mitre, was made of fine linen to portray the totality of the righteousness of Jesus Christ which 'adorns' the Christian-priest
as it controls every aspect of his being, including the mind. The plate of gold with its engraving is symbolic of a special work of divine grace in preparing those who are to come forth with a ministry that relates to the Word being 'sealed' within, that the
mind of Christ may flow through to minister LIFE. The ‘gold’ of the plate signifies a divine work of the Spirit whereby the 'holiness' or separating to the Lord is fully accomplished, that the mind might be an open channel for the living Word of
the Lord. This is symbolized by the fact that the plate of pure gold was always on the High Priest's forehead (Ex. 28:38). Even so are the servants of God to be sealed in their foreheads, to be made ready for a ministry in the power of the living Word (Rev.
7:2-3).
You have now seen, my people, how I must clothe you in garments of beauty and glory, that you might be ready to minister to me. I am even now bringing my people into a further understanding of that which has been
partially hidden or veiled, but is now to be revealed. There is much yet to be made known concerning the priesthood ministry of my saints on the earth, and as you are able to receive, I will reveal it to you. Therefore I call to you to make yourself completely
available to the workings of my Word and Spirit, that you might be fully adorned for the mighty end-time harvest which is coming. Let me fulfill in you all that is portrayed in the garments of the High Priest. Even so shall you be used for my glory in the
days that are ahead.”
(End of prophecy).
Given through J Leland Earls
Pieter
Kirstein post