A Voice Behind Me

Easter Version

Precepts & Concepts• It is important to state

here that I am dealing with precepts and

concepts in this teaching.

• It is not specifically tailored to any person

or personalities.• These precepts and concepts that help us make a much needed

paradigm shift to live an effective life

Precept • 1. principle: a rule, instruction, or principle that guides somebody’s actions, especially one

that guides moral behavior

• A precept (from the Latin: præcipere, to

teach) is a commandment,

instruction, or order intended as

an authoritative rule of action.

Concept 1. something thought or imagined: something that

somebody has thought up, or that somebody might be able

to imagine. Also called conception

2. broad principle affecting perception and behavior: 

a broad abstract idea or a guiding general principle, such as one that determines how a person

or culture behaves, or how nature, reality, or events are perceived ? the concept of

time 3. understanding or grasp: the

most basic understanding of something

The same challenges as the disciples today!• Acts 1:6-8

• 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to

Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times

or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 “But you shall receive power

when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be

witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

• Be witnesses not just witness to others

The same challenges as the disciples today!

• Luke 24:13-53 • [On the road to Emmaus]

• 21 “But we were hoping that it was He who was going to

redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened. 25 Then He said to them, “O

foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the

prophets have spoken! 26 “Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” 27 And

beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to

them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

Why are we not seeing this?• Mark 3:13-15

• 13 And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. 14 Then He appointed twelve,

that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, 15 and to have power to heal sicknesses and

to cast out demons • They had been with HIM.

Service comes out of worship not the other way 

round. [Jesus at the Temptation & The Angels]

We are going nowhere until we get sick of where we are right now.

• Revelation 1:1-3• 1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to

show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,• 2 who bore witness to the

word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all

things that he saw.• 3 Blessed is he who reads and

those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it;

for the time is near.

The Book of Revelation• Note it is the revelation of Jesus

not the anti Christ, lets note the blessing that comes with

reading and hearing the words of this prophecy.

• We need to note, “He sent and signified it” that is the message

is written in SIGNS or by signification. Another thought

would be that He sign-i-fied i.e. He put His sign on it.

• This means we have to understand types and shadows as well as signification and the

DIVINE ORDER God uses throughout the Revelation of

the Holy Scripture.

First the natural then the spiritual

• Romans 1:20• 20 For since the creation of

the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen,

being understood by the things that are made, even

His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are

without excuse,• It is revealed in order, Natural

then spiritual, (It seems though that in dealing with

Man God starts with the spiritual then works

outwardly but in revealing himself it is the natural then

the spiritual).

Some of God’s Signs• We must stop to explain types

and shadows as well as bible numerology where the bible

consistently uses certain numbers to signify certain

truths. • Man created on the 6th day is

usually referred to with the number 6 God is represented

with 7, sevenfold Spirit of God; He rested on the seventh

day etc.• The number 3 is consistent, 3

persons of the Godhead, Spirit Soul and Body, the three

compartments in the tabernacle of Moses and

Solomon. Etc

Let go back to the book of revelation with this in mind. 

• Revelation 1:9-11• I, John, both your brother and

companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet,11 saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”

Let go back to the book of revelation with this in mind• Revelation 1:12-16

• 12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having

turned I saw seven golden lampstands,13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the

Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a

golden band.14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of

fire;15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace,

and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His

right hand seven stars, out of His countenance was like the sun

shining in its strength. His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword,

Let go back to the book of revelation with this in mind.• Revelation 1:17-20

• 17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.18 “I am He who

lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I

have the keys of Hades and of Death.19 “Write the things which

you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which

will take place after this. 20 “The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and

the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are

the seven churches.

God’s Ultimate Sign• Notice, these articles are exactly

similar to the items found in the tabernacle of Moses in the

wilderness – Candlesticks Altar incense.

• If we do not understand the tabernacle of Moses we will not

understand the book of Revelation.

• Why because it seems to be God’s signature throughout the bible and the key to unlocking truths

and revelations that will bless and move us into God’s purposes.

• Today our signature on cheques, letters, agreements or any

document identifies us and is binding where it is found similarly

God’s signature type is the tabernacle of Moses.

God’s Ultimate Sign• 1 Corinthians 10:11• 11 Now all these things

happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

• God revealed his way to Moses and His acts to the children of Israel, even the design of the tabernacle Moses received

from God Himself and the bible records that Jesus blood was used to pacify the heavenly

tabernacle it therefore critical that to get the revelation here we must understand this great

key that opens up our understanding of God.

God’s Ultimate Sign: The Tabernacle of Moses• This was to be a center for worship and a place where the

people could focus upon the presence of the Lord.

• The tent constructed in this manner was then divided into

two rooms divided by an intricate veil of blue, scarlet, and purple

linen embroidered with cherubim.

• The inner, western room was called the HOLY OF HOLIES. It was 10 cubits square, and it contained only one piece of

furniture – the holiest item in the tabernacle, the Ark of the

Covenant.

The crux of the matter• There seems to be running through scripture 3 dimensions of grace, which we must look

at to understand today’s revelation of scripture.

• This seems to be God’s order both in the New and Old

Testament, which follows a sequence.

• DEATH, BURIAL AND RESURRECTION

• BODY, SOUL AND SPIRIT• WHO WAS, IS AND IS TO COME• SAME, YESTERDAY TODAY AND

FOREVER• THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE

LIFE

The crux of the matter• 1, 2, AND 3

• NOT BY POWER, NOT BY MIGHT BUT BY THE SPIRIT

• FATHER, SON AND HOLY GHOST• FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE

• The best is usually in the third dimension.

• These are similar to the tabernacle of Moses on which

the revelation stands Outer COURT, HOLY PLACE and MOST

HOLY PLACE.• There is much that can be said

about the revelation contained in the tabernacle for now we will base our observations on

the type of light or illumination found in each section.

The Outer Court• In the outer court, the light

here is natural and here as it tallies with the 3rd part of our

being our knowledge or illumination is from nature, the

Sun, moon and stars. • What we understand here comes from our sense as this

part of the tabernacle us opened to all including cattle,

life here is noisy full of religious activity void of understanding and spiritual illumination, just

obeying the law.

The Holy Place• In the Holy place comes various

articles which are significant for instance the altar of incense

which is the prayers of the saint [Hebrews 13: 15] and our

worship and of course the table of showbread type of food.

• But like I said we are looking at the light or illumination found

here provided by the lamp stand and oil which is artificial

or should I say artificial. • 7 pipes a type of the Holy Spirit

providing illumination to feed and offer up prayer and worship

through the five fold ministry.

The Holy of Holies• The Holy of Holies, which is our

destination and the desire of all our hearts, is a room of exactly

the same length breath and height signifying, The Triune God.

• There is only one item of

furniture – the holiest in the tabernacle, the Ark of the

Covenant. [At the death of Jesus this was the veil that was torn

from top to bottom]• Matthew 27:50-51

• 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His

spirit.51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from

top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,

The Holy of Holies• We also have the Mercy seat and

the two golden cherubim that face each other signifying the

presence of GOD Himself.• The Ten Commandments signifying the law in our hearts

and manna supernatural provision.

• However, we must notice that there is no natural or artificial

light here the illumination here is GOD HIMSELF.

• Here we are totally dependent on God he is our life our sufficiency,

our source for everything.• This is God desire and destination

for His Children.

What has this to with the church?

• Revelation 1:9-11• I, John, both your brother and

companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of

Jesus Christ.10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a

trumpet,11 saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are

in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis,

to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”

What has this to with the church?

• Revelation 1:12-15• 12 Then I turned to see the voice

that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden

lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the

Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a

golden band.14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of

fire;15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His

voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right

hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword,

and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.

What has this to with the church?

• Revelation 1:17-20• 17 And when I saw Him, I fell at

His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18 “I am He who

lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I

have the keys of Hades and of Death.19 “Write the things which

you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. 20 “The

mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and

the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are

the seven churches.

What has this to with the church?

• Notice John heard the voice behind him and turned

around to hear the voice and saw Jesus in the midst of the

candlesticks but the candlesticks are the churches in other words the CHURCH is

in the second dimension.• This means there is more than being in church than we have faced there is more in God than we have considered so far in our walk with God.• Death, Burial and

Resurrection

What has this to with the church?

• It seems we have assumed that the church is the end for

which Christ died, the church is not in the holy of holies it is

the pathway we must pass to it but not our destination. • Remember the book of

Corinthians and Ephesians’ say that God has set some in the church, Apostles, Prophets,

Evangelists, Pastors and teachers, to perfect or mature the saints. “To do the work of

the ministry and to edify or build up the body.”

Conclusions

• We are to be prepared and equipped in church to go

further not stay but go into that place in God.

• What does it entail; it is living a Christian life after church. Going out to save souls, helping the poor 

and the needy.• Do you know that God 

never asked the unbeliever to go to church but we are asked to go the 

unbeliever?

Conclusions• We seem to feel we have

arrived by being in church but we need to go beyond

church in worship and relationship with God.• Let me challenge you today if we have become

boring and isolated ourselves from

unbelievers and church has become where we get

our shots something is wrong

Conclusions• Unbelievers are not excited

about our lives and not attracted to church as many

have become mechanical and predictable.

• This brings us into the kingdom principle the church is not the

kingdom of God but the church is in the kingdom.

• Kingdom is a sphere of influence by a King God wants us to increase his kingdom or

influence we assume he wants us to win people to our church.

• The Kingdom of God is the 3rd

Dimension of God.

Conclusions• We are to influence people in

every aspect of our life the church is the largest light under a bushel especially in our daily

secular life touch their life’s and bring the kingdom to bear.• Then we can bring them to

church or the school for the principal or pastor to care for the till graduation into life not

huge cribs afraid to bring God’s influence to our surrounding.

• We can’t keep preaching over the heads of hundreds to save one soul or two when we can win them and bring them to be taught and equipped to 

bring others.

Parable - Luke 8:3-10 • 5“A sower went out to sow his

seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it

was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. 6“Some fell on rock; and as

soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it

lacked moisture. 7“And some fell among thorns, and the

thorns sprang up with it and choked it. 8“But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and

yielded a crop a hundredfold.”

Parable - Luke 8:3-10 • When He had said these things

He cried, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” 9Then His disciples asked Him, saying,

“What does this parable mean?” 10And He said, “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of

God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that ‘Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand.’ (11)Now the parable is this: The seed is

the word of God.

Matthew 13:35-39

• 36Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him,

saying, “Explain to us the parable of the tares of the

field.” 37He answered and said to them: “He who sows the

good seed is the Son of Man. 38“The field is the world, the

good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. 39“The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are

the angels.

Seed, The Word or People • The WORD Luke 8:11 • (11)Now the parable is this: The

seed is the word of God.• CHIDREN OF GOD Matthew 13:38 • (38) The field is the world; the

good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the

children of the wicked one;• HOW ?John 1:14 KJV

• (14) And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and

we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,)

full of grace and truth.• You are the word going to work or ministry, The kingdom is forged in 

the world [Egypt] not in the church.