What Color is Heaven by Vision House Publishers

What Color Is Heaven?

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Published by Vision House Publishers www.visionhousepublishers.com

What Color is Heaven

Table of Contents

Biblical meaning of different Colors

Chapter One

Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Instructions for Moses

Chapter Two

Colors of Heaven

Chapter Three

Ephod

Chapter Four

Acacia Wood

Chapter Five

The Holy City of Jerusalem

Chapter Six

The Perfect Tabernacle

Chapter Seven

Introduction I am eternally grateful to my Lord and Savior Jesus CHRIST for allowing me to complete this book. You will discover that the beginning of your life is the start of a journey to eternity. From the earthly tabernacle to the New Jerusalem. This world is not our permanent home, but a place for preparing, molding, establishing, conforming, and transforming into the image of Christ. God has a strategic plan, he is the architect for your life. God holds the blueprint, and has established the DNA that make up who you are in Christ Jesus. The end result is a precious stone in heaven. We will all be changed, wearing the white robes of righteousness, singing songs of praises to his glorious name. This book teaches us about God’s glory through his wonderful colors, and how God’s earthly tabernacle was symbolic of that more Perfect Tabernacle, who is Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. —L. C. TARDY

What Color is Heaven

Introduction: Colorful Banners, Dance silks & Flags of Praise

Majesty

Purple and blue - We show honor and reverence for our God who has placed us in a position of royalty under His true and righteous rulership.

Psalm 8:1 O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. 5

Shekinah Glory The Presence of the Lord would fill the holy of holies.

Exod 40:34-35 Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

What Color is Heaven

Rainbow of Promise

Eight colors are used for the rainbow of promise/covenant. Our Heavenly Father placed the very first banner high in the sky to let Noah know He would never flood the earth again. Genesis 9:13 All rainbow flags are finished with four points on the tail representing His promises that reaches out to the four corners of the earth.

What Color is Heaven

Healing Water

Blue and teal - As we allow the Holy Spirit to rule in our lives we will find we have received our healing, physically, mentally, emotionally, financially and in our relationships. John 7:37-39 - In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 9

The Blood of Jesus

Revelation 1:5 “… Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.”

What Color is Heaven TEN POWERFUL SCRIPTURES ON THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST…

Leviticus 17:11, 14 (cp. Deuteronomy 12:23) “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul…. For it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof …”

2. Hebrews 9:22 “Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins.” 3. 1 John 1:7″… the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7″… the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 4. Revelation 1:5 “… Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.” 5. Exodus 12:13 “… and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.” 6. Revelation 12:11 “And they overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony …” 7. Hebrews 9:14 “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience …” 8. Hebrews 10:19, 22 “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus … Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience …” 9. Exodus 29:37 “Seven days thou shalt make an atonement for the altar, and sanctify it; and it shall be an altar most holy…”

What Color is Heaven 10. Hebrews 13:12 “Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.”

God's Glory

Yellow, golden yellow to gold - As we walk out our lives in faith even through the difficult times we are purified to the point where our lives bring glory unto God. Exodus 33:17-23 17

And the LORD said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” 18

Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”

And the LORD said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” 21

Then the LORD said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. 22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”

What Color is Heaven

Lion of Judah

Revelation 5:5 But one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals."

Breath of God

Amber, Silver, bronze and blue. The Holy Spirit breathed life into Adam. God lead the Israelites in the wilderness by a cloud by day. Ezekiel's vision of God's whirlwind. Life was given to the dry bones by the breath of God. Genesis 2:7 The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

What Color is Heaven

Ezekiel 37:1-14 - The Breath of God New International Version (NIV) Ezekiel 37 The Valley of Dry Bones 1

The hand of the LORD was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. 3 He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign LORD, you alone know.” 4

Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! 5 This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath[a] enter you, and you will come to life. 6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’” 7

So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. 9

Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army. 17

Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13 Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. 14 I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.’”

What Color is Heaven

Refining Fire

Yellow, orange and red - We can passionately praise our Creator in the mist of the heat of our troubles when we realize our dependency upon His salvation. He is always faithful to come through for us. (Romans 4:20; Psalm 97:3;

Joshua 2:18-21)

Chapter One Biblical Meaning for the Different Colors Yellow: Faith and glory of God (Romans 4:20), anointing (Exodus 25:6)

Orange: Fire of God (Ezekiel 1:4; 27; 8:2), deliverance (Daniel 3:1929), warrior (Psalm 97:3), passionate praise (Ephesians 3:19)

Fuchsia: Joy (Isaiah 55:1; Nehemiah 8:10), right relationship (Psalm 16:11; 32:11), communion (Song of Solomon 5:1)

Scarlet: Fine linen for the tabernacle (Exodus 26:1; 31; 36; Numbers 4:8), Cleansing (Leviticus 14:52), Royalty (Daniel 5:7; 16; 29)

Red: Blood of Jesus (Ephesians 1:7), love of Christ (Romans 8:3536), blood of the lamb, atonement (Leviticus 14:52-53), redemption (Galatians 3:13), salvation (Joshua 2:18-21)

Wine: new birth (Matthew 9:17), multiply (John 2:9; 10), overflow (Joel 2:24), mercy (Amos 9:13, 14), filled with plenty (Proverbs 3:10), new wine (Ephesians 5:18)

Purple: Royalty (Ester 8:15; Revelation 1:6), kingship (Mark 15:17; John 19:2), majesty, mediator, wealth (Judges 8:26; Revelations 18:16), authority (Ezekiel 27:7)

What Color is Heaven

Blue/Sapphire: Law/commandments (Numbers 15:38-41), heaven (Ezekiel 1:26), revealed God (Exodus 24:10), grace (Romans 6:14; Hebrew 4:16), the Priesthood (Exodus 28:31), water of the Word and authority (Ephesians 5:26), prayer, river of God (Revelation 22:1-2; 17), over-comer (1 John 4:4; Revelation 3:21), Living water (John 7:38-39), Holy Spirit, divine revelation (Hebrews 10:15-16)

Turquoise/Jasper/Aqua: River of God (Revelation 22:1), sanctification, healing (Revelation 22:2), life-giving flow of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13), the New Jerusalem (Revelation 3:12; 21:2)

Green: Praise (1 Chronicles 16:32-34; Psalm 63:3), life, (1 John 2:25), health (Genesis 1:30), growth (Genesis 9:3), prosperity (Genesis 30:37-41), restoration (Isaiah 61:3; Psalm 23:2,3) new beginning (Isaiah 27:6; Romans 6:4), fruitfulness (Psalm 52:8; Hosea 14:8), flourishing (Jeremiah 17:8; Ezekiel 17:24; Psalm 92:12-15)

Gold: Eternal Deity, the Godhead, foundation, sanctified (2 Timothy 2:20:21), alter (Genesis 44:8; Exodus 37:2;6; 25:11;12), beauty (Ester 1:6;7), precious, holiness (Genesis 39:30), glory, purified out of the refining fire (Malachi 3:3; Zechariah 13:9), tested (1 Corinthians 3:11-14), majesty (Ester 8:15), righteousness (Psalm 119:127), divine light (1 John 1:7)

Silver: The Word of God, redemption (Deuteronomy 22:29; Matthew 27:5; 6; Ephesians 4:30) refined, purity (Malachi 3:3; Zechariah 13:9), divinity, righteousness, salvation (Zechariah 11:12; 13)

White: The Bride of Christ (Psalm 29:2; Romans 6:22; Ephesians 5:8-16; 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 John 1:7; Revelation 3:4-5; 7:9;14; 19:8;11;14; 22:17), purity (2 Chronicles 5:12; Daniel 12:10), Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16; Luke 3:22; John 1:32), blessedness, holiness (Ecclesiastes 9:8; Isaiah 35:8; 1 Chronicles 16:29; Psalm 47:8; 96:9; Ephesians 4:24, 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 4:7), righteousness (Isaiah 1:18; 61:10), light (Ecclesiastes 2:13), joy (Ester 8:15-17), angels (John 20:12), saints (Psalm 30:4), peace (Hebrews 12:14), completion (Matthew 17:2; Colossians 2:10; 4:12), conquest (Daniel 7:90), triumph, victory (Matthew 28:3; Revelation 1:14; 20:11), surrender, harvest (John 4:35)

Brown: End of a season (Ecclesiastes 3:2; Jeremiah 8:13; Matthew 21:19; 2 Corinthians 4:11; James 1:11), Pride/filthy rags (Isaiah 24:4; 28:1; 64:6), Weary, faint (Galatians 6:9), People (Isaiah 40:7 - 8)

Black/Onyx: Darkness, evil, sin, (Zechariah 6:2; Jude 13; Revelation 6:5; 12), affliction, humiliation, calamity, death, famine, mourning, (Jeremiah 8:21) reconciling Mediator, authority (Exodus 28:9; 20; Ester 1:6; 9:29) obedience unto death (Revelation 12:11)

What Color is Heaven

Combining the Different Colors This can add new meaning and dimension to your worship instrument. Tabernacle - Scarlet, Purple and Blue: These are the colors used in the tabernacle where God dwelled with the Israelites in the desert (Exodus 28:8; 36:8; 39:1)

Bride of Christ - Gold, Silver and White: We are purified when Jesus redeemed us to become holy as He is holy (Malachi 3:3; Deuteronomy 22:29; Ephesians 4:24)

Fire - Yellow, Orange and Red: As we stand in faith the glory of God is revealed no enemy can penetrate His protection or overcome His deliverance (Romans 4:20; Psalm 97:3; Joshua 2:18-21)

Faith - Yellow, Green and Blue: Faith in God's ways given to us by the Holy Spirit brings life to us now and for eternity (Romans 4:20; Hebrews 10:15-16; 1 John 2:25)

Healing water - Blue and Aqua: Life, cleansing, healing (Psalm 1:13; Revelation 22:1)

Covenant/Promise - Rainbow colors: Promises of God (Genesis 9:13)

Grace - Purple and pink: We are adopted into royalty when we are birthed into God's Kingdom. This is only done by His grace He provides everything we need. (2 Corinthians 8:9)

Mercy - Purple and red: Jesus is our mediator and redeemer, He clothed us in salvation and gives us a robe of righteousness (Titus 3:4-7; Isaiah 61:10)

Praise - Fuchsia, purple and aqua: We have joy in the wealth of the Holy Spirit (Jeremiah 33:9; Hebrews 2:10-12; 13:15)

Worship - Purple, blue, and wine: Longing, seeking to be in God's presence because of who He is. (Matthew 2:2; John 9:31)

Majesty - Purple and blue: Dignity, priestly, power, authority, ruler, King or high official (1 Chronicles 29:24-25; 2 Chronicles 2:14; 3:14; Jeremiah 10:9; Ester 8:15; Ezekiel 27:7)

What Color is Heaven

Chapter Two God’s Instructions to Moses Worship the Lord in the Splendor (Beauty) of Holiness; tremble before him all the earth (Psalm 96:9) The word of the Lord came to me in (Exodus 25:1-9) God gave Moses instructions to build a tabernacle, “Tell all the Israelites to bring ME an offering. The offering you are to receive from them are: Gold, silver, bronze, blue purple and scarlet yarn, and fine linen, ram skins dyed red, and acacia wood, onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breast piece. Then have them build a sanctuary for ME, and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you. The pattern that God showed Moses was a copy of heaven. The earthly tabernacle was symbolic of the greatness and transcendence of God. The 10 curtains made of fine linen, blue, purple and scarlet yarn surrounded the Most Holy Place, showed God’s perfection and 25

separation from the common and unclean. Most of the furnishings in the tabernacle were made of “acacia wood,” which is made from a beautiful tree in Africa with thin yellow flowers.

The nature of the tabernacle showed God’s desire to

be with his people. The service performed in the tabernacle was symbolic of the atonement that would one day come through Jesus Christ.

What Color is Heaven

Chapter Three The Colors of Heaven: Scarlet is sometimes used as the color of flame.[citation needed] It may also symbolize the color of the blood of a living person, like crimson, although the actual color of blood (from hemoglobin) is closer to crimson than scarlet.

Onyx is a banded variety of chalcedony. The colors of its bands range from white to almost every color (save some shades, such as purple or blue). Commonly, specimens of onyx contain bands of black and/or white.

Onyx Stone

THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE CITY WALLS WERE DECORATED WITH EVERY PRECIOUS STONE (Revelation 21:10-21)

The first foundation was JASPER Ex 28:20, 39:13, Job 28:18, Ezek 28:13, Rev 4:3, 21:11,18,19

Jasper is an opaque variety of chalcedony (quartz). It is most commonly red due to the presence of iron, but can also be found in yellow, brown and green.”Jasper” comes from the Greek word iaspis which is a derivation of the Hebrew word yashepheh coming from a root word meaning “to polish”. In fact, one of the characteristics of jasper is that it is able to take a high polish and was used in ancient times as mantles, pillars, vases, and other interior decorations. Jasper is named as the 12th stone in Aaron’s breastpiece. Scholars think that the yashepheh here actually refers to a green form of Jasper - which was very rare, and highly prized. Jasper (iaspis) is mentioned in several places in Revelation, most noted being the 6th foundation stone of the New Jerusalem. Pliny the Elder who lived and wrote around the same time that the book of Revelation was written, describes iaspis as “being green and often transparent” which is of interest since today we consider jasper to be opaque. 28

What Color is Heaven

The second foundation SAPPHIRE Ex 24:10; 28:18; 39:11; Job 28:6,16; Song 5:14; Isa 54:11; Ezek 1:26; 10:1; 28:13, Rev 21:20

The gemstone, sapphire, that we know today is the blue, translucent variety of corundum. The sapphire gets itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blue color from small amounts of iron and titanium and ranges from a pale, ice blue to deep cobalt blue. Kashmir, India was one of the earliest sources of fine sapphires. These mines produced a cornflower blue sapphire to which all other sapphires are compared. Our modern term sapphire comes from the Greek sapphiros which is from the Hebrew sapir (or capir). The term sapphire appears many times in the Bible (see references above), however, the stone we associate with sapphire today was not known in Bible lands until the Roman Empire (300 BC). Initially they were considered forms of jacinth. The sapphiros of the Bible is described by historian Elder Pliny as "refulgent with spots like gold. It is also of an azure color...the best kind being that which comes from Media. In no case, however, is this stone transparent." These characteristics describe more accurately the lapis lazuli, and not the sapphire of today. See Lapis lazuli and Jacinth.

The third foundation CHALCEDONY Rev 21:19

Chalcedony is a cryptocrystalline (having crystals so small they cannot even be seen with a microscope) variety of quartz. It has a waxy luster and can be semi-transparent to translucent. There are many varieties of chalcedony, but most of them are known under different names and are distinguished by their color (i.e. chrysoprase is apple green, carnelian is red, onyx is black and white stripes, sardonyx is red and white stripes, and agate is banded in many colors). Specimens that are called by the name chalcedony are generally milky white, light gray, blue and yellowish brown in color. Chalcedony in gem form is general cut in cabochons, as it is not well suited for faceting. In Bible times, chalcedony was used extensively in the carving of seals, signet rings, beads, bowls, goblets, glasses, and other household objects. The word â&#x20AC;&#x153;chalcedonyâ&#x20AC;? is derived from the name of the ancient Greek town, Chalkedon, in Asia Minor, in modern English usually spelled Chalcedon. It is listed as the third foundation stone of the New Jerusalem.

What Color is Heaven

The fourth foundation EMERALD Ex 28:20, 39:13, Ezek 28:13, Rev 4:3, 21:18

Emeralds are the valuable and highly prized grassy-green variety of beryl. Emeralds were well known among the people of the Bible lands. One of the earliest known source of emerald were mines located near the Red Sea in Egypt. There is evidence that these mines were in operation as early as 1650 BC (the time that the Hebrew people would have been in Egypt). Later these mines became known as Cleopatra’s Mines, who was quite fond of emeralds and was reported to wear them to enhance her beauty. Emeralds were engraved with her likeness and given as gifts to her guests. The word emerald comes from the Greek word smaragdos by way of the French word for emerald esmeralde and simply means “green gemstone.” The emerald (Gr. smaragdos) is the fourth stone of the New Jerusalem. Most scholars agree that the emerald was the stone meant here. According to the Encyclopedia Judaica, the Hebrew word for emerald is most likely bareqet, which is the third stone in the first row of the High Priests’ breastplate. Most Greek versions translate bareqet as smaragdos.

The fifth foundation SARDONYX Rev 21:20

Sardonyx is a variety of chalcedony (fine-grained quartz) that has alternating bands of reddish-brown and white. Early Roman writers spoke of sardonyx as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;gem of great value.â&#x20AC;? Sardonyx made beautiful cameos, and was often extravagantly carved. The Romans developed this craft of engraving into a fine art. Great quantities of quality sardonyx came from India during this time. Even Julius Caesar, the Roman general, became an avid collector of engraved sardonyx. The word sardonyx comes from the Greek sardonux, and has remained relatively unchanged for centuries. It is a combination of sard (the stone carnelian) and onux (nail of the finger; the stone onyx) and indicates the layers of color found in the stone. It is possible that the sardonyx of Bible times was not limited to the reddish-brown and white stripes. Pliny the Elder (AD 23 - 69) describes imitation sardonyx made of a triple stripe of quality white, red and black stone cemented together. Sardonyx is the 5th foundation stone of the New Jerusalem. Josephus the Jewish historian indicates this stone was used for the shoulder pieces of the ephod.

What Color is Heaven

Rev 4:3, 21:20

The sixth foundation CARNELIAN Ex 28:19, 39:10;

Carnelian is a translucent, hard, fine-grained variety of orangish red quartz that has often been used for ring stones and wax seals. Carnelian has been frequently discovered in excavations of the ancient tombs of royalty. A necklace more than 10 feet long and containing 670 orange-red carnelian beads was found in the tomb of a queen dating 1000 BC. A string of expertly carved carnelian beads was found in Egypt dating back to 3100 BC. Carnelian is the modern word for the stone translated as sardius in the KJV. The Greek word is sardios and is found as the 6th stone of the New Jerusalem (Rev 21:20), and in the description of the Lord in Rev 4:3. The Hebrew word odem (literally redness or red stone) is translated by some Bible scholars as sardius (todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s carnelian). Odem is the stone listed as the first stone in the breastplate in Exodus. Odem here could have been any one of several red stones known to the ancient Hebrews; the garnet or red jasper, as well as the sardius (carnelian).

The seventh foundation CHRYSOLITE This stone makes up the seventh foundation stone in the New Jerusalem. Also called peridot this gem is a light green color. In the US there is a white chrysolite that is embedded in asbestos. This term today is called the oriental topaz. It may also be called olivine and crystallized from magma. It has been discovered on the surface of Mars, on the earth's moon and in meteorites.

The eighth foundation is the BERYL Ex 28:19, 39:12, Ezek 28:13, Rev 21:20

Beryl (Gr. berullos) is the 8th stone in the New Jerusalem. Beryl is the true name of several very important gemstones, yet a term not often used. The best known beryl are the emerald (grass green in color), and the aquamarine (blue-green). Both of these stones were well known in Bible times, the aquamarine being the most common. Pliny the Elder (23-79 AD) who was a historian at the time the Book of Revelation was written, describes the beryl (berullos) of that day, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The lapidaries cut all beryls of a hexagonal form because the color...is heightened by reflections resulting from the angles. The most esteemed beryls are those which in color resemble the pure green of the sea.â&#x20AC;? This would seem to indicate the aquamarine as being the beryl of choice in that time. Now, of course, the emerald is considered the most valued of the beryls. 34

What Color is Heaven Beryl is a silicate of beryllium and aluminum, occurs in hexagonal, prismatic crystals and is very hard as a mineral, measuring 8 (on a scale of 1-10). See Aquamarine and Emerald

TOPAZ is the nineth foundation Ex 28:19, 39:12, Ezek 28:13, Job 28:19, Rev 21:20

The topaz of today is a mineral that is composed of aluminum, silicon, oxygen, and fluorine. It occurs in many colors, including deep golden-orange, yellow, brownish-yellow, pink, red, and various shades of blue. It may also be colorless. Topaz comes from the Greek word topazion, named for the island, Topazios, located in the Red Sea off the coast of Egypt. The gemstone which was mined on this island was actually the peridot (chrysolite) of today. Thus the term topaz in the Bible actually refers to the peridot (chrysolite). However when Pliny (the natural historian during the time when the book of Revelation was written) describes the chrysolite (Gr. chrusolithos), he describes today’s topaz. The term chrusolithos literally means ” gold stone” and very likely refers to the yellow topaz of today. Both the topaz and chrysolite (today called peridot) are stones in the foundation of the New Jerusalem. See Peridot (Chrysolite) 35

The tenth foundation is the CHRYSOPRASE

Chrysoprase is a translucent, bright apple or grassy green variety of chalcedony. The green color comes from nickle. It is the most valuable variety of chalcedony. Chrysophrase is listed as the 10th stone in the foundation of the New Jerusalem. The modern word comes from the Greek chrusoprasos and literally translated is chrusos meaning “golden” and prason meaning “a leek” indicating the color of the stone. Chrysoprase has been discovered in archaeological digs in ancient Egypt. A necklace which included chrysoprase beads was found on a mummy dating back to 1500 BC. The most famous deposits of chrysoprase came from Silesia (a former Prussian province). During the Middle Ages, it was believed that if one who was condemned for crime held the stone in his mouth he would escape the just punishment of his crime. Though obviously there is no merit to this belief, it is a delightful picture of the redemptive work of Jesus (our Rock) and the scripture that says, “it is with our mouths that we confess and are saved,” escaping our just punishment.

What Color is Heaven

The eleventh foundation is the JACINTH Rev 21:20

Jacinth is a derivation of the word “hyacinth” which comes from the Greek huakinthos. Most scholars agree that it was some kind of blue stone, taking it’s color from the flower. It is the 11th foundation stone in the New Jerusalem. Pliny (AD 23-69) describes the hyacinthus as being very different from amethystus, "though partaking of a color that closely' borders upon it" and as being of a more diluted violet, It is held that the jacinth/hyacinth may actually be the sapphire of today.

The twelfth foundation is the AMETHYST Ex 28:19,

39:12, Rev 21:20

Amethyst is a variety of quartz that is best know for it's rich, violet-purple hue. The color can vary in intensity from a pale, almost pinkish (mauve) color to a dark purplish violet. It is thought that the color of the stone comes from small amounts of iron in the quartz. Amethyst is the third stone in the third row of the High Priest’s breastplate (Ex. 28:19) and the twelfth stone listed in the foundation of the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:20). It is one of the few stones in which experts agree as to the correctness of the name. The Hebrew word for amethyst, ahlamah, literally means “dream stone,” and it was thought that it induced pleasant dreams. The Greek name for the stone, amethustos (from which we get 37

“amethyst”), literally means “not drunken” and it was believed that the gem guarded one against intoxication. Beautifully carved and engraved amethyst goblets, vases, charms and miniatures have been found in excavations. Historically amethyst has been highly valued as a precious stone for the uniqueness of it's color, as there are few purple gemstones

'Gold' (Diety) According to Ex 38 they gave 2,800 lbs. of gold. Pure Gold throughout the scriptures speaks of divinity, that which cannot be reproduced by man. Gold is made by God and comes down from God. Gold speaks of the deity of Jesus Christ. It typifies the divine glory of the Lord Jesus as "the Son of God" and "God the Son". According to Ex 38 they gave 2,800 lbs. of gold. Jesus was none other than Jehovah in the flesh. He is "Malach Yaweh," Jehovah the King. When Isaiah saw the Lord high and lifted up as the King in all His glory John in the New Testament tell us that it was Jesus that he saw: John 12:41 These things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him.

What Color is Heaven 'Silver' (Redemption) Silver came to 9,600 lbs. Throughout the Scriptures, silver figuratively speaks of redemption. It was always used as redemption money: Ex 30:16 "And you shall take the redemption money of the children of Israel, and shall appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of meeting, that it may be a memorial for the children of Israel before the LORD, to make atonement for yourselves." The tabernacle stood upon sockets of silver. Both Joseph and Jesus were sold for silver. Judas was paid off in silver as the Scriptures said. Silver is redemption money. Silver is symbolic of the redemption that comes through Jesus Christ and Him alone. It prefigures the preciousness of Christ as the ransom for sinners. Notice also that there is no silver mentioned in heaven. The people will already have been redeemed. Mark 10:45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

'Purple' (Royalty) The Hebrews would get this color from mixing blue and scarlet together. This deep red-purple color was a color of royalty (Kingly). Judg 8:26 ornaments, pendants, and purple robes which were on the kings of Midian, and besides the chains that were around their camels' necks. The color purple typifies Jesus as King of king's and Lord of lord's, but there is another important truth. The mixing of blue and scarlet. Blue speaks of that which comes down from above, and scarlet, as we shall see, represents blood and death, sacrifice. Purple is a combination of both, which speaks of Christ as both God and Man, the Man who came from heaven to die. In some mysterious way He took upon Himself the likeness of sinful flesh. Isa 33:17 Your eyes will see the King in His beauty; they will see the land that is very far off. 'Blue' (Heaven) Woven into or embroidered on the linen were blue, purple, and scarlet threads. The Hebrew word for blue means shellfish. A brilliant dye was excreted from this mollusk. This bright color is always mentioned first. Man needed something to suggest the idea of heaven as a place from which God reveals Himself more fully than on earth. Therefore the color blue represents heaven, the color of the sky. Blue was always mentioned throughout the 40

What Color is Heaven tabernacle to remind man that his destination is heaven and because of our Redeemer we are destined to be in God's Presence. Blue speaks of that which comes down from above ("from above" is a Jewish idiom for heaven). Remember when the woman touched the blue hem of Jesus' garment? We see the loveliness of the blue in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ who was not only heavenly in His origin but in His very nature and ways. Jn 3:31 "He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.

'Scarlet thread' (Sacrifice) The scarlet was derived from an Eastern insect (worm) that infests certain trees. It was gathered, crushed, dried, and ground to a powder that produced a brilliant crimson hue. Scarlet speaks of sacrifice and typifies Christ in His sufferings. The crucifixion Psalm 22 quotes Jesus as saying - "I am a worm". God somehow took upon Himself a body of flesh and blood and then died giving His life as a ransom for us all by being crushed in the mills of God's justice. Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

Heb 9:26 He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 'Bronze' (Judgment) A total of 6,700 lbs. of bronze was given for use in those places where exceptional strength and heat resistance was important. Bronze has a melting point of 1,985 degrees. It was important in the altar where intense heat was present. They brought bronze not brass. Brass comes from a mixture of copper and tin where bronze comes from copper and zinc. Bronze represents judgment. When Moses raised the bronze serpent it spoke of the power of the serpent being judged through the raising of the Son of God: Num 21:9 So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived. Bronze typifies the divine character of Christ who took upon Himself the fire of God's wrath, holiness and justice by becoming a sin offering. 2 Cor 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Matt 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, 42

What Color is Heaven lama sabachthani?" that is, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"

'Rams skins dyed red' (Substitutionary sacrifice) A ram is a grown male sheep and the head of the flock. A shepherd may have one or two rams in a flock of ewes to promote uniformity. The ram is forever in the eyes of the Jew as the substitute animal, faithful unto death. This is of course because God provided a ram as a substitute for Isaac on that day when Abraham's faith was revealed. Gen 22:12-13 And He said, "Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me." Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. The ram's skins were dyed red to represent the sacrifice of a substitute. So Jesus as the head of the human race, the last Adam, sacrificed His own life as a substitute for all who would put their trust in Him. Heb 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. 43

Heb 2:17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. Jn 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

GREEN:

Symbolizes new life, growth, prosperity, Freshness, newness, vigor, praise (Gen. 1:30; Ps. 23:2, 37:35, 92:14; Luke 23:31) BLACK: Sin, death, famine, mourning, humiliation, evil, warfare (Jer. 8:21; Lam. 4:8; Zechariah 6:2, Mal. 3:14; Rev. 6:5); Affliction (Job 30:30, Joel 2:6)

WHITE: Creator, Purity, righteousness acquired thru blood of Christ, salvation, holiness, glory (Ecc 9:8; Daniel 7:9, 12:10; Zec. 6:3; Matt. 17:2; John 20:12; Rev. 4:4, 6:2, 7:9, 19:8)

What Color is Heaven

Chapter Four

Easton's Bible Dictionary Ephod: Something girt, a sacred vestment worn originally by the high priest (Exodus 28:4), afterwards by the ordinary priest (1 Samuel 22:18), and characteristic of his office (1 Samuel 2:18, 28; 14:3). It was worn by Samuel, and also by David (2 Samuel 6:14). It was made of fine linen, and consisted of two pieces, which hung from the neck, and covered both the back and front, above the tunic and outer garment (Exodus 28:31). That of the high priest was embroidered with divers colours. The two pieces were joined together over the shoulders (hence in Latin called superhumerale) by clasps or buckles of gold or precious stones, and fastened round the waist by a "curious girdle of gold, blue, purple, and fine twined linen" (28:6-12). The breastplate, with the Urim and Thummim, was attached to the ephod.

Josephus the Jewish historian indicates this stone (Sardonyx) was used for the shoulder pieces of the ephod.

Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language Ephod (n.) A part of the sacerdotal habit among Jews, being a covering for the back and breast, held together on the shoulders by two clasps or brooches of onyx stones set in gold, and fastened by a girdle of the same stuff as the ephod. The ephod for the priests was of plain linen; that for the high priest was richly embroidered in colors. The breastplate of the high priest was worn upon the ephod in front.

Breastpiece of the Priest Examples an Ephod worn by Priest and Praise Dancers.

What Color is Heaven

Chapter Five

The Acacia Tree The Acacia Tree is an umbrella shaped tree that is very common in Africa. Acacia trees can also be called thorntrees or wattles, which includes the yellow-fever Acacia and the umbrella Acacia. There are about 1300 species of Acacia worldwide and about 960 come from Australia. The rest are all from Africa, Southern Asia and Southern America. The leaves of the Acacia Tree are compound pinnate. It has small flowers with five small petals nearly hidden by the very long yellowy-cream coloured stamens. Often this plant has spines like the Acacia Erioloba which is known as the Giraffe Horn of Africa. The Acacia Tree is used for many things. We use its seeds for food such as soups and curries. The honey made by the flower of the Acacia is used as a forage and it is considered a wonderful thing to eat. Also it is used to make Arabic gum in Senegal and North Nigeria. It can be a cure for rabies used in the 19th century by the Ethiopians. This plant can be considered an ornament for gardens and its bright yellow flowers are often confused with the Mimosa. The Ancient Egyptians used it for painting and we used and still use it as a perfume. The Bible states a lot of times the burning of its wood as a from of incense. People sometimes think that the Acacia represents the soul and means resurrection during a funeral. 47

Africa

The Acacia Tree with yellow flowers.

What Color is Heaven

Table of Showbread The purpose of the golden table was to hold 12 cakes of bread made of fine flour. They were placed there in two rows of six, each loaf representing one of the tribes of Israel (Lev. 24:8). The historian Josephus indicates that the bread was unleavened. This bread is sometimes referred to as being the 'shewbread' because its literal meaning is 'bread of the face', i.e. bread set out before the face or presence of God.

God told Moses to make a table of Acacia wood, two cubits long, and a cubit wide, and a cubit and a half high. Overlay it with pure Gold, and make a gold molding around it. Exodus 25:23

'Acacia Wood' (Incorruptible humanity) also called Shittim Wood

The Shittah tree grew in the deserts of Sinai, and the deserts around the Dead Sea. The wood is hard, very heavy, indestructible by insects, and has a fine, beautiful grain. It was remarkably luxuriant in dry places, sometimes attaining a height of twenty feet. 50

What Color is Heaven It had lovely yellow flowers and its insect-resisting Acacia wood was used in making mummy cases. This Acacia wood undoubtedly speaks of the incorruptible humanity of Christ, for we are told that His humanity would never see corruption. Ps 16:10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. He was the truly human One, "the man Christ Jesus". The Bible calls Him, "the son of Mary", and the "son of man". A body was prepared for Him: Heb 10:5 Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: "Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me. And that body He still possesses in a glorified form. "This same Jesus" is in heaven right now and one day will return for us and glorify us also: 1 Jn 3:2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. Rom 8:18-21 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation 51

itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

'Oil' (The Spirits anointing) The oil was obtained by crushing the olive berries of the land. Oil, as we know, was the liquid used when the prophet, priest, and king were anointed in Old Testament times. And because of passages like: 1 Jn 2:20-21 20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. 1 Sam 16:13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah. Is 32:15 Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is counted as a forest. We have scriptural authority for seeing the oil as a type of the Holy Spirit. In the Bible the olive tree is symbolic of many things: a) Beauty Hos 14:6 His branches shall spread; his beauty shall be like an olive tree, and his fragrance like Lebanon. 52

What Color is Heaven b) Fertility Ps 52:8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever. c) Richness Judg 9:9 But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? The Holy Spirit, then, as olive oil, is the One who possesses all that man needs for life and godliness. Richness, fertility, and beauty are all His in an abundant measure. Jesus was anointed by God as prophet, priest, and king. Everything Christ did was filled with richness, fertility, and beauty because He was the temple of the Holy Spirit and filled with all fulness: Jn 3:34 "For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. It is interesting that the olives weren't beaten or pressed but crushed. So Jesus was crushed in the Garden of Gethsemane (Heb. Oil Press) and then by the very wrath of God on a Roman cross, as the Scriptures say: Is 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to crush him; he hath put him shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 53

The anointing oil was restricted for tabernacle use only, anyone violating the command was put to death. The olive oil was to be pure and nothing but pure because it represents the HOLY Spirit of Christ. The word "Christ" is the Greek word for the Hebrew "Mashiach" (Messiah) which means "the anointed One". It literally means "to smear" as with oil. The oil was also used to anoint the Holy Tabernacle and its furniture, and to light the golden lampstand.

Jesus is the light of the world. Lampstand: Make a lampstand of pure gold, and hammer it out, base and shaft; its flowerlike cups, buds and blossoms, shall be of one piece with it.(Exodus 25:31) Each of the six branches ended in a cup made like an open almond flower. The seven oil lamps resting in the flower petals were like small bowls.

The decoration was so exquisite and intricate that God commanded that only the most highly skilled craftsmen anointed by the Holy Spirit should make it. No measurements are given as to its exact size (who can measure the light of God?). The seven oil lamps resting in the flower petals were like small 54

What Color is Heaven bowls. A flax or linen wick would be placed in the lamp and the fire was never to go out (Lev. 24:2). Twice every day, morning and evening, a priest attended to the wick and replenished the pure beaten olive oil for the lamps ( Ex 30:7). Ex 27:20-21 "And you shall command the children of Israel that they bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to cause the lamp to burn continually. "In the tabernacle of meeting, outside the veil which is before the Testimony, Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening until morning before the LORD. It shall be a statute forever to their generations on behalf of the children of Israel. The golden lampstand was the only source of light in the holy place. Its primary purpose was to give light in front of it. It was to shine on the table of shewbread and never to be put out. It was never to stop shining. This was a constant reminder that God was with His people. The Bible says that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. When the apostle John said, "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men and the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it," he was referring to Jesus coming into the world. Jesus made the world and created life and came to bring Gods life to fallen man but since man is in darkness apart from Jesus they could not comprehend the light that comes with the life of God. The golden lampstand illuminated the shewbread and so God illuminates His people. The Spirit of God illuminates the dark mind of man to the knowledge of God and to spiritual life. John went on to say, "That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and 55

the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." Man is blind apart from Jesus. Man cannot know God apart from Jesus. Even if God were to come Himself to His very home, man is incapable of perceiving any spiritual light because the darkness has made him blind. The golden lampstand speaks of Jesus as the light of the world. Jn 9:5 "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." Is 49:6 Indeed He says, `It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, that You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.'" Is 4:2 In that day the Branch of the LORD shall be beautiful and glorious; Is 11:1-2 There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.

What Color is Heaven Ps 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Ps 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Matt 4:16 The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." Jn 1:4-5 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. Jn 3:19-21 "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. "For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. "But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God." Jn 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." Eph 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 57

Eph 5:14 Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light." Phil 2:15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, Matt 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. 1 Pet 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 1 Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. Matt 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden

What Color is Heaven

The Ark was overlaid with pure gold and had a gold crown. The ark rested on the dirt floor of the Holy of Holies with its four gold rings that the gold poles were inserted through and left permanently in position The ark of the Covenant was a picture of Jesus Christ. The Acacia wood speaks of the indestructible humanity of Jesus. He was 100% man. God Himself became flesh and suffered the agonies of the human experience. He was tempted, He was weary, He thirsted, He had to learn the Scriptures and learn obedience and to hear God's voice and be led by the Spirit as a man. Not only does the Acacia wood tell us that He was 100% man but the pure gold that overlayed the wood teaches us that He was 100% God. Jesus said "unless you believe that I AM you will die in your sins." He used the same words (Heb. eheyay asher aheyay) as when the Lord spoke to Moses at the burning bush. The Jewish Messiah was none other than Jehovah Himself visiting His people and becoming their savior by dying for the sins of the world and that is the etymology of the name Jesus (Heb. Y'shua 'Yaweh has become salvation'). 59

Jesus condemned the religious leaders for not recognizing "the day of their visitation." The crown of gold around the top of the ark speaks of the Lord Jesus Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords. Jesus overcame the onslaught of opposition that was set against Him His whole life by the religious leaders, the wealthy Jewish aristocracy, Rome itself, and even all the power of the enemy. He overcame even death itself and rose triumphantly and was given a crown, and glory, and honor, because He is the King. According to John it was Jesus who Isaiah saw seated on the throne of glory with the angels crying 'holy, holy, holy.' The unbroken tables of stone set forth Jesus as the One who perfectly kept the Law and never broke God's Commandments. The Bible says that He "committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth." Jesus felt the pressure of temptation at its full intensity yet he never sinned. Even the look in His eye and the tone of His voice reflected the very perfections of the holiness of God Himself. Aaron's rod that budded also speaks of Jesus. Something that had died and supernaturally came to life again. Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life." The golden pot of manna speaks of Jesus as the bread of life who came down from heaven to bring food, the Word of God, to a world in darkness and dying of hunger. It all points to Jesus. Even the golden poles speak of the ever living and ever present Savior who is with us in all our journeying and will never leave us nor forsake us. If you were to examine the history of the 60

What Color is Heaven ark there would be striking resemblances to the ministry of Jesus our Lord: The ark went before the people - Jesus went before them: John 10:4 "And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. The ark was in the middle of God's people - Jesus is in His people: John 14:20 "At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. The people were to follow the ark - We are to follow Jesus: Luke 5:27-28 After these things He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, "Follow Me." So he left all, rose up, and followed Him. The purpose of the Tabernacle was to house the Ark in which the tablets of the Ten Commandments were placed. The Ark was a 2 ½ x 1½ cubit rectangular wooden chest with its lid being the Mercy Seat with the Cherubim of glory facing one another with wings outstretched. The blood was sprinkled between the judgment angels who were looking down and when they would see the blood the wrath of God was stayed. God told Moses to make a Mercy seat of pure gold. The Ark of Covenant represents the “Presence of 61

God.â&#x20AC;? God present Christ as a propitiation, or mercy seat, which means that the Mercy Seat is Jesus Christ. The Mercy Seat did not derive its worth from the purity of its gold but from the fact that it was the place where the blood of sacrifice was sprinkled in the presence of God. The word for "mercy seat" is the same root for the word "atonement". It means to cover, cancel, appease, or cleanse. The Greek equivalent is the word "propitiation". Lk 18:13 "And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, `God, be merciful to me a sinner!' The word "seat" speaks of a resting place so the mercy seat was the "place of mercy or propitiation". This mercy seat was placed on top of the ark and it was here that the blood was sprinkled. Because of the mercy seat the tabernacle was called "the tent of meeting". Because here God met with man: The mercy seat protected man from the judgment of God represented by the judgment angels, the Cherubim. Because of the blood that was sprinkled on the mercy seat, man's sin and guilt were washed 62

What Color is Heaven away and the curse of the law has no effect. The mercy seat foreshadows the Lord Jesus Christ. He is our mercy seat. He forever stands between a holy God and sinful man. Just as the sins of the whole nation were atoned for by the sprinkling of the blood on the mercy seat, so also Christ, by the shedding of His own blood atoned for the sins of the entire world. 1 Jn 2:2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

The Veil Only once per year on Yom Kippur could man enter beyond the veil. The veil separated man from the holy of holies. It was behind this veil and in the 10 cubit squared room called the holy of holies that the most sacred piece of furniture in the whole tabernacle structure was found. This was the Ark of the Covenant which was mentioned first before all the other furniture in the tabernacle. The lid on top of the ark was traditionally known as the Mercy Seat 63

which was considered a separate piece of furniture but one with the ark. The ark was right in the center of the camp and the glory cloud was seen above the mercy seat and above the back portion of the tabernacle. Exod 26:31-34 "You shall make a veil woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen. It shall be woven with an artistic design of cherubim." - The veil could never be touched except by the high priest, and then only once a year to sprinkle blood on the mercy seat on the day of atonement: Lev 16:2 and the LORD said to Moses: "Tell Aaron your brother not to come at just any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark, lest he die; for I will appear in the cloud above the mercy seat." The High Priest Aaron, the brother of Moses, was the first high priest in Israel. He was succeeded by his eldest (surviving) son, Eleazar. The high priest (Heb. hakkohen, "the priest," hakkohen haggadol, "the great Priest") had the highest position in the Israelite hierarchy. Like a king in his coronation the high priest also was anointed. He wore special garments, had a crown, and a breastplate which contained the urim and the thummim. He entered the holy of holies in person on Yom Kippur to make atonement for the sins of his own house as well as the sins of the nation.

What Color is Heaven

Shekinah Glory The Presence of the Lord would fill the holy of holies. Exod 40:34-35 Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. When the glory of the Lord came down and filled the tabernacle for the first time it must have been an awesome spectacle to behold. God was truly pleased with His people, not because of their goodness but because their sins were covered and they were hid in Christ who was to come someday. I believe the high priest sensed a sweetness when he encountered the Presence of the Lord in the holy of holies. The etymology of the dwelling or presence of God is the Hebrew word Sh'cheenah or as we pronounce it Shekinah. The term Shekinah was many times used interchangeably with the word God. In the Jewish mind it always spoke of the fact that He "dwelt in" or "rested upon" those who merited His favor, whether an individual, a community, or the entire Jewish people. Scholars have always seen a striking connection between the concept of the Shekinah and the idea of Logos "The Word" which Philo introduced into Jewish philosophical thinking. Of course a much greater emphasis was placed upon the word Logos when the apostle John introduced his gospel account of the life of Jesus with these suggestive words: 65

John 1:1-2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. It is interesting that when the children of Israel had experienced the glory of the Lord coming down they praised the Lord and sensed His goodness and His mercy. 2 Chr 7:2-3 "And the priests could not enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD'S house. When all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD on the temple, they bowed their faces to the ground on the pavement, and worshiped and praised the LORD, saying: "For He is good, for His mercy endures forever." The Presence of the Lord is always a pleasant thing and never something to be afraid of for the believer in Christ. When the Spirit came upon Jesus He came in the form of a dove which was a symbol of affection and caressing in Israel. When Isaiah saw the throne of God and the King in all His glory (Is. 6) he was terrified and expected death at any moment but when a sacrifice is made and the blood is present, the lovingkindness and mercy of the Lord are also present and the people of God are compelled to speak out: "Truly the Lord is good, for His lovingkindness endures forever."

What Color is Heaven

Chapter Six Holy City of Jerusalem: Precious Stones (Revelation 21:9-27) One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.â&#x20AC;? 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. 11 It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. 13 There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15

The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. 16 The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia[a] in length, and as wide and high as it is long. 17 The angel measured the wall using human measurement, and it was 144 cubits[b] thick.[c] 18 The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. 19 The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.[d] 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass. 22

I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city does not need 67

the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. 25 On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. 26 The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. 27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lambâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s book of life. Hebrews 9 Worship in the Earthly Tabernacle 1

Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. 2 A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand and the table with its consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. 3 Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, 4 which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaronâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. 5 Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now. 6

When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. 7 But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. 8 The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. 9 This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. 10 They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washingsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;external regulations applying until the time of the new order.

What Color is Heaven The Blood of Christ 11

But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here,[a] he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining[b] eternal redemption. 13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death,[c] so that we may serve the living God! 15

For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. 16

In the case of a will,[d] it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, 17 because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. 18 This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood. 19 When Moses had proclaimed every command of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people. 20 He said, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.”[e] 21 In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. 22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. 23

It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not 69

enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s presence. 25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26 Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Exod 40:38 For the cloud of the LORD was above the tabernacle by day, and fire was over it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.

This is the completed earthly Tabernacle â&#x20AC;&#x201C; full of color.

What Color is Heaven

Chapter Seven The Perfect Tabernacle 11

For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance窶馬ow that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.

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