Missives

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In 931 BC, Solomon's United Kingdom was split into two parts, with Jeroboam taking rule over 10 tribes to the north with its pristine land and proximity to vital trade routes, while Rehoboam had the two southern tribes of Judah and Benjamin, where worship rightfully occurred at Jerusalem. But the northern king could not have his people traveling to a different kingdom to worship, so he set up idolatrous worship in the land of the tribe of Dan, a place accustomed to such practices. 

 

It all started hundreds of years before Jeroboam was born, when Micah's idolatry was transplanted to Dan (Judges 17-19). Jonathan, the grandson of Moses, founded a dynastic pagan priesthood which endured until the tribe of Dan went extinct (Judges 18:30). [1]  Archaeologist A. Davis in 2013 noted, "While it is clear Jeroboam set up an altar at Bethel and Dan, most Bible students fail to realize that he inherited and modified the pagan altar at Dan that had functioned for 420 continuous years before him. The archeology at Tel Dan (Laish) provides us with an incredible window into the ancient pagan history of the tribe of Dan in 1350 BC and Jeroboam in 930 BC." [2]  It seems Dan fulfilled Jacob's prophecy as a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward, as he sowed the seeds of apostasy enabling pagan worship throughout the ages. So bad was the idolatrous worship, that God raised up the Assyrians to destroy and take captive the northern kingdom, altars and all, in 722 BC.

 

So effective was God's destruction of these altars, that none were found until 1970.  Archaeologists discovered carved stone in a rectangular block pattern, steps leading to a raised altar area, a round cistern (foreground, picture to the right) for ceremonial washing, and the remains of the altar base. Today, one sees a steel frame erected on top of the altar's base to give the outlines of what it could have looked like. The pointy things in the corner are the "horns of altar." Although there is some debate as to the exact shape of the horns, their purpose was to bind the sacrifice and keep it tied to the altar while the pagan priest did his job.

 

Though small by modern standards, and seemingly insignificant, the altar at Dan was a big deal to God, Who insisted that worship must occur on His terms, under His conditions, at His specified location, and by His ordained priests.  Dan's association with idol worship is likely why he's missing from the list of tribes in Rev. 7:5-8, to underscore God's hatred of idol worshipers. Yet we have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

 

There's a reason we take worship seriously here at MBC!

Altar at Tel Dan, base of Mount Hermon, near the headwaters of the Jordan river. Steel frame provides an illustrative outline of the 4-horned altar.

 

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In order to understand the meaning of the poem, please read the underlined text first, then go back and read the Scriptures.

 

Although things are not perfect For all have sinned °

Because of trial of pain—For as in Adam all die °

Continue in thanksgiving—Enter into his gates with thanksgiving°

Do not begin to blame—Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God °

 

Even when the times are hard—The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry °

Fierce winds are bound to blow—My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations ° 

God is forever able— ° with God all things are possible. 

Hold on to what you know—For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper °

 

Imagine life without His love—the love of Christ constraineth us °

Joy would cease to be—For the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Keep thanking Him for all the things—In everything give thanks °

Love imparts to thee—Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

 

Move out of "Camp Complaining"—Do all things without murmurings and disputings °

No weapon that is known—For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.

On earth can yield the power—Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God °

Praise can do alone—And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God ° suddenly there was a great earthquake ° im-mediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.

Quit looking at the future—Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. 

Redeem the time at hand—Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 

Start every day with worship—But I will sing of thy power; Yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning °

To "thank" is a command—And let the peace of God rule in your hearts ° and be ye thankful. 

 

Until we see Him coming—Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him °

Victorious in the sky—For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.

We'll run the race with gratitude— So run, that ye may obtain. 

Xalting God most high—O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.

 

Yes, there'll be good times, and some will be bad, but— And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. 

Zion waits in glory, where none are ever sad!—And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

 

In case you were wondering °

Abecedary: a primer; formed by the letters a + b + c + d.

Scripture references: (a) Rom 6:23 (b) 1Cor 15:22 (c) Ps 100:4-5  (d) Jas 1:13-14 (e) Ps 34:15,22 (f) Jas 1:2 (g) Mt 19:26 (h) Heb 13:5-6 (i) 2Cor 5:13 (j) Neh 8:10 (k) 1Th 5:18 (l) 1Jn 4:10 (m) Php 2:14       (n) 2Cor 10:4 (o) 2Cor 10:5 (p) Act 16:25-26 (q) Mt 6:34 (r) Eph 5:16 (s) Ps 59:16 (t) Col 3:15 (u) Rev 1:7 (v) 1Th 4:16 (w) 1Cor 9:24       (x) Ps 34:3 (y) Rev 12:11 (z) Rev 21:4

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Normally in our bulletins, we cover archaeological findings relevant to the passage in an attempt to provide some historical backdrop. Usually that involves a stunning discovery, with a direct connection to the sermon text. Other times, as in the case of the church at Colosse, little to no evidence remains. In fact, no archaeological digs have been undertaken. Only a large mound at the base of Turkey's Mt. Cadmus is seen (right). [1]

 

 

 

 

 

Unexcavated mound of Colosse in the Lycus

river valley, in southern Anatolia, Turkey.

 

However, nearby Laodicea is a different matter. The apostle Paul, at the end of Colossians, requests that when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. Apparently, he had a common concern for the two cities only a few miles apart on the same bank of the Lycus river. Historically, they were both very wealthy. The surrounding fertile land and pastures supported many flocks of sheep, and the area became a great center for the wool industry along with dying woolen garments. In fact, the city bore its name for her famous dark red wool cloth, colossinum. When Laodicea was established, it became the financial headquarters for the entire area as well as the seat of the body politic, supplanting Colosse's prominence.  Two earthquakes, in AD 17 and AD 60, destroyed both cities; however, Laodicea rebuilt herself without any Roman aid. Though there were approximately 50,000 Jews in Colosse by 62 BC, her main church members were the less prosperous Gentiles, of whom was Epaphras, Philemon, Onesimus and Archippus. [2]

 

I have observed that where great prosperity abounds, men have time to dream up all kinds of idiotic ideas (such as gnosticism, which was a problem at Colosse). Laodicea's wealth was quite stunning by archaeological standards, as noted by the quad set of pictures below.

 

Laodicea's stunning remains of wealth. Colosse lay only a few miles upstream.

In addition to a public sewer system, they had two theatres for performances – one at 8,000 seats, and another at 15,000 with names carved into every seat.  If that wasn't enough, it also boasted a 40,000-seat stadium. Potable water descended from Hierapolis, whose hot springs and cold fresh waters provided a practically free city-wide utility. [3] These people had time, luxury and ease on their hands.

 

God spoke of His dealings with creatures of comfort to Ezekiel:  Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.  Is it any wonder that nothing of significance remains? 

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What does Oxford university, a pandemic, and a professor being cancelled by speaking truth all have in common?  Turn the clock back to the 14^th century where the answer is found in John Wycliffe.[1]  Wycliffe entered Oxford around 1345, but the Black Death (bubonic plague) delayed the completion of his doctorate until 1372.  Regardless, he helped build its stellar reputation by his bold and outspoken scholarly teaching.  His clear sermons, lectures and writings not only gained him extensive popularity, but also shaped Middle English dialect.  But when he spoke his mind to Roman Catholicism's (RC) odious errors, that's when he lost his job.

 

For instance, when the RC church demanded England pay taxes, Wycliffe advised his lord, John of Gaunt, to tell Rome to go pound sand (well, OK, not exactly but that's how the Pontiff took it). He reasoned the church was wealthy enough, and ought to divest all church property.  Christians ought to embrace poverty as the Apostles did, and if anyone was to keep the taxes, it should be the local authorities.  At his hearing that ensued, Wycliffe asserted the pope and the church were second in authority to Scripture. Not exactly a smooth politician.  He was officially condemned in 1377 by Pope Gregory XI.  His writings were burned.  He was stripped of his position at Oxford, forbidden to disseminate his views, and fell under house arrest.[2]  It backfired, as this gave Wycliffe even more time to devote to his writings.  He sharpened his attacks on the Pope and RC traditions with the publication of several more books.

Wycliffe spearheaded an effort to translate the Bible into English for all Christians to read.  The RC church bitterly opposed it: "By this translation, the Scriptures have become vulgar, and they are more available to lay, and even to women who can read, than they were to learned scholars, who have a high intelligence. So the pearl of the gospel is scattered and trodden underfoot by swine. Wycliffe replied, Englishmen learn Christ's law best in English. Moses heard God's law in his own tongue; so did Christ's apostles."

 

In addition to refuting the RC church's authority, Wycliff "wrote against the doctrine of transubstantiation: "The bread while becoming by virtue of Christ's words the body of Christ does not cease to be bread." He challenged indulgences: "It is plain to me that our prelates in granting indulgences do commonly blaspheme the wisdom of God." He repudiated the confessional: "Private confession â°¦ was not ordered by Christ and was not used by the apostles." He reiterated the biblical teaching on faith: "Trust wholly in Christ; rely altogether on His sufferings; beware of seeking to be justified in any other way than by His righteousness."

 

His work with other scholars produced the first complete English Bible (right, excerpt of Matt.ch.5). [3]  An improved second edition of 1388 was published after Wycliffe died of a stroke in Dec. 1384.  So great was his impact that 31 years later, the Council of Constance declared him a heretic, and in 1428 they exhumed his corpse, burned it, and cast his ashes into the River Swift. A later historian noted, "Thus the brook hath conveyed his ashes into Avon; Avon into Severn; Severn into the narrow seas; and they into the main ocean. And thus the ashes of Wycliffe are the emblem of his doctrine which now is dispersed the world over." [4] One of Wycliffe's quotes was used by Abraham Lincoln:  This Bible is for the government of the people, by the people, and for the people. [5] Perhaps Lincoln considered Wycliffe's demise and modified it to suit.

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Liberal pundits attack the reliability of the book of Genesis; for, they say, who was there to write down the opening chapters? (Answer: God told Adam, and he took it from there.) Conservative Christians informed by research on this topic understand and recognize oral tradition (different from oral transmission) was the mechanism used to preserve at least two books of the Bible — Genesis and Job — until Moses captured humanity's earliest records.  Genesis reveals history in the present tense, as expected of contemporary witnesses to local events.  Oral tradition is extraordinarily reliable, and some scholars have declared that it can be more reliable than written tradition.  It is far from the anachronistic example of kids playing "telephone" around the backyard grill on a sunny day in June, where one whispers something in somebody's ear and what comes out five people later is totally different.

Oral tradition wasn't the game of telephone (left).  It was a formal process of intense memorization by a select group who keenly valued accuracy (right).

Oral tradition is not something Christians invented; in fact, both Romans and Jews had a very long and well-established process of oral tradition. A select group were held responsible to memorize a particular narrative (in the case of the Jews, Moses' covenant). Accuracy was keenly important. They would commit it to memory, into their heart.  As they repeated it, others would correct it; and thus, it became a living record. 

 

Jewish families were commanded to do such in the covenant itself: Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (Deut 6:4-7,12).  Joshua was told this book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night. Solomon exhorted his son forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments °  write them upon the table of thine heart. God emphasizes hearing, memorizing and retaining His Word.

 

Memory was exercised far more in the ancient world.  Jewish rabbis memorized entire books of the Old Testament if not all of it, and Jewish education consisted of rote memory. Why else would Paul sit at the feet of Gamaliel, if not to hear what he said? Many of Rome's philosophers and leaders were capable of incredible feats of memory. "Plato says that the Sophist Hippias of Elis could repeat 50 names after hearing them only once. Pliny the Elder reports that Cyrus was able to name every man in his army!"  Compare that to today's modern adult who uses his listening skills sparingly with 25% accuracy. [1]

 

Returning to the book of Genesis and its reliability, some have questioned the patriarchs' long lifespans. Curiously, ancient Sumerian documents noted that King (En)-me-bara-gisi reigned 900 years. The king was known to be truly historical as archaeologists discovered inscriptions bearing his name. There are multiple traditions of Noah's flood across many societies, ranging from the Orient to the Middle East. Shared memories are proof of the reliability of the Old Testament. [2]

 

By the time you get to the 12^th chapter of Genesis with Abraham in the era of the patriarchs (2000-1600 BC), we have plentiful historical records. All of the data during this era aligns with Old Testament history extraordinarily well.  For instance, when scholars compare people's names from Genesis to extra-biblical records of the same era, their frequency of use and style are statistically consistent with those time periods – meaning, Moses did not invent history. Should it really surprise us that God's word has been faithfully preserved, and thus is accurate and reliable?  Indeed, the words of the LORD are pure words.

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Patrick Henry (1736-1799) is remembered for one thundering idea: "Give me liberty or give me death!"  Even in post-modern America where devotion to our homeland and loyalty to the ideals of the founding fathers may be unfashionable, Henry's words still ring loudly for patriots.

 

God used the fiery oratory of Patrick Henry to mobilize the indecisive Virginian colonists of his day, and then God used this gifted leader in both Continental Congresses during America's struggle for independence. He served as the first governor of post-colonial Virginia, followed by Thomas Jefferson.

 

A patriotic Presbyterian heritage was used by the Lord to shape this Christian patriot. A key mentor for the young Patrick Henry was the Presbyterian revival preacher, Samuel Davies. Patrick's Anglican mother had embraced Presbyterianism during the Great Awakening, and when her son was eleven years old, she first took her son to hear the Evangelist Davies. Many visits to the Hanover Meeting House followed during Patrick's teenage years, and not infrequently did his parents call upon the lad to recite the Sunday sermon of Rev. Davies.

 

Young Patrick delighted as much in Davies' rhetorical flare as in the gospel message and the message of personal freedom in Christ. Patrick Henry later revealed the beginnings of his oratorical aspirations: "I was first taught what an orator should be by listening to Davies preach." A gifted public speaker with the noblest of messages, Davies used his gifts and organizational skills to bring the light of the gospel to America's first colony. (Many called Samuel Davies the "Apostle of Virginia.")  As the gospel penetrated the wilderness settlements of northern Virginia, it also liberated the soul of Patrick Henry, delivering him from the fear of man into the reverential fear of God.

 

Patrick Henry knew that the ground of his personal freedom was "peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." The assurance of that freedom was revealed in the Holy Scriptures of which he said, "The Bible is worth all other books which have ever been printed."  That is a significant statement for a well-read lawyer!

 

The Bible shaped his life and work, and Patrick Henry himself realized the gospel was shaping the identity of his new nation. Here is his observation in 1765 before the Virginia House of Burgesses:  "It cannot be emphasized too clearly and too often that this nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason, peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here."  Patrick Henry recognized that protections and prosperity grow out of freedom of conscience within society. There is no standard for freedom nor guarantee of it unless it is rooted in the fear of God and the belief that God's plan of salvation redeems souls to be free in Christ.

 

How many today dare say, "Give me liberty or give me death"? A true Christian can utter these words because he is not afraid of death-for him, death died when Christ died and rose again. The Christian is not afraid of laying down his life or seeing it cut short, for heaven's glory is unending. What the Christian does fear is tyranny and its repression of all freedoms.

 

After national independence was gained, old Patrick Henry had the satisfaction of seeing America establish a constitutional government that would guarantee personal freedoms for all her citizens. He pushed for the inclusion of the Bill of Rights that made the freedom of religion, speech, and press the number one priority. Patriot Henry's legacy may be summarized from his last will and testament: "This is all the inheritance I can give my dear family. The religion of Christ can give them one which will make them rich indeed." This, indeed, is a legacy for all Christian patriots.

 

Adapted from Rev. Christopher Lensch, Western Reformed Seminary, Assoc. Prof. of OT.  We neither support nor reject WRS. Picture from www.thoughtco.com

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The Greek city of Corinth, capital of the Roman province of Achaia, was the Apostle Paul's fifth stop during his third missionary journey into Asia minor and Europe (Acts 16-17). Corinth was powerful as well as prosperous, as it controlled the strategic trade route over land and sea travel lanes. There is no question Corinth existed in biblical times, as there are 33 Greek and Roman authors citing the city in 89 different historical and literary works. Extensive archaeological excavations allow us to re-create the ancient structures seen by the apostle Paul when he was there, including pagan temples, a Bema (an elevated podium used by government officials to publicly judge matters or address a crowd), portions of roads to transport goods across the isthmus, a colonnaded market street, workshops, bathhouse, an odeion (small theater), fountains, houses, and government offices (see map, below). [1]

The most intriguing discovery was that of an inscription on a pavement near the theatre.  Dave Stotts of Drive Through History offers this description, as well as a video of other archaeological discoveries from the book of Acts: "During the reign of Emperor Claudius, around the middle of the 1st century AD and perhaps just before 50 AD, an official named Erastus paid for an area near the theater to be paved with stone at Corinth ... The government did not always have the funds to pay for new construction, so wealthy citizens often financed or contributed to projects. To honor the patron who funded the pavement, a section of stone might be inscribed with a name, title, act, and occasionally additional information or reference to an Emperor or deity. In 1929, excavations at Corinth discovered a Latin inscription carved deep into the pavement with 7-inch-tall letters which were originally filled with bronze (see image, below).

It translates as "Erastus in return for his aedileship laid [the pavement] at his own expense." The office of aedile was a high-ranking public office in a city which functioned as the commissioner of public works. This commemorative inscription on the pavement mentions Erastus, his city office of aedile, and that he paid for the section of pavement himself. Erastus ... was a very uncommon name. After the Apostle Paul moved to Corinth in about 50 AD, he met a man named Erastus who soon became a Christian and a friend, and this Erastus was noted as the city manager of Corinth using a Greek description equivalent to the Latin aedile (Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, Rom. 16:23, cp Acts 19:21-22; 2 Tim. 4:20). The convergence of chronology, uncommon name, location, and his position as a high-ranking official of Corinth indicates this inscription names the Erastus recorded in Acts and two letters of Paul." [2]

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God told the Hebrews under Moses' covenant that for three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year.  These festivals came with an interesting set of blessings and challenges.  These events were the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which started with the Passover; the Feast of Weeks (or Harvest), which ended at Pentecost; and the Feast of Tabernacles (or Ingathering).  Three times in the year all thy [Jewish] males shall appear before the Lord God for a simultaneous celebration, and none shall appear before me empty, meaning they had to bring gift offerings.  Sometimes wives would accompany the men, as in the case of Hannah.  Providentially, they were timed to minimize impacts to their agrarian work schedule.  Passover occurred before harvest time, Pentecost was between the end of corn harvest and before the grape vintage, and Tabernacles at the conclusion of the season's harvest. [1]  It served to reinforce the memory of God's mercies, to thank the Lord for His ongoing providence, to maintain relationships with their brethren abroad, and to encourage joyfulness.

 

But how would the Jews be notified?  These feasts must be kept simultaneously across Judah and Israel, an area of approximately 82 miles by 355 miles, roughly the size of South Carolina. [2]  According to James Freeman, "The first appearance of the new moon was the starting point. To determine this the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem took the deposition of two impartial witnesses as to the time they had seen the new moon. A person with a bundle of brushwood or straw was sent to the top of Mount Olivet, where he kindled his torch and waved it back forth until he was answered by similar torches from the surrounding hills. Those who responded would then signal with their torches to others further out in the regions –who would then do the same thing– until the entire land was notified."

 

All these feasts pointed to a part of God's redemption (table, right). We no longer observe these, since God said Let no man therefore judge you ... in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

 

Table 1:  God's Festivals of Redemption

Festival	Duration	Significance	Fulfillment	OT and NT References
1a) Passover	1 day	God's miraculous salvation from slavery	Jesus' death on the cross	Ex 12:1-13, 1Cor 5:7, Lk 22:15-22
1b) Unleavened Bread	7 days	Moral separation from the world; holiness, purity	Victory over sin in the believer's life	Ex 12:14-20; Deut 16:1-8; 1Cor 5:6-8
2) Weeks (Harvest) and Pentecost	1 day (= 50th day after 7 weeks)	Completion of God's provision, comforting men with food	Coming of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter who satisfies and feeds our souls	Deut 16:9-12; Lev 23:15-22; Acts 2:1-4
3) Tabernacles	7 days	Joyful reminder of God's blessings during their wilderness sojourn	Our eternal rejoicing in heaven after all souls have been harvested	Deut 16:13-15; Matt. 13:30;  John 7:2, 37-38; Rev. 14:14-16, 19:1-5

 

In table 1 above, several things stand out.  First, some events lasted a single day, while others were seven days.  Historically, Christ's death on the cross, and the arrival of the Holy Spirit, were both single-day fulfillment events.  Furthermore, the number seven appears to reflect a permanent state of change.  The child of God is purified once by Christ at the cross, to forever live a holy life separated to God and (one day) a perfectly sinless life.  Likewise, upon His coming in the last day, we'll look back and reflect on His goodness to us, both from the past and ever on into the future, as we live with Him forever in glory. 

 

God's festivals were designed to illustrate Jesus' work of redemption and salvation, and thus causing God's people to rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.  False religion and the bondage of a works gospel only serves to take your joy away.

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Adam, 1 Cor. 15:45

Advocate, 1 Jn. 2:1

Almighty, Rev. 1:8

Alpha and Omega, Rev. 1:8; 22:13

Amen, Rev. 3:14

Apostle of our Profession, Heb. 3:1

Arm of the Lord, Isa. 51:9; 53:1

Author and Finisher of our Faith, Heb. 12:2

Author of Eternal Salvation, Heb. 5:9

Beginning of the Creation of God, Rev. 3:14

Beloved Son, Mt. 12:18

Blessed and only Potentate, 1 Tim. 6:15

Branch, Isa. 4:2

Bread of Life, Jn. 6:32

Captain of Salvation, Heb. 2:10

Chief Shepherd, 1 Pet. 5:4

Christ of God, Lu. 9:20

Consolation of Israel, Lu. 2:25

Cornerstone, Ps. 118:22

Counsellor, Isa. 9:6

Creator, Jn. 1:3

Dayspring, Lu. 1:78

Deliverer, Rom. 11:26

Desire of all Nations, Hag. 2:7

Door, Jn. 10:7

Elect of God, Is. 42:1

Everlasting Father, Isa. 9:6

Faithful Witness, Rev. 1:5

First and Last, Rev. 1:17

First Begotten, Rev. 1:5

Forerunner, Heb. 6:20

Glory of the Lord, Isa. 40:5

God,  Isa. 40:3; Jn. 20:28

God Blessed, Rom. 9:5

Good Shepherd, Jn. 10:11

Governor, Mt. 2:6

Great High Priest, Heb. 4:14

Head of the Church, Eph. 1:22

Heir of all Things, Heb. 1:2

Holy Child, Acts 4:27

Holy One, Acts 3:14

Holy One of God, Mk. 1:24

Holy One of Israel, Isa. 41:14

Horn of Salvation, Lu. 1:69

I Am, Jn. 8:58

Image of God, 2 Cor. 4:4

Immanuel, Isa. 7:14

Jehovah, Isa. 26:4

Jesus, Mt. 1:21

Jesus of Nazareth, Mt. 21:11

Judge of Israel, Mic. 5:1

Just One, Acts 7:52

King, Zec. 9:9

King of the Ages, 1 Tim. 1:17

King of the Jews, Mt. 2:2

King of kings, 1 Tim. 6:15

King of Saints, Rev. 15:3

Lawgiver, Isa. 33:22

Lamb, Rev. 13:8

Lamb of God, Jn. 1:29

Leader, Isa. 55:4

Life, Jn. 14:6

Light of the World, Jn. 8:12

Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Rev. 5:5

Lord of All, Acts 10:36

Lord of Glory, 1 Cor. 2:8

Lord of Lords, 1Tim. 6:15

Lord our Righteousness, Jer. 23:6

Man of Sorrows, Isa. 53:3

Mediator, 1Tim. 2:5

Messenger of the Covenant, Mal. 3:1

Messiah, Dan. 9:25; Jn. 1:41

Mighty God, Isa. 9:6

Mighty One, Isa. 60:16

Morning Star, Rev. 22:16

Nazarene, Mt. 2:23

Only Begotten Son, Jn. 1:18

Our Passover, 1Cor. 5:7

Prince of Kings, Rev. 1:5

Prince of Life, Acts 3:15

Prince of Peace, Isa. 9:6

Prophet, Lu. 24:19; Acts 3:22

Redeemer, Job 19:25

Resurrection and Life, Jn. 11:25

Rock, 1 Cor. 10:4

Root of David, Rev. 22:16

Rose of Sharon, Song 2:1

Saviour, Lu. 2:11

Seed of Woman, Gen. 3:15

Shepherd and Bishop of Souls, 1 Pet. 2:25

Shiloh, Gen. 49:10

Son of the Blessed, Mk. 14:61

Son of David, Mt. 1:1

Son of God, Mt. 2:15

Son of the Highest, Lu. 1:32

Son of Man, Mt. 8:20

Son of Righteousness, Mal. 4:2

True Light, Jn. 1:9

True Vine, Jn. 15:1

Truth, Jn. 1:14

Witness, Isa. 55:4

Word, Jn. 1:1

Word of God, Rev. 19:13

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Comparative temple layouts, from Biblical Archaeology Review, Mar/Apr 2011, pg.50.

 

Though there are structural similarities, there are fundamental differences which accentuate true versus false worship.  For instance, 'Ain Dara incorporates elements of a mobile divine throne on a chariot, with various men and creatures supporting the base.  Solomon's Temple symbolizes a divine presence with man, fully realized only through regular atoning sacrifices. The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all ... was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.  Men truly cannot copy God's imagery correctly!