Tag Archives: bible
The Narrow Path
Chanok
(#257 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.torahlife.org
Everyone who commits [practices] sin is guilty of lawlessness [violating Yahweh’s law by transgression or neglect; being unrestrained and unregulated by His commands and His will]; for sin is lawlessness. (1 John 3:4) Sin, quite literally, is transgression of the law. It always starts in the mind and most often manifests in physical action. It is NOT, as most people think, a built-in biological certainty. Simply put, sin is a voluntary decision. The law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good. (Romans 7:12) You can either choose to obey it or not to obey it! But don’t be mistaken; it is your choice.
Here’s a question you have not likely been asked before. Do you sin because Adam (Adam #1) sinned, or because you would have made the same choice, and still do? The world loves to purport that biology is the inevitable cause of transgression (sin), if in fact they are of the secular camp that even admits transgression is possible. And certainly by mere self-identification as “non-believers,” the world would never categorize their failures as transgressions against Yahweh. As believers, we know otherwise; it is against Yahweh alone that we sin (Psalm 51:4).
Even more inviting to the world are terms like: innocent victim; unfortunate disease; hereditary disposition; or alternative lifestyle, as more palatable substitutes for the atrocious idea that they might be transgressing the law of some higher being, or even of nature itself. Sins such as addictive behaviors, immoral standards, gluttony, promiscuous behavior and clothing, aberrant sexual activity, or gender “re-identification,” are ignored or excused; and in recent years, simply accepted as the “new normal.” Why? “Because people are just born that way.” And the distinction between right and wrong is just culturally relative, or even more precariously, personally relative. As scripture says, futile thinking is where the downfall begins. (Romans 1:21)
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! (Isaiah 5:20) Now consider that this was not written to the world; it was to Yahweh’s chosen people. Have you also adopted the world’s excuses? Do you actually believe Yahweh created man to be evil and sinful on purpose? Does it comfort you in some way to believe the lie? “It is hereditary; I’m a victim; it’s not my fault.” Are these your acceptable excuses? Will you continue to reject the truth that committing transgression is a choice? Is your current belief system based on Romans 7:14-23? (Read it!) “Woe is me; I’m a victim of my flesh; I keep doing what I do not want to do and don’t do what I am supposed to do.” Or is your reality Romans 7:24-25? (Read it!) “Who will deliver me from this body of death? Praise Yahweh, Yahshua the Messiah DID!” For the law of the Spirit of life in the Messiah Yahshua has made me free from the law of sin and death. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of the Almighty dwells in you. (Romans 8:2, 9)
Chanok (pronounced khan-oke’), you know him better as Enoch. By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because the Almighty had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased the Almighty. (Hebrews 11:5) His very name means “dedicated, experienced, and trained.” He lived three hundred and sixty five years of a dedicated life, pleasing to Yahweh. He was the seventh (perfection) generation from Adam (Jude 1:14). He walked the narrow road and was taken from the earth without experiencing physical death. He became an example to all who would believe. Was his obedience hereditary as some believe about sinfulness? Or was it a choice?
It is in this time together that we remove scales and introduce the true reality; Enoch made the only choice that mattered. It was the choice to obey alone, and not attempt to add or take away from what Yahweh ordained to bring life and death. Not one jot or tittle could be changed, and he submitted to it (resisted the temptation of Adam #1).
His dedication to the narrow path was a choice; his carnal mind gave him every option to fail, but he chose otherwise. He chose to be pleasing to Yahweh. Yes, this was Enoch and he made no excuses.
Yeshua Saved Us
Under My Rod
(#256 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.sufferwell.org
“As I live,” says Yahweh Almighty, “surely with a mighty hand, with an outstretched arm, and with fury poured out, I will rule over you. I will bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you are scattered, with a mighty hand, with an outstretched arm, and with fury poured out. And I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there I will plead My case with you face to face. Just as I pleaded My case with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will plead My case with you,” says Yahweh Almighty. “I will make you pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant; I will purge the rebels from among you, and those who transgress against Me; I will bring them out of the country where they dwell, but they shall not enter the land of Israyl. Then you will know that I Am Yahweh.” (Ezekiel 20:33-38)
Think of passing through a metal detector on your way into a courtroom. The detector, perfectly placed, will not allow entrance until anything potentially dangerous has been removed. And so it is with the rod that I cause to fall upon you. “I will make you pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant.” (v37) The covenant is love. The removal of anything that damages love must take place before you can stand in My presence. This is why the rod is a must. He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly. (Proverbs 13:24)
Even My Son cried out at His crucifixion, “Why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46) This is the fulfillment of the pure mind, as all the sins of mankind, past and future, were born by Him in that instant. Why was that necessary? That He might present her [the bride] to Himself a glorious congregation, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she [the bride] should be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:27) There can be nothing but purity in My presence. There can be no trace of flesh (the Adam #1 previously spoken of); there can be no dross; there can be no defect. In My house, there is no spot and no speckle, only a glorious bride, holy and without blemish! My Son declares it so, “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in Heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)
Yes child, take comfort that My eyes are ever upon you as My rod strikes. “Where are you still holding onto flesh thoughts? What are you still trying to hide from Me?” These are the questions that the rod answers. I desire you learn quickly, though My long-suffering endures.
Changing faulty patterns of the mind into pure patterns of the mind; it is for this that the rod was designed! For some, purity arrives more easily. How so? They relish the discipline; “Abba, Your rod is Your love; do not remove it until I have found You.” These will rise. These are My sons and daughters.
Choosing Friends
Old Ties
(#255 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.sufferwell.org
There is a special time for everything. There is a time for everything that happens under Heaven. There is a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pick what is planted. There is a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up. There is a time to cry, and a time to laugh; a time to have sorrow, and a time to dance. There is a time to throw stones, and a time to gather stones; a time to kiss, and a time to turn from kissing. There is a time to try to find, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away. There is a time to tear apart, and a time to sew together; a time to be quiet, and a time to speak. There is a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)
And there is a time to sever bad relationships. The reasons can be complex, but in the end the pattern is simple. As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife. (Proverbs 26:21) True friends are rare; casual acquaintances are many. The severing will be most necessary with the latter. What might warrant a separation? Some people have an antagonistic spirit and the energy they take from you harms your soul.
You might think it’s a sign of unconditional love and humility to work out a strained relationship. And in one sense it is. However, wisdom will tell you when you have done enough. “The contention became so sharp that they parted from one another.” (Acts 15:39) Like Shaul and Barnabas, some relationships are best ended for a season, and certain associations are best ended permanently. It’s okay to have a brother or sister with whom you might rather part ways. Not all relationships advance the Kingdom. In the future, a change in circumstances might allow room for reconciliation, but there is no guarantee that it must or will happen. Some people change; some won’t.
Truthfully, your first obligation is that which fills your soul, and that is your need for the companionship of a loving Creator. This relationship nurtures and supports self-love and allows you access to supernatural Power. Self-love is the love of the new man within (Adam #2; Messiah in you), through denial of the old man (Adam #1, the “self” will that must be crucified). The outcome: you will become all that Yahweh created you to be! His supernatural power has given to us all things that pertain to life and holy reverence, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the holy nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2 Peter 1:3-4)
A wise person guards his life (entire conscious thought plain)! If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men (Romans 12:18), and if not, move on. A wise man fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self [Adam #1] confident. (Proverbs 14:16) Fake or unfruitful relationships, those that pretend to work but are really destructive, are not pleasing to the Father. True faith allows for old ties to break. True faith knows man is limited in what he can do for his fellow man. And it is not so arrogant that it is unwilling to leave the rest to Yahweh. There is a time to keep and a time to cast away. There is a time for everything that happens under Heaven.
If you want me to
Door of Hope
(#254 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.sufferwell.org
Therefore, behold, I Am going to allure her [My Son’s bride], will bring her into the wilderness and give her understanding [speak comfort to her]: And I will assign to her these, her vineyards, and the Valley of Achor [troubled mind] as a door of hope. She will sing there, as in the days of her youth, as in the days when she came up from the land of Egypt [carnal materiality]. (Hosea 2:14-15)
This is the never changing and ever difficult pattern for the fallen mind to grasp. But it is that which leads to the perfected mind. The valley is the place where hope is created and destinies revealed. And you must make a conscious decision to either conform to this most Holy of patterns or continue to rebel. The rebellion always manifests with predictable signs: anger, resentment, sadness, doubt, fear, bitterness, rage, jealousy, judgment, pride, etc. Each of these are indicators of your denial of this pattern; “The door of hope is in the valley (wilderness).”
Yahweh has seen fit to show His supernatural Hand in your life, a magnanimous gift unto itself. And He has chosen the wilderness as His place for this revelation. But, because the valley is the designated place of revelation, denial of the pattern leads to denial of revelation.
The voice of one crying, “In the wilderness prepare the way for Yahweh; make straight in the desert a highway for our Mighty One.” (Isaiah 40:3) Interestingly, each time John quotes this: Matthew 3:3; Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4; and John 1:23, the translators write, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare a way…,” whereas Isaiah actually says “The voice of one crying, in the wilderness prepare a way….” Do you see the subtle difference? It’s just a misplaced comma, yet it changes everything! It is not the “voice” that is in the wilderness; it is the “way” that is in the wilderness!
Remember this loved one! It makes all the difference and it will not change! And when you seek to grasp it, an amazing thing takes place as a result of your obedience. Yahweh will gift you with a supernatural peace which empowers you to actually rejoice in the wilderness; it is the ability to suffer well! Think about it. The wilderness is not a punishment as it is often presented. It is actually a place of freedom; the Israylites were freed from bondage. It is place of training in reverence; Yahweh gave His people the instruction manual for life. And it is a place of supernatural provision; where else can you get water from rocks, manna from heaven, and shoes that don’t wear out, etc.?
However, once you are given permission to go free from “Egypt” (the carnal ego), it is all too predictable that you will desire to return, as the lusts of the flesh have been rooted deeply in your subconscious. We remember the fish which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; but now our whole being is dried up; there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes!” (Numbers 11:5-6) This is the very thing that causes you to dread the valley experience and that which creates desires to “go back into bondage.” As a dog returns to his own vomit, so a fool repeats his folly. (Proverbs 26:11)
These carnal desires can be overcome by allowing the Spirit in you (the Son’s presence) to dominate your personal choices rather than seeking to satisfy your sensual desires. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of the Mighty One dwells in you. (Romans 8:5, 9)
Understanding this most precious pattern prepares you to receive the mind of the Messiah promised to you; be perfect! “So, you mean that when I finally grasp that suffering is the only road to perfection, the narrow road to perfection, then Yahweh will actually give me joy in the midst of the suffering, so that it no longer feels like suffering to my mind?” The words of our Messiah will best explain. As they tore His flesh and drove nails through His limbs; as He hung suffocating and in agony on a tree; and as He bore all the past and future sins of humanity in an instant; He said, “Father, forgive them!” He had a mind at peace and filled with love in the midst of the most amazing display of suffering the world had or will ever witness. Suffer well loved one. Suffer well.
Perfect Love Casts
Perfect Love Casts
(#252 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.sufferwell.org
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. (1 John 4:18)
Fear has a life of its own. It feeds on emotional energy yet it is separate from the human. As an entity, it exists outside the human and enters only when invited. Fear is energized by all who oppose the Kingdom of Yahweh within (Luke 17:20-21). Fear’s greatest ally is guilt, and guilt believes it deserves punishment. And the carnal shame that invites punishment is the very thing in the conscience of man that simultaneously rejects love. Fear, guilt and shame cannot coexist with love. Remember, it has been decreed “A house divided cannot stand.” (Mark 3:25)
Wrong thinking is a battlefield and you must know where the frontline is. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. (2 Corinthians 10:3) “I feel this guilt, therefore I must be deserving of punishment;” or “I feel this shame, therefore I am punished;” or “I asked for forgiveness, but I still feel like I am being punished.” These enemy mindsets within you, and there are more, are the very foes that perfect love intends to defeat. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in the Almighty for pulling down strongholds. (2 Corinthians 10:4) The weapons are mighty in Yahweh and perfect love will cast out all the enemies that oppose it. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame.” (Romans 10:11)
Even so, everything has an appointed time; in the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. (Habakkuk 2:3) Yahweh’s plan for rooting out wrong mindsets in your life is no different. But ultimately, Instead of your shame you shall have double honor. (Isaiah 61:7)
That is great news. Instead of shame you shall have double honor! The life of Yahshua the Messiah in you guarantees it. If anyone is in Messiah, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17) He is saying, “You are brand new and you are no longer guilty. I took your shame and I removed it forever. You are not being punished; you are being transformed. Fear, guilt and shame are based on lies. It is I who set you free, and if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8:36) Love casts out fear, guilt and shame; and it is I who will cause you to know this at the appointed time.” Hold on loved one; it is a supernatural process. Therefore, do the supernatural and offer praise even when everything seems unknown.
Circle of Death
Circle of Death
(#251 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.sufferwell.org
The process of dying to self looks something like this: denial; then grief; anger; and then more grief; partial acceptance; even more grief; and then finally a subtle change in perspective. Although you might be at different stages in the process, relative to the different aspects of your character that Yahweh happens to be circumcising (shedding blood) at the moment, all of the above are part of the circle of death within the mind going through transformation. We have explored, more than once, the transformation of the mind alluded to in Romans 12:2, but now let us speak of the death that is required for that transformation to occur, and more importantly how our Heavenly Father views that death.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of the Almighty, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to the Almighty, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of the Almighty. (Romans 12:1-2)
A sacrifice in Shaul’s day was an animal whose neck was sliced, blood poured out, body chopped to pieces and parts burned on the altar. We’d say this represents a “complete transformation” of the animal, wouldn’t you? In other words, this is a picture of 100% commitment. There is no concept of a partial sacrifice; a sacrifice is “all in!” And what does Yahweh think of this “all in!” concept as He demands that you, “present your bodies a living sacrifice?” He calls this “reasonable service!” Giving it all, having your neck sliced, blood poured out, body chopped to pieces and parts burned on the altar is not extraordinary in Yahweh’s perspective. A 100% transformation of your mind from carnal to Holy is not astonishing. It is just…reasonable.
And this “commanded” death, what does it get you? “He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:39) And how does this circle of death, the stages you pass through while dying, apply to you in reference to finding your spiritual man? The death of self must occur for the new life to begin. In essence, ego-driven doctrine must give way to Holy-minded doctrine, recognizing patterns, and obeying Yahweh’s commands.
To embrace the necessity of death is to master the process of life. Let us say that again as it is most powerful. To embrace the necessity of death is to master the process of life. “He who loses his life for His sake will find it.” Pay close attention loved one. When asked to die, you can expect to deny the process. You can expect to get angry in the process. You can expect to grieve in the process. Eventually, by His Spirit in you, you can expect to supernaturally accept the process and therefore, change. Every time a piece of the flesh dies, the supernatural occurs.
How many of you stumble simply because it does not “feel” good to change your doctrine? Listen, He did not intend for the death of the “self” to feel good. Rather, He mandated that it be a brutal and piercing transformation, no less than a personal crucifixion. As it is written; “Anyone who desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his stake daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23)
These are predictable patterns. When He manifests new truth into your mind, either directly or through His servants, He intends for you to grasp the patterns and practice them within, and by this you come to understand the Holy process; the knowable patterns. Say to yourself, “I know the death of ‘self’ is not pleasant at first, however, I will not be so quick to reject these painful truths that transform lies in my mind, and therefore, I will walk this out.”
As much as you abhor the death that Yahweh warrants, and He knows you struggle believing that He will do His part, you must walk through it, trusting that He will give you new life. Give in to Him. Embrace the circle of death and find abundant life. He is everything He says He is, and He will not fail you. His love guarantees it.
The Perfected Mind
The Perfected Mind
(#249 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.sufferwell.org
All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. (John 1:3) The mind of Messiah is no less than the knowledge and wisdom of everything pertaining to sinless thinking. And the nuance we want you to grasp now is that the perfected mind itself is a creation of Yahweh for mankind. What an awesome perspective! Perfection in thoughts, and therefore by Holy design, perfection in actions, is a creation of the Almighty? In essence, Yahweh Himself is above perfection, beyond it, if you can imagine. Against such there is no law (Galatians 5:23).
Although perfection is commanded, “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect”
(Matthew 5:48), how many of you are so emphatic that, “No one can be perfect!”? This equates to no less than a barefaced rejection of your full inheritance for which Messiah died. Don’t believe it?
· Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. (1 John 3:6)
· Whoever has been born of the Mighty One does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of the Mighty One. (1 John 3:9)
· We know that whoever is born of the Mighty One does not sin; but he who has been born of the Mighty One keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. (1 John 5:18)
If you continually excuse the lack of effort to reach for perfection, calling it humility, claiming that you are resisting the “self-indulgent” effort to be holy, again you tread dangerously close to trampling the shed blood underfoot. This is not humility loved one, but false humility. For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins… Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of the Almighty underfoot, counted the blood of the Covenant by which He was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? (Hebrews 10:26, 29)
A perfect mind is possible only because of Yahshua’s life manifesting in you and that is only available, or more precisely “mandated,” because of the blood He shed. For those who understand this, there are things you will need to remember. On your journey to perfected thinking, one crucial thing to grasp is humility, no, not just humility, vast humility. This is quite different from the false humility we just exposed.
Once you begin, through strict and disciplined obedience, to access the mind of perfection, you will be able to root out any and all deceptive patterns of thinking. You must first do this in yourself before you are free to recognize it in others. This is a penetrating and humbling experience. Part of perfection is the decreasing “need” to correct the errors of others. Like Messiah in you (Colossians 1:27), you will learn to first pray for others rather than being quick to rebuke and correct. Be still and know that He is Yahweh, not you (Psalm 46:10). Part of perfect mindedness is the reality that prayer is the most powerful and effective tool you have. Ah yes, the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (James 5:16)
Another crucial concept to understand is that the perfected mind speaks only after having exhausted every possible remedy and conclusion that fails to meet the Holy standard. In other words, a question like, “Well, did you think about this?” will always be met in the affirmative. How could you be at a perfected level of thinking otherwise? All avenues have been considered, and the perfected mind picks the perfect way every time. This is no less than Yahweh’s fullness in you loved one. With this type of thinking, how could the solution not always be perfect?
But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. (1 Corinthians 13:10-12)
It takes vast humility to sit face to face with Messiah! It is what will draw you closer to the perfect mind, and when you arrive it is what will keep you there. And then, it will take you beyond!
Acts 15 The Jerusalem Council
Acts 15 The Jerusalem Council
What Commandments should new Jewish people follow?
The Other Side
The Other Side
(#248 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.sufferwell.org
Adam—Edom—Shedding of Blood—Ego—Flushed—Ashamed…
In scriptural context these are synonymous. They all emanate from Adam who “chose” to eat from the wrong tree, and therefore are also synonymous with all who came after him, all but one that is.
It is necessary that you understand what is intended when you read about blood sacrifices. The key element of the sacrifice is always about the shedding of the blood, and now we know this means no less than the shedding of shame. The shame is caused by your fierce and carnal desire to act like you have an option to choose rather than obey. “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving Spirit. (1 Corinthians 15:45) The first Adam chose ego; the last Adam was the perfect sacrifice because He chose to shed His ego (blood) in order to give life (spirit revival) to those the Father would choose to forgive.
You would do well to to consciously practice the recognition of the above words as synonymous with Adam each time you read the scriptures. When you read of blood, think “shame or ego.” When you consider the Edomite, think about the ego of man. Loved one, it is all about progressing in your level of consciousness from the fallen mind to the mind of Messiah. This transformation takes a constant “renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2), and ultimately the removal of your personal thoughts, as they give way to strict obedience to Yahweh’s decrees and commands (mind laws/mind patterns).
Yahshua knew His purpose; He had to eliminate His own will. “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42) He knew that it would always shame His Father, and ultimately Himself, if He chose His own way, if He sought His own glory. “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from the Almighty or whether I speak on My own authority. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.” (John 7:16-18)
It’s quite simple; one side you choose ego, the other side you choose the shedding of ego! Is this not the pattern, “nevertheless not My will,” upon which you should base your own life? Remember, you were purchased for a great price and you no longer own yourself! (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
“And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood [ego], there is no remission.” (Hebrews 9:22)
Abundant Life
Abundant Life
(#246 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
www.sufferwell.org
I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10) If it is life abundant that Yahshua died for, then what exactly did His sacrifice offer you? What is the abundant life?
It’s time for a permanent shift. If your definition of the abundant life is primarily focused on external things, life in the physical realm, then we must submit that you are missing true abundance. Would you consider a new paradigm? “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” (Hebrews 8:5) Moses was commanded many times in Exodus to follow Yahweh’s exact instructions to build the Tabernacle (the dwelling place within where Yahweh reigns). Why? Because the pattern serves as a copy or shadow of heavenly things. (Hebrews 8:5) The physical, in this case the Tabernacle, is a pattern? Yes, and it is true of all things. Our entire physical world is a shadow of the “real thing.” What is the real thing?
Your physical life is a direct result of your thought life, both conscious and subconscious. For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. (Proverbs 23:7) Your thoughts are the real thing! Your thoughts create your physical world. Here is something dramatic to consider; your thoughts are real and the world you see is a shadow. Man’s fallen thoughts (mind) manifested a fallen world. And the reverse is expected! The whole creation waits breathless with anticipation for the revelation [manifestation] of Yahweh’s sons and daughters. (Romans 8:19). Sons and daughters of Yahweh will have the mind of Messiah (1 Corinthians 2:16) which will redeem all of creation. Fallen mind fallen world; redeemed mind redeemed world!
Your thought life is a very individual thing as well, as no one else can live in your mind for you. Your entire personal world is first a thought, before it manifests. Peace, joy, love, poise, balance, and power; are these not all states of mind, abundant states of mind? Is not all of life a byproduct of your thinking?
Consider Jerusalem, the “center” of all scriptural activity? Jerusalem means “city of peace, foundation of peace, or possession of peace.” Peace also must be the center of all your thought activity. The pattern (physical manifestation) serves as a copy or shadow of heavenly things (thoughts). Peaceful thoughts must therefore precede physical peace. “Shalom” in Hebrew is from the root word “shalem” which denotes completeness, wholeness and soundness. This is what His death was meant to offer you loved one, peace! Peace is a whole, pure, and sound mind; a mind so focused on Yahweh Almighty that the physical aspect of life becomes secondary. The flesh can die while the mind says, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34) This is life loved one. Perfect life! Abundant life!