This letter is a rewrite from a 1992 message which takes us back to the time of Moses. He was instructed to build a sanctuary for the LORD. (Ex.25:8). The tabernacle had three parts: the outer court, the inner court or holy place, and the Most Holy place where God dwelled. (Exodus, Chapters 25-26; 35-40). This relates to three separate compartments in all temples of Jesus, the people who believe on Him. We have an outer court, the body; and inner court, the mind; and the most holy place, our spirit where the Spirit of God resides. With this in mind we can continue.

In order to light the tabernacle, God had Moses oversee the construction of a seven pipe lampstand. Then God said, use pure olive oil beaten for the light, and cause the lamp to burn always. Levite priests continually tended the lampstand, keeping it full of oil. (Re: Exodus 27:20 21). Notice that lamp oil has to be replenished perpetually or the lamp will go out. This relates to the message recorded in Matthew 25:1-13, and lamp oil relates to Christ's Spirit in people who accept Him as their LORD. Paul wrote, "And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness." (Romans 8:10). To the Ephesians he wrote, ". . . be filled with the Spirit;" (Eph. 5:18). In this text, the English word "filled" replaced a Greek word written in the present imperative tense; it commands us to do something which involves continuous or repeated action, re. lamp oil.

In addition to lamp oil, God told Moses to blend olive oil with sweet spices for an anointing oil. As Levites became thirty years of age, they were prepared for the priesthood. The High Priest washed them with water and poured this oil upon their heads, baptizing them into the priesthood. However, the High Priest was forbidden, by God, from pouring anointing oil upon any stranger, one not born a Levite. In order to better understand this, read Exodus 30:22-33.

After Paul wrote about lamp oil (Rom. 8:10), he wrote, But [on the other hand] if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead [the Holy Spirit] dwell in you, he that raised up up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. (Rom. 8:11). This is anointing oil from above. Instead of sweet spices it is blended with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. (See I Corinthians, Chapter 12). It relates to the anointing oil of Exodus, Chapter 30. It, too, is never poured upon a stranger to God. It is poured only on believers, those men and women who have received lamp oil. The standard was set when Jesus was baptized in water and then with the Holy Ghost. It was also emphasized on the day of Pentecost, A.D 33. (Acts, Chapter 2).

Although lamp oil is the oil of salvation, the anointing oil should not be ignored. When this oil is poured upon a person, they are anointed into the omnipotent spiritual priesthood, under the High Priest, Jesus; and He became a priest after the order of Melchizedek (Heb. 7:15-21). The anointed ones receive power and instructions to do the works of God. (Acts 1:8; John 14:12; Mark 16:16-18). When men see God's power in action, they desire to make Jesus their Lord. This is why Peter could speak and 5,000 people were save. God is forever the same;
therefore, His program is always the same. Isn't it good that we have examples in the Old Testament which allow us to understand the spiritual things of the New Testament?
Feel free to copy this letter and pass it along.

Dean Hubbard