The Local Church vs. the City Church: The Sin and Way of Jeroboam

The Temple of God

Today’s Focus: The Local Church vs. City Church: The Sin and Way of Jeroboam

Scripture: Throughout the Message

Greetings Kingdom Citizens

Now in this message I am drawing a picture for us to understand this local vs. city church concept. A great picture of this is the story of this man named Jeroboam but I will start at the end of the story and back up so you can understand how devastating it is to exalt the local church over the city church or the synagogue over the Temple.

King Baasha

1 Kings 15:34: And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin

King Zimri

1 Kings 16:19: For in his sins which he sinned in doing evil in the sight of the Lord, in walking in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin which he did, to make Israel to sin

King Ahab

1 Kings 16:30: And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.

King Ahaziah

1 Kings 22:52: And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the way of his father and in the way of his mother and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin:

King Jehoram

2 Kings 3:3: Nevertheless he cleaved unto the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom

King Jehu

2 Kings 10:31: But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the Lord God of Israel with all his heart : for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin.

King Jehoahaz

2 Kings 13:2: And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, and followed in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom

King Jehoash

2 Kings 13:11: And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord; he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel sin: but he walked therein.

With all of this said, why would I show you all of this? Well we see this succession of kings of Israel who walked in the way and sin of this particular king of Israel named Jeroboam. It is obvious that God was not pleased with this lineage of kings because of their stubbornness to not abide by His law but follow in the mistakes and ways of a previous king. Now this is really a devastating picture once we draw out the full picture. So in the next message we will look at Jeroboam and get some information on who he is and what is it that he did that caused this pathological disease of sin to perpetuate through this lineage of kings. The big picture here is understand that the king sinned but it also caused the nation to sin as well.

Peace, Love and Grace from the Father,

Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

The Concept of Holy Convocations

The Temple of God

Today’s Focus: Gathering of the Tribes: The Concept of Holy Convocations

Scripture: Leviticus 23

Greetings Kingdom Citizens

This message is going to frame everything else for the rest of the series.

Leviticus 23:2: Speak to the children of Israel and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the Lord, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts.

Leviticus 23 is the chapter in which the Lord is describing and instructing Israel on what to celebrate and how to celebrate all of the seven appointed feasts (Passover, Unleavened bread, Firstfruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement (Yom Kippur), Tabernacles). Now notice in Leviticus 23:2 the Lord tells Israel that also all of these feasts are proclaimed to be Holy Convocations.

In the last message we discussed that the holy convocations are a gathering of all the tribes of Israel to celebrate to appointed feasts. Now in the Old Testament post-Exodus of Israel there was a holy convocation of Israel at Mt. Sinai when the Lord came down on the mountain on the third day. As a feast the holy convocation is held in the Temple at Jerusalem and in the New Testament we have a holy convocation of the Body of Christ at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. This holy convocation is very unique and I am drawing a picture right here.

God never celebrated the feasts in a synagogue. He instructed Israel to celebrate at the Temple in Jerusalem. All of the feasts were celebrated at the Temple at Jerusalem because this is where all the tribes could come together as one nation. Now here is a thought:

If this is a type and shadow and we are to move from type and shadow to reality, then the reality cannot be less than the shadow.

Celebrations of the feasts did not happen in a tent or Solomon’s quarry or a synangouge. It only happened in the temple. The purpose of this is to promote unity. Look at this scripture:

1 Corinthians 12:13: For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Now we know that we, the Body of Christ, are the Temple of the Living God. This is the reality, not the type and shadow. The type and shadow is a physical building. Now since God designed Israel to come together, all tribes to celebrate these feasts, how is the Body of Christ to come together as one Body. Now if you are talking about in one central location in time, the only time that will happen is in the return of the Lord. However the Body of Christ can come together as a whole in cities. When we talk about not meeting in a synagogue, a tent or Solomon’s quarry, all of these represent the Local Church. The Temple, where all the tribes meet is a picture of the city church. Now you may wonder where am I going with this.

Over the next couple of messages we will look at how the Local church is being exalted above the City Church. This is crucial to understand because the City Church represents the Temple of God and the place where all of the tribes meet. If we examine the state of the church now, can we even say that the Body of Christ has come together in a city as one corporate Body? I would be safe to guess the answer is 99%, no, because I cannot be absolute on this but. The Glory of God fills the Temple, not the synagogue. I pray you continue to study with us on this most important issue.

Peace, Love and Grace from the Father,

Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

Kingdom Message: The Spirit of Validation and Hazing: 2 Corinthians 10:1-6

Understanding Pentecost

The Temple of God

Today’s Focus: Understanding Pentecost

Scripture: Leviticus 23:15-21

Greetings Kingdom Citizens

Now for many people if you mention Pentecost you will be referred to Acts 2 and the concept of speaking in tongues. This is about the depth that you will get from most believers on Pentecost but there is so much more and I want to start showing you the importance of this day and feast.

1. “The Number 50”

We already know that Pentecost is associated with the number “50”. We stated in a previous message that also Jubilee is associated with 50 because it happened in the 50^th sabbatical year.

2. Liberty

Pentecost is mostly associated with liberty. What are we supposed to be free from? Here are a few things: Spirit of Jezebel, Religious Spirits, False Brothers and Sisters, Babylonian Operating Systems, External Emphasis, Needs-Driven Church, Preoccupation with the Past and Past Moves of God, Membership, Inflexibility, Titlearity and Legalism. Now these are just a tip of the iceberg of the various things that God desires for us to be free from.

3. Six Offerings (Leviticus 23:16-20)

There was six particular offerings associated with Pentecost. These six are meat offering, wave offering, burnt offering, drink offering, sin offering, peace offering. Understand that six the number symbolic of the flesh. Jesus was on the cross for 6 hours. The purpose of these offerings was to point to the principal of self denial or death to self. Keep in mind you can never move to seven without killing six. Seven is the number of completion and rest.

4. Rain

Rain is symbolic of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. With the outpouring of the Holy Spirit righteousness can be restored to man. When righteousness is restored to man we have the manifestation of blessings. Now, there are three things that come to test the House of God.

a. Rain which is synonymous with the Favor of God

b. Flood which is synonymous with the Will of God

c. Wind which is synonymous with the Holy Spirit

5. Sabbatical Experience

Leviticus 23:21: And ye shall proclaim on the selfsame day, that it may be an holy convocation unto you: ye shall do no servile work therein: it shall be a statue for ever in all your dwellings throughout your generations.

So in this celebration of Pentecost there is a sabbatical experience of rest that comes with the understanding of Pentecost.

Now looking back at this, we can see that we have really missed the concept of Pentecost and to think that it is only synonymous with tongues is very elementary. There is an entire lifestyle associated with Pentecost and that brings me to this very important concept to lay the groundwork for this series. God calls a holy convocation for this feast. What is a holy convocation? It is a gathering off all the tribes together in one place.

In the next message we will look at this important concept of the gathering of the tribes.

Peace, Love and Grace from the Father,

Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

Biblical Reference to Pentecost

The Temple of God

Today’s Focus: Biblical References to Pentecost

Scripture: Exodus 19:16-20; Leviticus 23:15-20; Acts 1 and 2

Greetings Kingdom Citizens

Let’s get right into it. Another name for the feast called Pentecost was “The Feast of Weeks” and we will see this in scripture. Our first reference to Pentecost is of course in the Old Testament.

Exodus 19:7-20

I will not type out all of these scriptures but I urge you to read them. Here in this scripture at this time the children of Israel had got to Mt. Sinai after being delivered from the hands of Pharaoh. IT WAS 50 DAYS AFTER BEING DELIVERED FROM EGYPT THAT THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL WOLD BE OFFERED THE FIRST COVENANT OF SONSHIP (EXODUS 19:5). This is vital to understand, the Lord told them Exodus 19:10 to sanctify themselves and wash their clothes and be ready for the third day because ON THE THIRD DAY THE LORD WOULD DESCEND UPON MT. SINAI AND GIVE THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE THE PROMISE THAT WOULD MAKE THEM A KINGDOM OF PRIESTS AND A HOLY NATION. During this time, after they rejected the offer of the first covenant these things proceeded after the rejection:

1. Giving of the Law of Moses (Ten Commandments)

2. Revelation of the Tabernacle of Moses

3. Installation of the Aaronic or Levitical Preisthood

4. Order of Worship installed in the Tabernacle

5. 3,000 Souls were killed for false god worship

This scriptural reference symbolized liberty from Pharaoh and Egypt

The second scriptural reference to Pentecost which is called in Hebrew, Shavout is seen in Leviticus 23:15-20. This is the actual celebration of the feast of weeks or Pentecost and we will come back to this set of scripture to show you some types, shadows and realities in a subsequent message. In these scriptures God outlines exactly how He desires for Israel to celebrate this feast. This feast happens 50 days after the Feast of Firstfruits.

The third and final reference to Pentecost, of course, is found in Acts 1 and 2 and it is the birth of the church. The day of Pentecost happens 50 days after the resurrection of Christ. 3,000 souls were saved (Acts 2). We see the promise of the Holy Spirit and the Eternal Covenant of Sonship come into existence and availability to the lost sons of promise.

In the next message we will look back at Leviticus 23:15-20 and show you the types, shadows and realities of why God had the children of Israel to keep the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost.

Peace, Love and Grace from the Father,

Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

Introduction: Pentecost and Jubilee

The Temple of God

Today’s Focus: Introduction: Pentecost and Jubilee

Scripture: Leviticus 25:8-11

Greetings Kingdom Citizens

What are talking about when we look at what the Temple of God is? Well we know that God had physical Israel build Him a temple and there is where they would come and worship and celebrate the God appointed feasts. We know that this of course is a type and shadow of the true Temple of God who is the Body of Christ. Now that is a broad stroke answer to what the temple is but when we look at our current state as the Body of Christ. The Temple is in ruin in many places. In this study we will dig deep into scriptures and allow the Holy Spirit to give us insight into the Temple of God and how it many places it lay in ruin.

Let’s begin to open this study with a look at the God appointed feasts because it would be at each of these feasts that the entire nation would come together and celebrate these feast. There are seven appointed feasts that God tells Israel to observe: Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Pentacost, Trumpets, Yom Kippur and Tabernacles. For the sake of time we want to focus on Pentecost. Pentecost is celebrated in the third month of the Jewish Religious Calendar.

Pentecost is associated with five things. These are rest, rain, special outcomes, the number 50 and unity. Pentecost means “50^th day” and 50 is the symbol of liberty. In the 50^th Sabbath year is called the Jubilee year which is a celebration of liberty and restoration. Let me show you in scripture:

Leviticus 25:8-10: And thou shalt number seven Sabbaths of years unto thee, seven times seven years; and the space of the seven Sabbaths of years shall be unto thee forty and nine years. THEN SHALT THOU CAUSE THE TRUMPET OF THE JUBILE TO SOUND ON THE TENTH DAY OF THE SEVENTH MONTH, IN THE DAY OF ATONEMENT (YOM KIPPUR) SHALL YE MAKE THE TRUMPET SOUND THROUGHOUT ALL YOUR LAND. And you shall hallow (sanctify) the FIFTIETH YEAR, AND PROCLAIM LIBERTY THROUGHOUT ALL THE LAND UNTO ALL THE INHABITANTS THEREOF: IT SHALL BE A JUBILE UNTO YOU; AND YE SHALL RETURN EVERY MAN UNTO HIS POSSESSION AND YE SHALL RETURN EVERY MAN UNTO HIS FAMILY.

In this wonderful year there was a liberation of all slaves and a return to brotherhood. People were returned to their families and possessions were restored. Leviticus 25:11 goes on to tell us that in the jubilee year there was no sowing or reaping. You could only eat what was spontaneously grown. This year is also symbolic of the end of economic oppression. It is also said and believed that Jesus died and was resurrected in the Jubilee year. Now when we look at this Jubilee it is a time of liberation, restoration and rest.

In the next message we will stick with Pentecost and look at the three scriptural references to Pentecost and begin to build a framework for understanding the Temple of the Lord

Peace, Love and Grace from the Father,

Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

Summary of the Sabbath

Understanding the Sabbath

Today’s Focus: Summary of the Sabbath

Scripture: Genesis 2:1-3; Ezekiel 46; Matthew 11:28-30; Hebrews 4

Greetings Kingdom Citizens

Let’s wrap it up. So we know that the Lord rested in the seventh day and this seventh day was not a day in our chronological calendar but an virtual eternal day. Adam before the fall was a man at rest in his spirit, soul and flesh. However once sin entered in, man lost the state of rest and death entered into the earth. Man would now experience strife, confusion, and sweat as a fatherless child or orphan. Man’s spirit, soul and flesh are no longer at rest and now are constantly at work to meet self-provision and protection.

God gives the children of Israel at Mt. Sinai the law and one of the commandments was for them to keep the Sabbath holy and no work was to be done on this seventh day. We understand that the Law is simply a schoolmaster to bring us to the reality who is Christ. We looked at the prophecy of Ezekiel 46 and saw that on the seventh day that the gate to the inner court in the east would be opened. We understand that this east is not the direction but refers to the spiritual gateway by which God would enter into the Earth and do business with His creation. Now fast forward, Jesus comes on the scene and we look at various situations where Jesus healed, picked and ate corn on the Sabbath day. The Pharisees confront Jesus many times on healing and eating on the Sabbath and Jesus simply allows the Father to bring to the remembrance of the Pharisees the things that happened in the past and how it is lawful to show mercy, pick grain and eat bread on the Sabbath day. In Matthew 11:28-30 we see Jesus speaking and telling people to “come unto Him and He will give you rest (in the spirit). When you learn of Him and put on His yoke (Kingdom of God) you will find rest for your souls. We know that the flesh will find rest in the resurrection when it is no longer corrupted but is raised or changed, depending upon who will be here, into immortality.

Jesus goes on to feed the multitudes and make the declaration that He is the Bread of Life and would show the disciples, by them picking up 12 baskets full of fragments, that there is bread that has yet to be eaten by that generation. Jesus is the Shewbread and the Bread of the Presence of God. Jesus upon His death, He makes the declaration that “it’s finished” and this ended the sixth day. It would be the sixth day that Jesus would enter into our lives and when He was resurrected, A New Season was ushered in and a new day and this is the Seventh Day, the Sabbath Day, the Day of the Lord.

To enter into the Sabbath Day or into His rest, Hebrews 4 outlines everything that we must do and it is summed up in one word, “faith”. No one can enter into His rest without faith because when they enter into the Body of Christ, they rest from their labours and do the work of the Lord but from the position of rest.

Finally we concluded understanding that the Sabbath day is not Saturday or Sunday, this would be Law-thinking but if you are an eternal creation then we live eternally and this day that we live in is the Day of the Lord, the Day of Salvation, the Sabbath Day. Hebrews 4:7 speak of TODAY if you will hear His voice and not harden your hearts then you will be able to enter into His rest. This rest is available to you now, not when you die. It requires you to repent from religious thinking and your ambitions and aspirations and thoughts about God and allow Him to lead you, mold you and make you into the son of God that you are. It requires you to live a castrated life like the eunuch who live to serve their Lord fully and not touch, rape or plunder the royal woman who is the church of Jesus Christ. In being a eunuch or having the characteristics of the eunuch they have an intimate relationship with the Lord, so much that they receive a name, higher than son or daughter.

I pray that this series has fed you and that the Word of the Lord works within you peeling and destroying religion to make way for the grace of God and may you walk in truth so the glory of God is shown forth on the Earth and the creation may know that you carry the grace of God within you. May God bless you and keep you.

Peace, Love and Grace from the Father,

Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

Signs of the Sabbath Day: Eating Grain and bread Part 2

Understanding the Sabbath

Today’s Focus: Signs of the Sabbath Day: Eating Grain and Bread Part 2

Scripture: Philippians 3:8; John 1:14; Acts 2:42

Greetings Kingdom Citizens

We left off the last message knowing that the disciples have taken up 12 baskets full of fragments so that no bread is wasted. Hence there is bread that no man has eaten yet at that time. We also showed that this also represented the shewbread or the Bread of His Presence which had not been eaten by that generation at that time. Now let’s bring this home. Jesus comes into our lives on the 6^th day of our existence to bring us into the Sabbath Day or the Day of the Lord. When he came, He brought enough bread for the 6^th day and the 7^th day. Sound familiar. Jesus was the fullness of the Bread of Life. The disciples collected 12 baskets full and when Jesus died on Calvary and said “It is finished” that ended the sixth day. And now at the new moon, the Day of the Lord is ushered in and Jesus the Sun of Righteousness. He is the light of this new day and season. Now you may ask what happened to the 12 loaves of uneaten bread? This is what happened”

Jesus put the remaining bread that can be ate in the Sabbath Day or Day of the Lord in the Twelve Apostles!

Listen, these 12 apostles would carry the remaining bread (or grace) to dispense in the earth. Now to take it a step further we said in the previous message that there is a correlations between grain and bread and doctrine and grace. Before bread is bread it is grain that is pounded out, put together and cooked to bring forth bread. Doctrine is pounded out within a person, aloud to bake and change the person and when it becomes bread it manifests as grace, power and authority. Hence you must have doctrine before you can have grace because doctrine precedes the dispensation of grace. Before Paul was an apostle and sent by the Lord, the Lord had to change His doctrine and thoughts about who God is.

Philippians 3:8: Yea doubtless and I count all things but loss for the Excellency of the KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST JESUS my Lord for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and I do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.

Let me show you this scripture:

John 1:14: And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

To be full of grace is to understand that this is the inward expression of the being and truth is the outward expression of something on the inside. So grace is the doctrine that becomes bread and when we live and walk in truth we show forth the grace of God that is working on the inside. One of the four elements of the culture of the Kingdom is the Apostles’ Doctrine (Acts 2:42). The Apostles’ doctrine is the current Word of God for this season but it is also the grace of God being dispensed by the apostolic to the Body of Christ. We as the sons of God are to be dispersers of God’s grace to the Earth because there is enough “bread” or grace to sustain us until the return of the Lord.

So in the Sabbath day we are to eat doctrine and allow it to change us from within and manifest as grace and truth into the Earth. When we share the Word of God we dispense grain to the Body of Christ, whether that becomes grace is a matter of the individual allowing the Word of God to lead them, guide them and change them.

In the next message we will wrap this series up with a summary.

Peace, Love and Grace from the Father,

Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

Signs of the Sabbath: Eating Grain and Bread

Understanding the Sabbath

Today’s Focus: Signs of the Sabbath: Eating Grain and Bread

Scripture: John 6:10-35; Matthew 12:1-8

Greetings Kingdom Citizens

In Matthew 12:1 we see Jesus and His disciples walking through a corn field on the Sabbath day picking corn and eating it. This vital in understanding this aspect of work that you can do in the Sabbath day which is to eat grain and bread. Now you may say the Law says that they were to collect enough bread on the sixth day for that day and the seventh day and do not collect any on the seventh. Understanding once again that the Law is a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ and not the actual reality. Hence what is the type and shadow? Jesus is telling the Pharisees in this passage that David did the same thing but ate the sacred shewbread which was not for the King to consume because it was in the temple. Jesus is saying in the Sabbath day you can eat grain and bread and they represent doctrine and grace. These are the two things that you can work for from the position of rest. You may ask, why do I need to work for bread? To receive this doctrine and grace you must seek the Lord of the Sabbath and seek Him with a pure heart and then receive His Word and let it manifest in you and present itself from you. So there is an active process of seeking that you must do in order to feed your spirit. God will not force doctrine down your throat but he can hold you accountable by sending messengers to tell you the truth. Now let’s understand the Grain-Bread and Doctrine-Grace Concept. This may take two messages but it is important to get the full picture of what God is saying because most people are on a Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday feeding and that is not enough to sustain you.

The children of Israel were in the wilderness for 40 years and we also know when they became hungry, God sent manna. Now we also know that the children of Israel carried the Ark of the Covenant with them and what was in the Ark of the Covenant was specific to understanding what it represented. Inside the Ark of the Covenant was manna which symbolized the grace of God. There was Aaron’s rod representing theocratic leadership. Finally there was the Law of Moses which symbolized the agreement and covenant with God. Now we understand that, God gave the children of Israel a commandment to collect bread for six days and on the sixth day collect enough bread for the seventh day and do not collect no more or try to keep excess because it will cause spoilage and rottenness. Now, Jesus collapses this time and shadow and says this in John 6:35:

John 6:35: I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

Remember after the first feeding of the great multitude, Jesus commands that the disciples gather all the fragments that remain so that nothing be lost (John 6:12). Now these twelve collected 12 baskets full of fragments. This was not some coincidental amount. Remember in the temple there was to be perpetually 12 loaves of bread on a table. The bread was called the shewbread or the Bread of His Presence. Now the disciples take up the 12 baskets full and it symbolized the 12 loaves of uneaten bread that they have not eaten yet.

In the next message we will continue this message because it is a lot of information but necessary so you have the entire picture.

Peace, Love and Grace from the Father,

Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

Signs of the Sabbath Day: Extending Mercy

Understanding the Sabbath

Today’s Focus: Signs of the Sabbath Day: Extending Mercy

Scripture: Matthew 12:1-8

Greetings Kingdom Citizens

After giving the powerful revelation on finding rest, Jesus then went on that day, Sabbath day through some corn fields. Because His disciples were hungry, they began to pick the ears of corn and eat. Now of course, when the Pharisees saw this they questioned Jesus.

Matthew 12:2: But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the Sabbath day.

Now Jesus is going to use history that they are aware of to show that it is perfectly fine to pick grain and eat on the Sabbath day.

Matthew 12:3: But He said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungered, and they that were with him; How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only the priests.

Now I do not want to go any further because this is a load within itself. Who was David? He was the King of Israel. Who is Jesus? The King of kings. In both situations we have kings with people picking and eat bread or grain on the Sabbath day. But look at it again, David went into the house of God to eat the shewbread. We know that the temple at Jerusalem had a table on it which perpetually had 12 loaves of bread displayed on it. It symbolized the bread that was not consumed yet by the nations. Now David entering into the temple is a type and shadow of the sons of God entering into the House of God, which is not a building but the family of God and the Body of Christ. In that place of rest, they consume the spiritual grain and bread to nourish their spirits. Man does not live by bread (physical) alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God (Deut. 8:3). Jesus now continues:

Matthew 12:5-8: Or have ye not read in the Law, how that on the Sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless? But I say unto you, that in this place is one greater than the temple. But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath day.

There were priest that broke the law on the Sabbath day and of course God would know about it because he saw it and he knows that those priest were considered blameless and free of guilt even though they were disrespecting the temple. Now Jesus takes it to the next level and tells them that IN THIS PLACE, there is one greater than the temple. The temple at Jerusalem was very sacred to the Jews and they reverenced the temple but Jesus is saying right now there is one greater than the temple and if you had known that you would show mercy. In other words, the Lord who created the Sabbath and is the cornerstone of the true temple of God is here and if you had known that you would have allowed me and my disciples to pick and eat the grain and bread and showed mercy because in times past it was extended, even to those who were guilty of sin as it pertains to the temple.

So even on the Sabbath day, God works by extending His mercy towards men. We being His sons are to extend mercy to people just as our Father has extended mercy unto us.

In the next message I want to stay with this and show you the other thing that is lawful to do on the Sabbath that Jesus and His disciples did which were a type and shadow and is a current day reality.

Peace, Love and Grace from the Father,

Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

Signs of the Sabbath Day: Sight

Understanding the Sabbath

Today’s Focus: Signs of the Sabbath Day: Sight

Scripture: John 9:1-14; Mark 4:24

Greetings Kingdom Citizens

In this story of the man who was blind from birth, we see the disciples trying to find out why this man was blind. They asked did he sin or did his parents sin. Now they ask this understanding the sin is a disease and the way that they knew someone had sin was if a physical disease or condition came upon them. For example, leprosy was the major disease. Now Jesus tells them neither is the case:

John 9:3-5: Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

Now Jesus goes and does something totally illogical and in our world “crazy”. The man is already blind, but Jesus spits on the ground and made clay of the spittle and anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, and said to him go wash in the pool of Siloam. Now let’s be real with one another, this look crazy, sound crazy but when did God do anything that was logical as it pertained to healings and miracles. These were obvious signs because God wants to let us know that it is solely Him who heals us. But why cover a blinded man’s eyes with clay? What purpose does that serve?

In our natural world nothing but in the realm of the eternal it is to symbolize the closing of the man’s natural eyes and eyes of the soul so that he may clearly see through the eyes of the Spirit. Now why did Jesus tell Him to go to the Pool of Siloam why not the local river or fountain of water, why this one? Because to be healed you must go to a place that produces water that come from the foundations of the mountains. The pool of Siloam gets it’s water from a unique place. There was a tunnel that funneled water from the Mount of Zion to produce water in Jerusalem. We know that Zion is the seat of divine government, the Throne of God and out of that seat flows living water and when we are washed with that water we live and are healed. Now look at the man in verse 7:

John 9:7: And said unto him, Go wash in the pool of Siloam, (which us by interpretation, Sent) He went his way therefore, and washed, AND CAME SEEING.

Now the man goes and shows himself before the people and the people asked how did he receive his sight. He tells them about Jesus and the people take this man to the Pharisees to show them but look at verse 14 and this is the butter on the bread!

John 9:14: And it was the Sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.

Does it ever make you think that Jesus did many of his miracles amongst the children of Israel on the Sabbath day and that was a divine design and purpose because in the Sabbath day, one can be healed from all manner of disease but most of all the disease of sin. So the sign of Sabbath rest is that the blinded eyes are opened. We must learn to close our natural eyes (soul) and see through the Spirit. The more we close our eyes the more we can truly see.

Mark 4:24: And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.

In the next message we will look at another sign of Sabbath rest.

Peace, Love and Grace from the Father,

Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

Entering the Sabbath Rest Part 2

Understanding the Sabbath

Today’s Focus: Entering the Sabbath Part 2: Hebrews 4 Study

Scripture: Hebrews 4:1-9

Greetings Kingdom Citizens

I want to take this scripture by scripture, line by line to show you that the Sabbath Day is not just a Saturday or Sunday observance but it is a virtual day that we live in currently right now called the Day of the Lord.

Hebrews 4:1: Let us therefore fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

Now I want to point out right here that along with the promise of the Spirit comes the promise of entering into His rest. Remember back in Genesis 2 that the Lord created the seventh day and rested in that day. So that day that He created was a day of rest. Please keep in mind that God is eternal not chronological. Lastly, he personalizes this day by saying HIS REST. SO THE DAY IS HIS DAY! HINT. HINT.

Hebrews 4:2: For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

The gospel was preached to both physical Israel and the Gentiles but first, to the children of Israel. Now look, the gospel did not profit everyone according to the scripture so let’s look at the next scripture and see who profited and who did not.

Hebrews 4:3: For we which have believed do enter into rest, as He said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

So the people who believed the gospel and the Lord Jesus Christ and received Him are the one who do enter into rest. This is a current day reality. It is not a rest that you get after death. This rest is available now. Psalms 95:11 is being quoted in this scripture. So to enter into the Sabbath is a choice and is available to every man this day.

Hebrews 4:4,5: For He spake IN A CERTAIN PLACE OF THE SEVENTH DAY ON THIS WISE, And God did rest the seventh day from all His works. And in this place again, If they shall enter into MY REST.

Once again we see the Lord making a reference to the fact that the seventh day or Sabbath is not a day in our chronological calendar but a place and position. So where do we find rest? Seated with Christ in Heavenly Places (Ephesians 2:9) in the Body of Christ. The concept of sitting is a position of rest.

Hebrews 4:6: Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief.

Hence not believing that Jesus Christ is Lord and the Risen Savior will prevent you from entering into the Sabbath. Now does that mean once you have received Christ, you have entered into the Sabbath absolutely but remember your spirit is at rest but your soul still needs to be trained by the Spirit to assume the position of rest and to be blindly lead by the Spirit.

Hebrews 4:7,9: Again, He limiteth a certain day, saying IN DAVID, TO DAY, AFTER SO LONG A TIME: AS IT IS SAID, TO DAY IF YE WILL HEAR HIS VOICE, HARDEN NOT YOUR HEARTS. FOR IF JESUS (JOSHUA) HAD GIVEN THEM REST, THEN WOULD HE NOT AFTERWARD HAVE SPOKEN OF ANOTHER DAY. THERE REMAINIETH THEREFORE A REST FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD.

Now this should close the case for you in these scriptures. The Sabbath day is a To Day, I AM moment. All those who will not harden their hearts will enter into the Sabbath. Now watch this! If Joshua would have given them rest (The Law of Moses has been established by the Lord, so the keeping of the Sabbath was in full effect) then there would be no need to speak of another day. This day is a virtual day of the eternal where the sons of God abide and work from the position of rest. Now the last verse says THERE REMAINETH, hence it is available to all that hear the Word of the Lord and receive it in their hearts, today!

In the next message we will look at some signs of the Sabbath rest being a Today moment and reality.

Peace, Love and Grace from the Father,

Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

Entering the Sabbath Rest Part 1

Understanding the Sabbath

Today’s Focus: Entering the Sabbath Rest Part 1

Scripture: Matthew 11:25-30; Jeremiah 6:16

Greetings Kingdom Citizens

How do we enter into the Sabbath? Jesus tells us so let’s look at it.

Matthew 11:25: At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

The first step is that you must become like a baby and absorb the Word of God like a sponge. Children just believe what you tell them. They have ultimate faith and trust that the thing you are telling them is right. So we must receive the true Word of God in the same manner.

Matthew 11:28: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

The second step is that you must become yoked with Christ. The only way one can become yoked to Christ is by faith in Him

Matthew 11:29: Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls

Third you must learn about Jesus. This involves you submitting to Him, becoming a disciple and following in His footsteps. This involves having an intimate relationship with Him and walking with Him.

Now if you do this you will find rest for your soul. So Jesus makes it very clear if you desire to enter the Sabbath today! It requires all of the above steps and if you do that then you will rest from your labours and find rest for your soul. Your soul is the member of the body that continues to try to work against the Will of God because it can only perceive the world from the five senses and not the eternal. Let me end with this scripture from Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 6:16: This saith the Lord, stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and YE SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS, BUT THEY SAID, WE WILL NOT WALK THEREIN.

The way is the directions of the Lord and the old paths are the timeless truths of the eternal. I believe this scripture says it all and many people are at this scripture where they will not walk in the way and in the old paths.

In the next message we will continue to look at entering into the Sabbath.

Peace, Love and Grace from the Father,

Calvin Calhoun, Jr.

Qualifications of the Man at Rest

Understanding the Sabbath

Today’s Focus: Qualifications of the Man At Rest

Scripture: Genesis 6:9; Isaiah 54:8,9

Greetings Kingdom Citizens

Genesis 6:9: These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations and Noah walked with God.

So what qualifies the a son of God to be at rest. These qualifications are found right here in the scripture and let’s go ahead and deal with each one of them

Righteousness (Just Man)

Noah lived right according to the divine standard and not the standard of the world. We know at that time the world was very corrupt but Noah despite the condition of the world lived with integrity and morality. This is why the previous scripture, Genesis 6:8 says that God found grace in Noah.

Perfect

This perfect is not sinless but Noah lived a completely submitted life unto the Lord. In every aspect of his existence, he lived for God.

Walked with God

This is an intimate relationship with God, much like His great grandfather, Enoch, how he walked with God, so would Noah. Remember this anointing of devotion and teaching was passed down from Enoch.

Favor of Grace with God

When God looks at His son, he should see the beautiful creation that He has made. When He sees His son, He should be able to say “because of you, I will not destroy the earth”. Let me show you this powerful scripture to define the favor of grace.

Isaiah 54:8,9: In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer. For THIS IS AS THE WATERS OF NOAH UNTO ME: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.

So the favor of grace is God extending His mercy in everlasting kindness.

In the next message we will discuss entering into the rest or the Sabbath.

Peace, Love and Grace from the Father,

Calvin Calhoun, Jr.