Prepare the Way for the Lord
John the Baptist was the fore-runner and spokesman of the message of Jesus Christ, the Messiah of God. He introduced the people to the foundational principles required in preparation for Jesus’ time of being revealed and anointed. John was the true high priest, the son of Zachariah and Elizabeth yet he was ministering to the people outside the walls of the temple and the city. His ministry was extremely pertinent, for he was spoken of in scripture as the prophet having the spirit of Elijah proclaiming the coming of the Lord. We will see this ministry again as the Kingdom comes closer to being manifest in the earth because it spoken to appear before the terrible “Day of the Lord”. Those following the ways of YHWH had to separate themselves from the defilements of the world and traditions of men which is still necessary today.
We read in Isaiah 40:3, A voice cries out in the wilderness; “prepare the way of the Lord,make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be lifted up and every mountain and hill be made low; and uneven ground shall become level and the rough places plain. 5 The the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.” Malachi chapter 3 confirms this message of purification before the Lord's return in and to His people. The Father will refine those ministers who desire to become Holy as He is Holy. The tribe of Levi is representative of the Priesthood and YHWH's inheritance.
The symbolism of the valleys and hills perhaps shows what will happen to mankind in this preparation time, (although it could happen in a literal way because of the catastrophies coming upon the earth). Bringing up the valleys is for those who have been trampled down yet are waiting on the Lord’s recompense. If we humble ourselves before the mighty hand of God, He will lift us up. Those who will be the greatest in the Kingdom are the servants of all. The ones who are arrogant and haughty will be brought down because pride comes before a fall. Jesus warned us not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought by “lording” (being in control) over one another. For YHWH so loved the world...love is the equalizer of all mankind in tangible actions/works towards one another ...because He first loved us.
Yahweh is not a respecter of persons and has no place for a “religious” hierarchy. In fact we shouldn't distinquish between sacred and secular because buildings are no longer the true house of God. We are His Temple made without hands where His glory abides. Just as Jesus did the will of God in the earth his faithful Body will do even greater works that bring forth the Kingdom. It is our testimony of having His Divine Nature of the fruits of the Spirit.
This baptism was and is the sign of total repentance which brings inner cleansing as well as turning away from the world and flesh. We can acknowledge that this was not a new thing. It was probably brought back into practice at this time, for the way of righteousness had been covered over by many legalistic and even political ideologies. Today we are facing the same dilemma in having lost again the foundation of John’s baptism and need to return to it’s spiritual roots. The comment of being “white washed sepulchres” made to the Pharisees and Sadducees (men of the religious hierarchy) showed Jesus’ disdain for their self-righteousness. Whether they came to observe the activities at the Jordan River or participate remains unknown. They were concerned with looking good on the outside; receiving honor from men rather than God alone.
Immersion shows the totality of the commitment bringing forth fruits of repentance and righteousness. Discipleship prepares the foundation and continues the work to fruition. The new life is established and made strong. Repentance is a much more complete and ongoing work in a new convert than we give credence to. Christ’s sacrifice on the cross made atonement for all sin, but the root of sin, our selfish nature, must be destroyed/overcome through the sanctification of our soul. We can appropriate the mind of Christ if we put away the thoughts and attitudes of the flesh.
We haven’t yet experienced the full extent of this baptism so have not been able to accomplish the rest of our spiritual testimony. I believe that within a few years, after many things are restored, we all will return to this first foundation of faith in Christ. Then we will see a people rise up who have all the attributes of faithful followers who are filled and led by the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 6 can attest to this for most cannot go onto perfection since they haven't accomplished the beginning works of faith. Salvation was and is a total commitment (exchange) where we receive and identify with the death and resurrection of Christ. The life force of YHWH's Spirit that dwells in our "inner man" empowers us to be changed in to His image. Galations 2:20 states; I have been cricified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I now live by faith in [of] the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Believers are admonished to return to their love before Christ returns and the Kingdom is established. I know that all things will be shaken to remove and replace false systems and idologies of men. Then the Truth will be restored as we build upon the simple foundation od faith in Christ. We will see a poeple rise up who have all the attributes of faithful followers of the Lamb; filled and led by the Holy Spirit. Just as Yahsha/Jesus did the will of the Father in the earth, the faithful Body will do greater works to bring forth the Kingdom.
The traditional place for John’s baptism took place at the head waters (living springs) of the Jordan. The community of faithful believers were living in the caves around this area and were called Essenes. Another faction of that area were Ebionites which means elect poor. Many of the Dead Sea scrolls of Wadi Qumran came from this group. Some scholars state that Jesus was probably a Nazarite (rather than the popular view that he was from Nazareth) meaning that he lived a very disciplined life. Those of this sect took vows that separate them from the worldly systems and tradition of men. Sampson’s story in Judges chapter 13 shares about some of these practices but I don't think they were exactly the same because of what is written in the Dead Sea scrolls and other documents about this community at this time.
Many things that we have read about John have been misinterpretations too. One rather strange one is that he ate locusts and wild honey. It is possible that he ate of the Locust or Carob tree which was prevalent in the middle east (although there is a practice of eating locusts). The pods have a nutty flavor and are very nutritious. More importantly, rather than wearing camel’s hair he wore coarse white linen which was appropriate for a humble priest. Material used for “sack cloth” had changed by the time of the Crusades and assumed to be camel’s hair. The man/witness of Ezekiel 8 with the inkhorn is representative of John the Baptist. This figure appears again in Revelation as the one who measures the Temple of God.
To understand and accomplish the destiny of our lives in Christ we must get rid of empty traditions of men that cause confusion and apathy. This begins through being baptized into Messiah's“death “(to our flesh). As he identified with us as sinners we must learn to identify with him as an Overcomer/Son through the flow of spiritual life in the inner man. Some think that through will-power and hard effort they can please God but it is done through works of faith by His Spirit. He will renew/sanctify us from the inside out with His strength. This power is not found in just understanding correct doctrines or any knowledge about YHWH but only as we have an abiding relationship with the Most High. To know the Father (intimately) is eternal life. We must draw near diligently with reverent worship allowing Yahweh to be all in all. He then becomes to and in us the Great I Am, all that we need for life and godliness to be accomplished in our hearts and lives in experience.
Through the Spirit, we mortify (kill) the works of the flesh and find the power to be obedient. He then increases as we decrease. We can’t expect Him to fill a vessel that is already full (of itself and the world). The Holy Spirit baptism coming after we are cleansed is meant to be a continual and increasing filling up of the believer with the essence and power of God.I believe that when the 120 were waiting in the upper room they were spending a time of quiet reflecting and repentance in preparation for the infilling. To take up your cross means to yield yourself to all the will of YHWH with the expectation of His promisis. He works all things for good. Our trusting praising attitude of,heart opens the door for His help and the transformation of our lives.
The Jordan stood in the way of the children of God entering into the Promised Land. The River Jordan symbolized death in many scriptures and traditions. The problem is that crossing over the Jordan is seen as a future event, at the time of death, with the “hereafter” being our promised land experience. We need to take these scriptures into the here and now to establish our promise and place in the Kingdom of God.
Scripture tells us that the Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world before we see the Lord return. We know that it proclaims and produces a separated and surrendered life that is brought forth in actions not just words. We hear “come to Jesus” but to become like Jesus you must go through discipline/suffering and learn humility (bearing fruits of Righteousness). We must enter into His rest, the Promised Land, completely by allowing Him to accomplish a Spiritual transformation in us. To walk in the PSirit we must crtucify our flesh with it's lusts and prideful attitudes.
The original testimony of entering the land was as miraculous as the departure from Egypt yet we seldom read these accounts. The Levites/Priests led the tribes holding their banners high. The Jordan river divided as they walked in over dry land. Circumcision that was administered as they entered is as symbolic as baptism in the New Covenant. This obedience by faith began the accomplishment of God’s promised inheritance. Death to the flesh and worldly desires symbolic of this priesthood was instrumental in the indoctrination of new disciples by the first group of believers. It typified the daily identification with being crucified with Christ. We must not think that he laid down his life only the last few hours as he prepared for the crucifixion because it was the continual testimony of Christ that he humbly submitted to his Father’s will in all things, Hebrews 10:7.
We know the Levites ministered to the Lord and served the people in the Tabernacle. They took care of the daily sacrifices bringing atonement to the whole camp. They had to be “clean” and acceptable to the Lord of Hosts. The High Priest was totally sanctified/set apart unto YHWH for to be impure in His presence in the Holy of Holies brought death. Their obedience in serving YHWH and the people was seen in their warfare as well. The battle of Jericho is a powerful testimony of this. The walls of the city fell after seven days of trumpets and singing. As I shared before, the Seven Trumpets of the book of Revelation are indicative of not only this even of entering into the Promised Land but show a reinactment of the Feast of Trumpets and even the Jubilee. We are to become kings and priests in learning to serve/minister to the Lord and each other.
Our own warfare can be understood in the light of the battle of Jericho. God’s presence is found in the praises of His people. We must increase the range of the music ministry, learning to worship the Father in spirit and in truth for us to become completed in the Lord. The sons of Levi represent those who go through the fire and enter into the new day of the Lord as God’s inheritance, (Malachi 3: 4). The original tithe was paid to allow them to serve/ minister unto YHWH 24 hours a day. Yahweh was angered when the Levites were forced to labor in the fields. We have forgotten the main anointed ministry because we don't have a vision of the power of worshipful, reverent, even silent praise (beholding Him) which brings His manifest presence.
A pertinent scripture is Col. 3:1-4 which compliments Gal.2:20. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth at/on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above not on things of the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ. When Christ, who is our life shall appear, then ye also shall appear with him in glory. Just as the Spirit of God descended to fill Jesus/Yahshua we also are partakers of God's glory which now abides on the inside of us waiting to be manifest/revealed. Then YHWH will again speak to us this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.
Baptism is an outward sign of an inward work as found in all of the “sacraments”. It has lost it’s significance because of the pagan ceremonial mixtures and apathetic response to the truth. The time and place of Christ’s immersion was of special importance because it marked the completion of the old and a foreshadow of the New Covenant. God’s people are being called to a higher attainment, therefore a greater commitment is needed. Romans 6:3-4 relates this message; 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized unto his death? 4 Therefore we were buried with him through baptism into death,that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father,even so we also should walk in newness of life. We are no longer slaves of sin but servants of the Most High. Read John 14:10.
The “ground” is now being prepared for a way of spiritual life and overcoming power of the promised Kingdom in our midst. A tearing down will take place so that truth and love can be reestablished. Jesus, himself was proclaimed from on High as a fully begotten Son of the Father as the Spirit of Yahweh descended upon him as he received baptism. He was given strength and wisdom to complete his ministry and calling. We need to be recipients of this same blessing which is needed to bring us to this status/ stature in the earth. Gal 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.