THE LEVITES:
The Levites were the descendants of Levi, one of the twelve sons of Jacob (Israel), Moses and Aaron were from the tribe of Levi. All of the tribes took their names from their ancestral father, as David and Solomon were from the tribe of Judah and Judah was also another son of Jacob (Israel). The reason we are beginning with the tribe of Levi, is in view of the fact that they are the ones who received the tithe and offerings from the other twelve tribes of Israel. The other tribes received land as an inheritance when Israel entered the land promised by God, and this land is referred to as the Promised Land. The Levites did not receive a portion of land; however, God gave the Levites the tithe and offerings of the other tribes of Israel. The language in the Old Testament verses being used by God is evidence showing that these scriptures are a shadow of Christ. God is announcing openly that He is the is the inheritance of the Levites; God did this intending for us to understand that tithes and offerings are openly symbolic of Christ.
Deu 18:1 "The Levitical priests, all the tribe of Levi, shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They shall eat the LORD's food offerings as their inheritance. Deu 18:2 They shall have no inheritance among their brothers; the LORD is their inheritance, as he promised them. ESV
Num 18:20 And the LORD said to Aaron, "You shall have no inheritance in their land, neither shall you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the people of Israel. Num 18:21 "To the Levites I have given every tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service that they do, their service in the tent of meeting, ESV
Deu 10:9 Therefore Levi has no portion or inheritance with his brothers. The LORD is his inheritance, as the LORD your God said to him.) ESV
Heb 7:5 And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, though these also are descended from Abraham. ESV
God elected the tribe of Levi to do the ministry of the tent of the tabernacle. God did this after He took the firstborn of Egypt. He first required the firstborn of Israel in substitution for the firstborn of Egypt that He had slain to free the people from bondage, but God decided to receive the Levites from Israel instead of all the firstborn of all of the people.
Exo 12:29 At midnight the LORD struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of the livestock. ESV
Exo 13:11 "When the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as he swore to you and your fathers, and shall give it to you, Exo 13:12 you shall set apart to the LORD all that first opens the womb. All the firstborn of your animals that are males shall be the LORD's. Exo 13:13 Every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, or if you will not redeem it you shall break its neck. Every firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem. Exo 13:14 And when in time to come your son asks you, 'What does this mean?' you shall say to him, 'By a strong hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slavery. Exo 13:15 For when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of animals. Therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all the males that first open the womb, but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.' ESV
Num 3:11 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, Num 3:12 "Behold, I have taken theLevites from among the people of Israel instead of every firstbornwho opens the womb among the people of Israel. The Levites shall be mine, Num 3:13 for all the firstborn are mine. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated for my own all the firstborn in Israel, both of man and of beast. They shall be mine: I am the LORD." ESV
The Levites are representative of the believers in Jesus. The Levites became the ministers and priests of God, because the firstborn of Egypt was slain to set the Israelites free from slavery. The reality of the shadow is this: Christians are now the ministers and priests of God because the firstborn, the Son of God, was slain for us. Just as the Levites (a shadow of Christians)were given the tithe offering and the other offerings as their inheritance, Christians receive the offering of Jesus as their inheritance and He qualifies us to be the priests and ministers of God. Tithes and offerings are a shadow of the work of God created through Christ; this is why God is our inheritance because of the provision that we receive through Christ.
Joh 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. ESV
Rom 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" Rom 8:16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, Rom 8:17 and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirswith Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. Rom 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. ESV
Rom 8:32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? ESV
Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. ESV
1Pe 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1Pe 2:10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. ESV
Rev 1:5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood Rev 1:6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. ESV
Tithes:
The only place that the tithe could be offered was at the place that God would choose out of all of the tribes; we know this was Jerusalem where Solomon built the temple, and the temple was the location that the tithe and offerings had to be brought as a sacrifice. This shadow demonstrates that Jerusalem was the place that Jesus was to be offered up as our tithe sacrifice and since Christians are now the temple of God it is in our hearts where the the offering of Christ resides. The meaning of the name of Jerusalem has been considered by many to mean either the “City of Peace” or the “City of (the god) Salem,” but others interpret it to mean the “possession of peace” or “foundation of peace.” We know that Jerusalem has never historically been a place of peace in the natural, but the true reason it is the place of peace is because of what Christ accomplished for us there. Jesus is our peace with God. Jerusalem was founded within the land of the tribe of Judah. Jerusalem was the location that was chosen for the tithe and offerings to be brought, and these sacrifices established peace with God and Israel under the old covenant law of Moses. Jesus' lineage was from the tribe of Judah and at the proper time Jesus (the Prince of Peace) went to Jerusalem (the City of Peace) and offered Himself up as our eternal sacrifice, and He established the everlasting New Covenant consequently bringing eternal peace with us and our Father forever.
Deu 12:5 But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come: Deu 12:6 And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks: KJV
Deu 12:8 Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes. KJV
Deu 12:10 But when ye go over Jordan, and dwell in the land which the LORD your God giveth you to inherit, and when he giveth you rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety; Deu 12:11 Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD: Deu 12:12 And ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your menservants, and your maidservants, and the Levite that is within your gates; forasmuch as he hath no part nor inheritance with you. Deu 12:13 Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt offerings in every place that thou seest: Deu 12:14 But in the place which the LORD shall choose in one of thy tribes, there thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, and there thou shalt do all that I command thee. KJV
1Ki 8:29 that your eyes may be open night and day toward this house, the place of which you have said, 'My name shall be there,' that you may listen to the prayer that your servant offers toward this place. ESV
Mat 16:21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. ESV
Mat 20:17 And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, Mat 20:18 "See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death Mat 20:19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day." ESV
Luk 13:31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you." Luk 13:32 And he said to them, "Go and tell that fox, 'Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course. Luk 13:33 Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.' Luk 13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! Luk 13:35 Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!'" ESV
Eph 2:20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, Eph 2:21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. Eph 2:22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. ESV
1Pe 2:5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ESV
The tithes of produce and livestock that were yielded from the land of promise were brought for the tithing ceremony at the end of every three years, the third year, the year of tithing. Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows who lived in their cities could come to eat all they wanted. This was to demonstrate how the sacrifice of Jesus was to be given to everyone in spiritual need. Tithes were offered as a heave offering. A heave offering was an offering that had to be lifted up to God. We will see how tithes are significantly shown to be a shadow of the sacrifice of Christ. The Gospel of Luke tells us that Jesus began His ministry about 30 years of age and in John it records three Passovers during the ministry of Jesus, attesting to us that Christ preached for three years. At the end of the three years of His ministry, in the third year was the year He offered Himself up, the Lord went to Jerusalem at the end of three years of ministry as our tithe as a heave (lifted up) offering in the third year of His ministry. He was lifted up (the heave offering of the tithe) from the earth on the cross. Since Israel constantly violated the old covenant law God made sure that what He had commanded was carried out, He did this by personally becoming the Everlasting Temple. Jesus' body is the dwelling place of God, the True Temple and House of God, and as the Temple of God Jesus ensured that every jot and tittle of the old covenant law was fulfilled within Himself for us. In doing this Jesus clearly fulfilled the old covenant law of Moses of the tithe offering. Tithes and offerings were given to the Levites, the ones chosen after the firstborn of Egypt was slain in order to free Israel from slavery; this is a shadow of Christians since Christ was slain for us and this has freed us from the slavery of sin and death. The shadow shows us that the Levites were to be physically sustained by tithes and offerings that came from the land of promise. The reality is the sacrificial offering of Jesus, that has been given to us by God, is the only sacrificial gift that is capable of keeping us sustained and nourished. This sustenance and strength, we are given in Christ, results in our maturity. The land of promise produced the goods that was to ensure the physical survival of the Levites. The land of promise is a shadow of Jesus; Christ is the promise that the entire Old Testament pledged. God promised a redeemer starting in Genesis and Jesus is the guarantee of God's promise. Jesus is the authentic Promised Land of all Christians because in Him is produced everything we need for true and eternal life.
Num 18:24 But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance. KJV
Deu 14:23 And before the LORD your God, in the place that he will choose, to make his name dwell there, you shall eat the tithe of your grain, of your wine, and of your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and flock, that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always. ESV
Deu 14:28 "At the end of every three years you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in the same year and lay it up within your towns. ESV
Deu 26:12 "When you have finished paying all the tithe of your produce in the third year, which is the year of tithing, giving it to the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, so that they may eat within your towns and be filled,
ESV
Mat 20:18 "See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death Mat 20:19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day." ESV
Mat 26:1 When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, Mat 26:2 "You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified." ESV
Joh 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. ESV
Joh 12:32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." Joh 12:33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. ESV
Joh 19:17 and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. Joh 19:18 There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them.ESV
Gal 4:4 But when the fullness of time had come,God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, Gal 4:5to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. ESV
Eph 4:13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, Eph 4:14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Eph 4:15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, Eph 4:16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. ESV
Col 2:19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body,nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. ESV
Bring all the tithe into the storehouse is what Malachi proclaimed. The way this is accomplished is by allowing Christ (the tithe offering) to fill us (His temple) completely. The food (Christ) we eat will be more than enough to nourish our souls and life. Tithes and offerings are but some of the mere shadows of the glories realized in Christ; we will not be robbing God of tithes and offerings when we offer up spiritual offerings in Christ Jesus. We will have every heavenly blessing we could ever want or need as Christ is glorified in us. This is the proper application of Malachi 3:8-12. I pray that God help us receive every blessing and sacrifice we have been given in Christ, for I know that I need to eat of His flesh and drink His blood. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. He does this by making us a new creation in Himself. We are translated into His Kingdom and the sacrifice of Christ dwells in us through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is the source that causes the reign of satan to be cast off of us. When we are immersed into the Spirit of the Living God, the plans of our enemy will come to nothing because the power which satan held has ended. When Christians (the temple where the sacrifice has to be offered and the priests of God which offer the sacrifice) lift up (heave offer) Jesus (the true tithes and offerings) to our Father our enemy and devourer (satan) is rebuked by the power of the Holy Spirit who is dwelling in us.
Mal 3:8 Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, 'How have we robbed you?' In your tithes and contributions. Mal 3:9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Mal 3:10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. Mal 3:11 I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts. Mal 3:12 Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts. ESV
Joh 12:23 And Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Joh 12:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Joh 12:25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Joh 12:26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. Joh 12:27 "Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Joh 12:28 Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven: "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again." Joh 12:29 The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." Joh 12:30 Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not mine. Joh 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. Joh 12:32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." Joh 12:33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. ESV
1Co 3:16 Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? 1Co 3:17 If anyone(false teachers) destroys God's temple, God will destroy him (false teachers). For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple. ESV
Heb 2:9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. Heb 2:10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. Heb 2:11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, Heb 2:12 saying, "I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise." Heb 2:13 And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again, "Behold, I and the children God has given me." Heb 2:14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, Heb 2:15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. ESV
1Pe 2:2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation-- 1Pe 2:3if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1Pe 2:4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 1Pe 2:5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ESV
1Jn 3:8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. ESV
1Jn 4:4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. ESV
The people took the tithe to the place that God had chosen (Jerusalem) at the end of three years. When they arrived they participated in the festival of the tithing ceremony. They had to swear an oath to God during the ceremony concerning the manner about the way that they had honorably handled the tithe. The people had to vow that the commandment of the tithe was followed obediently in all that God had instructed. The imagery of the words of oath that was to be used during the ceremony is pointing us to Christ. When we receive Jesus we have the source of great joy, this is why they did not eat the tithe while in mourning. Not offering the tithe while being unclean is showing us how Christ is our sanctification or how He is the One that has produced our holiness. Christ is alive; the shadow of this is why they did not offer any of the tithe to the dead. The people received the land of promise, or land of rest. These are all shadows of Jesus in that He is the promise and He is the only way of rest in God. Christ is our blessing and restful land which is flowing with milk and honey and since Jesus offered Himself up for us, according to all that the Father desired, we now have immeasurable blessing in Him.
Deu 26:13 then you shall say before the LORD your God, 'I have removed the sacred portion out of my house, and moreover, I have given it to the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, according to all your commandment that you have commanded me. I have not transgressed any of your commandments, nor have I forgotten them. Deu 26:14 I have not eaten of the tithe while I was mourning, or removed any of it while I was unclean, or offered any of it to the dead. I have obeyed the voice of the LORD my God. I have done according to all that you have commanded me. Deu 26:15 Look down from your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless your people Israel and the ground that you have given us, as you swore to our fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey.' ESV
Act 26:18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'
Jud 1:24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,
Jud 1:25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. ESV
Col 2:16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. Col 2:17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. ESV
MONEY, MONEY, MONEY!!:
You may have heard that the Israelites brought produce and cattle as a tithe instead of money was for the reason that the ancients did not have money, because their economy was agriculturally based. The Judaizing teachers of today incorrectly proclaim that since our economy is monetarily based then we should bring 10 percent of our income to fulfill the old covenant law of tithing. This is not true; God told them that if it was to far for them to bring the tithe of their harvest and cattle to Jerusalem (chosen place) they must turn it into money. Why would God tell them to turn it into money if they had no form of money? The answer is, they had access to money. When they came to Jerusalem (chosen place) with the money they had exchanged for the tithe of their produce and cattle, did they not pay the money as their tithe? No, they bought the produce and cattle they wanted when they reached the place chosen by God (Jerusalem). The commodities that they purchased with the substitution money is what they offered up as a heave offering to the Lord. God did not allow them to pay money as tithes. These tithes and offerings were a shadow of His dear Son, and God does not want that to be represented by things invented by the imagination of sinful man. The modern Judaizers are distorting the literal wording of what God spoke in the Bible. What they vainly imagine about the scripture is out of context, not to mention the absence of the spiritual interpretation of the sacrifice of Christ. When they instruct Christians to pay monetary income as tithes they are twisting and adding words to the scripture that are contrary to what God had even commanded in the old covenant. This nature of teaching is for monetary gain and it turns the shadows of the sacrifice of our Lord for us into a carnal devise to make merchandise of the children of God.
Deu 14:23 And before the LORD your God, in the place that he will choose, to make his name dwell there, you shall eat the tithe of your grain, of your wine, and of your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and flock, that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always. Deu 14:24 And if the way is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry the tithe, when the LORD your God blesses you, because the place is too far from you, which the LORD your God chooses, to set his name there, Deu 14:25 then you shall turn it into money and bind up the money in your hand and go to the place that the LORD your God chooses Deu 14:26 and spend the money for whatever you desire--oxen or sheep or wine or strong drink, whatever your appetite craves. And you shall eat there before the LORD your God and rejoice, you and your household. ESV
Php 3:18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Php 3:19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. ESV
1Pe 1:18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 1Pe 1:19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. ESV
1Ti 6:3 If anyone teaches differently and does not consent to sound words, even those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, 1Ti 6:4 he is puffed up, understanding nothing, but is morbidly concerned with disputes and word battles, from which come envy, strife, slanders, evil suspicions, 1Ti 6:5 constant wranglings of men of corrupt minds and having been deprived of the truth, supposing that godliness is a means of profit. Withdraw from such people. 1Ti 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1Ti 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain that neither can we carry anything out! 1Ti 6:8 But having food and clothing, with these things we shall be content. 1Ti 6:9 But those desiring to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and many senseless and harmful lusts which sink men in destruction and perdition. 1Ti 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all evils, of which some by aspiring have strayed away from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1Ti 6:11 You however, O man of God, flee these things. But pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. EMTV
Heb 13:5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Heb 13:6 So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?" ESV
Jud 1:4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. ESV
FIRSTFRUITS:
There are many people teaching that you should offer the first of your monetary income, which they claim is the firstfruits offering, as a way of being blessed by God. This type of teaching is pilfering from the glory of the resurrection of Christ and His deliverance of our death into life in Him. The old covenant commanded them to bring the first of their fruit to God as an offering. The firstfruits offering was a shadow of the wonders that Christ would work on our behalf. If it had not been for our sin then Jesus needed not to die but he did die as us for the punishment of our sin. If Jesus had not died He would not have needed to be resurrected, but He was raised from the dead so we could be justified (be made righteous). Jesus (the seed) was placed in the tomb (planted in the earth), then on the third day He (the seed) rose from the grave (the earth) becoming the way for us to be resurrected, thus showing that He is the firstfruits of the resurrection and those who belong to Christ at His coming. This false teaching distorts the glories of Jesus and His resurrection, which was for our benefit, into a manmade imagined invention to get finances. These teachers never truly preach the gospel. They claim to want these funds for the purpose of preaching the gospel but they only repeat the same message of needing finances; they never seem to get around to preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Deu 26:5 "And you shall make response before the LORD your God, 'A wandering Aramean was my father. And he went down into Egypt and sojourned there, few in number, and there he became a nation, great, mighty, and populous. Deu 26:6 And the Egyptians treated us harshly and humiliated us and laid on us hard labor. Deu 26:7 Then we cried to the LORD, the God of our fathers, and the LORD heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. Deu 26:8 And the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great deeds of terror, with signs and wonders. Deu 26:9 And he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. Deu 26:10 And behold, now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground, which you, O LORD, have given me.' And you shall set it down before the LORD your God and worship before the LORD your God. Deu 26:11 And you shall rejoice in all the good that the LORD your God has given to you and to your house, you, and the Levite, and the sojourner who is among you. ESV
Joh 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, Joh 11:26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" ESV
Joh 12:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. ESV
Rom 4:24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, Rom 4:25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. ESV
1Co 15:20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 1Co 15:21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 1Co 15:23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 1Co 15:24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. ESV
2Pe 2:1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2Pe 2:2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 2Pe 2:3 And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. ESV
Jud 1:3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. Jud 1:4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. ESV
Matthew 23:23:
Teachers who use Matthew 23:23 with the intention of extracting 10 percent of monetary income from believers simply do not understand this scripture. Jesus told the scribes and Pharisees not to leave the tithing of herbs undone; for this reason, some teachers manipulate this to mean that there is a moral principle of paying 10 percent of monetary income and that it is in effect for Christians to follow their rule. Jesus would tell the Pharisees to tithe of these different herbs because these herbs were grown from the land of promise, the Promised Land. There is no mention of money in this scripture. As shown earlier, the Israelites were not allowed to pay monetarily as a tithe; however, under the old covenant law the people were required to pay tithes of the harvest of the produce grown in the land of promise. Since the Pharisees lived in the land of promise Jesus said they should not neglect paying tithes of these herbs, which were harvested from the land of promise as the old covenant law commanded. The Pharisees at this time lived under the old covenant law because Jesus had not offered Himself up to establish the New Covenant. Therefore, the Pharisees were required to obey all of the old covenant law, such as paying tithes from herbs reaped from the land of promise . The old covenant was a shadow of the ministry of Jesus and this is why the Pharisees should have paid tithes of herbs harvested from the land of promise, because this was a shadow of Jesus being the heave offering of the tithe for us. These modern Judaizers, in their interpretation, miss the main point of what Jesus was saying since they think tithes and offerings are about monetary income. The Pharisees were interested in performing the ceremony of the old covenant law, like paying tithes of herbs harvested from the land of promise but they had neglected what was important to the heart of God (justice, mercy, faithfulness, and the love of God). Maybe the teachers that use these scriptures to promote monetary tithing are doing the same thing that the Pharisees did. Jesus did not establish the tithes of herbs as a moral principle, not to mention that this scripture articulates nothing about 10 percent of monetary income. The words He spoke indicate that the tithes of herbs were not “weightier matters”; however, justice, mercy, faithfulness, and the love of God are "weightier matters" or moral principles. These “weightier matters” are what God truly wanted from the Pharisees, but the tithes of herbs were not listed among these “weightier matters”. Many continue to wrongly insist that the tithe is a moral standard. If Jesus would have said that the tithes of herbs were one of the "weightier matters", this would certainly qualify tithing as a moral principle but He did not say that the tithes of herbs were a "weightier matter". This scripture is just another demonstration of the Pharisees boastful self righteousness, for they paid tithes of these herbs thinking that it gave them a moral superiority over other people of their day. These scriptures are not about reinforcing tithing for monetary gain; the emphasis of these scriptures are about having a loving heart for God and the power of Christ in us is how these "weightier matters" become reality. Jesus was scolding the Pharisees for being self righteous and this is what modern Judaizers are instructing, self righteousness with a false humility, with their unscriptural version of tithes and offerings. If you include any other standard of righteousness in your life in which Christ, the righteousness of God, is not the focal point it is self righteousness and this is what the modern Judaizers are doing with their twisted interpretation of tithes and offerings. They advise Christians if they tithe of their monetary income they will be blessed of God (acceptable to God) and warn if they do not tithe monetarily they are cursed for robbing God (condemned by God). This is conveying that if we pay tithes of our monetary income God owes us blessings and this is rendering God to be our debtor. This type of instruction is teaching us to position our self before God on our own merit to be blessed (exalted or lifted up from a lowly position) instead of trusting in the sufficiency that we have received in Christ . This stance is self righteousness at its core because it is boasting of being exalted and justified before God by the deeds of the law instead of pointing out the true purpose of these sacrifices. These sacrifices from the law are a shadow of the glorious gift of Jesus Christ which He has lavished on us. The only way for sinners to stand blameless before God is through the sacrificial gift of Christ which we have received through the love, mercy, and grace of our God. Do not depend on yourself to obtain God's blessing. Trust in Him, for we have already been blessed with every spiritual blessing we will need in Christ; therefore we should go serve our King.
Mat 23:23 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness.These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. ESV
Luk 11:42 "But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb,and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. ESV
Luk 18:9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: Luk 18:10 "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. Luk 18:11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. Luk 18:12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.' Luk 18:13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' Luk 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." ESV
Rom 3:20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. Rom 3:21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it-- Rom 3:22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: ESV
Eph 1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, ESV
The Levites were the descendants of Levi, one of the twelve sons of Jacob (Israel), Moses and Aaron were from the tribe of Levi. All of the tribes took their names from their ancestral father, as David and Solomon were from the tribe of Judah and Judah was also another son of Jacob (Israel). The reason we are beginning with the tribe of Levi, is in view of the fact that they are the ones who received the tithe and offerings from the other twelve tribes of Israel. The other tribes received land as an inheritance when Israel entered the land promised by God, and this land is referred to as the Promised Land. The Levites did not receive a portion of land; however, God gave the Levites the tithe and offerings of the other tribes of Israel. The language in the Old Testament verses being used by God is evidence showing that these scriptures are a shadow of Christ. God is announcing openly that He is the is the inheritance of the Levites; God did this intending for us to understand that tithes and offerings are openly symbolic of Christ.
Deu 18:1 "The Levitical priests, all the tribe of Levi, shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel. They shall eat the LORD's food offerings as their inheritance. Deu 18:2 They shall have no inheritance among their brothers; the LORD is their inheritance, as he promised them. ESV
Num 18:20 And the LORD said to Aaron, "You shall have no inheritance in their land, neither shall you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the people of Israel. Num 18:21 "To the Levites I have given every tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service that they do, their service in the tent of meeting, ESV
Deu 10:9 Therefore Levi has no portion or inheritance with his brothers. The LORD is his inheritance, as the LORD your God said to him.) ESV
Heb 7:5 And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, though these also are descended from Abraham. ESV
God elected the tribe of Levi to do the ministry of the tent of the tabernacle. God did this after He took the firstborn of Egypt. He first required the firstborn of Israel in substitution for the firstborn of Egypt that He had slain to free the people from bondage, but God decided to receive the Levites from Israel instead of all the firstborn of all of the people.
Exo 12:29 At midnight the LORD struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of the livestock. ESV
Exo 13:11 "When the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as he swore to you and your fathers, and shall give it to you, Exo 13:12 you shall set apart to the LORD all that first opens the womb. All the firstborn of your animals that are males shall be the LORD's. Exo 13:13 Every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, or if you will not redeem it you shall break its neck. Every firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem. Exo 13:14 And when in time to come your son asks you, 'What does this mean?' you shall say to him, 'By a strong hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slavery. Exo 13:15 For when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of animals. Therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all the males that first open the womb, but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.' ESV
Num 3:11 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, Num 3:12 "Behold, I have taken theLevites from among the people of Israel instead of every firstbornwho opens the womb among the people of Israel. The Levites shall be mine, Num 3:13 for all the firstborn are mine. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated for my own all the firstborn in Israel, both of man and of beast. They shall be mine: I am the LORD." ESV
The Levites are representative of the believers in Jesus. The Levites became the ministers and priests of God, because the firstborn of Egypt was slain to set the Israelites free from slavery. The reality of the shadow is this: Christians are now the ministers and priests of God because the firstborn, the Son of God, was slain for us. Just as the Levites (a shadow of Christians)were given the tithe offering and the other offerings as their inheritance, Christians receive the offering of Jesus as their inheritance and He qualifies us to be the priests and ministers of God. Tithes and offerings are a shadow of the work of God created through Christ; this is why God is our inheritance because of the provision that we receive through Christ.
Joh 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. ESV
Rom 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" Rom 8:16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, Rom 8:17 and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirswith Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. Rom 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. ESV
Rom 8:32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? ESV
Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. ESV
1Pe 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1Pe 2:10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. ESV
Rev 1:5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood Rev 1:6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. ESV
Tithes:
The only place that the tithe could be offered was at the place that God would choose out of all of the tribes; we know this was Jerusalem where Solomon built the temple, and the temple was the location that the tithe and offerings had to be brought as a sacrifice. This shadow demonstrates that Jerusalem was the place that Jesus was to be offered up as our tithe sacrifice and since Christians are now the temple of God it is in our hearts where the the offering of Christ resides. The meaning of the name of Jerusalem has been considered by many to mean either the “City of Peace” or the “City of (the god) Salem,” but others interpret it to mean the “possession of peace” or “foundation of peace.” We know that Jerusalem has never historically been a place of peace in the natural, but the true reason it is the place of peace is because of what Christ accomplished for us there. Jesus is our peace with God. Jerusalem was founded within the land of the tribe of Judah. Jerusalem was the location that was chosen for the tithe and offerings to be brought, and these sacrifices established peace with God and Israel under the old covenant law of Moses. Jesus' lineage was from the tribe of Judah and at the proper time Jesus (the Prince of Peace) went to Jerusalem (the City of Peace) and offered Himself up as our eternal sacrifice, and He established the everlasting New Covenant consequently bringing eternal peace with us and our Father forever.
Deu 12:5 But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come: Deu 12:6 And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks: KJV
Deu 12:8 Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes. KJV
Deu 12:10 But when ye go over Jordan, and dwell in the land which the LORD your God giveth you to inherit, and when he giveth you rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety; Deu 12:11 Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD: Deu 12:12 And ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your menservants, and your maidservants, and the Levite that is within your gates; forasmuch as he hath no part nor inheritance with you. Deu 12:13 Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt offerings in every place that thou seest: Deu 12:14 But in the place which the LORD shall choose in one of thy tribes, there thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, and there thou shalt do all that I command thee. KJV
1Ki 8:29 that your eyes may be open night and day toward this house, the place of which you have said, 'My name shall be there,' that you may listen to the prayer that your servant offers toward this place. ESV
Mat 16:21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. ESV
Mat 20:17 And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, Mat 20:18 "See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death Mat 20:19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day." ESV
Luk 13:31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you." Luk 13:32 And he said to them, "Go and tell that fox, 'Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course. Luk 13:33 Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.' Luk 13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! Luk 13:35 Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!'" ESV
Eph 2:20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, Eph 2:21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. Eph 2:22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. ESV
1Pe 2:5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ESV
The tithes of produce and livestock that were yielded from the land of promise were brought for the tithing ceremony at the end of every three years, the third year, the year of tithing. Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows who lived in their cities could come to eat all they wanted. This was to demonstrate how the sacrifice of Jesus was to be given to everyone in spiritual need. Tithes were offered as a heave offering. A heave offering was an offering that had to be lifted up to God. We will see how tithes are significantly shown to be a shadow of the sacrifice of Christ. The Gospel of Luke tells us that Jesus began His ministry about 30 years of age and in John it records three Passovers during the ministry of Jesus, attesting to us that Christ preached for three years. At the end of the three years of His ministry, in the third year was the year He offered Himself up, the Lord went to Jerusalem at the end of three years of ministry as our tithe as a heave (lifted up) offering in the third year of His ministry. He was lifted up (the heave offering of the tithe) from the earth on the cross. Since Israel constantly violated the old covenant law God made sure that what He had commanded was carried out, He did this by personally becoming the Everlasting Temple. Jesus' body is the dwelling place of God, the True Temple and House of God, and as the Temple of God Jesus ensured that every jot and tittle of the old covenant law was fulfilled within Himself for us. In doing this Jesus clearly fulfilled the old covenant law of Moses of the tithe offering. Tithes and offerings were given to the Levites, the ones chosen after the firstborn of Egypt was slain in order to free Israel from slavery; this is a shadow of Christians since Christ was slain for us and this has freed us from the slavery of sin and death. The shadow shows us that the Levites were to be physically sustained by tithes and offerings that came from the land of promise. The reality is the sacrificial offering of Jesus, that has been given to us by God, is the only sacrificial gift that is capable of keeping us sustained and nourished. This sustenance and strength, we are given in Christ, results in our maturity. The land of promise produced the goods that was to ensure the physical survival of the Levites. The land of promise is a shadow of Jesus; Christ is the promise that the entire Old Testament pledged. God promised a redeemer starting in Genesis and Jesus is the guarantee of God's promise. Jesus is the authentic Promised Land of all Christians because in Him is produced everything we need for true and eternal life.
Num 18:24 But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance. KJV
Deu 14:23 And before the LORD your God, in the place that he will choose, to make his name dwell there, you shall eat the tithe of your grain, of your wine, and of your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and flock, that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always. ESV
Deu 14:28 "At the end of every three years you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in the same year and lay it up within your towns. ESV
Deu 26:12 "When you have finished paying all the tithe of your produce in the third year, which is the year of tithing, giving it to the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, so that they may eat within your towns and be filled,
ESV
Mat 20:18 "See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death Mat 20:19 and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day." ESV
Mat 26:1 When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, Mat 26:2 "You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified." ESV
Joh 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. ESV
Joh 12:32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." Joh 12:33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. ESV
Joh 19:17 and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. Joh 19:18 There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them.ESV
Gal 4:4 But when the fullness of time had come,God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, Gal 4:5to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. ESV
Eph 4:13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, Eph 4:14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Eph 4:15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, Eph 4:16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. ESV
Col 2:19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body,nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. ESV
Bring all the tithe into the storehouse is what Malachi proclaimed. The way this is accomplished is by allowing Christ (the tithe offering) to fill us (His temple) completely. The food (Christ) we eat will be more than enough to nourish our souls and life. Tithes and offerings are but some of the mere shadows of the glories realized in Christ; we will not be robbing God of tithes and offerings when we offer up spiritual offerings in Christ Jesus. We will have every heavenly blessing we could ever want or need as Christ is glorified in us. This is the proper application of Malachi 3:8-12. I pray that God help us receive every blessing and sacrifice we have been given in Christ, for I know that I need to eat of His flesh and drink His blood. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. He does this by making us a new creation in Himself. We are translated into His Kingdom and the sacrifice of Christ dwells in us through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is the source that causes the reign of satan to be cast off of us. When we are immersed into the Spirit of the Living God, the plans of our enemy will come to nothing because the power which satan held has ended. When Christians (the temple where the sacrifice has to be offered and the priests of God which offer the sacrifice) lift up (heave offer) Jesus (the true tithes and offerings) to our Father our enemy and devourer (satan) is rebuked by the power of the Holy Spirit who is dwelling in us.
Mal 3:8 Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, 'How have we robbed you?' In your tithes and contributions. Mal 3:9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Mal 3:10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. Mal 3:11 I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts. Mal 3:12 Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts. ESV
Joh 12:23 And Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Joh 12:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Joh 12:25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Joh 12:26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. Joh 12:27 "Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Joh 12:28 Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven: "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again." Joh 12:29 The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." Joh 12:30 Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not mine. Joh 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. Joh 12:32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." Joh 12:33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. ESV
1Co 3:16 Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? 1Co 3:17 If anyone(false teachers) destroys God's temple, God will destroy him (false teachers). For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple. ESV
Heb 2:9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. Heb 2:10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. Heb 2:11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, Heb 2:12 saying, "I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise." Heb 2:13 And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again, "Behold, I and the children God has given me." Heb 2:14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, Heb 2:15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. ESV
1Pe 2:2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation-- 1Pe 2:3if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1Pe 2:4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 1Pe 2:5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ESV
1Jn 3:8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. ESV
1Jn 4:4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. ESV
The people took the tithe to the place that God had chosen (Jerusalem) at the end of three years. When they arrived they participated in the festival of the tithing ceremony. They had to swear an oath to God during the ceremony concerning the manner about the way that they had honorably handled the tithe. The people had to vow that the commandment of the tithe was followed obediently in all that God had instructed. The imagery of the words of oath that was to be used during the ceremony is pointing us to Christ. When we receive Jesus we have the source of great joy, this is why they did not eat the tithe while in mourning. Not offering the tithe while being unclean is showing us how Christ is our sanctification or how He is the One that has produced our holiness. Christ is alive; the shadow of this is why they did not offer any of the tithe to the dead. The people received the land of promise, or land of rest. These are all shadows of Jesus in that He is the promise and He is the only way of rest in God. Christ is our blessing and restful land which is flowing with milk and honey and since Jesus offered Himself up for us, according to all that the Father desired, we now have immeasurable blessing in Him.
Deu 26:13 then you shall say before the LORD your God, 'I have removed the sacred portion out of my house, and moreover, I have given it to the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, according to all your commandment that you have commanded me. I have not transgressed any of your commandments, nor have I forgotten them. Deu 26:14 I have not eaten of the tithe while I was mourning, or removed any of it while I was unclean, or offered any of it to the dead. I have obeyed the voice of the LORD my God. I have done according to all that you have commanded me. Deu 26:15 Look down from your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless your people Israel and the ground that you have given us, as you swore to our fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey.' ESV
Act 26:18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'
Jud 1:24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,
Jud 1:25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. ESV
Col 2:16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. Col 2:17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. ESV
MONEY, MONEY, MONEY!!:
You may have heard that the Israelites brought produce and cattle as a tithe instead of money was for the reason that the ancients did not have money, because their economy was agriculturally based. The Judaizing teachers of today incorrectly proclaim that since our economy is monetarily based then we should bring 10 percent of our income to fulfill the old covenant law of tithing. This is not true; God told them that if it was to far for them to bring the tithe of their harvest and cattle to Jerusalem (chosen place) they must turn it into money. Why would God tell them to turn it into money if they had no form of money? The answer is, they had access to money. When they came to Jerusalem (chosen place) with the money they had exchanged for the tithe of their produce and cattle, did they not pay the money as their tithe? No, they bought the produce and cattle they wanted when they reached the place chosen by God (Jerusalem). The commodities that they purchased with the substitution money is what they offered up as a heave offering to the Lord. God did not allow them to pay money as tithes. These tithes and offerings were a shadow of His dear Son, and God does not want that to be represented by things invented by the imagination of sinful man. The modern Judaizers are distorting the literal wording of what God spoke in the Bible. What they vainly imagine about the scripture is out of context, not to mention the absence of the spiritual interpretation of the sacrifice of Christ. When they instruct Christians to pay monetary income as tithes they are twisting and adding words to the scripture that are contrary to what God had even commanded in the old covenant. This nature of teaching is for monetary gain and it turns the shadows of the sacrifice of our Lord for us into a carnal devise to make merchandise of the children of God.
Deu 14:23 And before the LORD your God, in the place that he will choose, to make his name dwell there, you shall eat the tithe of your grain, of your wine, and of your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and flock, that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always. Deu 14:24 And if the way is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry the tithe, when the LORD your God blesses you, because the place is too far from you, which the LORD your God chooses, to set his name there, Deu 14:25 then you shall turn it into money and bind up the money in your hand and go to the place that the LORD your God chooses Deu 14:26 and spend the money for whatever you desire--oxen or sheep or wine or strong drink, whatever your appetite craves. And you shall eat there before the LORD your God and rejoice, you and your household. ESV
Php 3:18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Php 3:19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. ESV
1Pe 1:18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 1Pe 1:19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. ESV
1Ti 6:3 If anyone teaches differently and does not consent to sound words, even those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, 1Ti 6:4 he is puffed up, understanding nothing, but is morbidly concerned with disputes and word battles, from which come envy, strife, slanders, evil suspicions, 1Ti 6:5 constant wranglings of men of corrupt minds and having been deprived of the truth, supposing that godliness is a means of profit. Withdraw from such people. 1Ti 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1Ti 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain that neither can we carry anything out! 1Ti 6:8 But having food and clothing, with these things we shall be content. 1Ti 6:9 But those desiring to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and many senseless and harmful lusts which sink men in destruction and perdition. 1Ti 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all evils, of which some by aspiring have strayed away from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1Ti 6:11 You however, O man of God, flee these things. But pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. EMTV
Heb 13:5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Heb 13:6 So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?" ESV
Jud 1:4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. ESV
FIRSTFRUITS:
There are many people teaching that you should offer the first of your monetary income, which they claim is the firstfruits offering, as a way of being blessed by God. This type of teaching is pilfering from the glory of the resurrection of Christ and His deliverance of our death into life in Him. The old covenant commanded them to bring the first of their fruit to God as an offering. The firstfruits offering was a shadow of the wonders that Christ would work on our behalf. If it had not been for our sin then Jesus needed not to die but he did die as us for the punishment of our sin. If Jesus had not died He would not have needed to be resurrected, but He was raised from the dead so we could be justified (be made righteous). Jesus (the seed) was placed in the tomb (planted in the earth), then on the third day He (the seed) rose from the grave (the earth) becoming the way for us to be resurrected, thus showing that He is the firstfruits of the resurrection and those who belong to Christ at His coming. This false teaching distorts the glories of Jesus and His resurrection, which was for our benefit, into a manmade imagined invention to get finances. These teachers never truly preach the gospel. They claim to want these funds for the purpose of preaching the gospel but they only repeat the same message of needing finances; they never seem to get around to preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Deu 26:5 "And you shall make response before the LORD your God, 'A wandering Aramean was my father. And he went down into Egypt and sojourned there, few in number, and there he became a nation, great, mighty, and populous. Deu 26:6 And the Egyptians treated us harshly and humiliated us and laid on us hard labor. Deu 26:7 Then we cried to the LORD, the God of our fathers, and the LORD heard our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. Deu 26:8 And the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great deeds of terror, with signs and wonders. Deu 26:9 And he brought us into this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. Deu 26:10 And behold, now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground, which you, O LORD, have given me.' And you shall set it down before the LORD your God and worship before the LORD your God. Deu 26:11 And you shall rejoice in all the good that the LORD your God has given to you and to your house, you, and the Levite, and the sojourner who is among you. ESV
Joh 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, Joh 11:26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" ESV
Joh 12:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. ESV
Rom 4:24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, Rom 4:25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. ESV
1Co 15:20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 1Co 15:21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 1Co 15:23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 1Co 15:24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. ESV
2Pe 2:1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2Pe 2:2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 2Pe 2:3 And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. ESV
Jud 1:3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. Jud 1:4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. ESV
Matthew 23:23:
Teachers who use Matthew 23:23 with the intention of extracting 10 percent of monetary income from believers simply do not understand this scripture. Jesus told the scribes and Pharisees not to leave the tithing of herbs undone; for this reason, some teachers manipulate this to mean that there is a moral principle of paying 10 percent of monetary income and that it is in effect for Christians to follow their rule. Jesus would tell the Pharisees to tithe of these different herbs because these herbs were grown from the land of promise, the Promised Land. There is no mention of money in this scripture. As shown earlier, the Israelites were not allowed to pay monetarily as a tithe; however, under the old covenant law the people were required to pay tithes of the harvest of the produce grown in the land of promise. Since the Pharisees lived in the land of promise Jesus said they should not neglect paying tithes of these herbs, which were harvested from the land of promise as the old covenant law commanded. The Pharisees at this time lived under the old covenant law because Jesus had not offered Himself up to establish the New Covenant. Therefore, the Pharisees were required to obey all of the old covenant law, such as paying tithes from herbs reaped from the land of promise . The old covenant was a shadow of the ministry of Jesus and this is why the Pharisees should have paid tithes of herbs harvested from the land of promise, because this was a shadow of Jesus being the heave offering of the tithe for us. These modern Judaizers, in their interpretation, miss the main point of what Jesus was saying since they think tithes and offerings are about monetary income. The Pharisees were interested in performing the ceremony of the old covenant law, like paying tithes of herbs harvested from the land of promise but they had neglected what was important to the heart of God (justice, mercy, faithfulness, and the love of God). Maybe the teachers that use these scriptures to promote monetary tithing are doing the same thing that the Pharisees did. Jesus did not establish the tithes of herbs as a moral principle, not to mention that this scripture articulates nothing about 10 percent of monetary income. The words He spoke indicate that the tithes of herbs were not “weightier matters”; however, justice, mercy, faithfulness, and the love of God are "weightier matters" or moral principles. These “weightier matters” are what God truly wanted from the Pharisees, but the tithes of herbs were not listed among these “weightier matters”. Many continue to wrongly insist that the tithe is a moral standard. If Jesus would have said that the tithes of herbs were one of the "weightier matters", this would certainly qualify tithing as a moral principle but He did not say that the tithes of herbs were a "weightier matter". This scripture is just another demonstration of the Pharisees boastful self righteousness, for they paid tithes of these herbs thinking that it gave them a moral superiority over other people of their day. These scriptures are not about reinforcing tithing for monetary gain; the emphasis of these scriptures are about having a loving heart for God and the power of Christ in us is how these "weightier matters" become reality. Jesus was scolding the Pharisees for being self righteous and this is what modern Judaizers are instructing, self righteousness with a false humility, with their unscriptural version of tithes and offerings. If you include any other standard of righteousness in your life in which Christ, the righteousness of God, is not the focal point it is self righteousness and this is what the modern Judaizers are doing with their twisted interpretation of tithes and offerings. They advise Christians if they tithe of their monetary income they will be blessed of God (acceptable to God) and warn if they do not tithe monetarily they are cursed for robbing God (condemned by God). This is conveying that if we pay tithes of our monetary income God owes us blessings and this is rendering God to be our debtor. This type of instruction is teaching us to position our self before God on our own merit to be blessed (exalted or lifted up from a lowly position) instead of trusting in the sufficiency that we have received in Christ . This stance is self righteousness at its core because it is boasting of being exalted and justified before God by the deeds of the law instead of pointing out the true purpose of these sacrifices. These sacrifices from the law are a shadow of the glorious gift of Jesus Christ which He has lavished on us. The only way for sinners to stand blameless before God is through the sacrificial gift of Christ which we have received through the love, mercy, and grace of our God. Do not depend on yourself to obtain God's blessing. Trust in Him, for we have already been blessed with every spiritual blessing we will need in Christ; therefore we should go serve our King.
Mat 23:23 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness.These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. ESV
Luk 11:42 "But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb,and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. ESV
Luk 18:9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: Luk 18:10 "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. Luk 18:11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. Luk 18:12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.' Luk 18:13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' Luk 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." ESV
Rom 3:20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. Rom 3:21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it-- Rom 3:22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: ESV
Eph 1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, ESV
JESUSIS THE REALITY
Col 2:16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. ESV
Col 2:17 All such things are only a shadow of things in the future; the reality is Christ.
GOOD NEWS BIBLE
Col 2:16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. ESV
Col 2:17 All such things are only a shadow of things in the future; the reality is Christ.
GOOD NEWS BIBLE
