Skip to main content

Build The Walls

"My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. Do good by your favor, to Zion, build up the walls... then will you delight in sacrifices of righteousness,"1

Those who wish to offer pleasing sacrifices to God, must at first be sanctified, in the inward parts. This inward change leads to outward change or transformation, this is the divine service of each believer, "to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and well pleasing to God, which is your divinely reasonable service."2 This divinely reasonable service is that which is well pleasing to God, what is logical to God, it is first and foremost. What good are other sacrifices, tithing, giving, good works if I do not offer this sacrifice of reasonable service? 

"Create in me a clean heart, O God,and renew a right spirit within me."3

David knew what God desired, "Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,"5 Jesus said he had guarded the disciples, phulassó, properly, preserve by "having an eye on." He prayed for the Father not to remove them from this world but that He would sanctify them. "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth."6 This was the cry of David, purge me and I shall be clean, wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 

"that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,"7

Paul writes Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her so that he might sanctify her, by the washing of His word.11 Jesus is the Word, that created all things in the beginning, he is the author of faith whereby it is possible to please God, thus through the washing, cleansing, of the Word we are being sanctified, made white as snow. David knew what God desired, "For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering." Sanctify me and "Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you."8

“Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”9

John was carried away "to a mountain great and high," and was shown "the holy city of Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. Shining with the glory of God." John then describes a city, as if the city is the bride. Now, the Church is called the bride of Christ and as Paul writes we are living stones in a spiritual temple rising up to God. "I saw no temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple." Christ is the Light. This city has a foundational wall built upon the apostles, like the Church being founded upon the apostles.

"The wall of the city had twelve foundations bearing the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb."10 
 
This city also has twelve gates of pearls. Jesus said, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant who finds a very precious pearl and gives away all to posses it. To enter the pearly gates of the kingdom of heaven one must forsake the treasures of this earth. Not all will enter the kingdom of heaven, which is like a dragnet that caught all kinds, the good and the bad, the good will be separated from the bad. "And into the city will be brought the glory and honor of the nations, nothing unclean will ever enter it." The glory and honor of all nations, speaks of the Church. All nations are blessed in Christ, the blessed from these will enter the city, those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.12

"Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God."14

The walls of the city are adorned with twelve jewels, like the breast piece worn by the high priest in the earthly temple. The twelve gates bear the name of the sons of the twelve tribes of Israel but the walls are founded upon, the twelve apostles. There is no sun in this city as the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its lamp. "By its light the nations will walk, and into it the kings of the earth will bring their glory." Paul writes, the Church has Christ the foundation stone and is founded upon the twelve apostles and prophets.

"For the LORD has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his dwelling place:"15

The new is not as the old, the old being a shadow of things to come. Those of old worshiped God in the flesh, "to a mountain that can not be touched and that is burning with fire..." Those of the new worship Christ, the Lion of Judah, on the throne of David. In the new "You have come to myriads of angels in joyful assembly, to the congregation of the firstborn, enrolled in heaven. You have come to God the judge of all men, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel."

"Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls..."16 

Build the walls, build the body. The Church is founded on the apostles, as is the walls of the city, founded upon the twelve apostles. Paul writes, each person is a living stone in the Church thus in the wall. In each person dwells the Spirit of God, thus each is a living stone being "placed" in the wall. The whole being built up into a dwelling place of God. Built up, by "placing" living stones in this temple. This is not a numerical thing, God desires a bride worthy of the groom, the presenting of the body, sanctified, cleansed, holy, a bride worthy. It is a sanctified Church that will teach sinners your ways so they will return to you. So Lord we pray, your Church, wash and cleanse, "sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth."17









Popular Posts

The Tripartite Nature of Humanity: Spirit, Soul, and Body

The Tripartite Nature of Humanity: Spirit, Soul, and Body in Biblical Understanding The human being, as depicted in the Bible, is a multifaceted creation, often understood through the distinct yet interconnected components of spirit, soul, and body. While some theological perspectives lean towards a bipartite view (soul and body), which we do see in the Old Testament, a careful examination of the New Testament scripture reveals a compelling case for a tripartite understanding, where each is divided into or composed of three parts. Let’s explore the biblical distinction between spirit, soul, and body. The Body: Our Earthly Vessel The body is the physical form that interacts with the material world. From the very beginning, Genesis 2:7 states, " Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being ." This verse clearly establishes the body's origin from the earth, emphasizing its connec...
Read more

Blessed Are The Forgiven

Blessed! the one whose lawless deeds are forgiven and the one whose sins are covered over, blessed is the man whom sin, the Lord will not consider . * Paul writes David foresaw and spoke " blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered . *  Blessed, is the one whom sin is not considered, this word considered  means "to credit, count, reckon, to set down as a matter of account; regard, think, consider." This blessing comes through faith and according to grace, " also David speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God considers righteousness apart from works ." *  The word for  lawless deeds speaks of the violation of the Law and the word for sin  speaks of missing the mark of God's righteousness. Blessed are those who (by faith in Christ according to grace) have been forgiven. In Him receiving the redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of trespasses according to the riches of His grace . * This fundamental ...
Read more

Lord, Stand By Me

"... present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness ." 1 This word for present means "I bring, present, come up to and stand by," it is parístēmi (from pará, "from close-beside" and hístēmi, "to stand") – properly, stand close beside, i.e. ready to present (exhibit). I pray Lord stand by me which expresses that I put my trust in Him, or I come up to and stand by Him. We use phrases like surrendering or bowing at the cross to explain such a moment, surely it is a coming to the end of ourselves and it is desirable that I find His will acceptable, but it is important to understand that it is about trust, not my will power, the key is that it is in Christ. The terminology the scriptures use is "present yourselves to God," or come up to and stand by and walk with Him. "... present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this...
Read more

So That You Have Life

the thief comes but to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that having life and having it more so (John 10:10) The next few verses give us context of the realm of life and death that Jesus speaks of. The wolf comes, no doubt referring to Satan, he attacks the flock to kill, steal, and destroy. But Jesus came that we may have life, he lays his life down for the sheep. The life he gives is eternal, but he said it is living water, like a fountain that gushes up unto eternal life, thus we experience life in this mortal body, unto its fullness. Jesus became flesh and blood like his brethren to save them, this is how God demonstrates his love. "I know my own and they know me just as the Father knows me and I know the Father and I lay down my life for the sheep" (John 10:14). Jesus came so that we may have life. but you do not believe because existing not of my flock. My sheep listen to my voice and I know them and they follow, just as I give them eternal life and no not per...
Read more

Spirit of Life

" Indeed, the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus liberates from the law of sin and death ." 1 This word for liberates "I free, set free, liberate" is from a root word meaning free, exempt, not bound by an obligation. As partakers of God's divine nature, being born of Spirit, we are no longer obligated to the sinful nature but to righteousness which is God's nature. When we believe we receive the Spirit of promise, a guarantee of our inheritance, a great testimony that we are His children, it is a Spirit of Life. " Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life." 24 The Son came not to condemn the world but to save it. "One trespass   led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. " 6 " He was delivered over to death for our trespasses and wa...
Read more

True Widows: A Biblical Perspective

True Widows: A Biblical Perspective Throughout Scripture, God's compassion for widows is evident. He is portrayed as their defender, provider, and source of justice. The Bible repeatedly calls believers to care for widows, reflecting God's own heart for the vulnerable. However, in his letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul provides a specific definition of a "true" widow, emphasizing the church's responsibility in supporting those who are genuinely in need. God's Compassion for Widows The Old Testament is rich with passages that reveal God's concern for widows. In Exodus 22:22, God commands, "You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child." This verse underscores His protective nature, ensuring that widows are not mistreated or neglected. Similarly, Deuteronomy 10:18 declares, "He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing." Here, God is depicted as a just and loving prov...
Read more

All Who Are Thirsty

“ Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;  and he who has no money,  come, buy and eat!  Come, buy wine and milk  without money and without price.  Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,  and your labor for that which does not satisfy?  Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,  and delight yourselves in rich food. .." (Isaiah 55). " Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price ." Buy is defined as to acquire the ownership of by giving an accepted price or consideration therefore; to accept or believe as true .[ 1 ] When we buy something we consider the price that we must pay, we accept this and purchase the thing we have considered worthy of the sacrifice we make in payment. W e can not buy, with money or price, redemption from t his tragic flaw we are born into. However Jesus paid the price for us, so we buy or accept through consideration, the Greek word is  logizomai.[ 2] ...
Read more

Freedom from the Mosaic Law: A Deep Theological Exploration of New Testament Teaching

Freedom from the Mosaic Law: A Deep Theological Exploration of New Testament Teaching Introduction: The Question of the Mosaic Law and Christian Identity One of the most significant theological debates and practical challenges for the early church was the place of the Mosaic Law in the life of believers in Jesus Christ. This question remains alive today, particularly in communities and churches that quote the Old Testament as if its legal prescriptions still directly obligate Christians. The apostolic writings, especially those of Paul, provide the primary lens through which the New Testament resolves this matter. Paul’s letters—rich in both theological reflection and ecclesiastical urgency—not only confront false teaching but chart the path of new covenant living by the Holy Spirit.  This essay seeks to offer a doctrinal synthesis on why believers are no longer “under the Mosaic Law,” supported by original-language insights, harmonized scripture references, and commentary drawn...
Read more

Maturity In Christ and Into His Image: An Exhaustive Exegetical Report

The "Consummation of the Believer" signifies the ultimate and total achievement of the believer's transformed nature and position within Christ. This theological concept is founded in Christian doctrine, specifically engaging with the philosophical study of being (ontology) and the definitive fulfillment (consummation) of the salvation process.
Read more

Theological Comparison of the New Covenant of Grace and the Old Covenant of the Law

Theological Comparison of the New Covenant of Grace and the Old Covenant of the Law: A Detailed Study Rooted in Ephesians 2:11–22 Introduction The theme of covenant is central to the biblical narrative, shaping God’s relationship with humanity from creation through redemption. The new covenant is called by Paul a ministry of reconciliation, righteousness, and of the Spirit. The shift from the old Mosaic covenant—rooted in the Law given to Israel at Sinai—to the new covenant of grace established in Christ, fundamentally redefines how people approach God, community, and salvation. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, particularly 2:11–22, provides a remarkably clear and rich theological exposition of this transition, addressing not only the spiritual implications for Jews and Gentiles but also the very nature of the church as God’s new creation. This report develops an in-depth, paragraph-driven theological comparison between the old and new covenants, structured around nine key themes de...
Read more