Portraits of Jesus the Christ

By Morris Dubidat

The temple was erected to portray God's glory, majesty, and grace, which was to be revealed in his son, Jesus. "That I may dwell among them" was a revelation of his plan for the future "Emanuel" God with us. There was nothing on earth like the tabernacle, and there was no greater experience to have than the presence of the Almighty God, both in sensing his presence and seeing the Shekinah light of his glory in the most holy place. This tabernacle was a revelation of his eternal plan for man's redemption through Jesus his son. After we have settled the sin question at the altar of sacrifice and then have ourselves washed from the defilement of sin at the laver, we are then ready to enter the holy place of fellowship with the saints and to behold the glory, beauty, and grace of God. In this Old Testament tabernacle, the veil restricted the entrance to the most holy place and hence the presence of the Almighty. But now in this dispensation of grace, the veil was ripped open on purpose by God. Since Jesus went into the heavenly tabernacle with his own blood, access is no more denied to those of us who have accepted him as our sacrificial lamb, we can come boldly to the throne of grace where he is seated on the right hand of God his father in heaven. With humbleness of spirit and a heart of gratitude, we join in the songs of the redeemed in praise and adoration to him who have redeemed us with his own blood. With such experience in Jesus who was portrayed in the tabernacle, we can wholeheartedly agree with David in Psalm 27:4. This one thing is our greatest desire to dwell in his presence.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 22, 2019
• ISBN: 9781098002145

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Portraits of Jesus the Christ

Morris Dubidat

Copyright © 2019 by Morris Dubidat

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Foreword

The more of God’s written words that we know and understand, is the more equipped and enlightened we are, concerning his eternal plan and purpose, for his creature called man.

The revelation of God’s plan for man’s complete redemption is given in the Holy Bible, his holy words. Without the words of God, we would be left to stumble in the darkness of spiritual ignorance.

It is the will and purpose of God to enlighten us concerning his plan for our eternal salvation. Therefore, it’s of extreme importance and of great advantage to us in knowing and understanding his spoken and written words.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105).

It is proven and established that the New Testament is enveloped in the Old Testament, and the Old Testament is revealed in the New Testament. We should therefore have a good understanding of both Old and New Testament scriptures.

The more informed and enlightened we are, concerning God’s eternal plan and purpose for man, will be the more spiritually mature we become. We are born into the Kingdom of God as spiritual babes, but it is to no one’s benefit to remain in that state of spiritual infancy. We should all strive to become spiritually mature and enlightened Christians.

When we are spiritually grown up, and are knowledgeable in the things of God, we will become better tools in the hand of the Holy Spirit.

In our natural lives, when we are babes, we are fed with milk and other foods that our infant stomach can digest. However, when we become an adult, we should leave off eating the food, which are prepared for infants, and seek to have and consume the food that will sustain an adult.

The similar thing applies in the spiritual kingdom. For us to grow into spiritual mature adults, we need to feed on the stronger spiritual things of God.

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Heb. 5:12–14, NKJV)

Our physical body desires and seek after the natural food. which will sustain it, and maintain good health. In a similar way, our hearts and mind should desire and seek after the spiritual food, which are contained in the word of God.

His written words are like the manna, which he gave to Israel while they traveled through the wilderness to their promised land. God made it with all the nutrients necessary to feed and sustain every one of every age group among them.

How sweet are your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way (Psalm 119:103–104, NKJV).

It is also said that we are what we eat. However, what we consume must be digested before it can benefit us. The same principle applies to the written word of God. It must be settled in our hearts and minds, thereby becoming a part of our daily lives, and in this way, it can become profitable to us.

We should also give space to the Holy Spirit, so that he can enlighten our minds concerning spiritual and eternal things. We should always do our best with our spiritual responsibility; however, it’s the Holy Spirit who knows what is in the mind of God for us, now and always. Therefore we should allow him to lead and guide us, in all our undertakings.

For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God (1 Cor. 2:11).

This book is written for leaders and laypersons alike, who want to get deeper in God’s holy words. It can be used for Bible studies, whether in church, or in home group Bible studies. The Sunday school teacher will also find it very handy.

The scriptures in this book are written out for your convenience. The main reason being, you may be reading it at a time, or place, where it is not convenient or possible to have a Bible handy to find the actual references.

Most of the scripture references are from the King James Version of the Bible. When another Bible Translation is used, it will be stated.

As Christian believers, we should be able to give an answer to every man who asks us of the hope that we have in Christ Jesus. The spiritual leaders and laypersons alike will find this book very handy, enlightening, and helpful in defending the faith of the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear (1 Peter 3:15).

All Christian leaders are called upon to prepare themselves for their ministry, in a manner that will be pleasing to God. In doing so, we will be able to rightly and properly apply the truth of his written words. It should never escape our minds for a moment, that our God who has called us into the ministry and gave us a gift or gifts for the purpose of enhancing his kingdom, will also call us one day to give an account to him for those gifts which he gave us.

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15, NKJV).

You will also find that some scriptures in this book are repeated in discussing different subjects. This is for the purpose of bringing out the spiritual truths, which are enveloped in that portion of scripture and are relevant to the subject being discussed.

The Christian believers in each generation, since the birth of the church, are handed the responsibility by the previous generation to defend the faith of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. We should therefore have a clear understanding of what we are defending and do it with great courage and a good knowledge of God’s written words, the Holy Bible.

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. (Jude 1:3–4)

It is my prayer that the Holy Spirit will take the exposition in this book and multiply its insight and truth to your heart and mind, like the few fish and bread that Jesus multiplied and fed thousands. Also that this book will provide a deeper understanding of God’s eternal plan for man’s salvation, which he predestined before the world began.

In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began (Titus 1:2).

Chapter 1

An Overview of the Book

The Purpose for the Tabernacle

When God created man, he had in mind a creature that would live with him forever. A creature that would bear his image and likeness with whom he can have fellowship.

Man is the crowning glory of God’s creation. Of all the wonderful, great, and marvelous things which God has created, there is none like man. We are the only creature that has a part of God in us.

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul (Gen. 2:7).

This breath of life is the eternal spirit of life, which was placed in man. This is the main thing that separates man from all the other creatures. When this earthly physical body, which was made from the dust of the earth, deteriorates and dies, this spirit, which was given to us, will live on eternally.

Who knows the spirit of the sons of men, which goes upward, and the spirit of the animal, which goes down to the earth? (Eccl. 3:21).

In the book of Genesis, after man sinned, God had to break his fellowship with him. However, this disobedience and sin did not overtake God by surprise. He knew very well that man would have been tempted and thereby disobeyed his command. This foreknowledge of God allows him to make provision for man’s redemption before he was created.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. (Eph. 1:3–4)

In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began. (Titus 1:2)

The reason why God didn’t create the first man as a spirit being, it’s because when man sinned, he would have remained spiritual and therefore there would be no redemption for him.

Angels are created spirit beings; therefore those angels who rebelled with Lucifer, and sinned against God, have no means of redemption. They are spirit beings and therefore cannot die a physical death; consequently, they will be tormented eternally in the lake of fire for their rebellion against God. These rebellious spirits, including Satan, are knowingly awaiting their eternal punishment for their evil and sinful deeds.

And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? Art thou come hither to torment us before the time? (Matt. 8:28–29)

And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Rev. 20:10)

Death was the punishment handed down to man when he sinned against the command of God. This death would be first physical, and then if redemption is not found, it would be eternal.

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom. 1:23).

In the Genesis experience, we saw where the devil entered the lives of man, and man was seen running and hiding from God. This experience became inherent in man, and therefore, he does not seek after God of his own will anymore.

Man in general has lost his appetite for God, his creator, and also the desire to have fellowship and friendship with him. After three dispensations have passed, God again made the first move toward reestablishing fellowship with man.

God called Abram and made him a promise, that through his seed, he will raise up a nation through which he will restore his fellowship with man in general. In light of the fact, that he created man for the purpose of having fellowship with him, he is always wanting to dwell with us or tabernacle with us. Thereby we can also have fellowship with him.

The purpose of the tabernacle was therefore for him to dwell among Israel, his people. This would also be the beginning of establishing his predestined and eternal plan for man in general.

And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them (Exod. 25:8–9).

God Always Makes the First Move Toward Man

While man is constantly running away from his creator, God is always showing mercy and love toward him, and he is forever calling man to come to him for mercy and grace. Therefore there is no need for us to keep running away from him. He has not only made the provision for our redemption, but the price for our sins have already been paid, through the shed blood of Jesus Christ his son.

And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself (this is the guilt of sin) (Gen. 3:9–10).

Before this deceptive and misleading encounter with the devil, man would blissfully wait for God to come and have fellowship with him. But since this Genesis experience, when the devil turned man’s heart from God; through his subtlety and craftiness, man has lost his yearning and desire for his maker.

In fact, since that first lie that the devil told man and he believed it, he is constantly feeding man with all the lies, which he thinks are necessary to keep him away from God.

Jesus on several occasions called the devil a thief and the father of lies. The devil don’t have to think before he gives us a lie, he is the creator of lies, so if he has no lie suitable for his present need, he simply create another lie that will fit into his objective.

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (John 8:44)

Man is the only creature that was made in God’s image and likeness. After all the other creatures and the plants were created, God decided to fulfill that which was in his heart which is to create a creature that would look like him, on whom he could bestowed his love and with whom he could have fellowship.

This fellowship would not only be on a temporary basis, but forever. This is why God loved man so much in that he sent his only begotten son, Jesus, to pay the penalty for man’s transgressions.

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. (Gen. 1:26–27)

When we become a Christian, God add to us another treasure in the person of the Holy Spirit, assuring us of eternal life with him. The scripture is very clear on this, that the Holy Spirit is given to us as confirmation that our eternal life with him is secure.

Who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee (2 Cor. 1:22, NKJV).

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us (2 Cor. 4:7).

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his (Rom. 8:9).

In the Book of Exodus, God made the first move by causing a tabernacle to be erected, whereby he could dwell among Israel. Again in the fullness of time, in the New Testament, he made the first move; this time he sent his beloved son, Jesus, to pay the debt for all our sins.

"But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons" (Gal. 4:4–5, NKJV).

The Three Areas of the Tabernacle

The most holy place—The dwelling place of God’s presence.

The holy place—The place of intercession and fellowship for the priests.

The outer court—The place of sacrifice for the people and consecration for the priests.

The order that God gave to Moses began with the Most Holy Place and the furniture therein.

1) The Most Holy Place

And thou shalt make a veil of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made: And thou shalt hang it upon four pillars of shittim wood overlaid with gold: their hooks shall be of gold, upon the four sockets of silver. And thou shalt hang up the veil under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the veil the ark of the testimony: and the veil shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy. (Exod. 26:31–33)

There are several reasons why God began with the most holy place:

He is the first and the last.

There can be no one before God, and there can be no one after him because he forever exists. He is the beginning of all things, and he cannot go out of existence or ceases to be God. He is the one who holds all things together. Without him, nothing would subsist.

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. (Col. 1:16–17)

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.