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2 Timothy 3 Standing Strong against Apostasy
Apostasy

to fall away – The abandonment of one’s religion.

The word apostasy is rarely found in the Eng. Bible.. But the reality expressed by the word is found frequently. Israel’s history was one of continual apostasy as the people deliberately turned away form the God who had redeemed them out of Egypt, and followed false gods and sinful ways… In the NT apostasy occurs when men turn aside from following Jesus and deny Him after having previously confessed Him as Lord.

The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, p.216

Why is the Apostle Paul so concerned for some small misleading by men within the church?

How do some teachers oppose the true worship of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?

Who are they?

But Mark This:

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.

2 Timothy 3:1 NIV

χαλεπός – chalepos –
- perhaps from G5465 through the idea of reducing the strength; difficult, i.e. dangerous, or (by implication) furious:—fierce, perilous.
The Apostle Paul continues in his second epistle to pastors, beginning a central section we label, 2 TIMOTHY 3, with a reminder of danger announced in the NIV, “But mark this: ..”

Paul’s WARNING from his previous epistle

But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will [aphistēmi] fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by the hypocrisy of liars, who have been seared in their own conscience, ..

1 Timothy 4:1-2 LSB

The great enemy of God is not Nation or Ruler who turns upon God’s people from without, but the strong-speaking leader weakening the Lord’s elect from within.

Roger@TalkofJesus.com

2 Timothy 3:

The Apostle has already cautioned in his second epistle to beware of men like Jannes and Jambres who betrayed Moses. Now Paul reminds Timothy and others of his personal example to them from the time he first witnessed to them.

You, however, know all about my teaching,

my way of life,

my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—

Second pastoral Epistle of Paul to Timothy 3:10-11a NIV

And Paul then outlines some life-threatening events many of them witnessed which proved his faith through several persecutions and many injuries suffered:

—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured.

Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.

2 Timothy 3:11b NIV

Iconium – A Pattern of Persecution
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Who would endure such suffering for Jesus Christ if not a witness to Truth? 
```
And it will not ONLY be Apostles, cautions Paul:

Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

2 Timothy 3:12-13
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HOW do faithful believers discern the difference between true Christ-followers and those misrepresenting JESUS for their own worldly gain?
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The DANGER WITHIN threatens the CHURCH often unnoticed during DIFFICULT TIMES, because its leaders overlook Scripture.

Last Days and Difficult Times

2 Timothy 3 Danger Within during Difficult Times
```
The last days — eschatos hēmera, difficult times — chalepos kairos... 
```
kai toutous apotrepō – from such turn away.

Avoid such people!

YES, they may be prominent members, even Elders, leaders, priests or pastors in Christ’s church where you worship.

They will maintain the outward appearance of religion but will have repudiated its power. So avoid people like these.

2 Timothy 3:5 New English Translation

Knowing What You Know

The Apostle compares his own life to a different life promised by false teachers.

(For these are only the beginning of the last days before Christ’s return).

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 3:14-15 NIV
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So how does a pastor like Timothy, or Elder, or simply a humble saint know who to believe? 
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Questions for a Common Era christian church
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Have any priestly men of your parrish repented of the calf replaced by idols of a woman worshiped?
 
Did episkopois above bishops elevate hagios long passed as ancient intercessors worshiped? 

Do spotlights illuminate your idols on stage for a multitude little different than what Moses witnessed on descent from Sinai?

Does your vaulting cathedral show wooden pillars of pastoral vision as the calf gathering those led by Jannes and Jambres into the worship of a new King? 

Has worldly refreshment replaced Scripture in the house of the Lord?

Is the Christ of true Scripture rejected in place of some other calf-like JESUS proclaimed king without taking up a Cross? 
```
But they won’t get away with this for long.

Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are, just as with Jannes and Jambres.

2 Timothy 3:9 NLT

Recognizing Apostasy from Scripture

As mentioned earlier we will not find the word “apostasy” frequently in the Bible, but Scripture reveals apostate acts of turning against God and Christ throughout.

Follow the meaning and connection of some of these related root words from both the Greek and Hebrew of the Bible:

Let no one in any way deceive you, for it has not come unless the [apostasia] apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the sanctuary of God, exhibiting himself as being God.

Second Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians 2:2-3 LSB – regarding letters from false teachers
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ἀποστασία apostasía, ap-os-tas-ee'-ah; feminine of the same as G647; defection from truth 
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And they said, “Moses permitted a man TO WRITE A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE G647 [apostasion] AND [apolyō] SEND her AWAY.”

But Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote for you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, God MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE…”

Gospel of Mark 10:4-6 LSB
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ἀποστάσιον apostásion, ap-os-tas'-ee-on; neuter of a (presumed) adjective from a derivative of G868; properly, something separative, i.e. (specially) divorce:—(writing of) divorcement. 
```
“And those on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy,
and these have no root;
they believe for a while,
and in time of temptation
fall^G868 away^G868.
Gospel of Luke 8:13 LSB — Strong’s G868 – aphistēmi – to remove, i.e. (actively) instigate to revolt; usually (reflexively) to desist, desert, etc.:—depart, draw (fall) away, refrain, withdraw self.

LXX – Septuagint – O.T. translations from the Greek

Old Testament
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The Septuagint, often abbreviated as LXX, is the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, traditionally said to have been translated by seventy or seventy-two Jewish scholars in the 3rd century BC. 
```
The translation of the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek was necessitated by the dispersion of the Jewish people throughout the Hellenistic world, particularly in Egypt, where many Jews had lost their Hebrew language skills.

The Septuagint holds particular significance in early Christianity, as it was the version of the Old Testament most frequently quoted by the New Testament authors.

The use of the Septuagint by the early Church Fathers further solidified its role in Christian theology and exegesis.

source: BibleHub.com

Strong’s G868 – aphistēmi – LXX
- to make stand off, cause to withdraw, to remove
  - to excite to revolt
- to stand off, to stand aloof
Strong’s Number G868 matches the Greek ἀφίστημι (aphistēmi),
which occurs 150 times in 138 verses in the LXX Greek.

Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.

Exodus 23:7 KJV

For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.

Deuteronomy 7:4 KJV

And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.

2 Kings 15: (4X)

Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping.

Psalm 6;8
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 Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done; 
and, ye that are near, acknowledge my might. 
 The sinners in Zion are afraid; 
fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. 
 Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? 
who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? 

- Isaiah 33:14-15 KJV 
```
more Apostasy from the Hebrew Bible [O.T.]

Various Hebrew words could be translated into English as ‘apostasy.’

If you read more books of the Prophets, such as Isaiah {above}, you will see their turning against God repeatedly.

Your evil will chastise you,
and your apostasy will reprove you.
Know and see that it is evil and bitter
for you to forsake the LORD your God;
the fear of me is not in you,
declares the Lord GOD of hosts.

Jeremiah 2:19 ESV
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Strong's H4878 - mᵊšûḇâ
turning away, turning back, apostasy, backsliding 
```
Hosea

The entire book of Hosea essentially outlines the faithlessness of God’s ‘chosen people.’

Historical Context [8th century B.C.]:
Hosea’s prophetic career spanned the reigns of several kings of Israel, including Jeroboam II, and possibly extended into the early years of the Assyrian conquest. This period was marked by political instability, social injustice, and rampant idolatry. The Northern Kingdom was prosperous but spiritually bankrupt, having turned away from Yahweh to worship Baal and other Canaanite deities.

source: BibleHub.com

.. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD.

Hosea 1:2a KJV

Though thou, Israel, play the harlot, yet let not Judah offend; and come not ye unto Gilgal, neither go ye up to Bethaven, nor swear, The LORD liveth.

Hosea 4:15

For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind:

it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.

Israel is swallowed up: now shall they be among the Gentiles as a vessel wherein is no pleasure.

Hosea 8:7-8

When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt…

And my people are bent to backsliding [mᵊšûḇâ – מְשׁוּבָה ] from me:

though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.

Hosea 11:1,7 KJV

Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God,
for you have stumbled because of your iniquity.

I will heal their apostasy [mᵊšûḇâ];
I will love them freely,
for my anger has turned from them.

Hosea 14:1,4 KJV

live a godly life in Christ Jesus

But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived.

But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you.

2 Timothy 3:13-14 NLT

NEXT: All Scripture

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Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel
February 3, 2026
2 Timothy 3 Danger Within during Difficult Times
χαλεπός – chalepos –
- perhaps from G5465 through the idea of reducing the strength; difficult, i.e. dangerous, or (by implication) furious:—fierce, perilous.
But Mark This:

The Apostle Paul continues in his second epistle to pastors, beginning a central section we label, 2 TIMOTHY 3, with a reminder of danger announced in the NIV, “But mark this: ..”

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.

2 Timothy 3:1 NIV

You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times.

2 Tim 3:1 NLT

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 Tim 3:1 KJV

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of stress.

2 Tim 3:1 RSV

The great enemy of God is not Nation or Ruler who turns upon God’s people from without, but the strong-speaking leader weakening the Lord’s elect from within.

Roger@TalkofJesus.com

Last Days and Difficult Times
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The last days — eschatos hēmera, difficult times — chalepos kairos... 
```
We will not speculate (as do so many) when these last days were, are or will be. The emphasis of Paul’s added reminder is NOT the last days, but his long list of evidences found in the unfaithful, whether in the first century, the time of Moses or in the 21st century of this Common Era.

Further HEADINGS of this from various Bibles:
- A warning of what to expect – J.B. Phillips New Testament
- Godlessness in the Last Days – ESV
- The Tasks of a Man of God – New Catholic Bible
  - Repulse the Onslaughts of False Teachers – [sub-heading] NCB
AND in verse 2, Paul immediately gets to his long list of characteristics (or perhaps I should say, lack of character) against which the Apostle warns.

3:2 ἔσονται γὰρ οἱ ἄνθρωποι

For men [anthrōpos – lit. human beings, whether male or female] shall be…

2 Timothy 3:2 gar anthrōpos esomai – For men shall be

Familiar (yet Infrequent) Warnings to the Church

first, from their Greek words and the King James English translation,
1. philautos – lovers of their own selves
2. philargyros – covetous
3. alazōn – boasters
4. hyperēphanos – proud
5. blasphēmos – blasphemers
6. apeithēs goneus – disobedient to parents
7. acharistos – unthankful
8. anosios – unholy
9. astorgos – Without natural affection
10. aspondos – trucebreakers
11. diabolos – false accusers
12. akratēs – incontinent
13. anēmeros – fierce
14. aphilagathos – despisers of those that are good
15. prodotēs – traitors
16. propetēs – heady
17. typhoō – highminded
18. philēdonos mallon – lovers of pleasures more
19. ē philotheos – than lovers of God;
echō morphōsis eusebeia – Having a form of godliness,

de arneomai ho dynamis autos – but denying the power thereof:

2 Timothy 3:2-4,5a Transliterated – KJV – source BLB.org
```
Paul urges Timothy not to accept soft faith threating the church like a ship in a storm.
```
kai toutous apotrepō – from such turn away.

2 Timothy 3:1-5

A warning of what to expect

secondly, J.B. Phillips taking these oft-forgotten concepts directed into our more familiar English.

But you must realise that in the last days the times will be full of danger. Men will become

utterly self-centred, greedy for money, full of big words.

They will be proud and contemptuous,

without any regard for what their parents taught them.

They will be utterly lacking in gratitude, purity and normal human affections.

They will be men of unscrupulous speech and have no control of themselves.

They will be passionate and unprincipled, treacherous, self-willed and conceited, loving all the time what gives them pleasure instead of loving God.

They will maintain a facade of “religion”, but their conduct will deny its validity.

You must keep clear of people like this.

J.B. Phillips New Testament

Some English Synonyms and Scriptural Reminders

Considering a few descriptive adjectives:

Honestly, who doesn’t have some love of himself [philautos].. or love of money [philargyros] to pay our creditors?

But do you love me, Jesus asks a disciple?

Now the Pharisees, who were lovers G5366 of G5366 money G5366, were listening to all these things and were scoffing at Him [Jesus}.

Gospel of Luke 16;14
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You likely know the Old Testament command using this same word, covetous:
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Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.

Exodus 20:17 KJV
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[hyperēphanos alazōn] Proud boasters WE know, not only in politics and business but in our own church. 
```
God resisteth the proud, G5244 but giveth grace unto the humble.

Epistle of James 4:6

Blasphemers

Blasphemy is an even more serious offense, much neglected in this Common Era.
- scurrilous
  - once commonly descriptive of those known for vulgar, coarse, or abusive language, especially of a malicious or slanderous nature
- or (specially) impious (against God)
But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:

Gospel of Mark 3:29 KJV – a warning of Jesus

Disobedient to Parents
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Doesn't seem so serious, does it? 
```
5:16 כַּבֵּד אֶת־אָבִיךָ וְאֶת־אִמֶּךָ

Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee

Deuteronomy 5:16a,b – Masoretic text, KJV

Commandment of the LORD and the Law of Israel.

If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: .. lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city,.. And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice.. And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.

Deuteronomy 21:18-21 excerpt KJV

Unthankful, Unholy, ‘Unaffectionate’.. unChristian?

Every believer associates with christians who do NOT imitate Christ.
- Are YOU one of them at times?
- Do you lack affection or appear unholy to others?
Other hints of false teachers:
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We cannot cover the entire list.
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Incontinent.
- powerless, i.e. without self-control:—incontinent.
- Lacking sexual restraint; unchaste.
```
Such sins (though known, even obvious to church leaders) remain veiled to the saints, until sudden revelation unveils that their witness for Christ always fell short of the Way and the Truth of JESUS. 
```
Trucebreakers and Traitors.

These christians want to do ‘their own thing’ without public vow, or covenant.

AND they will not be convinced to refrain from such worldly things that malign Christ.

Judas wanted to follow Jesus his own way as long as the Lord led him as a conquering King of Israel.
- We can use that money for better things.
- Why should You sacrifice your Life for sinners?
```
Do these descriptions point to some Judas influencing ideas behind a world-like vision of your church?
```
διάβολος – diabolos

When you hear, ‘FALSE ACCUSERS’ on Paul’s list, you may not consider the weight of the Apostle’s adjective.

Recognize the ‘accuser of the brethren’ — diabolos.

[Simon Peter responds] And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? G1228

Gospel of John 6:69-70 KJV

Avoid such people!

YES, they may be prominent members, even Elders, leaders, priests or pastors in Christ’s church where you worship.

They will maintain the outward appearance of religion but will have repudiated its power. So avoid people like these.

2 Timothy 3:5 New English Translation

a Warning to single moms!
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No, you won't find that HEADING for 2 Timothy 3:6-7 in your Bible because the very concept is false teaching of a social gospel. 
```
This danger to a first century Ephesian or Corinthian saint we might label: ‘a Warning to our Widows.’

For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,

always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

2 Timothy 3:6-7 NKJV
```
Those first century saints were vulnerable socially and economically moreso than 21st c. women who lead their husbands, initiate divorce amd refuse to be bound by vows of marriage. 
```
Paul’s point: whether the man or woman claiming Christ, the danger is lusts.

Enemies to the Truth

The Apostle points back to Moses who also faced such opposition, as did Timothy.

John MacArthur in his commentary points out that although Exodus shows no record of Jannes and Jambres, that Paul may know of them from other Jewish writings and traditions.

Because Jannes perhaps means “he who seduces” and Jambres “he who makes rebellion,” those may have been symbolic names given to these men at a later time. Jewish tradition holds that they pretended to convert to Judaism in order to subvert Moses’ divine assignment to liberate Israel from Egypt, that they led in making and worshiping the golden calf while Moses was on Mt. Sinai receiving the Law from God, and that they were slaughtered by the Levites along with the other idolaters (see Ex. 32).

New Testament Commentary 2 Timothy, John MacArthur, p.120

The Apostle then assures the Church and Timothy:

But they won’t get away with this for long.

Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are, just as with Jannes and Jambres.

2 Timothy 3:9 NLT

NEXT: Standing Strong against Apostasy

Talk of JESUS . com

Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel
January 28, 2026
Leviticus – Preparation of a Priest for the Sacrifice
SEALED within the Ark of the Covenant as testimony of the LORD on Sinai — the TEN WORDS –– written in Exodus and Deuteronomy as you know, but also referenced in Leviticus.

The Office of Priest – כָּהַן

“So the priest who is anointed and ordained to minister^H3547 as^H3547 a^H3547 priest^H3547 in his father’s place shall make atonement:

he shall thus put on the linen garments, the holy garments, and make atonement for the holy sanctuary,

and he shall make atonement for the tent of meeting

and for the altar.

He shall also make atonement for the priests

and for all the people of the assembly.

16:32-33 וַיִּקְרָא

Who would know more about the Altar of Sacrifice than the Priest appointed to the atonement for all worshipers of the LORD?

The LORD established certain laws of holiness for the priests in addition to the Commandments of the LORD for His chosen people.

“Then you shall bring the bull near before the tent of meeting, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the bull. “You shall slaughter the bull before Yahweh at the doorway of the tent of meeting.

… it is a sin offering.

Exodus 29:10-11,14b LSB

“For seven days you shall make atonement for the altar and set it apart as holy; then the altar shall be most holy, and whatever touches the altar shall be holy.

.. lambs each day, continuously.

Exodus 29:37,38b LSB

atonement כָּפַר

כָּפַר kâphar, kaw-far’; a primitive root; to cover (specifically with bitumen);
```
Bitumen, also known as mineral tar, is derived from the partial distillation of crude petroleum. - source 
```
figuratively, to expiate or condone, to placate or cancel:—appease, make (an atonement, cleanse, disannul, forgive, be merciful, pacify, pardon, purge (away), put off, (make) reconcile(-liation).

Strong’s H3722 – kāp̄ar

‘For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement by the [soul] life.’
Leviticus 17:11 LSB

Picture it: a Priest standing between the HOLINESS of God and the Altar upon which your sins have been covered with blood of the sacrifice and the remains burned beyond recognition.

“According to all that I am going to show you, as the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furniture, just so you shall make it.

Exodus 25:9 LSB

a Blueprint for the Place of Sacrifice and Worship

Exodus 25 CSB
```
A brief look at the LORD's instructions for building the Tabernacle (LIST from the CSB should help us visualize it in contemporary terms and measurements.) 

8 “They are to make a sanctuary for me so that I may dwell among them.
```
- 10 “They are to make an ark of acacia wood, forty-five inches long, twenty-seven inches wide, and twenty-seven inches high.
- Overlay it with pure gold; overlay it both inside and out. Also make a gold molding all around it. 12 Cast four gold rings for it..
- 14 Insert the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark in order to carry the ark with them.
- 14 Insert the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark in order to carry the ark with them.
- 17 Make a mercy seat of pure gold, forty-five inches long and twenty-seven inches wide.
- 18 Make two cherubim of gold; make them of hammered work at the two ends of the mercy seat.
- 21 Set the mercy seat on top of the ark and put the tablets of the testimony that I will give you into the ark. 22 I will meet with you there above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the testimony; I will speak with you from there about all that I command you regarding the Israelites.
IT IS A MOST HOLY PLACE OF THE MOST HIGH!

Table for the Ark of the Covenant
- 23 “You are to construct a table of acacia wood, thirty-six inches long, eighteen inches wide, and twenty-seven inches high.
- 31 “Youa are to make a lampstand out of pure, hammered gold.. 37“Make its seven lamps,and set them up so that they illuminate the area in front of it.
- 26:1 “You are to construct the tabernacle itself with ten curtains.. 2 Each curtain should be forty-two feet long and six feet wide;
- 7 “You are to make curtains of goat hair for a tent over the tabernacle; make eleven of these curtains. 8 Each curtain should be forty-five feet long and six feet wide.
- 15 “You are to make upright supports of acacia wood for the tabernacle. Each support is to be fifteen feet long and twenty-seven inches wide.
- 31 “You are to make a curtain .. bring the ark of the testimony there behind the curtain, so the curtain will make a separation for you between the holy place and the most holy place.
- 34 Put the mercy seat on the ark of the testimony in the most holy place.
- 35 Place the table outside the curtain.. 36 “For the entrance to the tent you are to make a screen…
Community Worship outside the HOLY Tabernacle
- Exodus 27:1 You are to construct the altar of acacia wood. The altar must be square, 7 1/2 feet long, and 7 1/2 feet wide; it must be 4 1/2 feet high. 2 Make horns for it on its four corners..
- 9 “You are to make the courtyard for the tabernacle. Make hangings for.. the courtyard out of finely spun linen, 150 feet long.. 12 For the width of the courtyard, make hangings 75 feet long,, 14 make hangings 22 1/2 feet long for [each] side of the gate,
- 16 The gate of the courtyard is to have a 30-foot screen
- 18 The courtyard is to be 150 feet long, 75 feet wide at each end, and 7 1/2 feet high..
- 21 In the tent of meeting outside the curtain that is in front of the testimony, Aaron and his sons are to tend the lamp from evening until morning before the Lord.
```
In addition to these for the place of worship, Exodus provides instructions related to worship and the Priests, followed by a book with more detail. 
```
Leviticus – Prescription for Perfect Worship, Priestly Requirements

Speak to the whole congregation of Israel and tell them:

Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.

—Leviticus 19:2

Observe the progressive path of worship established between the people worshiping the Lord our God from beyond the tent of meeting, to the altar of sacrifice, into the more holy hidden places and before the Ark of the Covenant, the Mercy Seat and the Very Presence of the LORD — and again, atonement from the LORD via the Priest to the tent of meeting.

No man should know the significance of the sacrifice — and atonement — more than the Priest.

Think about his separation of holiness from the everyday people as you view the priests preparing for worship. Let’s look at a few of the requirements from their prescriptive handbook.

וַיִּקְרָא אֶל־מֹשֶׁה וַיְדַבֵּר יְהוָה אֵלָיו מֵאֹהֶל מֹועֵד לֵאמֹר׃

וַיִּקְרָא (Leviticus) 1:1 WLC

priest – kōhēn- כֹּהֵן
1. Instructions for Burnt offerings
2. Grain offerings
3. Peace offerings
4. Sin offerings
5. Guilt offerings
Moral and ethical laws

Holiness

Blessings and curses

Vows
```
and much more... 
```
A Levitical Outline for Priests
- True worship requires priests set apart in holiness
And Moses did as the LORD commanded him; and the assembly was gathered together unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation…

And Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was therein, and sanctified them.

Leviticus 8:4,10 KJV

And he brought the people’s offering, and took the goat, which was the sin offering for the people, and slew it, and offered it for sin, as the first.

Leviticus 9:15 KJV
- True worship requires people set apart in purity
“When a case of serious skin disease may have developed on a person, he is to be brought to the priest.

Leviticus 13:9 CSB
- True worship requires propitiation in blood
Now the LORD spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they offered profane fire before the LORD, and died; and the LORD said to Moses: “Tell Aaron your brother not to come at just any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark, lest he die; for I will appear in the cloud above the mercy seat.

Leviticus 16:1-2 NKJV

“Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering, which is for the people, bring its blood inside the veil, do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it on the mercy seat and before the mercy seat.

Leviticus 16:15 NKJV
- True worship requires people set apart in purity
- True worship requires priests set apart in holiness
- True worship requires prescribed sacred feasts and offerings
  - Does even the most liberal of Common Era christian churches dare ignore a Holy Week or Easter Sunday? YET do we observe any fasts of preparation?
- True worship requires proper fidelity to Yahweh as a nation and personal fidelity to one’s pledge
Preparation of a Perfect High Priest

Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.”

And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying,

“Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Gospel of Matthew 26:26-28 ESV

Preparation of a High Priestly Prayer

When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said,

“Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him.

And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent…

Gospel of John 17:1-3 ESV

When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered.

John 18:1 ESV

Garden of Gethsemane

Lent 2025 C.E. – a time for contrition

Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel
March 28, 2025