Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs

What an amazing name! We also read a similar name in 1 Samuel 4:4: “The ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims.”

The Lord of hosts mean the Lord of the heavenly armies, the God of battles. Throughout the ages, God’s people have faced many battles, both personally and nationally. Israel has faced many wars and persecutions. Christians in many counties have faced, and are currently facing, great persecution in the form of imprisonment, torture, hunger, and deprivation of food and clothing.

We must never forget that the same God who sent His angel to shut the lion’s mouths when Daniel was cast into the lion’s den is the same God that provided Elisha with a mountain full of horses and chariots of fire to protect him and his fearful servant.

The God who sent His angel to rescue Peter who slept between the two guards while the church prayed without ceasing for him is the same God who is more than willing to fight our battles for us too.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were provided an Angel like unto the Son of God to save them from fiery furnace.

We as families and churches must learn to call upon the One who sits on the Mercy Seat in heaven, the Captain of the heavenly hosts whoa are mighty in battle.

In the margin of my Bible regarding 2 Samuel 6:2 it states: “At which the name of the LORD of hosts was called upon.” The ark was the place where they called upon the Lord God of heaven’s armies.

Dear families and churches, we must never lose sight of Jesus Christ, who has now been given all authority and power to smash down all our enemy strongholds.

To be continued.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

This passage calls the ark the ARK OF THY STRENGTH. Also, in Psalm 78:16 Asaph the psalmist writes about the ark of the covenant and says that God “Delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy’s hand.”

As long as the ark was in the midst of God’s people, His strength united them. This was the same Strength that created all things, that displayed mighty signs and wonders when He delivered them from Egypt, that dried up the Red Sea in the Gulf of Akaba which separated Egypt from Saudi Arabia. He is the Strength of all strengths.

They faced many dangers during their forty years’ wilderness journey in Saudi Arabia, including hostile enemies.

In Numbers 10:33-36 we read how the ark went before them to search out a resting place for them. “And the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days’ journey, to search out a resting place for them. And the cloud of the LORD was upon them by day, when they went out of the camp. And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered: and let them that hate thee flee before thee. And when it rested, he said, Return, O LORD, unto the many thousands of Israel.”

The Israelites quickly learned that the only way they could survive this dangerous wilderness was to let the Ark of God’s Strength lead them from one resting place to another. They were safe and protected from all enemy attack as long as the Ark of God’s Strength led them.

They had to keep their eyes on the ark. If they didn’t, they quickly lost their way.

The ark was not only God’s Strength, it was also their strength while they kept their eyes on it and did not lose sight of it.

Jesus Christ is now our Ark of God’s Strength. The physical ark of the Old Testament embodied the great strength and power of God and was a type of Jesus Christ, who was filled with the fulness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2;9). The ark represented everything that God is today—His presence, glory, strength, power, leadership, protection, provision, health, wisdom, and knowledge. Oh, how we need His strength.

King David spoke so much of God’s strength.

Psalm 27:1: “The LORD is my light and my salvation’; whom shall fear; the LORD IS THE STRENGTH OF MY LIFE; of whom shall I be afraid?”

Psalm 28:7: “The LORD IS MY STRENGTH and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.”

Psalm 118:14: “The LORD IS MY STRENGTH and song, and is become my salvation.”

We must keep our eyes on Jesus Christ, the ark of our strength, at all times.

Be encouraged. Colin Campbell

Colin Campbell

Holiness is a major doctrine of both the Old and New Testaments. Holiness is not only limited to the Old Testament as some people think. It is just as strong in the New Testament.

1 Peter 1:15, 16: “But he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation. Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

Hebrews 12;14: “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”

The tabernacle, and later the temple, was divided into three areas. The outer court, the holy place, and the Holy of Holies. Paul instructs the Corinthian believers in 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20: “What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

The Greek word for “temple” is “naos” which was the heart of the temple. It means “the Holy of Holies,” the sacred place where God’s Shekinah glory dwelt.

During the wilderness journeys, the priests carried the ark on their shoulders, typifying in picture form the New Testament church which carries the ark of God in our bodies as we journey through his world as strangers and pilgrims.

We must never ever take the holiness of our God for granted. This is not to say we should try to establish our own holiness. We should seek to walk in an ever-closer relationship with the One who is our “wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” “Sanctification is the same word that is translated “holiness.”

Jesus Christ is our holiness. He desires to work out His holiness through us. This is such an important truth and the church in general has often failed to grasp the importance that the Scriptures place on it.

Some have tried to put a greater emphasis on holiness and ended up in cold, stereotype legalism. God’s true holiness rings with love, joy, peace, and freedom. If these attributes are not present our so-called holiness may not be holiness at all.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

God places His ark throne in the midst of His people so He can reign through His people over all the nations of the earth.

Joshua 3:13 states: “And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear THE ARK OF THE LORD, THE LORD OF ALL THE EARTH, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above: and they shall stand upon an heap.”

Joshua 4:24: “That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God forever.”

Although the ark of the covenant had a special relationship with Israel as God’s chosen people, it was for the nations of the whole earth. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob chose Israel, and Mt. Zion which is situated in the center of the earth, to set up His ark throne. Not only would His ark throne rule Israel, but in the set time govern the whole earth.

Isaiah 2:2-4: “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow into it.

“And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

“And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”

All the truths and revelation of the tabernacle teaching find its fulfilment in the person of Jesus Christ.

* He is the Lamb of God, slain upon the brazen altar.
* He is the Word into whose name we are baptized at the brazen laver, representing baptism.
* He is the Light of the world, represented by the golden lampstand.
* He is the Bread on the table of shewbread, who feeds not only the twelve tribes of Israel, but also His living Word to all believers throughout the whole earth.
* He is the Golden Altar of Incense and through His name all our prayers are made.
* Finally, He is our Ark and Mercy Seat, our propitiation which is covered with His precious blood.

Because He is the ARK OF THE LORD OF THE WHOLE EARTH He can save all who put their trust in Him—from every tribe, kindred, tongue, and nation.

Revelation 19:13, 15: “And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. . . And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

In Psalm 2:8 Father God tells His Son: “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.”

As praying people, we join Him in prayer for all nations.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

He is the LORD OUR GOD and we must worship Him. He is seated at the right and of the Father on the ark throne in Heaven which symbolizes our salvation. This ark is also sprinkled with Jesus’ blood.

In 1 Kings 2:26 Solomon calls the ark, “The ark of the LORD GOD.” It is in the context of pronouncing judgment on Abiathar the priest who had conspired to make Adonijah king instead of Solomon. He didn’t put him to death at that time “because thou barest the ark of the LORD GOD,” but thrust him out from being priest. He was the last descendant of Eli to be priest because they did not respect the tabernacle and all that pertained to it, especially because it was the tabernacle containing the ark throne of the LORD GOD!

Eli’s sons did not respect the things of God. They kicked at the sacrifices of God’s altar. When God reprimanded Eli in 1 Samuel 2:29 He said: “Wherefore do you kick at MY sacrifice and MY offering which I have commanded in MY habitation, and honor your sons more than me, to make yourselves fat with the best of all the offerings of Israel MY people.” These things didn’t belong to Eli and his sons, but to God.

Through God’s amazing grace in Christ Jesus “He giveth us richly all things to enjoy” (2 Timothy 1:17). However, we must be careful to remember the words of Romans 11:36: “For OF HIM, and THROUGH HIM, and TO HIM, are all things: to WHOM BE GLORY FOREVER. Amen.”

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

What made this ark so holy was the fact that it was the throne of the LORD God. It belonged to Him. The room containing the ark was called the “Holy of Holies,” because the thrice Holy LORD God of Israel inhabited the presence of this ark throne.

In Isaiah 6:3 the seraphims above the most holy ark throne in the temple of heaven cry out to one another: “Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

Revelation 4: 8 says: “They rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.”

We learn the lesson that the literal ark, without the presence of the thrice holy LORD God of Israel, would have been worthless from spiritual perspective. It was because it was the ark of the LORD God that made it holy, honorable, and valuable.

Jesus Christ is now our ark. He is one with the Father and the Holy Spirit. He is the ARK OF THE LORD GOD. His throne is our ark and the Lord God His Father who owns this throne has made His Son, Jesus Christ King of kings and Lord of lords.

We must not take His throne lightly or for granted. We must not let cathedrals or places of worship, individuals or crowds, eclipse or become more prominent to us than the One who sits on the throne.

Be encouraged,

Colin Campbell

We continue the twelve descriptive titles of the Ark of the Covenant.

We are a covenanted people and as such we must keep God’s covenant in front of our eyes.

2) THE ARK OF THE COVENANT OF THE LORD
Numbers 10:33 “And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days journey: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days’ journey, to search out a resting place for them.”

The ark contained the sacred covenant of the Lord which we all know was the Ten Commandments God gave to His people Israel. These commandments were written on stone by the finger of God. However, as great as the commandments were, they could not give the people the life of salvation God wanted them to experience.

Galatians 3:10-13 states: “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith; but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us; for it is written, cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.”

God provided a temporary sacrificial system to cover their sins until the Messiah, the eternal Lamb of God came and took upon Himself, not only the sins of the children of Israel, but praise God, the sins of the whole world.

The Ten Commandments were never given to solve their sinful nature, but rather to show them the holy, righteous, integrity of His kingdom laws. This covenant, consisting of ten main commandments went out in front the people to lead them to the next resting place. In other words, God revealed to His people the following:

1. The priority of His covenant in the leadership of His people.
2. Despite their sinful nature, they should never lose sight of the covenant.
3. They were led by a God of covenantal laws which made them a covenanted people.
4. God’s laws should always be before their eyes.
5. These laws which led them from one resting place to the next would always remind them of their failure to keep them. This failure brought a curse upon them (Deuteronomy 27:26 and Galatians 3:10).
6. Therefore, being reminded of the curse, they would not want it upon them and would daily desire the sacrificial blood of the lamb morning and evening. To remove it, they understood the blood was necessary to atone for their sins.

How will we repent if we do not know we have broken the covenant? Even as New Testament or New Covenant believers, we must still make certain that the commandments of Jesus are leading us by the help of the Holy Spirit who is always out in front leading us from rest to rest.

As fathers, it is our responsibility to keep the new covenant given through the blood of Jesus Christ. We must always keep it out in front of our families. His covenant will never fail to give us rest and peace.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

1. THE ARK OF NOAH (Genesis 6:13 – 9:18).
It was made of gopher wood and pitched within and without with a kind of a tar substance.

2. THE ARK OF MOSES (Exodus 2:3-6).
This ark was made with reeds and pitched within and without, with possibly the same substance as Noah’s ark. Our salvation and preservation is both internal and external.

3. THE ARK OF THE COVENANT.
This ark represents Jesus Christ, His word, and His blood. There are twelve different names given to the Ark of the Covenant:

1) THE ARK OF THE TESTIMONY (Exodus 25:22). Without question Jesus Christ is our ark of preservation and salvation. He is also our testimony. Whatever He says, we say. His lifestyle on earth was His testimony and should be our testimony also. What He said in His Word was His testimony and what He says now through His anointed preachers, teachers, and followers in His New Testament church is still His testimony. It is given to us so that by His Spirit we will make it our own testimony.

Revelation 19:10: “And he said unto me . . . I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

To be continued.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

As we have stated in previous posts, the thick curtain that separated man from God was torn apart by the hand of God when Jesus Christ died at Calvary (Luke 23:45). Now through God’s amazing grace we have the priceless privilege of entering the Holy of Holies by the blood of Jesus Christ. Until this veil was torn in two, only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies to minister at this most Holy Throne. And he was only allowed in once a year! For approximately 1500 years, only the high priests of Israel were blessed with the awesome privilege to approach such a holy throne.

Now we have continuous and open access to this Throne, and yet so few avail themselves of the privilege. Is it because we are ignorant, lazy, or apathetic?

The importance of prayer, worship, and intercession is so amazingly important in our approaching this most holy Throne. Leviticus 16:12 says: “And he (the high priest) shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the veil; And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony, that he die not.”

The coals of fire, coupled with the incense and the blood, were the only acceptable way into the Holy of Holies. Only then could man have audience with this most Holy God. If the high priest did not obey these laws completely, he would be struck dead. Wow!

What is the answer to the above title? The people of the throne are those who pray, intercede, and worship, pleading the powerful blood of Jesus.

To be continued.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

What blessing are you giving your family and the generations to come?

~ Colin Campbell

He also stated in an Italian newspaper that American people have a “distorted view of the world” and American people need to be ruled by a world government for their own good! You can read this and more in this link: http://www.disclose.tv/…/popes_latest_warning_relati…/139720

Even though I not a Catholic, and not a critic of the Catholic church per say. However, I can plainly see the prophecy of the antichrist and the false prophet coming to pass (Revelations 16:13; 19:20; and 20:10).

It is true that those who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ are dangerous. I think we need to be dangerous against false prophets and all evil.

Right now, I believe it is time for all true Christians to strengthen their personal relationship with Jesus Christ as never before. We need to be more dangerous against the deceptions of false religions and false prophets who preach deceiving messages to gather the world into a one world order.

We know this is predicted in God’s Word where a one world order will be led by the antichrist (an opposer of Christ) who has all the political power and backing of the nations to head up this new one world government. He also has strong connections and affiliations with a very powerful false prophet who believes the same as the antichrist. Through lying signs and wonders he calls the world to fall down and worship the image of the antichrist (Revelation 13:13-18).

In the approaching days, we need a relationship with Jesus Christ that grows continually stronger. We can only be strong if we have a strong prayer life.

Are we beginning to see who this false prophet may be? We must pray because a great deception is at hand.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Jesus Christ is our Golden Altar and He wears the golden crown of this altar. He gives golden crowns, which declare reigning and ruling, to all who join Him in this ministry.

Revelation 14:14: “And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.” The “Son of man” is often used as a reference to Jesus Christ who was the Son of man and the Son of God. He is also the One who is crowned with many crowns (Revelation 19:12).

We understand that crowns are given to those who reign. We also take note that the golden altar which symbolizes prayer, worship, and intercession is crowned on its top with a golden crown.

Exodus 15:18: “THE LORD SHALL REIGN FOREVER AND EVER.”

Psalm 146:10: “The LORD shall reign forever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD.” (Read also Psalm 10:16 and145:13).

Daniel 7:14: “And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”

The wonderful truth is that through His infinite mercy and grace we have been raised up and seated with Christ for the sole purpose of reigning with Him.

Revelation 5:10: “And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” Read also Revelation 22:5.

Romans 5:17: “For if by one man’s offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall REIGN IN LIFE by one, Jesus Christ.”

We reign through the ministry of prayer for this is what Christ is doing on our behalf.

Romans 8:34: “It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”

Hebrews 7:25: “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Read also Hebrews 9:24 and 1 John 2:1).

We also read that the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders had crowns of gold which they cast before the throne of God. They sang a new song declaring their redemption and every one of them were involved with the prayers of all the saints. Read Revelation chapters 4 and 5. This picture reveals the truth that those who pray and worship the Lamb have on their heads golden crowns for they reign with Him on the earth.

Without question or doubt, we have been born again to reign with Christ over all the power of the enemy, and the world, the flesh, and the devil. Prayer, intercession, praise, and worship are the key to unlock the door to this ministry of reigning. No wonderful the devil tries every trick in the book to hinder us from praying.

The golden crowns are given to the prayer warriors and those who worship the Lamb in the midst of the throne.

All fathers must reign and rule in their families through prayer. Only then will we be crowned as true fathers.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

The golden censors were full of sweet incense “which are the prayers of saints.” (Revelation 5:8) I believe the 24 elders wearing the golden crowns represent the praying and worshipping church. It is the praying saints who wear golden crowns.

This is very encouraging for those who realize what an awesome privilege we have in the ministry of prayer. Because of their commitment to the ministry of prayer, these 24 elders are given the privilege of surrounding the Throne of all thrones.

How awesome is this throne and the One who sits upon it! Don’t forget to look up Revelation 4:2-5.

Men encourage your wives and families to be altars of sweet incense. They will then be crowned with a golden crown just as the altar of incense was crowned. Those who apply themselves to this ministry are the ones who are given the crowns of gold.

Revelation 7:25: “And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.” This is talking about Jesus Christ Himself. What a might prayer warrior He was, and still is, as He ever lives to make intercession for us. Hebrews 7:25 says: “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost (completely) that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

The crown of gold that surrounded the top of the golden altar of incense is worn by Christ and all those who join Him in this beautiful, royal ministry of prayer.

Although this crown cannot be visibly seen by the natural eye, one can be aware of the regal, royal presence of God that accompanies the prayer warriors. Prayer crowns them with confidence, peace, and quiet assurance. There is a profound serenity about their lives.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Throughout biblical history, the crown always relates to kings and kingdoms. God, in His infinite wisdom, planned that this altar should have a golden crown around its top. The purpose was that all who approached the ministry of this altar would understand they were involved in a royal, kingly ministry. The royal majesty and glory of this crown far surpasses the honor and glory of all earthly monarchs.

That truth is that all those who attend to this ministry of prayer, intercession, and worship are engaging themselves with the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords. This is not something to be taken lightly, flippantly, or casually. In fact, calling on God is our most royal privilege.

If an average citizen of this world were given at least one personal invitation to stand before an earthly monarch of great importance, I think they would regard it as a great honor. They would make sure they presented themselves at the right time and in the appropriate manner. Following such a privileged encounter, they would talk about it for the rest of their days.

We need to ask ourselves: How do we feel about approaching our heavenly Father whose majesty cannot, now or ever, be compared to any other majesty. Prayer is indeed a very great privilege. That the Great God of all the universe should grant to us the privilege of approaching His royal throne as often as we desire, and He also desires us to do so, is indeed grace beyond description! It is a “THRONE of grace” that we come to (Hebrews 4:16).

We should seek to understand more of this revelation.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell

Jesus was bound with cords of love and dedication to the horns of this altar. Isaiah 50:5-7 states: “The LORD GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair. I hid not my face from shame and spitting. For the LORD GOD will help me; therefore, shall I not be confounded: therefore, have I SET MY FACE LIKE A FLINT, and I know I shall not be ashamed.” Jesus was the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8).

In Luke 9:51 we read: “And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he STEDFASTLY SET HIS FACE to go to Jerusalem.” The cords that bound Jesus to the cross caused His face to be set to go.

Just as Jesus was bound by cords (nails) to the brass altar, even so he was bound by cords to the horns of the golden altar, representing prayer and intercession.

Matthew 14:23: “And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.”

Mark 1:35: “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.”

Luke 5:16: “And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.

Read Matthew 26:37-46 where it tells of Jesus’ love and commitment to the Father and to us to be bound to the cross. But we see that on His way to the altar of brass (judgment) He also took hold of the horns of the golden altar of prayer and intercession. He was bound to both altars.

Let’s look at some other examples:

When Jacob wrestled with the angel all night, we read in Genesis 32:25, 26: “And he (the angel) said, Let me go for the day breaketh. And he said, I WILL NOT LET THEE GO, except thou bless me” Jacob showed that he was bound to the horns of the altar of prayer.

John Knox, founder of the Presbyterian church said: “Give me Scotland or I die.” He was bound with cords to the horns of the golden altar of prayer and intercession and he saw great revival in Scotland.

Most of the evangelical church today is bound to the altar, representing Calvary, but has very little commitment to the golden altar of prayer and intercession.

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell