BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

"BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS" AUDIO BLOG
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God gave me two more "snapshots" last night: the Breastplate of Judgment (see pic above), and a single image of a big, bold lightning bolt. I should start out by saying that in the day before this, I prayed for God to give me understanding of His timeline for the events He has put on my heart in recent weeks.

So, let's break down last night's snapshots. What is the Breastplate of Judgment?

"And Aaron [the High Priest] shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goes in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the Lord continually." Exodus 28:29 

The twelve gems on the breastplate were engraved with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, one name onto each stone, according to God's specific instructions in the Bible.

"And the stones were according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, every one with his name, according to the twelve tribes." Exodus 39:14

The High Priest (Aaron) only wore these sacred holy garments in the Holy of Holies in the Temple, where was also kept God's ark of the covenant, with the mercy seat. Common man was not allowed into the Holy of Holies. God gave specific instructions about the holy garments, and the temple rituals, in Exodus. Aaron, the High Priest, would come in the temple, into the Holy of Holies​,  before the LORD, the ark of the covenant, the mercy seat, wearing the breastplate, and other garments, as instructed by God. 

We can see from Exodus 28:29 (above) that the LORD specifically instructed that "Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart . . ." We know from Scripture that God put much emphasis on our hearts,

"I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings." Jeremiah 17:10

"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh." Ezekiel 36:26

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12  God's Word is a "discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Wow!

"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8

The Breastplate of Judgment, which was to be worn over the heart, with the twelve tribes of Israel, engraved one on each gem, represented all of the sins of man, God's chosen people, the twelve tribes of Israel. By atonement and holy rituals decreed by God, Aaron is bringing all of the sins of man before God for cleansing and mercy.

As the High Priests of the Old Testament wore the Breastplate of Judgment in the Holy of Holies, for atonement, forgiveness and mercy from God for our sins, now, by the New Testament, the new covenant from God, through the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ, His  only begotten son, God forgives our sins, and gives US the armor to wear, instead of the High Priests, the full armor of God, including a Breastplate of Righteousness, for protection from the "wiles of the devil." Righteousness definition: "Morally upright, without guilt or sin." "Without guilt or sin," because we are made whole and perfect through Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 6:11-17 (The Whole Armor of God)

11 "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:"

So, now, moving onto the lightning snapshot God gave me last night, and then we will tie the two together. What does the Bible say about God and lightning? 

Zechariah 9:8-9,14-17

8 "I will protect my country. I will not let enemy armies pass through it. I will not let them hurt my people anymore. With my own eyes I have seen how much my people have suffered.

9 People of Zion, rejoice! People of Jerusalem, shout with joy! Look, your king is coming to you! He is the good king who won the victory, but he is humble. He is riding on a donkey, on a young donkey born from a work animal.

14 The Lord will appear to them, and he will shoot his arrows like lightning. The Lord God will blow the trumpet, and the army will rush forward like a desert dust storm.

15 The Lord All-Powerful will protect them. The soldiers will use rocks and slings to defeat the enemy. They will spill the blood of their enemies. It will flow like wine. It will be like the blood that is thrown on the corners of the altar!

16 At that time the Lord their God will save his people like a shepherd saves his sheep. They will be very precious to him. They will be like sparkling jewels in his land.

17 Everything will be good and beautiful! There will be a wonderful crop, but it will not be just the food and wine. It will be all the young men and women!"

AND JUST TO REPEAT THAT: (REPEAT  numbers 14 through 17) 

HALLELUJAH! PRAISE GOD! AMEN!
​
Now, we know that God controls the weather, and that He likes to use it to prove indisputably that He is the "Great, I AM." After all, He makes it clear to Job that the very lightning we see in the sky reports to Him, God. "Can thou send lightnings, that they may go and say unto thee, Here we are?" Job 38:35 

God has been putting a lot on my heart in recent weeks. Although it may feel like nothing is happening at this moment, I believe GOD showed me, in the two snapshots, the Breastplate of Judgment, and the lightning bolt, that we must always remember to, now more than ever,

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" 1 Peter 5:8 

OR,

"But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ" 2 Corinthians 11:3

FOR,

"He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. . ." 1 John 3:8

So, we must "Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (see Ephesians 6:11-17​), and,

“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” Psalm 27:14

There will be much weeping and gnashing of teeth for people who refused the Good News of God.

"For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel [good news] of God?" 1 Peter 4:17

But, for God's children, we will not fear the evildoers,

Psalm 37:1-6

1 "Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday."

And, as God's children,

7 "He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.

8 His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.

9 He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.

10 The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish."
Psalm 112:7-10

And, if we remain steadfast in our faith until God's event is finished, we shall reap from our fruits an hundredfold, sixty or thirty.

“But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” Matthew 13:23

Hallelujah! Praise God! Amen!

"O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever." Psalm 118:29