CHAPTER THREE CHRIST – THE ANOINTING
“Thus saith the Lord of hosts; If thou wilt walk in My ways, and if thou wilt keep My charge, then thou shalt also judge My house, and shalt also keep My courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.” *** Zechariah 3:7
God has designed a way for man to walk. If we walk in His way and in His order, we shall judge His house and keep His courts. The word keep, as it is used twice in this text, is the Hebrew word SHAMAR and means “to exercise great care over”. Those who will take great care over His charge, or fulfil His obligation to serve, will then judge His house and exercise great care over His courts; the place of protection and God’s presence.
To come into this place in God, we must come into His total order. The first order that any man or woman must come to is understanding God’s order for their lives. Paul established this order in his letter to the Corinthians. He revealed,
“But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.” *** I Corinthians 11:3
God has established “headship” for His creation. The word head is the Greek word KEPHALE and means “supreme, or to be set over”. Essentially, it has the same meaning as Lord (KURIOS). But Lord is a title. Head (KEPHALE) is an established position in God.
Paul wrote of four positions:
God Christ Man Woman
God (THEOS) is the head of all things. Christ (Christos) means “anointed, or the anointed one or ones”. Man (ANER) means “the male creation”. ANER is never used to refer to the female gender. Woman (GUNE) always describes the feminine gender.
Paul has laid out the basic foundation of order in the kingdom of God; and that order is designed and instituted through headship. Headship must be established if we, as God’s people, are going to come into His kingdom order. Yet, most churches refuse to teach or even address the subject of headship in the church or in the home. Those who ignore or violate headship will try to establish order in the church and wonder why their homes are not in order. Order is impossible in the church, the home or any life until headship is established.
As we consider these kingdom truths, we need to look at the word God (THEOS). The word God has become a common term. Man has made many gods out of “things”. The scriptures inform us,
“For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many).” *** I Corinthians 8:5
There are many gods in the world. But we are not of the world. When we refer to God we are referring to the “One God”, the God of creation. Many words were translated “God” in the Old Testament:
El Elohim Yahweh El Shaddai Jehovah Jah Adonai
In the New Testament only the word THEOS is translated God. THEOS refers to the Creating God, the God of the whole universe.
When the word Christ is used, it is generally considered as referring to Jesus only. If we are to understand kingdom principles, we must reconsider the word “Christ” in a much broader scope than has previously been considered by many who call themselves “Christian”, or “Christ-like” or “the In- Christed Ones”.
Christ means “anointed”. The word Christ is interchangeable with the Old Testament word MESSIAH. The word Messiah comes from the Hebrew word MASHAH and means “to rub with oil”. Those who were rubbed with oil or anointed with oil were called “Mashiahs” or Messiahs. The anointing was for priests and kings. These were referred to as the “Sons of Oil”, “The anointed”, “The anointed of the Lord” or “The Lord’s anointed”.
Inanimate objects were also anointed or rubbed with oil: shields were rubbed with oil to keep them from rusting; the same word MASHAN was used to describe this. The instruments of worship in the tabernacle were first sprinkled with blood then anointed with oil. This becomes a picture of salvation: first, the blood was applied to our lives to forgive our sin; then we were to desire the anointing to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Another example of the use of oil is shown in the ritual of cleansing the leper. This is also a picture of our being cleansed of our sin. Leprosy is a symbol of death dwelling in the flesh. This was our condition before the blood of Jesus was applied to our lives.
“And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses.” *** Colossians 2:13
We were dead in our sins before the blood was applied.
The leper was to appear before the priest. The priest was to take two live, clean birds and cedar wood, scarlet and hyssop. *** Leviticus 14:4
“And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel over running water.” *** Leviticus 14:5
The first bird was to be killed in an earthen vessel. This is a picture of our Lord Jesus Christ who was killed in His earthen vessel; the body of His flesh. Running water is a picture of the Spiritual move of God through His Word.
“As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water:
And he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose into the open field.” *** Leviticus 14:6-7
The living bird represents us who were dead in our trespass and sin (the lepers). We were set free in the world (the open field); and covered with the blood that was shed in the earthen vessel which was Jesus, the Christ, who has set us free from the law of sin and death. *** Romans 8:2
We were to be set free, cleansed from all our sins. This was not the end, but only the beginning. The old man was cleansed and set free. Why?
“That ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” *** Ephesians 4:24
The leper was to be without the camp for seven days. At which time he was to return to the camp and shave his complete body, including his eyebrows. He was to wash his clothes and his entire body. This is a picture of our standing naked before the Lord, completely cleansed from all sin, unrighteousness and filthiness of the flesh. This is the only condition by which we are acceptable to God.
“No flesh should glory in His presence.” *** I Corinthians 1:29
On the eighth day (eight is the number of new beginnings) the priest was to present the man clean before the Lord.
“And the priest that maketh him clean shall present the man that is to be made clean, and those things, before the Lord, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.” *** Leviticus 14:11
Our high priest is Christ Jesus, *** Hebrews 9:11.
When we have been cleansed, He will present us to the congregation (His Body), His true church.
At this presentation, the high priest killed a lamb and took part of the log of oil that was part of the meal offering.
“And the priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering, and the priest shall put it upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot.” *** Leviticus 14:14
That which has been revealed to us in types and shadows in the Old Testament becomes applicable to our everyday life in the New Testament. Once the leper had been cleansed by the blood that was shed in the earthen vessel, then the trespass offering was killed. This represents the continual cleansing of the blood of Jesus Christ in our lives. But it also represents a different cleansing. The blood was not applied to the head, but to the right ear, the right thumb and the big toe on the right foot.
Application of the blood to the right ear is to cleanse our hearing, or to shut out the sounds of the world so that we may only hear the voice of the Father. The thumb is the strength of the hand. The hand represents our service before God. Application of the blood to the right thumb was to show that our service before God must be clean. The application of the blood to the big toe represents the need to cleanse our walk in God. The big toe balances the body and the foot represents our walk in God. Our walk must not only be clean, but upright and balanced if we desire to stand in His presence. After the blood was applied to the ear, thumb and big toe,
“…the priest shall take some of the log of oil, and pour it into the palm of his own left hand:
And the priest shall dip his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand, and shall sprinkle of the oil with his finger seven times before the Lord:
And of the rest of the oil that is in his hand shall the priest put upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot, upon the blood of the trespass offering.” *** Leviticus 14:15-17
The oil, or the MASHAH, was applied over the blood on the right ear, the right thumb and on the big toe of the right foot. Not only does our hearing, our service and our walk before God need to be cleansed, but it must also be anointed.
“And the remnant of the oil that is in the priest’s hand he shall pour upon the head of him that is to be cleansed: and the priest shall make an atonement for Him before the Lord.” *** Leviticus 14:18
Even though the blood was not applied to the head, the oil was. This reveals that our thinking must also be anointed so that we may
“Cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” *** II Corinthians 10:5
This is what the anointing is all about, a cleansed, sanctified life, that we may be holy and without blame before the Father.
In the past, when the term “the anointed, or Christ” has been used, we have had a limited understanding, only applying the term “Christ” to Jesus. Jesus was the Christ to the Father. But the word “Christ” also refers to “anointing” and “the anointed ones”. Today, Christians have the mentality of the Jews, who felt that any term or name of God was too holy for mortal man to speak or make reference to. This limits any further examination of the word “Christ”.
As we go beyond the old wives’ fables of the past which say “We can never be like Jesus”, we discover that the scriptures clearly state we must become as Jesus, our example. He is our Father and His total desire is that His children (sons and daughters) be not only as He is, but through the anointing, do greater works He left for us to complete.
When we consider the term “Christ”, we need to take a closer look in the Word as to how this term is applied. The word “Christ” is applied in three different ways:
The Anointed The Anointing The Anointed Ones
All are rendered “Christ” or “Christs”.
THE ANOINTED
The Anointed was Jesus. When Jesus asked His disciples who did man say that He was, Peter replied, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God,” *** Matthew 16:16. Then Jesus admonished His disciples to…
“…Tell no man that He was Jesus the Christ.” *** Matthew 16:20
Jesus received the anointing on the banks of the Jordan when the Spirit, in the form of a dove, lighted upon Him and His Father proclaimed, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,” *** Matthew 3:17. It was at this time that Jesus received the anointing and became “Jesus, the Christ”, or “Jesus, the Anointed”. When Jesus received the baptism of the dove, the baptism of peace, He received the fullness of the Spirit of God.
“For He whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him.” *** John 3:34
Jesus was endued with the fullness of the Spirit in order to complete the work the Father had given Him to do on the earth. It was through the Holy Spirit that Jesus did all His works. When the Jews sought to kill Jesus because He had broken the Sabbath, Jesus spoke to them,
“…Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He seeth the Father do: for what things soever He doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.” *** John 5:19
Jesus could do nothing of Himself. It was “The Anointing” that did the works through Him. When Jesus was explaining to His disciples the change that would come at His death, He spoke plainly to them of “The Anointing”.
“Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself: but the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works.” *** John 14:10
It was the Father, “The Anointing”, that did the works. Jesus, God’s Son, was the “Anointed Vessel” that God used to reveal Himself to His creation. Jesus was “the Anointed of the Father”.
When Jesus was addressing His disciples, He stated, “…Ye believe in God, believe also in Me.” *** John 14:1
THE ANOINTING
Jesus proceeded to reveal to them the second aspect of Christ and that is “The Anointing”. Jesus related that, after His death, He would come as “The Anointing” upon them. John recorded this most important set of passages that we may know assuredly our Saviour, Jesus Christ, came as “The Anointing” to complete in the Spirit what He began in the flesh. John recorded Jesus’ words,
“And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever;
“Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” *** John 14:16-17
Jesus disclosed to His disciples that they would receive another Comforter. When Jesus stated “another Comforter”, this implied they already had a Comforter; and that was Jesus, their first Comforter. But another Comforter would come, whom the world (the unsaved) could not receive because they could not see Him neither did they know Him (the second Comforter). Jesus informed His disciples that they knew Him, for the second Comforter dwelt with them.
Who was dwelling with them? It was Jesus, “The Anointed”. The Holy Spirit anointing was dwelling with them, and they recognized the “anointing” that was upon Jesus. After Jesus had told them that the second Comforter dwelt “with them”, He revealed that the second Comforter would be “in them”, *** John 14:17
Jesus did not stop there. He declared,
“I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” *** John 14:18
Jesus spoke in the first person when He said, “I will not leave you comfortless.” Then He spoke again, in the first person, when He said, “I will come to you.” He did not say into you, but to you.
The second Comforter coming to them happened on the day of Pentecost when “The Anointing” came and sat upon each of them, *** Acts 2:3. “The Anointing” was from the outside, in. “The Anointing” came to finish the work of salvation that the first Comforter began when He was killed in His earthen vessel; to begin the plan of salvation as was ordained by the Father in those who accepted the shed blood for forgiveness of sin.
As the blood had to be covered with the oil, or the “anointing”, there must be a continuing work in each of our lives. This can only be accomplished through “The Anointing” of the Spirit (the second Comforter). When this cleansing work is complete in our lives, it will bring us into the third relationship which Jesus spoke that we were to have with the second Comforter. And that is when He shall be in us. This is when the rivers of living waters will flow from our innermost being.
“He that believeth on Me, as the scripture hath said, out of His belly shall flow rivers of living water.” *** John 7:38
Jesus stated, “He that believeth on Me as the scriptures hath said….” Today, too many believe on Him as the preacher hath said and fail to realize there is a personal relationship with the Father as Jesus knew Him. We need to come to the place where we only do and only say as we see the Father doing and saying. We need to come to the place where we are totally led by the Spirit of Truth in every activity of our walk in God. We need to believe on Jesus as the scriptures have revealed Him, the fullness of God. This fullness of God came on the Day of Pentecost when Jesus fulfilled His Word and came as the second Comforter, “The Anointing”; Christ.
On the day of Pentecost, when Peter was addressing the Jews, the devout men out of every nation, he spoke boldly to them,
“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” *** Acts 2:36
Peter related that “God hath made that same Jesus both Lord and Christ.” “Hath made” indicates this was a position and title that He received after His obedience unto death; that which He had not obtained in the days of His flesh. Jesus, at His death, had completed the work the Father had given Him to do in the flesh. He accomplished this through “the anointing” He had received on the banks of the Jordan until He was hung on the cross and said “It is finished.” His work in the flesh had been completed.
On the day of Pentecost, He came as the Holy Spirit anointing (the Second Comforter), to complete the work of redeeming His creation back to the Father. This can only be accomplished through the Holy Spirit of Truth that leads us into all truth. *** John 16:13
Jesus came as the Holy Spirit anointing to complete the work in us, His creation. Peter stated, “God hath made Jesus, both Lord and Christ.” Lord (supreme in authority) became His title and Christ (The Anointing) became His position.
As “The Anointing” He became the head. “The Anointed Jesus” had become “Christ, The Anointing”. Now Jesus Christ had become Christ Jesus our Lord, *** Ephesians 1:3, the Anointed Saviour, to complete the work in each of His chosen creation. God (Theos) is the head of The Anointing (Christ). The Anointing (Christ), is the head of every man. Paul laid this foundation for all kingdom teaching. The kingdom is the king’s domain, or area of authority. If we do not come into complete submission to the Father, the Holy Spirit of Truth, and the authority of the head which is Christ Jesus, then we cannot state that we are in the king’s domain, for the king is not ruling in the affairs of our lives.
THE ANOINTED ONES
The third use of the word Christ is the “anointed ones”, or “His Christ” in the earth. As this truth is brought forth, many begin to be offended because of a mind set that says, “We could never be like Jesus.” And yet John wrote,
“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.” *** I John 3:2
John asked the question, “Now are we the sons of God?” Many proclaim they have come into sonship already. But Jesus is our example of sonship. Paul wrote of Jesus,
“Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature.” *** Colossians 1:15
Jesus was the image of the invisible God. God expects us to come into this same image. In Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he revealed,
“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him.” *** Colossians 3:9-10
Those who claim to have come into sonship have not put off the old man, nor the deeds of the flesh. We will become that new man when we are changed in a moment in the twinkling of an eye at the last trump. *** I Corinthians 15:52
John recorded this change that must take place if we are to see Him when He comes,
“…when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” *** I John 3:2
John proclaimed, “We will see Him because we will be as He is.” Paul wrote the Corinthians of this change,
“We all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” *** II Corinthians 3:18
As we begin to see Jesus as He is in the Spirit, we will begin to desire to change into the same image that is reflected in the mirror of the Word of life. John went on to inform us what we must do to bring about this change,
“And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.” *** I John 3:3
He who has the hope of sonship purifieth Himself. Most are waiting for some great change that God will bring in their lives. But the Holy Spirit inspired John to write that those who have this hope in God purifieth themselves even as He (Jesus) was pure. When we come into this place in God, we will know that the Spirit of Life is truly doing the work that must be accomplished so we may enter into His presence.
Many today are still trying to enter in by keeping the law; generally man’s law. When Paul wrote to the Romans, he revealed how to be free from the law. Paul’s letter to the churches in Galatia also spoke much about our being free from the law. Jesus said
“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” *** John 8:36
“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” *** Romans 10:4
This will take place when we, the “In-Christed Ones”, have come to the end of all man-made law, and only live by the voice and the Spirit of the Father. Paul informed the churches in Galatia,
“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” *** Galatians 3:27-28
Many use this scripture to ignore the created difference between male and female. Many understand this scripture to say that God does not recognize us as men and women; that we are all the same in Him. If this is what He intended by this scripture, then we must assume God sees no differences between Jew and Greek, or bond and free. This is not saying God does not recognize the difference between man and woman. The reference here is that in our spiritual development, it matters not if we are Jew, Greek, bond, free, male or female. If we have been baptized (immersed in Christ), we have put on Christ. We are clothed in Christ. We are all the same in the fact that we need the anointing to purify and cleanse our lives to make us acceptable in the beloved. Paul went on,
“And if ye be Christ’s then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” *** Galatians 3:29
If we are Christs (anointed ones), then we are Abraham’s seed. Who are Abraham’s seed?
“Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.” *** Galatians 3:16
Abraham’s seed are the “In-Christed Ones” in the earth today. And as Abraham’s seed, we are heirs according to the promise. *** Galatians 3:29
Matthew informs us that Jesus was not only the son of David, but He was also the son of Abraham, *** Matthew 1:1. Jesus was the Christ, or the seed of Abraham. Those who have been baptized into Christ are His Christs (His anointed ones) in the earth today.
The church is called the Body of Christ. If the head is Christ, then the Body is Christ: not taking away from Jesus being the Christ. He was the first-fruit Christ.
“But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at His coming.” *** I Corinthians 15:23
Those who are Christ at His coming are those spoken of by John. Those who are like Him at His coming, will see Him as He is. Paul spoke on this subject in his letter to the Corinthians, “Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s.” *** II Corinthians 10:7
As Jesus was Christ, the Anointed of the Father, so are we Christ, the anointed of the Son. When we set aside some old theological thinking, it becomes clear that we, as His Body, are Christ, the Anointed Ones in the earth today. Jesus revealed this also to John on the Isle of Patmos.
“And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.” *** Revelation 12:10
The kingdom age is coming, and along with it will come the power of His Christ. God has another pentecost planned for those who will allow the Holy Spirit anointing to finish the work of salvation in their lives.
One of the main teachings in the church today is, “We are all going to rule and reign with Jesus.” If we all rule and reign, who are the ones who will be ruled over? Jesus, again, revealed this to John on the Isle of Patmos.
“And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever.” *** Revelation 11:15
The kingdom becomes the kingdoms of our Lord (Christ Jesus) and His Christ (the Anointed Ones) in the earth; those who have become His Christ because they have come into His image and have purified themselves even as He is pure.
When we begin to allow the Spirit of the Father to bring us into His image; and begin to listen to His voice; and begin to do as we see Him doing, we will truly see Jesus as He is. The Greeks said, “…We would see Jesus,” *** John 12:21. Others must see Jesus in us. We will then come into sonship, ruling and reigning in authority.
God (Theos) is the head of the anointing. Christ is the head of every man. God has His set order and we need not only to learn it, but follow it if we are to come into His courts with praise.
QUESTIONS
CHAPTER 3
1. What great promise do we have if we walk in His way and in His order?
2. What is God’s first order for any man or woman?
3. a. What are God’s four positions of order?
b. Explain to whom each person answers and why.
4. Does the term “Christ” refer only to Jesus? Explain.
5. What is the only condition by which we are acceptable to God?
6. Explain the symbolism of the anointing of both blood and oil.
7. What is the purpose for the anointing?
8. What was the source of Jesus’ power?
9. The “Anointing”, the Holy Spirit, came to __________ _____ ___________ _______ ____________________.
10. What is absolutely necessary before we can state we are in the king’s domain?
11. a. When will we become that “new man” of sonship? b. What must we do first?
12. Who are Abraham’s seed in the earth today?
13. Complete the following quote…
“As Jesus was Christ, the Anointed of the Father,______ _______ ________ ___________, ______ ____________ ____ ______ ________.”
14. Who will really rule and reign with Christ?
15. When will we truly see Jesus as He is?
THE MYSTICAL COURT 