Feb.

5, 2010 Preparing to Encounter God Part 3: Fully Prepared Kathleen Maples

I want to continue on this study of what happened the first time God came down on Mount
Sinai. This is an unforgettable encounter with God.

Exo 20:18 And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the
trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood
afar off.
Exo 20:19 And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God
speak with us, lest we die.

Heb 12:19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard
intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:
Heb 12:20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast
touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:
Heb 12:21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)

It's interesting to note in Rev_1:10 that John was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard
the voice of the Lord behind him, as loud as a trumpet. 1 Let's put ourselves there, carefully
examine what the Word is saying here, meditate on it, and imagine ourselves there,
beholding all this. There is a group of millions of people, in a desert, at the foot of a
mountain, in the literal presence of Almighty God. Looking up at that mountain, hearing
His voice, loud as a trumpet, rumbling like thunder. Imagine the deep vibrations in the air
going through your body, as your fear rises. Theirs did. They trembled, backed off,
terribly afraid. Lighting is flashing out of that dark, thick cloud that had settled on the
mountain, covering the presence of the Lord. The very atmosphere itself must have felt like
it was electrically charged. The word for lightning means a shining flame. A bright,
shining flame in that cloud. It was like a torch burning in the midst of the cloud. Heb_12:29
says our God is a consuming fire. He had come down on this mount, but was not
consuming it, just like He hadn't consumed the burning bush.

The people saw this, and they quivered in fear, they were so disturbed and shaken they
couldn't stand it, they retreated. This was the God who had delivered them, led them out of
bondage, and to this place so they could have an encounter with Him. He wanted to reveal
Himself to His people and they couldn't bear it. They wanted Moses to be the one to stand
up and go talk to God, and they said they'd listen to him. But if they didn't want to listen to
God directly, chances were they wouldn't listen to the man He chose to speak through,
either. Moses was afraid, too. Heb 12 reveals to us that it was such a frightful sight, such
an awe-inspiring sight, that Moses said "I exceedingly fear." Translated, from the Greek,
that literally means "I'm scared out of my wits." Moses was terrified, too. They were all
shaking in fear. Still, Moses tells the people, "don't be afraid. God has come to test you, so
you will fear Him, and not sin against Him. (Remember the Bible says it's by the fear of the
Lord that men depart from evil. Pro_16:6)

Though he was afraid, Moses stepped out from among them, and drew near to the thick,
dark cloud with the burning fire in the midst. He presented himself to God. But they

1 See also Rev_4:1.

wouldn't come any closer. I have been wondering what was it that caused Moses to deny
his fear, to refuse to let fear cause him to retreat from God and choose instead to go
forward in spite of his fear? Was it because of the encounter at the burning bush? He saw
that bush engulfed in flames but not consumed. He turned aside and considered it
carefully. He was trusting God would not consume him. He was drawn to God. There was
something in his heart that wanted God.

The people were so afraid of God. We're talking about the God who destroyed an entire
nation's infrastructure. In the process He judged and exposed its idols as false, sending
plagues that were a direct attack on these idols, revealing their powerlessness to help
Egypt, and He loosed these people from terrible bondage. He turned the hearts of the
Egyptians back to pity them, and give them things they would have need of in the
wilderness. Everything they would need to have to build His tabernacle, they had before
they left Egypt. They did not go out weak, hidden or empty, they went out openly, with
much spoil, and victorious. God spoiled the Egyptians, the Word says. He led Israel to
places where there was no provision and showed them HE was all the provision they
needed. He sweetened the water at Marah, He rained down food from heaven, He gave
them water from a rock! Imagine how much it took to water millions of people and their
children and their animals. This was like a torrent of a river, not just a small rinky dink
waterfall out of a rock. He had cared for, protected, and led them here. He wanted to
reveal Himself to them. But they still didn't trust Him. If there is ever an example of the
truth in the Bible "no flesh shall glory in My Presence" this has to be it. Flesh fears and
trembles here. It can't stand, it retreats in fear, and cries out for distance from God.

Deu_5:22 reveals God gave the commandments not just to Moses, but to the people. He
spoke with a great voice out of the thick cloud to Moses, and the people. They all heard
Him. But the people sent the heads of their tribes, and their elders to Moses. They
acknowledged the Lord has showed us His glory and His greatness. They admitted they
heard His voice out of the midst of the fire, realizing God could talk to man and man live.
But then they said the opposite, in Deu_5:25. Why should we die? This great fire will
consume us. If we hear God's voice anymore, we will die. He was speaking out of the fire,
and they didn't want to hear anymore. They told Moses, you go be His mouthpiece. You go
near Him, and you hear what He has to say and you tell us and we will do it.

Yeah, right. If they wouldn't listen to God Himself, how could they deceive their own
hearts into thinking they would listen to a man speaking for God? We would be wise to
consider this. Do we trust the preacher in the church to tell us what God has to say,
preferring not to get alone with Him, and hear for ourselves? Do we spare our flesh the
warfare and content ourselves with what the man says from the pulpit or the CD or some
online church? Are we so dangerously selfish? This reveals a selfishness on the part of the
people. They said to Moses, you go talk to God, and you tell us what He says and we will
listen to you, but please don't let God speak with us-not to us, and that implies a
communion, not a lecture. In other words, they had heard enough, they didn't want to
hear God anymore. Something in them was rejecting His voice. They were afraid. Why?
Yes, the sight was awesome, and frightful to flesh. But I believe there was more to it than
that. Something internal was being challenged, spotlighted at the sound of God's voice and
darkness prefers to hide from light. Remember, in the book of John, Jesus said this:

Joh 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved
darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Joh 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds
should be reproved.
Joh 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that
they are wrought in God.
What was God's response? He heard, He saw. He knew. He spoke to Moses. He said "I have
heard what they said. They are right, Moses. But Oh, that they had the courage and
understanding inside their mind to reverence Me, and observe and preserve My
commandments so it would be well with them and their children forever. They do not want
to hear Me, but I will raise up from among them a Prophet similar to you, and My Word
will be in His mouth, and He will speak all I command Him. And whoever will not listen to
He who speaks in My name, I will require it of him." 2 God had to be thinking, if only they
could understand, and obey Me, I would not have to judge them, I would not have to show
them My wrath against their sin. This tells me God wanted only what was best for them.
He loved them. He preferred to help and bless them rather than have to judge and
discipline them. Isn't that how we are as parents? We prefer our child behave so we don't
have to punish them. God gave them permission to return to their tents, but told Moses,
you stay here with Me. I will tell you what you must teach them so they may possess what
I have for them.

Moses had no sooner got up the mountain and began talking with God, when something
changed and God had to send Moses hurrying back down the mountain to intercept a
disobedient people and prevent their destruction. The people could not endure the
commandment that had been spoken. They would have crossed the line and been
destroyed. (Heb_12:20) They could not bear this, inwardly, they retreated. Physically, they
retreated. I don't know how all this played out that day, but as I meditated on this, and
asked the Lord some questions, I began to understand a little better. You take it for what
it's worth..but Moses went up that mountain at the first.

God came down on that mountain in a thick cloud of darkness. His Presence was like a
burning torch in the midst of that cloud, the sound of His voice was like thunder, even
louder like the trumpet. It must have sent vibrations through the very air, through their
bodies and minds, like you experience at a concert, when the amplifiers are blasting the
music. You can almost feel your insides vibrating and quivering with the pulse of the
sounds. Moses led the people forward to meet with God, standing at the foot of the
mountain. The voice of the trumpet sounded long, got louder and louder. Moses speaks and
God answered him by a voice and Moses went up to the mountain. (Exo_19:20) God speaks
to the people, as well as Moses, giving the ten commandments verbally. They heard each
one with their own ears. But look at the effect it has on them. The people are panicking,
they are frightened. They begin to talk amongst themselves. They send for the heads of
their tribes, and their elders. They demand these men go tell Moses they can't stand this.
They are backing off. They don't want to hear God. Perhaps it was because these men,
likely with great reluctance and fear, start to go up the mountain as the people demanded.
Were they going to presume to interrupt God as He was talking with Moses? I don't know.
But I do know they started to go where they had been told not to. This could explain why
God suddenly tells Moses to get away, go back down and warn the people not to come up.
Moses just assumed they would follow the instructions he'd already given them, but they
weren't going to. These men would have died for their disobedience.

Exo 19:23 And Moses said unto the LORD, The people cannot come up to mount Sinai: for thou
chargedst us, saying, Set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it.
Exo 19:24 And the LORD said unto him, Away, get thee down, and thou shalt come up, thou,
and Aaron with thee: but let not the priests and the people break through to come up unto
the LORD, lest he break forth upon them.
Exo 19:25 So Moses went down unto the people, and spake unto them.

By setting boundaries around the mountain to prevent animal or man from stepping
there, God was trying to show these people you cannot come close to Me. This is hallowed
2 Deu_5:22-29 Deu_18:18-19
ground because I'm here, and where ever I Am, there is holiness. There was a line of
separation. In verse 24, that phrase "break through" means to ruin or destroy. Talking
about the boundary, the line of separation here. Think very carefully about this. Only a
presumptuous, arrogant people would destroy the boundary, by crossing it, in
disobedience, to serve flesh. To disregard the boundary the Lord sets, to try to ascend into
His Presence in the wrong way will lead to destruction. We can't get to God except through
the Way He's prescribed. Jesus Christ is our Way, He is the Door. No one can get to God
unless they come through the blood of Christ, in His Name. By Him, we have access. Only
by Him. Praise God for the New Covenant!

Moses makes it back down that mountain in time to intercept the people and prevent them
from crossing the line.

Exo 20:19 And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God
speak with us, lest we die.
Exo 20:20 And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his
fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.
Exo 20:21 And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where
God was.
Exo 20:22 And the LORD said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye
have seen that I have talked with you from heaven.
Exo 20:23 Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of
gold.

God is reminding the people something very important here, because He knew what would
happen. You've seen I came down from heaven and talked to you. They couldn't see
anything except the fire in the cloud and they could hear His voice. They could feel His
Presence. What can compare with the Almighty? You shall not make (with your own
hands) anything, any idol, any gods of silver or gold, and elevate them to My position.
First commandment. Remember? Don't do it. He has no equal. He knew that when He
called Moses back up to the mountain to give him the written commandments on tables of
stone, that it would not take long for Aaron to make a golden calf in response to these
people's murmurings and threatenings. God was warning them beforehand-don't do this. I
have no equal. Don't make any idol. Don't make a physical, “made by flesh” representation
of Me. Perhaps that is why something inside me has always cringed when I see a painting
of Jesus, at least after I began to read and learn more about Him.

Exo 20:24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt
offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my
name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.
Exo 20:25 And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if
thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.
Exo 20:26 Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not
discovered thereon.

Consider the altar: From Easton's Illustrated Bible Dictionary: The word for altar in the
Heb. is mizbe'ah, from a word meaning "to slay"), any structure of earth (Ex. 20:24) or
unwrought stone (20:25) on which sacrifices were offered. Altars were generally erected in
conspicuous places. (Not hidden, but right before you, to remind you of a vital truth).
The altar is a place where someone has to die. An altar of earth, was God's first choice so
why earth? As I was wondering about that I remembered what Jesus said. Unless a grain
of wheat falls into the ground and die, it abides alone, but if it dies, it will bring forth much
fruit. (Joh_12:24) But if you make Me an altar of stone, God said, well knowing the human
heart, you shall not make it with stone which you have cut and shaped with your tools,
your hands, your human strength. If you do, you have polluted it. That word pollute
means to profane, defile or prostitute. We can't change what the altar is for. So many
times I've heard the altar is a place to come and get something from God. In the New
Testament, there is no mention of Christians and altars. But if we have one in our church,
we need to understand what it's for. It's a place we bow our knee, and tarry in His
Presence, knowing our self will, self rule, has to die. We must have His Holy Spirit to
empower and enable us to completely reject our natural, carnal life, and embrace His
supernatural life. We must be made to understand what is carnal, what is natural is
always going to be opposed to God and that is why it must die. I don't know how the Holy
Spirit does this, but I do know if we seek Him, He will show us something infinitely more
desirable than ourselves. He will create within us a desire to reject ourselves and embrace
this wonderful Christ.

Something else God said here that must be considered. He wanted a ramp made to the
altar-which would be elevated. It's an altar that is not to be low to the ground, but elevated
off the ground. Build it up, and build a ramp to the altar, not steps. In the process of
stepping up, the garment could rise up and expose flesh. No flesh will be allowed in His
presence. It must be covered. Flesh is contrary, hostile to God. It's everything God is not.
It's selfish, it's carnal, it's never satisfied, always demanding, it's unclean, it can't be
sanctified. When we say "flesh" we mean self. Flesh is the means self is put on display. We
must understand that which is against God must be covered, subdued, denied, crucified.
When I first got saved, and I heard preachers thunder against how women dressed, never
the men, and I was so discouraged and offended. They never explained this to me, though.
Perhaps they didn't know or understand. I struggled for years with this, and could have
avoided much pain and sorrow and struggle had I understood this. Show me Christ, show
me His holiness, show me His loveliness, and I'll be willing to part with anything to
possess Him, to be possessed of Him. Flesh must be covered in His Presence because it
would compete with Him-flesh wants to be its own god, would sit in His temple if allowed
and exalt itself over everything that is of God in that place (2 Thess 2:4) . Flesh (self) wants
attention, wants praise, wants the approval of men, always wants first place.

In His Presence nothing that would compete with Him must be allowed. Nothing that
would represent Him in the world must be of flesh. This doesn't mean dress modestly in
church and then however you want the rest of the time. We must remember He lives in us.
We are His temple. Where ever we go, we represent Him. What we do, how we look, and
behave, and speak, all is a direct reflection on God. Do we please ourselves or do we
respect the One who lives in us and defer to His will? Can we imagine He would continue to
dwell in a human who would knowingly rather reveal too much skin in the way they dress
for vanity's sake to draw attention to the outer shell of the temple which will perish and
die? Love of self, desire to draw attention to ourselves, to look appealing to others, is a
direct reflection of the fallen nature we were born with.

I want to take you back to Genesis briefly, back to the garden of Eden. Eve is in the garden,
and for the moment, talking to her enemy in the form of a serpent. Perhaps she's been
eyeing the tree of life, and perhaps the enemy was there, quick to draw her attention to
something God said she couldn't have, trying to sow a seed of discontent in her heart by
reminding her of that, questioning that. Anything to prevent her eating of that tree of life.
She looks up, as the serpents words echo in her ears. “Hath God said you shall die? No, you
won't die. He knows if you eat of this tree of knowledge of good and evil you will be like
Him, you will be as a god yourself.” It was one part lie, and one part half truth.
Gen 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to
the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat,
and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
1Ti 2:13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
1Ti 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

Did you see that? Adam was not deceived. Adam had union with God. He was so close to
God, He had the mind of God. He knew what to call each animal God had brought him, and
whatever he called it that was what it was. He walked with God who came down to him in
the cool of the evening, everyday. When he saw she had transgressed the commandment of
God, instantly Adam knew she would now be separated from God. There must have been
an initial rush of horror in his mind when he saw what she had done. The serpent didn't
try to tempt Adam himself, for a reason. He knew Adam would not listen to the lie. He went
after that which was near and dear to Adam's heart and deceived her. He put Adam in a
terrible place. There was a choice to be made here. Adam could refuse her and lose her, or
he could join her in her disobedience and lose out with God. Sadly, we know, Adam chose
flesh over the Spirit of God. THAT was the terribleness of the sin of Adam. He was not
deceived, he knew what he was doing when he took that fruit from her hand and ate of it.

When we understand that Adam lost the divine, holy nature and likeness of God when he
fell, and the light went out in his spirit, which died toward God. That left a vacuum, and
Satan was quick to rush in and remake man in his own image. Satan reproduced what he
was in man. Darkness, envy, pride, covetousness, anger. Those last four things were what
cost him his place in heaven. Do we think we can have them in us and make it? It's about
more than just how we dress, physically, too. We have to be dressed up SPIRITUALLY. Eph
6:10-18 tells us what we are to have on:

Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the
devil.

To be strong, or able, in the Lord, we must have be brought to the place we have no
confidence in the flesh-in ourselves, our own human strength. (Php_3:3) We must have a
relationship, with Him. We trust Him because we are familiar with Him. We spend time
with Him, so we know Him. We cannot trust someone we do not know personally. We must
trust His power is well able to do whatever is required, to meet whatever need confronts
us, and not we ourselves. That word for power in the Greek is kratos, and it means
dominion, force, great mighty power. We know He has dominion over all. Nothing is out of
His control. He grants humanity free will, but ultimately, He is over all. He is and has all
the ability needed. We must put on the complete armour of God. Why?

Eph 6:12 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.
Eph 6:13 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.

Do you hear what verse 12 is saying? How many years have we spent struggling with
ourselves, wanting to be holy, trying to be holy and always falling short? Paul said we
wrestle not-so if we aren't to wrestle with flesh, the only other alternative is to present that
flesh of ours to God for Him to deal with. Paul is talking to a people here that he presumes
are dead and dying daily to self. The word wrestle means a contest in which one endeavors
to overthrow the other. If we aren't to wrestle with flesh-that means we must trust it to
God who is able to subdue all things to Himself. (Php_3:21) Oh, Father, I'm preaching to
myself here. He also said in Psa_46:10 to be still, and know He is God. He will be exalted in
the earth above all. That includes all that is in us if we will still ourselves before Him and
tarry in His Presence. Are we not made of earth? Did He not just say He will be exalted in
the earth? If we spend all our time struggling with self, the real battle never gets fought.
We lose. The real battle is with those who from the beginning (Gen_1:1) have been agents of
darkness, in this world. They have power, meaning influence, authority, on the grounds of
flesh and blood, to wreak havoc and destruction. Flesh they can manipulate and operate in
and through. This is why it cannot be used in the kingdom of God. There is spiritual
wickedness in heavenly or high places-a war being fought above our heads, in the very sky
above us. These spiritual powers of darkness can use and manipulate men and women
who are not born again, as well. This is why you have leaders in this world today set on
destroying the nation of Israel. This is the dragon, Rev 12 refers to persecuting the woman
who bore the seed (Son). This is to be the focus of the battle-spiritual wickedness-demonic
powers, and beings and their manipulation of that which is carnal, and even religious.
Only the Holy Spirit knows how to successfully fight these things-and is He not our
Teacher, our Comforter, our Protector, Guide? There is danger in this fight.

Because of this, you need the full array of weapons, defensive measures, and protections
God has provided for you. Quickly, these include your shield, your helmet, your
breastplate, your sword, your belt. These are required for you to be able to stand against
and resist whatever the enemy throws or puts in your way. When you have done all you
know to do, and you are covered in the armour, you stand. Don't back down.

Stand with your loins secured with TRUTH. (Joh_14:6) This is the belt that holds everything
else in place. The loins is a term used to refer to the place where the seed of the human
resides. In other words, teach your children truth. Secure them with the knowledge of the
truth. Loins also refers to your own mind. You shall know the truth and the truth shall
make you free. That means an intimate knowing. Personal not second hand knowledge.
Experiential.

1Pe 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace
that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

So we cover our children, and our own minds with truth. Have on the breastplate of
righteousness. Know you do not stand in your own righteousness which is filthy rags in
the sight of God, but you, we all stand in the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is
our righteousness. The devil will come against us all and try to beat us down in defeat
reminding us of our unworthiness. None of us are. But He made provision for us anyway.
He loves us anyway. So that is not an issue. Settle it in your mind.

1Co 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God
hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
1Co 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea,
and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
1Co 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
1Co 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and
righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

We have our feet bound to walk in the truth revealed to us, fully prepared to share that
truth of the availability of peace with God to all humanity. But above all these things, you
must have that shield of faith. Faith in the knowledge of the truth you know will put out
the inflammatory lies the wicked ones around you will launch at you-both physical and
spiritual. Take the helmet of salvation-you must know you are born again. You must know
you've not just repeated some little sinner's prayer and took your salvation as a given, for
granted. No. You must KNOW that you know you have been born again from above, a
work of the Holy Spirit, birthing the life of the Son of God in your spirit. This will change
your desires, your purpose in life, your behavior, it will change everything. If you are not
changed, if you have not changed, if you do not hunger to know God, you are not born
again. You may be religious, but not born again.

Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto
with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

The helmet of salvation, implies a defense, to protect the head, but also the hope of being
saved from eternal darkness and damnation. Take also the sword of the Spirit which is the
Word of God (Heb_4:12) and never stop praying with earnest communication with God,
and making your requests to God, not only for yourself, but for others in need. Watching,
that means don't go to sleep, stay awake, spiritually. Persevere, don't give up, be
steadfast. Immovable from your position and understanding that you are a child of God,
accepted in the Beloved Son of God, with access, help, weapons, and truth on your side.
Make petitions for all saints, not just a few. This must require Holy Spirit leadership in our
prayers, for we know not how or for whom we ought to pray. Consider carefully each piece
of defense God has provided in this armour. We must understand each piece is vitally
important, and each piece protects and guards against a specific area of attack.

One last thing I would add, concerning the boundaries, and separations from the presence
of God. When Jesus Christ died on that cross, having shed innocent, pure and holy blood,
for our sins, God ripped the temple veil apart from the top to the bottom. He made the way
for us to come in before His Presence, boldly.

Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the
Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our
infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and
find grace to help in time of need.

Two things will separate us from Him now-deliberate sin and unbelief. HE is well able to
deal with both if we come honestly, humbly and come knowing there is nowhere else we
can go.

Copyright © 2005-2010 by Kathleen Maples

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