Jesus and His Bride - By Kelli Tarner

9.2.09–I love the way Yeshua (Jesus) describes His bride. Song of Solomon can be read in a bridal paradigm, meaning “He” is Yeshua, and “She” is those who are lovesick for Him, His bride. In chapter 4 verse 4, Yeshua describes our neck “like the tower of David, built magnificently, on which hang a thousand bucklers.” According to Webster’s 1828 dictionary, a buckler is a “ a kind of shield, or piece of defensive armor, anciently used in war. It was composed of wood, or wickers woven together, covered with skin or leather, fortified with plates of brass or other metal, and worn on the left arm. On the middle was an umbo, boss or prominence, very useful in causing stones and darts to glance off. The buckler often was four feet long, and covered the whole body.” Isn’t it interesting that he describes our throat as such? And he says it is not just one buckler, but our neck is built like a tower with a thousand bucklers.

I believe our throat is like a shield when we worship our God in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). When we adore and worship Him, really believing what we are saying, we are worshiping in truth. And that type of worship shields us from the arrows of the enemy. Can you imagine the day when we all worship, declaring to Yeshua what The Holy Spirit says about Him (worshiping in spirit), and believe it (worshiping in truth)? We will be “as lovely as Jerusalem but formidable as an army marching under banners.” And because of this, Yeshua says, “turn your eyes away from me, because they overwhelm me (Song of Solomon 6:4)!”

Psalms 45 describes Yeshua, our warrior King (c.f. Hebrews 1):
“You are the most handsome of men; gracious speech flows from your lips. For God has blessed you forever. Warrior, strap your sword at your thigh; [gird on] your splendor and majesty. In your majesty, succeed, ride on in the cause of truth, meekness and righteousness. May your right hand teach you awesome things. Your arrows are sharp. The people fall under you, as they penetrate the hearts of the king’s enemies. Your throne, God, will last forever and ever; you rule your kingdom with a scepter of equity. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of joy in preference to your companions. Your robes are all fragrant with myrrh, aloes and cassia; from ivory palaces stringed instruments bring you joy (2-8).”

Again God’s word speaks of our throats—the ivory palaces that bring Him joy. In addition, we see Yeshua’s character embedded in His garments: myrrh was used in burial and in purification—setting one apart as holy to Adonai (The Lord). I believe aloe speaks of its soothing and healing properties, while cassia represents Kingly humility. As we worship Yeshua in spirit and in truth, our King humbles himself in our praises. I see Him dancing at our voices and His fragrance all around Him, and us. How beautiful it is to worship our Beloved in spirit and in truth.

The Wisdom of Yeshua - By Kelli Tarner

7.22.09–Yeshua was fully God and fully man. In Isaiah, God calls Him “His right arm.” Yeshua hanging on the cross was foolishness to the world, but the wisdom of God. The Jews were expecting the Messiah, the warrior king to come and overthrow the Roman Empire. Instead, God broke the authority of the adversary and purchased men for himself through the sacrifice of His son. Not even the adversary could comprehend God’s wisdom. “Not one of this world’s leaders has understood it; because if they had, they would not have executed the Lord from whom this glory flows.” 1 Corinthians 2:8.

The character of God is exposed in Jesus’ crucifixion. God exposed his love sickness and His longing for a relationship with us. He exposed His humility by having Himself hang naked on the cross. Naked, in front of the rebellious people cursing at him. The very ones that He came to save. What power and authority.

The wisdom of the world would try to break down rebellion with control. But God breaks it with humility. With gentleness, kindness and servant hood. With His zeal for justice and mercy. We can see this manifested in the Roman officer. He was exercising control over Yeshua by participating in the crucifixion. But when Yeshua offered forgiveness over condemnation, the soldier began to praise God and said, “surely this man was innocent” Luke 23:47.

The beauty and wisdom of God and His son on the cross. May we live and walk in the revelation of Yeshua on the cross daily.

Deliverance - By Kelli Tarner

6.16.09-How beautiful is our Creator. He allows us to make our own choices yet when we come to Him covered in mud, he has a plan to free us. It is through our TRUSTING that brings DELIVERANCE. “And you are receiving what your trust is aiming at, namely, your deliverance.” 1 Peter 1:9. All we have to do is keep trusting. How easy! To just carelessly trust our Creator, the One who loves us more than we love ourselves! And as we trust Him, he washes off more and more layers of mud–bringing us into complete deliverance.

In order to trust Him, we must know Him. And the better we know Him, the easier it is to trust. Where do we get to know Him better? His word. Peter says, “be like newborn babies, thirsty for the pure milk of the Word; so that by it, you may grow up into deliverance. For you have tasted that Adonai is good.” 1 Peter 2:2-3.

He is holy, righteous and good. His thoughts are toward us. His eyes are fixed on us. Everything He does is out of His great love. He is love. He is jealous, and won’t share our attention with another. Who would want it another way?

He WILL complete the good work He began in you. He IS faithful. He WILL guide the steps of the righteous–and he credited righteousness to Abraham because he TRUSTED. “Abraham’s trust was credited to his account as righteousness.” Romans 4:9. How beautiful.

So now we can proclaim to Adonai Elohim that we trust Him.

Adonai, we trust in your goodness and know that you will bring us into the fullness of our deliverance. We trust that you will teach us and lead us into all truth. For You are faithful. And you will never leave or forsake us. For You have purchased us with precious blood–the substance which contains life. We love and adore You. From this day forward we choose to trust You. To recklessly abandon ourselves in Your love, knowing that you are able to make us a spotless bride. In Yeshua’s precious blood we come to You, Amen.

Shavu’ot (part 2)

 5.24.09–Many in the body are crying out for power and anointing from God yet fail to receive it because they are not yet on God’s calendar. In the past, the adversary has tried to remove the Hebraic roots from the church with a doctrine called “Replacement Theology.” It states that the Christians replaced God’s beloved Jews. Many others believe that the Old Testament was replaced with the New Testament and feel it is not important to read the Old Testament. As Paul says, there will be a time when “people will not have the patience for sound teaching, but will cater to their passions and gather around themselves teachers who say whatever their itching ears want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3).”

In this hour, God is awakening the church to her lost Hebraic roots. The roots that birthed and grew Yeshua the Messiah. The roots that the disciples and Paul the Apostle walked in. These are the roots that bring life and reveal His calendar. Praise Adonai for His chosen people and for his plan that grafted us into the olive tree (Romans 11).

Shavu’ot, or Pentecost is a festival that God mandated in the Torah (first 5 books of The Bible). He describes the feast in Leviticus 23:15-16, Numbers 28:26-31, and Deuteronomy 16:9-12. for the festival, God says to bring an offering and have a holy gathering. According to Dr. Robert Heidler’s book titled, The Messianic Church Arising!, there are three dimensions to Pentecost. The first is receiving God’s blessing of abundant provision as well as bringing Him an offering that would open our hearts to Him. Secondly, we must remember to celebrate God giving the Torah. When He gave his commandments, Adonai was giving the revelation of His will and His character. On Shavu’ot, we should be thankful for His wisdom and revelation, expecting fresh revelation as we study His word. The third dimension is the outpouring of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) and the power from God that healed the sick, raised the dead, and added 3,000 people to their numbers, daily.

I pray that we would give ourselves to the study of God’s feasts and come into the knowledge of the covenant and blessings that He has fashioned for those who seek His word like treasure.

If you are interested in celebrating Shavu’ot with a holy gathering, join us at the Tabernacle on May 28th at 7pm.

Shavu’ot - By Kelli Tarner

4.21.09–After Passover, God told His people to count 50 days to celebrate the festival Shavu’ot, or Pentecost. This is the festival of the First Fruits, but also is significant to the Jews because it celebrates the giving of the Torah, or first 5 books of the Old Testament to Moshe (Moses) on Mt. Sinai.

After He arose from the dead, Yeshua spent 40 days with His disciples speaking with them about the Kingdom of God. During that time He told His disciples to “wait for what the Father promised, which you heard about from me. For Yochanan (John the Baptist) used to immerse in water; but in a few days, you will be immersed in the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit)!” Acts 1:4-5 After this, the disciples devoted themselves to prayer. They tarried. They waited. They prayed.

10 days later, on the festival of Shavu’ot, “the believers all gathered together in one place. Suddenly there came a sound from the sky like the roar of a violent wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then they saw what looked like tongues of fire, which separated and came to rest on each one of them. They were all filled with the Ruach HaKodesh and began to talk in different languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak.”

I am convinced that now is the time to tarry in the secret place. To wait for the power from God. There is a higher calling awaiting us. It is a calling to walk in the power of Yeshua just as the disciples did. When the body comes into the fullness of her calling, we will be His witnesses with the power of the Ruach HaKodesh and the baptism of fire. That fire—the witness of the Ruach HaKodesh—caused 3,000 people to be added to their numbers in the first day (Acts 2:41).

Currently there are few in the body operating in the fullness of Isaiah 61. This is a call to allow Him to burn away all dross so that only Yeshua remains. With that will come the beauty of Isaiah 61, “The Spirit of Adonai Elohim is upon me, because Adonai has anointed me to announce good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted; to proclaim freedom to the captives, to let out into light those bound in the dark; to proclaim the year of the favor of Adonai and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who morn, yes, provide for those in Tziyon (Zion) who morn, giving them garlands instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of morning, a cloak of praise instead of a heavy spirit, so that they will be called oaks of righteousness planted by Adonai, in which he takes pride. They will rebuild the ancient ruins, restore sites long destroyed; they will renew the ruined cities, destroyed many generations ago. Strangers will stand and feed your flocks, foreigners plow your land and tend your vines; but you will be called the cohanim (priests) of Adonai, spoken of as ministers to our God. You will feed on the wealth of the nations, and revel in their riches…”

This year, Pentecost will be on the eve of May 28 through the 30th. The Tabernacle of David will be having a special service on the eve of May 28th from 7-9pm. All are welcome.

Adonai, I pray that we would ask You for the higher calling that You desire to bring us into. That we would tarry in the secret place, and wait for power from You. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

The Day of Adonai - By Kelli Tarner

3.21.09 - The prophets are speaking loudly in this time.  Loudly to America, who has lost her innocence. Who has aborted 51 million babies and has turned from her first love, Adonai Tzva’ot (The Lord God of Hosts).  On March 7, 2009, famed pastor and writer David Wilkerson posted a blog that spoke of the current and coming judgment to America (see http://davidwilkersontoday.blogspot.com/2009/03/urgent-message.html ).  For me it is not good enough to only hear and believe the prophets.  I need direct revelation from Adonai, who generously gives wisdom to those who ask for it (James 1:5).  On Monday March 9th, I asked Him for that wisdom and revelation in my heart.  He answered me the next day as I sought and waited on Him.  He told me to fast for 3 days for revelation on Joel 2:3.  I immediately turned to it, wondering what the verse said.  It was talking about the day of Adonai:

“Ahead of them a fire devours,

behind them a flame consumes;

ahead the land is like Gan-‘Eden (Garden of Eden),

behind them a desert waste.

From them there is no escape.”

Knowing that revelation doesn’t come until after the fast, before bed on the 2^nd night, I asked God for a taste of what was to come.  He answered by giving me a dream of a city being consumed by fire.  I realized if was because of bombing. 

 

On Sunday morning, after the fast was over, Madonna woke up hearing that Adonai was going to meet with us in a different way for our prayer time.  She called and I was thrilled to get to prayer.  As we sat and waited on God, He encouraged us and then began to give us pictures and words, back and forth.  We recorded them as He gave them to us. 

 

I will be sharing this later as The Lord leads me.  I know that all His judgments are based on love—it is the heart of the father to call us back to Him and His unfailing love and goodness when we go astray.  In addition, the shed blood of the innocent cries out from the ground (Genesis 4:10).

 

I feel led to share of the Lamentations of the Prophet, Jeremiah.  In chapter 4, we can see a description of the judgments that fell upon Israel and the contrast of the glory of the land vs. how it was after Adonai declared its judgment.  Monetary items became worthless.  Famine, hunger, and cannibalism overtook the once great nation while the world was in shock.  When God brings judgment, He starts in His own house.  In verses 21-22 it talks of the judgment of Edom to come next. 

 

Pastor Perry Stone talks much about prophetic patterns in The Bible in accordance with Ecclesiastes 1:9-10.  “ What has been is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.  Is there something of which it is said, “See this is new”?  It existed already in the ages before us.”  With that knowledge, Perry’s last TV program, “Mannafest” aired with a word about the recurring pattern of Sodom and Gomorrah (http://www.christian.tv/channels/details/video/45).  In addition, he spoke of the fact that both our President and Vice President’s names and patterns are in The Bible.  Barak is in Judges 4-5 and, in short, had a key role in Israel’s war.  Joseph ruled over Egypt during a famine (Genesis 41). 

 

Lord, give us wisdom, sober-mindedness and temperance during this hour.  I pray that you would touch us with Your words and revelation.  Give us dreams and visions.  Give us a heart to seek You.  Break through the strongholds of the enemy.  May we have a repentant heart that you might turn from your anger and leave a blessing, saving us in the day of judgment.  In Yeshua’s name, amen.

The Plans and Wisdom of God - By Kelli Tarner

1.15.2009-God’s plans are amazing.  He knew us before we were formed in our mother’s womb.  The plans for His temple were just as miraculous.  In 2 Chronicles 3, it says, “Solomon began to build the house of ADONAI in Jerusalem (meaning city of peace) on Mt. Moriah.”  God had Solomon build His temple in the perfect place.  The place that he orchestrated from the beginning.   This is the place where He would sacrifice his only Son, Yeshua, the Priest above all Priests (c.f. Luke 23).  The One who took His blood into the temple and tore the veil so that we can enter the holy place.  That we could be intimate with the most High God.  Oh, the beauty and mercy of God!

In Genesis 22, God foreshadows his beloved plan with Abraham.  “Take your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac; and go to the land of Moriah.  There you are to offer him as a burnt offering on the mountain that I will point out to you.”  What radical mercy.  That God would plan His Son, His right arm, to be sacrificed and tear the veil to the temple before he laid the foundation of the earth.  Give us eyes to see Your amazing plans, Lord. 

Abraham and Yeshua walked in radical obedience, and God blessed them through it. 

“I have sworn by myself—says Adonai—that because you have done this, because you haven’t withheld your son, your only son, I will most certainly bless you; and I will most certainly increase your descendants to as many as there are stars in the sky or grains of sand on the seashore.  Your decendants will possess the cities of their enemies, and by your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed—because you obeyed my order.” 

For Yeshua, Adonai says, “Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance; the whole wide world will be your possession.  You will break them with an iron rod, shatter them like a clay pot” Psalms 2:7-9)  Yeshua our ruler who invites us to rule and reign with Him.  What a beautiful plan, filled with the character of God himself.  Surrounded in love, mercy, zeal, righteousness and holiness.  Our God is so big and beautiful.  May we sit and gaze upon His beauty all the days of our lives.