Daniel was told to seal up the words of the scroll until the time of completion of the dispensation, and the knowledge would be multiplied. In our day and time, knowledge is increasing, but not just new knowledge and technologies, but knowledge that has been lost is being rediscovered. There are so many things we now know about the Bible that 200 years ago people were unaware of. We are able to learn about the Bible so much faster with the use of computers, as compared to sitting in a dim dusty library with a stack of books. Jesus told us three different times, recorded in four gospels, that there would be a revealing and an uncovering of secrets. In one instance people were intentionally hiding the truth, in another instance people were mistaken about the truth, and in the third instance the revealed and learned knowledge were only intended for certain people. In the Millennial Kingdom there will be a certain group who will teach the people the difference regarding the holy and the profane.
Daniel was told to obstruct the words, but others intentionally altered words, prophecies, dates, years, and locations, in order to mislead people. This is a sad statement. Intentionally misleading people for hundreds of years is evil. Who is the author of such evils as to lead faithful Jews to keep the wrong sabbath days or the wrong feast days? Some people are followers, some leaders, some misleaders, and some people are truth seekers. We have all probably experienced learning something new but encountered resistance when trying to share what we learned. Sometimes people refuse to listen to things that are new. Some people are comfortable following the crowd. Imagine what Jesus went through teaching so many new things day after day. We can be thankful for the use of technology to enable us to learn, to grow and to uncover the mysteries of the Bible; whether hidden by evil intent, misunderstanding, or just hidden by Yahweh for us to uncover through diligent study.
Let’s take a quick look at Daniel.
Daniel 12:4G2532And G1473you G*Daniel G1719.2obstruct G3588the G3056words, G2532and G4972set a seal upon G3588the G975scroll G2193until G2540the time G4930of completion! G2193until G1321[should be taught G4183many], G2532and G4129[be multiplied G3588the G1108knowledge].
4930 συντέλεια sunteleia soon-tel'-i-ah From G4931; entire completion, that is, consummation (of a dispensation) KJV Usage: end.
1108 γνῶσις gnōsis gno'-sis From G1097; knowing (the act), that is, (by implication) knowledge KJV Usage: knowledge, science.
The completion or consummation of an age or dispensation is the time that people would start to multiply in gnosis, knowledge. Jesus points out that there is nothing that is hidden that shall not be known, ginosko. In Luke 11 we see Jesus talking with the lawyers, and he says something interesting to them.
Luke 11:52 (KJV) Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.
The Mosaic legal experts had the key to gnosis, but they didn’t use it, and they took it away from those who were entering into gnosis. Let’s hang on to that thought while we look into the context.
Jesus was calling the Pharisees hypocrites and a lawyer asked Jesus if he reproached them as well. From Jesus’ answer I would say that is a definite yes. After this, Jesus talks to the people about the yeast of the Pharisees.
Luke 12:1-3 (KJV) In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.
3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.
Jesus was an Essene/Nazarene who kept the order, holy days, and the practices of the Essenes. The Pharisees were defiled for many reasons as we have studied, but mostly because of their corrupt hearts. Leaven is not just yeast, it is the process of fermentation, the boiling. Jesus is saying that it is the burning and fervent pursuit of an evil poser.
Luke 12:1G1722InG3739a time whenG1996there assembledG3588theG3461myriadsG3588of theG3793multitudeG5620so asG2662to trampleG240one another,G756he beganG3004to sayG4314toG3588 G3101his disciples,G1473 G4412First,G4337take heedG1438to yourselvesG575ofG3588theG2219yeastG3588of theG*Pharisees,G3748whichG1510.2.3isG5272hypocrisy.
2219LSJ Gloss: ζύμη leaven
Dodson: ζύμη leaven, ferment leaven, ferment, both lit. and met.
Thayer:
1) leaven
2) metaph. of inveterate mental and moral corruption, viewed in its tendency to infect othersLeaven is applied to that which, though small in quantity, yet by its influence thoroughly pervades a thing; either in a good sense as in the parable Mat. 13:33; or in a bad sense, of a pernicious influence, "a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump"
2) metaph. of inveterate mental and moral corruption, viewed in its tendency to infect othersLeaven is applied to that which, though small in quantity, yet by its influence thoroughly pervades a thing; either in a good sense as in the parable Mat. 13:33; or in a bad sense, of a pernicious influence, "a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump"
KJV Usage: leaven.
2204LSJ Gloss: ζέω to boil, seethe
Dodson: ζέω I burn in spirit (lit: I boil, am boiling), I burn (in spirit), am fervent.
Thayer:
1) to boil with heat, be hot
1a) used of water
1b) metaph.
1b1) used of boiling anger, love, zeal, for what is good or bad etc.
1b2) fervent in spirit, said of zeal for what is good
1a) used of water
1b) metaph.
1b1) used of boiling anger, love, zeal, for what is good or bad etc.
1b2) fervent in spirit, said of zeal for what is good
ζέω zeō dzeh'-o A primary verb; to be hot (boil, of liquids; or glow, of solids), that is, (figuratively) be fervid(earnest) KJV Usage: be fervent.
5272LSJ Gloss: ὑπόκρισις a reply, answer
Dodson: ὑπόκρισις hypocrisy, dissembling (lit: stage-playing), a response, answer, hypocrisy, dissembling.
Thayer:
1) an answering
2) an answer
3) the acting of a stage player
4) dissimulation, hypocrisy
2) an answer
3) the acting of a stage player
4) dissimulation, hypocrisy
ὑπόκρισις hupokrisis hoop-ok'-ree-sis From G5271; acting under a feigned part; that is, (figuratively) deceit (“hypocrisy”) KJV Usage: condemnation, dissimulation, hypocrisy.
5271LSJ Gloss: ὑποκρίνομαι to reply, make answer, answer
Dodson: ὑποκρίνομαι I act the part, pretend I act the part, pretend; I answer, respond.
Thayer:
1) to take up another's statements in reference to what one has decided for one's self
1a) to reply, answer
2) to make answer (speak) on the stage
2a) to impersonate anyone, play a part
3) to simulate, feign, pretend
1a) to reply, answer
2) to make answer (speak) on the stage
2a) to impersonate anyone, play a part
3) to simulate, feign, pretend
ὑποκρίνομαι hupokrinomai hoop-ok-rin'-om-ahee Middle voice from G5259 and G2919; to decide(speak or act) under a false part, that is, (figuratively) dissemble (pretend) KJV Usage: feign.
The rock band The Who had a hit song called Eminence Front. That is what a poser does, he/she puts on a fake, or pretend act to show themselves as something that they are not. That is the boiling fermentation of the fake religious people, the Pharisees. Jesus just told the people that the Pharisees were zealous fakers. Jesus was right.
Luke 12:2G3762For nothing G1161 G4780is being covered G1510.2.3 G3739which G3756shall not G601be uncovered; G2532and G2927hiddenG3739which G3756shall not G1097be made known.
4780LSJ Gloss: συγκαλύπτω to cover
Dodson: συγκαλύπτω I conceal closely, cover up wholly.
Thayer:
1) to cover on all sides, to conceal entirely, to cover up completely
συγκαλύπτω sugkaluptō soong-kal-oop'-to From G4862 and G2572; to conceal altogether KJV Usage: cover.
601LSJ Gloss: ἀποκαλύπτω to uncover
Dodson: ἀποκαλύπτω I uncover, bring to light, reveal.
Thayer:
1) to uncover, lay open what has been veiled or covered up
1a) disclose, make bare
2) to make known, make manifest, disclose what before was unknown
For Synonyms see entry G5812
1a) disclose, make bare
2) to make known, make manifest, disclose what before was unknown
For Synonyms see entry G5812
ἀποκαλύπτω apokaluptō ap-ok-al-oop'-to From G575 and G2572; to take off the cover, that is, disclose KJV Usage: reveal.
2927LSJ Gloss: κρυπτός hidden, secret
Dodson: κρυπτός hidden, secret hidden, secret; as subst: the hidden (secret) things (parts), the inward nature (character).
Thayer:
1) hidden, concealed, secret
KJV Usage: hid (-den), inward [-ly], secret.
1097Dodson: γινώσκω I come to know, learn, realize
I am taking in knowledge, come to know, learn; aor: I ascertained, realized.
Thayer:
1) to learn to know, come to know, get a knowledge of perceive, feel
1a) to become known
2) to know, understand, perceive, have knowledge of
2a) to understand
2b) to know
3) Jewish idiom for sexual intercourse between a man and a woman
4) to become acquainted with, to know
For Synonyms see entry G5825
1a) to become known
2) to know, understand, perceive, have knowledge of
2a) to understand
2b) to know
3) Jewish idiom for sexual intercourse between a man and a woman
4) to become acquainted with, to know
For Synonyms see entry G5825
γινώσκω ginōskō ghin-oce'-ko A prolonged form of a primary verb; to “know” (absolutely), in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as shown at left, with others not thus clearly expressed)
KJV Usage: allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) known (-ledge), perceive, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand.
Sugkaluptō means “covered altogether”, or “together cover”. Sun means “in union with or together”, which tells us this covering is a joint effort enacted by a few people. Jesus says what a group of people decided to conceal would be apokaluptō, “revealed”. Apo means “off or away”, and kalupto is the same root word for “covered”. There will be an off covering of what some people covered. Kruptos is the idea of “hidden secrets” and ginosko is “to come to know or understand”. There will be things intentionally covered by people and they will end up being revealed, and there will be hidden secrets that people will learn.
In our next look at covering knowledge, Jesus is telling his disciples that he is sending them out as a sheep among wolves. It sounds as if they will face some criticism in their lives.
Matthew 10:24-27 (KJV) The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.
25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
Jesus tells them to speak out the things that he tells them. In contrast to Luke 12 where Jesus says that whatever is said in the dark will be proclaimed in the light, or in other words there are no secrets. Here Jesus tells the disciples to share what he tells them. This is what people will condemn at first.
Matt 10:26G3361You should not G3767then G5399fear G1473them; G3762for nothing G1063 G1510.2.3is G2572being covered, G3739which G3756shall not G601be uncovered; G2532and G2927hidden, G3739which G3756shall not G1097be known.
2572καλύπτω kaluptō kal-oop'-to Akin to G2813 and G2928; to cover up (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: cover, hide.
601ἀποκαλύπτω apokaluptō ap-ok-al-oop'-to From G575 and G2572; to take off the cover, that is, disclose KJV Usage: reveal.
The wording here is slightly different. Whatever is covered up will be revealed. This doesn’t imply several people covering up something like the word sugkaluptō. This context implies that although some people thought the apostles were the sons of Beelzebub, the truth will be revealed, apokaluptō. Also what things are hidden secrets, kruptos, now are going to be realized and understood, ginōskō. People will not understand these northern Galilean fishermen until they see the power they will walk in after the day of Pentecost. The people mistakenly think they are just ordinary men, crazy like Jesus, until they start doing the works that Jesus did.
In Mark’s record, Jesus has just finished telling them about the parable of the sower. The crowd didn’t understand what Jesus meant, but the disciples asked him to explain it. He points out that those who hear the word and receive it will bring forth fruit.
Mark 4:21-22 (KJV) And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?
22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.
Mark was a witness to this discourse, even though he was writing for Peter. It is recognized that Mark himself understood what Jesus was intending. No one hides a light when it is dark. If one has a light at night, that one puts the light in a place that illuminates the entire room. That shining light makes the way visible for other people. It would be illogical for someone to hide their light at night time. This is the context of these hidden things.
Mark 4:22G3756For not G1063 G1510.2.3is G5100anything G2927hidden G3739which G1437should not G3361 G5319be made manifest, G3761nor G1096becomes G614concealed, G235but G2443that G1519[into G5318 the open G20641it should come].
5319 φανερόω phaneroō fan-er-o'-o From G5318; to render apparent (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: appear, manifestly declare, (make) manifest (forth), shew (self).
614 ἀπόκρυφος apokruphos ap-ok'-roo-fos From G613; secret; by implication treasured KJV Usage: hid, kept secret.
5318 φανερός phaneros fan-er-os' From G5316; shining, that is, apparent (literally or figuratively); neuter (as adverb) publicly, externally
KJV Usage: abroad, + appear, known, manifest, open [+ -ly], outward ([+ -ly]).
Mark’s words are a little different. Mark uses kruptos for “hidden or private”, and phaneroō meaning to “declare or render apparent”, like a light. A light is apparent in the dark. Apokruphos means “secrets or things that are hidden treasures”. They will be phaneros, “shining”. Who will be shining? The people who receive this hidden knowledge. They will shine so brightly they will dispel the dark. Light and dark do not co-exist, light eliminates darkness. Luke reiterates this example.
Luke 8:16-18 (KJV)
16 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.
17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.
18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.
Luke 8:17G3756For nothing G1063 G1510.2.3is G2927hidden, G3739which G3756[not G5318open G1096shall become], G3761nor G614concealed, G3739which G3756shall not G1097be known G2532and G1519[into G5318 the open G2064should come].
Kruptos, “hidden secrets”, will be phaneros, “apparent”; and apokruphos, “hidden treasures” will be ginōskō, “learned”. We can see that Mark and Luke are referring to Spiritual secrets and treasures, that one can learn or come to know or ascertain. These hidden spiritual secrets make one shine when they are shared.
In Luke 12, we are speaking of people covering up knowledge. We know that has occurred throughout history as many people tried to cover up that Jesus is Messiah. Technically, the understanding of the Apocalypse is revealing what has been stolen and hidden by a kleptomaniac (the devil). But in Luke 12 we have a group of people who are fervently posing as spiritual leaders and religious leaders. The legal leaders, those legal experts of the Mosaic law, held the key to knowledge. Is it possible that the Mosaic lawyers knew the Pharisees were corrupt, but because of political/religious pressure they refused to say anything and they kept others from learning about their corrupt ways as well? The lawyers should have spoken out about the corruption of the Pharisees. The lawyers should have supported those who were finding out the truth. Jesus was not shy about telling the Pharisees and scribes what they were doing wrong. But even though the posers were concealing things from the people, there will be an apocalypse, and there will be a learned knowledge of the secrets that the Pharisees attempted to hide.
In Matthew, we see the disciples being counseled regarding the mission that they are being given. Although the people think they are crazy, or sons of Beelzebub, the people will soon have an apocalypse, a revealing, regarding the disciples. They also will come to learn some of the secret hidden things about them. Let’s think about that. They looked like fishermen from the North, uneducated and unrefined. Yet they all had the power of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, and shortly after that, they were evangelizing in power, healing the sick and lame, and setting in motion a new Spiritual order. Jerusalem was in a turmoil over these people who followed Jesus. They may not have been Essene/Nazarenes like Jesus, but they walked in the power of the Holy Spirit like the prophets of old.
Mark and Luke (8:17) are not speaking about people who intentionally hide the truth or mistakenly misunderstand who people are. Mark and Luke are telling us that there are Godly secrets that are for those who hear the word and receive it. They will shine like lights for those in darkness. Those people will come to learn the heavenly mysteries. As Solomon wrote:
Proverbs 25:2 (KJV) It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
One of the big mysteries of our future is the Millennial kingdom. This is one aspect of the kingdom that we can know because Ezekiel revealed it to us. Ezekiel tells us who the priests will be and why. This bears so much weight for people today. There are people expecting to be priests on the earth of the sons of Jacob, but the Levites will not be priests in Jesus’ kingdom.
Ezekiel 44:4 And he brought me in by the way of the gate that looks northward, in front of the house: and I looked, and, behold, the house was full of the glory of the Lord: and I fell upon my face. 5 And the Lord said to me, Son of man, attend with thine heart, and see with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears all that I say to thee, according to all the ordinances of the house of the Lord, and all the regulations thereof; and thou shalt attend well to the entrance of the house, according to all its outlets, in all the holy things.
Remember that at this time the Ophanim had transported the glory of the Lord from the temple, and the people who mourned over the abominations and corruptions in the temple had been marked by the angel.
Ezekiel 44:6 And thou shalt say to the provoking house, even to the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God; Let it suffice you to have committed all your iniquities, O house of Israel! 7 that ye have brought in aliens, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, and to profane it, when ye offered bread, flesh, and blood; and ye transgressed my covenant by all your iniquities; 8 and ye appointed others to keep the charges in my sanctuary.
This was the time of three hundred and thirty seven years of defilement in the temple. There was male and female prostitution in booths, there was worship of the stars, moon, and cherubim. There was passing children through the fire and sacrificing children in the fire as well. All of this caused the glory to leave the temple. The Jews were about to go into captivity. Now if we look ahead to the time after Nehemiah’s temple was built, Jonathan Aphus (Maccabee) would be a future provocation to God in the temple. The Fascists were another future provocation to God in the temple as well. Jonathan Aphus and the Fascists provoked God by being unclean, yet entering into the Holy Place. This means they disregarded Yahweh’s laws regarding the holiness in the temple.
Ezekiel 44: 9 Therefore thus saith the Lord God; No alien, uncircumcised in heart or uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary, of all the children of strangers that are in the midst of the house of Israel.
10 But as for the Levites who departed far from me when Israel went astray from me after their imaginations, they shall even bear their iniquity. 11 yet they shall minister in my sanctuary, being porters at the gates of the house, and serving the house: they shall slay the victims and the whole-burnt-offerings for the people, and they shall stand before the people to minister to them.
The Levites will be doormen, not priests.
Ezekiel 44:12 Because they ministered to them before their idols, and it became to the house of Israel a punishment of iniquity; therefore have I lifted up my hand against them, saith the Lord God. 13 And they shall not draw nigh to me to minister to me in the priests’ office, nor to approach the holy things of the children of Israel, nor to approach my holy of holies: but they shall bear their reproach for the error wherein they erred. 14 They shall bring them to keep the charges of the house, for all the service of it, and for all that they shall do.
Now we find out who will be priests; the sons of Zadok and those Levites who kept the charges. We will look at that in a moment.
Ezekiel 44:15 The priests the Levites, the sons of Sadduc, who kept the charges of my sanctuary when the house of Israel went astray from me, these shall draw nigh to me to minister to me, and shall stand before my face, to offer sacrifice to me, the fat and the blood, saith the Lord God. 16 These shall enter into my sanctuary, and these shall approach my table, to minister to me, and they shall keep my charges.
They won’t be wearing wool but linen.
Ezekiel 44:17 And it shall come to pass when they enter the gates of the inner court, that they shall put on linen robes; and they shall not put on woollen garments when they minister at the gate of the inner court. 18 And they shall have linen mitres upon their heads, and shall have linen drawers upon their loins; and they shall not tightly gird themselves.
The Zedeks will be teachers to the people.
Ezekiel 44:23 And they shall teach my people to distinguish between holy and profane, and they shall make known to them the difference between unclean and clean. 24 And these shall attend at a judgment of blood to decide it: they shall rightly observe my ordinances, and judge my judgments, and keep my statutes and my commandments in all my feasts; and they shall hallow my sabbaths. http://ecmarsh.com/lxx/Jezekiel/index.htm
Who will be the priests in the future Millennial reign of Christ? The sons of Zadok/Zedek. Who were the sons of Zadok? They were the priests of Shem (Melchizedek) and Eber, also known as the Zedeks. David merged this group who had been in Jebus when he brought the tabernacle to the City of David. Solomon also merged this priesthood when the temple was built. The Zedeks and the Prophets came from the school of Shem in Jebus, the same place that Isaac and Jacob attended. Now, why are they going to be the priests of Yahweh?
Ezekiel 44:15G3588The G2409priests, G3588theG*Levites, G3588the G5207sons G3588 G*of Zadok, G3588the ones G5442that kept G5438watches G3588 G39of my holy things G1473 G1722in G3588the G4105[wandering G3588 G3624house G*of Israel] G575from G1473me; G3778these G4317shall lead forward G4314to G1473me G3588 G3008to minister G1473to me; G2532and G2476they shall stand G4253before G4383my face G1473 G3588 G4374to offer G1473to me G4720.1fat G2532and G129blood, G3004says G2962the Lord G2962the lord
2409LSJ Gloss: ἱερεύς a priest, sacrificer
Dodson: ἱερεύς a priest a priest, one who offers sacrifice to a god (in Jewish and pagan religions; of Christians only met.).
Thayer:
1) a priest, one who offers sacrifices and in general in busied with sacred rites
1a) referring to priests of Gentiles or the Jews,
2) metaph. of Christians, because, purified by the blood of Christ and brought into close intercourse with God, they devote their life to him alone and to Christ
1a) referring to priests of Gentiles or the Jews,
2) metaph. of Christians, because, purified by the blood of Christ and brought into close intercourse with God, they devote their life to him alone and to Christ
ἱερεύς hiereus hee-er-yooce' From G2413; a priest (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: (high) priest.
5442LSJ Gloss: φυλάσσω to keep watch and ward, keep guard
Dodson: φυλάσσω I keep, guard, observe (a) I guard, protect; mid: I am on my guard, (b) act. and mid. of customs and regulations: I keep, observe.
φυλάσσω phulassō foo-las'-so Probably from G5443 through the idea of isolation; to watch, that is, be on guard (literally or figuratively); by implication to preserve . obey, avoid KJV Usage: beware, keep (self), observe, save.
5438LSJ Gloss: φυλακή a watching
Dodson: φυλακή a watching, guard, prison, imprisonment a watching, keeping guard; a guard, prison; imprisonment.
Thayer:
1) guard, watch
1a) a watching, keeping watch
1a1) to keep watch
1b) persons keeping watch, a guard, sentinels
1c) of the place where captives are kept, a prison
1d) of the time (of night) during which guard was kept, a watch i.e. a period of time during which part of the guard was on duty, and at the end of which others relieved them. As the earlier Greeks divided the night commonly into three parts, so, previous to the exile, the Israelites also had three watches in a night; subsequently, however, after they became subject to the Romans, they adopted the Roman custom of dividing the night into four watches
1a) a watching, keeping watch
1a1) to keep watch
1b) persons keeping watch, a guard, sentinels
1c) of the place where captives are kept, a prison
1d) of the time (of night) during which guard was kept, a watch i.e. a period of time during which part of the guard was on duty, and at the end of which others relieved them. As the earlier Greeks divided the night commonly into three parts, so, previous to the exile, the Israelites also had three watches in a night; subsequently, however, after they became subject to the Romans, they adopted the Roman custom of dividing the night into four watches
φυλακή phulakē foo-lak-ay' From G5442; a guarding or (concretely guard), the act, the parson; figuratively the place, the condition, or (specifically) the time (as a division of day or night), literally or figuratively
KJV Usage: cage, hold, (im-) prison (-ment), ward, watch.
4317LSJ Gloss: προσάγω to bring to
Dodson: προσάγω I bring near, approach I bring to, bring near; I come to or towards, approach.
Thayer:
1) to lead, to bring
1a) to open a way of access, for one to God
1a1) to render one acceptable to God
1b) in a forensic sense, to summon (to trial or punishment)
2) to draw near to, approach
2a) the land which a sailor is approaching seeming to approach him
1a) to open a way of access, for one to God
1a1) to render one acceptable to God
1b) in a forensic sense, to summon (to trial or punishment)
2) to draw near to, approach
2a) the land which a sailor is approaching seeming to approach him
προσάγω prosagō pros-ag'-o From G4314 and G71; to lead towards, that is, (transitively) to conduct near (summon, present), or (intransitively) to approach KJV Usage: bring, draw near,
3008LSJ Gloss: λειτουργέω to serve public offices at one's own cost
Dodson: λειτουργέω I minister, serve publicly I act in the public service, render service, minister, in the widest sense, of some special public religious service, but also of the service of priests and Levites.
Thayer:
1) to serve the state at one's own cost
1a) to assume an office which must be administered at one's own expense
1b) to discharge a public office at one's own cost
1c) to render public service to the state
2) to do a service, perform a work
2a) of priests and Levites who were busied with the sacred rites in the tabernacle or the temple
2b) of Christians serving Christ, whether by prayer, or by instructing others concerning the way of salvation, or in some other way
2c) of those who aid others with their resources, and relieve their poverty
1a) to assume an office which must be administered at one's own expense
1b) to discharge a public office at one's own cost
1c) to render public service to the state
2) to do a service, perform a work
2a) of priests and Levites who were busied with the sacred rites in the tabernacle or the temple
2b) of Christians serving Christ, whether by prayer, or by instructing others concerning the way of salvation, or in some other way
2c) of those who aid others with their resources, and relieve their poverty
λειτουργέω leitourgeō li-toorg-eh'-o From G3011; to be a public servant, that is, (by analogy) to perform religious or charitable functions (worship, obey, relieve) KJV Usage: minister.
2476LSJ Gloss: ἵστημι to make to stand
ἵστημι histēmi his'-tay-mee A prolonged form of a primary word στάω staō (of the same meaning, and used for it in certain tenses); to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: abide, appoint, bring, continue, covenant, establish, hold up, lay, present, set (up), stanch, stand (by, forth, still, up).
4383LSJ Gloss: πρόσωπον the face, visage, countenance
Dodson: πρόσωπον the face, countenance, surface.
πρόσωπον prosōpon pros'-o-pon From G4314 and ὤψ ōps (the visage; from G3700); the front (as being towards view), that is, the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication presence, person KJV Usage: (outward) appearance, X before, countenance, face, fashion, (men’s) person, presence.
The priests make the sacrifices to the Lord, while the Levites are the doormen. They are the tribe or clan of guards; phulassō phulakē, or guards guarding the holy things. For this position it sounds like Yahweh needs some very strong willed individuals, who do not get distracted by lust or yeast. Their mission is as sentinel guards, guarding sacred things in the temple. These are the ones who were keepers of pure knowledge on the earth. The ones who did not lose their way like the Levites did, the ones who were the keepers of the hidden secrets and treasures of Yahweh. How did they live since they didn’t serve in the temple? They followed the Holy Spirit. They lived in community. They were faithful to keep the true sabbaths, feasts, and holy observances on the correct days. They did not corrupt themselves with riches. They did not pretend to be “spiritual” like the posers. They were the prophetic voice of God calling the sons of Jacob back to Yahweh over and over. While the Israelites strayed repeatedly, these people were steadfast and strong in the Lord.
These are the only people who can approach and minister to Yahweh. They are the only ones who will be able to stand before his face. They are the only ones who can offer sacrifices to Him. Does it matter whose blood line one comes from? No. Does it change anything if one attends a Levitical Priest school? No. The only ones who can minister before the Lord are guards, guarding the true knowledge given by Yahweh.
People sometimes have a narrow view of history and wonder where the Essenes/Nazarenes/Therapeutaes and Prophets went after Jesus’ death. They believed on Jesus, they technically became known as those who believed that Jesus is the Messiah, and they continued staying faithful to Yahweh. While the Romans chased the Jews out of Jerusalem, the Christians were allowed to stay. These people did not feel a need to minister in the defiled temple, they continued to worship and serve as the Holy Spirit led them. They attended to the calendar of sabbaths and holy days and they lived in community, having everything in common, as more and more people came to believe in Jesus as Messiah, their numbers grew.
Let’s read a few literal translations of this section keeping in mind that Ezekiel was a prophet of the order of the Zedeks. Also keeping in mind our timing. This is established at the start of the millennial kingdom, when the children of Jacob are gathered from every corner of heaven and earth to live in Israel with Jesus as King and Lord.
Ezekiel 44:15 `And the priests, the Levites, sons of Zadok, who have kept the charge of My sanctuary in the wandering of the sons of Israel from off Me, they draw near unto Me to serve Me, and have stood before Me, to bring near to Me fat and blood—an affirmation of the Lord Jehovah: 16 they come in unto My sanctuary, and they draw near unto My table to serve Me, and they have kept My charge. http://studybible.info/YLT/Ezekiel%2044
Ezekiel 44:15 But the priests the Levites the sons of Zadok, Who kept the charge of my sanctuary— when the sons of Israel went astray from me, They shall draw near unto me to wait upon me, And shall stand before me, to bring near unto me the fat and the blood Declareth My Lord, Yahweh: 16 They shall enter into my sanctuary, and They shall draw near unto my table to wait upon me,- So shall they keep my charge http://studybible.info/Rotherham/Ezekiel%2044
Ezekiel 44:15
THE TRUSTWORTHY LEVIYM
And the priests, the Leviym, the sons of Sadoq, who guarded the guard of my holies when the sons of Yisra El strayed from me, they approach me to minister to me; and they stand at my face to oblate the fat and the blood to me - an oracle of Adonay Yah Veh: 16 they enter my holies and approach my table to minister to me, and they guard my guard. http://studybible.info/ECB/Ezekiel%2044
THE TRUSTWORTHY LEVIYM
And the priests, the Leviym, the sons of Sadoq, who guarded the guard of my holies when the sons of Yisra El strayed from me, they approach me to minister to me; and they stand at my face to oblate the fat and the blood to me - an oracle of Adonay Yah Veh: 16 they enter my holies and approach my table to minister to me, and they guard my guard. http://studybible.info/ECB/Ezekiel%2044
After Pentecost the number of people with Christ "in them” grew. Meanwhile, the Pharisees began a routine of cursing the Christians (birkat-ha-minim) and altering scriptures to eliminate Jesus as Messiah. However, the yeast of the Pharisees is still being uncovered today. Therefore, we should not despise new learning or resist new ideas. Being emotionally attached to ones own knowledge is religious idolatry. If we instead take the humble position that we do not know everything, we can allow the Holy Spirit to teach us and help us grow.
If we understand the time period we live in, it is a time of multiplying knowledge. Some of the knowledge was hidden by fake religious leaders, fervently and zealously posing as holy men, while instead they were evil hypocrites who attempted to hide the Messiah from all people throughout many many generations. These pretend religious leaders still exist today. They cover over the true knowledge of the word of God with traditions, superstitions, and burdensome laws. It is evil.
There is knowledge being uncovered that was mistaken misunderstanding; thinking that traditions are “in the Bible” or thinking that the Bible says things it does not actually say. Sometimes simple mistranslations cause knowledge to be hidden. There are people who “think” someone speaking the truth is wrong because pastor so-in-so, or apostle so-in-so didn’t teach this. Sometimes people connect with those who call themselves prophets and they arrange their thinking according to what these people say, rather than what the Holy Spirit says. They are part of a crowd that goes along with people rather than going along with the Holy Spirit. Just as Jesus was thought to be Beelzebub, the things that Jesus said were eventually proved to be true.
There are also hidden treasures regarding the savior and the knowledge of Him. These secrets are revealed to open hearts who hear the word and receive it. These hidden truths are uncovered by the Holy Spirit for the benefit of the Body of Christ. These are things that the faithful receive.
The Zadok/Zedek’s and the Prophets seemed to be content worshipping on their own. They didn’t need the temple, instead they kept the knowledge they had and continued in the ways of Yahweh. We have to understand that a defiled temple is an abomination. The only way to get a defiled temple clean is to level it, burn it, destroy it, and then build a new one. These people will teach the Israelites that come back to Israel during the Millennium about what it is to be holy and clean, and the ways of Yahweh. The Zedek’s will be the ministers of Yahweh on the earth during the Millennial Kingdom. Therefore it is a good idea to be like the Zedeks.
