In Numbers 11 we read that God instructs Moses to construct trumpets made of silver to announce to the encamped Israelites the need to move on after they celebrated the “Feast of Weeks”… known in the Greek as the “Feast of Pentecost.” The glory cloud was moving. The trumpets were sounding. Tent stakes needed to be pulled up. And God’s people needed to follow Moses to the Promised Land.
Knowing that the Pentecostal experience speaks of the the gift of the Holy Spirit we are likewise encouraged to move on. Ephesians 1:13-17 reads “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also, AFTER that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise…I cease not to… mention of you in my prayers that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory may give unto you the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the Knowledge of Him.”
So in moving beyond the Pentecostal experience, or what some call the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, we are compelled by Paul’s prayer to receive the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the knowledge of Him, or a special type of enlightenment that comes from God. Apparently it is so important that the Lord compares this enlightenment in Old Testament type and shadow to the blast of Trumpets.
Essentially this experience which involves divine revelation empowers the Christian to actually comprehend the full extent of His love to “usward who believe.” No more “ever learning, never coming to the knowledge of the truth.” No more need for Sunday School. It is because of this enlightening experience that the songwriter wrote, “Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.”
This revelation is divine wisdom. At long last the Christian understands God’s purpose and goal for the entire body of Christ. And that goal is to “conform us to His image,” …that we as “His body” are to be “Filled with ALL the Fullness of God,” …that we enter into Unity and Oneness with Him as He prayed in the Garden, …that together with Him we become Manifested Sons of God to set all creation free.
But this encounter with Christ is inclusive of much more. Knowing the goal and knowing how to get there are two different things. Hence the need for wisdom and revelation.
Yet at the same time this Feast of Trumpets is experiential because a quickening in the spirit occurs with each new insight. For example, in their journey the Hebrews had many experiences and received many specific instructions. They were fed by manna and later by quail. Water miraculously gushed from the rock and quenched their thirst. They followed a pillar of cloud by day which protected them from the blistering desert rays. They were warmed at night from freezing temperatures by the pillar of fire.
They further received instruction to construct a tabernacle that was more like a blueprint of the temple they would build once in Palestine. It would contain three compartments that housed objects such as an altar of sacrifice, a water laver, a golden candlestick, a table of shew bread and an ark where the presence of the Lord visibly dwelt.
The story of Gideon in Judges 6 easily foreshadows this illuminating experience. Though far outnumbered, Gideon and his 300 men in unison broke their vessels of clay revealing the fiery light that was hidden inside. And together while sounding the trumpet they made haste with a loud shout toward the sleeping Midianites. Upon waking the enemy slaughtered each other in the confusion of night’s darkness.
Likewise, God has called us to allow our flesh or “these vessels of clay” so to speak, to be shattered so that the Light of Christ can shine and dispel the powers of Darkness. Empowered by the fire of God within – our anointed voice, like a trumpet causes Satan to flee.
But why were only 300 men chosen? Recall that initially thousands of Israelites were sent home because they were consumed by the cares of this world. Later, a second group were sent home because they lapped up water like dogs? Likewise today many believers lap up the water of the word from man, movement or ministry rather than from the Holy Ghost.
But why only 300? Is there something special about that number?
We believe yes. The Holy Place and the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle of Moses measured 10 cubits by 30 cubits, or 300 square cubits. And when Jesus gave up the Ghost “the middle wall of partition was rent in twain.” Thus the temple was no more divided into two rooms but was now “one new man.” In other words, Jesus the God-Man could now be ONE with His Body.
“What? Know ye not ye are the Temple of the Holy Ghost?” Beloved, as we follow Christ into battle – you and I, like Gideon’s 300, are the Temple of God called to demolish the forces of Satan when we allow our flesh to be broken, allow the light of His love to shine through us and shout the victory in Jesus name. Pray that His divine Wisdom be revealed to you in this hour so that you might receive not just the 30 or the 60 fold, but the 100 fold blessing of His Fullness.
