The Color of Worship -Beryl

 The Color of Worship - BERYL 

 

We hear and see reasons why we, as a united earth, should "Go Green". Save the planet for future generations. Save the whales, the dolphins, the owls. Save, save, save; ignore, ignore, ignore.

What about save the people? The reason Christ was born was to save the people. He didn't die on the cross and rise from the grave to save the polar bears. He died for me and for you and for him and for her.

You want to "Go Green"? Okay. Let's "Go Light Green". In science, the color light green is associated with new growth, spring, new life. Flowers blossoming, trees budding and the first little blades of grass rising through the wet black dirt.

Zechariah 8:12 For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things.

3 John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospers.

2 Chronicles 31:21 And in every service work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.

Let's "Go Light Green"! This isn't about $$. This isn't about "Earth Day". This prosperity is prosperity of our soul: My Soul Prospers before the LORD. God wants us to be blessed with "every good and perfect gift from above." Money is not perfect. 1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some have coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many arrows. You want true prosperity as outlined in the Word of God? Seek God. Seek His face, His will, His way. Read His Word, Believe His Word, Obey His Word.

Growth requires the four seasons: spring (seed time), summer (sunshine, rainy days), autumn (harvest time) and winter (dormancy, rest). In order for the seed to grow, it needs to take root. The seed requires sunlight and rain. Once the seed has budded and blossomed, new seeds are released. And then they are harvested. And the root of the seed rests until the next season arrives and begins the cycle again.

Psalm 1:3 "And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper." 

You and I are the seeds. Our roots reach deep into the Word of God, where we are grounded. Our hearts and minds and souls push forward through the darkness of this world into the Light of God's Love and Mercy. We stretch forth our hands and wave our arms in the breeze of His Holy Spirit. We receive and embrace the reign (rain) of Authority over us. Our thirst for the presence of God is satisfied when we open our hearts to Him. And when we share the Love of Christ, then more seeds are released to dig into the Word and take root. And so, the garden grows. We grow. We prosper.

While light green is not mentioned as such in Scripture, beryl is. Beryl is a mineral 'with gemstone varieties'. Aquamarine, Morganite, Heliodor and Emerald are all forms of Beryl. It is the darker green shades of Beryl that we associate with emeralds, but it is the lighter green, the pale, translucent greens that we associate with Beryl. A lighter shade of green.

It is the 8th gemstone layer in the wall around the new Jerusalem. While Beryl takes on many shades and colors, the color intimated here is sea-green: Revelation 21:19,20 "The foundations of the city walls were adorned with every kind of precious stone: The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth Beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst."

Beryl is on the Breastplate of Judgment worn by the high priest (Exodus 28:20), signifying one of the twelve tribes of Israel. This beryl, though, is thought to be yellow jasper in color, which can also be construed as being a lighter shade of green, depending on the hue of such a stone.

Ezekiel 1:16 states that 'the appearance of the wheel was like unto Beryl'.

When the bride describes her bridegroom, in Song of Solomon 5:14, she says, "His hands are as gold rings set with the Beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires."

I love the many colors mentioned in The Holy Bible. It is hard to choose a favorite, but I like that this pale green, this Beryl, tells me that 'my soul prospers'.  My spirit is transformed and my soul is uplifted. 

The Color of Worship - White

Revelation 3:5

Like them, he who overcomes will be dressed in white. And I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and His angels. 

Romans 13:14

Instead, clothe yourselves with The Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.

CHRIST OUR COVERING

    White is the color of righteousness, for Christ Jesus is our righteousness. We are made right with God through the atoning power of the blood of God's Lamb. And when we believe that Jesus Christ is Lord, we are taking upon ourselves Hisself. We are choosing to be His own people. Therefore, His righteousness is the white spiritual covering with which we are covered. 

    Galatians 3:27

For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

    Colossians 3:9-11

Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices, and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all. 

    Ephesians 4:17-32 speaks of how we are to be changed once the covering of Christ is upon us. For the purpose of this study, we go to verse 24 (Amplified Bible) "And put on the new self [the regenerated and renewed nature], created in God’s image, [godlike] in the righteousness and holiness of The Truth [living in a way that expresses to God your gratitude for your salvation]."

CHANGED FROM GLORY TO GLORY

    2 Corinthians 3:18

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of The Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from The Lord, Who is The Spirit. 

    2 Corinthians 4:6

For God, Who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His Light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

    Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

    1 John 3:2

Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is.

    

The Color of Worship - Silver

 2 Corinthians 6:16, 17

What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of The Living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” 

“Therefore come out from among them and be separate," says The Lord. "Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” 

    Silver is the color of sanctification, of purification, of being set apart {separated from} for The Lord's glory and purpose. Thirty pieces of silver was the redemption price of both slave {Exodus 21:32}and under-valued shepherd. {Zechariah 11:10-13; Matthew 26:15; 27:3-10}. 

    In Zechariah 11:10-14 silver shekels forewarn of the breaking of two covenants because of their refusal to listen to Him. The first covenant broken was the covenant of peculiarity, of being singled out by God to be His own {Zechariah 11:10; Matthew 21:43; Romans 11:20-22}. The second covenant broken {Zechariah 11:14; Jeremiah 19:1-13; Matthew 27:9} was the brotherhood between Judah and Israel. No longer would they get along with each other in brotherly love, but now they hate each other because of the abundance of sin in their camps, in their hearts.  

    Only in Christ have the two covenants been restored. Only in Christ has God redeemed a people who were not His own. Only in Christ has God redeemed His elect, the people He called to be His own though they rejected Him time and again. Only in Christ can we love one another with the love of Christ. Only in Christ is anything made possible that seems impossible. 

SANCTIFICATION 

    Hebrews 9:22

According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

    Exodus 30:11-16 tells us that the silver given for the building of the tabernacle was the atonement price paid to ransom each man's life who consented to being numbered in the census. Therefore silver represents the atoning power of Christ to redeem us from sin and death. 

    Romans 3:25 - Christ Our Atoning Sacrifice

God presented Him as an atoning sacrifice in His blood through faith, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand.

    1 John 2:2

He Himself is The Atoning Sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. {John 3:16} 

    1 John 4:10

And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as The Atoning Sacrifice for our sins.

    Hebrews 2:17

For this reason He had to be made like His brothers in every way, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, in order to make atonement for the sins of the people. 

PURIFICATION

    1 Peter 1:22

Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth so that you have a genuine love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from a pure heart.

    Zechariah 13:9

This third I will bring through the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on My Name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are My people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’” [Hosea 2:23; Jeremiah 31:33]

    1 Peter 1:6, 7

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

SEPARATED

    1 Peter 2:9 

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

     1 Thessalonians 2:4

 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, Who tries our hearts.

    2 Timothy 2:15

Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles The Word of Truth. 

    2 Corinthians 10:18

For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

    Jeremiah 9:24

But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.

    

    

    

    

    

    

The Color of Worship - Yellow

 

Do not claim the sickness or sicknesses which attack your body. Do not say “my disease, my disorder, my illness”; that is a proprietary phrase claiming ownership over. We are sick, but we do not have sickness: sickness is attacking us. And what do we do when we are attacked? We fight back! But we fight with spiritual weapons.

    I have been fighting back using worship, praise, thanksgiving, Scripture and prayer. There is no right order for using these weapons to fight against that which would destroy our bodies, our minds and our spirits.

    Yes, we may occasionally forget and say “my” but we can correct ourselves by asking The Holy Spirit to remind us. Being the good friend He is, He will. He does.

    I am healed in Jesus’ Name. You are healed in Jesus' Name. He is healed in Jesus' Name. She is healed in Jesus' Name. The Name which is above all names. ALL names. Names of diseases. Names of sicknesses. Names of disorders. Above the names of mental disease or mental defect. It is the Name Above All Names which heals those who want to be healed.

    We are enveloped in healing for The Sun of Righteousness has healing in His wings. Malachi 4:2 “But to you who fear My Name, The Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves.” This healing is both curative (for the body) and deliverance (for the soul). It is the ultimate healing that we all desire, isn’t it? 

    I choose Jesus. JEHOVAH-ROPHE --THE LORD MY HEALER.

Luke 18:33 “They will flog Him and kill Him, and on the third day He will rise again.” And Jesus did rise…with healing in His wings. Not literal wings, like a bird, but spiritual wings, for He is, after all, The Sun of Righteousness, as stated in Malachi 4:2. Romans 6:4 “We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life.” And in our newness of life, we are healed. We are delivered. We are cured. We are made new in every way. Isn’t God good for allowing us to be made new in Christ?

Did you know that the color yellow in the Bible is the color for healing? Think of that when you bang your shin on the coffee table and this magnificent bruise begins to form. First it is a darkish purple, almost black. Then blue and red. Then yellow. Yellow is the last color of the bruise to be visible on our bodies. And then the bruise is gone.

 Isaiah 53:5 tells us that JESUS was bruised for our iniquities. John 19:1 JESUS was scourged, or flogged, if you will. In verse 2, a crown of thorns was put on his head. In verse 3 the soldiers beat him with their hands. You think his body was bruised from that? Mark 15:16-20 describes the mock worship and beating he received at the hands of the soldiers. Not just a few, either. A whole band, the Word says; the group of soldiers assigned to the military governor.

    Beaten, beard ripped off His face, bruised, whipped/flogged, crucified. That’s my Jesus. He was crushed in spirit and body. The sins of the world weighed heavily upon him. He who had done no wrong would now be punished for the wrongs of the world. From Eve’s sin to the sins of this generation and the next, Jesus would die. His blood is on me.

    That whipping He received in the Praetorium (courtyard) that day healed me. Isaiah 53:5 With his stripes we are healed. I believe that Jesus Christ is God’s only begotten Son. I believe that I am healed in His Name. Bless that wonderful Name of Jesus!

The Color of Worship - Black

 

Esther 1:6

…Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble. (KJV Bible)

…There were curtains (draperies) of fine white and violet linen fastened with cords of fine purple linen to silver rings and marble columns. The couches of gold and silver rested on a mosaic floor of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and precious colored stones. (Amplified Bible)

    Black is significant as a color background, highlighting all other colored stones and gems laid on it or in it. On this particular black marble were inlaid porphyry (red), mother-of-pearl (white) and turquoise (blue-green) stones, fit for a king’s palace. '

 
    Also in the Amplified Bible it states that there were ‘precious stones’ inlaid in the black marble flooring. These would have been to show off the kings’ wealth, his ability to trade well and his pride in his culture. Looking these precious stones up, we see that in addition to the porphyry, the turquoise and the pearls, we see that King Ahaseurus could have used emeralds, jasper, ruby, topaz, diamonds, beryl, lapis lazuli, sapphire, amethyst, carnelian and onyx.  
    Can you imagine how gorgeous that floor must have been? Most of these gemstones will be used to describe other colors of worship, but Black has its own use: to highlight the shining beauty of the more colorful stones. 
    In other verses of the Bible Black denotes industriousness and humility in the young bride [the church] (Song of Songs 1:5); vitality {Dictionary: the power giving continuance of life, present in all living things] and unwavering faithfulness [Christ] (Song of Songs 5:11).  

    Black also describes punishment and judgment (Micah 3:6; Jude 1:13; Zephaniah 1:15) and the presence of The Lord God (Deuteronomy 4:11; 5:22; Exodus 20:21;).  In Leviticus 13:37 Black is the evidence of cleanness, restored vitality (new life). Here it reinforces the God-anointed priestly roles of knowing when a person is really holy and healthy, not merely appearing to be so. 

    In Zechariah 6:2, 6 the second chariot is pulled by Black horses. They would patrol (verse 7) where they were sent that God's judgments would be fulfilled (Ezekiel 38:15; Jeremiah 4:6). In other passages the Black horse signifies famines and droughts (Revelation 6:5; Lamentations 5:10; Amos 8: 4-6; Ezekiel 4:10-17) and a marked increase in the cost of basic food and water. These are also judgments of God against the people who have rebelled against Him. 

    Since we know that the whole Word of God is to be applied to us, then we know that Black is significant in our worship.  Knowing this, we can also see that Black is the foundation upon which all other colors of worship are displayed. We must strive to avoid God's judgments for sin, rebellion, trespass, iniquity. But the only way we can do so is to believe on The Name of The Only Begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ, for our salvation out of judgment. He is our Foundation, the Living Cornerstone upon which all other living stones (the saints) are built [1 Peter 2:5, 6; Romans 4:25]. 

    Come, let us worship and bow down, kneeling before The Lord our God, our Maker.

[Isaiah 45:22, 23; Philippians 2:1-11; Romans 14:11].

*UPDATE: I was wrong about the definition of 'black' in Song of Songs, so had to update that part. And from there I realized I missed some Scripture references about the color black, which were necessary to this study, so I added those, too. 

  

The Color of Worship - Red

 Colossians 1:13, 14

He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, in Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

    The first stone set in the ephod of the high priest is a sardius (carnelian, ruby, garnet); a bright red hue engraved with the tribe of Rueben. This is the first stone foreshadowing redemption and atonement. 

Ephesians 1:7

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses,

according to the riches of His grace. 

Hebrews 9:12

He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.

Revelation 5:9

And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation."

Acts 5:31

God exalted Him to His right hand as Prince and Savior, in order to grant repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.

Acts 13:38

Therefore let it be known to you, brothers, that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.

Acts 26:18

'To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’ [from Paul's testimony to King Agrippa] 

    The color red is woven into the garments of the high priest and the curtains of the tabernacle of God. Exodus 25:4; 26:1; 28:5; 36:8. It represents the atoning sacrifice to not only cover sin, but remove it entirely and completely. These scarlet threads foreshadowed the ultimate atonement for sin: the blood of  The Lamb of God Which Takes Away The Sins of The World. This blood of His only begotten Son is applied to our hearts when we repent of our sins, confessing them to God, whereupon He, through the power of His Holy Spirit, applies the blood to our hearts, showing us we are forgiven. This is the redemptive process that happens by putting our faith into action:

    Romans 10:8-10, 13

But what does it say? “The Word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, The Word of faith we are proclaiming: that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved.

For whosoever shall call upon The Name of The Lord shall be saved. 

    Who is a whosoever?

    Romans 10:11, 12

It is just as The Scripture says: “Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Greek: The same Lord is Lord of all, and gives richly to all who call on Him.

    Romans 3:22, 23

And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

    Joel 2:32

And everyone who calls on The Name of The LORD will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as The LORD has promised, among the remnant called by The LORD.

    Acts 11:17, 18

So if God gave them the same gift He gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to hinder the work of God?”  When they heard this, they had no further objections, and they glorified God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life." 

    Who is a Gentile? Anyone who is not a Jew. Every person who ever lived had the possibility of obtaining the salvation of God, even in OT times. Because when Jesus rose from the grave, thousands and tens of thousands rose with Him. First, Jesus lets us know that that event will occur, and that even at that time of His ministry, the dead who died in faith believing will hear His voice and rise and live eternally.

    John 5:25 (prophetic)

Truly, truly, I tell you, the hour is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of The Son of God, and those who hear will live. 

    Matthew 27:52, 53 (first fulfillment of the prophecy)

At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split. The tombs broke open, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. After Jesus’ resurrection, when they had come out of the tombs, they entered the holy city and appeared to many people. 

      Revelation 20:5, 6 (second fulfillment of the prophecy)

But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

    

 

 

    

The Color of Worship - Purple

 THE COLOR OF WORSHIP - PURPLE 

OFFERING

Exodus 25:4 "And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair."

This verse is part of the offerings that The LORD told Moses the people needed to give willingly, from the heart (V. 2). The purple yarn was used to decorate the linen curtains as God ordained, according to His design.

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God Is one LORD. And thou shalt love The LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might."

Mark 12:30 "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment."

Deuteronomy 10:12 "And now, Israel, what does The LORD your God require of you, but to fear The LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve The LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul."

Matthew 22:37 "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love The Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind."

     All worship must be from our heart to God's heart. It must be real. It must be sincere. It must be willing. And you cannot hide your heart from God, because that is where He looks when He is looking for worshipers. 

     When our hearts are filled to the brim with love and adoration for Him, we simply must praise and worship The LORD our God. We bring an offering of praise. We bring it willingly, lovingly, obediently; according to His Word.

RICHNESS, ROYALTY

       The seashell pictured here is a murex. The yellow liquid that is excreted from the seashell turns purple when exposed to sunlight and this purple is what is used to dye fabric purple, just as in early Bible times.  

Because small amounts only were able to be obtained in this manner, this purple dye, also known as Tyrian Purple, was extremely costly and only the very wealthy could afford to wear it.  

MAJESTY

On the breastplate of the high priest the tribe of Gad is represented by amethyst. Gad was the fifth son Leah gave Jacob through her handmaid Zilpah. It is the twelfth foundation of the wall around the new Jerusalem.

The worship we give to God will also be costly. Because the born-again believer's life is a life of worship, a life that is sanctified, set apart unto God, the life we live will be more than different. To the world around us, which includes our family and friends, we will be seen as crazy or extreme or fanatical. It is not that we exclude them from our lives, merely the opposite: they exclude themselves.

We who are living a different lifestyle after we get saved and Spirit-baptized know from our studies that we no longer 'blend in'. Now we have a target on our backs. This target keeps us near the throne of grace and close to God. What happens the closer we get to God? The more our hearts pour out in worship. We love Him and only desire to tell Him so. 

Every time we come to God we bring an offering of praise. An offering is going to cost us something, whether we purchase it from another to give to God, or whether we draw out of our own wealth to give it to God. But we know that Jesus paid the debt we owed to God, therefore to be in God's presence is to know and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord. 

And in order to stay there, for ever in God's presence, we need to know and acknowledge this fact now, while we still draw breath in this life. For after death it will be too late. Yes, you will still be able in death to know that Jesus Christ is Lord, but it will be too late to proclaim it. Now, today, is your day of salvation. 

“Weeping and gnashing” in Luke 13:28 describes the condition of those people who will see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and all the prophets when they die, but they will not be able to cross over into their presence, because while they still lived, they did not believe. So those who will then know that the prophets spoke The Truth, but it’s too late for them will weep. And those who still do not believe The Truth will gnash their teeth in their struggle to escape the hell into which they have gone. 

A Pharisaical attitude and lifestyle will not save us. Nor will a Sadducee attitude. Only faith in Christ Jesus as Lord of All will turn a sinner into a saint. Both the Pharisee and the Sadducee attitude deny that The Messiah is Jesus Christ. While the first says Christ is yet to come, the second says there is no resurrection. Both of these ideologies are wrong. Jesus Christ is not only LORD, He is THE RESURRECTION, as well. 

What do you need to do to be saved? Acts 16:31- "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ."  And because we who have heard The Word spoken to us, we bring those within our households, both family and friends, strangers and foreigners, to Jesus, with the hopes that they, too, will believe after hearing this Word spoken. 

Worship God with our lives, lift Jesus up wherever we go and whatever we set our hands to do and every time we open our mouths. This worship sets apart from all other religions, as well. Because The Spirit of God is working on us, sanctifying us, making us holy, we will be outcasts in the religious atmosphere of our towns and cities and nations. 

This worship is rare and beautiful and glorifies God.