Into the Holy of Holies

Stephen Gray

December 14, 2003

To the Body of Christ,

Praise our Lord for His faithfulness.

A CALL TO THE HUNGRY

Several months ago the Lord directed me to call forth the hungry from across the nation. Out of obedience I did exactly that. The response was overwhelming. People came from all over America -- one lady even traveled from another country.

All who came had several things in common. They were hungry and desperate for a touch from God. I know many of you wanted to come, but due to schedules or events beyond your control it was not possible. I am sorry you missed these meetings -- but be encouraged. If this week was any indication, we may be doing these Holy Convocations around the country!

It was one of the most dramatic releases of the Glory of God I have ever witnessed -- and this includes Africa.

As I traveled this fall the Lord began to speak to me about His plan for these meetings. He told me to call the meetings a Holy Convocation. I found out this term means "a summons from the Lord" and it was the term the Lord used for the feasts of Israel. It is also interesting that the theme for the four evening sessions all came from the four pieces of furniture in the tabernacle.

TABERNACLE VISION OF OUTPOURING

After I returned from Israel this year, the Lord wove an amazing tapestry of understanding about the coming outpouring of His glory. The four pieces of furniture in the tabernacle gives us a picture of God's plan in the last days. Let me explain.

The TABLE OF SHOWBREAD is a symbol of covenant (Lev. 24:8) and represents the cross. Jesus died to establish the New Covenant and Jesus was our Passover lamb (John 1:29).

The LAMPSTAND is also a picture of Jesus. It was a center lamppost with six branches. In John 15 Jesus said He is the vine and we are the branches. The lampstand symbolizes the feast of Pentecost. Pentecost was when the fire and power came on the Church as many saw tongues of fire when the power came. This power was to make the Church a witness -- a light to the world, just as the lampstand was the only light in the tabernacle.

The ALTAR OF INCENSE a symbol of prayer and worship. Rev. 5:8 says that incense is like the prayers of the saints. Burning incense to God was a type of worship even in ancient times. We see the Feast of Trumpets or the ten days of repentance symbolized in the Altar of Incense.

Finally, the ARK OF THE COVENANT is symbolized as the Day of Atonement because the sin of the nation of Israel was dealt with on that day as blood was sprinkled on the Mercy Seat. After the Day of Atonement we see the Feast of Tabernacles pictured as the glory on the Mercy Seat. The glory is a symbol of the great harvest or the Feast of Tabernacles because when the glory comes upon the Church it will bring in the great harvest.

When Jesus taught the disciples to pray in Matthew 6 He said, "lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the Kingdom, (Passover), the power, (Pentecost), and the glory (Tabernacles). He was praying the Father's plan as seen through the feasts.

INTO THE HOLY OF HOLIES

Each night we dealt with one of the pieces of furniture and ended up with the issue of repentance. However, the last night as we entered into the church, the Lord spoke to several of us that we had entered the Holy of Holies. In all my years of seeing God move in Africa and America, what happened Saturday night Dec. 6th in Mobile Alabama was an incredible manifestation of the glory of God as a church full of people literally stood in the Holy of Holies.

I know that may sound incredible, but it was a night like I have never experienced before. The reality of God was so real -- the atmosphere so electrically charged -- it was hard to handle. People all over the church were weeping uncontrollably, including me. It was difficult to talk or even move. The intensity was as powerful as any I have experienced in Africa.

DRAMATIC INCREASE OF INTENSITY

It was a night I will never forget and I am sure all of us were changed. The following are just a few comments from people who attended the meetings.

"The Lord did something wonderful for us and in us. I am so thankful..."

Mary Clark

"Mere human word cannot express how much the convocation imparted

to me..."

Sarah Ishee

"When I walked in the room the glory of God seemed to rush upon me..."

M. Huizenga.

Somehow God has let us know that He is pouring out His glory now upon the earth. This first week in December of 2003 we have seen a dramatic increase of intensity. If this week was any indication, 2004 will be a mighty year of the revelation of God!

Blessings,

Stephen Gray