Leviticus 14:4-7 (ESV)

4 the priest shall command them to take for him who is to be cleansed two live clean birds and cedarwood and scarlet yarn and hyssop. 5 And the priest shall command them to kill one of the birds in an earthenware vessel over fresh water. 6 He shall take the live bird with the cedarwood and the scarlet yarn and the hyssop, and dip them and the live bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the fresh water. 7 And he shall sprinkle it seven times on him who is to be cleansed of the leprous disease. Then he shall pronounce him clean and shall let the living bird go into the open field.

Key Elements in the Ritual:

1.Two Live Clean Birds:

•Symbolism: The two birds represent a substitutionary sacrifice, where one bird dies, symbolizing Christ’s sacrificial death, and the other is set free, symbolizing Christ’s resurrection and the freedom given to believers.

2.Cedarwood:

•Symbolism: Cedarwood is durable and resistant to decay, symbolizing the cross of Christ and the enduring nature of His sacrifice.

3.Scarlet Yarn:

•Symbolism: Scarlet represents sin and also the cleansing blood of Christ. It signifies the transformation from sin to purity.

4.Hyssop:

•Symbolism: Hyssop was used for purification rites. In the New Testament, it represents the cleansing and purification provided by Jesus’ sacrifice.

Connections in Psalms, Isaiah, and John

Psalms 51:7

Psalms 51:7 (ESV)

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Connection:

•David’s plea for purification with hyssop connects to the Levitical cleansing rituals. Just as hyssop was used in the cleansing of lepers, it signifies a deeper spiritual cleansing from sin. David recognizes that only God can purify him from his iniquity.

Isaiah 1:18

Isaiah 1:18 (ESV)

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”

Connection:

•Isaiah’s promise of purification highlights the transformation from sin (scarlet) to purity (white as snow). This connects to the Levitical ritual where the scarlet yarn represents sin, and the cleansing process points to the ultimate purification through Christ.

John 1:32

John 1:32 (ESV)

And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him.”

Connection:

•The descending dove at Jesus’ baptism symbolizes the Holy Spirit. In the Levitical ritual, the live bird set free represents this freedom and new life given through the Holy Spirit. The dove signifies the anointing and empowerment of Christ.

John 19:17-18

John 19:17-18 (ESV)

17 and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. 18 There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them.

Connection:

•Jesus carrying the cross (potentially cedarwood) to His crucifixion fulfills the symbolism of the cedarwood in Leviticus. The crucifixion is the ultimate act of cleansing and sacrifice, akin to the killing of the bird in the ritual.

John 19:28-30

John 19:28-30 (ESV)

28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” 29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Connection:

•The use of the hyssop branch to give Jesus sour wine connects directly to its use in purification rituals. Jesus’ declaration of “It is finished” signifies the completion of the ultimate cleansing and redemption process.

The Crimson Worm (Coccus Ilicis)

The life cycle of the crimson worm (Coccus Ilicis or Kermes ilicis) provides a vivid metaphor for Christ’s sacrifice:

•Life Cycle: The female worm attaches herself to a tree, sacrifices her body to nourish her young, and leaves a red dye. This mirrors Christ’s crucifixion, His sacrificial death, and the birth of the Church.

•Symbolism: The red dye from the worm represents the stain of sin and the cleansing blood of Christ.

•Discovery: The life cycle of the crimson worm was not discovered until 1714, long after the writing of Leviticus. This discovery highlights the depth of God’s symbolism, embedding profound prophetic imagery that was not fully understood until millennia later.

Theological Implications

1.Christ’s Sacrifice: The killing of the bird symbolizes Christ’s sacrificial death. Just as the bird’s blood is necessary for cleansing, Christ’s blood is essential for the cleansing of sin.

2.Resurrection and New Life: The live bird being set free represents Christ’s resurrection and the new life available to believers. This freedom from sin and death is a core tenet of Christian faith.

3.Cedarwood and the Cross: The cedarwood symbolizes the cross on which Jesus was crucified. The durability and resistance to decay of cedarwood underscore the enduring and once-for-all nature of Christ’s sacrifice.

4.Scarlet Yarn and Blood: Scarlet yarn represents sin and the cleansing blood of Christ. The transformation from scarlet (sin) to white (purity) is a profound image of redemption.

5.Hyssop and Purification: Hyssop’s use in both the Levitical ritual and at the crucifixion emphasizes the theme of purification. David’s plea for cleansing with hyssop in Psalm 51 is fulfilled in the purification offered through Christ’s sacrifice.

6.Prophetic Symbolism: The crimson worm’s life cycle was unknown at the time of Leviticus, revealing God’s prophetic planning. The eventual discovery in 1714 underscores the depth and accuracy of biblical symbolism.

Conclusion

The ritual cleansing of the leper in Leviticus 14:4-7, believed to have been written around 1400 B.C., is rich with symbolism that points to Christ’s ultimate sacrifice. Through the elements of two birds, cedarwood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop, we see a prophetic foreshadowing of the redemptive work of Jesus. The connections in Psalms, Isaiah, and John illustrate the continuity and fulfillment of God’s plan for salvation, offering a profound understanding of the depth and significance of Christ’s atoning work. This in-depth study underscores the transformative power of Jesus’ sacrifice and the completeness of the purification He offers to all who believe. The discovery of the crimson worm’s life cycle in 1714 further emphasizes the divine orchestration in biblical prophecy, enhancing our appreciation for the intricate ways God has woven His plan of redemption throughout Scripture.

The post From Scarlet to Snow: The Hidden Prophecies in Leviticus 14 appeared first on ACW Ministries.

Jesus Christ – Fully God and Fully Man

Introduction:

A few weeks ago, I had an enlightening discussion with two wonderful people—one of the Jewish faith and the other of the Muslim faith. We found common ground in our belief in God, but our views diverged significantly when it came to Jesus. The Jewish person believed that Jesus never went to the cross, while the Muslim person believed that Jesus was spared from suffering on the cross, with someone else taking his place. As a Christian, I shared my belief that Jesus was born of a virgin, lived, died, and rose again. The most crucial question that emerged was: How is Jesus both fully God and fully man?

The Triune Nature of God:

1. Genesis 1:1-3:

•In the beginning, God created time, space, and matter: “In the beginning” (time), “God created the heavens” (space), and “the earth” (matter).

•The triune nature of God is evident: God the Father (the will to create), God the Spirit (hovering over creation), and God the Word (speaking creation into existence).

•Genesis 1:3 says, “Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light.” This shows God’s will (Father), God’s Spirit, and God’s Word (Son) working together in creation.

2. Jeremiah 1:4-9:

•God tells Jeremiah, “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.” This emphasizes that God can place His words in human vessels.

•Similarly, in Exodus, God assures Moses, “I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.”

3. Colossians 2:9-10:

•“For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.”

•This verse underscores that Jesus embodies the fullness of God in bodily form, affirming His divine nature and His role within the Godhead.

The Word Made Flesh:

1. John 1:1-3, 14:

•“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” This signifies that Jesus (the Word) was with God from the beginning and is divine.

•“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” This verse explains that God’s Word took on human form as Jesus Christ, showing His dual nature as fully God and fully man.

2. John 5:26:

•“For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself.” This indicates that Jesus, as the Word, has the same divine life as the Father.

The Sacrifice and Resurrection:

1. 2 Corinthians 5:21:

•“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” Jesus, the sinless one, took on the sins of humanity, fulfilling His role as the perfect sacrifice.

2. The Crucifixion:

•On the cross, Jesus (the Word made flesh) bore the sins of the world. Despite some interpretations, there was no separation within the Trinity. God cannot be divided; the spirit of Jesus remained divine while His flesh experienced death.

Conclusion:

Jesus, being fully God and fully man, bridges the gap between humanity and God. As the Word was made flesh, He lived a sinless life, died for our sins, and rose again, offering us salvation. By understanding these foundational verses and the nature of Jesus Christ, we can better articulate our faith and share the gospel with others. I encourage you to delve into these scriptures, build your relationship with God, and let His Spirit guide you in your understanding. May you be blessed in your journey of faith.

The post The Space in Between appeared first on ACW Ministries.

Guten tag! 

Hello there! This is an update on what is happening at ACW!

1)The mission 

2) Six month plan (Volunteering & mission based trips)

3)A brief summary of what is happening now! 

The Mission:

Our mission is simple. To walk in the purpose God has created us for

For more info, feel free to check out our website: acwministries.org

One of our goals is to give those at home the ‘front line’ opportunity to make a difference in communities all around the world. As the primary traveller for ACW I feel it is my obligation and duty to not put the burden of my food and shelter on the backs of you who are already working to sustain life in this troublesome economy. Often I believe “ministry” is misused for monetary reasons. As a licensed aircraft mechanic with a lot of variety in my job field experience, it is not difficult to find work, to God be the glory. That being said, I am not in it for monetary gain.

Through certain financial decisions, I am able to sustain general living without using the ACW missions funds. Currently, I am completely debt-free and have no family of my own so the cost of living is drastically reduced. This allows for a more effective and fluid mission based ministry.

Nevertheless there might be certain emergency situations that require the immediate use of funds. Our team at ACW will be in agreement when these funds are used and we will be more than happy to share any information you wish to know.

*We are a 501C3 organization recognized by the state of Florida, in which we are current and up to date with our filing

Steps to lookup our info 

1) sunbiz.org

2) Search Records

3) Name of entity: A Cross to the World Ministries

6 MONTH PLAN: 

Alternate between volunteering opportunities and mission based trips.

***Volunteering Opportunities*** 

How?

-Through an organization called World-packers

https://www.worldpackers.com/

Where? 

-The locations will vary.

-The next opportunity is based in a country where a certain Man was walked through on a donkey and palm branches were arrayed before Him. 

Why?

-These volunteer opportunities will allow a time to recharge.

-Create connections

-Save money

-To live and work alongside others who may or may not know Jesus Christ. 

-To simply be a Light

***Mission based trips*** 

How?

The Lord has connected some awesome people and other ministries with ACW through our social media.

Where?

-These will be based solely on whatever and wherever the Lord leads. 

-There are 3 immediate countries on our “go-to” list

-The locations will also depend on priority of the needs 

What?

-The mission can be anything from preaching to helping build a church or buying bibles.

-We will be diligent in recording what is spent 

-These missions are where we will use funds contributed to bless our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world

CURRENTLY

Volunteering Opportunity

*Farm in Austria

The whole trip from Panama City to Austria has been filled with God-ordained appointments. From being with my brother and his family in Orlando, to meeting and witnessing to random people in London to talking with a young man from Somalia about Jesus on the two hour flight from London to Austria.

I am currently living in Austria with a little family on a farm at the foot of the Austrian Alps. A father, mother, two little boys, ages 5 and 3 and a little girl who is 3 months old. They have some land used for crops, they also have pigs, goats, sheep, chickens, rabbits, a few cats, a duck (who I named Jeffrey). They are currently renovating their farm and in are the process of upgrading it. They have listed their farm on Worldpackers to enlist volunteers to help them out in different areas on the farm; nanny, farm help, etc. This is affording me the opportunity to work and sustain good living conditions while also spreading the Gospel to those around me!

There is a young lady here from France who is helping out as the nanny and two other helpers coming by the end of the month. Spreading the Gospel doesn’t always look like a pulpit nor does it look like a small group at a coffee shop (there is nothing wrong with these certain venues). But sometimes its being knee deep in pig manure talking about the complexities of life and how a perfect God would allow bad things to happen. Cleaning the kitchen and talking about the radical change Christ has brought to my life. Or sitting at a picnic table on the porch as the sun is going down beyond the Alps and discussing the incredible story of how the Savior of the world died for us because of our sins. How that sin is separation between the Father and us. Yet Christ died to bridge the gap because it was the Father’s Love and His will that through Christ we can not only ‘know of’ God, but know Him personally and walk with Him. Relationship, not a religion.

“For by grace are you saved, through faith, and not of yourselves, it is a gift of God, not of works so no man can boast” Ephesians 2:8-9

The whole family has repeatedly said my work ethic is incredible which is a testimony to Christ. 

Apart from Christ, I can do nothing, I am nothing.

The Holy Spirit is doing some serious ‘tilling’ on all of us. 

I am forever grateful for the One who loves and doesn’t hold back 

The One who lives forevermore, who sustains, who is HOLY

May He always receive the honor and glory from our lives!

God bless you and continue to keep you all

Be encouraged, If you’re still breathing, He still has a purpose for you!

**Remember, you don’t have to go to the other side of the world to love someone across the street

– J. C.

If you don’t already follow us on social media, feel free to do so! 

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Donations:

https://acwministries.org/donations/

The post ACW May 2024 appeared first on ACW Ministries.