Veil of the Flesh
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us through the veil,
that is to say, his flesh;
Hebrews 10:19-20
I ran across this 1928 painting, The Lovers by artist Renee Magritte and it caught my eye not so much because of the obvious beauty of the colors or because of the sensuality of the painting. It was the two subjects. They are trying to be intimate, but something prevents it. The posture and position are correct, they have been described as "lovers", but they don't even see one another. Yes, it looks genuine...sort of, but it is all an act. The Shir HaShrim: The Song of Songs, is one of my favorite books of the Holy Bible. I was reminded of chapter one, verse one:
The song of songs, which is Solomon's.
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth:
for thy love is better than wine.
This, to me, was always symbolic of the intimate and passionate love between Our Lord, Jesus Christ and his bride, The body of Christ, for whom He is returning. A bride who is to be without spot or wrinkle! She is to know His voice! And WHY does she know His voice and his very heartbeat? Because of the intimate relationship she is to have had with Him! Individually and corporately. It occurred to me that, much like Magritte's painting, many confessing Christians would declare themselves lovers of God, intimate with God, the friend of God, when actually there is a separation of which the are they are unaware. The posture and position are right, but... Beloved, this is called a form of godliness, with a resulting denial of and lack of power. Like the painting there is a veil, if you will, between such an one and Abba Father which prevents them from tapping to a depth of love they never dreamed existed! What is that veil? The veil of the flesh with all of it's works. If we are to enter into deep intimacy with God, that "new and living way", then like Jesus our flesh MUST be crucified. Carnality and fleshy living hinders our intimacy with the Lord. The veil of the flesh inhibits us from entering the Holy of Holies. There is not a clear conscience toward God to come boldly before him with the availing prayer of a righteous man/woman. It is like trying to kiss the loved one through a veil as pictured above. The flesh is in the way! Let me emphasis: Just as Christ submitted to the cruxifiction of his flesh, How much MORE must we we?
The times are perilous and we, too, must go beyond the veil of the flesh and its works which the Apostle Paul describes here:
2 Timothy 3:1
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Lovers of pleasures, ( the "pleasures" of the world, condoned by the world ), more than lovers of God. Lord, help us! There is a consecration involved in deep intimacy and fellowship with God! Holiness is STILL right! Be ye holy! A kiss on the mouth implies close proximity between the kisser and the kissee: God is near to us! Imago dei ~ "This God with us". Emmanuel! Yes, God is with us! Jehovah-Shammah! But, we need to draw near to Him with a pure heart! A heart yearning for true intimacy with our Father in heaven. And there there is more to phrase "kisses of his mouth" for the mouth is symbolic of one's testimony. Glory!
for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Revelation 19:10
One would have to be suffering with a mind-blinding spirit much like the 'lovers" in the painting above to not be able to discern just why the adversary does not want us to be kissed with 'the kisses of his mouth". There is no way he wants a living word of prophecy which those kisses symbolize, to be in operation in our lives, our churches, our ministries OR the Body of Christ. Why do you think there is such a rejection of true God-called prophets? It is strategic! Many do not even recognize a prophet of God, blaspheming Holy Spirit, when they attribute His ministry through his prophets, to satan. Just like in Jesus' day. There is nothing new under the sun: It is the same thing. Blind! Sometimes that prophetic voice is answered prayer. The veil of the flesh has much more far reaching ramifications then we would like to admit:
Ephesians 2:19-21
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Amen, A foundational building of God's household with Christ as the "chief cornerstone" is negatively impacted when the testimony of Jesus, the prophetic, is quenched. Veiled "ministry" going forth based on natural charisma, talent, and personality. We've seen the results played out time and again. There IS a solution: The testimony of Jesus! His "kiss"! A "living word of prophecy" that is on fire and effective. The Lord desires that level of intimacy in which He speaks to his child and into his or her life directly, one-on-one! When Abba Father "kisses" us by His Spirit, that touch ignites a fire in us and we are equipped and empowered to live an overcoming life and win souls! It is not just for pulpit ministry. We ALL need to pursue God with that hunger. His love is "better than wine"! Crucify the flesh and throw off, once and for all, the veil of the flesh, Beloved! Know that He (God), is and that He exists. Come to a knowledge of the Holy beyond intellect and as the Lover of our souls!! Know his "kisses", his voice, his leading! I told you of my fondness for the Shir haSharim. Let me close with a prayer for you and for a renewed passion toward God from that book. A mutual love in which nothing separates you from Him. Be "fastened" to Him, yoked up with Him! All of that is in the kiss' [ Strong's 5401]. I bind aside the veil of the flesh! This is my charge:
Song of Solomon 8:6
“Set me as a seal on your heart, Like a seal on your arm; For love is as strong as death, Jealousy is as severe and cruel as Sheol. Its flashes are flashes of fire, A most vehement flame: the very flame of the Lord!
AMEIN
Be sealed in the fiery kisses of his love! "Jesus Christ, the Hope of glory! "Which hope", Paul wrote, " we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;..."
In Jesus' Name,
Prophetess Vickie Lee
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