The Temptations Of Christ Part 3

                                     The Temptations Of Christ           

                                      Part 3

 Read Matthew 4:8-11

The culmination of a three part teaching.  We are looking at the temptations of Christ: coming in three forms; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life (1 John 2:16).  Essentially Jesus was tempted supernaturally (to turn stones into bread).  Jesus was tempted spectacularly (to jump from the pinnacle of the temple and be saved by angels).  Finally, to tempted spiritually (to challenge Christ's allegiance to God His Father and His Kingdom - a loyalty test).  This final temptation came to shortcut His divine mission on the earth to regain the kingdoms of this world and subjugate them to God's authority (1 Cor 15:24).   The kingdom of God must come and His will must be done on earth as it is heaven (Luke 11:2).  This is part of the Lord's Prayer.  To establish the verse in Revelation 11:15 the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ.

Again all the temptations really appealed to pride we break them down into three categories the lust of the flesh the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.  However, each temptation is tempting Christ to act in pride.  Do miracles, do the spectacular and gain a large reward for ungodly allegiance.  The heart of the temptation is rooted in pride will Christ exalt Himself and draw attention to Himself sell out and follow another Master a wicked overlord or false god. 

When we consider the previous temptation to throw Himself off the top of the temple, defying the law of gravity expecting supernatural help.  We must consider the pinnacle, the high point, the top, the summit, the ultimate and what this represents.   When you reach the top of your career, your ministry your game your athletic prowess when you reach your prime and you hit the ceiling and you can go no higher what do you do? The devil comes to tempt you with pride can you take the plummet do something stupid drop all the way down from what you have achieved in life, and the system the structure the institution, the people beneath will save you. We spent all our lives trying to get to this point; the pinnacle, the peak then how will you come down?  Will it be with pride and crash or will you descend quietly confidently and purposefully not trying to blow out or go out in wonder.  The pinnacle represents all you have achieved to come to this point.  Are you now an untouchable, an immortal unbeatable or are you still humble even if you are on the pinnacle, in pole position the top spot, the premier etc.   It questions how do we handle success and achievements in our lives. 

When John the Baptist had to make way for Christ he was incarcerated then beheaded he was no longer baptising people and no longer preaching to multitudes in a wilderness.  He had to decrease get out of the lime light and the spot light, get off the centre of the stage and be phased out in ministry to allow Christ to be phased in.  He had to decrease that Christ would increase, that is a godly gain.  

Notice the rebuttal of Christ to Satan, it was the Rhema Sword of the Spirit that cut into the heart of Satan.  Jesus replied "it is written",  Jesus referred to a legitimate source of authority, the Word of God.  In the second temptation of Christ,  Satan also uses the scripture to combat Christ but a verse quoted out of context becomes a pretext and looses its power.  The Rhema Word of God is the Sword of Spirit (Eph 6:17).  The Word of God is alive and full of power.  Jesus made the "it is written" declarations.  When we say "it is written" to Satan we are referring him and his cohorts to the source of authority that binds the universe together in this case the Word of God. Jesus did not suggest to Satan, He knew the scriptures, He knew who He was and is, He knew His power and He knew His divine mandate and mission on the earth. Satan made satanic suggestions that seemed really plausible and practical in light of what Christ was going through, make bread you are hungry turn the stones into bread.  This would be a very practical way out, it seems reasonable, but Christ never took the easy way out neither did He abuse His power.  Godly integrity will not compromise and impeccable character will not shudder but will remain straight and true. Though it be tried and tested it remains true strong and firm on the solid rock of the Word of God (Matthew 7:24-25).  No matter how much Satan tries to dress something up and advertise it's appeal to you, godly character will not flinch or meander in maze of uncertainty. 

This was one of the reasons for Christ's success in the wilderness it is not how you go into a trial it about how you come out of it.  In Luke 4:14 Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee.  

The forty days and nights was a time of testing for Christ, forty is the number for testing, trial and suffering.  Forty days Goliath taunted Israel, forty years the Israelites wandered in the wilderness, and four hundred years they were in bondage in slavery in Egypt.   Once the time and the test is passed, Christ could begin His ministry upon the earth.  It was the Heavenly Father's rite of passage for Christ, He had to pass this test in order to move on. 

In the final temptation of Christ, Jesus sends Satan packing "get thee hence Satan".  He sends him on his way.  The Bible says resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7).  Satan must be resisted!!  Satan is not to be negotiated with, nor to be spoken kindly to in endearing dialogue trying to make a deal with him.  You cannot make a deal with a murderer, a killer, a liar and a thief!  The Bible talks about the depths of Satan (Rev 2:24).  Our adversary goes around as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour and we are not to be ignorant of his devices.   It is an all out onslaught into  the kingdom of darkness you will not compromise Christ Jesus neither negotiate Him. 

When the kingdoms of this world were restored to God and Christ it had to come through the death of Christ on the cross there was no other way for the redemption of sinful man. A short cut is a satanic side show of distraction, follow and know God's plan for your life.  It took Christ three years for fulfilment to complete His heavenly mandate could it really be possible for you to do it sooner?  

Where are our passions, our desires rooted, are they into God and His Kingdom and the scriptures?  What drives us, motivates us, excites, energises, fuels or entices us?  Are our desires heaven sent and godly?  Or are they temporal passions and lusts of the flesh?  Can we be compromised, paid off or paid out or do we sell out for thirty pieces of silver and betray Christ or give away our spiritual birth right for some food?  

Therefore, we substitute the spiritual and the eternal for the fleshly and the temporal.  

We need to locate ourselves, know ourselves and examine ourselves and prove that we are in the faith.  What is the main driving force behind your life that ignites a passion?  

Would we bow down to Satan?  Would we sell our souls to the devil for a temporal earthly reward and so eternally damn ourselves in hell unless that covenant allegiance to Satan is permanently revoked or broken.  When Israel left the cruel Pharaoh in Egypt after the shedding of the blood of the lamb the price of blood was spilt and rescue was secured they were not to go back into bondage Christ had set them free.  Whom the Son has set free is free indeed!  Know the truth and the truth shall set you free.   

It's all about deliverance from a satanic kingdom, and allegiance to a godly one.  The details, depths of our service and devotion in Christ's kingdom and commissioning as soldiers, saints, servants and sons of God.  Find your place in Christ's Kingdom, get deployed and play your part in the Body of Christ. 

Levels Of Communication

                                                     Levels Of Communication 

JESUS is called the Word (John 1:1). 

The Word of the Lord is eternal (Isaiah 40:8).

The angel came for Daniels words when he was praying and fasting ... (Daniel 10:12).

The Angel Gabriel shut the mouth of Zechariah because of unbelief words (Luke 1:18-20).

By your words you will justified or condemned...... (Matthew 12:37).

In the multitude of words sin is not absent (Proverbs 10:19). 

Let your words be few (Ecc 5:2).

1. Prayer & Prophecy (to God and from God).  Prayer in the Spirit (Acts 2:4, 1 Cor 14:1-2, Eph 6:18) direct, uninterrupted communication with God.  Pray the solution for breakthrough don't reinforce the problem with the words of your mouth.  
2. Preaching/Teaching God's Word; inspired inspiration, prophetic and revelation words that spirit and life. To hit the spirit of man, feed the spirit, anchor the soul and can bypass the intellect straight for the heart (Mark 16:15, John 6:63, Matthew 4:4, Isaiah 28:10, Hebrews 4:12)
3. Words in season, the gems or pearls of wisdom God gives you to speak life, knowledge and blessing and into people into things and into situations. Words that are fitly spoken (Proverbs 25:11), wholesome, sound & spiritual words (1 Tim 6:3, 1 Cor 12:8).
4. Vows, oath taking, solemn, covenants, decrees given by kings & judges, declarations/attestations (Hebrews 6:13,16, Job 22:28, Proverbs 8:15). 
5. Commanding, ordering, establishing (Military, Throne room, Tactical, intelligence, operational, logistical or Boardroom level).  (Isaiah 9:7, 1 Tim 4:11, John 15:17). 
6. Fruitful conversations that are edifying, creative, beneficial, purposeful and meaningful, (Proverbs 15:4,7). 
7. Debating, arguing, pleading, presenting, discussing, & interacting. (Political, legal, educational). Speaking as a man (1 Cor 7:6, 2 Cor 8:8).
8. Base, carnal, cursing, cussing, taunting, confusing, heretical, full of strife, accusations, miscommunication,  misunderstanding, offensive, worldly, low level communication, prejudicial, coloured, biased, gossip, chatting, earthly, sensual and devilish.  (Mathew 16:22-23, 1 Tim 6:4-5, 2 Tim 2:16, James 3:16). 

  

Jesus & Finances

Read Matthew 17:24-27.

Jesus is questioned about temple tax.  Notice Jesus never offended them nor abdicated responsibility from paying tribute.  Neither did He get perturbed about this financial challenge.

1. Go to God for money.  Ask God for daily provision.  "Give us this day our daily bread". 

2. God knows where the money is.  "In the fishes mouth".  This is miracle money.

Expect God to connect you to money, to attract money and be a money magnet.  You finding money and money finding you.  Expect the miraculous.

3. God knows how to get the money to you.  The strategy was to open the mouth of the fish there is the money.

4. God will use your skills to get the money.   Jesus sent Peter fishing.

5. God is able to meet all your need (Phil 4:19).

6. God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all you can ask or even think (Eph 3:20).  Even strike the rocks and water can come out in the wilderness. (Numb 20:11).

The Temptations Of Christ Pt 2

Reading Matthew 4:5-7

We begin this message by looking at the second time Jesus is tempted by the devil.  Jesus is located in the wilderness; a dry, barren, unsociable, isolated, deserted place communing with God forty days and nights then the tempter comes... Certain people consider fasting forty days and nights as an achievement but they are not located in a physical wilderness at the time of the fast.  

Jesus overcame the first temptation in the wilderness by correctly quoting in context, the Rhema Word of God at the devil (Deut 8:3).  Notice that Jesus never used philosophy, debate or discussion with the Word of God.  He stuck the sword of the Spirit into the devil's heart.   This is a pattern and a principle for the Christian believer to follow when dealing with sinful opportunities presented by the devil.  The devil could not manipulate, entice or influence Jesus Christ to sin.  Jesus would not be brought under the power of the kingdom of darkness.   Jesus was told to command the stones to bread!  Command means to exercise authority which He has over a certain person or thing.  The devil wanted  Jesus to demonstrate power.  However, Jesus is not a puppet pulled along by any alliance other than His Heavenly Father, (John 2:24).  He is not a politician following the party rhetoric or the majority of the people's wishes, unlike Pilate (the government) or the Pharisees (the religious bigoted fraternity).  If anyone questions the divine authenticity of the book of Deuteronomy they are wrong because Jesus quoted from it as His source.  

Looking, more closely at the following scriptures  (James 1:2,13-15, Romans 7:15-23), we can see that temptation to the believer can come from within or from without.  

What do I mean by that?  Temptations can come from an external source being presented and made readily  available to you.  Or they can come from an inward lust, a weakness and inclination for certain things, like an internal desire, yearning or craving, seeking fulfilment.    

It is not always the devil or one of his agents presenting the opportunity to sin (fall).  Considering the life of Moses he forsook the pleasures of Eygpt being the grandson of the Pharaoh and all that entailed, rather to suffer reproach, with the people of God (Hebrews 11:24-25).  Sin being referred to as pleasure for a season.  If it was not pleasurable, people  would not commit and practice it.  

In the book of James it refers to the within after being offered from an outside source.  In the book of Romans it is portrayed more as an infectious disease, present within carnal bodily members referred to as "sinful nature" or what can be termed "the flesh".  For any person, a believer in Jesus Christ or unbeliever to think you cannot be tempted and fall into sin means you are in pride at the height of deception. (Galatians 6:1). 

With reference to the original sin of Adam in the garden of Eden known also as the  "Fall of man". It was no a physical fall that happened to Adam and his wife that lead to expulsion from the garden it was spiritual and moral.  All of creation everything under Adam for which he previously had dominion over also got corrupted.  Weeds in the garden, briers, thorns, rust on the metal products, fruit that will perish and decay the land will not yield a harvest so easily.  It will be harder through sweat and toil to get the produce of the ground.  Child bearing pains in birthing children, no longer clothed in glory but dressed and covered with animals clothes.  The concept of atonement is introduced by the slaying of the animals and the blood being shed for pardon and forgiveness reading Genesis chapter 3. 

Regarding Jesus, because He has a divine nature ( impeccable), He can only be tempted externally.   Now the Bible says Jesus was tempted in all points yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). 

 The thee temptations in the wilderness presented by the devil to Jesus touched His body, His soul and His spirit.  The first being a physical temptation to the body, stones to bread to relieve the physical hunger.  The second being a soulish temptation throw yourself down from the pinnacle of the temple, it is somewhat spectacular in nature very eye catching to to the on looker.  It is very much like a bunge jump with no safety net or bunge. 

The final one is about worship, loyalty,  mission, commitment and reward.  It is aimed at the spirit of Jesus. He is being enticed by a reward.  Nevertheless He must offer His worship and allegiance to the devil to get it.  He must sell His soul His complete life over to total darkness and be an instrument of Satan on order to gain all the kingdoms of this world and their glory.

In conclusion, it is apparent that Jesus never compromised, negotiated, succumbed to manipulation, gave into fear, intimidation or domination of the devil.   He maintained, being straight and true faithfully committed to a divinely appointed mandate.   

The Temptations of Christ

The Reading Matthew 4:1-4 

Notice in verse 1 it was the Spirit of God who did the leading.  However, it was the devil who did the tempting.  Does God lead us into temptation?  One has to emphaticall say no, it is against His character and nature! (James 1:13-14)

The Bible says that Jesus had been fasting 40 days and 40 nights.  It was an abstenation from food for such a long period of time.  The duration was forty days and for forty nights, the location was a wilderness.   It was a consecration, a separation, a devotion a surrender, an abandonment to the purposes God, a purification and purging, a soul searching, and an isolation to God Almighty, the eternal Heavenly Father.   Jesus was preparing Himself for His earthly ministry of around three years in length.  

It is interesting to note in Luke's gospel (6:12) that He prayed all night long then He chose His disciples who became His apostles.  The sanctification and the separation to God had to come before the selection.  

By way of comparison Paul the apostle was in Arabia for 3 years before announcing himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ (Gal 1:17).  "Private philosophy determines public performance".  

Before looking at the first temptation of Christ, I am inserting an article about Christ and whether or not He could sin from www.gotquestions.org.   Could Jesus have sinned is it peccability or impeccabity?  

Could Jesus have sinned? If He was not capable of sinning, how could He truly be able to 'sympathize with our weaknesses' (Hebrews 4:15)? If He could not sin, what was the point of the temptation?"

There are two sides to this interesting question. It is important to remember that this is not a question of whether Jesus sinned. Both sides agree, as the Bible clearly says, that Jesus did not sin (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22). The question is whether Jesus could have sinned. Those who hold to “impeccability” believe that Jesus could not have sinned. Those who hold to “peccability” believe that Jesus could have sinned, but did not. Which view is correct? The clear teaching of Scripture is that Jesus was impeccable—Jesus could not have sinned. If He could have sinned, He would still be able to sin today because He retains the same essence He did while living on earth. He is the God-Man and will forever remain so, having full deity and full humanity so united in one person as to be indivisible. To believe that Jesus could sin is to believe that God could sin. “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him” (Colossians 1:19). Colossians 2:9 adds, “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.”

Although Jesus is fully human, He was not born with the same sinful nature that we are born with. He certainly was tempted in the same way we are, in that temptations were put before Him by Satan, yet He remained sinless because God is incapable of sinning. It is against His very nature (Matthew 4:1; Hebrews 2:18, 4:15; James 1:13). Sin is by definition a trespass of the Law. God created the Law, and the Law is by nature what God would or would not do; therefore, sin is anything that God would not do by His very nature.

To be tempted is not, in and of itself, sinful. A person could tempt you with something you have no desire to do, such as committing murder or participating in sexual perversions. You probably have no desire whatsoever to take part in these actions, but you were still tempted because someone placed the possibility before you. There are at least two definitions for the word “tempted”:

1) To have a sinful proposition suggested to you by someone or something outside yourself or by your own sin nature.

2) To consider actually participating in a sinful act and the possible pleasures and consequences of such an act to the degree that the act is already taking place in your mind.

The first definition does not describe a sinful act/thought; the second does. When you dwell upon a sinful act and consider how you might be able to bring it to pass, you have crossed the line of sin. Jesus was tempted in the fashion of definition one except that He was never tempted by a sin nature because it did not exist within Him. Satan proposed certain sinful acts to Jesus, but He had no inner desire to participate in the sin. Therefore, He was tempted like we are but remained sinless.

Those who hold to peccability believe that, if Jesus could not have sinned, He could not have truly experienced temptation, and therefore could not truly empathize with our struggles and temptations against sin. We have to remember that one does not have to experience something in order to understand it. God knows everything about everything. While God has never had the desire to sin, and has most definitely never sinned, God knows and understands what sin is. God knows and understands what it is like to be tempted. Jesus can empathize with our temptations because He knows, not because He has “experienced” all the same things we have.

Jesus knows what it is like to be tempted, but He does not know what it is like to sin. This does not prevent Him from assisting us. We are tempted with sins that are common to man (1 Corinthians 10:13). These sins generally can be boiled down to three different types: “the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16 NKJV). Examine the temptation and sin of Eve, as well as the temptation of Jesus, and you will find that the temptations for each came from these three categories. Jesus was tempted in every way and in every area that we are, but remained perfectly holy. Although our corrupt natures will have the inner desire to participate in some sins, we have the ability, through Christ, to overcome sin because we are no longer slaves to sin but rather slaves of God (Romans 6, especially verses 2 and 16-22).

In conclusion; we can see that Jesus is impeccable not capable of sinning and that the first proposition is evident from the Biblical account of Him in the wilderness with the devil.  He was presented externally with the opportunities to sin.  It was not something He was conceiving in His mind or heart to later act upon.  His very nature is different to sinful human nature.  

Impeccable means without flaws, perfect, not capable of sinning. 

The Bible says that we are partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4).  

The first temptation of Christ was a physical one.  The lust of the flesh,  the Bible records it similar to Eve in the garden gazing at the fruit on the tree, surely it must taste delicious.  A carnal worldly appetite for fleshly pleasures that appeal to the lower, the sensual, the base nature of man for instant gratification, satisfaction and relief.  

One would question was it a legitimate temptation?  Of course it was in many different forms.  Not just a natural temptation to alleviate the hunger of Christ.  Biologically speaking after 40 days and nights the human body can no longer sustain itself.  It has no reserve fats in it or foods to digest so it starts to eat itself, malnutrition is starting to set in.  Soon an individual will be looking boney their is nothing the human body can draw upon to eat so food is very necessary, imminently.  Jesus overcame the temptation with a counter "man cannot live on bread alone but by every word that proceeds out from the mouth of

God".  Peter realised the validity of following Christ not just for material gain after He had fed the 5000 men (John 6:67-68).  "You have the words of eternal life".   Eternal life is nothing to compared with material gain in this life time. 

Another aspect of this temptation was that it was supernatural.  In order for it to be a legitimate temptation we must consider the command of the devil.  He says to Jesus "command these stones to be turned into bread"v3.  That is a supernatural happening of a metabolic miracle to change the structural composition of one thing to another.  Stones being turned into bread.  We have to realise here the depth of this statement.  In order for this to be a legitimate temptation of Christ, it has to pre-suppose that the one who is being tempted has the authority, the power and the ability to do such a thing.  I guess that the devil has never tempted you with this because he knows you cannot turn stones into bread.  So in your case; it is not a legitimate temptation, to perform or produce supernaturally is not within your ability or remit. To do something like this ...turning stones into bread is a metabolic compositional structural change miracle.  Furthermore, this brings us to the greater revelation of  who Jesus really is!  My previous sermon "what is your concept of the Messiah".  He is so powerful the winds and waves obey Him, a fig tree dries up when He speaks to it.  What is your concept of the Messiah?  Have you limited the miracle producing power of Jesus Christ, to fit into your limited theological, self  contained, boxed in, church attendance, low level, framework of reference? The devil knew that Jesus can change structures and substances by just speaking a word.  The Bible says the devil's believe and they fear and tremble (James 2:19).  How powerful is your Jesus, this is very frightening to come into the presence of an all powerful living King.  It makes you tremble what He might pronounce!  

Going deeper with this temptation.  The  devil says "If you are the Son of God"...  The devil wants Jesus to prove Himself and His identity with a miraculous demonstration of power.  Christ is not insecure and He does not need a tangible sign to prove who He is.  Secure people do not need to prove themselves they already are.  They have a proven testimony and track record that distinguishes them.  A secure person does not submit to manipulation or the need to turn it on at the people's wishes.  

In this context, the devil is goading Jesus to prove it.  Scripture teaches that we please God by faith (Hebrews 11:6).  Why does the devil and unbelievers always want physical tangible evidence before they believe? 

Now the devil already knew Jesus was and is the Son of God.  Jesus had gotten onto the devil's radar.   In order to make those propositions, legitimate temptations, you have to know someone first, and how they tick.    Otherwise how can you realistically tempt them, if you do not know the triggers or the pressure points?  The devil had insight of Jesus.  The devil could well of heard the confession of the Heavenly Father following His baptism in the river Jordan "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased". (Matthew 3:17).  Jesus already had His commendation and validation from His Heavenly Father heavens highest authority.  What further need was there to give audience to the devil...?     

Jesus did not need to prove to the devil or a crowd of people who He was.  People in Scripture knew Him by revelation of the Holy Spirit not by just demonstrations of miracles.  Jesus Himself  said "except you see signs and wonders you will not believe." (John 4:48).   Neither Jesus nor the devil had any identity crisis.  It was the devil trying to set Jesus up by undermining His personhood, and challenging His divinity.  

Again going deeper with the temptation, we must consider the nature of Christ.  He is impeccable without flaw He cannot sin.  Consider His words in John 5:19 "verily, verily I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He seeth the  Father do..."  Jesus never violated divine instructions or compromised them.  If heaven didn't ordain it or sanction it, then Christ would not fulfil it on the earth.

Jesus fulfilled everything His Father told Him to do (John 17:4).  He is God incarnate (John 1:14).  To bow down or to be dictated to by the devil would be sin. Perish the thought!!!

So in closing, it was a real legitimate temptation concerning the lust of the flesh, appetite.  It was physical and appealing, it had manipulation woven into it, supernatural demonstration of power to prove Christ's identity.   Jesus would not and cannot be compromised!  The tempter knew Jesus and His abilities before hand and His authority and His power.   In order to make it a real temptation the devil knew the trigger points not just Christ's physical hunger but to superimpose His divine rights over His earthly human state as the Son of Man.  

Which brings us to the final conclusion.  That God, will not violate or abuse His principles.  He came in the form of a man suffered as a man and that meant hunger after forty days and nights without food.  He could eliminate His hunger immediately with a demonstration  of miraculous power but He would not violate His humanity and His own principles as the Son of Man in the flesh. Jesus suffered in the flesh as a man and would be manipulated by the devil's desires. 

To be continued ...next time looking at temptation two and three as the Holy Spirit unpacks and reveals more truth Praise God forevermore!!!!

Apprenticeship/Discipleship

Scripture Reading:  John 8:31

1. You watch and I'll do it (help practical support).  All great leaders do this that is why they are the best servants.  

2. You do it and I will help you do it (interdependence). A mutual sharing, and synergism working together.  A kind of weening off culture. Also an empowerment (Acts 1:8). 

 

3. You do it and I will watch you do it (independence).  A competency and a skill gained.  A lesson learnt a trade passed on.  A maturation (Eph 4:13). 

True fathers, grandfathers etc (whether natural or spiritual) train and spend time with their children.  It involves a lot of commitment and takes time and energy a willingness to give to someone else and commit to them.  Not to give up and loose heart.  

Does God, or did God ever give up on you? (Romans 8:35-39).  God believes in humanity so much that He is willing to comit to them that is why He sent Jesus to die on a cross and never give up on His creation, rather than destroying them forever!  

The Old Testament flood in Noah's day was of destruction.  Contrasted by the New Testament anti-type water baptism is freedom from sin, death to the old life, deliverance and newness of life in Jesus Christ. The former covenant was of condemnation but it still had glory attached to it just look at Moses's face when he came me down from the mount Sinai.  The New  covenant is much more exceedingly glorious (2 Corinthians 3). 

The first covenant was hard work you were kept outside denied access and only one high priest was allowed in once a year and had access.  Now, that veil is rent in two and removed no more works but by grace through faith we can all enter in and take hold, having full possession (Hebrews 4:15-16). 

Paul calls it a mystery of Christ and His church.  However, the typology refers to a husband and wife .... (Ephesians 5). 

The Apex of The Anointing

In the life of Moses it was Sinai when he fasted 40 days and 40 nights on Mount Sinai in the glory of God. 

In the life of Elijah it was his confrontation with false prophets  and the  revival of a nation (Israel) on Mount Carmel.  

In the life of Jesus it was His Transfiguration a type of the resurrection to come. 

In the lives of the 120 apostles its was the Upper Room experience at Pentecost.