{"id":51248,"date":"2019-08-12T08:46:37","date_gmt":"2019-08-12T05:46:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=51248"},"modified":"2025-06-23T16:27:34","modified_gmt":"2025-06-23T13:27:34","slug":"covered-inside-and-out-true-holiness-before-god","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2019\/08\/12\/covered-inside-and-out-true-holiness-before-god\/","title":{"rendered":"COVERED INSIDE AND OUT: TRUE HOLINESS BEFORE GOD"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the Old Testament, every time the Israelites built an altar for God, they were instructed to place it on <\/span>elevated ground<\/strong>. God specifically commanded this as part of His design for worship:<\/span><\/p>\n

Exodus 20:24\u00a0<\/strong>
\n\u201cAn altar of earth you shall make for Me, and you shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings… In every place where I record My name I will come to you, and I will bless you.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The word \u201caltar\u201d<\/strong> itself comes from a root meaning \u201ca high place\u201d<\/strong> or \u201cto lift up.\u201d Therefore, building it on high ground or raising it up was not just symbolic\u2014it was prophetic<\/strong>. God was teaching His people that worship and sacrifice must ascend<\/strong> to Him\u2014it must rise from a lower (earthly)<\/strong> place to a higher (heavenly)<\/strong> reality.<\/p>\n

Later on, pagan nations<\/strong> imitated this concept by building their own altars and shrines on elevated places, but instead of worshipping the true God, they used them for idol worship and witchcraft. That\u2019s why, during the period of the kings, God constantly rebuked Israel for failing to tear down these \u201chigh places\u201d<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

2 Kings 17:10\u201312\u00a0<\/strong>
\n\u201cThey set up for themselves sacred pillars and wooden images on every high hill… and they burned incense… and served idols.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Satan is an Imitator, Not an Originator<\/h3>\n

Satan never creates anything original. He imitates and perverts what God establishes. When God commanded the Israelites to offer sacrifices for the atonement of sin, Satan introduced pagan sacrifices<\/strong> and counterfeit altars<\/strong>. The goal? To confuse, distract, and ultimately destroy.<\/p>\n

\n

THE ALTAR AND PRIESTLY GARMENTS: PHYSICAL SYMBOLS WITH SPIRITUAL MEANING<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In the Old Covenant, approaching God\u2019s altar was not casual. Only priests<\/strong> could approach, and only under very specific conditions. They had to wear holy garments<\/strong> to cover their entire bodies.<\/p>\n

Exodus 28:40\u201343\u00a0<\/strong>
\n\u201c…You shall make tunics for them… for glory and beauty… and you shall make for them linen trousers<\/strong> to cover their nakedness; they shall reach from the waist to the thighs… so that they do not incur iniquity and die.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Because the altar was raised and had to be approached by steps<\/strong>, even the long linen robe was not sufficient to hide one\u2019s lower body when climbing. So, God required priests to wear linen undergarments<\/strong> to avoid any exposure. If their nakedness was revealed, even unintentionally, they could die in God\u2019s presence<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Exodus 20:26\u00a0<\/strong>
\n\u201cNor shall you go up by steps to My altar, that your nakedness may not be exposed on it.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This was a powerful statement: God demands reverence and purity, both inwardly and outwardly<\/strong>, when we come before Him.<\/p>\n

\n

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US TODAY: THE NEW TESTAMENT FULFILLMENT<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Today, we no longer offer animal sacrifices or go to physical temples. Our altar is in heaven<\/strong>, and the perfect sacrifice<\/strong>\u2014Jesus Christ<\/strong>\u2014has already been made.<\/p>\n

Hebrews 9:11\u201312\u00a0<\/strong>
\n\u201cBut Christ came as High Priest… not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

So when we pray, worship, or serve, we are spiritually approaching the heavenly altar<\/strong>. Just as the Old Testament priests had to be properly clothed, we too must come before God \u201ccovered\u201d in the right garments\u2014both spiritually and physically<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\n

1. OUTER GARMENTS: YOUR PUBLIC TESTIMONY<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Outer garments represent how you present yourself to the world<\/strong>. How you dress and act in public says something about your reverence toward God.<\/p>\n

1 Timothy 2:9\u201310\u00a0<\/strong>
\n\u201cIn like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel<\/strong>, with propriety and moderation… which is proper for women professing godliness.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

If you, as a believer, wear revealing clothes, tight jeans, mini-skirts, or anything that draws sensual attention, especially in God\u2019s house\u2014you\u2019re not only dishonoring God but also putting yourself in spiritual danger<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Likewise, men who walk in open sin\u2014drunkenness, immorality, dishonesty\u2014and still come before God without repentance are unclothed<\/strong> spiritually.<\/p>\n

Even Peter<\/strong>, when fishing half-naked, covered himself out of reverence<\/strong> when he realized Jesus was watching:<\/p>\n

John 21:7\u00a0<\/strong>
\n\u201c…When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

If Peter, a grown man, respected Jesus enough to cover his body, what does that say to us today\u2014especially when entering His presence?<\/p>\n

\n

2. INNER GARMENTS: THE CONDITION OF YOUR HEART<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Just as important as your appearance is the state of your heart<\/strong>\u2014your inner garments<\/strong>. You may appear holy on the outside, but what does God see on the inside?<\/p>\n

Matthew 23:27\u201328\u00a0<\/strong>
\n\u201cWoe to you… For you are like whitewashed tombs… outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

You may serve in church, sing in the choir, or preach, yet harbor bitterness<\/strong>, jealousy<\/strong>, lust<\/strong>, or unforgiveness<\/strong>. In God\u2019s eyes, you are like a priest who appears well-dressed outwardly, but underneath, is exposed and naked<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

You may secretly watch pornography, commit fornication, or live a double life\u2014attending church while also engaging in worldly activities. That is spiritual nakedness<\/strong>, and it\u2019s dangerous.<\/p>\n

Galatians 6:7\u00a0<\/strong>
\n\u201cDo not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n

THE CHURCH OF LAODICEA: A PICTURE OF OUR GENERATION<\/strong><\/h2>\n

We are living in the Laodicean age<\/strong>\u2014the last of the seven churches<\/strong> in Revelation. This is a lukewarm<\/strong> generation. It thinks it’s rich, but in reality, it is poor, blind, and naked<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Revelation 3:17\u201318\u00a0<\/strong>
\n\u201c…you say, \u2018I am rich…\u2019 and do not know that you are… naked.
\nI counsel you to buy from Me… white garments<\/strong>, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Jesus is giving us a loving warning<\/strong>. He\u2019s offering white garments<\/strong>\u2014spiritual purity and righteousness\u2014to cover our shame.<\/p>\n

\n

A GREAT REWARD FOR THOSE WHO OVERCOME<\/strong><\/h2>\n

To the Laodicean church, Jesus gives the greatest reward<\/strong> of all the churches:<\/p>\n

Revelation 3:21\u00a0<\/strong>
\n\u201cTo him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Think of that! Sitting on the throne of Christ<\/strong>\u2014ruling and reigning with Him. No earthly pleasure compares to this eternal reward.<\/p>\n

\n

YOUR RESPONSE: REPENTANCE AND OBEDIENCE<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you are still living outside of Christ\u2014or if you\u2019re lukewarm\u2014it\u2019s time to turn back. Repent sincerely, and obey the gospel:<\/p>\n

Acts 2:38\u00a0<\/strong>
\n\u201cRepent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Lord Jesus is coming soon. He Himself said:<\/p>\n

Revelation 22:12\u00a0<\/strong>
\n\u201cAnd behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me…\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\n

FINAL ENCOURAGEMENT<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Don\u2019t let the moral confusion and spiritual darkness of today\u2019s world deceive you. These days were prophesied. But if you hold on, stay pure, and walk in both outer modesty<\/strong> and inner righteousness<\/strong>, your reward will be glorious.<\/p>\n

Romans 8:18\u00a0<\/strong>
\n\u201cFor I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

May you be found dressed\u2014inside and out\u2014when Jesus returns.<\/p>\n

Be blessed and remain faithful.<\/strong><\/p>\n