We are in a time period where the LORD has released a supernatural hunger for the revelatory truth of His Word (cf. Amos 8:11 i.c.w. Matthew 4:4).
Amos 8:11:
11 “The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign Lord, “when I will send a famine through the land – not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord.
11 “The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign Lord, “when I will send a famine through the land – not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord.
Matthew 4:4:
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (cf. Deuteronomy 8:3)
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (cf. Deuteronomy 8:3)
The Spiritual Hunger and the Compassion of Christ
This spiritual hunger goes hand in hand with the compassion of Christ, which helps the voice of the Lord to be perceived or heard in a greater dynamic. In this regard, I was led to the Bible passage from Matthew 15:32-37 where the LORD multiplied the five loaves of bread and a few fish so that in the end there were seven baskets of bread left.
Matthew 15:32-37:
32 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.”
33 His disciples answered, “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?”
34 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.”
35 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground.
36 Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people.
37 They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
32 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.”
33 His disciples answered, “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?”
34 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.”
35 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground.
36 Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people.
37 They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
The Greek word for ‘compassion’ used in Matthew 15:32 is ‘splanchnịzomai’ and means, among other things ‘to be seized with compassion’ or even ‘the middle voice’ as it refers to the bowels or innermost parts (Note: Word explanation from the Elberfelder Study Bible with word key number 4531 and the Strong’s Concordance with word key number G4697).
This form of compassion is akin to a golden ring with a gemstone set in its center, wherein it is clear that hunger among God’s people is dependent upon the compassion of the LORD to be satisfied. In this, faith in the people of God has a significant role. It is the spiritual hunger for the Word of God and the related faith in the people of God that cause the LORD to fill the ‘empty space’ with the release of the revelatory truth of His Word by satisfying the hunger with the presence of His Word.
The effect of God’s mercy with the hunger in His people is accompanied by the presence of the hollow space in the form of an ‘empty stomach’ and ‘empty baskets’ that contribute to the multiplication of the revelatory truth associated with the presence of His rest, namely the seventh day (Note: Shabbat), over which Jesus Christ governs (cf. Matthew 12:8).
Matthew 12:8:
“… 8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
“… 8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
It is the hollow measure of a basket that contributed to the freedom of the people of Israel and to the safeguarding of apostolic doctrine, as Moses was kept in a box of reeds and the apostle Paul was also brought to safety in a basket (cf. Exodus 2:3; Acts 9:25 i.c.w. 2 Corinthians 11:32-33).
Exodus 2:3:
3 But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile.
3 But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile.
Acts 9:25:
25 But his followers took him (Note: Paul) by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.
25 But his followers took him (Note: Paul) by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.
2 Corinthians 11:32-33:
32 In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me.
33 But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.
32 In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me.
33 But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.
Jesus’ Multiplication of Bread and the Revelatory Truth Contained Therein
From this it is clear that in the context of Jesus’ multiplication of bread, it was in Jesus’ interest to give revelatory truth about the meaning of true freedom and the vitality of His apostolic truth as well as the day of His rest, which includes the period of relationship with the Heavenly Father (cf. Genesis 2:2-3 i.c.w. Exodus 20:11).
Genesis 2:2-3:
2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.
3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.
2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.
3 Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.
Exodus 20:11:
11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
It is the rest of God that is linked to His promise (cf. Hebrews 4:1).
Hebrews 4:1:
1 Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.
1 Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.
The Holy Spirit is currently drawing together many believers in Christ worldwide in their respective fellowships into ‘a crowd’ of saints whose stomachs growl with hunger as a lion growls. It is the longing in their spirits for apostolic teaching filled with God’s revelatory truth in order to move forward effectively and confidently in faith with Christ Jesus (cf. Acts 2:42).
Acts 2:42:
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
The release of revelatory truth results in some being initially fearful of this presence. The reason is because they do not yet know this dimension of truth. This truth is the drawing power of the Heavenly Father that draws the respective saints into the center of Jesus Christ, the living Word of God in order to internalize and be satisfied with His revelatory teaching (cf. John 6:44a).
John 6:44a:
44a “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, …”
44a “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, …”
We cannot understand the mysteries in Christ Jesus in terms of wisdom and knowledge without the drawing power of the Heavenly Father because it is He who draws us to His Son (cf. Colossians 2:2-3).
Colossians 2:2-3:
2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Jesus’ message is like the dew covered manna that the people of Israel ate in the wilderness (cf. Exodus 16:13b-15; Matthew 4:4).
Exodus 16:13b-15:
…, 13b and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.
14 When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor.
15 When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat.
…, 13b and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.
14 When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor.
15 When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat.
Matthew 4:4:
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (cf. Deuteronomy 8:3)
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (cf. Deuteronomy 8:3)
It is the revelatory teaching of Christ that springs from the hidden realm of His sonship and is like the dark firmament with its shining stars, for it was the manna that fell overnight and led to the questioning of the people (cf. Job 38:7 i.c.w. John 10:34).
Job 38:7:
7 while the morning stars sang together and all the angels (Note: sons of God) shouted for joy?
7 while the morning stars sang together and all the angels (Note: sons of God) shouted for joy?
John 10:34:
34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are “gods” ’? (cf. Psalm 82:6)
34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are “gods” ’? (cf. Psalm 82:6)
The Dew of Christ’s Presence, the Transformation and a Greater Measure of Humility
It is the presence of the dew of Christ, namely His revelatory Word that transforms us in our kingship in Christ Jesus which comes with a higher quality. It is akin to what happened to King Nebuchadnezzar, so that he began to pass through the dimension of the face of God in the form of the bull and the eagle in order to comprehend the governmental presence of the Heavenly Father (cf. Daniel 4:33).
Daniel 4:33:
33 Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.
33 Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.
This process of transformation brings with it greater humility, which is accompanied by higher knowledge of the reign of God, as God gives grace to the humble and exalts him in due time (cf. Daniel 4:34-37 i.c.w. 1 Peter 5:5b-6; James 4:10).
Daniel 4:34-37:
34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
35 All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?”
36 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before.
37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
35 All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?”
36 At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before.
37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
1 Peter 5:5b-6:
... 5b All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” (cf. Proverbs 3:34)
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
... 5b All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” (cf. Proverbs 3:34)
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
James 4:10:
10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
King Nebuchadnezzar’s phase of humility development was heralded by the loud voice of a supernatural watchman angel, which is equivalent to the quality of the ‘middle voice’ in the form of compassion mentioned earlier (cf. Daniel 4:10-11a.31-32).
Daniel 4:13-14a.31-32:
13 “In the visions I saw while lying in bed, I looked, and there before me was a holy one, a messenger (Note: watchman), coming down from heaven.
14a He called in a loud voice: …
31 Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you.
32 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.”
13 “In the visions I saw while lying in bed, I looked, and there before me was a holy one, a messenger (Note: watchman), coming down from heaven.
14a He called in a loud voice: …
31 Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you.
32 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.”
In this progress of humility, Nebuchadnezzar came to know the realm of God’s holiness as he was set apart from the society of men. In this, the king passed through the presence of two facets of the face of God, which were the bull and the eagle (cf. Revelation 4:7).
Revelation 4:7:
7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle.
7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle.
First, he internalized the governing presence of the LORD as he ate grass like an ox.
It is the throne of God covered with a green covered rainbow and likewise Jesus spoke to His sheep about the importance of abiding in the presence of God in the form of grass (cf. Revelation 4:2-3 i.c.w. John 10:9; John 14:6).
Revelation 4:2-3:
2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.
3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald (Note: greenish in color) encircled the throne.
2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.
3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald (Note: greenish in color) encircled the throne.
John 10:9:
9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.
9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.
John 14:6:
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. …”
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. …”
The ‘bull’ is connected with the Hebrew letter ‘Aleph’ and carries the numerical value ‘1’, which is why it is no coincidence that the king Nebuchadnezzar first behaved like an ox by eating grass. Furthermore the ‘Aleph’ means among other things ‘ox, leader, strength, master/LORD’.
The pictographic representation of the Hebrew letter ‘Aleph’ is a ‘bull’s head’.
The ‘Aleph’ is the so-called ‘father letter’ because everything begins with the Father and the Hebrew word for ‘Father – āb’ begins with an ‘Aleph’ (cf. Revelation 1:8).
Revelation 1:8:
8 ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.’
8 ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.’
The Internalization of the Governmental Presence of God
Nebuchadnezzar’s internalizing of God’s governmental presence resulted in the release of dew into the atmosphere, so that he entered the dimension of God’s Word as king, as the manna at the time of the people of Israel in the wilderness went along with the dew (cf. Exodus 16:13b-15 i.c.w. John 6:33-35).
Exodus 16:13b-15:
…, 13b and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.
14 When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor.
15 When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat.
…, 13b and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.
14 When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor.
15 When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat.
John 6:33-35:
33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
34 “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”
35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
34 “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”
35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
The process of Nebuchadnezzar’s internalization and the subsequent moistening of his body with dew carry hidden within them the statement of Jesus, who said that no one can come to Him unless the Father draws him (cf. John 6:44a).
John 6:44a:
44a “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, …
After King Nebuchadnezzar went through these stages, his mind transformed into a prophetic mindset, which is evident by the description of the hair that was like eagle feathers in size, so that he developed a holy prey mentality, to which the length of the nails that were like bird claws are an indication.
I consider the filling of the ‘hollow measure’ of seven times by king Nebuchadnezzar to be the seven baskets of bread filled by Jesus (cf. Daniel 4:32c i.c.w. Matthew 15:37).
Daniel 4:32c:
“… 32c Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.”
“… 32c Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.”
Matthew 15:37:
37 They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
37 They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
In conclusion, the transformation of Nebuchadnezzar’s kingship in a prophetic context includes the following:
He entered into the holiness of God (Note: separated from society) in order to recognize God in character as Father (Note: grass eaten like an ox; cf. Hebrews 12:14). The result was that Nebuchadnezzar entered into the sonship of Christ and quality of His living Word (cf. John 1:14 i.c.w. John 6:33-35), ultimately to be active in the power of the testimony of Jesus, which is the Spirit of prophecy (cf. Revelation 19:10e).
It is the prophetic mindset represented by the ‘feathers of an eagle’ that corresponds to the dimension of the birds (Note: spirit realm). From this results that seductive influences of humans (Note: earthly realm), like that of ‘Delilah’ at the time of Samson are prevented (cf. Judges 16:4 ff.) in that they cannot become active because we are already in another, namely higher dimension than that of the human level (cf. Isaiah 40:31).
Isaiah 40:31:
… 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
… 31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Amen and Amen.
In His Wisdom,
Daniel Glimm
