Coverings

This is a message from Micah:

God has a spiritual covering for his people. It is important to understand this spiritual covering. 

We can learn about this spiritual covering by understanding natural coverings like clothing. People wear clothing for several reasons. These natural coverings cover their nakedness. They provide warmth and protection. They wear clothing for style or beauty, or to enhance abilities or efficiency. Clothing can also be worn as a disguise.

Spiritual coverings are similar. People cover themselves with spiritual coverings in order to accomplish various goals.

The Old Testament is important for us to study because it contains many examples and symbols of spiritual truth (1 Corinthians 10:11, Hebrews 10:1). It is for our learning (Romans 15:4). We can learn important lessons from the Old Testament when we interpret these symbols. 

For example, when the Old Testament tells us not to muzzle an ox (Deuteronomy 25:4), the New Testament tells us that this instruction is written for the sake of supporting Christian workers (1 Corinthians 9:9-10). We need to interpret the symbolism of the Old Testament by the Holy Spirit.

Jesus said that the days of Noah are symbolic for the end times (Matthew 24:37). 

Many of the Old Testament sacrifices were symbolic of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.

We can also learn about spiritual coverings by understanding natural coverings.

There are two types of spiritual coverings mentioned in the Bible: false coverings and true coverings.There are three sources of spiritual coverings. There are demonic coverings (Isaiah 25:7, 28:20, 30:22). There are man made coverings of false teachers and false teachings (Revelation 2:6, 2:15, 2:20). And finally there is God’s covering (Revelation 7:9, and Romans 13:14).

God wants us to be clothed in the pure and white covering of his Son, Jesus Christ. This covering will protect us and bless us in many ways.

God also wants us to be covered with spiritual armor. This will enable us to wage effective spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:13-18).

At the end of the age, the bride of Christ will become prepared to marry her husband, Jesus. She will have washed her garments in pure water. These are her spiritual garments. All those who are inside the wedding supper will be wearing wedding garments (Matthew 22:11). It is important for Christians to be covered with the pure covering of Christ, and not with false coverings.

There are interesting Old Testament examples of coverings. When we study these examples of coverings, we can learn important spiritual lessons.

When David was about to fight Goliath, Saul put his armor on David. David was not able to walk with this armor on, and he had to remove it. Saul’s armor was a man-made covering. This covering was insufficient to defeat Goliath. It made sense in the natural to wear this armor, but spiritually it was of no use. Man-made coverings are of no use in warfare against the enemies of God’s people.

In the garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were naked and were not ashamed. However, they were not spiritually naked. They were clothed with the glory of God. They had a spiritual covering. When they sinned, they lost this spiritual covering and became truly naked. Then they tried to make a covering by sewing fig leaves together. This covering was insufficient and quickly withered. Then God made them a covering. He clothed them with the skin of an animal (Genesis 3:21). This covering is prophetic of Christ, the lamb of God, who covers our sins.

From these examples, we learn that we must reject false coverings. All man-made coverings like false teachings must be rejected, because they will actually leave us spiritually naked. We need to reject demonic coverings so we are not blinded and hindered.

We must put ourselves under the covering of Christ through faith. As we submit to Jesus, we will be protected by him.