Chapter 2Faith Takes Flight

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new(2 Corinthians 5:17).

The life cycle of a butterfly has often been used to illustrate the process of leaving behind the sinful person we used to be before we tasted of salvation; and becoming a new creature in Christ. But there are such vital and deep spiritual analogies to be found in this parable of nature, that it bears repeating.

A butterfly begins his life as an unattractive, useless, even destructive worm. As a worm, he is ugly and selfish. He eats voraciously, destroying the beautiful plants in the garden. He does nothing but serve himself and his own needs. This is very much like a person who is lost in sin. David understood what it was like to be in this condition. He wrote: “But I am a worm… a reproach of men, and despised of the people” (Psalm 22:6).

Paul echoed David’s lament, recognizing that, in the worm state, humanity has only one possible outcome: death. “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:24).

In order for deliverance to take place, a complete change will occur. The motivation of selfishness will be replaced with love. Indeed, selfishness is at the heart of sin. Even the very word “sin” displays that the primary motive for sin is the I-problem of selfishness:

s-I-n

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Yes, the worm represents a sinner. He is a selfish destroyer and his ugly nature and works will be repaid in eternal death. “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

Yet there is good news for all worms. We needn’t continue on in our revolting existence of slavery to the lusts and ways of sin. We may be changed! This realization comes to the worm as the dawning of a new day. It isn’t brought about through magic or chance. The worm begins to see himself as he truly is through the Law of Elohim. “I had not known sin, but by the Law…”(Romans 7:7-9).

For the first time in life, the worm sees that he can be so much more. He can become a new creature. Rather than repugnantly crawling through life, he may soar into the heavens! A butterfly existence is a much more desired state to this enlightened, spiritual worm. Oh, how he longs to have wings and fly!

Spiritually speaking, the worm learns more and more of the ways of the butterfly, he becomes more and more aware of what such a transformation will cost him. No trace of his present sinful self can exist in the living thing he now desires to become. The worm must die if he is to be reborn a lovely creature with gossamer wings.

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Y’shua Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin (Romans 6:3-7).

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Thus, the first step we will take in the process of becoming a sanctified new creature is to die to self and be buried in baptism. The experience of baptism symbolizes the washing away of our past sins. But, as we have seen in Romans chapter six, there is more to it. The old sinful self (or “man”) will die. As the waters of baptism close over us, we symbolize the experience of lying down in a grave. There our past sins are left. We are to be raised up out of the water a new creature.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Having been raised, we must not be tempted to be gravediggers. Spiritually lain down through that holy ceremony, our sins are to be left in their watery grave. We are to walk in newness of life.

This truth comes through beautifully in the illustration of the worm. When the worm goes into its chrysalis, old things become new. Science has found that the creature inside goes through a complete transformation – a metamorphosis. Nothing about him is the same. He is reborn on a cellular level. The butterfly emerges as a new creature. He is not merely a worm with pretty wings attached. There is no trace of the worm in him at all! He looks different. His old ugliness is replaced with breathtaking beauty. He acts different. As he flits through life, his passing leaves delight and blessing behind. No longer does he devour and selfishly destroy. Now he pollinates the flowers helping to produce future beauty and fruit.

The creature has been born again. And from this simple natural illustration we are brought to a deep spiritual question: Can the butterfly return to doing the things he did when he was a worm? No! He cannot destroy the garden, now he pollinates

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it. He cannot generate the same response in those who meet him. He is completely changed. Such a one is born again.

Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of Elohim was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of Elohim doth not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of Elohim (1 John 3:7-9).

Thus the lifecycle of the butterfly beautifully illustrates the process of re-birth and sanctification. To be sanctified is, simply put, to become holy like Christ. We die to the selfish, sinful person we used to be. And we rise up as a new creature that loves YHWH and behaves like the transformed creature he is. Through continuing to remain connected with Christ, we are empowered to remain in our butterfly state. (We will go into greater detail about this in the next chapter.)

If a person returned to the life from which he was saved, he never truly understood what it meant to become a butterfly. For the spiritual butterfly will not return to being a worm. We will not go back to our past life of sin. How can we, if we are truly re-born? For once we have fully tasted of the glorious blessing YHWH gives to His children; we cannot be satisfied with the lifeless dregs the Devil has to offer.

Yet, there are many today who claim to be the children of Elohim, while still clinging to the sinful ways of the “old man.”

In the context of our worm and butterfly analogy, such a one could be

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classed as a worm-fly. Sadly, he believes himself to be born again, yet his wings are legalistic for he has put them there himself. He says that he has faith in Christ, but his actions are not Christ-like.

He is still a self-centered garden-destroyer with every character trait of the old worm. Thus, without his being aware of it, the worm-fly is not a child of Elohim at all; rather he is a child of Satan. For the devil says that he believes in Elohim, yet that belief does not translate itself into a transformed and Christ-like life.

We have long had the expression, “the proof is in the pudding.” This means that you will know if the pudding is genuine by the ingredients, which have been put into it. In the same manner, we find proof of the real Christian’s existence through the fruit born in his life. The worm-fly’s true nature is counter to his claim. He claims belief while denying faith through his untransformed works.

Thou believest that there is one Elohim; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? (James 2:19-20).

In our spiritually butterfly analogy, there are only three possible classifications in which each person may exist. We may be completely worldly and totally without claim to Elohim, in which case we fit into the classification of the worm. We may be transformed, so that we are daily growing ever closer to the image and character of Christ, as such we fit into the category of the butterfly. Or, we may be totally deceiving ourselves into believing that we may continue to do the works of the worm, while calling ourselves butterflies. This last group fits the description of the worm-fly.

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The worm-fly’s problem is quite serious. He believes he is saved, yet he is wholly lost, just as any other worm. He believes that by having wings taped on or claiming to be Christian; merely doing his best to be “good” is enough. But his belief, no matter how sincere, is not based on Biblical truth. Thus, he really doesn’t believe in Elohim at all. For genuine faith walks hand in hand with empowered works! (See James 2:19-20.)

The god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, Who is the image of Elohim, should shine unto them (2 Corinthians 4:4).

Of all the worms, the worm-fly is the most dangerous and deceptive. With his taped on wings, he cannot fly (which, in our analogy, represents living without sin and in complete obedience to the will and Law of Elohim). But rather than recognizing that his inability to fly is proof that he is a worm and not a reborn creature in Christ, the worm-fly believes that his failure to take wing is confirmation that Christians can’t fly after all!

Keeping the Law, once we are reborn, is not only a blessing the power of Christ extends to us, it is also the test of true discipleship. It is the test of our love for Elohim. If we have been reborn into the life and love of Elohim, we prove this to be fact through an obedient life. As Christ said, “If ye love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).

Thus, the flightless message of the worm-fly is exposed as a falsehood. In fact, it is the essence of the false gospel. Paul listed the characteristics of the false gospel in the second book of Timothy chapter three.

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves…

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blasphemers… unholy… lovers of pleasures more than lovers of Elohim. Having a form of godliness (they have taped on wings), but denying the power thereof (they have not been transformed by Elohim’s power enabling them to fly): from such turn away… (They are) ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth (2 Timothy 3:1-7).

In the false gospel, we find the characteristics of worldliness. The godless life does not match the claim of “Christian.” Sadly, of all three categories, the worm-fly is in the most dangerous position of all. For at least the worm is not deceived about his own nature.

As has already been presented in this book, the dawning of awareness about our potential in Christ comes through the Law of Elohim. But the process of being transformed and the keys to how it actually takes place are to be found in the message of the sanctuary. The way that we will walk to be ready to live with Elohim someday is found, as the Psalmist explained, in the sanctuary. “Thy way, O Elohim, is in the sanctuary” (Psalm 77:13).

What then is the sanctuary, that we may know Elohim’s way to life? After the Israelites had been freed from their Egyptian bondage, YHWH wanted to be closer to His people. Through this closeness, He hoped that they would come to know and trust Him. “And let them make Me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8).

Under the guid-ance of Moses, who followed the explicit instruct-ions given to Him by YHWH in mount Sinai, the

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earthly sanctuary was carefully constructed. But, the sanctuary was far more than a tent house for Elohim. The earthly sanctuary was a physical sermon on how human hearts may be transformed and worms may become butterflies. Let us then carefully examine the message of the sanctuary that we may understand how every worm may be fully transformed into Christ’s beautiful image.

Both the worm and the worm-fly are outside the sanctuary outer wall. This represents their presence in the realm of sin and death. The Law, through which is the knowledge of sin (see Romans 7:7) will be encountered for the transformation to begin. Now the worm realizes that he is far short of this perfect Pattern. He is then brought to comprehend the next truth. In his present worm state, only death can result, but life comes from Christ.

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of Elohim is eternal life through Y’shua Christ our Adonai (Romans 6:23).

Thus, the worm is brought to the realization of his need for the Saviour. Just as the earthly sanctuary had only one door, there is only one WAY through which we may pass into life. Christ is represented in the door of the sanctuary. It is only through Him that we may find salvation.

Y’shua saith unto him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me (John 14:6).

As the sinner enters the Door, through accepting Christ as his personal Saviour, he first encounters the Altar of Burnt Offering. Here, in the wilderness tabernacle, animals were sacrificed foreshadowing Christ’s death, which was necessary for man to be forgiven and cleansed from sin.

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The spiritual message for the former worm is the necessity of death. This altar represents Christ’s sacrifice. For He was the perfect Lamb, Whose blood cleanses us from sin. (See 1 John 1:7.) As we spiritually come to this altar, we are moved to lay down our “old man” and surrender ourselves completely to the will of Elohim. We confess our shortcomings and willingly give Him every weakness and sin. Then, rather than cherishing our past lives, we ask Christ to crucify our selfish and sinful nature, just as He was crucified. (See Romans 6.)

Having now experienced the death of the Tree of Calvary, we are in the middle of our “chrysalis” phase. After letting our old selfish willfulness “die,” we are ready to be spiritually buried in baptism. In the sanctuary, baptism is represented in the Laver. Here, through the cleansing power of Elohim, our old sinful ways and all of our past Law-breaking are laid down in a watery grave.

When we rise up from the waters of baptism, our transformation is complete. Through the power of Elohim, the first phase of the gospel has taken effect in our lives. We have been forgiven and cleansed from all unrighteousness. We are new creatures.

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Laver

Holy Place

Most Holy Place

Altar of Burnt

Offering

Courtyard = Justification(“chrysalis

phase”)

Sanctification(“butterfly”)

Glorification(throne of Elohim)

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:8-9).

But we are not to remain outside the sanctuary proper. We are not stay in the courtyard experiencing only justification, forever focused on Christ’s sacrifice, never taking the next step to living a holy and sanctified life. While the courtyard is meant as a place of transition, the Temple itself is the dwelling place in which we are called to abide.

The butterfly dwells in the Holy Place, preparing for the day when he will dwell forever with Elohim in the experience of the Most Holy Place. As the Holy Spirit burns within his heart, the butterfly is drawn to become more and more like Christ. As he learns from the Word of Elohim, eating from the Bread of Life (represented in the Table of Shewbread), the Holy Spirit (whose presence is represented in the seven-branched candlesticks) reveals more areas of his life, which need to be changed to fit the heavenly Pattern of Elohim’s Law.

Each time a new area of his life is revealed to be out of harmony with Elohim’s will, the butterfly will quickly surrender that sin and thus remain in his happy, holy, transformed state. But, if the butterfly chooses to cling to a sin instead of surrendering it and continuing to dwell in Holiness, the butterfly looses his transformation and is spiritually ejected from the sanctuary experience. Elohim and evil cannot dwell together.

For Thou art not an Elohim that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with Thee (Psalm 5:4).

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can

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ye, except ye abide in Me. I am the Vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit… If a man abide not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned (John 15:4-6).

In nature, a butterfly cannot return to the worm state. This is Elohim’s plan for people, too. We are never to go back to what we were before we encountered Christ.

Be renewed in the spirit of your mind… Put on the new man, which after Elohim is created in righteousness and true holiness… Neither give place to the devil… And grieve not the holy Spirit of Elohim, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:23-30).

We will not love any sin. When the Holy Spirit reveals a sin to us, we must view it in light of what it cost our Saviour. Sin is an ugly, evil thing. To choose the sin over the Saviour, refusing to be given victory over even one aspect of our lives, is evidence that we are choosing death rather than life. Thus, appropriately, the choice of the former butterfly is honored and he is returned to the realm where sin abides.

Now, if we would again leave our worm-state and be restored to the joyful position of dwelling as a butterfly in the Holy Place, we must pass again through Calvary. Thus, Christ’s precious blood is treated with less regard and we now needlessly “crucify Him afresh.” (Because He is powerful enough to keep us from ever falling back into to our old worm-state, such a spiritual defeat is needless. See Jude 1:24-25.)

And (once we) have tasted the good word of Elohim, and the powers of the world to come, if (we) shall fall

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away, (we)… crucify… the Son of Elohim afresh, and put Him to an open shame (Hebrews 6:5-6).

There are Christians who repeatedly make the loop from worm to butterfly to worm only to pursue transformation in the courtyard experience again and again.

But living in this victory-less circuit is as dangerous as playing a game of Russian roulette. The Bible tells us that the day is coming when there will be no more transformation from worm to butterfly. The door to salvation will not always be open. “And YHWH said, My spirit shall not always strive with man…” (Genesis 6:3).

On the day when the door of the sanctuary courtyard is spiritually closed, just prior to the return of our Saviour, those who are righteous (butterflies) will forever remain so and those who are filthy with sin (worms) will never again receive the opportunity to be changed.

And He saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy,

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let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be (Revelation 22:10-12).

In light of the sanctuary truth, the idea of continuing to live a sinful life, while claiming to be a Christian is fully revealed for the deceptive falsehood that it is. Every person who will one day dwell with Elohim in the kingdom of heaven will have gained the victory, in Christ, over sin.

By this we know that we love the children of Elohim, when we love Elohim, and keep His Commandments. For this is the love of Elohim, that we keep His Commandments: and His Commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of Elohim overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Y’shua is the Son of Elohim?(1 John 5:2-5).

This is the full message of the gospel. First, Christ forgives and cleanses us. Then, He empowers us to fly! The very evidence that the new creature is truly born is that he does take wing and the old things are passed away. (See 2 Corinthians 5:17.) Paul beautifully encapsulated this entire gospel message into one very clear and succinct verse of Scripture:

I beseech you therefore, brethren… be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of Elohim (Romans 12:1-2).

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Chapter 2 Summary

The natural example of the transformation of a worm into a butterfly is an illustration of our spiritual change from a worldling into a Christian.

In our unsaved state, we spiritually parallel the characteristics of a selfish and destructive worm.

When we have been born again, we are as different from our former, unsaved self as the butterfly is different from the worm.

The end of every worm is death. Spiritually speaking, the end of the butterfly is life

forever with Elohim. Some people believe that they can be “Christians”

without being transformed into new creatures. This is the belief of a worm with taped-on wings.

In the earthly sanctuary, we find a picture of the process a worm must undergo to be transformed.

First, the worm will encounter the Law and recognize his need for a Saviour.

The changing worm then enters the sanctuary through accepting Christ as his personal Saviour (Christ is the Door).

We then will die to sin and lay our sins down in the spiritual grave as represented by baptism. This is the process of justification, which takes place in the sanctuary courtyard.

The worm is no longer. Now the butterfly emerges and enters the experience of the Holy Place.

We only remain in the Holy Place, dwelling in the presence of Elohim, so long as we continue (through His power) to walk in obedience and holiness.

Before Christ returns, the courtyard experience will be closed. On that day, worms will forever remain unsaved, as they can no longer be transformed.

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