The Blessings of the House of Jacob

The Blessings of the House of Jacob
Taught by:  Carolyn Sissom
November 25, 2007, October 9, 2000, June 1996, January 4, 1992
 
As I sat before the Lord with a sprained knee during the Thanksgiving Holidays, the Lord showed me we are coming into a time of His Redemptive Work in families.  Satan came in to the family in the 80’s and seemed to have the power to divide families and destroy homes. When I taught this in 1992, much of what I wrote then is prophetic of the present work of the Lord.
 
Quote from 2000:  “If God is numbering a people in this hour for the revelation of His Glory, those who are being called can expect to be tested and proven.  There will be confrontation, pushing and competition.”
 
As we see the political spirit causing turmoil in Israel, so we will be tested in the Church.  There were two anointed kings in Israel – Saul and David!  The contest is on, and it grows more and more bitter as the days go by.  Not by the “elect” David, but by Saul who out of envy and jealousy was out to trap David and slay him.  David’s only concern was to wait for God, do God’s will and save Saul’s life.  Let us learn from the spirit of David…for it would become his “key” to the throne.  (David Warnock)
 
The Lord will bring his “elect” through great trials and testings for His Redemptive purposes.  This was the journey of Jacob, his wives, concubines and children.  This family was blown apart by the deception of Rachel and Jacob.  Then the subsequent deception of Jacob’s father-in-law; at the loss of Joseph; Dinah’s defilement; the deception of Jacob’s son with the Hivites etc.  The spirit of deception ran strong in the family DNA.    The family of Jacob was much like the families of the earth today.  However, the Lord was in it all and it was all for His Redemption of the family and nations of the earth. 
 
This is a prayer I wrote in December 1992:  “O Great and Might God whose name is the Lord of Hosts, great in counsel and mighty in deed.  I ask you for the blessings of the House of Jacob to be upon our families, upon this ministry and upon everyone you have called to this ministry and upon the redeemed in the nations of the earth.  That:  No longer will we be ashamed or our faces be pale with fear.  That:  We will see the work of your hand among our children and grandchildren.  That:  Our children will keep your name Holy and continually acknowledge the Holiness of the Holy One of Israel.  That:  We will be in awe of the God of Israel.  That:  All who attend these meetings who are wayward in spirit will gain understanding, and those who complain will accept instruction.  (Isaiah 29:22)  We ask for the anointing for all who are here this night that we may call to you and you will answer us and tell us great and unsearchable things we do not know.  I ask you for the blessing that we will bear fruit in all our ways, that we will bring to you renown, joy, praise and honor.  That all will be in awe and tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace you provide for us.  Amen
 
In Genesis 32:28, we have the account of the Lord changing Jacob’s name to Israel.  The Jacob Nature is the beast nature.  The Israel Nature is the Christ nature. 
“And he (The Lord) said, your name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel:  for as a prince have you power with God and with men, and have prevailed."
 
When the Lord chose Jacob before he was born before either he or Esau had done any “good or evil that the purpose of God according to election might stand.”  The Lord has not changed nor has He changed His mind.    There is a community on the earth that is God’s dwelling place among men.  God called and chose His church and His Holy Nation Israel to the “unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”.  This being the preparation of the eternal purpose, when in the fullness of time all things are united under Christ as their true Head.
 
Isaiah 11:11-12: “ And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.  And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.”
 
The re-united people of God will forget their ancestral rivalries.  This also means the Church.
 
These Redeemed people will be the revelation of the sons of God.  They will be the vessels through whom God’s glory will be revealed.  They will be the unveiled Christ.  They will be the revealed Christ.  Any church whose fruit does not reflect the revealed Christ will have their lamp stand removed.  Those churches who are lamp stand churches will be filled with light, life, love, glory and the holiness of God.  They will be a people who will not compromise.  There will be no fear in them, except for a Holy Fear of God.  Fame, honor, money, earthly love or pleasure will have no power over them.  Their heart cry will be, “more of Jesus”.  They will pursue righteousness and answer the Spirit’s call to a Holy, Separated Life.
 
THIS CHOSEN GROUP WILL HAVE UPON IT ALL OF THE BLESSINGS OF THE HOUSE OF JACOB. (Rev. 12: 10-14):
 
“And He carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City Jerusalem, coming down out of Heaven from God.  It shone with the Glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a precious jewel, like jasper, clear as crystal.  And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel….(vs19-21) “And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones.  The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth Sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysophrasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth an amethyst.  And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl;” This is the home of righteousness.  God had a plan.  The beloved city is thus marked out as the True Israel or People of God.  This is emphasized by the reoccurrence of the number twelve and its multiples throughout the description of the city.  Here using the number twelve as being metaphorical of the number of the elect.
 
“Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.  Then I heard the number of those who were sealed:  144,000 from all the tribes of Israel (Rev. 7:4):
                                                     ORDER OF THE GATES   STONES OF THE BREASTPLATE
                                                                                                        Exodus 28:17-21                     
From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed (4th Gate)                   Sardius
From the tribe of Rueben 12,000                    (1st Gate)                 Emerald
From the tribe of Gad 12,000                         (8th Gate)                Diamond
From the tribe of Asher 12,000                       (9th Gate)                Onyx
From the tribe of Naphtali 12,000                   (10th Gate)              Jasper
From the tribe of Manasseh 12,000                West Gate                Agate
From the tribe of Simeon 12,000                    (2nd Gate)                Sapphire
From the tribe of Levi 12,000                         (3rd Gate)        (No stone on the breastplate)
From the tribe of Issachar 12,000                   (6th Gate)                 Topaz
From the tribe of Zebulum 12,000                   (5th Gate)                 Carbuncle
From the tribe of Joseph 12,000                      (11th Gate)        (No stone on the breastplate. He received a doubleportion with his two sons:  Ephraim Ligure

From the tribe of Benjamin 12,000                    (12th Gate)              Amethyst
                                                                                                                                                        
 
It is interesting to note that in Revelation 7:4-8, the Tribe of Manasseh replaces the Tribe of Dan who is the 7th Gate. – Stone on the Breastplate - Beryl
 
In Revelation 21:19, the foundations of the City walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone:  The twelve precious stones mentioned in verses 19 and 20 are reminiscent of those in the high priestly breastplate, engraved with the names of the twelve sons of Israel.  The twelve pearly gates in verse 21 convey some idea of the splendor of the glorified people of God. “After this I beheld, and, lo, “a great multitude, which no man could number, and people, and tongues stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palms in their hands.”(Rev. 7:9
 
Let us spend some time on these precious stones, the elect. Exodus 28:17-21: The Priestly garment in the Old Testament was made of fine linen, pure gold, precious stones, costly ointment, cunning workmanship, all used by wise hearts.  The New Testament speaks of God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothed with compassion, kindness, humility, goodness and patience.  Bearing with each other, forgiving grievances against one another, bonding together with love and perfect unity... 
 
The high priests garment had a breastplate of judgment made up of twelve precious stones:  Sardius, topaz, carbuncle, emerald, sapphire, diamond, ligure, agate, amethyst, beryl, onyx and jasper set in gold.  The stones were engraved with the names of the children of Israel (the 12 tribes). (Exodus 28: 17-21)
 
The variety of stones upon which the names were written is that no two were alike.  This is a picture of the Church of God on earth with no two believers alike.  We all look at life from various angles.  Our views on doctrine differ.  Thus we have different groups, gifts, callings, functions, denominations, etc., but we are all one church and will be judged by how we show charity to each other.
 
All twelve were precious stones.  “Precious is the eyes of Jehovah in His death for His Saints.”  The Twelve gates speak of twelve experiences which do progressively unfold from the Christ Nature from within us. 
 
  1.  JUDAH: The first stone on the breastplate is Judah.  The stone is Sardius, a blood red or wine stone.  Judah means “praise of Jehovah”.  This is the sixth stone in the foundation of New Jerusalem.   To have the characteristics of Judah means to have Christ dwelling within the heart in all fullness. ‘Judah, you are he whom your brethren shall praise:  your hand shall be in the neck of your enemies; your father’s children shall bow down before you.  Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, you are gone up:…the scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto Him shall the gathering of the people be.  Bind his foal unto the vine, and his ass’s colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine and his clothes in the blood of grapes.” (Gen. 49:8-12)   Praise will always bring blessings in its train.   The scepter is an anointing of authority, acceptance, and nobility.  Judah  (Regal tribe from which the kings of Israel came).  Out of Judah came the Messiah, the Lion of the tribe of Judah.  This also represents the Kingly anointing.  The wine stands for fruitfulness and joy blending the earthly and the heavenly. (Note prophecy in Deut. 33:7)  This is the fourth gate and speaks of the experience of Praise, confidence, faith and trust in God.
 
 ISSACHAR: The second stone is Issachar.  The stone is Topaz, a yellow or rose stone.  A reward for diligently seeking, Beauty, wisdom, long life, bright and cheerful – reflecting the Glory of the Lord.  Gen. 49:14-15:  “Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens: and he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute."( Note prophecy in Deut. 33:19).  This is the sixth gate and speaks of the experience that we do love our master and that we cannot be bought.  This is the ninth stone in the foundation of New Jerusalem.
 
3.  ZEBULUN:  The third stone is Zebulun.  The stone is Carbuncle: glittering, lightning or flashing.    Genesis 49:13:  Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for a haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon.”  Two disciples asked Jesus, “rabbi where dwellest thou?” He dwelled in Nazareth of Zebulum.  “Zebulun shall call the people unto the mountains – suck of the abundance of the sea.”  Jesus in Galilee, Bethlehem, Capernaum, Bethsaida, Cana, mountains of the beatitudes, Mount of Transfigurations, Mount of Olives and Calvary; the Holy Spirit calling the prophets to the Mount of Vision.  The people who sat in darkness saw a great light; and to them which sat in the region and in the shadow of death, light is sprung up.  This is the fifth gate and speaks of the experience of identification with the Body of Christ -  A local church or local assembly.  The Carbuncle is not mentioned in the foundation of New Jerusalem.
 
REUBEN:  THE FOURTH Stone is Reuben.  The stone is emerald. “A rainbow resembling an emerald circled the throne.”  Genesis 49:3:  “Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the Excellency of dignity, and the Excellency of power:  Unstable as water, you shall not excel; because you went up to your father’s bed; then defiled thou it; he went up to my couch”.   He should have received three portions priesthood, birthright and kingdom, but because of sin, the birthright is given to Joseph, the Kingdom to Judah and the High Priesthood to Levi.  Instability was his weakness.  God sovereign with an eternal purpose.  He owes us nothing; not a reason, not an explanation, not a favor.  God’s prerogative.  God administrator of true justice.  One sin forty years ago cost Reuben his birthright.  Those saved by grace, saved though as by fire.  A precious stone like all the rest.  One of the stones in the foundation of the walls of the city.  We all wear emerald.   This is the first gate and speaks of the experience of the new birth – impartation and  deposit of the very nature of God.  This is the fourth stone in the foundation of New Jerusalem.
 
SIMEON:  The Fifth Stone is Simeon.  The Stone is Sapphire.  Genesis 49:5:  Simeon a Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations.  Oh my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honor, be not you united:  for in their anger they slew a man, and in their self will they dug down a wall.  Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their  wrath, for it was cruel:  I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.  This is for all of us who have dealt with a spirit of anger from within.  But Simeon repented and his stone, the Sapphire is the second precious stone in the foundation of New Jerusalem. This is the Second gate.
 
GAD:  The sixth stone in the breastplate is Gad.  The Stone is diamond.  A hardness that cannot be broken.  Genesis 49:19:  “A troop shall overcome him:  but he shall overcome at the last.”  These are the great warriors fighting many battles, valiant men able to bear buckler and sword, able to shoot with a bow and skillful in war.  The Commander and Chief of the Armies of Heaven was led to the cross.  It appeared that death had gained the  victory, but death had no power over the death conqueror.  Soon He will come with all the armies of heaven.  He shall overcome all at last.  Blessed is he that enlarges Gad.  Elijah was from this tribe.  “He who executes the justice of the Lord.”  The Diamond is not mentioned in the foundation of New Jerusalem.  This is the Eighth Gate. 
 
EPHRAIM.  The seventh stone is Ephraim.  The Stone is Ligure. This stone is unknown to us today.   Ephraim means doubly fruitful.  He inherited a double portion of the first born as Joseph’s son.  This is Joseph’s fruitfulness in the land of his affliction.  Ephraim was Joseph’s son and Jacob’s grandson.  “For our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”  His stone is not in the foundation of New Jerusalem, but he is not noted in the Gates. 
 
MENASSEH.  The eighth stone is Manasseh.  The stone is the Agate.  “Forgetfulness as a virtue.  Putting the suffering the past behind and pressing on.  Forgetting self, grievances and sin.  “God has made me forget all my toil”.  The joy of the present can heal the heartbreak of the past.  The agate is not mentioned in the foundation of New Jerusalem.  However his tribe is numbered among the 144,000.
 
BENJAMIN:  The ninth stone is Benjamin.  The stone is the Amethyst, a rock crystal, colored purple.  This is the Son of the Right Hand Company.  This was the only son born after Jacob’s name was changed to Israel.  Joseph was the end of the old nature and now Benjamin has come forth in the new nature.  Many brave warriors came from the tribe of Benjamin.  Ehud, the left handed warrior, Jonathan, Mordica and Esther, and Paul who said, “For I also am an Israelite of the seed of Abraham of the tribe of Benjamin.”  Genesis 49:27:  “Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf:  in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.”  Benjamin is the 12th Gate.  This gate speaks of the experience of sitting with him in the throne as a full brother.  This would include the adoption and our coming into the fullness of His stature.  This is the 12th stone in the Foundation of New Jerusalem. 
 
 DAN:  The tenth stone is Dan.  The stone is a Beryl. The hands of the bridegroom in the Song of Solomon are set with Beryl.  The swift and powerful chariots and wheels seen by Ezekiel are made of Beryl.   Genesis 49:16-18: Dan shall judge his people, and one of the tribes of Israel.  Dan shall be a serpent by the way, and adder in the path, that bites the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.  I have waited for your salvation O Lord.”  The children of Dan committed a grave sin of idolatry.  However, the Beryl is the eighth stone in the foundation of New Jerusalem.   Dan is the Seventh Gate.  This gate speaks of the experience of pureness and righteousness of judgment flowing from in us to produce life.
 
  ASHER:  The Eleventh stone is Asher. The stone is Onyx. The onyx means a flashing forth of splendor to shine with the luster of fire.  The Onyx is not mentioned in the foundation of New Jerusalem.  It means to be happy or blessed.  One of quality.  Genesis 49:20:  “Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties.”  ‘Let him dip his foot in oil.”  “The Iraq petroleum Company passes through Asher.  It is also fruitful in olive groves.  Also, oil is metaphorical of the Holy Spirit and the overcoming life.  Christ is the bread of life to his people.  Asher represent people who feast upon the finest wheat.  A living biding communion with Christ Himself.  “ Let Asher be blessed with children.”  Not bothered with jealousy by others.  Asher’s shoes shall be iron and brass.”  Asher is the Ninth gate. This gate speaks of the experience of being content in every experience and circumstance.  This manifested by worship in every situation.
 
 NAPHTALI:  The twelfth  is Naphtali.  The stone is Jasper.  The jasper is of many colors – yellow, scarlet, green and brown.  Jasper lives in the higher realms of a spiritual atmosphere showing forth the Glory of God. Jasper is the first stone mentioned in the foundation of New Jerusalem.  Genesis 49:21: Naphtali is a hind let loose: he gives goodly words”  Naphtali means wrestling.  The oak is made strong as it struggles against wind and storm.  He will travail until Christ be formed within.  He is affectionate, satisfied with favor, full of the blessings of the Lord.  He will possess the west and the south.  Naphtali is the Tenth Gate.  This gate speaks of the experience of being and overcomer who is releasing the creative word.
 
Not on the breastplate are two other sons of Jacob.  The first is Levi which means joining.  He fell deeply into sin, but was lifted high in holiness.  “ He that is forgiven much, loves much.  Levi has no territory, no fields and no coasts.  The blessings were on the work of his hands.  In Genesis 49:5, he shares his blessing with Simeon.  Levi is the Third Gate. We have not way of knowing if his stone is one of the two unidentified stones in the foundation of New Jerusalem.
 
Our last son was Joseph.  He, too, is not on the breastplate, but Hallelujah, He is in Revelation 22. 1-2:  “then he showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month; and the leaves of the trees were for the healing of the nations.”
 
Joseph means fruitful.  A fruitful bough.  Fruit of the spirit in full measure.  Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, kindness and temperance.  One who is planted by the rivers of water.  One whose branches run over the wall, grieved by misunderstanding, shot at by hurling accusations, hated by brethren, made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob, blessed of the Lord.
 
Joseph had joy in family renewal, peace of heart while in prison, longsuffering toward a forgetful butler, gentleness when his brothers were cruel, goodness in his home life, faith in his God, meekness in his dreams, temperance in Potiphar’s house.  In Genesis all of the blessings of heaven and earth, blessings past present and future are bestowed upon Joseph…
 
I wrote on January 4, 1992, “the elect the chosen of God are coming into the blessings of the House of Jacob in 1993.”
 
“Behold I am coming soon, bringing my recompense to repay everyone for what he has done.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
 
Isaiah 49:  “Is it too small of a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept.  I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”
 
The Lord has not changed His mind about the Redemptive purposes for which he raised of the House of Jacob and for the blessings to those of us who through the Seed, Jesus Christ of Nazareth will  inherit the blessings.
 
Carolyn Sissom, Pastor
Eastgate Ministries, Inc.
 
Over the years, I have taught this at least four times to different audiences.  I make changes to accommodate the people and the times.  I really do not have a clue as to where I studied the original text.  It could have been, These are The Garments by C. W. Slemming.  Some could have come from F.F. Bruce Bible Commentary.  Others from The Twelve Gates of the City by Kelly Varner.  Most of this has been copied direct from the Holy Bible with my own comments.  This is a teaching with no intention of plagarizing.  I simply have lost track of the origin of some of the material.