Numbers 12:8 a. With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the Lord

Moses was not the Lord but rather can be seen as a form of the Lord. We call that a tupos.

Strong’s Definitions [?]

(Strong’s Definitions Legend)

תְּמוּנָה tᵉmûwnâh, tem-oo-naw’; or תְּמֻנָה tᵉmunâh; from H4327; something portioned (i.e. fashioned) out, as a shape, i.e. (indefinitely) phantom, or (specifically) embodiment, or (figuratively) manifestation (of favor):—image, likeness, similitude.

We often create words that are used to express complex ideas. It is important in the Hebrew word translated as form to see that form is something portioned, a part and not all that the original is in existence.

Psalm 17:15

As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.

The same word is used in this psalm translated likeness. The important thing in this verse is the often overlooked issue of waking up. Often we wake up in the morning and wash our faces, looking in  the mirror.

1 Corinthians 13:12

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 

The reason we use tupos to try and identify complex issues is in part because of one word in Psalm 17:15 which is satisfaction. Satisfaction is the achievement of ambition and if our goal is self-satisfaction then our understanding of our Lord is extremely important if we strive to imitate His character. If we have a poor understanding, satisfaction will kill our drive for perfection.

Seeing our Lord in the morning when we wake is not a matter of putting on a Jesus mask but rather taking off our mask and being seen for what God has made us and not we ourselves in selfish ambition like the phantom stated in Strong’s definition above.

We were meant to be the embodiment of our Lord. A type of Christ. Tupos.

3 John 9-10 English Standard Version

9 I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 10 So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.

John’s third epistle takes on a different tone than his first two letters. He has heard about the failure of Diotrephes to allow oversight in this letter to Gaius.

In the KJV the phrase “who likes to put himself first” was written as “who loveth to have the preeminence, among them” indicating that he held some title of leadership that is not defined in the letter. Those issues were known to Gaius and would not have had to be repeated.

3 John 1:12

Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.

It would seem this individual began a good ministry but at some point believed his own press clippings. Fame can turn a head and when pride takes over the blessings of the Father’s hand is often removed.

When leaders, no matter the title, cast any voice of opposition out of a church, what remains begins to look like a cult. Members need to be heard and their concerns addressed in an atmosphere of submission to an overseeing authority.

In this age of the non-denominational church it appears to be difficult to determine who has been given oversight for any one of them. This is something that should not be hidden from the congregation. This letter from John is a prime example of understanding who we can turn to for arbitration when it appears that a church is becoming a one man show.

Why non-denominational churches began springing up around the country is obvious to some but pulling away from a counsel of any certain denomination does not negate the need for oversight.

Leadership has the responsibility to their members to identify who has oversight and how to contact them if needed. If for no other reason it is needed to prevent division in the church.