A Better Place to Worship

 A Better Sanctuary

Book of Hebrews Chapter 9

As we study the Book of Hebrews, we are learning that the New Covenant is far better than the Old Covenant.

The sanctuary in the Old Covenant was the Tabernacle and later on the Temple, which was built similar to the Tabernacle in design.

What was the purpose of the Tabernacle?

1) The Tabernacle provided a way for God to dwell in the midst of the nation of Israel.

Exo 25:8  And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. 

This sanctuary was called the Holy of Holies and only the High Priest could enter this place and then, only once a year.

Today upon our own salvation, we become that Holy of Holies as the Holy Spirit moves into our hearts.

2) The Tabernacle provided a way for God to reveal His glory.

Exo 40:34  Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 

Exo 40:35  And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 

3) The Tabernacle provided a way for sinful people to approach God because it was the center of sacrificial worship.

Lev 17:11  For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. 

4) The Tabernacle was a reminder of the separation of our Holy God from sinful people.

5) The Tabernacle was built in anticipation of the redemption in the Lord Jesus Christ!

Heb 8:5  Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. 

The entire Tabernacle worship system reminded the nation of Israel that a Mediator was necessary to approach God!

They had a need to learn that no one can approach God without a Mediator!

They found that God is holy, and His holiness demands moral and upright people to serve Him. 

This was the reason for the Ten Commandments!

They learned that God cares for His people and would dwell with them under certain conditions.

They learned that "blood" was important to worship this Holy God.

They should have learned that the Levitical priesthood was pointing ahead to a Mediator, who would once and for all reconcile sinful people to a Holy God!

They also should have learned that when God makes covenants, He will keep them!

That when God makes promises, He will not break them.

That when God makes an oath, He will follow through with it.

That God means what He says and also says what He means!

They should also have learned that far greater things lie ahead for those who love God and are obedient to Him!

*****Heb 9:1  Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. 

Heb 9:2  For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. 

We should understand that there are rules that must be observed if, we want to be acceptable to God, God being the Lord Jesus Christ!

There are some rules that must be observed if we want to have fellowship with God!

Today we understand that according to the perfect Word of God, it is only by the work of the Lord Jesus Christ that we can gain access to Heaven's Tabernacle!

The tabernacle of Moses was an earthly sanctuary or tabernacle, and it was set aside for the worship of God, but it was only an earthly sanctuary.

Heaven's sanctuary is served by the Lord Jesus Christ who provides all good things.

Jas_1:17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

The Tabernacle of Moses was of God and was made according to the Tabernacle in Heaven.

Heb 8:5  Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. 

There are many things that we need to understand about that Tabernacle.

The walls of white linen symbolized the righteousness and the holiness of God. 

Our Savior, the Lord Jesus, is set apart from this world!

When we look at our Savior, we must see that He dwells in "righteousness" and "holiness" and He cannot change His ways and still be God!

When we attempt to approach God, we must approach Him in "reverence" and "awe" of His "majesty" and His "power".

We must approach Him in "adoration" and in "worship".

We must approach God in thankfulness.

We must approach God with our praise of Him!

We just do not praise God as we should, and it is evident in the modern Church!

It is the Lord Just Christ that fulfilled the symbolism of those white linen walls!''

2Co 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 

There was only one entrance to this earthly Tabernacle.

It was made of fined twined linen and was blue, purple, and scarlet representing the robes Jesus wore at His false trial.

That door taught us that there is only one way to enter into God's presence. There are not several ways as the world would have you believe.

God has to be approached even though it is He who will first call you.

No person can live with God unless they approach God!

It is the Lord Jesus Christ who fulfilled the symbolism of this door!

Joh 10:9  I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 

Jesus Christ fulfilled the symbolism of the "Brazen Altar"!

Mar 10:45  For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. 

Jesus Christ fulfilled the symbolism of the "Brazen Laver"!

Joh 13:8  Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 

Then there was the Sanctuary of the Tabernacle.

*****Heb 9:3  And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; 

Heb 9:4  Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; 

Heb 9:5  And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.

There were distinct parts of this Sanctuary which symbolized the distinct parts in our approach to God.

**Jesus Christ fulfilled the symbolism of the walls and the roof.

Rom 5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 

Rom 5:2  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 

**Jesus Christ fulfilled the symbolism the veil or the curtain.

The outer veil taught us that a person cannot rush into the presence of God.

We are to never disrespect to our Holy God! This is lacking so much in most Churches today!

There is only one way into the "deeper things" of God!

There are deeper things we must know of our God than just making a sacrifice and the forgiveness of our sin.

We must worship in Spirit and Truth with this deeper knowledge of our Savior!

Joh 17:3  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. 

Joh 17:4  I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. 

Joh 17:5  And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

**Jesus Christ fulfilled the symbolism of the candlestick or the lampstand.

We all need light and illumination in order to know and to serve God!

Without the light of Christ we would remain in pitch darkness that comes by this world we live in, and we would be unable to serve the Lord or even to know Him.

2Co 4:6  For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 

2Co 4:7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

**The Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled the symbolism of the Table of Shewbread.

The knowledge of our Savior is the "Bread of Life" in this world!

He is the nourishment upon which we are to feed upon.

Joh 6:33  For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. 

**The Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled the symbolism of the Altar of Incense.

The "Altar of Incense" symbolized our prayers that have reached into Heaven.

Prayers are an especially important part of our worship!

We can have no relationship with our Savior without prayer!

Rom 8:34  Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

**There was also an inner veil to the Holy of Holies and the Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled the symbolism of this inner veil.

This inner veil taught that fellowship and communion with God Himself is the supreme act of worship.

Christ and Christ alone is the way to have fellowship with the Almighty God!

It is much more than just a head knowledge!

Our relation to God must be up close and personal!

Do not say you are worshipping God and then, be unable to enter this inner veil!

Heb 2:17  Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 

Heb 2:18  For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

*****Heb 9:7  But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: 

Heb 9:8  The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: 

Heb 9:9  Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 

Heb 9:10  Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. 

The "Ark of the Covenant" was built like a trunk out of acacia wood and covered with gold.

The lid on top of the Ark was called the "Mercy Seat".

**It is at the "Seat of Mercy" where we meet with the Lord and not the "seat of God's wrath" whom the world will meet.

Exo 25:22  And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel. 

Isa 37:16  O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth. 

The Ark contained three items.

1) The broken tables of the law.

Deu 9:9  When I was gone up into the mount to receive the tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant which the LORD made with you, then I abode in the mount forty days and forty nights, I neither did eat bread nor drink water: 

Deu 9:10  And the LORD delivered unto me two tables of stone written with the finger of God; and on them was written according to all the words, which the LORD spake with you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly. 

Deu 10:5  And I turned myself and came down from the mount, and put the tables in the ark which I had made; and there they be, as the LORD commanded me. 

2) The golden pot of manna.

Exo 16:32  And Moses said, This is the thing which the LORD commandeth, Fill an omer of it to be kept for your generations; that they may see the bread wherewith I have fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you forth from the land of Egypt. 

Exo 16:33  And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a pot, and put an omer full of manna therein, and lay it up before the LORD, to be kept for your generations. 

Exo 16:34  As the LORD commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept. 

3) Aaron's rod

Num 17:10  And the LORD said unto Moses, Bring Aaron's rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not. 

Num 17:11  And Moses did so: as the LORD commanded him, so did he. 

Notice this rod of Aaron could have been no longer than the length of the Ark of testimony which makes it a different rod than the rod of Moses.

**The Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled the symbolism of the "Ark of the Covenant"!

1Jn 2:1  My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 

1Jn 2:2  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 

1Jn 2:3  And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 

1Jn 2:4  He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 

When the Lord Jesus Christ returns, we will not need symbolism for we will see the Lord in His perfect truth!

*****Heb 9:11  But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 

Heb 9:12  Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 

We should also understand that even in Heaven, when we are in that Heavenly Tabernacle, we will be expected to worship God our Savior.

If you do not like to worship now, you would not like to worship in Heaven!

There will be many differences:

1) The Heavenly Sanctuary will have a "perfect" High Priest.

The High Priest of Heaven is not a man but is the Son of God!

He is perfect and He is also eternal, and He will always be the High Priest of Heaven!

Heb 8:6  But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

Heb 7:26  For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 

Heb 7:27  Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

2) The worship in that Heavenly Sanctuary will be "spiritual" and it will be "perfect"!

In it, we will be led by the Lord Jesus, the Son of God in the very presence of God.

On earth we are imperfect beings, but in Heaven we will also be perfect.

3) The Heavenly Sanctuary and worship will have a perfect sacrifice.

There will be no animals sacrificed.

There will be no human sacrificed.

There will be no sacrifices at all!

God has already sacrificed Himself, so no other sacrifice would have any meaning.

There will no more sacrifice because there will be no more sin!

On earth, we could not escape sin, death, and condemnation, but in that Heavenly Sanctuary these things do not exist!

4) The Heavenly Sanctuary and Worship is for saved people only. The Heavenly Sanctuary is a place for those who are pure!

Heb 9:23  It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 

You see these things are the good things to come, because there is nothing good upon this earth but God!

1Jn 2:27  But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. 

1Jn 2:28  And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. 

1Jn 2:29  If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. 

Amen

The House of God

 Building the Tabernacle

Book of Exodus Chapters 36 through Chapter 40

We love our freedoms here in the USA but we are slowly giving up our freedoms to corruptness.

There is one freedom we had better be willing to fight for!

Of all the freedoms we must maintain, it is the freedom to Worship that we had better cling to the most!

When we have this freedom, then we need to build places to gather and worship!

Heb 10:23  Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 

Heb 10:24  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 

Heb 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 

We see that this is a command of the Lord who is to be the object of our worship!

It is those who are going to worship who should make donations to the construction of this worship center and these donations are to be given willingly with no strings attached.

The key to our worship of the Lord Jesus Christ is the setting aside of our own desires of the flesh.

If we go into a worship service thinking only of what Jehovah can provide for us, then we have gone for the wrong reason!

Only as we give heed to the Word of God and "rest" in our Savior, can it be said we came to worship our Holy God!

Col 3:5  Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 

Col 3:6  For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 

Col 3:7  In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 

It is only when we can ignore our flesh, that we can be free to enjoy the worship of our Awesome God.

We begin with something that is never heard in the modern Church Era.

*****Exo 36:4  And all the wise men, that wrought all the work of the sanctuary, came every man from his work which they made; 

Exo 36:5  And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the LORD commanded to make. 

Today in every place of worship we only hear that we could do more if we had more.

People need a place to worship much more than they need to figure out how to spend or in many cases to save that donation!

These people finally began to realize they were becoming a part of something incredibly special, at least most of them did.

Today we raise money to see what we can do with it, when we should make better plans for the ministry and raise what it would take to accomplish that ministry.

I have found that most Christians are generous, but these same Christians do not like to see waste!

Mat 6:24  No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. 

Sometimes too much can cause corruption in the spending of these offerings!

Remember we are not talking about tithes. The tithes are commanded, and they too are to be spent wisely and for the upkeep of the Church buildings and Church ministries, those key ministries of the Church, such as making disciples.

After salvation must come discipleship!

Most of the modern-day Church has forgotten about sacrificial giving and refuse to give even the tithe.

Most modern Churches have strayed from these two key issues!

Maybe then we could hear our pastors say as Moses said.

*****Exo 36:6  And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing. 

We should understand this principle!

From last weeks lesson we must remember that too much that the Lord has provided is spent on false worship!

If the Lord has given us a work to do, He will lay the financing of that work on the hearts of the people to contribute what is necessary.

Where many a Church fail today is acting upon their own thoughts and undertaking projects before the provision of that project has been made.

I am not speaking of a work of "faith" here.

We should clearly understand the gifts that come by human means can seldom be used to gain a Heavenly Blessing!

We seem to forget that Jehovah knows what He is doing, and He uses the Holy Spirit to accomplish His wishes.

If God is not in it, it will surely not succeed!

The giving to the work of the Lord is a privilege and is not intended to ever become a burden!

This is not to say we are not to give sacrificially!

Whenever all these things are met according to the ways of the Lord, the Holy Spirit will also raise up qualified people in which this work will be assigned.

*****Exo 37:1  And Bezaleel made the ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half was the length of it, and a cubit and a half the breadth of it, and a cubit and a half the height of it: 

Exo 37:2  And he overlaid it with pure gold within and without, and made a crown of gold to it round about. 

We should understand that the Ark symbolized the throne of God and His presence among the believers.

We must keep in the forefront of our minds, that all those who are ignorant of the truth of our Savior are bound for Hell!

All those who cannot relate to the truth of Jehovah, just do not know about Holiness.

They do not know how merciful and loving He is.

They cannot explain the loneliness and emptiness they feel in their heart.

They have no direction and fall into the traps of Satan, and they cannot understand why.

They have no power outside themselves.

They have no hope as they see the end of the world before them, no matter what the world does or says in trying to stop it.

They have no assurance in this life.

God has provided a sure, but straightforward way to approach Him, but it is a narrow path!

The Ark was made of shittim wood and over laid with gold.

Shittim wood is sometimes referred to as iron wood and is considered almost indestructible.

This wood symbolizes the human side of the Lord Jesus Christ, but also His sinlessness.

Heb 10:5  Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: 

Heb 10:6  In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. 

Heb 10:7  Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. 

Act 13:35  Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 

The Ark was completely over laid with gold within and without.

This reminds us that our Lord Jesus retained His full deity in union with His fullness of humanity!

Our Lord voluntarily emptied Himself of some unique things to come to our world and be that salvation plan of our Holy God.

Php 2:6  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 

Php 2:7  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 

Php 2:8  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 

Heb 2:17  Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 

We should keep in mind that there was never a time that our Lord Jesus was not God, the Creator of this world!

*****Exo 37:17  And he made the candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work made he the candlestick; his shaft, and his branch, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, were of the same: 

The candlestick was actually a lampstand.

It symbolized the Lord Jesus Christ as the Light in this dark world!

Joh 8:12  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. 

He was not only the Light in this dark world, but He is the Light of Life.

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Without the Light that Our Lord has provided, all the world would be lost in darkness.

No one could see a way out of this darkness! Most are still blind to it today!

No one could see a purpose, or have meaning, or know the significance of what life is all about.

Life is not about these few years we live in these aging worthless bodies!

Life is about living eternally with the God of Life, the Lord Jesus Christ!

This first Lampstand was hammered out from one piece of gold. I cannot even fathom how this was accomplished.

This Lampstand illuminated the persons who came into the Holy of Holies. Remember God can see at all times.

This Light is for each believer! As each believer enters into the presence of God, the Light of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, will shine upon them.

Each believer then becomes Jehovah's light to this world!

Joh 12:36  While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them. 

We must become children of the Light of Christ!

Psa 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 

As darkness approaches, we must let our little light shine even brighter!

Joh 9:4  I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. 

Joh 9:5  As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. 

*****Exo 37:25  And he made the incense altar of shittim wood: the length of it was a cubit, and the breadth of it a cubit; it was foursquare; and two cubits was the height of it; the horns thereof were of the same. 

The Altar of Incense was about 18 inches square and was covered with pure gold.

The Altar of Incense symbolized our prayers reaching into Heaven!

Our Prayers are the most powerful tool we have in our relationship with our Heavenly Father!

We really do not pray enough, and we always seem to forget about prayer when we are in need of something that only Jehovah can provide.

The Apostle Paul said we should stay in prayer mode all the time!

Many Christians have forgotten how to approach our Savior and our Heavenly Father, and it is through prayer!

God loves to hear our prayers! Our prayers are like a sweet aroma ascending up to our Heavenly Father.

Our prayers are so special to our Heavenly Father that He bottles them up so He can hear them again whenever He has not heard from us!

Rev 5:8  And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 

Rev 8:3  And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.

We must seek the Lord continuously, if we ever want to make things better in our nation!

2Ch 7:14  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 

*****Exo 38:24  All the gold that was occupied for the work in all the work of the holy place, even the gold of the offering, was twenty and nine talents, and seven hundred and thirty shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary. 

Exo 38:25  And the silver of them that were numbered of the congregation was an hundred talents, and a thousand seven hundred and threescore and fifteen shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary: 

Moses kept inventory of all the materials used to construct the Tabernacle. 

We must remember God caused the Egyptians, through Holy Ghost conviction to provide all these things to the Children of Israel.

Of the gold and silver given freely and willingly for the work on the Tabernacle all was accounted for.

Jehovah makes us aware that all the gifts given to the Church, must be accounted for and nothing is to be wasted!

We do not think much about an old tent as a worship center, but there was in fact many precious metals and jewels used with the best of wood in God's design for this House of God!

We must understand that everything, "everything" in the design of the Tabernacle was intended to lead these people to the Messiah.

Gold reminds us of the Deity and the Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is all we need!

Silver reminds us of the Atonement!

Exo 30:13  This they shall give, every one that passeth among them that are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary: (a shekel is twenty gerahs:) an half shekel shall be the offering of the LORD. 

Exo 30:14  Every one that passeth among them that are numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering unto the LORD. 

Exo 30:15  The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls. 

Our "Atonement" is being reconciled to Jehovah, but not by silver and gold, but something much more precious!

It is by the precious blood of Jesus Christ!

1Pe 1:17  And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 

1Pe 1:18  Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 

1Pe 1:19  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 

1Pe 1:20  Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 

1Pe 1:21  Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. 

It all goes back to obedience to the Word of God and those He calls to do the work!

*****Exo 39:32  Thus was all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation finished: and the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they. 

It seems that in about five months all the work for the Tabernacle was completed.

We can say this was an amazing feat, but when the plan of God is followed by people that He has personally called, things happen accordingly.

It all begins with a great plan.

God's plan is perfect.

God's plan is precise.

God's plan cannot fail.

All the work was done. We have no need to present to God work that is not complete!

God entrusted this work to specific people!

Exo 31:2  See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: 

Exo 31:6  And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: "and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee"; 

God did not trust this work to unbelievers! 

These workmen were taught of Jehovah, God the Holy Spirit. There was no room for error!

God did not trust this plan to be man-made. It was God's plan! There was no human input in this plan and no human was allowed to make changes to this plan!

All the work was done! There was none of the work on the Tabernacle left undone!

There is very little if any work that is done by the world that can be said to be completely done! 

Something will always be lacking in man-made worship!

Once this work was done then there was a need of an inspection.

Exo 39:42  According to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel made all the work. 

Exo 39:43  And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them. 

We must understand that no matter what task the Lord calls us to do. No matter our profession. We are to work hard to accomplish what God has called us to do.

God does not call us just to see us fail! 

We are to be faithful to the work God has called us to do!

We must understand that if we do our best, the results are in the hands of the Holy Spirit who called us!

1Co 15:57  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

1Co 15:58  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 

When the Lord is pleased with our work, He will show up when we worship Him!

*****Exo 40:34  Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 

Exo 40:35  And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

The Tabernacle implies that Jehovah requires a specific worship!

The Tabernacle also implies Jehovah's sovereign rule over the Jews and having said this, it also implies complete Authority over the Church as everything about the Tabernacle will lead us to the Lord Jesus Christ!

1) Having only one gate to enter into the Tabernacle offers Jehovah's invitation to humanity.

Mat 7:13  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 

Mat 7:14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 

2) The burnt offering at the Altar shows our need for atonement.

2Co 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 

3) The Brazen Laver shows our need for sanctification.

Eph 5:26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 

Eph 5:27  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 

4) The Lampstand shows our need to walk with the Lord.

Jas 1:22  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 

Jas 1:23  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 

Jas 1:24  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 

Jas 1:25  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

5) The table of shewbread shows our need for the Lord's nourishment.

Joh 6:32  Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. 

Joh 6:33  For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

6) The Altar of incense shows our need for a continuous prayer life.

Jer 29:13  And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 

7) The Inner Veil, the Ark, the Mercy Seat shows our need for personal fellowship with Jehovah.

Heb 12:1  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 

Heb 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

If we love the Lord Jesus Christ, it will show, and the Tabernacle of God will lead us to Him!

Amen

The Tabernacle

 A New Place To Worship

Book of Exodus Chapter 25

The Tabernacle.

We know that all Scripture is given to us by Holy Ghost inspiration.

2Ti 3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 

2Ti 3:17  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 

We might ask ourselves, why would the Holy Ghost go through such a detailed account of the materials and the building of the Tabernacle?

There is more space devoted to the Tabernacle than any other object in the Bible.

For instance, only two chapters record God's work of creation and fitting this earth for human habitation yet, it takes ten chapters to teach us about the Tabernacle.

As Christians we are not to neglect any portion of the Word of God, which we tend to do.

Rom 15:4  For whatsoever things were written aforetime "were written for our learning", that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 

In reality, the Book of Hebrews cannot be fully understood without a working knowledge of the Book of Exodus and the Book of Leviticus.

1) The Tabernacle is a physical place upon this earth that gives us an idea of God's dwelling place.

2) The Tabernacle is a "type" of Jesus Christ who is the Mediator between Jehovah and Mankind.

3) The Tabernacle is again a "type" of Jesus Christ in the Church in communion with all true believers.

The Tabernacle was the worship center in the wilderness for the children of Israel, but it was a splendid example to teach the Church many different 'types", many different pictures, and many different spiritual truths for those who are true believers.

The greatest tool we have in understanding our Savior and Redeemer, is the Words He has given to us! Praise His Holy name.

In respect of Him, then we need to let the Word of God speak for itself and teach us what the Lord God Jehovah wants us to know and what He wants us to understand!

Heb 8:1  Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; 

Heb 8:2  A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. 

Heb 8:3  For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. 

Heb 8:4  For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: 

Heb 8:5  Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. 

Heb 8:6  But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. 

The Tabernacle would begin with an offering.

*****Exo 25:1  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 

Exo 25:2  Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering. 

The word Tabernacle actually means "dwelling place".

So to be clear, the message of the Tabernacle is simple:

1) The Lord's appearance to humanity in "Grace".

2) Humanity's approach to the Lord in "Faith".

Though many deny it, we need the presence and the assurance of the Lord Jesus Christ throughout our lifetime!

As Jehovah calls for the materials for the construction of the Tabernacle, it is a call for "Stewardship", to give with a willing heart.

Just as the "creation" of this world we live in, the Tabernacle had a need for an architect.

The architect of the Tabernacle was Jehovah God.

It is the architect who is responsible for the construction of any building, and it is the architect who determines whether a building stands or falls.

Jehovah would not leave the design of the Tabernacle in the hands of man.

The Tabernacle was to be Jehovah's dwelling place, the place of His presence.

The Tabernacle was to be a special place where people could come to worship Jehovah.

The Tabernacle was to be a place where His people could learn about Him.

Heb 3:1  Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; 

Heb 3:2  Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. 

Heb 3:3  For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. 

Heb 3:4  For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. 

Heb 3:5  And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; 

Heb 3:6  But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. 

Jehovah supplied the design of the Tabernacle, but the people supplied the materials.

*****Exo 25:2  Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.

We must understand that the greatest thing we can give to our Savior is a willing heart!

The children of Israel had been slaves in Egypt for near four hundred years. 

We know that slaves do not have the opportunity to accumulate wealth, but now they traveled with the LORD with great wealth.

Just before the children of Israel had been run out of Egypt, Jehovah caused the Egyptians to have a great desire to share their wealth with them.

So, in fact it was the Gentiles (heathen) who provided the material things to build the Tabernacle.

You will find that this holds true not only for the Tabernacle but also for each of the Temples.

Jehovah caused the Gentiles to provide the material things to build these places of worship.

So, in fact God provided these things so His children would be able to give a portion of that wealth back to Him.

This has never changed in all the Bible! God provides for His people, and He only asks for a portion of it to be given back to Him!

Today, to most people this is the tithe, but it can also be said of freewill offerings.

Remember the tithe is commanded, the freewill offering comes from the heart!

The purpose of these offerings was to build a sanctuary to meet with God.

Jehovah God gave to Moses a list of the materials He required to build this first Tabernacle.

*****Exo 25:8  And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.

Each of the materials used for this Tabernacle had their own purpose.

It should be very obvious that our God, the Lord Jesus Christ, wants to live with us or in fact He wants us to live with Him because He can have no part of sin and our world is full of sin.

Jehovah designed this Tabernacle so He could be with them in a unique way.

It is the same for the true Church today.

This "Sanctuary" here on Highway 81, is a place we can meet with Jehovah God.

It was to be a place set apart from the things of the world, for God.

It was a place that was to be seen as a place where God dwelt.

It was to be a place where the people could meet with God and He to meet with them.

It was to be a place of worship.

The Lord Jesus said it was to be a House of Prayer! Prayer is worship when we pray to our Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ.

Any so-called prayer to any other so-called deity and not in the name of Jesus Christ is not then worship!!!!!!!

We should understand that it was Jehovah who took the initiative to build a relationship with His people!

It is Jehovah that desires fellowship with all His creation!

Today, by the receiving of the truth of Jesus Christ and being "Born Again", it is the body of each believer that has become a sanctuary for Jehovah God.

Jehovah is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit!

Our bodies are to sanctuaries, holy places, in which the Holy Spirit of Jehovah can live permanently!

1Co 3:16  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 

1Co 3:17  If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. 

1Co 6:19  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 

1Co 6:20  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. 

As the Apostle Paul reminded these Corinthians, we need to remind ourselves that God does live within us as soon as we accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and we are Born Again when the Holy Spirit comes into us!

So, it must be Jehovah who sets the rules for our relationship with Him!

*****Exo 25:9  According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.

Jehovah designed "every part" of this Tabernacle!

There was no input from anyone on this earth!

There was no meeting to decided what would work and what would not work!

There was no gathering to see what colors would be used!

There was no meeting to produce a budget!

When God designs it and we build it according to His design, then it will work, and He will meet with us in His place!

Jehovah alone determines how we are to approach Him!

It could be said that the Tabernacle was a tent "pitched" by Jehovah to live amongst His people in an incredibly special way!

It was the Tabernacle where any of these children of Israel could approach Jehovah to worship. 

The Tabernacle was to be only a place for worship!

It is our Heavenly Father who made a way to approach Him, and it is by the Lord Jesus Christ.

So we see that in typology, this Tabernacle was to be a type of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Joh 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

Joh 3:17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 

Joh 3:18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 

It is by God's rules that we can meet with Him and can live with Him!

Notice, that Jehovah had to come from Heaven down to this earth to live in that Tabernacle.

It is the Lord Jesus Christ who laid aside the riches of Heaven, to come to where we are, so He could lead us to salvation!

Joh 2:19  Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. 

Joh 2:20  Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? 

Joh 2:21  But he spake of the temple of his body.

Joh 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 

Again we see that this Tabernacle was in fact a type of the Lord Jesus Christ.

*****Exo 25:16  And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee. 

As we look at this "Ark" we again will see a type of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We know of two more arks:

1) The ark of Noah, in which he and his family found shelter from that world-wide flood. (A type of Christ)

2) The ark of Moses, in which baby Moses was preserved to lead his people and write the first five books of the Bible. (Also a type of Christ)

The Ark of the covenant was constructed of only two materials, wood, and gold, pointing to the two natures of Christ Jesus, the human side and the Divine side.

The two tablets of stone preserved within the Ark were the words of Jehovah.

Psa 40:8  I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. 

And then there is the Mercy Seat. The throne of God.

*****Exo 25:17  And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof. 

Exo 25:18  And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat. 

Exo 25:19  And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof. 

Exo 25:20  And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be. 

The importance of the "Mercy Seat" should be clearly seen.

It was not those self-righteous people who were welcome to the Mercy Seat, it was those who are sinners, but were washed in the blood of Jesus who are welcome to the Mercy Seat of Jehovah God!

1Pe_2:10  Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Jud_1:21  Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

The Ark speaks of the person of Jesus Christ, and each of the sacred vessels will also point to the work of Jesus Christ!

What we must understand is that there is "Mercy" at the seat of "Atonement"!

At the "Mercy Seat":

It is God's mercy that covers our sins.

It is God's mercy that gives and pardons.

It is God's mercy that makes atonement.

It is God's mercy that appeases and cancels His wrath.

That Mercy is of course is by the Lord Jesus Christ!

Psa 130:1 Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD. 

Psa 130:2  Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. 

Psa 130:3  If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? 

Psa 130:4  But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. 

Psa 130:5  I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. 

Psa 130:6  My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.

 *****Exo 25:21  And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee. 

Exo 25:22  And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.

We can be sure our sin had separated us from Jehovah, but if His plan of salvation is followed as He intended, then that separation is eliminated!

Sin is a wide gulf between us and Jehovah, but the gulf is eliminated by the cross at Mount Calvary.

The "Mercy Seat" demands repentance, and this is where so many fail.

This "Mercy" is poured out upon those who fear Him and obey Him!

Heb 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 

It is by the "Mercy" of God that we can have peace in our lives every day!

Lam 3:22  It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 

Lam 3:23  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 

The great God Jehovah has more "Mercy" than He has wrath!

Psa 108:3  I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations. 

Psa 108:4  For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds. 

Psa 108:5  Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth; 

Psa 108:6  That thy beloved may be delivered: save with thy right hand, and answer me. 

The Ark was to hold the testimony of Jehovah.

The Ark was to be that special place for Jehovah to meet His people.

The Ark was to be place of Mercy.

The Tabernacle gives us just a little taste of Heaven.

The work of the Jewish Priests was never done and never could be.

When our Lord Jesus Christ offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice, His work was complete!

Heb 9:26  For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 

Heb 9:27  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 

Heb 9:28  So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. 

It is at the Ark where Jehovah would instruct His people.

You can feel the presence of Jehovah in the Tabernacle of God!

*****Exo 25:40  And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount. 

It must be truly clear to each child of God; it is only by the Pattern of the things of Heaven, that we can be saved and made free from sin.

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 

Joh 14:7  If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. 

This is unchangeable, and it does not matter what the Muslim say, nor the Hindu say, or any other false religion preaches or teaches, it is only by the pattern Jehovah has given to us, that we will ever see the face of God.

If you do not have "faith" in the "soul saving" work of the Lord Jesus Christ, you will never see the face of God which can only be seen in the New Heaven!

If you do not want to see the face of God, then Jehovah has a place for you whether you believe or not!

Hell is a real place!

You cannot believe in Heaven without believing in that place called Hell!

You cannot believe in Angels if you do not believe in Demons!

You cannot believe in the Lord Jesus Christ without believing that Satan is the Antichrist!

These are all written in the same, but true Word of God!

Amen

What Is Obedient Devotion

 A New Way To Worship

Book of Exodus Chapter 31

We should ask ourselves, what is obedient devotion?

To be obedient means to be submissive to authority and abstaining from what is forbidden.

To be devoted is to be dedicated. A yielding of the heart and affections to that authority.

How did Our Lord Jesus Christ put obedience?

Mat 7:24  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 

Mat 7:25  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 

Mat 7:26  And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 

Mat 7:27  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. 

How did the Holy Spirit put disobedience?

Heb 2:1  Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 

Heb 2:2  For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 

Heb 2:3  How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 

Heb 2:4  God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? 

What is devotion in the Word of God?

Gal 4:19  My little children, of whom I travail in birth again "until Christ be formed in you",

2Co 3:18  But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 

1Co 6:19  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 

1Co 6:20  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.  

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 

Rom 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 

It was Jehovah who began to instruct these children of Israel about devotion and obedience so, the Word of God could reach the entire world.

The key to being called of God is to realize that Jehovah will provide the needs of that person in the task He has called them to do!

*****Exo 31:6  And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee; 

Even given exact dimensions, it would take some qualified individuals to make all the things Jehovah required for the Tabernacle.

The first five verses tell us about Bezaleel of the tribe of Judah and all these in this verse would join him making these things.

That name Bezaleel means; "in the shadow of God".

How are these men described? Wise hearted. Remember what Jesus said of the wise builder. They would build their house on a Rock, and we know that Rock is the Lord Jesus Christ!

Notice that when Jehovah called these men, He called them by name.

God's call is a personal call!

God knows what we will be, and He has a purpose for us, before we leave the womb of our mothers!

Isa 43:1  But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

We know that God is impartial, what He does for one He will do for another!

Keep in mind we all have different requirements.

God begins by equipping us with the Holy Spirit and then the Holy Spirit provides the tools necessary to fulfill God's calling!

Rom 12:5  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 

Rom 12:6  Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 

Rom 12:7  Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 

Rom 12:8  Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. 

When God calls us for some special event, He will then surround us with others to provide support for that event.

We should understand that Jehovah left nothing to chance, everything was to be made according to His exact specifications!

*****Exo 31:7  The tabernacle of the congregation, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is thereupon, and all the furniture of the tabernacle, 

Exo 31:8  And the table and his furniture, and the pure candlestick with all his furniture, and the altar of incense, 

Exo 31:9  And the altar of burnt offering with all his furniture, and the laver and his foot, 

Exo 31:10  And the cloths of service, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest's office, 

Exo 31:11  And the anointing oil, and sweet incense for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded thee shall they do. 

The greatest mistake made in the modern Church is to make changes in what God has said!

God has His own purpose, and this purpose is far greater than we think we are.

Jehovah cautioned Moses to obey His commandments.

We must never "add to" nor "take away" from the commandments of God nor any part of the Word of God.

This Book we call the Bible is not a book of suggestions, it is a book of commandments.

There is a reason and a purpose behind everything that God teaches us!

As a true Father, Jehovah wants us to be like Him.

He wants us to be as "forgiving" as He is forgiving. He did not have to forgive our sins!

He wants us to know that there is only one way to Heaven, not many ways.

He wants us to deny ourselves, our rights, our own ideas, and our own personal agenda, and obey His ways and His agenda.

He wants us to give back in proportion as He has given to us, which includes our tithes, as a show of "faith".

He says what He means, and He means what He says, and we need to get this clear in our own minds.

Rev 22:18  For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 

Rev 22:19  And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

God specifically says we need our rest, and we must worship Him

*****Exo 31:12  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 

Exo 31:13  Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you. 

These Children of Israel were excited to be doing a work for Jehovah, but this did not mean that should work around the clock.

Every seventh day was still to be a day of rest.

The work on the Tabernacle was particularly important, but not so important to break the other laws of God.

We should understand that Jehovah will never go against His own Words!

He expects the same from us!

He will never give a law and then allow us to break that law, just because we think we are doing something for the good of God!

The Sabbath had been set aside for a day of rest and worship because it was a sign of God's covenant with "all humanity".

The Sabbath day was the first of the laws given to Israel and it would be incorporated into this worship system design by Jehovah.

Israel chose to do this on Saturday. The Church chose the Lord's Day Sunday.

The Sabbath reminds us all, that Jehovah is the One True and Living God!

It is on the Sabbath that we can surround ourselves with others who also have the mind of Christ, and all keep the covenant we made with Him when we said, "Save me Lord, I am a dirty rotten sinner".

Yes, a salvation request is making a covenant with God, and He will answer with redemption when we are sincere!

This relationship can never change, but we can improve on our relationship by being obedient to the Word of God and answer His calling with a "yes Lord".

It is by the forgiveness of God that we can be made Holy!

*****Exo 31:14  Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. 

The Sabbath was not to be some temporary commandment made to Israel alone!

The Sabbath is a commandment given to this world we live in!

The Sabbath was made for all humanity and for every generation of humanity, for every man, every woman, and every child upon this earth!

2Ti 3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 

2Ti 3:17  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

We cannot pick and choose what we believe and what we reject in the Word of God!

Mar 2:27  And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: 

Mar 2:28  Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

It is the Lord Jesus Christ who is LORD of the Sabbath!

Exo 20:11  For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and "all that in them" is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. 

This is the day the Lord is speaking of!

We may ask ourselves, what about those who are required by their employer to work seven days each week.

The Lord said that the Sabbath was made for man so, it seems it would be wise for the Church to offer services to meet that schedule.

This is the main purpose for the Sunday evening services and the Wednesday services, so everyone has an opportunity to worship. 

These people have to work out their own time to rest.

Things we must remember:

1) We must attend our worship services!

Heb 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 

2) We must work out our own salvation plan.

Php_2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

3) The Lord rewards effort much more that accomplishments!

1Co_3:14  If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

Php 3:13  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 

Php 3:14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 

Php 3:15  Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 

Now the Lord speaks specifically to Moses and the Children of Israel.

*****Exo 31:15  Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. 

We should ask ourselves just what is Divine Rest?

Heb 4:1  Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 

Heb 4:2  For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 

Heb 4:3  For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 

Heb 4:4  For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. 

Heb 4:5  And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. 

Heb 4:6  Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: 

Heb 4:7  Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 

Heb 4:8  For if Jesus(Joshua) had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. 

Heb 4:9  There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 

Heb 4:10  For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 

Heb 4:11  Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 

We should clearly understand that Israel's fulfillment of the Sabbath pointed them to the Millennial Kingdom.

For the Church, the fulfillment of the Sabbath points to the "Rapture" of the Church and our permanent rest in the New Heaven.

The Sabbath is a Holy day and everyone that defiles the Sabbath would be put to death.

This may sound harsh, but Jehovah was teaching these rebellious children of Israel how to worship!

Everything that Jehovah did was showing them the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ yet, they are still blind to it.

Jehovah proved to these children of Israel that He meant what He says.

Num 15:32  And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day. 

Num 15:33  And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation. 

Num 15:34  And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him. 

Num 15:35  And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp. 

We must not mock Jehovah nor should we attempt to change what the Lord has said.

Some will say we do not see such a thing today and I say are you sure!

Many people die by unknown causes though all these may not be tied to God's wrath.

He is still the giver and the taker of life, but I also say all unbelievers are already condemned to spend eternity in a burning Hell.

The keeping of the Sabbath was a sign to the children of Israel for them to be more like Jehovah.

*****Exo 31:17  It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed. 

Jehovah is serious about worship!

We need to rest at least every seven days.

The truth is, if we will honor the Lord God Jehovah at least once a week then, we are more likely to obey the other laws of God.

Do you want to see "climate change"? Then live according to the written word of God, which is actually His own voice, and maybe, we can see the harmony that existed before sin entered into this world, this earth will be restored as it was in the days of Adam.

Gen 1:31  And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. 

This world is aging and dying, and it is this death that is bringing about what is now called climate change, yet the world still worships sin!

The Sabbath day was not just for Israel alone, but it was to be continued. 

It is a perpetual commandment. 

This still does not mean it was to be every Saturday.

Sunday the "Lord's Day is much better for the Church, but there are places where this cannot take place and so those believers must choose some other day still teaching the truth of Jehovah.

In some places where the governments are so cruel, believers must gather and worship as they are able, and they will still receive a just reward, but as we are able we are to follow all the Word of God.

Heb 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 

In some cases where someone has decided that places of employment must run seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day, the Church must provide a means for these people to worship.

In most cases, these things came about because of tax codes but few will admit this.

But the Church needs this fellowship with one another!

We must always keep in mind that the Word of God is not a book of suggestions, but is a Book of Commandments!

It was at this time that God gave to Moses those two tablets of stone written with the finger of God.

*****Exo 31:18  And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God. 

Moses had been with God for 40 days and 40 nights and it was at this time that Moses was given two tablets of stone that had written upon them the moral law the 10 Commandments.

These laws were great gifts because we all need some direction in our lives!

What is going on in the USA today? People have lost their direction and they have chosen to live in any manner they so choose, and they expect all the rest of us to bow down to their way of living or be called all kind of names and many will be threatening us.

These 10 Commandments are the foundation of the laws of God, and they should be the basis of the laws in every nation. 

They were in many nations for years, but now if any nation chooses to go by these ten commandments, then the rest of the world will penalize them.

Just look at what the EU is doing to some nations today. The EU screams to us about "climate change" yet the EU is the main buyer of the illegal lumber that is harvested in the rain forest of Brazil.

We are to live righteous and pure lives as best we can, but instead this world has chosen immorality and wickedness.

The fact that the Bible is accurate in all matters in which it deals, scientific and historical as well as Spiritual and Theological, makes it a danger to this immoral world we live in today.

Even some the Church have begun to compromise, and our world just gets more-darker.

This too is written in the Scriptures.

Many look back today and ask what happened to our nation and all we need do is look back when immoral and unjust persons were allowed to destroy the Ten Commandments, just because they did not want to hear what God had to say.

As God's creation we are to obey the voice of God and He made us a copy and gave it to Moses.

Notice God gave these commandments at the same time He gave Moses the pattern of the Tabernacle and the correct method of worship!

God is leading those who love Him to the Promised Land (the New Heaven) and there is no other way to get there, but by obeying the Laws of God!

Jesus said it like this:

Joh 4:23  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 

Joh 4:24  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Joh 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 

Joh 5:37  And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. Joh 5:38  And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. 

Joh 5:39  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 

Joh 5:40  And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. 

Joh 15:10  If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. 

I choose to believe the Lord and you can call me all the names you want to, and it will not change my destination, but you on the other hand, will find yourself in Hell whether you believe there is a place called Hell or not!

Amen

The Tabernacle (Part Three)

God Directs The Tabernacle Design (Part Three)

God Commands Priestly Duties

Text: Exodus Chapters 28 - 31

The Tabernacle required great skill and special talent to follow the examples God gave to Moses. It would take many people with a great dedication to move and erect repeatedly but the most important thing the Tabernacle did was to provide a place to meet with God.

There are many today that think once they are "Born Again they have met all the requirements God gave them and they can go on about their lives and some think that they do not even have to change the way they live. Neither of these things are true and those that think this way need to see what God has to say about it.

God tells the Church:

Heb 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

Heb 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Heb 10:25 [Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: (and so much the more), as ye see the day approaching].

God not only says to not forsake coming together but in the day of the Church(the last days) to even meet more often.

That word "forsaking" means to desert the assembling or to abandon the Church.

The most important things about the Tabernacle took place when "the ministry God assigned to it" took place!

In this time of Israel the Tabernacle defined the ministry of the "Priest".

1.) What is a "Priest"?

One who represents "Man" to "God"!

"that he may minister unto me in the priest's office"

Heb 5:1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men [in things pertaining to God], that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:

Heb 5:2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.

Heb 5:3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.

Heb 5:4 [And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron].

And our High Priest:

Heb 5:5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.

To compare a "priest" and "prophet":

A prophet is one who represents "God" to "Man":

Exo 7:1 And the LORD said unto Moses, See, [I have made thee a god to Pharaoh]: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.

So Our Lord:

Heb 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, [now to appear in the presence of God for us]:

1.) We will see that through the attire of the Priest, God has a special concern that everything in our approach to Him shall be perfect. (28:2)

2.) We will see a constant and profound emphasis on "Holiness". (28:36)

This is an example of how our approach to God should be.

3.) We will know the assurance given that the people were never out of God's thoughts. (28:29,30)

4.) What we should realize is the "Glory", the "Power", the "Comfort" and the "Inspiration" of Jesus Christ Our Lord.

Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Heb 4:16 [Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need].

And remember to go see Him in the House that has His name. A local "Bible Believing Church". Any place of worship not based on the "Written Word Of God" is just a place to fellowship and not a "Place of Worship"

God says:

Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

There should be an assembling for worship:

Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

*****Our Text:

Exo 28:1 And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.

Exo 28:2 And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty.

Exo 28:3 And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.

Exo 28:4 And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.

Exo 28:5 And they shall take gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen.

Exo 28:6 And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work.

Exo 28:7 It shall have the two shoulderpieces thereof joined at the two edges thereof; and so it shall be joined together.

Aaron and his sons are the first "partnership" of priests in the Bible and Aaron's son were priest only because they were in the family line.

What we will see is that Aaron and his sons are a "type" of the "spiritual priesthood" of all true believers in the New Testament, who are priests only because of Our Lord Jesus. Our True High Priest!

1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Rev 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Aaron the High Priest, in offering sacrifices was also a "type" of Christ who offered the "Ultimate Sacrifice". All other sacrifices were only a shadow to His sacrifice.

Aaron was also a "type" of Christ in his death. When Aaron's time came to die, God told Moses to bring Aaron and Eleazar to Mount Hor.

Num 20:23 And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in mount Hor, by the coast of the land of Edom, saying,

Num 20:24 Aaron shall be gathered unto his people: for he shall not enter into the land which I have given unto the children of Israel, because ye rebelled against my word at the water of Meribah.

Num 20:25 Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up unto mount Hor:

Num 20:26 And strip Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son: and Aaron shall be gathered unto his people, and shall die there.

Num 20:27 And Moses did as the LORD commanded: and they went up into mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation.

Num 20:28 And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son; and Aaron died there in the top of the mount: and Moses and Eleazar came down from the mount.

Aaron died there and God concealed the record of his burial. By Aaron's going up the Mount and not returning it becomes a "type" of the ascension of Jesus Christ.

Eleazar returned in his place, wearing the high priestly garments. In "type" this represents the "Second Coming" of Our Lord.

While Aaron was living it was Eleazar who was chief over the tribe of the Levites.

Num 3:32 And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest shall be chief over the chief of the Levites, and have the oversight of them that keep the charge of the sanctuary.

It was Eleazar that was over "Oil" for the Lampstand, the "Incense", the "Anointing Oil, and the "Tabernacle" itself.

Num 4:16 And to the office of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest pertaineth the oil for the light, and the sweet incense, and the daily meat offering, and the anointing oil, and the oversight of all the tabernacle, and of all that therein is, in the sanctuary, and in the vessels thereof.

Aaron in "type" was as the ministry of Christ on this earth and Eleazar was a "type" of a Christ ministry in Heaven, throughout the Church Age until His Coming again.

Comparing scripture with scripture we can see that the Levites are a "type" of the Church:

Eph 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

Eph 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

compare:

Num 1:48 For the LORD had spoken unto Moses, saying,

Num 1:49 Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel:

Num 1:50 But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle.

Num 2:33 [But the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel]; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Num 3:12 And I, [behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel] instead of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be mine;

Num 3:13 Because all the firstborn are mine; for on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: [mine shall they be: I am the LORD].

Num 3:41 [And thou shalt take the Levites for me (I am the LORD)] instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel.

Num 3:45 Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle; [and the Levites shall be mine: I am the LORD].

And the Church:

Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

1Co 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

1Co 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

*****I.) The Ephod: (28:4-7)

It is only in the "Ephod", the "Curious Girdle" of the Ephod and the "Breast Plate" that we find "Gold" woven into the fabric. We know the "Gold" represents in "type" of "Deity". Mixed with the blue, the scarlet, and the fine twined linen we have in "type" the "Royalty", the "Suffering" and the "Spotless Righteousness" of Jesus Christ Our Lord. (in that order)

The (2) shoulder pieces:

Two is the number for "fellowship" the "joining together" is the very purpose of the "Priesthood". Even at the name of "Levi" we get the meaning of "joined unto".

Gen 29:34 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be [joined unto me], because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi.

Rachel had suffered from the want of a child but Leah had suffered for the WANT OF LOVE!

The "Levites" are in "type" the Church, as the Church seeks to be "joined unto" Our Lord Jesus.

The 2 piece Ephod being "joined together" at the "shoulders" is in "type" the role of Christ Jesus, our "Eternal High Priest" joining man to God. The "Shoulders" represent the "Sustaining Power of God"

*****II.) The Curious Girdle:

Exo 28:8 And the curious girdle of the ephod, which is upon it, shall be of the same, according to the work thereof; even of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.

Lev 8:7 And he put upon him the coat, and girded him with the girdle, and clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod upon him, and [he girded him with the curious girdle of the ephod, and bound it unto him therewith].

The binding of the "Curious Girdle" indicated the High Priest was ready for his service.

In "type" we can know that Our Own High Priest is willing to and ready to meet our every need and that His "strength" will never fail.

*****III.) The (2) stones:

Exo 28:9 And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of the children of Israel:

Exo 28:10 Six of their names on one stone, and the other six names of the rest on the other stone, according to their birth.

Exo 28:11 With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt make them to be set in ouches of gold.

Exo 28:12 [And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod for stones of memorial unto the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD upon his two shoulders for a memorial].

Also on the "Shoulders" were these (2) stones and the High Priest bore the names engraved on those (2) stones.

This represents that "those written in the Lamb's Book of Life" will alway be carried with Our Own Great High Priest and it is He that "Sustains" us.

*****IV.) The Breast Plate of Judgment:

Exo 28:15 And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine twined linen, shalt thou make it.

Exo 28:16 Foursquare it shall be being doubled; a span shall be the length thereof, and a span shall be the breadth thereof.

Exo 28:17 And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row.

Exo 28:18 And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond.

Exo 28:19 And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.

Exo 28:20 And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings.

Exo 28:21 And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes.

The "Breastplate" is the most costly of all the garments. God is a God of order and this is the first of the "garments mentioned".

Exo 28:4 And these are the garments which they shall make; [a breastplate], and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.

Though each stone may have a significance there is not time in this study to get into that. What we can readily see is that each name is recorded twice.

1.) Once on the Onyx stone:

Exodus 28:9

2.) Once on the stones of the Breastplate.

Exodus 28:21

This can certainly mean that God will never forget the names of "His Children".

Isa 49:15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

Isa 49:16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.

The Apostle John also saw these names on the gates of New Jerusalem:

Rev 21:10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

Rev 21:11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

Rev 21:12 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:

This "breastplate" was securely fastened with (4) golden chains. (2) to the shoulder pieces and (2) to the curious girdle.

Jesus Christ will always hide the names of God's Children on His heart!

The "union with Christ" (2) is a major theme in the Tabernacle study.

*****Our Text:

Exo 28:30 And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron's heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually.

The "Urim" and the "Thummim" are defined as "lights" and "perfections".

In other words it is the job of the High Priests to shed "light" on the "complete truth", The Perfect Word Of God!

The "Urim" and the "Thummim" were a combination that represent God's Perfect Balance in "Grace", "Mercy", "Judgment" and "Wrath"!

1Jn 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, [that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all].

Deu 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

All the perfections of God are seen in Jesus Christ:

Joh 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? [he that hath seen me hath seen the Father]; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

The "Urim" and the "Thummim" are only a foreshadow of Jesus Christ!

*****Our Text:

Exo 28:31 And thou shalt make the robe of the ephod all of blue.

Exo 28:32 And there shall be an hole in the top of it, in the midst thereof: it shall have a binding of woven work round about the hole of it, as it were the hole of an habergeon, that it be not rent.

Exo 28:33 And beneath upon the hem of it thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, round about the hem thereof; and bells of gold between them round about:

Exo 28:34 A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about.

Exo 28:35 And it shall be upon Aaron to minister: and his sound shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holy place before the LORD, and when he cometh out, that he die not.

The Hebrew word for "robe" used here is "meheel". It is uses 28 times in the Bible.

1.) 19 times robe or robes.

2.) 7 times as mantle.

3.) 1 time cloak.

4.) 1 time coat.

There should be little doubt that this was the upper or outer garment,

This "Robe of Blue" points to Our Heavenly Prince, the soon coming KING of Kings.

It was a woven work and probably seemless.

Joh 19:23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: [now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout].

Exo 39:22 And he made the robe of the ephod of woven work, all of blue.

Exo 39:23 And there was an hole in the midst of the robe, as the hole of an habergeon, with a band round about the hole, that it should not rend.

A special feature of this Robe was that it had a full circle of Golden Bells and Pomegranates(of blue, of purple, and of scarlet).

We have the symbolism of the colors:

Blue = Heavenly

Purple = Royalty

Scarlet = Suffering

But also Our Lord's "Fruitfulness" on this Earth.

These "Bells" were meant to be heard when the High Priests was in and out of the Holy Place.

God tells us that those that believe will know the joyful sound of Our Lord:

Psa 89:15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.

We should also know the glad tidings of the Word of God:

Rom 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, [How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things]!

Rom 10:18 But I say, Have they not heard? [Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world].

*****Our text:

Exo 28:36 And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.

Exo 28:37 And thou shalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the mitre; upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be.

Exo 28:38 And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD.

Exo 28:39 And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen, and thou shalt make the mitre of fine linen, and thou shalt make the girdle of needlework.

Verse 38 tells us that the "Most Holy Things" that man can do are still corrupted and stained with "Sin".

It is only our High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ who "MUST" bear the iniquity of all "Holy Things"!

That "plate of Gold" on Aaron's forehead is symbolic of Jesus Christ bearing us, even though we can pray and offer up gifts to God. Anything we offer God are acceptable only by virtue of the "Shed Blood Of Jesus"!

Heb 9:21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.

Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Jesus offers up a "Warning" for those that try to get to the "Wedding Supper" of the "Bride" by any other means.

Mat 22:11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:

Mat 22:12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

Mat 22:13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

It is Our Lord that has chosen the "Wedding Garments"!

Rom 4:8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

God speaks of Abraham

Rom 4:21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

Rom 4:22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

Rom 4:23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

Rom 4:24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

Rom 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

These garments of the High Priest should tell us that only through the "Righteousness of Jesus" (Our Garment) can we be admitted to the Marriage Supper Of The Lamb!

Paul goes on to say our garment must be Jesus Christ:

Rom 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

We know that Adam and Eve tried to make their own garments with the fig leaves but the correct garment had to come through the "Blood" of an "Innocent Lamb".

God's Lamb is Himself!

Gen 22:8 And Abraham said, My son, [God will provide himself a lamb] for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.

*****Our Text:

Exo 28:39 And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen, and thou shalt make the mitre of fine linen, and thou shalt make the girdle of needlework.

Exo 39:27 And they made coats of fine linen of woven work for Aaron, and for his sons,

Exo 39:28 And a mitre of fine linen, and goodly bonnets of fine linen, and linen breeches of fine twined linen,

Exo 39:29 And a girdle of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, of needlework; as the LORD commanded Moses.

Though the coats that were worn by Aaron and his sons were identical, Aaron wore the "Mitre" while his sons wore "Bonnets".

Both of these are "symbols" of the "Reverence" of God.

*****Our text:

Exo 28:42 And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach:

Exo 28:43 And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy place; that they bear not iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him.

We can see that they all wore the linen britches.

The wearing of under garments were not done in these days. This linen britches served the priests as tis function. This shows us that we all should dress appropriatley, and reverance the House of God for every child of God is a priest.

1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

*****Our Text:

Exodus 29:1-37

*****The Washing:

Exo 29:4 And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water.

There can be little doubt that this in "type" is refering to the newly "Born Again" child of God:

Tit 3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, [by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost];

Tit 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

Tit 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Moses was God's man so he had to do the washing.

We also see Our Lord Jesus:

Joh 13:10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

*****The Anointing:

Lev 8:10 And Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was therein, and sanctified them.

Lev 8:11 And he sprinkled thereof upon the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all his vessels, both the laver and his foot, to sanctify them.

Lev 8:12 And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron's head, and anointed him, to sanctify him.

The Tabernacle and everything that was in it, were anointed with "Oil" (our Holy Ghost) and all the vessels were "Sanctified"(set apart for sacred service).

Only the "Altar" was sprinkled in addition to the anointing. (The Altar is in "type" the "Cross")

It is believed that only Aaron was anoited with oil and then this anointing was counted for his sons and those that followed.

When Our High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ was anointed then that anointing was counted for everyone that believes on Him for their "Salvation".

*****The Sin Offering:

Exo 29:10 And thou shalt cause a bullock to be brought before the tabernacle of the congregation: and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the bullock.

Exo 29:11 And thou shalt kill the bullock before the LORD, by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Exo 29:12 And thou shalt take of the blood of the bullock, and put it upon the horns of the altar with thy finger, and pour all the blood beside the bottom of the altar.

Exo 29:13 And thou shalt take all the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul that is above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and burn them upon the altar.

Exo 29:14 But the flesh of the bullock, and his skin, and his dung, shalt thou burn with fire without the camp: it is a sin offering.

Israel had no High Priest until Aaron was anointed by Moses. Moses had performed all official duties up until this point.

*****The laying on of hands:

This was a ceremonial act that represented the transfering of "Sin" to "innocent" victim. Immediatly after the transfer then the bullock was killed and the "Blood was applied to the Altar". To the Altar, the Horns and what remained was poured on the ground at the bottom of the Altar.

Why?

Verse 21, "he shall be hallowed, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons' garments with him"

(Set aside for the sacred use of God!)

The "Sin Offering", was not a sweet savor unto the Lord and was to be burnt with fire outside the Tabernacle and the camp.

Our Lord Jesus was led to the Hill called Golgotha:

Joh 19:17 And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:

Joh 19:18 Where they crucified him,

Heb 13:11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.

Heb 13:12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

Heb 13:13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

*****The Burnt offering:

Exo 29:15 Thou shalt also take one ram; and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the ram.

Exo 29:16 And thou shalt slay the ram, and thou shalt take his blood, and sprinkle it round about upon the altar.

Exo 29:17 And thou shalt cut the ram in pieces, and wash the inwards of him, and his legs, and put them unto his pieces, and unto his head.

Exo 29:18 And thou shalt burn the whole ram upon the altar: it is a burnt offering unto the LORD: it is a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

The "Burnt" signified God's acceptance in anticipation of the "SHED" Blood of Jesus.

Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Before we go any further let's point out the difference between the "Shed Blood" and as some say the "Spilt Blood"

1.) To "shed" is an intentional act.

2.) To spill though it could be intentional, is most times by accident.

Jesus Christ intentionally died on the Cross and He intentionally "Shed" His Blood! It was no accident!

The "washing" of the inwards symbolizes the inner being, the nature, the affections, the attitudes.

The "washing" of the legs symbolizes our walk in this life.

The Bible says after we are redeemed we too need a washing:

Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Eph 5:26 That [he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word],

TO SAY WE HAVE FAITH WITHOUT SEEING THE FRUIT OF IT IS A FALSE CLAIM!

Jas 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

All dead faith will be fruitless!

*****The "Ram of Consecration":

Exodus 29:19-28

Moses would kill this ram only after Aaron and his sons had identified themselves with the ram by laying their hands uppn it's head.

Moses then killed the ram and took the blood and put it on:

1.) The tip of Aaron's right ear = his dedication to the Word of God

2.) The thumb of Aaron's right hand = his service to God

3.) The big toe of Aaron'd right foot = his walk with God

4.)Moses did the same to each of Aaron's sons.

We are washed in the blood of Jesus:

Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works [to serve the living God]?

Moses then sprinkled the blood upon the Altar "round about" which means on "every side"

There were "seven" parts of this "Consecration Lamb" that were to be burnt on that Altar together with unleavened bread and an unleavened cake tempered with oil and an unleavened wafer anointed with oil.

Lev 8:25 And he took the fat, and the rump, and all the fat that was upon the inwards, and the caul above the liver, and the two kidneys, and their fat, and the right shoulder:

Lev 8:26 And out of the basket of unleavened bread, that was before the LORD, he took one unleavened cake, and a cake of oiled bread, and one wafer, and put them on the fat, and upon the right shoulder:

Lev 8:27 And he put all upon Aaron's hands, and upon his sons' hands, and waved them for a wave offering before the LORD.

Lev 8:28 And Moses took them from off their hands, and burnt them on the altar upon the burnt offering: they were consecrations for a sweet savour: it is an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

1.) The Unleavened "Bread" = "Freedom from Sin" (Especially that of Jesus)

2.) The Unleavened "Cakes tempered with oil" = Speak of Our Lord Jesus being filled with the Holy Spirit even before His birth at Bethlehem.

3.) The Unleavened "Wafers anointed with oil" = This special "anointing" by the Holy Spirit gave to us in "Type" Our Lord's power to fulfiull the work assigned by the Father in every minute detail.

Moses then took of the "anointing" oil ("Holy Spirit") and the "Blood" from the Altar ("Blood of Calvary") and sprinkled it upon Aaron and his sons.

Lev 8:30 And Moses took of the anointing oil, and of the blood which was upon the altar, and sprinkled it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon his sons' garments with him; and sanctified Aaron, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons' garments with him.

Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Aaron and his sons then boiled the the remaining flesh of the "Consecration Ram" and ate it with the bread from the basket "at the door of the Tabernacle".

All these ceremonies were to be completed and repeated for "seven days". Seven the number of "perfection".

In "type" this shows that it is imperitive for the "believer" to abide in Christ Jesus "always"! That we die not!

Lev 8:35 Therefore shall ye abide at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation day and night seven days, and keep the charge of the LORD, [that ye die not]: for so I am commanded.

Aaron performed his first priestly duties on the (8th) day, (his new beginning) but he still had to sacrifice another calf before he could begin.

But Our Lord:

Heb 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

Heb 7:27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

Heb 7:28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

And Our Lord Jesus will never have to sacrifice Himself ever again:

Heb 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

Heb 10:13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

Heb 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

The believer knows certain things:

1.) We are "formed" by Our Lord:

Psa 139:13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

Psa 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

Psa 139:15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Psa 139:16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

2.) We are "purchased" by Our Lord:

Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

3.) We are "cleansed" by Our Lord:

Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

4.) We are "redeemed" by Our Lord:

Gal 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

5.) We are then "endowed" with the Holy Spirit for safe keeping:



Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

How can we ever deny Him?

*****Our text:

Exodus Chapter 30

The Incense Alter:

Exo 30:1 And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon: of shittim wood shalt thou make it.

Exo 30:2 A cubit shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof; foursquare shall it be: and two cubits shall be the height thereof: the horns thereof shall be of the same.

Exo 30:3 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, the top thereof, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns thereof; and thou shalt make unto it a crown of gold round about.

Exo 30:4 And two golden rings shalt thou make to it under the crown of it, by the two corners thereof, upon the two sides of it shalt thou make it; and they shall be for places for the staves to bear it withal.

Exo 30:5 And thou shalt make the staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold.

Exo 30:6 And thou shalt put it before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee.

Exo 30:7 And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it.

Exo 30:8 And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations.

Exo 30:9 Ye shall offer no strange incense thereon, nor burnt sacrifice, nor meat offering; neither shall ye pour drink offering thereon.

Exo 30:10 And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it is most holy unto the LORD.

We must notice the order in which God teaches us these things. God instructed Moses on the "Consecration" of the Priest before He introduced this Golden Altar.

In "Type" this Altar represent Our Lord Jesus as our "Mediator"!

1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

1Ti 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

Aaron and the Brazen Altar are "types" of Christ in His sacrificial role at Mount Calvary but this Golden Altar stood squarely in front of the 'Mercy Seat" depicting Christ Jesus interceeding at God's right hand for all believers.

1.) We still have the "uncorruptable wood" the humanity of Jesus.

2.) We still have the "Golden deity" the One True God.

3.) We still have the "One" cubit the "One" being the need for unity with human relationships.

4.) We have "two" cubits high pointing to the "union and fellowship with Our Lord Jesus.

We must remember if our "vertical" relationship with Christ is not as it should be then our "horizontal" relationships with our families and all other will also suffer.

Mat 19:19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Our "prayers" will go unheard and be fruitless because of faulty human relationships!

*****The Horns and the Crown:

Those "Horns" still symbolize power! On the Brazen Altar it is the "Power of the Blood" but here on the Golden Altar they represent the "Power of Prayer".

A "Horn" on each corner means the the "powere of Prayer" is available to every believer in the "same strength". We hinder that power by our own actions.

Psa 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

These "horns" do symbolize the "power of prayer" but they do not magnify the power of prayer.

The "incense" represents our prayers but until incense is burnt on the Golden Altar which represents Our Advocate with the Father, can we have no "Power in our Prayer life"

1Jn 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

1Jn 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

It is only in Jesus that our prayers have power!

If a "prayer" is not prayed in the "Name of Jesus", that name above all other names, it will not be answered. We must pray under His Authority, under His Glory.

Jesus Christ is our "legal Advocate" just as He is "Our Savior"!

*****The Golden Crown on this Altar, which is not present on the Brazen Alter, is the "Divine Autthority" that backs this altar. This Golden Crown is in "type" the Victory Our Savior had at the Cross!

1Co 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

*****This Golden Altar stood just outside the "Veil" of the "Holy of Holies". It was squarely in front of the "Mercy Seat". Christ Jesus opened for us a "new and living way" through Himself because that "Veil" is fore ever gone to the believer, but we still haave to pass by this Golden Altar before we can go through that "Door", that "Door" being Jesus.

Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

But we must go "Humbly" no matter what others teach.

Jas 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

We cannot be lifted up any other way.

1Pe 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

We cannot be exalted when the time comes in any other way.

Mat 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

God will allow us to approach His Throne without any kind of appoinment but only if we come through the "Door of Jesus" HUMBLY!

Jesus Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of the Levitcal priesthood!

1.) We cannot bypass the Cross.

2.) We cannot bypass the Washing by His Word.

3.) We cannot forego the Living Bread.

4.)But Most Important of All, we have to have Jesus Christ as Our Intercessor!

Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

*****This Golden Altar was intended for "Sweet Incense" if our prayers are not seasoned with "love, devotion, and worship then we are offering "strange incense"!

Joh 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

Jas 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

Aaron was to burn sweet incense upon this Altar every morning and every evening so once a day was not enough.

In order for a sinner to be saved a prayer of faith had to be prayed. This person is then Born Again into a new life. That prayer was then was the breath that gave "New Life".

Prayer then is the Chistian Believer's vital breadth. Our bodies cannot survive without breathing and our spirit cannot survive without prayer.

Paul said:

1Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

*****The Annointing Oil

Exo 30:22 Moreover the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Exo 30:23 Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels,

Exo 30:24 And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin:

Exo 30:25 And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil.

Exo 30:26 And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony,

Exo 30:27 And the table and all his vessels, and the candlestick and his vessels, and the altar of incense,

Exo 30:28 And the altar of burnt offering with all his vessels, and the laver and his foot.

Exo 30:29 And thou shalt sanctify them, that they may be most holy: whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy.

Exo 30:30 And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office.

Exo 30:31 And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, This shall be an holy anointing oil unto me throughout your generations.

Exo 30:32 Upon man's flesh shall it not be poured, neither shall ye make any other like it, after the composition of it: it is holy, and it shall be holy unto you.

Exo 30:33 Whosoever compoundeth any like it, or whosoever putteth any of it upon a stranger, shall even be cut off from his people.

We already know that "Oil" symbolizes the Holy Spirit. We have seen that all the Vessels, the Furniture and the Tabernacle itself have been anointed with "Oil".

Everyone of these objects represent certain aspects of Jesus Christ, His Ministry, and the Church.

Isa 11:1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

Isa 11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

We can see this totally symbolized in the Golden Lampstand.

Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

As a Lampstand it would be the Oil that flowed. The Lamp could not burn without the "Oil".

All this points to the "Work" of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Oil cannot be poured on anything that man chooses but only on the things that God has chosen.

Exo 30:32 Upon man's flesh shall it not be poured, neither shall ye make any other like it, after the composition of it: it is holy, and it shall be holy unto you.

Even the sweet spices for the incense was reserved for the Tabernacle.

What God sets apart for His use is Holy, Sanctified, and Reverent.

Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Let's Pray!