Note: Thanks to Doug Small and Pastor Chuck from New Hope at newhope-ag.com
Review
We are in out last of two weeks looking at the tabernacle. We have seen so much as we have reviewed God's pattern for worship and entering into the presence of the Lord. Understand our goal is not to have another worship service. Another singing and ritual but to have an encounter with the Lord.
This is each ones goal as we enter into the service. We are not trying to rush through this. Our mission as a church is to Create an atmosphere of worship. In this you see "Worship that Heals, Word that Encourages and a Community that Relates". There is a purpose to what we do.
We want to set you up to have an encounter with a living God who will touch you and change you if you will allow him.
In the tabernacle God has given us a pattern to worship.
Notice this is not about a ritual or religion. Religion is all about what I can do get to God. It is all about my works.
Titus 3:5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
So it is not about us. Let me just explain to you another thing. Jehovah God did not give us this pattern to give us one more thing that we have to do.
I didn't preach this series to give you one more thing to work on in your life. As I was thinking aobut this message earlier in the week the Lord reminded me about this.
God did not give us this pattern for:
Restrictions but Release
Luke 4:18-19 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, [29] To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; (19) To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." [30]
This is how we enter into the sanctuary. We enter into this tabernacle with a praise unto the Lord.
Burdens but Blessings
Matthew 11:28-30 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (30) For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30 MSG "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. (29) Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. (30) Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
Pressure but Peace
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
When you get to the Brazen altar and Brazen laver you see the significance and release.
Rom 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Heb 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:
Holy Place
Benefits
When you get into the Holy Place the Lord gives you the benefits of being in a relationship with him. As Jesus told the disciples
The Light - Holy Spirit
John 14:16-17 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever-- (17) the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
Showbread
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Incense Prayer
Continual - Romans 12:12, I Thessalonians 4:17
So let us conclude our journy by looking at what is known as the Most Holy Place.
Remember also I told you that Jewish tradition says that the Outer Court was refered to the Way, the Inner Court was referred to the Truth and the Most Holy Place was referred to as the life. This is true life.
I like what Jesus said in John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
Introduction
We have now went through all the tabernacle and have arrived at the Most Holy Place. What should we do?
Heb 10:19-22 NKJV Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith (boldness) having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Most people would say, “Go boldly to the throne of grace”. Now I believe that we can but what I want to do is just one more thing. I want to step back and evaluate my self. You see I realize that I am entering into the Most Holy Place. I am going into the presence of God. I don’t want to do it irrevently. I don’t want to do it with no thought. I want my worship and my attitude to be right.
The Most Holy Place
What do we find in the most holy place? The most holy place is the sanctuary for the presence of God. Here, God's exiled glory dwells. His intent had been to dwell in the heart of man, but sin alienated man from God (Romans 3:23). Now, he dwells among men but not in men. He chooses for his dwelling place an article called the ark of the covenant. This becomes his throne on the earth. Above the Ark, between the cherubim - the golden figures of angels - was the GLORY OF GOD!
The Concept of Glory
Exodus 40:34 Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the GLORY of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
When the tabernacle was set up in the wilderness, the glory of the Lord appeared - a visible manifestation of the invisible God (Exodus 40:34; Numbers 14:21). Practically, the glory was a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. In the most holy place God dwelt in darkness until he chose to manifest himself as light. The temple too had been full of his glory (II Chronicles 7:1; Isaiah 6:3).
II Chr 7:1-2 Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house. And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD's house.
So, in both the tabernacle and the temple, there are manifestations of the glory attached to the structures. But, when there was sin and the righteous demands of God were not being honored; or, his appointed leaders were disrespected, the Bible says:
Numbers 12:9-10 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed. And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle.
God's glory then is facilitated by the heart attitude of the people in whose midst he dwells. Rebellion and sin drive away God's presence. Righteousness and servant heartedness facilitate his presence.
"Glory" is one of the most common words in scripture. In the Old Testament, the word is used to translate several Hebrew words, including Hod (הוד) and kabod; and in the New Testament it is used to translate the Greek word doxa (δόξα). The Hebrew word kabod (K-B-D) originally means "weight" or "heaviness." The same word is then used to express importance, honor, and majesty. Greek versions of the Hebrew Bible translated this concept with the word doxa, which was then used extensively in the New Testament as well. Doxa originally means "judgment, opinion", and by extension, "good reputation, honor". Assuming that these various words and uses should refer to a single underlying concept, St. Augustine renders it as clara notitia cum laude, "brilliant celebrity with praise".[2]
God makes an interesting pledge, in Numbers:
Numbers 14:21 But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD.
. At the BRAZEN ALTAR, we learned the value of JUSTIFICATION!
. At the LAVER, we learned the importance of SANCTIFICATION!
. In the holy place, we learned the meaning of EDIFICATION!
. But, in the HOLY OF HOLIES, we are learning GLORIFICATION!
This is not the GLORIFICATION of our bodies, but the GLORIFICATION of a transformed life that reflects his presence - his character! This theme of glory is echoed in the New Testament as well.
Paul says in Romans, that sin causes us to come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). And, in Ephesians, that a deposit of glory in the church is the goal of God.
Ephesians 1:5-6 Having predestinated us... To the praise of His glory.
That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. (12,14).
Ephesians 1:18 That you might know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. (Ephesians 1:18).
In Colossians, Paul defines the "mystery" that he speaks of in Ephesians, saying it is: God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27).
The most holy place concealed his glory. It had a veil! The writer of Hebrews defines that veil as the "flesh" of Christ (Hebrews 10:20). Jesus was the living tabernacle. In him was the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9). He came to make visible the invisible God. He reflected the glory of the Father saying, "If you have seen me, you have seen the Father" (John 14:9). The Father had given to him his glory (John 17:22). But, the glory, like that in the most holy place had been veiled by the flesh of Christ. Without, the veil of flesh, the world could not have survived the exposure to his glory, or his presence among men. So, God veiled the glory of the Son with the flesh of man. When Christ died on the cross, when his flesh was torn, the world experienced a revelation of his glory.
This is what Jesus had prayed for:
John 17:5 NKJV "And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.
The ARK
We note, that God's presence in the tabernacle is tied to the Ark. And, the ark is tied to the concept of the covenant. This becomes the "place" of his presence. What is it about this piece of furniture that causes God to attach his presence to it? If we can discover the answer, we will find the principles that point the way to our facilitating his presence.
Exodus 25:10-22; 37:1-8 describes the Ark, which is two cubits long (3 feet), 1.5 cubits high and deep (27 inches). On each corner a ring was fastened into which staves were placed for transport. These staves were never meant to be taken out of the Ark (Exodus 25: 15). Their continual presence in the ark demonstrates the mobility, even the unpredictability of God. When God moves, he wants his throne to be moved "under him." And, he moves spontaneously. If we are going to be burden bearers of his glory, we have to travel with our staff in our hand, ready to move with him at any moment!
This ark is awesome! Rivers dry up before it. The walls of cities cannot stand before its power. The immobile gods of the heathens bow before it and disintegrate in its presence. A whole nation is beset by an affliction traceable to the presence of the ark. Men who touch it die. This is an awesome thing. Given the Hebrew prohibition to idolatry, why would God allow something so sacred and powerful to even exist among His people?
We cannot understand this fully without noting that the Hebrew word, aron, which is translated "ark" also means chest or coffin. So Israel's most sacred possession is a coffin. They are carrying around a coffin. In the most holy place is a coffin. Strange, isn't it? I want to be inside this secret place of God, under His mercy, under the shadow of His presence, under the wings of the awesome cherubim. But in order to get there, 1 will have to crawl into the coffin, 1 will have to die! Paul declared,
Col 3:1 NKJV If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
Yes, we want to do that. But, how can we be raised with Christ? How can we experience the reality of new life in Him? Paul tells us,
For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God! Colossians 3:3.
Where does God put us when we surrender to Christ, when we count ourselves as dead in order that He might live in us? He puts us in His coffin, in His secret place! It is here, in this place of death to self, of total yielded ness to God, that we experience the secret of spiritual power. Over and over in the New Testament we note the phrase, "in Christ," particularly from Paul. Where are we when we are "in Christ"? We are buried with Him! But that is not all. "In Christ, we are made alive" (I Corinthians 15:22). In Christ we are "stablished," or made strong (I Corinthians 15:21). In Christ we are "made to triumph" (I Corinthians 2:14). "In Christ we are a new creation" (I Corinthians 5:19). And on and on the list goes.
Still there is more. Arks or chests are designed to protect their contents. So this ark - Jesus - protects us. But we quickly learn, we are not in this box alone. This ark is not empty when we climb in, it is designed to carry special contents. Note Exodus 25:16,
Put in it... the testimony. Exodus 25:16
The ark is sometimes called:
The ark of the TESTIMONY. Exodus 30:6
Moses is instructed regarding the" altar of incense, which is always related in placement in front of the ark, specifically to:
Put the incense before the TESTIMONY. Exodus 30:36.
What is this ARK testifying about? It is testifying to his glory as we observed earlier. But in Hebrews 9:4, we learn that inside the Ark were three things: The pot of manna (Exodus 16:33-34), Aaron's rod that budded (Numbers 17:10-11), and the tablets upon which were written the commandments (Exodus 25:16; Deuteronomy 10:2).
The Tablets- The Law - God’s Direction - Demand for RIGHTEOUSNESS
The tablets also represent God's demand for RIGHTEOUSNESS revealed in the law and lived out in the life of Jesus! They speak to the condition of one's heart in response to the HEART of God, vertically, and the hearts of others, horizontally. They represent God's relationship values - what he considers important. The tablets demand healthy relationships. Four deal with the vertical relationship with God. Six deal with the horizontal relationships of man with man. The preeminent relationship deals with worship - that is a value issue. Worship is always directed to where my heart is.
The Rod - The Authority - God's Leadership - GOD’S DEMAND FOR LEADERSHIP
The rod also represents God's anointed LEADERSHIP, his representative authority demonstrated most perfectly in the life of Christ. Just as Aaron's rod budded, so this type of godly authority produces life! Thus it deals with HEADSHIP! The rod is a symbol of divine authority. This is not the rod of Moses, but that of Aaron. This is a priestly rod. It represents the mission of ministry, more precisely the ministry of bridge building, of reconciliation. That is what a priest is - a bridge builder.
The Manna - The Supply - GOD’S PROVISION
The manna also is a reminder of the PROVISION of God during the wilderness sojourn. Thus, it speaks of the HAND of God. Manna was the staple diet in the wilderness. At first, Israel hated it. Later, they called it "angel's food." It was bread from God's table, rained from heaven. It was the provision for the wilderness. Manna represents the covenant of God to supply our needs, to feed us and care for us, to nurture us. The "manna" covenant is echoed in multiple passages of
Scripture:
The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters (Ps 23).
My God shall supply all of my needs according to his riches in heaven. Phil 4:19.
Consider the lilies of the field, ... they toil not. Mat 6:28.
When the widow at Zerepath went back to meal barrel, she found just enough for the day, time after time. That is the manna covenant. When Elijah was at the brook Cherith, the ravens brought food and the brook ran in a year of drought. That too was the manna covenant.
The Mercy Seat A Covering of my short comings!
What if I don't measure up? If I fail to trust God completely? If I become stubborn?
The Mercy Seat (kapporeth) was a solid cover of gold, perhaps as thick as three inches, large enough to serve as a cover for the ark. Made as one solid unit with the lid were two cherubim figures facing each other with outstretched wings (Exodus 25:19,20; 37:7-9).(Note: cherub is the singular form; cherubim, the plural form.)
Cheriub
Reminds us of the creatures that surround the throne, Isaiah & Revelation, with winds that cover their face, and feet crying, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty.
Isa 6:1-5 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. (2) Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. (3) And one cried to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!" (4) And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. (5) So I said: "Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts."
Revelation 4:8 Holy, holy, holy, LORD God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
Conclusion
The Ark and the Miraculous! When he is present, things get exciting!
. The Ark, divides the Jordan.
. The Ark, brings down the walls of Jericho.
. The Ark, topples Dagon, the Philistine god.
. The Ark, plagues the Philistines.
As the people "followed the ark," thus honoring the covenant, the POWER OF GOD was manifest. There is safety and security in meeting the righteous demands of God, trusting him for provision, and submitting to his life giving authority.
