FOR THE SAKE OF CONVENIENCE

Most of us have been to a convenience store. It is so named because the store is within easy reach, and has a variety of items that you might need on a regular basis. You can buy anything from gas to toiletries to newspapers to breakfast sandwiches. It is a one stop shop, not specializing in any one particular item but offering a mixture of many things – for your convenience.

In the world we see mixtures in different arenas of life, and most of the time it is accepted as the norm.  However, even in the world system there is a kind of mixture that can actually get you into trouble. It is called commingling.

Commingling literally means “mixing together”. If, for example, a friend puts you in care of his funds, and if you decide to place his funds in your own account then the money is mixed together. This creates a breach of trust, because eventually it would be difficult to determine which funds belong to whom. His funds must be set apart in an account dedicated for him only.

You yourself might own something that is set apart for a specific use. For example, you may have dinnerware that is used only for special occasions and special guests. If someone in your household takes those fine plates and stemware and uses them for a casual backyard barbecue, you would be upset wouldn’t you?

God does not tolerate commingling either, even if it seems to be convenient. Anything used in the service of God must be consecrated – set apart for Him only. When Moses was instructed to make the Tabernacle in the wilderness God told him to consecrate everything in it. Thus, these items could not be used for any other purpose.

“And you shall take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle and all that is in it; and you shall hallow it and all its utensils, and it shall be holy. You shall anoint the altar of the burnt offering and all its utensils, and consecrate the altar. The altar shall be most holy.” – Exodus 40:9, 10

Even the priests were to be set apart – dedicated solely to service of the Lord.

And you shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister to Me as priests. – Exodus 30:30

God has not changed His mind about His house of worship. It is to be a place set apart – consecrated – for worship and service to Him only. However, today many churches have taken the world’s practice of commingling into their sanctuaries…for the sake of convenience. The sanctuaries themselves are often used for gatherings other than worship. This creates a mixture. God will not share His glory with any other!

Now commingling has come to the pulpit…for the sake of convenience. Several ministers now use laptops or electronic tablets to deliver their messages to the congregation. This seems innocent enough. After all, on the same device you can reference your notes and the Scriptures. But think about it….these are the same devices that are used to read the news, play video games, send and receive emails, visit social media sites and shop online! An electronic Bible has simply been added to the mix! Is God pleased with this? Are these devices – as convenient as they may be – set apart and consecrated to God only?

Your tangible, handheld Bible could not be used for anything else but what it was intended. When you pick it up you can’t play Solitaire or look for bargains in it. It is the written Word of God set apart for one purpose only .

When something is mixed its potency becomes diluted. Is it any wonder that in so many assemblies the power of God is not evident? This is exactly what satan wants.

Jesus warned the Laodicean church of this mixture.

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. – Revelation 3: 15,16

When one’s heart is neither hot nor cold toward the Lord it is easy to fall into a trap of commingling….for convenience sake. The reality is that nothing in the walk of a Christian is convenient or trendy. It is a life of discipline, obedience and sacrifice. 

Now don’t get me wrong….technology can be used very effectively in the church to enhance the worship experience.  But for the most part the instruments (sound systems, musical instruments etc) are used in the service of the Lord only.

In these final days satan’s devises are more and more subtle, and therefore more difficult to discern. A laptop or Ipad in and of itself is not a bad thing. However, when it is used, for the sake of convenience, in a position that God has ordained as holy, it becomes a profane thing.

God warned of this mixture through the prophet Ezekiel and we are seeing it today.

“… priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.” – Ezekiel 22:26

MOSES’ TABERNACLE – A PATTERN FOR INTIMACY: PART 9

THE ALTAR OF INCENSE

Just in front of the veil that separates the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies stands the Altar of Incense. Like the Table of Showbread it is made of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold, symbolizing Jesus – all man yet all God.

In Moses’ time the high priest had to tend to this Altar twice per day – morning and evening. As with everything else in the Tabernacle, God was very specific with His instructions concerning the Altar.

Hot coals had to be taken from the Brazen Altar and used as a catalyst to burn the incense on the Altar. Anything else would be considered by God to be strange fire. The incense had to burn continually as a pleasing aroma to the Lord. There is much symbolism here that relates to us and our intimate walk with Christ today.

This Altar of Incense is a picture of your prayers as they rise to the Lord.

Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. Revelation 5:8

Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand. Revelation 8:3-4

The coals had to come from the Brazen Altar which is symbolic of Christ’s sacrificial death on Calvary. This shows the connection between prayer and the finished work of Christ on the Cross. Many today pray to God without acknowledging His completed work. That is like the strange fire that Aaron’s two sons offered up to the Lord.

Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. Leviticus 10:1

These two men had the right incense – the correct ingredients – but the wrong agent. It is only because of Jesus’ shed Blood on the Cross that we can come to the Father in prayer.

Jesus is our Great High Priest, and He intercedes for you and me continuously.

Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Romans 8:34

Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25

Your communion with God in prayer is to be ongoing. It builds intimacy.

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart. Luke 18:1

Pray truthfully. Be brutally honest with the Lord as you would with your best friend. After all He is your Best Friend. Are you His?

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. John 15:7

So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven. Luke 11:2

Pray believing that He has heard and has answered.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6

And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. …The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:15, 16b

Dear friend, pray without ceasing. 

1 Timothy 5:17

Please visit this previous article which also details prayer: Abiding in Him – Continuous Communion

MOSES’ TABERNACLE – A PATTERN FOR INTIMACY: PART 8

THE TABLE OF SHOWBREAD

Now that the Golden Lampstand is lit, walk with me to the opposite side of the Holy Place to the Table of Showbread. It is made of the same material that we have become familiar with since starting this study – shittim wood overlaid with pure gold. The shittim, or acacia wood, because of its durability, symbolizes Jesus’ indestructible body while the gold symbolizes His divinity. He was all Man yet all God!

TWELVE

On the Table are twelve loaves of bread – flat cakes set in two rows of six each. This bread is also called the bread of the Presence or the bread of faces. There is much symbolism here, so let’s stop awhile, for here you will have another divine encounter with our Saviour.

This pattern of two rows of six is repeated in the garments of the high priest. On his shoulders were two onyx stones and on each stone the names of six of the tribes of Israel were engraved.
“And you shall put the two stones on the shoulders of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. So Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD on his two shoulders as a memorial.” – Exodus 28:12. The high priest was a representative of the presence of Jesus Christ.

Isaiah prophesied of Jesus in this way..

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

The number twelve represents governmental perfection. There were twelve tribes of Israel, twelve disciples, twelve foundations in the New Jerusalem which had twelve gates and twelve pearls. The high priest bore the names of the twelve tribes on his shoulders.

Jesus, our Great High Priest, bears you and me on His shoulder. He is the Good Shepherd, carrying you when you are weak, or straying. He is your Husband-Redeemer. Lay your head on His shoulder and be comforted. He bore your sins, and bids you to give your burdens to Him. What a Saviour!

BREAD

The priests were commanded by God to eat the bread on that Table. “And it shall be for Aaron and his sons, and they shall eat it in a holy place…” – Leviticus 24:9

When you eat something it becomes a part of you. You can no longer separate the thing eaten from your being. In other words, there is an intimate bond that develops between you and the food.

Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.“ – John 6:53-56

Jesus is the Bread of Life. He is the Showbread on the Table!

Now consider this…

“And He (Jesus) took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” – Luke 22:19

The next time you receive communion, eat the bread knowing that you are receiving the power that is in the Body of Christ Jesus – the Body that bore all your sins. Drink the wine/grape juice knowing that you are receiving everything that the Blood of Jesus always did from the beginning – the Blood that never loses its power; the Blood that cleanses, heals and restores. Now mind you – I’m not talking about a religious ritual that produces no power. I’m speaking of an intense spiritual encounter – one that I have experienced personally – that can manifest in physical, emotional and spiritual healing. Eat His Body, drink His Blood, and watch what happens as that supernatural Body and Blood become one with you!!

The Table of Showbread in Moses’ Tabernacle is an awesome picture of the divine intimate communion that you and I can enjoy with our Lord and Saviour Jesus the Christ today!!

to be continued…

MOSES’ TABERNACLE – A PATTERN FOR INTIMACY: PART 7

THE GOLDEN LAMPSTAND

You shall also make a lampstand of pure gold; 

the lampstand shall be of hammered work. 

Its shaft, its branches, its bowls, its ornamental knobs, and flowers shall be of one piece. 

Exodus 25:31

You are now in the Holy Place in the Tent of Meeting. There are three pieces of furniture here – The Golden Lampstand, The Table of Showbread and the Altar of Incense. Walk with me to the left side of the Holy Place where the Lampstand is.

This is an awesome structure made of one piece of solid gold and weighing one talent – about 75 pounds! This gold had been beaten and hammered over and over again before passing through intense fire in order to be purified and shaped. This is a picture of our Beloved Christ who endured severe beatings and fiery persecution for our sake.

Notice that the Lampstand has a central shaft with six branches attached to it – three branches on one side and three on the other. Jesus said, “I AM The Vine, you are the branches.” John 15:5.  The Lampstand depicts the intimate relationship between the Lord and the Body of Christ – His Bride. We are joined to Him as one.

God, being the ultimate Strategist, chose to have six branches on the Lampstand, not five or eight. Six is His number for man. Without the main shaft of the Lampstand we, the branches, would be inoperable and ineffective. Jesus Himself emphasized that point when He said, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” John 15:4

On the Lampstand were ornamentations of almonds, knobs and flowers. The word “almond” means to wake, watch or be alert. Almonds are symbolic of resurrection. What a beautiful depiction of the risen Christ, and of us coming alive again in Him!

At the top of the shaft and on each of the six branches was a bowl which held oil and a wick. The oil came from olives, and was extracted from the fruit by crushing. Again we are reminded of our Lord’s suffering. Oil is symbolic of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Here it shows you that when you are “crushed” and allow the Holy Spirit to fill and use you, that brings out the best in you.

The Lampstand was the only source of light in the Holy Place. The Lord had commanded Moses to make it so that the lamps would point toward the Table of Showbread.

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

He also said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12

In making these two statements Jesus was confirming that when you abide in Him and you have the empowering and anointing oil of the Holy Spirit filling you, then you yourself become a light in this dark world, leading men and women to Jesus who is The Bread of Life – Our Showbread.

In Moses’ day the priests were to tend to the Lampstand twice daily, morning and evening, to make sure that the lamps remained lit and never went out. Here too, you are reminded that sweet intimate communion with the Lord daily is vital if you are to effectively reveal the true light of Christ in this world.

As you go through the Lampstand experience keep these Scriptures in mind:

Job 23:10 – But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.

1 Peter 4: 12, 13 – Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

Matthew 25:1-4 – Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

John 1:4,5 (Amplified Version) – In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men. And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it [put it out or absorbed it or appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it].

To be continued…

MOSES’ TABERNACLE – A PATTERN FOR INTIMACY: PART 6

ENTER THE HOLY PLACE

There are three portals in the Tabernacle of Moses. The first is the Gate – the only entrance into the enclosure. We have already discussed how beautifully the Gate portrays Jesus Himself. He is the only way in – the only way to the Father.

You have presented your body as a living sacrifice at the Brazen Altar. You have washed your hands and feet at the Brazen Laver, ridding yourself of the impurities and influences of the world. Now you stand before another portal – the door that separates the open-air Outer Court from the covered Tent of Meeting.

Note that only priests could enter through the Door of the Tabernacle and into the Holy Place – the first section of the Tent. The same is true today. It is a place reserved for those who have committed their lives to drawing ever closer to God by meeting with Him regularly and often, and by living a life of prayer, worship and service to Him and to others.

THE ENTRANCE

“You shall make a screen for the door of the tabernacle, woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, made by a weaver. And you shall make for the screen five pillars of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold; their hooks shall be of gold, and you shall cast five sockets of bronze for them.” Exodus 26:36,37

This door, like the Gate, is another encounter with the Lord Jesus Himself. Whereas in the first encounter at the Gate, you experienced Him as Saviour, now you are about to interact with Him in a more intimate manner.

This new transition is seen even in the materials used in the pillars that hold up the screen of the Door. Notice that they are made of acacia and overlaid with gold, and that they sit in bronze sockets. You have seen acacia before in the Bronze Altar. It is that durable wood that reminds us of Jesus’ indestructible body which was scourged, pierced and flogged for you and me. You have also seen the bronze fence posts, Bronze Altar and Bronze Laver. Bronze represents judgment.

For the first time, however, you see a new metal – gold. Gold represents divinity. Not only is Jesus represented in the blue, scarlet and purple screen, but in the supporting pillars we also see Him – perfectly human (acacia) yet perfectly Divine (gold), and taking upon Himself the judgment (bronze) that was due us all. Once more you are reminded that in order to get close to the Father, you must come through the Son.

From this point on all the furniture you will encounter will be made of gold. No bronze is allowed in the Holy Place or beyond. You see, there is no such thing as pure bronze. Bronze is an alloy – a mixture of copper, tin and other trace metals. As it is in the natural, so it is in the spiritual. There can be no mixture in you as you enter the inner enclosure of your spiritual Holy Place. Do you see why it was important to wash first at the Brazen Laver?

As you look around you notice that the Holy Place is encased by several coverings. Let us examine them.

LINEN

The innermost coverings are linen curtains interwoven with cherubim. Linen represents rest. You may remember that the first time cherubim were mentioned in Scripture was in Genesis 3:23, 24.

“…therefore the LORD God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.”

Cherubim are guardians. They kept Adam and Eve from returning to the idyllic Garden of Eden where they had enjoyed sweet intimate fellowship with the Lord. I believe that these cherubim, being on the inside of the Holy Place where you are, symbolize how God wants you to guard the treasures that you receive in your spirit during your communion with Him; treasures that enable you to come into a deeper state of rest in Him.

GOATS’ HAIR

“You shall also make curtains of goats’ hair, to be a tent over the tabernacle.” Exodus 26:7

In Moses’ day the goat was a sacrificial animal, used on the Day of Atonement. The High Priest would lay his hands on the goat’s head, after which it was led away out of the camp and into the wilderness. This scapegoat signified God’s taking away the sins of the Israelites. What a wonderful symbol of Jesus who is our Sacrificial Scapegoat!

RAM’S SKINS

“You shall also make a covering of ram skins dyed red for the tent, and a covering of badger skins above that.” Exodus 26:14

The ram reminds us of a substitute sacrifice. After Abraham willingly took Isaac up to the mountain to sacrifice him as God ordered, the Lord provided Himself a ram caught in the thicket.

The red ram skins are a reminder that Jesus’ Blood was the Perfect Substitute given in sacrifice for our sin.

BADGER SKINS

Badger skins are tough and coarse, shielding the precious items in the Tabernacle from the onslaught of rain, wind and sand. Jesus is our Covering, shielding us from the onslaught of the enemy.

These badger skins were also unattractive. Again we see a picture of our Saviour whom Isaiah describes this way…
“He has no form or comeliness; and when we see Him there is no beauty that we should desire Him.” Isaiah 53:2

Jesus commands you to come often to this secret place, The Holy Place, in Him – away from the noise and clatter of daily routine. It is here in this glorious seclusion that He meets with you and imparts His precious treasures into you.

Don’t rush. Stay a while, and walk with me to the first piece of furniture in the Holy Place – the Golden Lampstand.

….to be continued.

MOSES’ TABERNACLE – A PATTERN FOR INTIMACY: PART 5

 THE BRAZEN LAVER

Before a priest could enter the Holy Place from the Outer Court, he had to wash at the Brazen Laver. It was a requirement of God that could not be overlooked. He had to remove any defilement before going before the Holy God.

The Laver was made of bronze mirrors donated by women, and was filled with water. It stood between the Brazen Altar and the Holy Place.

Blood was shed at the Brazen Altar symbolizing the sacrifice of a life through death. Water was the focus at the Laver, symbolizing the giving of life through cleansing.

At his initial consecration the priest was washed all over his body at the Laver. This was a type of baptism. After that he had to wash himself – his hands and feet – before entering and after leaving the service to the Lord in the Holy Place. The priest was able to see his reflection both in the water and in the bronze mirrors that made up the Laver. A priest who did not wash before entering the Holy Place, or upon exiting it was considered to be ceremonially unclean, and therefore unfit for service and worship to the Lord.

This is a reminder to us that, after presenting our bodies as living sacrifices (the Brazen Altar experience), we must wash ourselves before entering into intimate communion with, or service to the Lord. How do we do that washing today, since there are no more Brazen Lavers for ceremonial washing? Jesus gives us the answer.

In response to the woman at the well, He said that He had living water that would cause her never to thirst again. This was not physical water to quench natural thirst, but rather the spiritual water of the Word of God that would revive and sustain her. (John 4:1-13)

In John 15:3 Jesus tells His disciples, “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.”

Paul admonishes husbands to, “love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word…”

It is clear, then, that our “Brazen Laver” today is the Word of God. Just as the priests were able to see their reflections when they washed at their Laver, we too can see ourselves when we look with honest hearts into the Word. It shows us who we are, and what defilement needs to be removed.

Ask the Holy Spirit to show you, through the Word…

• an attitude that needs to be corrected – is there pride, selfishness, jealousy, unforgiveness
• a sin that you have become desensitized to
• any worldly values that have infiltrated your lifestyle

The priests of Moses’ day had to wash their hands and feet. This was a foreshadowing of what we are to do today. Our hands represent what we do – our work, our service, our assignments. Our feet represent our daily walk – our mindsets, ways, lifestyles.

Today God is too often approached with casual familiarity and taken for granted. Too many believers have adopted an air of entitlement, thinking that because they do x, y or z God must reciprocate. The Sovereignty, Majesty and Holiness of Almighty God has, to a large extent, been excommunicated from the church, and replaced by “God, our good Buddy”. God has been brought down to man’s level, rather than man aspiring to come up to His.

More than ever before, we must look at the Brazen Laver as it relates to us. Although Jesus’ sacrificial death paid the price for our sin, we must still be cleansed daily from its influence. We must ask the Lord to show us, through His Word, what mindsets, attitudes, habits etc need to be removed. Without it we would be in danger of coming before the Holy God with unwashed “hands” and “feet” – defiled priests.

Have you been meeting God’s requirement to wash daily at The “Brazen Laver”?

But as the One Who called you is holy, 

you yourselves also be holy 

in all your conduct and manner of living. 

For it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy. 

1 Peter 1: 15-16

to be continued…

MOSES’ TABERNACLE – A PATTERN FOR INTIMACY: PT. 4

 A TIME OF TRANSITION

Jesus refers to His followers as sheep.  Let us look at some of their characteristics.

Sheep are…

• submissive
• completely dependent on the Shepherd
• responsive to love and care

but sheep also …

• are easily panicked
• are gullible
• are vulnerable to fear and therefore stampede easily
• are vulnerable to mob psychology, so they are easily influenced by a leader – whoever that leader might be
• have only one defense – to run
• are easy prey to enemies
• are easily flipped over and cannot right themselves without the Shepherd
• need a lot of care
• are not concerned about the Shepherd’s needs – only their own.
• are not concerned about pleasing the Shepherd, but rather are focused on pleasing themselves.

What does this have to do with Moses’ Tabernacle and your intimacy with the Lord you ask? As a young believer you come to the Lord as His sheep, and you are lovingly cared for by the Great Shepherd. However, after a while there is a need for a transition in your thinking. Consider these facts….

1. In Moses’ Tabernacle sheep could go no further than the Brazen Altar. They could not approach the Brazen Laver, not to mention the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies.
2. Sheep were unable to be intimate with the Shepherd since they are a different species from Him.

Do you see the spiritual implications for you and me? If we continue to think of ourselves only as sheep we will never experience true intimacy with the Lord, and our growth in Him will be stunted. The Father is not preparing a Marriage Feast for His Son and His sheep. He is preparing one for His Son and His Bride! Now let us look at the characteristics of a bride.

A bride…

• Grows in intimacy with her Husband and seeks to please Him
• As a result of this intimacy, knows not just His acts but understands His ways
• Partners with Him
• Is in covenant with Him
• Represents Him in His absence. (People will judge Him by how she looks, speaks and acts.)
• Carries His Name
• Bears and raises His ‘children’ – His fruit
• Submits to His leadership
• He is her covering, therefore she knows that He takes care of all of her needs – just as He does with His sheep. This frees her to focus on their relationship, and on taking care of His business.

In ancient Jewish weddings the bride immersed herself in a body of water called a “mikvah” prior to the marriage. Her immersion symbolized the profound transition that was about to take place in her life. We can see a similar pattern in Moses’ Tabernacle where only the priests were allowed to wash at the Brazen Laver in preparation for entering the Holy Place – a place of intimacy with the Holy Lord.

Today you and I must first ensure that we change our mindset from being simply a dependent, self-absorbed sheep. We must embrace our life as the Bride of Christ preparing for her Beloved Bridegroom! Then we can move on to our “mikvah” – the Brazen Laver experience.

To be continued…

MOSES’ TABERNACLE – A PATTERN FOR INTIMACY: PT. 3

THE BRAZEN ALTAR

The first piece of furniture that you encounter once you have entered through the Gate is the Brazen Altar. You cannot get around it, ignore it or bypass it.

The Brazen Altar in Moses’ day was made of shittim wood overlaid with bronze. Acacia or shittim wood is known for its durability, and wood represents humanity. “Shittim” means to scourge, to flog or to pierce. Bronze, as we discussed earlier, represents judgment. In this we can see a type of Christ whose indestructible body was scourged, pierced and sacrificed for the judgment of your sin and mine.

After Aaron and his sons were anointed by Moses as priests they offered the first sacrifices upon this altar, and God’s fire descended from heaven and consumed it. In that day an animal was sacrificed after the priest laid his hands on its head, symbolically transferring the sins of the people onto the animal. The altar was always burning and was in daily use.

The meat offerings of that day foreshadowed Christ’s sinless body that would be the only acceptable substitute for our sins. Oil that was poured on the altar symbolizes Jesus’ anointing by the Holy Spirit. The burning of the animal also represents Jesus’ obedience, even unto death, that was a sweet smelling aroma to the Father. Some of the meat offered as burnt offerings was used as food for the priests. What a wonderful reminder that Christ is our Daily Bread!

The word “altar” comes from a root word meaning “a place of sacrifice”. Today you and I don’t need to bring an animal. But God tells us in Romans 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” Just as in Moses’ time when sacrifices were given to God daily, we must bring ourselves to the Father daily, offering our lives up to Him.

Our sacrifice is our flesh – the carnality that we still must deal with on a daily basis. When we offer our fleshly desires, emotions, thoughts, attitudes and actions up to the Lord He consumes them. This is a vital part of the process of growing in intimacy with Him because, “no flesh should glory in His presence.” – 1 Corinthians 1:29.

Only the fire from the Brazen Altar was used to ignite the altar of incense in the Holy Place. Anything else would be strange fire, and not acceptable to God. What does this mean for you and me? It means that we cannot offer true worship or true intercession until and unless we first offer ourselves as sacrifices. This requires brutal honesty, laying aside all pretenses and excuses, and agreeing with God that we have fallen short of His glory. In other words we have sinned. It is the place of total surrender.

Sacrifice is always painful and messy, and it is tempting to fore-go it. I believe that this is why so many of the altars in today’s churches have become places of entertainment, self-promotion and empty ritual. Flesh has not died. But when you and I willingly give everything over to the Lord, when we deny ourselves as Christ did, then the Father is pleased to accept our sacrifice and He Himself resurrects us into a newer level of intimacy with Him. He then prepares us for the next step in the process – washing at the Bronze Laver.

To be continued….

MOSES’ TABERNACLE – A PATTERN FOR INTIMACY: Part 2

THE GATE

The width of the court on the east side shall be fifty cubits. The hangings on one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and their three sockets. And on the other side shall be hangings of fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and their three sockets. “For the gate of the court there shall be a screen twenty cubits long, woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, made by a weaver. It shall have four pillars and four sockets. 
 Ex. 27:13-16

Three entrances are associated with the Tabernacle of Moses – the Gate to the Outer Court, the door to the Holy Place and the Veil at the Holy of Holies.

There was only one way to enter into the Tabernacle’s enclosure – through the Gate which was clearly marked and distinguishable from all the other hangings that made up the fence of the outer court. The gate was made of fine linen interwoven with blue, purple and scarlet thread.

Ten pillars formed the foundation for the eastern and western parts of the fence. Ten is God’s number symbolizing the perfection of divine order. We have the Ten Commandments; God created man with ten fingers and ten toes. Additionally, Jesus’ model prayer is completed in ten clauses, and God requires the first one-tenth of our increase to be returned to Him.

The Tabernacle gate was located on the east end, and stood in the middle of the fence. There were three pillars on one side and three on the other while the gate itself hung on four pillars. The number three, as we discussed previously, is symbolic of God’s divine order. When I look at this I see an absolutely beautiful picture of redemption. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit on the one hand were separated from man, who is spirit, soul and body. But Jesus was stretched and suspended on that Cross forming the Bridge that gave us access again to the presence of God! Hallelujah!!

Each color in the gate was significant.

BLUE

Blue signifies the commandments of the Lord.

“Speak to the children of Israel: Tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a blue thread in the tassels of the corners. And you shall have the tassel, that you may look upon it and remember all the commandments of the LORD and do them. – Numbers 15:38, 39

It also speaks of the priesthood.
 “You shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue. There shall be an opening for his head in the middle of it; it shall have a woven binding all around its opening, like the opening in a coat of mail, so that it does not tear. – Exodus 28: 31, 32

Blue is symbolic of the revelation of God, and of heaven itself.
…and they saw the God of Israel. And there was under His feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and it was like the very heavens in its clarity. – Ex 24:10

Therefore the blue in the gate tells us of Jesus, our Great High Priest who fulfilled all the Law, and who came to earth to reveal who the Father is and what heaven is like.

PURPLE

Purple speaks of royalty, authority and rulership. Kings and nobles of that day were dressed in robes of purple.

Now the weight of the gold earrings that he requested was one thousand seven hundred shekels of gold, besides the crescent ornaments, pendants, and purple robes which were on the kings of Midian, and besides the chains that were around their camels’ necks. – Judges 8:26

The king spoke, saying to the wise men of Babylon, “Whoever reads this writing, and tells me its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around his neck; and he shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.” – Daniel 5:7b

And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe. – John 19:2

Jesus the Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords!! – Revelation 19:16

SCARLET

Scarlet speaks of sin…
Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. – Isaiah 1:18

…and Jesus’ sacrifice
Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. – Hebrews 13:12

It also denotes cleansing from sin…
But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. – 1 John 1:7

… of Jesus redeeming us through His Blood
…you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. – 1 Peter 1:18, 19

…and of life in Christ
Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. – John 6:53

What a glorious picture of Jesus that Gate is!!

“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.”
John 10:9

Next: The Brazen Altar

MOSES’ TABERNACLE – A PATTERN FOR INTIMACY: PT. 1

Who would think that a building, and a temporary one at that, would give us a pattern for developing the intimacy that God so desperately wants to have with each of us. But that is exactly what the Tabernacle of Moses does.

In this series we will go step by step and see how each item in the Tabernacle relates to us today, and confirms the Father’s desire to bring us back into sweet fellowship with Him through His Son, Jesus.

Moses built the Tabernacle from the inside out, starting with the Ark of the Testimony and finishing with the erecting of the fence. We, however, will be going from the outside in, since this more typifies how a believer develops in increasingly greater intimacy with the Lord.

OVERVIEW

It is important to note that God does everything in exquisite detail, so each word, each name and each item mentioned in Scripture is there for a specific reason.

The number three is significant of God’s divine purpose and will, and we can see it repeated throughout the Bible. Here are just a few examples.

• Jewish men were to appear before the Lord three times each year for three different feasts. 
• Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days. 
• Saul, before he became Paul, was blinded for three days. 
• God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 
• You and I are spirit beings, with a soul and housed in a body. 

 Most importantly, in the passion of Christ…………..Jesus asked the Father three times to remove the cup from Him; three disciples were with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane; Peter denied Him three times; Pilate tried three times to release Jesus; there were three crosses; on Jesus’ cross were three inscriptions in three different languages; He was crucified at the third hour and He rose on the third day!!

In the Tabernacle we also see the same pattern of three. There is the Outer Court, The Holy Place and the Most Holy Place, also known as the Holy of Holies. Each represents a different degree of intimacy with the Lord.

THE FENCE – Exodus 27:9-19 

The outer court was enclosed by a fence which was made with sixty pillars of bronze, each capped with silver. Bronze represents judgment and silver represents redemption. How glorious to know that thousands of years ago the Father used the pillars of the Tabernacle fence to show that God’s judgment of our sin (the bronze) was covered when Jesus redeemed us (the silver) through His death, burial and resurrection!

The pillars were there to suspend hangings of fine white woven linen. White symbolizes purity. Linen does not cause a person to sweat, and in Scripture it represents rest. These hangings, then, tell us that when we enter into a relationship with the Lord, we should cease from self-effort and enter into His sweet rest. The writer of Hebrews puts it this way…

Therefore, while the promise of entering His rest still holds and is offered [today], let us be afraid [to distrust it], lest any of you should think he has come too late and has come short of [reaching] it.

For indeed we have had the glad tidings [Gospel of God] proclaimed to us just as truly as they [the Israelites of old did when the good news of deliverance from bondage came to them]; but the message they heard did not benefit them, because it was not mixed with faith (with the leaning of the entire personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness) by those who heard it; neither were they united in faith with the ones [Joshua and Caleb] who heard (did believe).

For we who have believed (adhered to and trusted in and relied on God) do enter that rest, in accordance with His declaration that those [who did not believe] should not enter when He said, As I swore in My wrath, They shall not enter My rest; and this He said although [His] works had been completed and prepared [and waiting for all who would believe] from the foundation of the world. Hebrews 4:1-3 (Amplified Bible)

The fence hangings were all of pure white linen, with one exception – the only entrance by which men could enter into the Tabernacle enclosure. There was no other way that they could come in. They couldn’t climb over the white linen hangings; they couldn’t crawl underneath. They could not make their own entryway. All who entered had to go through The Gate.

“Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy-laden and over-burdened, 

and I will cause you to rest. 

[I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]”

Matthew 11:28 (Amplified Bible)

To be continued…