Spiritual Awakening
To appreciate this in its entirety is the two keywords used in that Hebrew chapter of “shadow” and “reality”. For in God’s world; the shadow is flesh and carnality while the reality is the Word and Spirit. As previously stated; the Old Tabernacle was made up of three main pillars. Two of these pillars in support of the main one; that of the Ark of the Covenant. For without this; the Jews cannot offer blood for their sins and therefore receive no atonement. The Ark of the Covenant is critical for Salvation; not only its outward Holy representation of God’s Throne and will; His mercy seat and the object of Worship; but more its inward Sanctification of the objects inside it including, the pot of Manna; the tablets (laws) of the Covenant which is the Ten Commandments and, the budding rod of Aaron.
When God threw satan to the Earth as stated; “I saw satan fall like lightning” - Lk. 10:18; He prophesied that we would become His Temples not requiring the Tabernacle of manmade objects and rituals that only succumbed us into the law of death by facades of intentions; but by the Blood of Jesus we would become His candles to the world as stated; “No one puts a lit candle under a container” - Lk. 8:16. Jesus paved the way to fulfill what Adam failed to do and in doing so, became the first of His kind; “The Tabernacle” of God’s Kingdom.
God wants us to be at Rest so that His final solution to death will not be restrained, retarded or redirected by our; well; self. We often become more of the problem; hindering Salvation’s promises of overcoming, winning and having victory over an enemy sworn to kill, steal and destroy us; preventing every good thing that comes with God’s Blessings. Many Christians are still not at Rest and constantly relive the Passover just like the Jews bringing lifeless sacrifices to the altar of regret and shame. An altar that could never suffice for the turmoil, curse, and death of disobedience.
This is one of the main reasons why God instructed His newly rescued people to build the Tabernacle according to certain specifications. Think about that? A supreme being who we acknowledge to be all Powerful and above any carnal thinking wants a man to sacrifice with a ritual? The same God who states that there is nothing we can do to earn Salvation and as stated; “It is only by Grace are we saved” - Eph. 2:8. It almost seems like a contradiction. This is the result of disobedience which is the law of death as opposed to its intention to be the law for life.
Nowhere does the Bible indicate there is a Tabernacle of sacrifice and worship in Heaven and in the Throne room of God. Because in Heaven; there is no need for sacrifice for the repentance of sin and death but only the eternal Glory of God’s immaculate and sustaining Spirit of life; which as the New Jerusalem will reflect and mirror as stated; “And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the Glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.” - Rev. 21:23. We will be changed after the manner of the Risen Christ, having no blemish of this world in body, mind, and spirit as stated; “and we shall be changed” - 1 Cor. 15:52. Let us be clear! Even though by the Cross; we have received Salvation and have replaced the old with a new man; a new creature; we have yet to attain the fullness of Salvation’s promises which is to be fully man and fully spirit having the Spirit of God completely instilled in us by proxy through Christ. And despite the proclamation as stated’ “Christ lives in me” - Gal. 2:20; all in the Body can never attain Christ because as stated; “For all have sinned, and come short of the Glory of God” - Rm. 3:23. Yet, despite the innate fallen residue of sin; we as stated; " Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which (tries) so easily to beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our Faith" - Heb. 12:1-3.
We just can’t get rid of the stain of our father’s and their forefather’s sin. Because whether we want to accept it or not; we are as stated; “Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble” - Job.14:1. We can’t just whimsically throw out the bathwater with the baby just to suit our theologies and religions. The Bible makes it clear why this is so and why Jesus is the Tabernacle for the Body of Christ.
How did this happen and why is it so important to appreciate the differences? We must understand an action is preceded by thoughts and the results of actions are the echoes of it into the following generations of the future. From man’s inception; he has failed by not heeding God’s instructions which are still a constant even today after the Cross and so much physical evidence to support one’s Faith. These failures as it were; eventually points back to their origins. Because despite our best efforts to curtail their judgments; they somehow maintain a life of their own, and often “kick us in the rear” when we least expect it to. In simple terms, you can’t take back what has been given life by our actions as stated; “There is life and death in the power of the tongue” - Ps. 18:21
Man’s sin prevented and still prevents the ultimate and desired relationship that Jesus demonstrated while as a man faced with every temptation we had and have today. Jesus accomplishes not only what Adam failed to do but more importantly completes, fulfills and stays any caveat that plagued this utopia started by God in the Garden of Eden. And until the New Jerusalem is planted; we have to go through Jesus to receive what was given to Adam and Eve in those first six days of creation. So as to enter into the Rest; ordained and given by and for God to arrest the damages of death. The Earth and all in it is still dying because despite the wonderful repentance, sacrifice and regeneration of the Cross; there is still sin in all manner of creation and is why as stated; “For the earnest expectation of the creature waits for the manifestation of the sons of God” - Rm. 8:19. This creature is the Spirit of life as divinely set in the Garden and in the Christian’s reality; is and should be the Holy Spirit. For nothing God does whether through His Throne, Word or Spirit produces death. That even death can and will produce life with the right or rather the Righteous Spirit of God.
The Old Testament Tabernacle is made of things that as stated; “where moth and rust does corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal” - Matt. 6:19. Is that heresy? Cannot be; for despite everything the Jews did through these rituals; they did not attain for themselves what Jesus did for all mankind. Notice the Old Tabernacle was only for the Jews but the New Tabernacle, who is Jesus, is for anyone regardless of traditions, culture, and religion. For as stated; “The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming and not the realities themselves. For this reason, it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. And (But) by that will (God’s), we have been made Holy through the sacrifice of the Body of Jesus Christ once for all” - Heb. 10:1-10.
Each item is significant not only historically but is the basis of our Salvation first as a shadow and now as reality. For without them the trek for fourty years across the desert wilderness would have been impossible.
First, the pot of Manna represents God’s promises as stated; “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in Glory by Christ Jesus” - Phil. 4:19. This includes anything required for the life of the body, mind, and spirit.
Secondly, the law (Commandments) for without the Anointing for life and the Blessing cannot be sustained as stated; “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” - Matt. 22:36. We cannot expect God to fulfill His Covenant with us if we first don’t fulfill His requirements.
Thirdly, the budding rod of Aaron. A rod or sturdy stick is used for support, pointing and planning. When the Jews were confused; God had Moses provide a sign for leadership with each tribe selecting a candidate rod with the one budding to affirm leadership. Aaron’s was the only one that budded from a dead stick; who happens to be of the Levites priestly tribe that represented the people for repentance in the Tabernacle. God tells Moses; ““Put back the (blossomed) rod of Aaron before the testimony (the Ark) to be kept as a sign (a mark) against the rebels (disobedient people), that you may put an end to their grumblings against Me, so that they will not die” - Num. 17:10. This symbol is represented by the Cross; once an old rugged mark of death and now a blossom of Light and Salvation; to be a testimony (of Jesus) to all (disobedient and obedient peoples). A reminder and banner so that we will not die because of despair, ignorance, and death. Where He who died and paid for our sin is of the lineage of priests as stated; “You (Jesus) art a priest forever after the order of Melchisedec (of Aaron) and by it; Jesus made a surety of a better testament (Ark)” - Heb. 7:21-22. With the rod of promise; we become followers of Christ being the good shepherd leading us to the paths of Righteousness uncompromising, unapologetic and bold as stated; “And He (Jesus) shall rule them with a rod of iron” - Rev. 2:27. The very symbol of lack of leadership by Aaron who allowed the people to be disobedient to God. What was the shadow of Moses' self-imposed weak leadership with Aaron appointed to be his priest is for the saved Christian; by Jesus; our high priest; we are able to lead a God-fearing life as stated; "That we may become the Righteousness of God" - 2 Cor. 5:21.
All the three items held in the Ark of the Covenant points to Jesus; first as a shadow but now a reality. The manna from above is the Heavenly Word sent for our redemption as stated; “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” - Jn. 1:14. The law (Commandments) is demonstrated by Jesus in body, mind, and spirit for which no curse or death could touch Him but everything He did was to preserve and implore life as stated; “For they are life to those that find them, and health to all their flesh” - Prob. 4:22. And the rod is Jesus’ Faith and authority demonstrated in His life and leadership fulfilling as stated; “And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the Covenant” - Ez. 20:37.
Where this prophesy and transference is the Passover for all the peoples of the world as stated; “All who dwell on the earth will worship Him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the Book of Life of the Lamb who has been slain” - Rev. 13:8. One way or another, Jesus will be seen by everyone and recognized and acknowledged as the Savior and Lord over all as stated; “every knee shall bow to Me (Jesus)” - Rm. 14:11. Jesus is the Tabernacle and the rod of Salvation as stated; “But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life” - Matt. 7:13.
Flush it Out - “If you believed Moses, you would Me; for he wrote of Me” - Jn. 5:46.
Why God created the world prior to man was not only to present provision, prosperity, peace, and Providence. It was so that He could teach and instruct the man in the method of authority, control, and destiny. Like bringing your child to your already established business. Not to be a slave but the master of their future as stated; “(God) brought them (the animals) to Adam to see what He would call them” - Gen. 2:20. Like asking your child's opinion to see their thought process. This is called empowering and demonstrating initiative for the purpose of building confidence. As an owner when we typically hire a worker, the idea is for them to maintain and grow our business. With God, it's about the partnership. But because of the implications of the virus of death; God now has to take up another method of partnership often referred to as mentorship. A vital method for long term success, reward, and satisfaction. This we see after the physical Passover with the crossing of the Red Sea and the destruction of Pharoah's army.
God instructs Moses in the design, components, and elements of The Tabernacle which would become not only the place of atonement and sacrifice but was the place of Blessing and empowerment; a prelude to Jesus; the Lamb sacrifice. First is the Ark of the Covenant as stated; “Have them make an Ark” - Ex. 25:10. Then the housing of the Ark as stated; “Make the Tabernacle” - Ex. 26:1. And finally, the receiving and presentation of the Commandments as stated; “and I (God) will write on them (Tablets) the words (Commands)” - Ex. 34:1. These three main pillars if you will form the basis for the Old Covenant as stated by God; “I am making a Covenant with you” - Ex. 34:10. The underlying purpose of these physical pillars was done because with the fall and generations of unfaithful thinking and practice by disobedience; was to renew, retrain and, recondition the body, mind, and spirit towards a Heavenly thought process of life. Not to be carnal; only believing by one’s sight and senses, but to be Faithful, just, and Righteous and believe by obedience onto God. For without discipline or the law of correction; no order, sanctification and perseverance would be achieved in what could be seen in a time of uncertainty, chaos and despair. God had to keep His people focused on Him while at the same time orchestrate their peace and prosperity as stated; “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord; thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected (assured) end” - Jer. 29:11. The same plans He has for all who call on Him as stated; “Seek you first the Kingdom of God, and His Righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you” - Matt. 6:33.
By Adam’s disobedience; the law of sin and death reigned which in turned required opposing laws to restraint its spiritual implications. Hence, the Ten Commandments and eventually the Tabernacle with all its rituals, separations and prostrations. God literally took the sin and death which was hosted in the Exodus Jews and had to wait for that generation to produce a new generation so that He could in effect retrain their thoughts on life before entering the Promiseland. This is the Passover which is still observed ritually every year. The Passover is meant to signify for all those enslaved by darkness to transition into the light. For the Jew first and then the converted Gentile known as Christians. This is the main theme of the Word after the fall. The Passover is the indication that there is nothing to go back to. That what has passed can never be regained or rather should be abandoned and forgotten. The image is one of overcoming a tremendous obstacle or burden and just like in western countries; the midweek day of Wednesday gives the same annotation being referred to as “hump day”. That the rest of the week or time is one of coasting towards a time of rest we call the weekend.
This is the message and instruction with creation week and commanded as stated; “Let us labor, therefore, to enter into that Rest, lest any man falls after the same example of unbelief” - Heb. 4:11. God created in six days and rested on the seventh. Notice man is created on the sixth day just before the Rest. This is not coincidental but Divinely done as with all things that Our Father does. By our carnal thinking; it would be logical to put in place the man before all other forms of creation like the animals, plant life and fishes of the sea. Because wouldn’t it make more sense for a man to see creation happen rather than just inherit it? If not by the first or second day; man would have been better positioned to be made at least on the third day. Isn’t this what we do in life or in a business and teach; that it's better for participation rather than just observation. Until we have “passed over” from our old and carnal or one can say death thinking; we will never fully receive the benefit, purpose, and Power that comes with the Tabernacle.
You don’t mentor based on the intended destination but on the place where the person sees themselves. God could have reestablished a new Tree of Knowledge and a new Tree of Truth demanding that they get it right this time; but He had to demonstrate His compassion, mercy, and Grace to the ignorance of disobedience and sin of His people and for that matter any of us today as stated by Moses; “God; compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in loving kindness and Truth” - Ex. 34:6. Moses said this as God passed by him on Mount Sinai. Moses was unable to be in God’s full presence because of his inherited sin which would not become possible until the fulfillment of Jesus’ Blood on the Cross; but as signified by its precursor with the lamb’s blood on the Jew’s doorposts when the angel of death passed over Egypt as stated; “For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he sees the (lamb’s) blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come into your houses to smite you” - Ex. 12:23.
Feb. 12, 2019.
Jesus - The Tabernacle.