Ark of the Covenant, Mercy Seat, Brazen Alter, Judgment

[ByGraceThruFaith]

Temple furniture - shadows of Christ

The brazen altar or bronze (represents judgment) altar was lifted up on a mound of earth. Higher then the other temple furniture.
(NOTE: A shadow of Christ to be lifted up on the cross)

The laver, or basin was also bronze. A large bowl filled with water. The priests were to wash, hands & feet before entering the Holy Place.
(NOTE: A shadow of today's believer washed daily with His Word. Eph 5:25-27)

The menorah, golden lampstand or candlestick. The only light sourse inside the temple. One piece of beaten pure gold, weighing nearly 100 pounds. Gold represents deity & perfection. Christ 7 lamps, with wicks, filled with the purest olive oil. Each branch resemble an olive tree branch w/buds, blossoms & flowers. Priests were to keep the lamps burning.
(NOTE: A shadow of Jesus, the main/middle candlestick (I am the vine, you are the branches Jn 15:5). Believers are represented by the six branches extending from the main middle branch (let your light shine before men Matt 5:16)

The table of showbread, called bread of the presence (I am the bread of life Jn 6:35). 12 loaves baked with fine flour. Removed & replaced every Sabbath and eaten by the priests. Only priests were to eat it & only in the Holy Place.
(NOTE: A shadow of the believers fellowship and communion. God is ready to commune with us, the invitation was always open. Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take and eat; this is my body. Matt 26:26, Rev 3:20

The golden (not bronze) altar of incense. Priests were to burn incense on the golden altar every morning & evening. The incense burn continually day & night. The burning incense was a symbol of the prayers & intercession. A sweet fragrance continually raising before the Lord.
(NOTE: A shadow of Christ, who is our intercessor. Christ Jesus, who was raised, and interceds for us. Rom 8:34

The Holy of Holies an innermost temple room. A thick curtain (known as the veil) separated the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place. The veil, a barrier between God & man, because of sin. Only the high priest could entered this room. And only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people. Hebews 9:7. After Jesus finished the work of redemption. As Jesus rose in resurrection power, the veil was torn in two Matt 27:51.
(NOTE: A shadow of God’s dwelling place, which we have access now through Christ. We can now boldly enter into God’s presence, the inner sanctuary behind the veil where the presents of the Lord dwelt. Heb 6:19-20

Ark of the Covenant, represents God’s throne among His people. On the top was the mercy seat or Atonement Cover, made of solid gold. Two cherubim angels, facing each other. A symbol of the protection of God’s divine presence. Inside was; a golden pot of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and two stone tablets on which the Ten Commandments were written.
(NOTE: A shadow of: Aarons rod (over night) budded: Is grew a branch, with leaves & fruit on it. An almond (reread the Menorah), the almond is a shadow of resurrection life. The Almond is the Frist Fruit to come back to life after the deadening of winter. The broken law tablet (covered by the Mercy Seat of Grace). The heavenly food (manna) our Heavenly sustenance is Christ. The bread that came down from heaven Jn 6:51

The Ark of the Covenant was not to be opened. Once it was captured & opened to see if the contents was still in it. 1 Sam 6:19. More then 50,000 men died! Why? Because once you remove the Mercy Seat of Grace. Only God's' judgment remains.

 

[for_his_glory]

The Tabernacle

http://www.thebiblestudypage.com/taber_ark_mercy.shtml

This lesson from the Old Testament is on the Jewish Tabernacle during the time of Moses.
This lesson was taught by Dr. James Modlish

Lesson Seven
THE ARK OF THE COVENANT, AND THE MERCY SEAT
(Exodus 25:10-22; 37:1-9)

The Outer Court...The Holy Place...THE HOLY OF HOLIES!!! We should STOP and REMEMBER as we STEP BEHIND THE VEIL to look upon the ARK that this one thing the Old Testament saints were NEVER PERMITTED to do. Only on ONE DAY in the year, THE DAY OF ATONEMENT (Lev. 16: 11, 34) did the High Priest enter into the Holy of Holies, and then, ONLY with the BLOOD of propitiation, and a cloud of incense to dim the vision of sinful man in the presence of God.

I. THE ARK OF THE COVENANT -
The most important piece of furniture in the Tabernacle, for it is the most complete type and figure of Christ found in the Old Testament. The Tabernacle was built around the Ark; the Tabernacle without the Ark is like a body without a soul, or a Church without Christ; (Herod's Temple in Jesus' day had no true Ark, thus they crucified Christ).
A. THE ARK OF THE COVENANT - "Chest, coffer, for keeping safe" SAFETY IN CHRIST.
Several Arks mentioned in Scripture:
[1]. Noah's (Gen. 6:13, 14).
[2]. Moses' (Ex. 2, 3).
[3]. Ark of the Covenant (Ex. 25:10).
B. SIZE AND DESCRIPTION -
[1]. WOOD and GOLD, the blending of two natures, human and divine.
[2]. OBLONG-SHAPED CHEST, 2 1/2 cubits long 1 1/2 cubits high and wide.
[3]. CROWN OF GOLD - Crowns are for kings to wear, thus the crown is a symbol of His sovereignty and power (Lord and Master).
[4]. 4 RINGS OF GOLD, 2 STAVES - For the ARK when carried by priests (only). (4)= Justice and Holiness, Grace and Truth, Propitiation (in middle, between).

II. THE MERCY SEAT -
"Covering (propitiation)" CHRIST'S BLOOD COVERING OUR SINS.
Here is CHRIST in His mediatorial redemptive work (in Heaven before God).
A. IT WAS SOLID GOLD - 2 1/2 cubits long, 1 1/2 cubits wide.
[1]. There was NO SEAT in the Holy of Holies, no need for one; the priestly work was never finished, constantly and daily they brought sacrifices in the Outer Court: NO END OF SERVICE.
[2]. Only ONCE (Heb. 10: 11, 12) is it mentioned that Christ could SIT DOWN, and only after His work is finished, and nothing to add to His work.
B. TWO CHERUBIM - "Guardians"
[1]. A sinner (or a believer) is never called on to GUARD THE BLOOD, for he ever stands in need of the blood to protect and guard him.
[2]. CHERUBIM last seen in Eden (Gen. 3:24) to guard the way to the Tree of Life; at EDEN it was JUDGMENT; at the ARK it is MERCY, blood makes the difference.
[3]. NOTE: The two are facing but not looking at each other, but toward the Mercy Seat and the Blood; men deny the power of the blood, but the WORD OF GOD COVERS IT, guards it, protects it.
C. BLOOD - "Blood of bulls and goats"
[1]. Were only types and figures, for these could not pay the price of sin: this was only done by the LAMB OF GOD (Heb. 10:1-4:12). In (Heb. 9:12) Christ sprinkled His blood upon the mercy seat before the throne of God, and forever settled the sin question.
[2]. The difference in "Touch Me Not" (Jn. 20:17) and "Handle Me and See" (Lk. 24:39) is sometime during the Resurrection Day He went to Heaven, fulfilled the TYPE of presenting His blood, and thus could say that night, before His apostles, "Handle Me and See".

III. INSIDE THE ARK - "Thou shalt put into the ark" (Ex. 25:16).

Three things listed: (Heb. 9:4)
[1]. TWO TABLES OF STONE (The Law) (Ex. 20).
[2]. GOLDEN POT OF MANNA (Ex. 16:11-33; Num. 11:19).
[3]. AARON'S ROD THAT BUDDED (Num. 16: 17: 1-13).
A. THE LAW -
[1]. The LAW which man could not keep, was deposited within the Ark, beneath the Mercy Seat, the type of the ONLY ONE WHO did keep the Law perfectly.
B. THE GOLDEN POT OF MANNA - "Manna" has three meanings:
[1]. Hebrew - "What is it" (Ex. 16:15)
[2]. Chaldean - "A portion"
[3]. English - "Bread" (Ex. 16:4)
(a). Food for the Israelites and Christ is the food for saints (Bread of Life). The world looks and asks: "What is it?" and we can say: "A portion" sent from God.
(b). The MANNA came: every morning, daily; around the camp, within reach of all: with the dew, keeping it fresh and clean (Holy Spirit).
(c). Instructions (Ex. 16) - One day's portion at a time: none were to have surplus: none are to lack anything: the sun cleansed the earth after gathering.
[1]. All used it (Ex. 16:2, 3; Num. 11:8).
C. AARON'S ROD - (Num. 16, 17)
The story of these two chapters tells of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram who gathered 250 men of Israel in rebellion against Moses and Aaron: the false accusation was that Moses had overstepped his mark, usurped authority, and was full of pride in making his brother High Priest - GOD VINDICATED - AARON'S ROD BUDDED.
[1]. THE ROD TEACHES Compare (Heb. 9:4 to Num. 17:8):
(a). BUD - symbol of life - The resurrection of Christ.
(b). BLOSSOMS - Token of beauty - The Resurrection of Saints (in His image).
(c). FRUIT - Usefulness - Raising of Israel to fill the earth with fruit.

IV. ALONE WITH GOD -
[1]. Three rooms in the Tabernacle; OUTER COURT (place of sacrifice); HOLY PLACE (place of worship); HOLY OF HOLIES (place of communion adoration).
[2]. When God made ADAM, He made him as a three room dwelling - BODY, SOUL, SPIRIT (I Thess. 5:23) - This was the IMAGE OF GOD in man.
[3]. THE SECOND ADAM, Christ, was three rooms - BODY, SOUL, SPIRIT.
[4]. THE SAVED TODAY ARE THE TABERNACLE OF GOD - (2 Cor. 5:1).
THREE ROOMS:
(a). BODY- Court (Kitchen)
(b). SOUL - Holy Place (living room, fellowship)
(c). SPIRIT - Holy of Holies (secret place)
[5]. ONLY ONE PERSON was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies, the High Priest - ALONE - ALONE WITH GOD!!!
HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU SPEND ALONE WITH GOD?
(a). To much time spent in the kitchen ministering to the body?
(b). So busy in the living room, fellowshipping with each other?
(c). So busy teaching, serving, preaching, we neglect the secret place - ALONE WITH GOD?
(d). Spirituality is not measured in how long you have been saved, member of the church, or even how busy you are in church work.
(e). Service and worship will be acceptable only as we spend time ALONE WITH GOD!

BEHIND THE VEIL - ALONE WITH GOD!!
(Heb. 4:16)

 

[Who Me]

ALONE WITH GOD!!

Yet Jesus met with people on mass, where they were. The apostles continued to meet with people not alone but as part of a church.
We are told not to neglect to meet together.

Yes we need to spend time alone with God, but not to the exclusion of meeting together.

Far to many people jump in head first to an idea assuming that 'this idea' is all we need.
Unfortunetly they are universily wrong.

 

[for_his_glory]

Yet Jesus met with people on mass, where they were. The apostles continued to meet with people not alone but as part of a church.
We are told not to neglect to meet together.

Yes we need to spend time alone with God, but not to the exclusion of meeting together.

Far to many people jump in head first to an idea assuming that 'this idea' is all we need.
Unfortunetly they are universily wrong.

Jesus met with people, but it is the crowd who followed him wherever he went.

Matthew 28:19, 20 The Apostles were sent out by Jesus to every nation to teach them to observe all things whatever Jesus commanded them to do. The true church, body of Christ, was first established on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem when Peter stood up and preached to the crowds that of Christ and that day there were 3000 people added to the body of Christ (church), Acts 2. From there the Apostles were sent out to establish the body of Christ with Him being the foundation.

This assembling in Jerusalem that day involved many from Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabianswho heard Peter preach to them of Christ.

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

Hebrews 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.

Yes we are told to spend time alone in fellowship with the Lord and also not to forsake the assembling as when two or more are gathered in His name Christ will be in the midst of them. Even in forums like this one through our replies we assemble together exhorting one another. Not face to face, but by the union that we are the body of Christ with He being the head of the body.

Many people do jump in with a mindset of what they have been taught by Pastors who only teach traditions of man and their doctrines as these Pastors have no calling from God or anointed and sealed by the Holy Spirit as they are self appointed in their own righteousness, Matthew 7:21-29.