The Good News from God is remarkably wonderful, so wonderful indeed that the evil one will do all he can to keep us from believing in it. The Word of God tells us that the wisdom of God has purposed things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard and which has not entered the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who love Him (1Cor. 2:9); things so glorious that angels long to look (1Pet. 1:12).
I believe that the purpose of God, which He planned for us when He chose us in Christ Jesus, even before the foundation of the world, is a purpose so wonderful, that when understood, will put a true reason for our existence here on earth. It will help us understand the oft-asked question(s), “Why am I here on earth?”; “What is my real purpose in life?”; “What is the reason for my existence?”
While there was a time when we were lost, having no hope and without God in this world (Eph. 2:12), God showed us mercy and brought us near to Him by the blood of Christ that we too may share in the covenant of promise, a covenant in which, through our Lord Jesus Christ, we can come into that place beyond the veil and constantly remain in the Presence of God and know the Lord. For in the new covenant God says, “And they shall not teach every one his fellow-citizen, and every one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for all shall know Me, from the least to the greatest of them.” (Heb. 8:11)
2Corinthians 4:6 tells us – For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God [as it is manifest in the Person and is revealed] in the face of Christ.
God desires to shine that Light in our hearts so that increasingly with unveiled face we can behold the glory of the Lord (2Cor. 3:18). Increasingly the Spirit can reveal to us the Person of Jesus. Increasingly we could grow in the knowledge of Christ, not just in His work but in Him as a Person. "That I might know Him," was Paul's earnest longing. His heart was illumined bright enough for him to say – I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord (Php. 3:8).
Realizing then that since God desires in our lifetime – in whatever small way our finite minds can comprehend his infinite glory – to disclose Himself to us that we may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (2Pet. 3:18), and since we have bold access, through our Lord Jesus, into the presence of God, let us use the tabernacle of Moses as a model to see the purpose of God for us from salvation (the gate to the outer court) to the presence of God (the Holy of Holies).
The main reason for this article is not to understand the tabernacle but to comprehend God’s purpose for our lives. The tabernacle is used in this article only as illustration so as to facilitate understanding into that purpose.
We know from scripture that there was just one gate that led to the court of the tabernacle. There was no other way into it. In the New Covenant, Jesus clearly states that He is that door and that if anyone enters through Him, he shall be saved (Jn. 10:9). “No one comes to the Father, but through Me.” (Jn. 14:6) So the first simple yet most important truth we learn is – Jesus is the only way.
The bronze altar that stood in the court immediately in front of the gate was the altar of sacrifice. Christ Jesus, our High Priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens became our sacrifice once for all when He offered up Himself (Heb. 7:27). Through His own blood, He entered the most holy place once for all, in the greater and more perfect tabernacle, having obtained eternal redemption (Heb. 9:11,12). Through His blood we have obtained forgiveness with the promise – “I will remember your sins no more.” In Him we have been redeemed from the bondage of sin; set free to be willing bondservants of God. Through Him we have been made righteous by faith and now being justified, we come before a holy God with confidence making bold petition and prayers. By Him, we are made children of God and can address the Most High as “Father”. It is through Him that we receive the Holy Spirit as a seal of our redemption and the promise of eternal life.
Just before the entrance to the tabernacle stood a bronze laver where the priests would wash their hands and feet before entering (Ex. 30:18,19). We know from Ephesians 5: 26 that Christ sanctifies the Church, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word. Hebrews 10:22 while illustrating the cleansing at the bronze altar and the washing at the laver speaks thus – “…having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”
Now while there still remains that we enter the holy place with confidence, by the blood of Jesus (Heb. 10:19), it is unfortunate that most Christians stop outside the tabernacle and worship the Lord. They rejoice with having their hearts sprinkled clean by the blood of Jesus and are happy, like newborn babes, with the pure milk of the word. Yet the Bible exhorts us strongly saying – since therefore, brethren, we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great Priest over the house of God [a High Priest who sympathizes with our weakness and shows us mercy and gives help in time of need (Heb. 4:15,16)], let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith (Heb. 10:19-22).
On entering the holy place we find the menorah or the golden lampstand and the table of showbread. The lampstand is the only source of light in the holy place. The lampstand represents the Lord Jesus. His life is the light of men, the true light which coming into the world, enlightens every man (Jn. 1:4,9). His immeasurable love, His compassion, His tenderness, His mercy, His patience, His righteousness, His unspeakable holiness – all these and more shine as the light of the world. As His redeemed ones who follow Him in His footsteps (1Jn. 2:6), we walk in the light. Complete obedience to His word helps us live in this light (Jn. 8:12). Our lives – that now hungers and thirsts after righteousness and seeks His grace that we may be pure in heart (Mt. 5:6,8); and that cries out to Him to help us love one another just as He loves us – then begins to shine as a light. Love, patience, kindness, tenderness, righteousness and truth shines forth from us (Eph. 5:9) wherever we are – at home, at work – all the time. As Christ’s ambassadors we find ourselves like the salt of the earth; a city on a hill that cannot be hidden (Mt. 5:13-16).
The table of showbread that contained twelve loaves of bread remained before the Lord for a week before it was eaten by the priests and then replaced with a fresh batch. “I am the living bread of life that came down out of heaven,” Jesus declared, “If any one eats of this bread, he shall live forever.” (Jn. 6:51) It is my understanding that as we submit under the mighty hand of God in obedience to the Word of God (the Word is Jesus); clinging on to each word and sentence like one would precious treasure; we are in effect eating of this bread. Could the much misunderstood phrase of Jesus in John 6:53 actually mean this? I do not know. But what I have experienced is that as I humbly obey the word of God with a simple, undistracted devotion to the Lord (1Cor. 7:35); making it my ambition to please Him and glorify Him in everything I do (2Cor. 5:9; 1Cor. 10:31); God in His graciousness and loving kindness feeds me with a fresh understanding of His truths. As we read His word, He reveals His ways and shows more of Himself in a manner that makes our hearts feel like the pen of a ready writer – full of excitement, rejoicing in the goodness of the Lord. The frequency at which we receive a fresh revelation from God is almost like the fresh batch of bread placed on the table of showbread.
There is a common thread that runs through in the lessons from the golden lampstand and the table of showbread. Absolute obedience! In the holy place our mind is constantly thinking of the Lord. As ransomed children, whose home is above, we meditate on His word (Ps. 1:2) and constantly reflect on Him as to what pleases Him. Willingly we submit to the Lordship of Jesus crying, “Lord, Thy will be done. Glorify Thy Name.”
Moving on from the holy place and since now we have confidence to enter the most holy place by the blood of Jesus by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great High Priest over the house of God, we, can now draw near into the place where God can reveal Himself (Heb. 10:19-22). The Lord’s promise in John 14:21 gradually, yet in ever increasing splendor, is made manifest in us.
The Altar of Incense that was placed in front of the veil, near the ark of the testimony was perpetually burning with incense before the Lord (Ex. 30:6,8). Having now come into the glorious Presence of God; the praise and worship from our mouth and heart rises to Him in all truth. It is not lip-service. It comes from deep within, overflowing with gratitude, in spirit and in truth (Jn. 4:24). Every part of our being – our thoughts, made pure by His grace; the words from our mouth, the way we employ or use the members of our body – through the power of God, is brought in subjection to His Lordship and becomes our willing service and spiritual worship (Rom.12:1). Obedience to the new commandment of Jesus (Jn. 13:34) makes us a fragrant aroma before the Lord (Eph. 4:29-5:2).
At the Ark of the Covenant we behold the faithfulness of God, as represented in the jar of manna; and the sovereignty of God, as represented by Aaron’s rod that budded; and the holiness of God, as represented in the tablets containing the commandments. The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in loving kindness and truth (Ex. 34:6) makes known the riches of His grace which He has lavished upon us (Eph. 1:7,8) from the Mercy Seat. The sanctified soul (Heb. 12:14), which by the enabling of God, is made holy (1Pet. 1:15) and pure in heart (Mt. 5:8), can now see God. The Lord in His faithfulness, discloses Himself (Jn. 14:21) giving us understanding and revelation of Him that we may have never ever known before. This insight is like vision given to the blind. “I was blind, but now I see,” we cry with pure ecstasy. Also, there is a sweet fellowship with the Holy Spirit (2Cor. 13:14) and a revelation of the glory of God (2Cor. 4:6) that makes us feel like earthen vessels, carrying within us a treasure that is of surpassing greatness (2Cor. 4: 7). Worship floods our heart and mind and mouth as we behold the beauty of God.
Now, while each of us may be busy with different occupations and we all are doing various things according to the will of God; the purpose of God remains the same for every one of us. We must ensure that no matter what we are occupied with, we should have our focus clear at all times. As disciplined soldiers whose sole desire it is to please the one who enlisted us (2Tim. 2:4), we must set our mind on the glorious and heavenly privilege we have in the gospel. The things of this earth will constantly assail our senses but the word exhorts us to set our minds on the things above; and on Him who is unseen (Heb. 11:27) and not on the things of this earth (Col. 3:2).
Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but I strongly believe that it is God’s desire for each and every single child of His to experience daily the joy of His Presence and have our hearts illumined by the Holy Spirit to the glory of God as He shows us the truth in His word. He sent His only begotten Son to be our sacrifice that we may have eternal life (Jn. 3:16) and this is eternal life, that we may know Him, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent (Jn. 17:3).
And what is more, as a holy priesthood (1Pet. 2:9), we get to enjoy this priestly privilege even after our time on earth is over (Rev. 20:6).
The Lord Jesus asked us to pray that God’s kingdom would come and His will be done here on earth. My constant prayer before God is, “Lord, let Thy Church manifest Thy glory and shine forth in this dark world in righteous truth (Mt. 5:16) and Christ-like love (Jn. 13:34,35) so that the knowledge of the glory of God would fill the earth as the waters cover the sea (Hab. 2:14). Then all men shall know that Thou art true and they will believe in and cling to and put their trust in and depend upon Thy Name, Thy magnificent Name which is over every other name.”
I believe God is working in this direction and no matter how evil this present world is, God will accomplish His grand purpose; for He who is in us is greater, far greater, than he who is in the world.
So brethren, loved and precious before the Lord, let us be faithful to our heavenly calling. God is faithful. If He did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, surely He will now freely give us all things in Christ Jesus. He will keep our feet from stumbling and will give us the resurrection power (Rom. 8:11) to accomplish what He has purposed.
I believe that the purpose of God, which He planned for us when He chose us in Christ Jesus, even before the foundation of the world, is a purpose so wonderful, that when understood, will put a true reason for our existence here on earth. It will help us understand the oft-asked question(s), “Why am I here on earth?”; “What is my real purpose in life?”; “What is the reason for my existence?”
While there was a time when we were lost, having no hope and without God in this world (Eph. 2:12), God showed us mercy and brought us near to Him by the blood of Christ that we too may share in the covenant of promise, a covenant in which, through our Lord Jesus Christ, we can come into that place beyond the veil and constantly remain in the Presence of God and know the Lord. For in the new covenant God says, “And they shall not teach every one his fellow-citizen, and every one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for all shall know Me, from the least to the greatest of them.” (Heb. 8:11)
2Corinthians 4:6 tells us – For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God [as it is manifest in the Person and is revealed] in the face of Christ.
God desires to shine that Light in our hearts so that increasingly with unveiled face we can behold the glory of the Lord (2Cor. 3:18). Increasingly the Spirit can reveal to us the Person of Jesus. Increasingly we could grow in the knowledge of Christ, not just in His work but in Him as a Person. "That I might know Him," was Paul's earnest longing. His heart was illumined bright enough for him to say – I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord (Php. 3:8).
Realizing then that since God desires in our lifetime – in whatever small way our finite minds can comprehend his infinite glory – to disclose Himself to us that we may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (2Pet. 3:18), and since we have bold access, through our Lord Jesus, into the presence of God, let us use the tabernacle of Moses as a model to see the purpose of God for us from salvation (the gate to the outer court) to the presence of God (the Holy of Holies).
The main reason for this article is not to understand the tabernacle but to comprehend God’s purpose for our lives. The tabernacle is used in this article only as illustration so as to facilitate understanding into that purpose.
We know from scripture that there was just one gate that led to the court of the tabernacle. There was no other way into it. In the New Covenant, Jesus clearly states that He is that door and that if anyone enters through Him, he shall be saved (Jn. 10:9). “No one comes to the Father, but through Me.” (Jn. 14:6) So the first simple yet most important truth we learn is – Jesus is the only way.
The bronze altar that stood in the court immediately in front of the gate was the altar of sacrifice. Christ Jesus, our High Priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens became our sacrifice once for all when He offered up Himself (Heb. 7:27). Through His own blood, He entered the most holy place once for all, in the greater and more perfect tabernacle, having obtained eternal redemption (Heb. 9:11,12). Through His blood we have obtained forgiveness with the promise – “I will remember your sins no more.” In Him we have been redeemed from the bondage of sin; set free to be willing bondservants of God. Through Him we have been made righteous by faith and now being justified, we come before a holy God with confidence making bold petition and prayers. By Him, we are made children of God and can address the Most High as “Father”. It is through Him that we receive the Holy Spirit as a seal of our redemption and the promise of eternal life.
Just before the entrance to the tabernacle stood a bronze laver where the priests would wash their hands and feet before entering (Ex. 30:18,19). We know from Ephesians 5: 26 that Christ sanctifies the Church, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word. Hebrews 10:22 while illustrating the cleansing at the bronze altar and the washing at the laver speaks thus – “…having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”
Now while there still remains that we enter the holy place with confidence, by the blood of Jesus (Heb. 10:19), it is unfortunate that most Christians stop outside the tabernacle and worship the Lord. They rejoice with having their hearts sprinkled clean by the blood of Jesus and are happy, like newborn babes, with the pure milk of the word. Yet the Bible exhorts us strongly saying – since therefore, brethren, we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great Priest over the house of God [a High Priest who sympathizes with our weakness and shows us mercy and gives help in time of need (Heb. 4:15,16)], let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith (Heb. 10:19-22).
On entering the holy place we find the menorah or the golden lampstand and the table of showbread. The lampstand is the only source of light in the holy place. The lampstand represents the Lord Jesus. His life is the light of men, the true light which coming into the world, enlightens every man (Jn. 1:4,9). His immeasurable love, His compassion, His tenderness, His mercy, His patience, His righteousness, His unspeakable holiness – all these and more shine as the light of the world. As His redeemed ones who follow Him in His footsteps (1Jn. 2:6), we walk in the light. Complete obedience to His word helps us live in this light (Jn. 8:12). Our lives – that now hungers and thirsts after righteousness and seeks His grace that we may be pure in heart (Mt. 5:6,8); and that cries out to Him to help us love one another just as He loves us – then begins to shine as a light. Love, patience, kindness, tenderness, righteousness and truth shines forth from us (Eph. 5:9) wherever we are – at home, at work – all the time. As Christ’s ambassadors we find ourselves like the salt of the earth; a city on a hill that cannot be hidden (Mt. 5:13-16).
The table of showbread that contained twelve loaves of bread remained before the Lord for a week before it was eaten by the priests and then replaced with a fresh batch. “I am the living bread of life that came down out of heaven,” Jesus declared, “If any one eats of this bread, he shall live forever.” (Jn. 6:51) It is my understanding that as we submit under the mighty hand of God in obedience to the Word of God (the Word is Jesus); clinging on to each word and sentence like one would precious treasure; we are in effect eating of this bread. Could the much misunderstood phrase of Jesus in John 6:53 actually mean this? I do not know. But what I have experienced is that as I humbly obey the word of God with a simple, undistracted devotion to the Lord (1Cor. 7:35); making it my ambition to please Him and glorify Him in everything I do (2Cor. 5:9; 1Cor. 10:31); God in His graciousness and loving kindness feeds me with a fresh understanding of His truths. As we read His word, He reveals His ways and shows more of Himself in a manner that makes our hearts feel like the pen of a ready writer – full of excitement, rejoicing in the goodness of the Lord. The frequency at which we receive a fresh revelation from God is almost like the fresh batch of bread placed on the table of showbread.
There is a common thread that runs through in the lessons from the golden lampstand and the table of showbread. Absolute obedience! In the holy place our mind is constantly thinking of the Lord. As ransomed children, whose home is above, we meditate on His word (Ps. 1:2) and constantly reflect on Him as to what pleases Him. Willingly we submit to the Lordship of Jesus crying, “Lord, Thy will be done. Glorify Thy Name.”
Moving on from the holy place and since now we have confidence to enter the most holy place by the blood of Jesus by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great High Priest over the house of God, we, can now draw near into the place where God can reveal Himself (Heb. 10:19-22). The Lord’s promise in John 14:21 gradually, yet in ever increasing splendor, is made manifest in us.
The Altar of Incense that was placed in front of the veil, near the ark of the testimony was perpetually burning with incense before the Lord (Ex. 30:6,8). Having now come into the glorious Presence of God; the praise and worship from our mouth and heart rises to Him in all truth. It is not lip-service. It comes from deep within, overflowing with gratitude, in spirit and in truth (Jn. 4:24). Every part of our being – our thoughts, made pure by His grace; the words from our mouth, the way we employ or use the members of our body – through the power of God, is brought in subjection to His Lordship and becomes our willing service and spiritual worship (Rom.12:1). Obedience to the new commandment of Jesus (Jn. 13:34) makes us a fragrant aroma before the Lord (Eph. 4:29-5:2).
At the Ark of the Covenant we behold the faithfulness of God, as represented in the jar of manna; and the sovereignty of God, as represented by Aaron’s rod that budded; and the holiness of God, as represented in the tablets containing the commandments. The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in loving kindness and truth (Ex. 34:6) makes known the riches of His grace which He has lavished upon us (Eph. 1:7,8) from the Mercy Seat. The sanctified soul (Heb. 12:14), which by the enabling of God, is made holy (1Pet. 1:15) and pure in heart (Mt. 5:8), can now see God. The Lord in His faithfulness, discloses Himself (Jn. 14:21) giving us understanding and revelation of Him that we may have never ever known before. This insight is like vision given to the blind. “I was blind, but now I see,” we cry with pure ecstasy. Also, there is a sweet fellowship with the Holy Spirit (2Cor. 13:14) and a revelation of the glory of God (2Cor. 4:6) that makes us feel like earthen vessels, carrying within us a treasure that is of surpassing greatness (2Cor. 4: 7). Worship floods our heart and mind and mouth as we behold the beauty of God.
Now, while each of us may be busy with different occupations and we all are doing various things according to the will of God; the purpose of God remains the same for every one of us. We must ensure that no matter what we are occupied with, we should have our focus clear at all times. As disciplined soldiers whose sole desire it is to please the one who enlisted us (2Tim. 2:4), we must set our mind on the glorious and heavenly privilege we have in the gospel. The things of this earth will constantly assail our senses but the word exhorts us to set our minds on the things above; and on Him who is unseen (Heb. 11:27) and not on the things of this earth (Col. 3:2).
Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but I strongly believe that it is God’s desire for each and every single child of His to experience daily the joy of His Presence and have our hearts illumined by the Holy Spirit to the glory of God as He shows us the truth in His word. He sent His only begotten Son to be our sacrifice that we may have eternal life (Jn. 3:16) and this is eternal life, that we may know Him, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent (Jn. 17:3).
And what is more, as a holy priesthood (1Pet. 2:9), we get to enjoy this priestly privilege even after our time on earth is over (Rev. 20:6).
The Lord Jesus asked us to pray that God’s kingdom would come and His will be done here on earth. My constant prayer before God is, “Lord, let Thy Church manifest Thy glory and shine forth in this dark world in righteous truth (Mt. 5:16) and Christ-like love (Jn. 13:34,35) so that the knowledge of the glory of God would fill the earth as the waters cover the sea (Hab. 2:14). Then all men shall know that Thou art true and they will believe in and cling to and put their trust in and depend upon Thy Name, Thy magnificent Name which is over every other name.”
I believe God is working in this direction and no matter how evil this present world is, God will accomplish His grand purpose; for He who is in us is greater, far greater, than he who is in the world.
So brethren, loved and precious before the Lord, let us be faithful to our heavenly calling. God is faithful. If He did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, surely He will now freely give us all things in Christ Jesus. He will keep our feet from stumbling and will give us the resurrection power (Rom. 8:11) to accomplish what He has purposed.
