God’s Tabernacle: Relationship

1 Peter 2:5 KJV 1900

5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:9–10 KJV 1900

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Title: God’s Tabernacle: Relationship

The Door: place of transition. Marked a change, shift from the outside world to a whole different world.

Brass Altar: place of death, repentance. As Christ died, so we do!

Brass Laver: place of washing, cleansing. Here the water and the blood mingled. Other aspect of cleansing - John 15:3 “3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.”

Five pillars: moving from the physical to the emotional. Learning to deal with the five senses… not trusting what I feel, see, smell, taste and hear. Decide to trust God!

Enter the Holy place - this is a place of relationship and growth. Here is where we are transformed by the renewing of our mind!

To move from the Outer Court into the Inter Court one went from open air to an inclosed room…

Only the priest could enter here.

GOLDEN CANDLESTICK

First thing that the priest would have saw was the glow of the Candlestick

It stood directly opposite of the Table of Showbread.

Before we pray our fist prayer, read our first chapter - we need the illuminating light of the Spirit to open our eyes!

1 - There was more detail given about this piece of furniture than any other.

Pure beaten gold - almond buds, blossoms and fruit - must have looked like a burning bush as the flames reflected in the beaten gold!

Filled with pure olive oil (paralleling the spirit)

2 - Seven lamps - paralleling Isaiah 11:2 “2 And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and might, The spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;”

Seven fold manifestation of the Spirit of God

Spirit of the Lord

Spirit of Wisdom

Spirit of Understanding

Spirit of Council

Spirit of Might

Spirit of Knowledge

Spirit of the Fear of the Lord

When you pray for the Spirit of God this is what you are praying for!

Every day the priests had to trim the wicks, refill with oil and relight with fire from the Brazen Altar (the altar that always burned).

Here we have again, repentance in the trimming away of what was revealed as of no use.

Attitudes, offences, pride, weights trimmed away as they are revealed!

We have the spirit flowing into us daily.

No windows - had to rely on the light from the candlestick. Natural light would not work for the Inner Court.

1 Corinthians 2:14 “14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

Revealed the Bread on the Table

John 16:13 “13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”

Revealed the Altar of Incense

Romans 8:26 “26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

Burned continually

1 Thessalonians 5:19 “19 Quench not the Spirit.”

Sat opposite the table - balance - revelation and truth

TABLE OF SHOWBREAD

3 - Made of Acacia Wood, overlaid with pure gold

Gold = Diety

Wood = humanity

Acacia wood was durable, resistant to decay, insects, dense and long lasting

On it rested 12 loaves in two stacks

12 loaves = 12 tribes, 12 apostles

Order

Made fresh every Sabbath

The Word must be fresh in our spirits!

Frankincense sprinkled on it - Frankincense parallels worship, prayer and sacrifice

The Word and worship go hand in hand!

Had a crown (small ledge) around it to keep the bread on the table and protect the bread

Bishop GA Mangan focused on the table more than the bread…

Remember, made of acacia wood overlaid with gold

God over flesh…

We need to spend time praying for those who hold up the bread!

1 Timothy 5:17 “17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.”

Romans 10:15 “15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”

Acts 20:28 “28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”

2 Corinthians 5:20 “20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”

1 Thessalonians 2:9 “9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.”

Hebrews 13:17 “17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”

ALTAR OF INCENSE

4 - Candle stick = illumination

Table of showbread = nourishment

Incense = communion - prayer - intercession

No dimensions are mentioned because like repentance, the size of this altar is up to you!

The greater the repentance and prayer, the greater the Ark will be in your life!

Had four horns - strength, authority and power

Prayer is incense!

Psalm 141:2 “2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; And the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.”

Revelation 5:8 “8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.”

Revelation 8:3–4 “3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.”

Prayer changes everything!

God wants to raise up intercessors in this church!

Intercession: plead for, entreat, mediate, stand in between two parties, petition for another

Abram did this for Sodom in Gen 18.

1 Samuel 12:23 “23 Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:”

Galatians 4:19 “19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,”

Repentance brings me close to God.

Worship lifts my eyes to see God.

Intercession carries people to God.