God’s Tabernacle: The Journey of Prayer
Notes
Transcript
22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.
11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
Title: God’s Tabernacle: The Journey of Prayer
Let’s remember Moses’ Tabernacle…
Outer-court: flesh/ body/ natural man
Inner-court: emotions/soul of man
Holiest of Holies: spirit man
When Adam was created he was ruled by the spirit.
When he and Eve sinned, everything changed and now we are ruled by the flesh.
What we think about determines who rules our lives.
If we think about carnal, fleshly things than we will be ruled by the flesh.
If we think about godly things, then we will be ruled by the sprit.
There is a battle between the fleshly man and the spiritual man and it is fought in our minds.
This is why when you leave the outer court and head into the inner court there are five pillars...
Just like the first door, this signifies a transition.
There is a curtain and 5 pillars signifying and dealing with the five senses.
I have got to deal with what I see, feel, smell, taste and hear in the natural and learn to trust God!
This is where relationship with God is built
I spend time in his word, being taught, allowing him to teach me as I pray and intercede.
When I leave the Holy Place or Inner-court there are 4 pillars and curtain representing my four faculties.
By the time I leave the Holy Place, in relationship with my God, my intellect, emotions, will and conscience is in line with how my creator intended from the beginning!
It is what the New Testament calls having the mind of Christ.
Now I am ready to enter into the Most Holy Place!
Most Holy Place: no one knows how the High Priest got in there…
One moment they were in the Holy Place standing before the alter of incense and the next they were standing before the Ark of God.
It is interesting that the Alter of incense stood on the other side of the curtain before the Ark…
So I would suggest that the door into His presence is prayer and intercession!
No natural light in the Most Holy Place… PURE PRESENCE OF GOD
The same light in Gen 1.3 that lit the world for three days until God got around on day four to create the sun, lit the Most Holy Place.
The golden box was about 45”x27”x27”
In the Ark was three things…
Very strategic on God’s part.
Golden Pot of Manna (LOVE of God)
Provision, sustenance, and the faithfulness of God
Witness of their unbelief and God’s faithfulness
John 6:49 “49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.”
John 6:51 “51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
Aaron’s Rod that Budded (AUTHORITY of God)
Direction, protection, justice and life from death.
Life from death = dead walking stick over night not just a green bud but a whole branch and on the branch was leaves, buds and ripe almonds!
More than all that - it’s the authority of God
Numbers 17:10 “10 And the Lord said unto Moses, Bring Aaron’s rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not.”
Don’t mess with God!
Don’t mess with God’s man!
Tables of Stone (Law of God)
This is the foundation of knowing God.
This tells us of God’s character, standards, expectations.
This is what is important to God!
Jesus fulfilled the law in Matthew 5:17 “17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.”
In Hebrews 8:10 “10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:”
So we now are the carriers of the law of God!
The Mercy Seat (GRACE of God)
This was God’s throne on earth…
Romans 3:25 “25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;”
Propitiation = Mercy Seat
This is where atonement was made and the Law was satisfied!
This is where everything God is comes crashing together…
The Law and his righteousness collides with his love and his faithfulness…
Psalm 85:10 “10 Mercy and truth are met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other.”
What happens on the Mercy Seat is GRACE!
The power to fulfill!
Conclusion:
This is the purpose of it all!
Move throughout the Tabernacle, stopping at each piece of furniture, applying its lessons and principles… But accessing the presence
Prayer is not some random thing but should be intentional and purposefully.
There is a path…
Tent, temple, Christ, church…
Path of prayer…
Outer court: deal with your flesh
First door: transition, intention
Brass Altar: repentance
Brass Laver: washing and Word
Five Pillars - senses
Holy Place: deal with your thoughts, build relationship
Golden Candlestick: revelation and understanding
Table of Showbread: Word of God and those who handle the Word
Altar of Incense: prayer and intercession
Four Pillars - bringing your will, emotions, intellect and conscience into submission
Most Holy Place: grace, empowerment
Here where God provides
Here where his Law gives structure and alignment
The Tabernacle pointed to Christ.
The Door → Jesus
The Altar → His sacrifice
The Laver → His cleansing
The Bread → Bread of Life
The Lampstand → Light of the World
The Incense → Intercession
The Mercy Seat → Atonement
Everything in Moses' Tabernacle ultimately pointed to Him.
