“Journey Through the Kingdom to God’s Throne” – Part 4

The Temple

[Study Aired Nov 26, 2024]

As we continue our journey through God’s spiritual temple, we must remember Jesus’s words that “the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). This fundamental truth transforms our understanding of the temple from physical structure to spiritual reality. The Apostle Peter confirms this spiritual nature, declaring “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 2:5).

The temple building consisted of three main sections: the Porch (Ulam), the Holy Place, and the Most Holy Place. Each area represents progressively deeper spiritual experiences as we draw near to God. As Solomon wrote, “In thy light shall we see light” (Psalm 36:9), teaching us that spiritual understanding comes through God’s illumination. The prophet Isaiah reinforces this, stating “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD” (Isaiah 55:8). Therefore, we must look beyond the physical structures to understand the spiritual truths they reveal about our relationship with God.

The Porch: Initial Approach

The Porch, or Ulam, served as the entrance to the temple proper. Standing before entering the Holy Place, it represents our initial approach to deeper communion with God. As the Psalmist wrote, “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name” (Psalm 100:4). This entrance speaks to our heart’s attitude as we draw near to God.

Its most striking features were two massive pillars named Jachin (“He shall establish”) and Boaz (“In Him is strength”). These pillars, while physical structures, represent spiritual realities. As Solomon recorded, “He set up the pillars in the porch of the temple: and he set up the right pillar, and called the name thereof Jachin: and he set up the left pillar, and called the name thereof Boaz” (1 Kings 7:21).

These pillars speak to essential truths we must embrace as we draw near to God. Jachin (“He shall establish”) reminds us that all spiritual progress depends on God’s work, not our efforts. As David declared, “The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth forever: forsake not the works of thine own hands” (Psalm 138:8). Boaz (“In Him is strength”) teaches us that our strength for this spiritual journey comes from God alone. As Isaiah proclaims, “Trust ye in the LORD forever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength” (Isaiah 26:4).

The height of these pillars – eighteen cubits each with chapiters of five cubits – reminds us of the majesty of God’s work in us. The ornate decorations of pomegranates and lily work speak to the fruitfulness and beauty that God produces. As Isaiah prophesied, “The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose” (Isaiah 35:1).

The position of these pillars at the entrance teaches us that we must pass between them – acknowledging both God’s establishing work and our dependence on His strength – to progress further into His presence. The prophet Jeremiah captures this truth: “Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD” (Jeremiah 9:23-24).

Standing in the Porch also placed one between the outer court and the Holy Place, representing a transition point between initial salvation and deeper communion with God. As Paul writes, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). This transition requires leaving behind our self-reliance and fully embracing dependence on God.

The Porch’s measurements – twenty cubits broad and ten deep – created a space of preparation before entering the Holy Place. This reminds us that God prepares us for deeper spiritual experiences. As Isaiah declared, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). We must allow God this preparatory work before pressing further into His presence.

This preparation involves understanding that all spiritual progress comes through Christ, as He declared: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). The Porch thus represents our recognition that further progress depends entirely on God’s grace working through Christ.

The Holy Place: Daily Service

Beyond the Porch lay the Holy Place (in Hebrew “qodesh” – Strong’s H6944, meaning “holy, set apart, sacred”), where priests performed daily service before God. This sacred space represents a deeper level of communion with God, as David yearned: “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple” (Psalm 27:4).

Only priests could enter this holy chamber, foreshadowing our privileged position in Christ. As Peter reveals, “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 2:5). The physical restriction of access teaches us spiritual truth – drawing nearer to God requires greater consecration. Moses recorded God’s warning: “And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest’s office: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death” (Numbers 3:10). This “stranger” represents our carnal nature, the old man which must die for true spiritual service to occur. As Paul declares, “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin” (Romans 6:6). The death sentence on the stranger entering the Holy Place shows us that our fleshly nature cannot approach God: “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be” (Romans 8:6-7).

The Holy Place was completely enclosed, with no natural light penetrating its walls. As Paul teaches, “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” (1 Corinthians 2:14). Just as priests could only see by the light of the golden lampstand, we depend entirely on God’s Spirit for spiritual insight: “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6).

The distinction between the Holy Place and the outer court reminds us of Paul’s words about progressing from milk to meat: “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:12-14).

Priestly Service and Spiritual Reality

The activities in the Holy Place were restricted to priests, foreshadowing the elect’s privileged position in Christ. Peter reveals this truth: “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” (1 Peter 2:9). This spiritual priesthood fulfills what God originally declared to Israel: “And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation” (Exodus 19:6).

This priesthood carries duties. The priests’ careful attention to daily duties teaches us the need for consistent spiritual service. Paul exhorts, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1). Just as physical priests had to be consecrated before service, we too must be sanctified for spiritual service: “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1).

Physical priesthood required specific qualifications and preparations. No priest with blemishes could approach: “For whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or anything superfluous” (Leviticus 21:18). This physical restriction teaches us that our spiritual service requires Christ’s perfection worked in us: “For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14).

The priests’ garments also carried spiritual significance. They were told: “And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty” (Exodus 28:2). These holy garments picture the righteousness of Christ that clothes us: “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness” (Isaiah 61:10). “And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” (Revelation 19:8).

Within the Holy Place stood three pieces of sacred furniture, each positioned according to God’s precise instructions and each carrying deep spiritual significance. On the north side stood the Table of Showbread, on the south the Golden Lampstand, and before the veil the Altar of Incense. This divine arrangement created a pattern for spiritual service and communion with God.

The Table of Showbread stood on the north side of the Holy Place. God specified its measurements precisely: two cubits long, one cubit wide, and a cubit and a half high (Exodus 25:23). The table was overlaid with pure gold and had a crown of gold around the top (Exodus 25:24), speaking of divine nature and Christ’s kingship through whom we have fellowship with God.

The Hebrew name “lechem panim,” literally meaning “bread of faces” or “bread of presence,” emphasizes its placement before God’s presence. God commanded Moses regarding its preparation: “And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof… And thou shalt set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before the LORD” (Leviticus 24:5-6). Upon these loaves, God commanded: “And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row, that it may be on the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire unto the LORD” (Leviticus 24:7). This pure frankincense, never used with sin offerings (Leviticus 5:11), but only with offerings of fellowship and communion, represents Christ’s righteousness through which our communion with God becomes acceptable. As Paul declares: “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Just as the frankincense made the bread a memorial before God, it is Christ’s righteousness that brings us into remembrance before Him.

This bread was to remain before the Lord always: “And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway” (Exodus 25:30), representing Christ’s eternal presence before God on our behalf. The twelve loaves signify God’s complete provision for all His people, as Jesus declared: “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger” (John 6:35). Just as this bread sustained the priests, Christ sustains us spiritually: “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever” (John 6:51).

The priests’ eating of this bread in the holy place carried deep significance: “And it shall be Aaron’s and his sons’; and they shall eat it in the holy place: for it is most holy unto him of the offerings of the LORD made by fire by a perpetual statute” (Leviticus 24:9). This exclusive eating foreshadows our privileged communion with Christ: “For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread” (1 Corinthians 10:17).

Just as the Table of Showbread provided spiritual nourishment, the Golden Lampstand provided spiritual illumination. These two aspects of spiritual life work together – we need both the bread of God’s Word and the light to understand it. As David declared, “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple” (Psalm 119:130).

The Golden Lampstand, known in Hebrew as the “menorah” (Strong’s H4501), derived from “nur” meaning “light” or “fire,” was fashioned from pure gold according to the pattern shown to Moses: “And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made… And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it.” (Exodus 25:31,37). This beaten work speaks to how it was shaped – hammered out of a single piece of gold: “Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels” (Exodus 25:39). No joints or separate pieces were allowed; it was one complete unit.

The lampstand had six branches extending from its central shaft: “And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side” (Exodus 25:32). These, together with the central shaft, made seven lamps total: “And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it” (Exodus 25:37). Each branch was decorated with specific designs: “Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower” (Exodus 25:33).

Its light came from pure olive oil, as God commanded: “And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always” (Exodus 27:20). This oil had to be specially prepared: “beaten for the light” – the olives were beaten, not crushed in a mill, to produce the purest oil. The priests maintained this light continually: “Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the LORD” (Exodus 27:21).

The lampstand provided the only light in the Holy Place, as no natural light could enter. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). Just as the priests needed the lampstand’s light to perform their service, we need Christ’s light to serve God: “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6).

With nourishment from the bread and illumination from the lampstand, we are prepared to approach the Altar of Incense. This progression teaches us that true prayer (represented by incense) flows from feeding on God’s Word and walking in His light. As John writes, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another” (1 John 1:7).

The Altar of Incense (mizbach haqetoreth – Strong’s H4196, H7004) stood before the veil. Made of acacia wood overlaid with gold, it measured one cubit long, one cubit wide, and two cubits high (Exodus 30:2). The Hebrew term “qetoreth” refers specifically to sacred incense made according to God’s precise formula: “And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy” (Exodus 30:35). This incense represents the prayers of God’s people, as David wrote: “Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice” (Psalm 141:2). Morning and evening, this incense ascended before God: “And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it. And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations” (Exodus 30:7-8). John’s vision confirms this spiritual meaning: “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” (Revelation 8:3). The continuous offering of incense teaches us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

The priests’ daily service included replacing the showbread every Sabbath (Leviticus 24:8), trimming the lamps and adding oil morning and evening, and offering incense. These exacting specifications and duties remind us that approaching God must be according to His terms, not our preferences. As He warned through the example of Nadab and Abihu: “And Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD, when they offered strange fire before the LORD” (Numbers 3:4).

Drawing Nearer Still

The arrangement of temple furniture created a progression toward God’s presence. Each item required priestly attention, teaching us that drawing near to God involves active participation in spiritual disciplines while relying on His enabling grace. As James instructs, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you” (James 4:8). James adds the requirement: “Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded” (James 4:8), showing this drawing near requires purification.

Moving from the Table of Showbread to the Lampstand to the Altar of Incense marked stages of deeper communion. David understood this progression: “Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts” (Psalm 65:4). Each step brought the priest closer to the Most Holy Place, just as our spiritual walk draws us nearer to God: “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness” (Psalm 17:15)

This progression ultimately leads to the veil, beyond which lay the Most Holy Place. The veil itself represents Christ’s flesh, as scripture reveals: “By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh” (Hebrews 10:20). Through Christ’s sacrifice, this veil was rent: “And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom” (Matthew 27:51), giving us direct access to God’s presence: “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus” (Hebrews 10:19).

Practical Application

These temple truths must transform our daily walk. Like the priests maintaining the lampstand, we must continually tend our spiritual light through prayer and Scripture meditation. As Jesus warned the church at Ephesus: “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place” (Revelation 2:5).

As the showbread was renewed weekly, we need regular renewal through feeding on God’s Word. Job understood this priority: “Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12). David likewise declared: “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103).

The continual incense reminds us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Daniel exemplified this practice: “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime” (Daniel 6:10).

Understanding these patterns helps us fulfill our priestly calling more effectively. Paul urges, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Just as the priests had specific duties at specific times, we too must order our spiritual lives with purpose: “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16).

This study of temple patterns aids our spiritual growth as we see God’s design for drawing near to Him. Every detail teaches us spiritual truth, fulfilling Paul’s words: “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

Looking Ahead

As we conclude our examination of the Holy Place, we anticipate studying the Most Holy Place beyond the veil. There we’ll discover even deeper truths about communion with God through Christ. For now, let us apply these Holy Place lessons, remembering that “we have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens” (Hebrews 8:1).

Through understanding and applying these temple truths, we progress in our spiritual journey, always remembering that the physical temple merely foreshadowed Christ and His work in us. For “we are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:22).

Exodus 40:1-38  The Setting up of the Tabernacle

[Study Aired March 6, 2023]

Exo 40:1  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 
Exo 40:2  On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.
Exo 40:3  And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail. 
Exo 40:4  And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof. 
Exo 40:5  And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the hanging of the door to the tabernacle. 
Exo 40:6  And thou shalt set the altar of the burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation. 
Exo 40:7  And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and shalt put water therein. 
Exo 40:8  And thou shalt set up the court round about, and hang up the hanging at the court gate. 
Exo 40:9  And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the vessels thereof: and it shall be holy. 
Exo 40:10  And thou shalt anoint the altar of the burnt offering, and all his vessels, and sanctify the altar: and it shall be an altar most holy. 
Exo 40:11  And thou shalt anoint the laver and his foot, and sanctify it. 
Exo 40:12  And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water. 
Exo 40:13  And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office. 
Exo 40:14  And thou shalt bring his sons, and clothe them with coats: 
Exo 40:15  And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.
Exo 40:16  Thus did Moses: according to all that the LORD commanded him, so did he. 
Exo 40:17  And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was reared up. 
Exo 40:18  And Moses reared up the tabernacle, and fastened his sockets, and set up the boards thereof, and put in the bars thereof, and reared up his pillars. 
Exo 40:19  And he spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it; as the LORD commanded Moses. 
Exo 40:20  And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark: 
Exo 40:21  And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the vail of the covering, and covered the ark of the testimony; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exo 40:22  And he put the table in the tent of the congregation, upon the side of the tabernacle northward, without the vail. 
Exo 40:23  And he set the bread in order upon it before the LORD; as the LORD had commanded Moses. 
Exo 40:24  And he put the candlestick in the tent of the congregation, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward. 
Exo 40:25  And he lighted the lamps before the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses. 
Exo 40:26  And he put the golden altar in the tent of the congregation before the vail: 
Exo 40:27  And he burnt sweet incense thereon; as the LORD commanded Moses. 
Exo 40:28  And he set up the hanging at the door of the tabernacle. 
Exo 40:29  And he put the altar of burnt offering by the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation, and offered upon it the burnt offering and the meat offering; as the LORD commanded Moses. 
Exo 40:30  And he set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and put water there, to wash withal.
Exo 40:31  And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet thereat: 
Exo 40:32  When they went into the tent of the congregation, and when they came near unto the altar, they washed; as the LORD commanded Moses. 
Exo 40:33  And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work. 
Exo 40:34  Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
Exo 40:35  And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
Exo 40:36  And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys: 
Exo 40:37  But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.
Exo 40:38  For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.

This last chapter of Exodus concludes the preparation and setting up of the tabernacle of the Lord. The setting up of the temple of the Lord within us is a lifelong process. As we are aware, we understand spiritual things by the things that are made. 

Rom 1:20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 

When a house is being built, it is difficult to see the beauty of it until it is finished. For example, usually, when a huge office complex is being built in a city, it is draped in polythene materials, making it difficult for pedestrians to realize the beauty of it until it is finished. However, in the eyes of the architect who designed the office complex, everything is going according to plan, and he sees the beauty of the building before it is even started. Our architect is our Lord Jesus Christ who has designed us to reflect His beauty even before the foundations of the world. This is how He sees us, His elect – the perfection of beauty!! 

Psa 50:1  A Psalm of Asaph. The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof. 
Psa 50:2  Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.

Our Lord Jesus Christ is building our temple as He takes away all that offends within us so that He can come and dwell in our hearts and mind – our temple. The devil is also aware of this, so he comes to wage a mental battle in our heavens, by questioning whether we are really obtaining Christ’s standard. However, just as Michael and his angels waged war against the devil and his angels in our heavens and defeated them, we are also assured of victory over the devil as we grow in His beauty. Indeed, what the Lord starts, He is able to finish!! 

Rev 12:7  And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
Rev 12:8  And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
Rev 12:9  And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Php 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

What the whole world is looking for is Christ coming to dwell in us, the elect, but unfortunately, it is hidden from them. Christ coming to dwell in our heavens is what the Bible describes as the joy of the whole world. 

Psa 48:1  A Song and Psalm for the sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. 
Psa 48:2  Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. 

Rom 8:19  For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 
Rom 8:20  For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
Rom 8:21  Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

With this in mind, let us take a look at how the Lord, our Chief Architect, prepares us to become a habitation of the Lord, perfect in beauty and the joy of the whole earth!!

Rev 21:2  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Rev 21:3  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 
Rev 21:4  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Rev 21:5  And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

Exo 40:1  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 
Exo 40:2  On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.

The first day of the first month spiritually signifies a new beginning in our walk with the Lord when we come to realize that we are sinners according to the law and that we need Christ to come into our lives to make our hearts and mind His dwelling place. That is the beginning of the setting up of the tabernacle within us when Christ comes with His judgment to deal with the beast within.

2Th 2:7  For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 
2Th 2:8  And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

Exo 40:3  And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail. 
Exo 40:4  And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof. 
Exo 40:5  And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the hanging of the door to the tabernacle. 

What is significant here is that the work of setting up the tabernacle started from the Holy of Holies before it ended up in the courtyard. The Lord starts His work of making us His temple for His habitation by focusing within us first before our outward righteousness becomes evident. The Holy of Holies and the Holy place and their items were all made first before the outer court with its items were made. This is in contrast to our life in Babylon or the churches of this world where we put emphasis on the outward to the detriment of inner cleansing. 

Mat 23:25  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
Mat 23:26  Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

In verse 3, the first item to be placed within the veil was the ark of the testimony, which signifies Christ coming within us (the veil) with the spirit of His mouth to deal with all that offends. The next item was the table and then the candlestick, resulting in the lighting of the lamps. The primary purpose of the table was to hold the showbread which was set before the Lord. Every Sabbath, the priests would replace the loaves from the previous week with a new batch of bread. Twelve loaves of bread were arranged into two rows of six, and these loaves represented the twelve tribes of Israel. 

Lev 24:5  And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof: two tenth deals shall be in one cake. 
Lev 24:6  And thou shalt set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before the LORD. 
Lev 24:7  And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row, that it may be on the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire unto the LORD. 
Lev 24:8  Every sabbath he shall set it in order before the LORD continually, being taken from the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant.
Lev 24:9  And it shall be Aaron’s and his sons’; and they shall eat it in the holy place: for it is most holy unto him of the offerings of the LORD made by fire by a perpetual statute.

The showbread represents our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the bread of heaven or the heavenly manna. 

Joh 6:32  Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. 
Joh 6:33  For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. 
Joh 6:34  Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. 
Joh 6:35  And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. 

It is when Christ comes to us that we are given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. The golden candlestick signifies the church of the firstborn or the elect. 

Rev 1:12  And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;

Rev 1:20  The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

There was no natural light in the tabernacle, and therefore the light from the candlestick was what enabled the priest to perform his duties before God. This light is the word of the Lord which comes through what every joint supplies.

Psa 119:105  NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Eph 4:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

After the lighting of the lamps comes the altar of incense (verse 5). It is when we are given eyes to see and ears to hear through the light of the lamps that we can pray effectively in accordance to His will.

Rev 8:3  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.
Rev 8:4  And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.

Exo 40:6  And thou shalt set the altar of the burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation. 
Exo 40:7  And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and shalt put water therein. 
Exo 40:8  And thou shalt set up the court round about, and hang up the hanging at the court gate.

An essential part of building our temple for the Lord to dwell in is that we come to see where we came from – our Babylonian origin. We start our walk with Christ by recognizing the sacrifice He made for our sins as we encounter the altar of the burnt offering. That is the foundation upon which we can proceed to the laver, where we begin to be washed with the letter of the word before we enter the Holy place. That is when the Lord comes with His brightness to start the process of destroying the raging beast within us.

Isa 51:1  Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.

Exo 40:9  And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the vessels thereof: and it shall be holy. 
Exo 40:10  And thou shalt anoint the altar of the burnt offering, and all his vessels, and sanctify the altar: and it shall be an altar most holy. 
Exo 40:11  And thou shalt anoint the laver and his foot, and sanctify it.

The question that comes to mind is, “Why are all these items anointed?” As we are aware, the anointing with oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. It is through the Holy Spirit that we are endowed with power to become a habitation for the Lord to dwell. We, His elect, represent the tabernacle and also the vessels in the tabernacle. Anointing the tabernacle and the vessels is therefore sanctifying us as we offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to the Lord.

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Anointing the altar of the burnt offering and its vessels is causing us to see the sacrifice the Lord made on our behalf. The anointing of the laver and its foot is to open our eyes to see and our ears to begin to hear the truth of the word of the Lord.

Joh 16:13  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. 
Joh 16:14  He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Exo 40:12  And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water. 
Exo 40:13  And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office. 
Exo 40:14  And thou shalt bring his sons, and clothe them with coats: 
Exo 40:15  And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.

These verses show us the process we go through to put on the righteousness of Christ, which is symbolized by the holy garments worn by Aaron and His sons who represent the elect.  The process involves being washed with the water of the word. As our eyes are opened and our ears hear, we are cleansed by the truth of the word of the Lord.

Eph 5:26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 
Eph 5:27  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

The process also involves being anointed with the Holy spirit to empower us as we are led into the truth of the word of the Lord. 

Act 1:8  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 

Joh 16:13  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.
Joh 16:14  He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Exo 40:16  Thus did Moses: according to all that the LORD commanded him, so did he.

As we have indicated several times in the study of Exodus, Moses represents the elect. A key characteristic of the elect is to do all that which the Lord commands us through His words. That is, we are called to obey the Lord in everything and that is what shows that we really love Him. 

1Jn 5:2  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
1Jn 5:3  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Exo 40:17  And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was reared up. 
Exo 40:18  And Moses reared up the tabernacle, and fastened his sockets, and set up the boards thereof, and put in the bars thereof, and reared up his pillars. 
Exo 40:19  And he spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it; as the LORD commanded Moses. 

The tabernacle became a visible presence in the midst of the Israelites when the structures were set up and was covered with the tent. This is a foretaste of the New Jerusalem where God himself shall be with His people and be their God.

Rev 21:2  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 
Rev 21:3  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 
Rev 21:4  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Exo 40:20  And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark: 
Exo 40:21  And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the vail of the covering, and covered the ark of the testimony; as the LORD commanded Moses. 
Exo 40:22  And he put the table in the tent of the congregation, upon the side of the tabernacle northward, without the vail. 
Exo 40:23  And he set the bread in order upon it before the LORD; as the LORD had commanded Moses. 
Exo 40:24  And he put the candlestick in the tent of the congregation, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward.
Exo 40:25  And he lighted the lamps before the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exo 40:26  And he put the golden altar in the tent of the congregation before the vail:
Exo 40:27  And he burnt sweet incense thereon; as the LORD commanded Moses.

As we have indicated earlier, the Lord starts His work of building our temple by focusing on what happens within the veil (our hearts and mind) first. We are shown great mercy as the Lord comes to us with His brightness into our lives. This is represented by the ark of the testimony with the mercy seat. We are then given to eat in His presence as our eyes are opened and our ears hear the truth of the word of the Lord, which is symbolized by the table and the showbread. The church which is signified by the candlestick helps us in our walk to see the light of His words by what every joint supplies. It is at this point that our prayers become sweet incense to the Lord.

Jas 5:16  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Exo 40:28  And he set up the hanging at the door of the tabernacle. 
Exo 40:29  And he put the altar of burnt offering by the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation, and offered upon it the burnt offering and the meat offering; as the LORD commanded Moses. 
Exo 40:30  And he set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and put water there, to wash withal.
Exo 40:31  And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet thereat: 
Exo 40:32  When they went into the tent of the congregation, and when they came near unto the altar, they washed; as the LORD commanded Moses. 

As His elect, we are the hanging at the door of the tabernacle through which all humanity must pass to worship the Lord. As indicated earlier, the altar of burnt offering is to remind us of the price paid by our Lord Jesus Christ, as He was sacrificed for our sins so that we can become a royal priesthood. The laver at the court of the tabernacle is where we are washed with the letter of the word of the Lord, which causes us to realize our hopelessness in overcoming sin as we are dominated by the beast and the need to leave Babylon.

Rev 18:4  And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

Exo 40:33  And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work.

It is in resurrection that the Lord will complete our tabernacle for His habitation.

Luk 13:32  And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.

We, His elect, are the first for the Lord to complete His tabernacle, as He dwells within us.

Rev 21:3  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Exo 40:34  Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
Exo 40:35  And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

Here we are told that the cloud and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle such that Moses was not able to enter the tent of the congregation. The cloud represents the elect who have overcome and are in the presence of the Lord.  In the Book of Isaiah, when Isaiah saw the Lord sitting on His throne in His temple, there were the Seraphims who represented the elect. The fact that there is always a cloud in the presence of the Lord is to remind us of the elect who are represented by the elect or the Seraphims.

Heb 12:1  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Isa 6:1  In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
Isa 6:2  Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.

We need to know what the glory of the Lord signifies in order to understand verses 34 and 35. The following verses show us what the glory of the Lord means:

Num 14:10  But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel.
Num 14:11  And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them? 

Num 16:19  And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation. 
Num 16:20  And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,

Deu 5:24  And ye said, Behold, the LORD our God hath shewed us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this day that God doth talk with man, and he liveth.

We can see from these verses that anytime the glory of the Lord appears, we see the Lord speaking. In Deuteronomy 5:24, additional information is given to qualify the glory of the Lord and that is fire. Seeing His glory therefore means hearing the Lord’s voice out of the midst of the fire. This conclusion is affirmed in Exodus 24:16-17, where the sight of the glory of the Lord was likened to a devouring fire on the top of the Mount. So, in this age, those who are privileged to see the glory of the Lord are those who are hearing His words in the midst of the furnace of their affliction. When we are going through suffering, it is hard to rejoice, but afterwards it will yield the benefit of seeing the glory of the Lord!!

Exo 24:16  And the glory of the LORD abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud. 
Exo 24:17  And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.

What verse 35 means is that until we have gone through the complete fiery trials marked out for us, we cannot offer our bodies as living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to the Lord.  That is what it means to enter the temple to worship the Lord.

Rev 15:8  And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

Exo 40:36  And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys: 
Exo 40:37  But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.
Exo 40:38  For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys. 

The movement of the people of Israel was dependent on whether the cloud had moved from the tabernacle or was stationary. Since the cloud represents the elect, it is therefore a symbol of the church of the firstborn. What these verses tell us is that it is through the counsel of the church (cloud of the Lord) together with our fiery trials (fire by night) which guide us through this wilderness of life.

Pro 11:14  Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. 

Gen 50:20  But as for you, ye thought evil against me (our fiery trials); but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

May the Lord be merciful to us as He continues to work on our tabernacle until that day!! Amen!!

Exo 37:1-29  The Making of the Ark, the Table, the Lampstand and the Altar of Incense

[Study Aired February 13, 2023]

Exo 37:1  And Bezaleel made the ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half was the length of it, and a cubit and a half the breadth of it, and a cubit and a half the height of it:
Exo 37:2  And he overlaid it with pure gold within and without, and made a crown of gold to it round about.
Exo 37:3  And he cast for it four rings of gold, to be set by the four corners of it; even two rings upon the one side of it, and two rings upon the other side of it. 
Exo 37:4  And he made staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold. 
Exo 37:5  And he put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, to bear the ark. 
Exo 37:6  And he made the mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half was the length thereof, and one cubit and a half the breadth thereof. 
Exo 37:7  And he made two cherubims of gold, beaten out of one piece made he them, on the two ends of the mercy seat; 
Exo 37:8  One cherub on the end on this side, and another cherub on the other end on that side: out of the mercy seat made he the cherubims on the two ends thereof. 
Exo 37:9  And the cherubims spread out their wings on high, and covered with their wings over the mercy seat, with their faces one to another; even to the mercy seatward were the faces of the cherubims. 
Exo 37:10  And he made the table of shittim wood: two cubits was the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof: 
Exo 37:11  And he overlaid it with pure gold, and made thereunto a crown of gold round about. 
Exo 37:12  Also he made thereunto a border of an handbreadth round about; and made a crown of gold for the border thereof round about. 
Exo 37:13  And he cast for it four rings of gold, and put the rings upon the four corners that were in the four feet thereof. 
Exo 37:14  Over against the border were the rings, the places for the staves to bear the table. 
Exo 37:15  And he made the staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold, to bear the table. 
Exo 37:16  And he made the vessels which were upon the table, his dishes, and his spoons, and his bowls, and his covers to cover withal, of pure gold. 
Exo 37:17  And he made the candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work made he the candlestick; his shaft, and his branch, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, were of the same: 
Exo 37:18  And six branches going out of the sides thereof; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side thereof, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side thereof: 
Exo 37:19  Three bowls made after the fashion of almonds in one branch, a knop and a flower; and three bowls made like almonds in another branch, a knop and a flower: so throughout the six branches going out of the candlestick. 
Exo 37:20  And in the candlestick were four bowls made like almonds, his knops, and his flowers: 
Exo 37:21  And a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches going out of it. 
Exo 37:22  Their knops and their branches were of the same: all of it was one beaten work of pure gold. 
Exo 37:23  And he made his seven lamps, and his snuffers, and his snuffdishes, of pure gold. 
Exo 37:24  Of a talent of pure gold made he it, and all the vessels thereof. 
Exo 37:25  And he made the incense altar of shittim wood: the length of it was a cubit, and the breadth of it a cubit; it was foursquare; and two cubits was the height of it; the horns thereof were of the same. 
Exo 37:26  And he overlaid it with pure gold, both the top of it, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns of it: also he made unto it a crown of gold round about. 
Exo 37:27  And he made two rings of gold for it under the crown thereof, by the two corners of it, upon the two sides thereof, to be places for the staves to bear it withal.
Exo 37:28  And he made the staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold. 
Exo 37:29  And he made the holy anointing oil, and the pure incense of sweet spices, according to the work of the apothecary.

Today’s study focuses on the construction of the Ark, the Table, the Candlestick and the Altar of incense.  A closer look of the making of these items will give us insight into how to become like our Lord Jesus Christ who is our standard of measurement. As indicated in previous studies, Bezaleel represents our Lord Jesus Christ. It is through Him that all the items to be constructed within us are made.  

Exo 37:1  And Bezaleel made the ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half was the length of it, and a cubit and a half the breadth of it, and a cubit and a half the height of it: 

The ark represents our Lord Jesus Christ. When we are in Him, we are delivered from the flood waters of false doctrines, carnality, traditions, human wisdom, etc. The ark was to be made of shittim wood from shittah tree, probably from acacia. They were found growing wild in the Sinai desert and the Jordan River valley. Growing wild means that it is not planted and taken care of by man. In other words, it is not the work of man. If we are to become like Christ, then we need to know that from the beginning to our maturity is all the work of Jesus Christ – not man. Even our sins are all part of the work of God. All we do to become like Christ is to believe in Him.

Joh 6:28  Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 
Joh 6:29  Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

The ark had the following dimensions: Two and half cubits in length and a cubit and half in breadth and height. What is significant about the measurements is that they are all in halves. This means that we cannot obtain the stature of Christ in this life. It is in resurrection that we become perfected like Jesus Christ.

1Co 13:9  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 
1Co 13:10  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 
1Co 13:11  When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 
1Co 13:12  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Another significant point to note in verse 1 is that to become like Christ means we are constantly being measured to see if we have obtained the standards of Christ. This means that we are constantly being judged to conform to the standard of Christ. All those who are not measured are not part of the commonwealth of Israel or His elect. They belong to the Gentiles!!

Rev 11:1  And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
Rev 11:2  But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

Exo 37:2  And he overlaid it with pure gold within and without, and made a crown of gold to it round about.

Overlaying the ark with gold means that to become like Christ, we must be refined just like gold refined in the fire. This is the judgment of our old man which brings us to learn righteousness.

Job 23:10  But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Exo 37:3  And he cast for it four rings of gold, to be set by the four corners of it; even two rings upon the one side of it, and two rings upon the other side of it. 
Exo 37:4  And he made staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold. 
Exo 37:5  And he put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, to bear the ark.

In Ezekiel chapter 1, the living creatures who represent the elect have wheels, which are rings full of eyes. These living creatures represent the elect. The four cast rings of gold are therefore the elect who are placed in every corner of the earth even as the Lord fills the earth. The number four means the whole of all the elect scattered over the four corners of the earth. The fact that two are placed on one side and two on another is to let us know that we serve as witnesses of Christ on this earth.

Eze 1:15  Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces.
Eze 1:16  The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the colour of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel. 
Eze 1:17  When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they turned not when they went. 
Eze 1:18  As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings were full of eyes round about them four.

Rev 7:1  And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

The staves are long rods of wood which pass through the rings to make it easier to carry the ark so that the ark is not touched. The function of the staves suggests that spiritually, they represent the spirit of the Lord which helps us bear Christ wherever we go. These staves are made from shittim wood and therefore are not of man’s origin, but by the Lord. In verse 5, the staves being in the rings means the promise of the comforter being within us to lead us into all truth so we can have the mind of Christ and therefore “carry” Christ wherever we go.

Joh 14:16  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Joh 14:17  Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Joh 14:18  I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

Exo 37:6  And he made the mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half was the length thereof, and one cubit and a half the breadth thereof.
Exo 37:7  And he made two cherubims of gold, beaten out of one piece made he them, on the two ends of the mercy seat;

One of the significant aspects of the ark is the mercy seat. This is to make us aware that the heart of our Lord Jesus Christ is to show mercy to humanity.

Psa 145:8  The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.

Psa 147:11  The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

Mat 9:13  But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

If we are to be like Christ (the ark), then the mercy we have received from the Lord should translate into us being merciful in all our dealings. This is what the Lord requires of us.

Rom 11:30  For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 
Rom 11:31  Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. 
Rom 11:32  For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. 
Rom 11:33  O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 
Rom 11:34  For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

The scriptures above show us that we have a significant role to play in showing mercy to humanity during the lake of fire age. The measurement of the mercy seat is to let us know that as His elect, we are being measured regarding our mercy attribute. What this means is that as we fall short of this measure, we are being disciplined to conform to our Lord’s mercy attribute. The fact that the measurement of the length and breadth of the mercy seat are given as two and half cubits and a cubit and half are to remind us that we cannot grasp the fullness of our Lord’s mercy in this age until we are perfected.

1Co 13:12  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

We need to know what the Cherubims represent in order to understand what is being said here. The Cherubims are living creatures and it is in the midst of these Cherubims that the Lord dwells and speaks to His people.

Eze 10:20  This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river of Chebar; and I knew that they were the cherubims.

1Sa 4:4  So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.

2Sa 6:2  And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims.

This is what we know of where the dwelling place of God is – among His people. This means that the cherubims represent His people or His elect.

Exo 29:46  And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the LORD their God.

Rev 21:3  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 

2Co 6:16  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

What verse 7 is therefore telling us is that in order to become like Christ, we  must be like the beaten work of gold. Gold can be beaten to assume any shape only when it is melted through heat. It is through our fiery trials (heat) that the Lord can make us become like Him.

Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.  

1Pe 4:12  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 
1Pe 4:13  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

The fact that Moses was required to make two Cherubims suggests that, through the beaten work of gold, we become witnesses of Christ.

Exo 37:8  One cherub on the end on this side, and another cherub on the other end on that side: out of the mercy seat made he the cherubims on the two ends thereof. 
Exo 37:9  And the cherubims spread out their wings on high, and covered with their wings over the mercy seat, with their faces one to another; even to the mercy seatward were the faces of the cherubims. 

What these verses tell us is that the mercy seat is between the two Cherubims who cover it with their wings as they behold each other. The mercy seat is where the Lord dwells. Wings in the scriptures serve as a hiding place and also a place of protection.  

Psa 17:8  Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,

Psa 57:1  To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave. Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.

The wings of the Cherubims hide the mercy seat where the Lord dwells. This means that the Lord is hidden in the elect in this age. As we are aware, Christ is the word of God. The mercy seat sandwiched between the two Cherubims means that the two Cherubims protect the mercy seat. This means that the role of the elect is to protect the truth of the word of the Lord in this age. This role was made clear to us when the Lord was laying the foundations of the earth. We are the ones who are keeping the way of the tree of life, which is Christ and His words, through a flaming sword which turns in every way.

Gen 3:24  So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

Exo 37:10  And he made the table of shittim wood: two cubits was the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof: 
Exo 37:11  And he overlaid it with pure gold, and made thereunto a crown of gold round about.
Exo 37:12  Also he made thereunto a border of an handbreadth round about; and made a crown of gold for the border thereof round about.

A Table is used often in the Bible to indicate where people gather to eat as shown by the following verses: 

2Sa 9:11  Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king’s sons.

1Ki 2:7  But shew kindness unto the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those that eat at thy table: for so they came to me when I fled because of Absalom thy brother.

The Table of the Showbread is not different – it is where the priests eat the Showbread in the presence of the Lord. Aaron and his sons, representing the priesthood, were only those privileged to eat the bread in the presence of the Lord in a holy place every Sabbath day. Aaron and his sons symbolize the elect who are privileged to eat the bread of heaven, that is, the words of the Lord in the presence of the Lord. So, the making of the Table for Showbread is to show us how the Lord prepares us to be given eyes to see and ears to hear. 

Mat 13:16  But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. 
Mat 13:17  For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

The Lord dining with His disciples (called the Lord’s supper) when He was about to die, is a foreshadow of our being fed with the word of the Lord in His presence. The measurement given of the Table is to make us aware that to be given eyes to see and ears to hear entails being constantly measured to see if we have obtained the standards of Christ. This means that we are constantly being judged to conform to the standard of Christ. All those who are not measured are not part of the commonwealth of Israel or His elect. They belong to the Gentiles!!

Rev 11:1  And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
Rev 11:2  But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

Overlaying the Table with gold means that to be privileged to eat at the Lord’s Table requires us to be refined just like gold refined in the fire. This is the judgment of our old man which brings us to learn righteousness. 

Job 23:10  But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Isa 26:8  Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.
Isa 26:9  With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

The molding of gold together with the rim round about the table was to support it so that nothing that is placed on the table would fall down. What was placed on the Table were the showbread and the vessels for frankincense and offering, which spiritually represent the word of the Lord and the elect. As our understanding is being enlightened and our eyes are seeing, we are kept by the word of His power through our fiery trials which are represented here by the gold molding and the rim roundabout the table.

Heb 1:3  He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

Exo 37:13  And he cast for it four rings of gold, and put the rings upon the four corners that were in the four feet thereof. 
Exo 37:14  Over against the border were the rings, the places for the staves to bear the table. 
Exo 37:15  And he made the staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold, to bear the table. 
Exo 37:16  And he made the vessels which were upon the table, his dishes, and his spoons, and his bowls, and his covers to cover withal, of pure gold. 

The four cast rings of gold represent the elect which are placed in every corner of the earth even as the Lord fills the earth. The number four means the whole of all the elect scattered over the four corners of the earth. 

Eze 1:18 As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings were full of eyes round about them four.

Rev 7:1  And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

The staves are long rods of wood which pass through the rings to make it easier to carry the table so that it is preserved. The function of the staves suggests that spiritually, they represent the spirit of the Lord which helps us bear Christ wherever we go. These staves are made from shittim wood and therefore are not of man’s origin but the Lord. The staves placed in the rings means the promise of the comforter being within us to lead us into all truth so that we, His elect, can have the mind of Christ (showbread) and therefore continue the feasting wherever we go.

As indicated earlier, the dishes, spoons, covers, and bowls all represent the elect.

2Ti 2:20  Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable.
2Ti 2:21  Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.

The utensils were to be made of gold which means that they have to be refined as gold through the fire. This is the judgment of our old man.

Rev 3:18  I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.

Isa 48:10  Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction.

These utensils are used for holding frankincense and for offering. As we are aware, we are to offer our bodies as living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to the Lord. The prayers of the elect are signified by the frankincense. 

Rev 8:3  And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne,
Rev 8:4  and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. 

Rom 12:1  I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Rom 12:2  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. 

Exo 37:17  And he made the candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work made he the candlestick; his shaft, and his branch, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, were of the same: 
Exo 37:18  And six branches going out of the sides thereof; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side thereof, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side thereof: 
Exo 37:19  Three bowls made after the fashion of almonds in one branch, a knop and a flower; and three bowls made like almonds in another branch, a knop and a flower: so throughout the six branches going out of the candlestick.

The candlestick must be made of pure gold and of beaten work. What this is telling us is that the church of Christ consists of those who are like gold beaten to assume any shape through the process of melting through heat. This means that it is through our fiery trials (heat) that the Lord can make us become part of the church of the firstborn like Him.

Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

1Pe 4:12  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
1Pe 4:13  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

The shaft represents Christ, and the branches symbolize the elect, and they are all beaten works of gold. There are three branches on each side of the shaft, and for each branch there are three decorative almond blossoms (bowls). Where each pair of branches come out from the shaft or stem, there must also be a decorative almond blossom. 

The fact that there must be three decorative almond blossoms on each branch is to make us aware that it is through judgment that we blossom or mature to produce fruits (almond). In other words, being given to partake of the Lord’s words (showbread) is through our fiery trials, which cause us to produce fruits (almond). That is when our light will shine before men so that they see our good works and therefore glorify our Father in Heaven.  

Num 17:8  And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds. 

Mat 5:14  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Mat 5:15  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Mat 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Exo 37:20  And in the candlestick were four bowls made like almonds, his knops, and his flowers:
Exo 37:21  And a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches going out of it. 
Exo 37:22  Their knops and their branches were of the same: all of it was one beaten work of pure gold.

As we have indicated, the shaft or the stem is Christ who has four of the decorative almond blossoms. This is to demonstrate that it is through Christ that the whole (the meaning of the number four) of the elect becomes mature. The pairing of the branches together with a blossom on each pair is to show us that we become witnesses of Christ as we mature. The lampstand, its branches and the decorative flowers being all made from one beaten work of pure gold is to bring to our attention that even as our Jesus Christ matured through the things He suffered, we are also to mature through our fiery trials in order to become the light of the world.

Heb 5:5  So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, today have I begotten thee.
Heb 5:6  As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 
Heb 5:7  Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 
Heb 5:8  Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 
Heb 5:9  And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 
Heb 5:10  Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

Exo 37:23  And he made his seven lamps, and his snuffers, and his snuffdishes, of pure gold. 
Exo 37:24  Of a talent of pure gold made he it, and all the vessels thereof.

The seven lamps refer to the complete number of the elect from every generation. The candlestick is to give light to the space in front of it in the Holy place. What is insightful to note is the fact that the light given by the candlestick is not seen outside the Holy place. It is to give light for the priest to perform his duty. In this dispensation, although we are the light of the world, we are not seen that way by many (the world). It is only the elect who see our light and use it to perform their duty – that is, live a life worthy of the Lord. This light is the word of the Lord, which is the light for our path. Paul sums up our being beaten like the work of gold in order to give light as follows:

2Co 4:7  But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 
2Co 4:8  We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 
2Co 4:9  persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 
2Co 4:10  always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies (providing light for the priest to function).
2Co 4:11  For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

Exo 37:25  And he made the incense altar of shittim wood: the length of it was a cubit, and the breadth of it a cubit; it was foursquare; and two cubits was the height of it; the horns thereof were of the same. 

The altar of incense then, can be seen as a symbol of the prayers of God’s people. Our prayers ascend to God as the smoke of the incense ascends to God in the sanctuary.

Psa 141:2  Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. 

Rev 5:8  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. 

Rev 8:3  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.

Luk 1:9  According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
Luk 1:10  And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.

So, the making of an altar of incense is basically to show us how we can communicate with the Lord. The altar of incense is required to be made of shittim wood, which comes from acacia. What this means is that to be effective in communicating with the Lord, we must know that it is all the work of the Lord and that we do not contribute anything to this. Since we do not bring anything to the table, our prayers before the Lord must be accompanied with a heart that is humble and grateful for being counted worthy to come before His presence. That is what the story of the two gentlemen who went to pray teaches us.

Luk 18:9  And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
Luk 18:10  Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 
Luk 18:11  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 
Luk 18:12  I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
Luk 18:13  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
Luk 18:14  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbled himself shall be exalted.

The shape of the altar of incense is to be a square. This implies that from whatever situation we find ourselves as priests of the Lord, we must offer prayers to the Lord. That is another way of saying that men must always pray and not faint.

Luk 18:1  And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

There is a horn at each of the four corners of the square-shaped altar of incense. Horns symbolize strength. This is to let us know that our strength to resist the devil is through prayers. As He is, so are we. Jesus was strengthened when He prayed. In the same way, we are also strengthened to overcome temptation when we pray.

Luk 22:40  And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
Luk 22:41  And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
Luk 22:42  Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
Luk 22:43  And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

Mat 26:41  Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Eph 3:14  For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Eph 3:15  Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 
Eph 3:16  That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

Exo 37:26  And he overlaid it with pure gold, both the top of it, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns of it: also he made unto it a crown of gold round about. 
Exo 37:27  And he made two rings of gold for it under the crown thereof, by the two corners of it, upon the two sides thereof, to be places for the staves to bear it withal.
Exo 37:28  And he made the staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold. 
Exo 37:29  And he made the holy anointing oil, and the pure incense of sweet spices, according to the work of the apothecary.

The fact that the altar of incense must be overlaid means that to become a house of prayer, we must be refined just like gold refined in the fire. As we are aware, if we are to become a house of prayer, then Jesus has to come into our temple to drive away all that offends with a scourge of small cords. The scourging signifies our fiery trials or the refining process of gold which cleanses us to become a house of prayer. 

Mat 21:12  And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
Mat 21:13  And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Job 23:10  But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Rings of gold were attached to the altar so that it could be carried about with acacia wood poles which were slipped through the rings. The altar of incense was placed before the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. As indicated earlier, the two rings of gold are the elect who serve as witness of Christ. The staves being in the rings means the promise of the comforter being within us to lead us into all truth so that we can have the mind of Christ and therefore “carry” Christ wherever we go.  The anointing oil also represents the Holy Spirit. The work of the apothecary is the work of Christ in sending us the Holy Spirit and to make us become the sweet fragrance of Him. Amen!!

Exo 25:23-40  Instructions About the Making of the Table of Shewbread and the Golden Candlestick

[Study Aired October 17, 2022]

Exo 25:23  Thou shalt also make a table of shittim wood: two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof. 
Exo 25:24  And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, and make thereto a crown of gold round about. 
Exo 25:25  And thou shalt make unto it a border of an hand breadth round about, and thou shalt make a golden crown to the border thereof round about. 
Exo 25:26  And thou shalt make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings in the four corners that are on the four feet thereof. 
Exo 25:27  Over against the border shall the rings be for places of the staves to bear the table. 
Exo 25:28  And thou shalt make the staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table may be borne with them. 
Exo 25:29  And thou shalt make the dishes thereof, and spoons thereof, and covers thereof, and bowls thereof, to cover withal: of pure gold shalt thou make them.
Exo 25:30  And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me always. 
Exo 25:31  And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same. 
Exo 25:32  And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side:
Exo 25:33  Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick.
Exo 25:34  And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers. 
Exo 25:35  And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick. 
Exo 25:36  Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold. 
Exo 25:37  And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it. 
Exo 25:38  And the tongs thereof, and the snuff dishes thereof, shall be of pure gold.
Exo 25:39  Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels.
Exo 25:40  And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.

Introduction

Part One – What does the Table of Shewbread Signify?

The last part of Exodus chapter 25 focuses on instructions regarding the making of the Table of Shewbread and the Golden Candlestick. To appreciate today’s study better, we need to understand spiritually what the Table for Bread or the Shewbread and the Golden Candlestick signify. 

The Table for Bread or Shewbread is located on the right (North) side of the Holy Place within the Tabernacle. The primary purpose of the Table was to hold the Shewbread which was set before the Lord. Every Sabbath, the priests would replace the loaves from the previous week with a new batch of bread. Twelve loaves of bread were arranged into two rows of six, and these loaves represented the twelve tribes of Israel. 

Lev 24:5  And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof: two tenth deals shall be in one cake. 
Lev 24:6  And thou shalt set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before the LORD. 
Lev 24:7  And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row, that it may be on the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire unto the LORD. 
Lev 24:8  Every sabbath he shall set it in order before the LORD continually, being taken from the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant. 
Lev 24:9  And it shall be Aaron’s and his sons’; and they shall eat it in the holy place: for it is most holy unto him of the offerings of the LORD made by fire by a perpetual statute.

The Shewbread represents our Lord Jesus Christ who is the bread of heaven or the heavenly manna. 

Joh 6:32  Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. 
Joh 6:33  For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. 
Joh 6:34  Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. 
Joh 6:35  And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

Apart from the Shewbread, other items placed on ‘the table for shewbread’ are vessels of plates, dishes, jars and bowls. The plates and the dishes were likely used to hold the frankincense. The jars and bowls were apparently used for offering.

Num 4:7  And upon the table of shewbread they shall spread a cloth of blue, and put thereon the dishes, and the spoons, and the bowls, and covers to cover withal: and the continual bread shall be thereon:

The plates, dishes, jars and bowls symbolize the elect as shown in the following verse:

2Ti 2:20  But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 
2Ti 2:21  If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

A Table is used often in the Bible to indicate where people gather to eat as shown by the following verses: 

2Sa 9:11  Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king’s sons.

1Ki 2:7  But shew kindness unto the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those that eat at thy table: for so they came to me when I fled because of Absalom thy brother.

The Table of the Shewbread is not different – it is where the priests eat the Shewbread in the presence of the Lord. Aaron and his sons, representing the priesthood, were those alone privileged to eat the bread in the presence of the Lord in a holy place every Sabbath day. Aaron and his sons symbolize the elect who are privileged to eat the bread of heaven, that is, the words of the Lord in the presence of the Lord. So, the Lord’s commandment for Moses to make a Table for Shewbread is to show us how the Lord prepares us to be given eyes to see and ears to hear. 

Mat 13:16  But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. 
Mat 13:17  For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

The Lord dining with His disciples, (called the Lord’s supper) when He was about to die, while on earth is a foreshadow of our being fed with the word of the Lord in His presence. 

Part Two – What Does the Golden Candlestick Signify?

One of the most important items within the Holy place is the golden candlestick or lampstand.  It consisted of a shaft and the branches. On the ends of the branches there were lamps. Finally, there was the oil for the lamps. There was no natural light in the tabernacle, and therefore the light from the candlestick was what enabled the priest to perform his duties before God. The following verses makes the spiritual significance of the golden candlestick obvious:

Rev 1:12  And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 

Rev 1:20  The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

The golden candlestick symbolizes the church of the firstborn. The shaft from which comes the branches is a symbol of Christ just as the vine represents Christ and the branches symbolize us. The oil which runs through the shaft and the branches represents the Holy Spirit. 

Joh 15:4  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
Joh 15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Joh 15:6  If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
Joh 15:7  If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 

As stated earlier, there was no natural light in the tabernacle and therefore the light from the candlestick was what enabled the priest to perform his duties before God. Part of our study today is to look at the instructions given to Moses as to how to construct the golden candlestick. What this means is that today’s study is to show us how, as the church of the firstborn, we are to mature or become the light of the world. 

Mat 5:14  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 
Mat 5:15  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 
Mat 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 

Let’s start our study today with how the table of the shewbread is constructed as follows:

Instructions About the Making of the Table of Shewbread

Exo 25:23  Thou shalt also make a table of shittim wood: two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof. 

As we have stated in the previous study, the shittah tree, from which shittim wood is made, grows wild in the Sinai desert and the Jordan River valley. Growing wild means that it is not planted and taken care of by man. In other words, it is not the work of man. If we are to be given ears to hear and eyes to see like Christ, then we need to know that from the beginning until our maturity it is all the work of God – not man. The measurement given of the Table is to make us aware that to be given eyes to see and ears to hear entails being constantly measured to see if we have obtained the standards of Christ. This means that we are constantly being judged to conform to the standards of Christ. All those who are not measured are not part of the commonwealth of Israel or His elect. They belong to the Gentiles!!  

Rev 11:1  And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. 
Rev 11:2  But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

Exo 25:24  And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, and make thereto a crown of gold round about.
Exo 25:25  And thou shalt make unto it a border of an hand breadth round about, and thou shalt make a golden crown to the border thereof round about.

Overlaying the Table with gold means that to be privileged to eat at the Lord’s Table requires us to be refined just like gold refined in the fire. This is the judgment of our old man which brings us to learn righteousness. 

Job 23:10  But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.  

Isa 26:8  Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. 
Isa 26:9  With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

A simpler rendition of verse 24 and 25 is as follows:

Exo 25:24  You shall overlay it with pure gold and make a molding of gold around it. 
Exo 25:25  And you shall make a rim around it a handbreadth wide, and a molding of gold around the rim. 

The molding of gold, together with the rim round about the table, was to support it so that nothing which was placed on the table would fall down. As we indicated in the introductory section, what was placed on the Table were the Shewbread and the vessels for frankincense and offering, which spiritually represent the word of the Lord and the elect. As our understanding is being enlightened and our eyes are seeing, we are kept by the word of His power which is represented here by the gold molding and the rim roundabout the table.

Heb 1:3  He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

Exo 25:26  And thou shalt make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings in the four corners that are on the four feet thereof.
Exo 25:27  Over against the border shall the rings be for places of the staves to bear the table.
Exo 25:28  And thou shalt make the staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table may be borne with them.

In Ezekiel chapter 1, the living creatures, who represent the elect, have wheels which are rings full of eyes. These living creatures represent the elect. The four cast rings of gold are therefore the elect who are placed in every corner of the earth even as the Lord fills the earth. The number four means the whole of all the elect scattered over the four corners of the earth. 

Eze 1:15  Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces. 
Eze 1:16  The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the colour of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel. 
Eze 1:17  When they went, they went upon their four sides: and they turned not when they went. 
Eze 1:18  As for their rings, they were so high that they were dreadful; and their rings were full of eyes round about them four. 

Rev 7:1  And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

The staves are long rods of wood which pass through the rings to make it easier to carry the table such that the table is preserved. The function of the staves suggests that spiritually, they represent the spirit of the Lord which helps us bear Christ wherever we go. These staves are made from shittim wood and therefore are not of man’s origin but the Lord. The staves placed in the rings means the promise of the comforter being within us to lead us into all truth so that we, His elect, can have the mind of Christ (shewbread) and therefore continue the feasting wherever we go.

Exo 25:29  And thou shalt make the dishes thereof, and spoons thereof, and covers thereof, and bowls thereof, to cover withal: of pure gold shalt thou make them. 

As indicated earlier, the dishes, spoons, covers, and bowls all represent the elect. 

2Ti 2:20  Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 
2Ti 2:21  Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.

The utensils were to be made of gold which means that they have to be refined as gold through the fire. This is the judgment of our old man.

Rev 3:18  I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.

Isa 48:10  Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction.

These utensils are used for holding frankincense and for offering. As we are aware, we are to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to the Lord. The prayers of the elect are signified by the frankincense.

Rev 8:3  And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne,
Rev 8:4  and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel.

Rom 12:1  I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Rom 12:2  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Exo 25:30  And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me always. 

This verse is another way of saying the word of the Lord should not depart from our mouth and that we should meditate on it day and night.

Jos 1:8  This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Instructions About the Making of the Candelstick

Exo 25:31  And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same.
Exo 25:32  And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side: 
Exo 25:33  Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick.

The candlestick must be made of pure gold and of beaten work. What this is telling us is that the church of Christ consists of those who are like gold beaten to assume any shape through the process of melting through heat. This means that it is through our fiery trials (heat) the Lord can make us become part of the church of the firstborn like Him.

Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.  

1Pe 4:12  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 
1Pe 4:13  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

As indicated in the introductory section, the shaft represents Christ, and the branches symbolize the elect and they are all ‘beaten work’ of gold. There are three branches on each side of the shaft, and for each branch, there are three decorative almond blossoms (bowls). Where each pair of branches comes out from the shaft or stem, there must also be a decorative almond blossom. 

The fact that there must be three decorative almond blossoms on each branch is to make us aware that it is through judgment that we blossom or mature to produce fruits (almond). In other words, being given to partake of the Lord’s words (shewbread) is through our fiery trials which causes us to produce fruits (almond). That is when our light will shine before men so that they see our good works and therefore glorify our Father in Heaven.

Num 17:8  And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds. 

Mat 5:14  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 
Mat 5:15  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 
Mat 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Exo 25:34  And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers. 
Exo 25:35  And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick. 
Exo 25:36  Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold. 

A simpler rendition of these verses are as follows:

Exo 25:33  There are to be three decorative almond blossoms on each branch 
Exo 25:34  and four on the stem. 
Exo 25:35  There must also be a blossom where each pair of branches comes out from the stem. 
Exo 25:36  The lampstand, including its branches and decorative flowers, must be made from a single piece of hammered pure gold. (CEV)

As we have indicated, the shaft or the stem is Christ who has four of the decorative almond blossoms. This is to demonstrate that it is through Christ that the whole (the meaning of the number four) of the elect becomes mature. The pairing of the branches together with a blossom on each pair is to show us that we become witnesses of Christ as we mature. The lampstand, its branches and the decorative flowers being all made from one beaten work of pure gold is to bring to our attention that even as our Jesus Christ matured through the things He suffered, we are also to mature through our fiery trials in order to become the light of the world.

Heb 5:5  So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, today have I begotten thee.
Heb 5:6  As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Heb 5:7  Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 
Heb 5:8  Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 
Heb 5:9  And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 
Heb 5:10  Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

Exo 25:37  And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it.

The seven lamps refer to the complete number of the elect from every generation. Verse 37 states the purpose of the candlestick – that is, to give light to the space in front of it in the Holy place. What is insightful to note is the fact that the light given by the candlestick is not seen outside the Holy place. It is to give light for the priest to perform his duty. In this dispensation, although we are the light of the world, we are not seen that way by many (the world). It is only the elect who see our light and use it to perform their duty – that is, live a life worthy of the Lord. This light is the word of the Lord which is the light for our path. Paul sums up our being beaten like the work of gold in order to give light as follows:

2Co 4:7  But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
2Co 4:8  We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 
2Co 4:9  persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 
2Co 4:10  always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies (providing light for the priest to function).
2Co 4:11  For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

The reason the world (including Babylon) does not see this light of the elect is because they do not know the Lord.

1Jn 3:1  Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
1Jn 3:2  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

As He is, so are we. Although our Lord Jesus Christ was the light of the world, the world did not recognize His light.

Joh 1:6  There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
Joh 1:7  The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light (Jesus Christ), that all men through him might believe. 
Joh 1:8  He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light (Jesus Christ). 
Joh 1:9  That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 
Joh 1:10  He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 
Joh 1:11  He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

Exo 25:38  And the tongs thereof, and the snuff dishes thereof, shall be of pure gold.
Exo 25:39  Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels.

The tongs and the trays used for the lamps are to be made of pure gold. In summary, the lampstand and all its equipment must be made of gold. Being made of gold means that it is the true doctrine of Christ which establishes everything in the House of God including the elect. 

Pro 25:11  A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

Exo 25:40  And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.

The pattern that we are to model everything after is Christ and His words. This is because it is in Him that everything is sustained. Without Him everything falls apart.

Heb 1:1  God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 
Heb 1:2  Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 
Heb 1:3  Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; 

May the Lord be merciful to us to be found in Him and to be upheld by the word of His power. Amen!!

Heb 9:2 Part 2 – “Christ being come an high priest of good things to come”

[Study Aired December 3, 2020]

Heb 9:2  For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. 

The tabernacle of God was made for worship and service toward Him, and the book of Hebrews was written to help us understand what that service looks like, as God uses the physical temple to help us understand our spiritual relationship with our great Creator and how we can worship Him “in spirit and in truth” through Christ as our high priest of the better covenant.

2Co 4:15  For all things are for your sakes, [‘the physical temple of God‘] that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

1Co 3:16  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

Joh 4:21  Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
Joh 4:22  Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews [Rom 2:28].
Joh 4:23  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
Joh 4:24  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Heb 8:6  But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises [Eph 1:6, Rom 15:7, 2Pe 1:4].

Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Rom 15:7  Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

2Pe 1:4  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Last week we looked at the “ordinances of divine service^G2999” in the temple of old to understand how they are a type and shadow of the discipleship that is understood by those who have eyes to see and ears to hear. We saw that true divine service as “true worshippers” who worship God “in spirit and in truth” with the “divine nature”, which is expressed in obedience to God’s commandments, is only possible by having God’s love shed abroad in our hearts (Rom 5:5). So it is that we can do the service of having the “heavenly things themselves” cleansed with better sacrifices than these as we present our lives a living sacrifice (Rom 12:1-3), which we have become to the glory of God and for the express purpose of bearing each others’ burdens. We are to follow our Lord’s example of this service as one who washed our feet, meaning He laid down His life for us as we should for each other.

Mat 13:16  But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

Joh 13:35  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Gal 6:2  Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Joh 13:14  If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.

We are nourished at the altar, which is the cross and the place where our Lord strengthens us and provides all we need in order to fulfill His will “in earth, as it is in heaven” (Php 1:29, Mat 6:10). In this week’s study we will look more closely at how “accomplishing the service of God” of Hebrews 9:6 is done within the body of Christ and symbolized by those things which were ordained of God for our sakes so that we can learn the spiritual significance of those patterns which offer great meaning to those who are blessed to have eyes to see and ears to hear at this time.

Php 1:29  For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

Mat 6:10  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Heb 9:6  Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.

Heb 9:2  For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary^G39.

The candlestick^G3087, the table^G5132 and the shewbread^{G4286 G740} are within the area called the sanctuary^G39.  This is where the priests always went; into this first tabernacle to accomplish the service of God (Heb 9:6).

Heb 9:6  Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.

These three words are very significant for God’s elect and are types and figures of what must be present within our lives, our sanctuary, in order for us to be able to enter into “a greater and more perfect tabernacle” through Christ our high priest (Heb 9:7, Col 1:27).

Heb 9:7  But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:

Col 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

If we look at these three words: the candlestick^G3087, the table^G5132 and the shewbread^{G4286 G740}, along with the other accompanying verses which use these words in the bible, it will give us a greater appreciation for why these items needed to be in the sanctuary and how they represent the means by which the process of spiritual completion can be fulfilled within the lives of those whose candlestick is in Christ’s hand (Rev 1:13, Rev 1:20, Joh 10:28). If we are granted to eat at His altar, which is the cross (Heb 13:10, Gal 2:20), we will receive the true bread that comes from heaven and not just the shadow that cannot spiritually nourish us or cleanse our conscience as Christ the true bread of life can (Heb 9:14, Joh 6:51).

Rev 1:13  And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

Rev 1:20  The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

Joh 10:28  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Heb 9:14  How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Joh 6:51  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.

With all this in mind, let’s begin by looking at the word sanctuary^G39 and notice that it is the same word used for both the first tabernacle and the second which is called the holiest^G39. The difference between these two areas is the subject at hand, and God is showing us through these types and shadows of the old covenant temple what great hope and promise we have in Christ if He is in fact our hope of glory within today, giving us access to the second tabernacle which represents the throne of God where God’s elect are raised in heavenly places today and accepted “in the beloved”.

Col 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Rom 8:9  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Eph 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Eph 1:7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

G39 hagion
Total KJV Occurrences: 10
sanctuary, 4
Heb_8:2 (2), Heb_9:1-2 (2), Heb_13:11

Christ is the “minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.”  He is the one who brings to light what all these symbols mean to us within the “worldly sanctuary”, and most importantly He gives us the strength to lay down our life and go without the camp with Him as typified by this statement: “For the bodies of those beasts [Ecc 3:18], whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp”. (As he is so are we: Heb 13:13, Heb 9:7, 1Jn 4:17).

Heb 13:13  Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

Heb 9:7  But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:

1Jn 4:17  Herein is our love made perfect [by going outside the camp], that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

Ecc 3:18  I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.

Heb 8:2  A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

Heb 9:1  Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.
Heb 9:2  For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.

Heb 13:11  For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.

holiest, 3 G39 hagion (sanctuary of vs 2)
Heb_9:3, Heb_9:8, Heb_10:19

Without Christ in us, we could not have the boldness, the faith, or the perfect love that casts out fear (1Jn 4:18) to enter into “the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all.” This is what we do every time we “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb 4:16). As long as our hope is yet in things that are temporal (2Co 4:18), we could say, “The first tabernacle was yet standing.” However, the way has been made manifest through Christ for us to tear down the old temple which represents our worshiping God in a manner that is temporal or carnal and not in spirit and truth, which is something that we grow into as the old temple is torn down and the new spiritual temple is built. This is accomplished by the only one who can build it to the glory of God, our Lord Jesus Christ (Joh 2:19-21, Psa 127:1).

2Co 4:18  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Joh 2:19  Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
Joh 2:20  Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?
Joh 2:21  But he spake of the temple of his body.

Psa 127:1  A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

Heb 9:3  And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;

Heb 9:8  The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:

Heb 10:19  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

holy, 3 G39 hagion (sanctuary of vs 2)
Heb_9:12, Heb_9:24-25 (2)

Christ has “obtained eternal redemption for us.” and we must experience and appreciate the fiery trials He is giving us today (1Pe 4:12) as His goodness leads us to repentance and we fill up what is behind of the afflictions of Christ for His body’s sake, which is the church (Col 1:24). If we despise “the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance”, it is akin to trodding under foot the Son of God that will result in a “much sorer punishment”. It is akin to beating the manservant who must be judged because judgment is upon us as the body of Christ, and we must be patient with that longsuffering process of which we are all part (Rom 2:4, Heb 10:29, Mat 24:48-51, 1Pe 4:17).

Rom 2:4  Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Heb 10:29  Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

Mat 24:48  But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
Mat 24:49  And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
Mat 24:50  The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
Mat 24:51  And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Our hope lies in the fact that God reconciled us to himself through the death of Christ so that “we shall be saved by his life“, and that is the confidence God wants us to always have (Php 1:6) even as we endure through the hardship that being a good soldier for Christ brings in this life (Rom 5:10, Isa 53:4, 2Ti 2:3-4). “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come” means watch and be ready because Christ has promised us that “for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” If we watch and pray and don’t despise the process of judgment through which we all have to go, then we will in fact be watching and will be by our Lord’s estimation “a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season”.

(Flesh wants to be that “faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household” but without going through the process. We must take the lower seat today and go through the process of judgment if we are ever going to be called to “go up higher” or “come up hither” Mat 23:12, Luk 14:10, Rev 11:10-12)

Mat 23:12  And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Luk 14:10  But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.

Rev 11:10  And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
Rev 11:11  And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
Rev 11:12  And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

The incentive to fight a good fight of faith is given to us right after Christ tells us to watch, in saying “Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.” (Mat 24:46-47). It is a blessing to be sanctified in this age and to be made ready to rule under Christ. It is the greatest blessing ever bestowed upon any human, and only possible because God has promised to give us the strength through Christ to endure this sanctification process we are experiencing.

God’s elect will one day, in the fullness of our inheritance, repeat these awe-inspiring words of worship that have the message built right into them as to how we are able to worship our Father (Rev 4:8). That blessing will be ours if we are granted to endure until the end, being then able to bring life to all of the world, starting with physical healing at first as Christ did (1Co 15:46), and then in the lake of fire, bringing life through spiritual healing to all mankind (Act 20:35). No wonder we praise God for that sanctification process of which He has blessed Christ’s bride to be a part as those “who first trusted in Christ” (Eph 1:12).

Rev 4:8  And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

Eph 1:12  That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

Heb 9:12  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.

Now we’ve laid the ground work to explain what the candlestick^G3087, the table^G5132 and the shewbread^{G4286 G740} are going to do within the body of Christ which was represented by the area called the sanctuary^G39.

All three of these items have been used as symbols of God’s power that is made manifest through the church, and is one of the first things we can consider when we look at these words.

Starting with candlestick^G3087, we understand that the two witnesses of Revelation eleven are likened unto a candlestick to remind us that their prophecy was only possible by being given the power (Rev 11:3) to fulfill God’s purpose through them: “These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth” (Rev 11:4). That prophetic time of witness represents the second half of Christ’s ministry where our testimony was made possible through Christ and is revealed through our hope of glory within (Col 1:27, Luk 24:48). We bear witness to the truth that we are a peculiar people zealous of good works, as Christ’s light shines in this earth, not by our might or power but by God’s holy spirit that makes this all possible (Zec 4:6, 11-14). That prophetic period of time in the life of God’s elect represents the filling up what is behind of the afflictions of Christ for His body’s sake, which is the church (Col 1:24), and that three and a half years combined with Christ’s three and a half year ministry complete (7) that testimony for the world to learn of how God can make His strength perfect through the weak flesh which we are (2Co 12:9, Joh 5:30, Joh 15:5, 1Co 1:27-28).

Luk 24:48  And ye are witnesses of these things.

1Co 1:27  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
1Co 1:28  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

G3087 luchnia
Total KJV Occurrences: 12

God’s elect are represented by these two candlesticks^G3087 of Revelation 11:4 that are empowered by the two olive trees, so we can be the light of the world that God sets “on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light”. Christ is in the midst of the seven candlesticks which represent the seven churches, or the complete church of God, being formed within the body of Christ. This ‘complete’ church of God will not be separated from God because: “The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches” is the very church of which Christ said to Peter “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter [one of God’s angels (Rev 22:8-9)], and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” With this in mind let’s look at these entries for candlestick and candlesticks that reveal that Christ represents the candlestick within us. The candle is our life that is in His hands burning away as we die daily so we can glorify God with all we say and do (1Co 10:31, Mat 25:7-13).

1Co 10:31  Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
1Co 10:32  Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

Mat 25:7  Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
Mat 25:8  And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
Mat 25:9  But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
Mat 25:10  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Mat 25:11  Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
Mat 25:12  But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Mat 25:13  Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

candlestick, 6
Mat_5:15, Mar_4:21, Luk_8:16, Luk_11:33, Heb_9:2, Rev_2:5

Mat 5:15  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Mar 4:21  And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?

Luk 8:16  No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.

Luk 11:33  No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.

Heb 9:2  For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.

Rev 2:5  Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

candlesticks, 6
Rev_1:12-13 (2), Rev_1:20 (2), Rev_2:1, Rev_11:4

Rev 1:12  And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
Rev 1:13  And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

Rev 1:20  The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

Rev 2:1  Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

Rev 11:4  These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

The next word is table^G5132. A table (“our hearts and minds“) is where we either lay out the truth or lies, as an overview of these words will show. Christ comes into our lives and overturns those lies upon that table (Mat 21:12) if He is cleansing our temple in this age (“the heavenly things themselves” – Heb 9:23), and begins the process of sanctifying us so we can worship him in spirit and truth at an altar or table at which the world has no right to eat (Heb 13:10).

Mat 21:12  And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables^G5132  of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
Mat 21:13  And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Heb 13:10  We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

Notice the entry for the word bank^G5132 in Luke 19:23, which is also translated table in Matthew 21:12 above:

Luk 19:23 “Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank^G5132, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?”

God’s words are what we bank on. They are eternal words (Joh 6:68) that we are storing up and that God is purifying through the trials of this life. All we have been given is carefully measured out by our loving Father (1Co 10:13) who knows how to cause us to bring forth much fruit and provoke us unto love and good works so we have something to bring to the table. When we lay up treasure in heaven, it is God’s word that is being stored in the storehouse of our spiritual heavens where neither moth nor rust corrupt (Joh 15:2, Mat 6:20).

Joh 6:68  Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

1Co 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Joh 15:2  Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Mat 6:20  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

G5132 trapeza
Total KJV Occurrences: 15
table, 9
Mar_7:27-28 (2), Luk_22:21 (2), Luk_22:30, Rom_11:9, 1Co_10:21 (2), Heb_9:2
tables, 4
Mat_21:12, Joh_2:15 (2), Act_6:2
bank, 1
Luk_19:23
meat, 1
Act_16:34

The last word will look at in our study is shewbread^{G4286 G740}. Being about our Father’s business will nourish us, and this is why it is so important that we lay up treasure in heaven against the days of evil that we are in now (Tit 3:8, 1Pe 2:12, 1Ti 6:19).

Tit 3:8  This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

1Pe 2:12  Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

1Ti 6:19  Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Christ being about his Father’s business was how he laid up in store for himself “a good foundation against the time to come”. He told his disciples as much, that if we would be about our Father’s business that bread would strengthen our hearts and keep us focused on what is important as good soldiers of Christ.

Joh 4:32  But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.
Joh 4:33  Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat?
Joh 4:34  Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work [Mat 12:50].
Joh 4:35  Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

Psa 104:15  And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart.[“My meat is to do the will of him that sent me”]

Mar 8:14  Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf.
Mar 8:15 And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.
Mar 8:16 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread.
Mar 8:17 And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?
Mar 8:18 Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?
Mar 8:19 When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.
Mar 8:20 And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.

Mar 8:21 And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?

[God did not give them to remember to bring bread “Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread” and Christ’s rhetorical question “How is it that ye do not understand?” was answered in this parable that reveals it was not time for the disciples to know because the true bread from heaven had not yet been given to them on Pentecost.]

They did not understand at this point, but once their understanding was open on Pentecost (Luk 24:45) and going forward, then they understood and remembered the things that Christ spoke as the comforter led them into all truth (Joh 12:16, Joh 16:13).

Luk 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

Only then would those numbers “five thousand” and “four thousand“, as they are connected to feeding the whole of humanity “four thousand” and saving them by grace through faith “five thousand“, would those numbers become significant to Christ’s disciples. Those numbers are also illustrated for us with the nine pillars in the temple of God, telling us we will be sent and used of God to feed this world and have all men saved through the church, the temple, the body of Christ (Rom 11:26, Rev 3:12, Col 1:24, Exo 26:37, Exo 26:32, Exo 36:35-38).

Rom 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

Rev 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

Exo 26:37 And thou shalt make for the hanging five pillars of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, and their hooks shall be of gold: and thou shalt cast five sockets of brass for them.

Exo 26:32 And thou shalt hang it upon four pillars of shittim wood overlaid with gold: their hooks shall be of gold, upon the four sockets of silver.

Exo 36:35 And he made a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: with cherubims made he it of cunning work.
Exo 36:36 And he made thereunto four pillars of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold: their hooks were of gold; and he cast for them four sockets of silver.
Exo 36:37 And he made an hanging for the tabernacle door of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, of needlework;
Exo 36:38 And the five pillars of it with their hooks: and he overlaid their chapiters and their fillets with gold: but their five sockets were of brass.

Saving the world is the major part of the good things to come (Oba 1:21) that Christ’s ministry is going to produce, and in the end God will be all in all.

Heb 9:11 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;

1Co 15:28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

shewbread^{G4286 G740}

G4286 prothesis
Total KJV Occurrences: 12
purpose, 8 

Act_11:23, Act_27:13, Rom_8:28, Eph_3:11 (3), 2Ti_3:9-10 (2) showbread, 4 

Mat_12:4, Mar_2:26, Luk_6:4, Heb_9:2 

G740 artos 
Total KJV Occurrences: 99 
bread, 72 
Mat_4:3-4 ( 2 ) , Mat_6:11, Mat_7:9, Mat_15:2, Mat_15:26, Mat_15:33, Mat_16:5, Mat_16:7-8 ( 2 ) , Mat_16:11-12 ( 2 ) , Mat_26:26, Mar_3:20, Mar_6:8, Mar_6:36-37 ( 2 ) , Mar_7:2, Mar_7:5, Mar_7:27, Mar_8:4, Mar_8:14, Mar_8:16-17 (2), Mar_14:22, Luk_4:3-4 (2), Luk_7:33, Luk_11:3 ( 2 ) , Luk_11:11, Luk_14:1, Luk_14:15, Luk_15:17, Luk_22:19, Luk_24:30, Luk_24:35, Joh_6:5, Joh_6:7, Joh_6:23, Joh_6:31-35 ( 6 ) , Joh_6:41, Joh_6:48, Joh_6:50-51 (4), Joh_6:58 (2), Joh_13:18, Joh_21:9, Joh_21:13, Act_2:42, Act_2:46, Act_20:7, Act_20:11, Act_27:35, 1Co_10:16-17 (3), 1Co_11:23, 1Co_11:26-28 (3), 2Co_9:10, 2Th_3:8, 2Th_3:12 
loaves, 22 
Mat_14:17, Mat_14:19 ( 2 ) , Mat_15:34, Mat_15:36, Mat_16:9-10 (2), Mar_6:38, Mar_6:41 (2), Mar_6:44, Mar_6:52, Mar_8:5-6 (2), Mar_8:19, Luk_9:13, Luk_9:16, Luk_11:5, Joh_6:9, Joh_6:11, Joh_6:13, Joh_6:26 showbread, 4 
Mat_12:4, Mar_2:26, Luk_6:4, Heb_9:2 
loaf, 1 
Mar_8:14

Audio Links

Awesome Hands – part 91

“Hearken to the sound of the trumpet”

November 4, 2015

Previously we talked about the beginning components commanded by God to make for the sanctuary. So far we have been told to make an ark, a mercy seat and the cherubim, and in this study today we will continue to see the items that accompany those we have already mentioned.

We saw that the Lord communes with us both above the mercy seat between the two cherubim, and today we are going to look into how we have fellowship with the Lord as well as how we are given power by the Lord to execute His will.

“The table of shewbread”

The first verses we are covering today are found in Exodus 25:23-28.

Exo 25:23  Thou shalt also make a table of shittim wood: two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
Exo 25:24  And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, and make thereto a crown of gold round about.
Exo 25:25  And thou shalt make unto it a border of an hand breadth round about, and thou shalt make a golden crown to the border thereof round about.
Exo 25:26  And thou shalt make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings in the four corners that are on the four feet thereof.
Exo 25:27  Over against the border shall the rings be for places of the staves to bear the table.
Exo 25:28  And thou shalt make the staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table may be borne with them.
Exo 25:29  And thou shalt make the dishes thereof, and spoons thereof, and covers thereof, and bowls thereof, to cover withal: of pure gold shalt thou make them.
Exo 25:30  And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.

Like the ark, we now have a table which is made of wood but covered in gold. Given that we have an overlay of gold being used to cover the wood, we can apply the same thoughts to “overlay” that were mentioned in last week’s study.

The Hebrew word used for “overlay” is connected with “watchmen” and “rather identical” according to Strong’s and BDB. The next question then is how does the table of shewbread relate to watchmen?

There are many verses which deal with tables in scripture, but we are going to look towards those verses that show us our relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ as it relates to “tables”.

The table we are concerned with is not the physical table overlaid with gold in the physical tabernacle that is being setup with Moses, but we are concerning ourselves with what the table represents to us in the Spirit.

Luk 22:24  And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
Luk 22:25  And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
Luk 22:26  But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
Luk 22:27  For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.
Luk 22:28  Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.
Luk 22:29  And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;
Luk 22:30  That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

There is the “table of the Lord” we must all be aware of. At this table, we partake of the cup of the Lord with the Lord, so like any table we have fellowship at (since that is what eating a meal at a table is all about – fellowship with family, friends, peers and loved ones) we must know the “manners” which are expected.

When eating at the Lord’s table we must recognize the table we have been seated at. Here is what is on the table.

Lev 24:1  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Lev 24:2  Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually.
Lev 24:3  Without the vail of the testimony, in the tabernacle of the congregation, shall Aaron order it from the evening unto the morning before the LORD continually: it shall be a statute for ever in your generations.
Lev 24:4  He shall order the lamps upon the pure candlestick before the LORD continually.
Lev 24:5  And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof: two tenth deals shall be in one cake.
Lev 24:6  And thou shalt set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before the LORD.
Lev 24:7  And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row, that it may be on the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
Lev 24:8  Every sabbath he shall set it in order before the LORD continually, being taken from the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant.
Lev 24:9  And it shall be Aaron’s and his sons’; and they shall eat it in the holy place: for it is most holy unto him of the offerings of the LORD made by fire by a perpetual statute.

We know from scripture that we are be prepared as kings and priests for the Lord’s work and the Lord’s kingdom. Therefore, it is incumbent for us to know how to perform as a priest at the table the Lord has prepared for us.

Simply put, we cannot even partake of the bread on the table, the BREAKING of Bread which is CHRIST, unless we have first dealt with any devils that desire to participate with us at this table.

What do devils have to do with the table of the Lord?

1Co 10:14  Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
1Co 10:15  I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.
1Co 10:16  The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
1Co 10:17  For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
1Co 10:18  Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
1Co 10:19  What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
1Co 10:20  But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
1Co 10:21  Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.
1Co 10:22  Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
1Co 10:23  All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
1Co 10:24  Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.

Often times, I have heard 1 Corinthians 10:16 referencing Christ but just as often key component is missing from what the subject of this verse is. It just so happens that the table in the temple of God has on top of it 2 rows of 6 loaves of bread.

The bread we break is the COMMUNION of the body of Christ. In breaking of bread together, what is the focus?

Communion – the sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings, especially when the exchange is on a mental or spiritual level.

What I am about to share now is going to make the old man in anyone not spiritually minded CRINGE at the thought of these words being Truth. However, I am to look after the sanctuary and tend to it well.

First, communion as defined above is an intimating sharing with the body of Christ, and who is Christ’s body? Second, WHO is the BREAD?

Joh 6:48  I am that bread of life.
Joh 6:49  Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.
Joh 6:50  This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
Joh 6:51  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.
Joh 6:52  The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?
Joh 6:53  Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
Joh 6:54  Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
Joh 6:55  For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
Joh 6:56  He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.

Jesus just told you and me and anyone who ever reads these words that we MUST eat His flesh and drink His blood. HOW CAN THAT BE? Jesus Christ’s flesh isn’t even around now! Or is it?

1Jn 4:1  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but TRY THE SPIRITS whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
1Jn 4:2  Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
1Jn 4:3  And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
1Jn 4:4  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

What happens to Jesus Christ’s flesh? It is put to DEATH but THROUGH DEATH comes LIFE!

We eat the flesh of Christ by SITTING at His table, and His table is one where we commune with each other over what this death process that produces life is all about.

However, this is NOT a table where just anyone is welcome to eat. Yes, I said that. The table of the Lord is NOT OPEN to just anyone partaking of this bread.

Everyone WILL eventually partake, and no human can determine who is caused to enter the sanctuary, but here is who we are told is permitted to LAWFULLY partake.

Exo 28:1  And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons.

Num 18:1  And the LORD said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons and thy father’s house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood.

Num 18:5  And ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar: that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel.

Keeping the charge of the sanctuary includes avoiding the pollution of the sanctuary by those who are not allowed into it. The Lord is very specific that we listen and learn NOT to be like the ministers of Babylon who permit uncircumcised strangers into the sanctuary.

In our unconverted service to the Lord, we have all been guilty of breaking the covenant of the Lord regarding this matter, but now we know of the more expedient way.

Eze 44:5  And the LORD said unto me, Son of man, mark well, and behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears all that I say unto thee concerning all the ordinances of the house of the LORD, and all the laws thereof; and mark well the entering in of the house, with every going forth of the sanctuary.
Eze 44:6  And thou shalt say to the rebellious, even to the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; O ye house of Israel, let it suffice you of all your abominations,
Eze 44:7  In that ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it, even my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken my covenant because of all your abominations.
Eze 44:8  And ye have not kept the charge of mine holy things: but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves.
Eze 44:9  Thus saith the Lord GOD; No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary, of any stranger that is among the children of Israel.

Someone who is uncircumcised is a gentile. This was true physically and is just as true spiritually. What then is the connection to uncircumcised hearts and the sanctuary?

1Co 10:19  What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
1Co 10:20  But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
1Co 10:21  Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.

Mal 1:6  A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?
Mal 1:7  Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible.

Whenever we allow someone to worship false idols and false spirits, i.e. false doctrine WHOM we consider a brother or sister in Christ, then we are allowing the polluted bread to sit on this table the Lord has covered with His gold.

How does the gold “overlaid” on the showbread table have anything to with doctrine? Remember, we are at the gate COVERING the protection for the city called JERUSALEM.

Isa 62:6  I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,
Isa 62:7  And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.

Eze 44:17  And it shall come to pass, that when they enter in at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments; and no wool shall come upon them, whiles they minister in the gates of the inner court, and within.
Eze 44:18  They shall have linen bonnets upon their heads, and shall have linen breeches upon their loins; they shall not gird themselves with any thing that causeth sweat.

We are the watchmen of the gate and MUST keep the sanctuary holy by doing what the Lord commands. Our duty as watchmen is to tell God’s people to listen to the trumpet of the Lord!

Jer 6:16  Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
Jer 6:17  Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.
Jer 6:18  Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them.
Jer 6:19  Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.

If all this sounds a bit far-fetched, then I will include one more story which I hope will help let us know who it is the Lord is working with now and who it is we are also to help into the sanctuary.

Mat 15:22  And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.
Mat 15:23  But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
Mat 15:24  But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Mat 15:25  Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.
Mat 15:26  But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs.
Mat 15:27  And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.
Mat 15:28  Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

With eyes to see you will notice there are some key ingredients on why Jesus helped this woman and her daughter. First, she asked for mercy and acknowledged this was the “Son of David”. Then, she worshipped Him. Finally, she acknowledged that the Lord was speaking Truth thereby speaking Truth herself.

When all of these ingredients were together it was apparent that this woman had FAITH, she had BELIEF that Christ was Christ.

Joh 4:24  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

1Jn 4:6  We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

We know this woman was given Faith because the story is told so that we understand that EVEN the DOG in the masters house is given mercy. Jesus says He is sent to the house of Israel and here is this woman who calls herself a dog in this house.

The house of the Lord is being covered in these latest studies to show that the sanctuary items given to Moses and the Israelites have immense meaning to our walks with Christ today. They aren’t only items that had value for the physical Jews, but they are also items that show us who we are in Christ and who He is to us. That is worth far more than physical gold could ever be worth.

In the next study, we will be covering the various items mentioned in the last verses of Exodus 25.