The Gate and Brazen Altar

Tabernacle means “tent,” “place of dwelling” or “sanctuary.” It was a sacred place where God chose to meet His people, the Israelites, during the 40 years they wandered in the desert under Moses’ leadership. It was the place where the leaders and people came together to worship and offer sacrifices.

The tabernacle was more than just a dwelling place. All the components of the tabernacle were part of an intricate visual aid to illustrate God's relationship with His people. One aspect of this relationship was God’s requirement for complete obedience. God told Moses to create the tabernacle exactly the way He commanded. It was not to stray from God’s blueprint.

There was only one gate by which people could enter into the tabernacle courtyard. The gate was 30 feet wide. It was located directly in the center of the outer court on the east end. The gate was covered by a curtain or screen made of finely twisted linen in blue, purple and scarlet.
The one and only gate is a representation of Christ as the only way through which one could fellowship with God and worship Him. To do this, one must enter in through the gate to the place where God dwelled. Jesus said in his famous “I am” statements:

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) and“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.” (John 10:9)

He also said:
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

The act of entering the gate to the tabernacle was significant to the Israelites. By entering, one could find forgiveness of sin and fellowship with God. The first thing that one saw upon coming through the gate was the brazen altar, which served as a reminder of man’s sinfulness and his need for a blood sacrifice in order to be fellowship with God. One needed to repent and offer sacrifices for their sin. Those who did not repent were not entering this “narrow way.”

The brazen altar, bronze altar, or altar of sacrifice was situated right inside the courtyard upon entering the gate to the tabernacle. The Hebrew root for altar means “to slay” or “slaughter.” The Latin word alta means “high.” An altar is a “high place for sacrifice/slaughter.” The altar stood raised on a mound of earth, higher than its surrounding furniture. This is a projection of Christ, our sacrifice, lifted up on the cross, His altar, which stood on a hill called Golgotha.

Although the blood of the sacrifices covered over the sins of the Israelites, they had to perform the sacrifices year after year, for they were not freed permanently of a guilty conscience. However, Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, came as the ultimate and last sacrifice for mankind when He offered up His life. As Isaiah prophesied, the Christ would be like a lamb that is led to slaughter and pierced for our transgressions. His blood was sprinkled and poured out at the cross for us.

more later.

The Contents of the ARK

Hebrews 9:1-7

Inside the ARK were three things that symbolized both the problem God had with the Israelites and the promise of God to believers. There was a jar of manna. This was the food that God supernaturally provided for the Israelites during their 40 years in the wilderness. This was the same food that the Israelites complained about—so it symbolized their ungrateful rejection of God’s provision. The manna was God providing for His people just as God promises to provide our every need as believers. There was also Aaron’s walking stick. This stick represented God’s leadership through Moses and Aaron. Over and over again the Israelites rebelled against their leadership—so that God had to vindicate that Moses and Aaron were his chosen leaders by supernaturally causing his staff to bud. So this staff symbolized their rebellion against God’s leadership. The budding staff is a reminder that God has promised us the Resurrection. Even when things seem hopeless and dead God brings forth life. His Lordship in our life brings life to the most impossible situations. Finally, there were the 10 Commandment's—the two stone tablets that summarized God’s law. Even as Moses brought these tablets down from Mt. Sinai, the Israelites were having an idolatrous orgy. Moses furiously threw them down and smashed them—so God made another copy and told him to put them in the ark. They symbolized their disobedience to God’s law. This is not a pretty picture—and God has the same problems with us! What do we find in the meeting room with God? A record of why we deserve to be condemned by him! The Tablets remind us of Gods eternal covenant with His people. He will never leave us or forsake us. He is a God of grace and forgiveness.

The Tabernacle

2 chapters are given to creation. But there are 50 chapters that are devoted to a description of the Tabernacle and it’s related ministries. 50 Chapters! That’s a lot.

The entire tabernacle and everything in it foreshadows Jesus, His work, His People, and how His people are to do His work.

Every piece of furniture pictures Christ

Ark – mediator
Alter of incense – intercessor
Golden candlestick – light
Table of showbread – bread
Laver – cleansing
Brazen alter – sacrifice

The overall type is the cross work of Christ – the pieces of the furniture are laid out in the form of a cross.

Why study the Tabernacle ?

1) study of the Tabernacle gives an understanding of God’s redemptive plan
2) Study of the Tabernacle shows the sinfulness of man
3) Study of the Tabernacle shows the Holiness of God
4) Study of the Tabernacle shows Christ’s fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan
5) The priestly ministry in the Tabernacle reveals how sinful man can approach a holy God with acceptable worship.
6) Study of the Tabernacle priesthood will give an understanding of Christ’s priestly ministry
7) Study of the Tabernacle will give us a greater appreciation of our role as believer priests. We have access anytime.
8) The sacrifices shows the great importance God placed on the need of a blood sacrifice
9) You need a good understanding of the Tabernacle to understand much in the book of Hebrews.
10) And every piece of the Tabernacle has a timeless truth to teach us that applies today.

Drawing Closer to God

Drawing Closer to God
Hebrews 10:19-25

Quit asking God to show up, you show up “ present yourself before the Lord”

When we take a step in Gods direction God is waiting. He desires for us to draw nearer. When we draw nearer to God He makes things happen for us. Drawing closer to God gives us many things. Here are 4 things.

1.He gives us a purpose to live for
2. He gives us a self to live with
3. He gives us a faith to live by
4. He gives us a leader we can trust

Interview Serene Garcia

Q: What is your nick name?
SCG:You should know it. It's Nini
Q: What is your favorite food?
SCG: Just quess? dumplings
Last Q: What is your favorite movie?
SCG: NachOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Libre

I would like to thank Serene Celeste Garcia for this brief but very revealing interview.

Thanks Nini

Until Next Time

George

Getting on board Technologically

Some years ago I told myself that I needed to get technologically up to speed. I am now further behind. Things are moving very fast. What are the factors that keep us behind?

1. Money- new technology is expensive. For small churches these cost can be huge just to be 10 years behind the times.

2. Education- it takes time to grasp the information. Finding people who know the functions are hard to come by.

3. Using with purpose- the technology is only useful if you know exactly what you are trying to achieve through it. You have to incorporate technology with purpose.

I am convinced that using new technology is strategic and vital. I will continue to pursue this avenue with great interest. I pray I can catch up very soon.

Scrub the launch

NASA is huge. NASA has put a man on the moon. NASA has some of the greatest minds on there payroll. NASA is planning to go back to the moon and beyond. NASA has a huge budget.

Today NASA scrubbed there launch. Sometimes things just don't line up. Sometimes a little oil ring can change the agenda.

Every launch has thousands of man hours behind it and lots of money invested but it has to wait if things are not functioning correctly.

Sometimes our plans have to be scrubbed because somethings are just not right. Do you have enough courage to make the call? Scrub it.