Did you know God had it all figured out from the very beginning? Find a picture of the Tent of Meeting on the WEB and it will be looked at from above.
Then look at the last chapter of Exodus and see how exactly things had to be placed. What does it form? It is a Cross, (seen from above) but Y’shua actually died on a tree. Crosses were formed but certainly not perfectly – there was no equipment to make them exactly as they are today. The cross was a horrible, cruel invention. Truly a terrible way to die.
After showing Moses the heavenly aspect of it, God anointed Bezalel and Oholiab (Hebrew name = Tent of My Father) with the Holy Spirit, to make the portable Tent of Meeting that contained the Ark of the Covenant in the way back area, which was called the Holy of Holies. A definitive study of the meaning of the temporary animal sacrifices is necessary for Gentiles and Jews to understand Jesus as the final sacrifice.
The book of Exodus relates that at Mount Sinai, Moses was given instructions for a portable tent-like sanctuary that was to be the center of Israel‘s worship (Exodus 25-30). The sanctuary was called both the “Tabernacle” (“dwelling”) and the “Tent of Meeting.” The courtyard of the Tabernacle was 150 feet long and 75 feet wide, and it contained a large wash basin for the priests and an altar for burnt offerings. The Tabernacle itself was 45 feet long and 15 feet wide, and it was divided into two parts. The forecourt contained a lampstand, incense altar, and a table with 12 loaves of bread. The inner court housed the Ark of the Covenant, which contained the tablets on which the Ten Commandments were written. The Israelites took this portable Tent of Meeting with them as they traveled through the wilderness from Mount Sinai to Canaan. After Solomon built the first Temple in Jerusalem, the Tabernacle was no longer used (1 Kings).
Did you know the lampstand, (Menorrah) contained seven candles – Six being the number of man and with Jesus Christ in the middle and higher would be seven or God’s number of perfection, also representing illumination such as via Holy Spirit God, and possibly speaking to the seven churches Jesus wrote to in Revelations.
Did you know the middle candle was called the Servant Candle?
On the table were 12 loaves representing the 12 tribes of Israel, prophetically speaking of the 12 disciples of Jesus.
Did you know the incense altar speaks of the prayers of the priests, prophetically speaking to the prayers of Jesus and the prayers of those who believe in Jesus as the Lamb of God?
The altar and washbasin speak prophetically of the faith to believe in Jesus as the Lamb/Final Sacrifice of God Himself. Unfortunately, this is also called the Outer Court, where many believers stay and do not progress further.
Did you know to enter the next level is to enter the Holy Place? This usually cannot be done without knowledge provided by those listed in Ephesians 4 – Apostle, Prophet, Pastor, Teacher, Evangelist. There were five posts outside the Holy Place and these represent those of Ephesians 4, who lead the supplicant into the knowledge to enter.
At this point the Baptism of Holy Spirit God is required, (usually by someone who has experienced this in the past) and Holy Spirit God takes the supplicant past the curtain into the Holy of Holies, wherein is the presence of God Himself. On the other hand, there is nothing to stop an individual from looking at Luke 11:11-13 and asking the Father God in Jesus name to send Holy Spirit God which, of course, would result in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Did you know what a “shadow” in the Old Testament means? It means something that works right then as far as God is concerned, but points to the “real” thing happening in the New Testament.
Hebrews: 9 This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. Ga 3:21; Heb 7:18-19; 10:1,11
10 They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings– external regulations applying until the time of the new order. Le 11:2; Nu 19:7; Eph 2:15; Col 2:16,20; Heb 7:16
11 When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. Heb 3:1; 8:2; 10:1
12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. Da 9:24; Zec 3:9; Ac 20:28; Eph 1:7; Col 1:14; Heb 9:26,28; 10:4,10; 1Pe 1:19; Re 1:5; 5:9
13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. Le 16:14,16; Nu 19:2,17
14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God , (probably right after Jesus told the woman at the grave site not to touch him – because he had not yet ascended to the Father) to cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!Lu 1:74; Ro 1:4; 6:13,22; Eph 5:2; Tit 2:14; Heb 1:3; 6:1; 7:27; 10:22; 1Pe 1:19; 3:18; 4:2; 1Jo 1:7; Re 1:5
15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance– now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. Ro 3:25; 5:6; 1Ti 2:5; Heb 3:1; 7:22; 8:6; 12:24; 1Pe 3:18
(More to Come)