To enter the threshold into The Garden of Pleasure, where we become reunited to Him in blissful harmony, we need to go through the cross. There is no other way. In order to understand this concept, we need to revisit the design of the original Tabernacle. In 1440BC God gave Moses instructions on how to build the very first Tabernacle. This elaborate portable structure was to be the place where God would connect with His loved ones on earth. Every article in the Tabernacle, and the tasks carried out by the priests, prophetically symbolize God’s plan to restore us back to Himself. The most significant prophetic act in the Tabernacle was the slaying of an innocent lamb on the altar. When John the Baptist referred to Jesus as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29), he instantly captured the interest of the Jewish people because they were all aware of the ritual of sacrificing a lamb on the altar as an atonement for their sins (Exodus 29:38-42). There was an inner chamber in the Tabernacle called The Most Holy Place (also known as the Holy of Holies). God said He would commune with mankind in that sacred compartment (Exodus 25:22). This was a place where God’s glorious presence was manifest on earth; a prophetic picture of something we may personally experience for ourselves. The tangible presence of God that hovered over the Mercy Seat in The Most Holy Place, was called the ‘shekinah glory’. However, the only person permitted to enter in and enjoy His presence was the High Priest, and only once a year. Partitioning The Most Holy Place from The Holy Place was an exceptionally thick curtain. This was a tangible symbol that there was a wall of separation between people and their God. This intricately designed wall of woven fabric was 60 feet long, 30 feet high, 4 inches thick, and it took 300 men to hang it! On the day Jesus died on the cross, it was Passover, and Jerusalem was bustling with tourists. All of a sudden at midday the entire sky blackened. The people observing this frightening phenomenon must have been gripped with fear. The thick blanket of darkness that covered the earth lasted for three hours. Meanwhile the temple was lit by candles and the priests would have faithfully continued with their daily duties. Then at exactly three o’clock just as the daily sacrifice was about to take place, the ground shook beneath their feet and the massive curtain in the temple supernaturally ripped in two. The tearing of that curtain signified that Jesus’ death demolished the wall between man and God, so each one of us can have access into God’s glorious presence. The ultimate sacrifice had been accomplished. “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith.” (Hebrews 10:19-22a, NIV). God does not want us to go through that curtain and into The Most Holy Place only at conversion and then for an occasional visit from time to time. This is meant to become our permanent habitation! We are invited to enter through the torn curtain, experience the glorious Shekinah glory for ourselves, and spend the rest of our lives on earth and all eternity enjoying the pleasure of His presence! God’s plan has always been to ‘bring many sons into glory’ (Hebrews 2:10). ‘With outstretched arms, He invites us to come and join Him in the Holy of Holies in the eternal heavenly Sanctuary. Will you join me there?’ - Will Pounds, Evangelist to South America At the Mount of Transfiguration, (Matthew 17:1-8, Luke 9:28-36) Jesus gave His closest disciples a glimpse of this glory. For a moment in time they crossed from the physical realm into the spiritual and saw the glorious, majestic Jesus. He looked very different to man they knew so well. His tanned Middle-eastern features radiated with a heavenly glow and His clothes took on a celestial appearance. Peter was so enthralled, that he said, “It is good to be here”! Peter then suggested they build three commemorative tabernacles (little dwellings) signifying he wanted to remain in the atmosphere of the glory of the Lord. Likewise, those of us who have tasted His glory desire to remain in The Most Holy Place living every moment of every day in an ecstatic state enjoying the pleasure of His glorious presence.
Posted on: Tue, 08 Oct 2013 22:57:09 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015