1st

July 1st

Jesus Christ Our Passover
Exodus 12:12-15

Under the Old Covenant, God commanded the people to appear before His presence at the tabernacle three times during the year. These three times coordinated with their experience in agriculture. They came during planting, the first harvest and during the end of the season. In association with these were seven feasts. God gave His people the Passover in conjunction with the last Egyptian plague. In many of the plagues, God put a distinction between His people and the Egyptians. The Exodus was in the spring of the year and coincided with the beginning of the agricultural year. It is closest to our month of April, and none of these feasts pictures redemption in such detail as the Passover feast.
An important part of the Passover feast is the blood of a spotless lamb. The people were to apply the blood to the sides and top of the door to their houses. This act symbolized that the love of God is to cover all our dealings with God and others. Jesus said that everything in the Bible can be reduced to two simple principles. They are love for God and love for others. By applying the blood, the people committed themselves to govern their relationship to God and others by the law of love.

The people were not to eat the Passover meal alone. They were to eat in family groups of at least 10. There were 10 plagues. Today in anticipation of the third temple, worshippers say, "next year in Jerusalem". Jews in bondage were powerless to help themselves. It would not have been humanly possible for so many people to leave Egypt and form a new nation in Palestine. As God delivered His people from Egyptian bondage, He delivers us from sinful desire. People often think of sin in terms of behavior. The problem with sin is not limited to our choices. The biggest problem with sin is sinful desire. Our choices flow from what we are by nature. It is the nature of sinners to choose sin. On the other hand, it is impossible for God to choose sin. He cannot be tempted.

Thank God, the day is coming when we will be like Jesus Christ. We will no longer be tempted with sin and sin will have no power over us. Spiritually we have left Egypt, but we have yet to enter Heaven"s gate. On that day, we will be forever free from even the desire to sin.

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2nd

July 2nd
 
The Feast of Unleavened Bread
I Corinthians 5:6-8

In the spring at the beginning of the agricultural year, God's people were to come to the tabernacle and later on the temple. At this time, they observed the feasts of Passover, Unleavened Bread and First Fruits. In all these rituals were important spiritual lessons. In some ways, this first appearance pictured the first coming of Jesus Christ. It was the beginning of the spiritual year for Israel.
Leaven is a picture of sin under the Old Covenant. In preparation for the Passover feast, God's people carefully removed all the leaven from their houses. In Galatians 5:9 we read, a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. As the people made bread, they found that the introduction of leaven permeated and affected the entire lump of dough. When theologians speak of total depravity, this is what they mean. When sin entered our experience it affected all that we are. It affected our thinking, our feeling and our desire. In Titus 1:15 we read, unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. In the Jewish household it was the responsibility of the head of the house to see to the removal of the leaven.
In our text, we see some indication of the spiritual significance of this feast. In 1 Corinthians 5:8 we read, therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. The word malice speaks of hatred. It is the opposite of what it means to love. Wickedness on the other hand, speaks of outward actions that are harmful to others. Apart from divine love, all expressions of good will are deceitful and lacking in sincerity and truth.
Since the focus is on sin, the leaven then, is any bitterness in heart. As we go through life, we question God and we sustain hurts from others that apart from grace make us bitter. Bitterness is anger we feel from hurt that is not resolved at the end of the day. We are admonished not to let the sun go down on this kind of anger. This kind of anger quickly turns to bitterness and hatred. These we must carefully set aside.

 
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3rd

July 3rd

The Feast of First Fruits

It is important to remember that these feast days revolved around the experience of the people as they worked the land. In our text, the first fruits describe the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is important because the ritual and ceremony of the feast days illustrate important spiritual truth. Jesus Christ was crucified and died on the evening of the Passover and on Sunday, the priest waved the sheaves of the first fruits before a torn veil in the temple.

This feast involved the reaping of the first fruits of the harvest by a delegation from the temple. This delegation carefully examines the field and chooses the best of the harvest. These first fruits and the worship that surrounded them were a public recognition of their dependence on God. The success of the harvest depended on God and by acknowledging the first fruits, they gave testimony that the whole harvest belonged to God. They publicly expressed their gratitude to God for his goodness and blessing in sustaining their lives by the fruit of the ground.

A very important principle of stewardship is presented in this feast. All goodness comes from God and as we honor Him, we must not give from what is left over, but a portion of the first and best. To do less involves ingratitude and is dishonoring to God. Jesus Christ was God come in the form of human flesh. Jesus was God's final and perfect revelation of Himself to us. Before the coming of Christ, God revealed Himself through His Word. With the coming of Christ, God revealed Himself in the entirety of a man. Jesus Christ lived a perfect life. He rose from the dead and lives for evermore. As such, He is the first fruit of a great harvest of souls to come. Just as life comes through the seed from the dust of the ground each year, spiritual life comes from the seed of God's Word in humanity that was made from the dust of the ground. The harvest comes and goes every year. This is a picture of what is happening in this age spiritually. God is at work reaping a spiritual harvest in this world. As the physical life of all of us came in Adam, spiritual life comes to all that are in Christ. Jesus rose from the dead and lives forevermore in the presence of God. All those in Him will one day rise and live forevermore. Are you in Him?

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4th

July 4^th

The Feast of Pentecost

Acts 2:1-12

This feast and the Sunday of the first fruits are connected. Fifty days after the Passover was the day of Pentecost. On the day of Pentecost the priests waved two loaves before the Lord in the temple. These loaves were unique. They were made from leavened bread. This Sabbath day was always on a Sunday. Under the law, Saturday was always a Sabbath, but the Sabbath days were not always Saturday. A good example of this is the day of Pentecost.

The feast of Pentecost looks back to the beginning of the old covenant and the giving of the law at Sinai. The ritual came to include baptism, confession of sin and reading from God's Word. It was a time of gratitude and rejoicing. The loaves pictured the nation Israel. It is interesting to note that the nation eventually divided into two kingdoms. The nation from the time of its founding was an earthly kingdom and as such included a mixed multitude.

As the church began on the day of Pentecost, the two loaves also represent the two covenants. The new covenant was designed by God to be a kingdom no of this world. God designed the church to be a spiritual kingdom that could function in any culture on earth. In the gospel record, the enemy sows the tares among the wheat.

The feast of Pentecost recognizes the important time between planting and the end of the agricultural year. During this time the people worked the fields and prepared the fruits of the harvest. The old covenant ended in failure. The Messiah came to bring great blessing, but Jesus came unto his own and his own received him not. The leaven of sin leavened the lump as a whole. The same will prove true under the new covenant. In Revelation 3:20 we read where Jesus says, Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. In other words, at the end of this age, the professing church will have become so corrupt that God will withdraw His presence. This is something that would not have happened if God's people were faithful in removing the leaven. Thank God, there is always a faithful remnant and so we see this gracious invitation.

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5th

July 5th

I Thessalonians 4:13-18

This feast signified the beginning of the civil New Year. In the Bible, we find a series of sacred sevens. One day in seven, the Sabbath, was sacred. One year in seven was sacred and one sabbatical year in seven was sacred. The feast of trumpets began in the seventh month of the Jewish calendar. Seven is a number which signifies completion or perfection. At this time the agricultural year is over. The prophets associated this day with the regathering of Israel and the coming of the Messiah (Isaiah 27:12-13; Joel 2:15-20). 

The focus of this feast was repentance, judgment, life, death and resurrection. The message of Jesus Christ and John the Baptist reflected this same focus. In Jewish thinking, three books will be opened on this day. One book is for the completely righteous, one for the completely wicked and one for most people which are somewhere in between. When the trumpet sounds the people have ten days to repent and do good. At this time, we will be judged and our eternal destiny will be forever settled.

In our text, we see that at the rapture a trumpet will sound. Could it be that as Jesus was crucified on the Passover, the end will come on this day? It is possible. It is interesting to note that almost universal in the thinking of mankind is this idea of a second chance. We want to think that there is a clear warning before judgment and damnation. The rapture of the church would be an example of such a warning.

However, the experience of most people in this life is not this dramatic. For most people the end will come quietly and without warning. We need to appreciate that whether or not we hear a trumpet, somewhere there is a clock ticking and time is running out. The people were reminded of this important spiritual truth every year. We, too, need to be reminded of this important spiritual truth. The end is coming. We will live somewhere forever and the character of our lives in eternity are being founded right here and now. We are either growing in grace or becoming hardened in sin. If we cannot find joy and blessing in the paths of righteousness here and now, we would never find it in heaven. Judgment is coming. Are you ready?

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6th

July 6th

The Day of Atonement

Hebrews 10:1-14

The focus of the Day of Atonement was on the work of the High Priest. The High Priest represented the people to God. If God accepted the work of the High Priest on this day, the nation was admitted to fellowship with God for another year. On this day, God dealt with the people as a nation. It is a day of fasting. The people are charged to afflict their souls. In other words, they are to humble themselves, fast and morn for their sin. Only the High Priest could enter the holiest place of the temple on this day once each year. He does this on behalf of himself, the leadership of the nation and the people. On this day, God sealed the fate of the nation for another year. The people were helpless to help themselves. Their fate rested in the hands of the High Priest who represented the nation to God by sprinkling the blood of a goat on the mercy seat.

The problem of sin is much deeper than the sinful choices that we make. The spiritual history of this world reveals some important truths. First, fallen humanity does not like the idea of original sin and substitutionary atonement. Fallen humanity sees original sin as unfair and eternal damnation as cruel and excessive. Thus, in all man-made religion we find the idea of works and personal responsibility as primary.

Sadly, all humanity is corrupted beyond our ability to change. We cannot save ourselves by works and personal responsibility. It is not just our foolish choices, but our deep-seated internal desires that are the problem. It is only through the work of our great High Priest, Jesus Christ, that salvation is even possible. Thus, we read in John 14:6 where Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Jesus is our great High Priest and it is only through His work in our behalf that salvation is possible. Martin Luther and Desiderius Erasmus debated this point extensively. This debate resulted in Luther's book, The Bondage of the Will. It is not just our choices. Because of original sin, our will is in bondage to our corrupt hearts. We depend on Christ wholly for spiritual life. If we lose this sense of complete dependency, our hearts will give way to pride and spiritual decline. It is as the prophet Jonah noted salvation is of the Lord. In Zechariah 12:9, 10 we find that this day is a picture of the spiritual rebirth of national Israel.

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7th

July 7th

The Feast of Tabernacles

John 1:8-18

This was the greatest of all feast days with great Messianic elements. This feast and the kingdom speak of a time when God will dwell among His people in the person of the Messiah. This feast was the most joyful and included dancing. At this time, the people lived in booths for seven days. There was a deep division between the Pharisees and the Saducees as to the use of palm leaves. The Saducees used them to build booths while the Pharisees used them in worship by waving them before the Lord.

During this feast a priest led a procession from the pool of Siloam to the temple. He would take water from the pool and pour it into special basins at the altar of sacrifice while the people waved palm branches. It is worthy of our note that in response to the corruption of the Old World, God established human government and capital punishment.

Consequently, this world has not given way to the same degree of corruption, yet under Antichrist this world will give way to a one-world government wholly given to corruption. It is this universal corruption and the persecution that results which God will use to purify His people and bring in the kingdom. At the end of this age, God will bring about the same kind of division between good and evil that he did during the flood. The only difference is that this judgment will involve fire not water.

The present world began with just Noah and his family. The kingdom will begin with righteous people from every kindred tongue and nation. We read in 2 Peter 3:6,7, the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.  Jesus made a very similar connection. Matthew 24:37-40 as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.   in the days that were before the flood they  knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. None but the righteous will enter the kingdom. Are you ready?

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8th

July 8th

II Peter 3:5-13

There is a great tendency for us to think that our experience now is typical of all history. In 2 Peter 3:4, we read about the arrogant unbelief that will characterize the last days. Here we read of those who are confident that all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. In the history of this world, God has already dealt with humanity in different ways. In the beginning, people were vegetarian in diet and there was no such thing as human government, war, or capital punishment. The family functioned as it continues to do so today, but the concept of family was much broader including parents, grandparents and extended family.

It is hard for us to imagine such a world, but it existed once. There are those today who think if we could just get rid of human government we will solve many of our problems. After the flood, God instituted human government, capital punishment and the eating of animal flesh, but it was not so from the beginning. God administered His law primarily through individual conscience. Except for Noah and his family, the failure of the Old World couldn't have been any more complete. We read in Genesis 6:5, 11 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and filled with violence. Though other worlds and ages end in failure, we never find such a complete failure. The remnant of faithful people continues to grow larger as the race matures.

The Old World ended with just 8 righteous people. The present church age begins with 120 people on the day of Pentecost. When Jesus Christ comes again and the kingdom begins there will be faithful people from every tribe tongue and nation. No race or culture has a corner on God. In each age, there is a faithful remnant that will one day be finally and completely be gathered to God. At the end of time, there will be a final and complete separation of all good from all evil. God will use many different means as He demonstrates His glory, the nature of evil, and the path to redemption. He is not willing that any should perish. His desire is that all come to redemption. In the end, the truth will be so clearly seen that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

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9th

July 9th

The New World

Isaiah 11:2-9 

When sin entered into this world, with it came a curse. In Romans 8:22 we read that we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. Because the serpent was the vehicle of the temptation of Eve, this animal was cursed above all others. We read in Genesis 3:14 where the LORD God said unto the serpent thou art cursed; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life.

In our text, part of the prophecy concerning Jesus Christ and redemption is the removal of this curse. In Isaiah 11:6-9 we read that The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.  They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD. This world has never known or seen a time like this. In Isaiah 2:3,4 we read that out of shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. 

The world has yet to experience such a time. Since the foundation of the nations, wars have yet to cease like this. It is that golden age where the Messiah Himself provides both political and spiritual leadership from Jerusalem. He is that Rock cut without hands mentioned in the book of Daniel that brings down all the kingdoms of this world. Sadly, in even such an environment the hearts of some will be quickly turned against God. We read in Revelation 20:7-9 that Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations to gather them together to battle  And they went up and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city. Without a righteous heart, there is simply no hope for people in this world.

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10th

July 10^th

Ages, Covenants and Dispensations

Ephesians 3:1-6

It ought to be clear to the simplest minds that today we don't meet in a tabernacle or temple for worship. We don't approach God through an Aaronic priesthood or sacrifice animals. Things have changed. Theologians have all recognized God works through the ages with various covenants and dispensations.

We often hear of the church age and the millennial age to come. In each of these ages different covenants and dispensations are at work. The millennial age relates back as far as the Abrahamic covenant. The same is true of the present church age. Some people think of a dispensation as a unique and special period of time. This is not accurate. It is more accurate to think of a dispensation as a stewardship. In the age before the Flood, God's moral law was as full force as it was when given at Sinai. However, in the age before the Flood, God's primary method of administering His law and maintaining order on earth was through the individual conscience. The age before the flood relates to the covenant God made with Adam.

God still works today through the human conscience, but this is not the primary way he maintains order in this world. After the flood, His primary way of maintaining order is human government. Human government began with the covenant God made with Noah. In 2 Timothy 2:15 we are admonished to study to shew thyself approved unto God, rightly dividing the word of truth. In other words, there is a right way and a wrong way to understand the Bible and these relate directly to ages, covenants and dispensations. We need to know in what way each of these covenants and dispensations apply to us today. For example, those who reject capital punishment do not realize that we are still under the stewardship of human government. Capital punishment is an important element in the covenant God made with Noah. We need a good understanding of these things before we can answer many of the most pressing questions of our day. An important example today is that the present church age is a kingdom of God that is not of this world. If we understand this, we see the need to keep church and state separate. As early Baptists in this country preached, give vice and folly your rod, but leave our conscience to God.

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11th

July 11^th 

       Articles of Furniture as They Typify Christ
The Ark of the Covenant : A Type of God's Throne

     The Ark of the Covenant was constructed as a (Hebrew word for Ark) "chest".  These types are very interesting. The chest size was L. 3.75 ' x W. 2.25 " x H. 2.25 '. It was made of a type of incorruptible wood, Shittim or Acacia wood, representing the incorruptibility and perfection of Jesus Christ. It was covered with pure gold, both inside and out, and had a golden crown running around the top, representing Deity. It had four golden rings at the corners, two on each side through which passed staves or bars of wood, covered by gold, used to carry the ark with. They were never to be removed.

     The Ark contained the unbroken tablets of stone of the covenant, the law that points the way to Christ. It also held the golden pot of manna, which represents the truth of God's Word, and the budding rod of Aaron, that is a type of Resurrection and speaks unto Eternal life. This rod combined with John 14:6 is, "The way for going, the truth for knowing, and the life for growing." representing Jesus Christ.

     The Ark when it was at rest had a pillar of cloud over it during the day and a pillar of fire by night. It was to be the rallying place for all of Israel. When they were on the march through the desert, the ark was in the middle of the people, 6 tribes in the front and 6 tribes in the rear, except on 2 occasions, one in Numbers 10:31, 33; and also when crossing the Jordan in Joshua 3:3,4.  We also see the Ark in the midst of the Jordan between the people and the waters as they crossed. It was there when the people were at war in the land in Joshua 6, at the fall of Jericho. It was between Ebal and Gerazim in Joshua 8:30-35, as Joshua was taking formal possession of the land. It fell into the enemy's hands in 1 Samuel 7:1,2. Even the Ark itself could not save Israel because of their sin. It went to its final resting place in Kirjath-Jearim and to David's tabernacle until Solomon placed it in the temple in 1 Kings 8:1-6. Interestingly, there was no Ark in Ezekiel's temple in Ezekiel 48:35, where we see the Shikinah glory of the Lord departing.

     "O Gracious and Merciful God and Savior, how we desire to serve You faithfully. Please forgive us for our shortcomings and guide us in Your everlasting Truth. How we praise your Holy and Exalted Name! Amen."

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   Notes and references used from "Studies in Types" by J.A. Schmidt; and "The Preachers Outline and Sermon Bible"

12th

July 12^th

Articles of Furniture as They Typify Christ

The Mercy Seat:  A Type of Christ, Our Propitiation

The Mercy Seat was made of pure gold, a beaten metal work with no other mixture of metals and no wood. It fitted inside the crown of gold on the Ark of the Covenant and it also formed a cover for it. We are going to look at three different things that are symbolized by it.

1.                The Mercy Seat symbolized the very mercy of God Himself. It taught that God is not only Righteous and Holy, He is also Merciful. God is the Sovereign Creator and Majesty who rules in mercy as well as in righteousness and holiness. The Mercy Seat symbolized that God has mercy upon all who truly come to Him, and who truly believe and follow Him.

2.                The Mercy Seat symbolized that God covered the Law with His mercy. No person can keep the law, not perfectly. And perfection is required in order to live in God's holy presence. How, then, can we ever become acceptable to God, and be allowed to live in heaven with Him? By His mercy. God's mercy has been given to us through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. God gave His Son to be the perfect Sacrifice for our sins. The mercy of God shown us in Jesus Christ covers the law, and it covers our sin; our failure to keep the law. When we trust Jesus Christ as our Savior, the mercy of God covers us.

3.                The Mercy Seat symbolized the finished work of Christ. The human high priests work was never done and he could not sit down, but when Jesus Christ offered Himself as the Perfect Sacrifice to God, His work was finished. His sacrifice for the sins of people was perfect, and no other sacrifice was ever needed. Therefore, Christ was able to sit down on the right hand of God's throne. As believers, we no longer have to offer sacrifices to God to atone for our sins. Christ has already satisfied God's requirement. It is all because of the mercy of God in the sacrifice of His Son Jesus that we are cleansed once and for all from our sins.

     Dear Lord Jesus, how we praise You for Your work on the cross and payment for our sin. Thank You for the Great Mercy of God that has been so freely given to all whom will receive it. Help us to never presume upon Your Everlasting Mercy! We pray in Jesus Name, Amen.

          Notes and references used from "Studies in Types" by J.A. Schmidt;  and "The Preachers Outline and Sermon Bible"

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13th

July 13^th     

Articles of Furniture as They Typify Christ:

The Golden Altar of Incense, A Type of Christ, Our Intercessor

     This Golden Altar of Incense was made of Shittim or Acacia wood and overlaid with gold. It had a golden crown around it and four horns on each corner that pointed upward and outward. It had two golden rings on opposite corners to carry it by and sweet incense was offered twice daily on it by the High Priest. The message of the Altar is at least two things. First, we see that the intercession of the High priest symbolized a permanent intercession, an intercession that never quits. In other words, it teaches us that Christ Jesus, as our great High Priest, is always praying and living in an unbroken communion with God the Father, and is interceding for God's people.

     Secondly, the Altar of Incense symbolized the prayers and unbroken communion of God's people ascending up to God and pleasing Him! It teaches us that believers are to pray morning and evening and to pray always, to develop an unbroken communion with God, and to never cease being in a spirit of prayer. The pleasing aroma given by the incense rising up and filling the Tabernacle of worship is a picture of the believer's prayers ascending up to God and God being pleased with the prayers of His people, receiving them, accepting and answering them.

     Interestingly, the incense was prepared for worshipping God and for no other purpose. There were specific instructions given for making the incense. They were to gather sweet spices, the same amount of each, with specific blending and refining, using the techniques of the perfumer. The incense was to be counted most holy, distinctively and exclusively made and used for the Lord God. This represents our lives as believers in how we worship God daily. We are to offer God our worship in a way that is exclusive to Him alone, acceptable to God, not man-made, or self styled. God gave the warning, that if any people made this incense for themselves or used it for themselves, they would be judged, cut off, and exiled from the country. Believers, take note! We must offer our sacrifice of praise to our God in His ordained ways.

     Dear God and Savior, we thank You for this wonderful example of what You desire in our lives, that our praise and our daily worship is to be acceptable unto You. Guide us in Your Word, which is our only source of Truth, in living for You. In Jesus Name we pray, Amen.             

     Notes and references used from "Studies in Types" by J.A. Schmidt;  and "The Preachers Outline and Sermon Bible"

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14th

July 14^th   

Articles of Furniture as They Typify Christ

Table of Shew Bread : A Type of Christ, The Bread of Life

The Golden Candlestick: A Type of Christ, The Light of the World

Exodus 25:23-30; John 6:48-51; Exodus 25:31-40; John 8:12

     The size of the Table of Shew-Bread was L 3' x W 1.5 ' x H 2.25 '. It was to be made with Shittim or Acacia wood and overlaid with gold. It also had a crown of gold and had a border around it. It, too, had four gold rings on the corners with staves of wood, overlaid with gold to carry it by. There were dishes, spoons, bowls, and covers that were made of pure gold to go with it. The spiritual significance is that it is a type of Christ as the Bread of Life. The bread had no leaven as Christ had not sin in Him. 1 Peter 1:22.  The 12 loaves represent the 12 tribes and they were placed in 2 rows. The table and the shew-bread were spoken of as one, better known as the "Continual Bread." As each tribe is represented by one loaf, so the church is represented by one loaf. The table is the center of Union and of Fellowship for the priestly (Christian) family. For believers to have harmony in the assembly of Christ, it is necessary to be occupied with Christ. 1 Peter 2:5; Matthew 18:20

     The "Lamp of God" did not have any measurement and was made of fine beaten gold without any cast or mold with 6 branches and one main stem. Each branch had a bud and flower and on top, 3 almonds in which the lamp was placed. The spiritual significance is a type of Christ as the light of the world. John 8:12; Isaiah 42:6. There were no measurements given, just as the fullness of Christ is immeasurable. The beaten gold represents Christ as He was made a curse for us. Galatians 3:13; Isaiah 53:5, 10. The shape of the almond typifies resurrection and it was also the first tree to bloom, representing Christ as the first fruits. The 3 almonds speak of Divine testimony, with the oil used for the lamp as a type of the Holy Spirit. We see that it is Jesus Christ who is able to bring people out of the darkness of sin and give them the light of salvation and life. God has called believers to be the light of the world through Jesus Christ and to shine as God's witness to the world filled with darkness as He has shined His light into the hearts of His people. God has given us this responsibility to walk in His light and to bring His light to a lost and dying world.

"Dear Lord Jesus, You are the light of the world! We praise You for Your salvation. Guide us and help us to tell others about You as the Bread and the Light of Life. Amen."   

Notes and references used from "Studies in Types" by J.A. Schmidt;  and "The Preachers Outline and Sermon Bible"

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The Brazen Laver was a basin of brass, set on a pedestal called the foot. The brass was of women's mirrors, Exodus 38:8, without any dimension given, where Aaron and his sons washed their hands and feet. The spiritual significance is seen in several ways. It is a type of the Word of God in John 1:1, 2. There were no measurements given, representing that God's Word is immeasurable. It had a base large enough to hold it up in any storm showing us that God's Word needs no defense, it stands alone as the sole source of truth. The brass speaks of judgment in John 12:48 and its mirror effect reveals our spiritual dirt, but does not cleanse in James 1:23-25. The Laver contained water for cleansing, representing the Word of God, 1 John 1:7 which points to Christ. The Laver was never covered, just as God's Word is not to be covered, as it is God's revelation to mankind!

     The Brazen Altar (the Altar of Burnt Offering) was made of Shittim or Acacia wood and overlaid with brass. It's dimensions were L 7.5' x W 7.5 ' x H 4.5 ', 5 cubits square, with a ledge all the way around from the priests to stand on when arranging the wood and sacrifices, with 4 horns on the corners pointed upward and outward. The spiritual significance is a type of Christ, our Redemption.  The 5 cubes square; 5 speaks of grace, salvation is by grace. Three cubits high speaks of trinity, with God in Hebrews 9:14, accepting the sacrifice that the Son offered in the power of the Spirit. The Horns speak of power in Daniel 8:3,4. The most significant resemblance, was that the Sacrifice was bound to the horns until its life was taken, representing that Love is what bound the Lord Jesus Christ to the Cross until full atonement had been made for mankind. Psalm 118:27.  As we have looked at the different Articles of Furniture as they typify Christ, we see God coming out to man from the Holy of Holies, to the brazen altar; from the throne in heaven, to the cross. In Christ, God came down to the sinner, and in Christ, the sinner is brought up to God. 

 "Dear God, how we praise You for these pictures that remind us of who You are as our Creator and Savior. Please forgive us of our sins, and thank You for the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, on our behalf. In Jesus Name we pray, Amen."                

Notes and references used from "Studies in Types" by J.A. Schmidt;  and "The Preachers Outline and Sermon Bible"

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16th

  July 16^th

The Offerings and Their Representative Steps in Christianity

The 5 Sweet and Non-sweet Savor Offerings as They Typify Christ

     These devotionals of the Tabernacle are quite interesting in showing us the many things that God graciously used to show us as unsaved people, our spiritually dead, blind, and ignorant state that we need to turn from our sin and accept what God has done on our behalf and to allow us the freedom of choice in choosing Him of our own free will. There are 5 different Offerings that represent steps in our Christian experience, which we will make short mention of each today and then cover in detail in other devotionals.

     First, we have the Trespass Offering. Leviticus 5:1-5. It represents that we can be forgiven and literally saved from our sins. 1 John 1:9; Matthew 1:21. This offering pictures that Jesus Christ is able and will forgive the penalty of sins, both of commission and of omission, if and when we confess them to Him.

     Secondly, there is the Sin Offering. Leviticus 4:1-35. This represents the victory over the power of sin and also deliverance from the dominion of the sinful nature which all of mankind is born into. Romans 6:11-14. This offering atones for the offender, while the Trespass Offering atones for the offences.

     Thirdly, there is the Peace Offering. Leviticus 3. This offering represents reconciliation and fellowship with God and with one another. Romans 5:1; 2 Corinthians 5:18, 19;  Colossians 1:20,21; 1 John 3:7.

     Fourthly, there is the Meal Offering. Leviticus 2. This offering represents the consecration, the sacrificial giving of our toil (work) and possessions to God.  Proverbs 3:9; Luke 8:2, 3.

     Fifthly and lastly, we see the Burnt Offering. Leviticus 1. This represents the believer, who is to offer himself as a living sacrifice unto God. It must be voluntary and complete. Romans 12:1. This offering is a type of sanctification. It is giving up ourselves to God for service as He wills. The meal and burnt offerings always go together as consecration is never complete until we include our toils and possessions.

     Dear Lord God, we have much to learn of You. We need You to save us from our sin. Thank You for the way, in Jesus Christ. Amen.    

Notes and references used from "Studies in Types" by J.A. Schmidt;  and "The Preachers Outline and Sermon Bible"

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17th

July 17

             Sweet Savor Offering Typifying Christ

The Whole Burnt Offering: A Type of Sanctification  

The Meal Offering, A Type of Christ giving Himself to God for Man

     This Whole Burnt Offering sees the offerer coming for acceptance as a worshipper, just as Christ as a man in perfectness meets God in holiness. In this offering, God finds satisfaction. It was offered voluntarily to make atonement, not for sin, but for satisfaction to satisfy an offended justice. It was an offering of a life, as we know that our life is from God, and we owe our life to Him, acceptably yielding to Him. This offering was wholly burnt on the altar, just as it is man's duty to surrender to God in everything. The head : the will. The legs : the walk; outward life. The inwards : the inner life. The fat : the emotions; the affections of the heart. There were also different grades (from the herd, flock, or fowl). The first 2 grades, the parts were discriminated, but in the last grade, this was omitted. The bird was killed, but not divided. In the first grades, the offerer is seen to lay his hand on the offering, but in the last grade this was not observed. Christ gave HIMSELF, but many people fail to see this. Some see only substitution, but not identification, as Christ of His own will, laid down His life. John 10:18.

     The Meal Offering is similar in that it was a sweet savor offering, offered voluntarily for acceptance by God as a worshiper. Ephesians 5:2. It was not an offering of a life, but of fruits, as Christ presenting Himself to God as man's meat. John 6:35, 48. The flour represented deepest suffering. The fine flour showed evenness, that Christ was always the same; all graces were equally manifest in Him. The oil represented the Holy Spirit. Luke 4:18. The Frankincense showed that the full fragrance is not brought out until the perfume is submitted to the action of the fire. Psalm 45:7, 8. The salt showed in-corruptness. Colossians 4:6. This offering was not fully burnt; a handful belongs to God, with the remainder going to Aaron and his sons. Although it was intended for and for the most part consumed by man; it was, nevertheless, offered unto the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 2:6

Gracious and Merciful God, we Love You and Thank You for allowing us to present our lives wholly to You, in obedient service unto You. We are truly humbled with Your Forgiveness and Everlasting Mercy. Amen.

      Notes and references used from "Studies in Types" by J.A. Schmidt;  and "The Preachers Outline and Sermon Bible"

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     The Fellowship or the Peace Offering is a picture of Christ's Atoning Sacrifice. This offering identified the offerer with the offering as the offerer killed the sacrifice. Interestingly, the offerer, God, and the Priest are fed by it. It pictures the offerer as satisfied. The believer will never rest until he sees that his peace offering in Christ is perfect and acceptable to God. When the believer sees Christ offering the sin offering, he sees God's wrath against sin satisfied. When the believer sees Christ offering the meal and burnt offering, he sees God's requirements satisfied. When the believer sees Christ offering the Peace offering, he sees himself satisfied. What will give the believer satisfaction in the presence of God? His character? Good works? His feelings? His experience? His Service or walk? No, none of these as only Christ can give true satisfaction. We see that Adam's covering did not satisfy him. Only the spotless offering of Christ will give true believers satisfaction in the presence of God. The offerer's food is the spotless offering which has already satisfied God for man did not partake of it until God's portion had already been offered on the altar.

     Next, we see the offerer feasts with God. Man (In Christ) and God find common food. The offering is shared between them representing communion. Communion means to share. What can man share with God? His works or attainments? The best of them have sin in them and so Christ is the common ground for God and man. The offerer was to offer with the Peace offering, leavened cakes as a Thanks to God, and Thanks to God for Christ, for his participation in this peace.

    Lastly, we see the offerer feasts with the priest. The priest's children also share in the offering and this could represent the church as members of Christ's family. They could not participate, however, unless they were clean. There were 2 ways that it could be offered. One as a Thanksgiving in praise for God's glory in which a meat offering was offered along with it. The other way was as a vow in a life of service unto God.

     Dear Lord God, we want to offer ourselves unto You today in humble and obedient service. We thank You for You only Son, Jesus Christ, who makes us acceptable unto You. May we live for You daily. Amen.

      Notes and references used from "Studies in Types" by J.A. Schmidt;  and "The Preachers Outline and Sermon Bible"

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     The Sin offering was a non-sweet savor offering. It was not for acceptance. The offerer brought it, not because he had done evil, but because he was evil. The offering was to be without blemish, representing that if Christ had had sin, He himself would have needed atonement. We see that man, God, and the devil tried Him, only to prove that He was the Holy One of God! The offering is charged with the sin of the offerer, which shows us identification. 2 Corinthians 5:20; 1 Peter 2:24. The offerer comes as a convicted sinner, to receive in his offering, which represents himself, the judgment that was due his sin.

     The offering was burnt outside the camp, except for the fat that was burnt on the altar to show that, although a sin offering, it met God's Holy and Perfect requirements. It was an offering for sin, not trespass. 1 Peter 3:18. The sinner brought this offering, not because he had done evil, but because he was evil. This is so important to understand. There is none righteous, no not one. The world would have us believe that there is a little bit of good in each person. But without Christ, there is not. The Trespass offering is the offering made for offences, whereas the Sin offering is the offering made for the offender.

     The different varieties of offerings were the Bullock, Goat, Lamb, 2 turtledoves or 2 young pigeons, or one-tenth ephah of flour.  The offerer was either 1. The priest, as the head of a family, just as Christ represents the whole church; 2. The congregation, as the church as a whole; 3. The Ruler or the head of the tribe; or, 4. The common people, as individuals. The blood in the first two cases was taken into the Holy Place and sprinkled on the altar of incense and communion with God was restored through the sin offering. (The consequences of sin in these two cases are seen to be far more extensive) The last two cases, the blood is sprinkled on the brazen altar and communion with God is restored through the sin offering.

     Heavenly Father, please forgive us of our known sin and please forgive us of any unknown sin so that the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts would be acceptable unto You, and that we would then bring glory unto You as our Savior! Amen.

      Notes and references used from "Studies in Types" by J.A. Schmidt;  and "The Preachers Outline and Sermon Bible"

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     This Trespass or Guilt Offering was distinct from the sin offering. The offerer brought it, not because he was evil, but rather because he had done evil. This offering involved restitution. The offerer was to restore, to the injured party, whether it was God or man, the original or its equivalent in money, and then they were to add one-fifth to it besides bringing the usual trespass offering. The thought here was not so much that the trespass would be punished, but that the injured party would be repaid the wrong. Where there were no acts of sin that had been committed as in the sin offering, the suffering or death of the sinner would fully satisfy justice. But where loss or damage had been sustained as in the trespass offering, the mere suffering and death of the sinner would not repair the wrong or trespass.  That is the reason for the fifth part added; 20% interest. The injured party really gained. God, through man, was a loser; but God, through Christ, is a gainer. The last Adam (Jesus Christ) has made up whatever was lost in the first Adam to the full. Where sin abounded, Grace did much more abound.

     The warning about sin against God or against your neighbor is clear. It is a serious offense against God Himself. That is the reason a sin against your neighbor often troubles and bothers a person so deeply. God's Spirit arouses the disturbance within a person's heart. But keep in mind that a person's conscience can become so conditioned to sin that it becomes hardened, as hard as a rock, well beyond feeling any guilt for sin. Nevertheless, the person is still in the position of being guilty before God. His standing before God is guilty even if he feels no guilt. He will still be judged and condemned for sin. Ezra 9:6.  How can a person be freed from the guilt of his sin? God says that a person must make full restitution; restitution in full, plus pay an additional 20% interest. Finally, they are to repay it on the day that it is confessed. We see that the promise of God is real and effective: The guilty person will be forgiven for anything he has done that makes him guilty.

     Dear Lord God, we realize we are but dust and we stand before You as guilty. We thank You for paying the price of our sin through Your Son, Jesus Christ. We praise Your Holy Name! Amen.

      Notes and references used from "Studies in Types" by J.A. Schmidt;  and "The Preachers Outline and Sermon Bible"

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Exodus 27:9-15

Old Testament types: The wall of the court was 100 cubits (150 feet) by 50 cubits (75 feet) and 5 cubits (7.5 feet) high. To put that into perspective, it's about the average size of a home building lot. There was stretched around the court fine twined, white linen, suspended from silver rods (7.5 feet long) (silver speaks of redemption) attached to brass pillars set in brass sockets (brass refers to judgment). White cords were tied to the top of the pillars and tied to brass pegs driven into the ground like tent pegs. The outer court curtain was to protect the courtyard from intrusion by unauthorized people.

New Testament Antitypes: The only opening was in the center of the East side of the court and only the priests and a person bringing an offering were allowed to enter the courtyard. This opening was covered with one whole piece of cloth in white linen, and blue, purple and scarlet colors. The blue for heavenly, the purple for royalty and scarlet for the blood. Christ came from heaven, laid aside His royal robes and suffered the sacrificial death for all humanity. John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. And John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. The brazen altar of sacrifice was the first thing the priest or offerer saw when entering the court. Acts 4:12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Matthew 17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. Moses and Elijah were present and their presence gave us six great Bible truths:

1) The abolition of the law,

2) Christ was the Messiah and Mediator between God and men,

3) The reality and consciousness of departed saints,

4) The immortality of the soul of mankind,

5) Guarantee of a bodily resurrection, and

6) The second advent or the return of Christ for His own. I'm not looking for the undertaker, but I'm looking for the "Uppertaker," how about you?

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Exodus 26:36-37

The door was on the East end of the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle had three sides made of the incorruptible acacia wood covered with gold and set on a foundation of silver sockets. The Gold represented the deity of Christ and the silver sockets are emblematic of redemption. The door was made up of five pillars and a cross bar, all made of acacia wood and covered with gold. Someone has suggested the five pillars are symbols of GRACE, another has suggested they represent the five writers of the New Testament: Peter, James, John, Jude and Paul. These five pillars rested on sockets of brass, a symbol of judgment. Remember, grace was extended to us because the judgment for our sins was laid on Christ at Calvary.

The door was kept closed by a curtain made of fine white linen sewn together with blue, purple, and scarlet. It says that these four colors were worked together with needlework. This curtain was always closed to the public and only the priests were allowed to step up to the side and open it enough for them to enter into the holy place and minister before the lamp stand, table of show bread and the altar of incense.

It is good to know that as Christians we are a generation of priests, 1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light, and therefore we can minister unto the Lord with our worship and praise. When we consider that under the Old Testament they always had to go to God via a sinful, human priest.

The door of the court was wide and low. But the door to the tabernacle was high and narrow. We must be lowly in heart to enter the court, but the way into heaven is narrow and few there be that find it. The following is a precious thought. The Lord seeks us and the Holy Spirit brings us to the place of accepting the plan of salvation. We do not seek Him, but He searches the heart and seeks us. Therefore, we cannot save ourselves, but must trust Him for our salvation and He is now in the act of keeping us saved. Remember it's not do, but done. 

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The Outer court curtain shut people out from the Tabernacle. The curtain was   7.5 feet high and was suspended on rods so that there was no sagging at the top and the bottom was stretched so that you could not see under. Our text for today gives us the simple explanation that Christ was the door and there was only one way into the presence of God. John 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. Following is a children's chorus that is a perfect illustration from the tabernacle door. "One Door, and Only One" and we quote, "One door, and only one, And yet its sides are two, In side and out side, On which side are you? One door, and only one, And yet its sides are two; I'm on the inside, On which side are you?" Little children love this song, because it helps them to understand that Jesus is the only way to salvation and eternal life. John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
The door of the Tabernacle was only open to the priests in the old economy, but now it's open to all who will come in through Christ. Other religions teach that you must "DO" something to be saved, but true Biblical Christianity teaches it is "DONE!" The Door of the Tabernacle is again the picture of John 14:6, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. That door was closed to the lay people in old times, but today it's open to all that will come in. They brought their sacrifices to the priests and confession was made. Today, we bring ourselves as a living sacrifice to God and He accepts it because the Great High Priest (Christ) has made the final official sacrifice for sins, past, present and future.
John 10:16 Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. "This fold" referred to here are the Jews, but the "Other fold" refers to the Gentiles. Notice, the "middle wall of partition" has been broken down and all saved are in "One fold in Him."

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The Holy of Holies was separated from the Holy Place by this Veil and was supported by four posts. Many think these four posts represent the four Gospels. The posts were of acacia wood covered with gold and set on four silver sockets. Across the top of the four pillars was a board also of acacia wood covered with gold. The Holy Place was in the front of the tabernacle and was 15 feet high, 15 feet wide and 30 feet long. This inner veil was the dividing line between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies which was 15 x 15 x 15 feet, a perfect cube. It was only opened for the High Priest to enter into the presence of God before the Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy Seat one time a year on the Day of Atonement. Our text records it was of blue, purple, scarlet and "fine twined linen."? Mr. Soltau* suggests and I quote, "The fine twined linen seems to represent to us 'the Righteous One' who in His life of sorrow and toil, and most especially in His death of shame and suffering, manifest that unsullied purity, that perfect obedience, and the delight in accomplishing the will of His Father. He has earned for Himself a name, which is above every name, the name of Jesus; "Who is made sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." This "fine twined linen" points to the moral excellency of Christ, who is foreshadowed and the same vein of thought is pictured in the "fine flour" in Leviticus 2:1 and the "refined gold" in 1 Chron. 28:18and "refined silver" in 1 Chronicles 29:4 all which were used by Solomon in the building of the Temple. Book on the Tabernacle, published over 100 years ago.

Divine wisdom was given to its manufacture and it was a copy of the heavenly pattern received by Moses from Jehovah. As the "fine twined linen" foreshadowed the humanity of Christ. The "cunning work" points to the Divine omniscience of Christ's sinless, human nature and Gabriel's words to Mary on the wonder of Immanuel's birth, Luke 1:28-35.

We shall spend tomorrow on the four cherubim that were woven into this Veil and their relationship to our Messiah as recorded from other Scriptures, both Old and New Testament.

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July 28th

The Veil before the Holy of Holies # 2

The four Cherubim woven into the Veil are pictured for us in other passages of Scripture. Over sixty times they are referred to in the Old Testament and one time in the New Testament. You might ask, why only once in the New Testament? Only in Hebrews 9:5, but there are other references to them, such as found in Revelation 6:2, 3, 5 and 7. "Beasts" is a poor translation for the Greek word "Zoon" and is better rendered "Living Creatures." They are heavenly creatures as we shall see in Psalms 80:1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth. and  Psalm 99:1, The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved and Isaiah 37:16, O LORD of hosts, God of

Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth. The above refer to the Mercy Seat with the angelic beings at each end and their wings touching over the center of the Mercy Seat and looking down upon the blood that was presented on the day of Atonement.

Ezekiel 1:10 As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle. These faces are a definite reference to Christ as His life and ministry is recorded in the four Gospels. Matthew writes about Him as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Mark presents Christ as a suffering servant or an ox to the Romans. Luke describes the Christ "Man" to the Greeks and John views Christ as the Son of God in all His glory and perfection. John sees Christ as the Eagle. Please take time to read Ezekiel 10, because it gives a much larger explanation of these four heavenly creatures who are about to depart from the Temple and in so doing, the Presence of the Lord is departing also. What a sad day for the Jews as they beheld the glory of the Lord God departing from them. Their sins had brought this upon the nation and they were about to go into the 70 years of captivity.

Dear reader, this same thing will soon happen to America if there are not enough light bearing and salt spreading Christians who pray and care for our great nation.

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