1491 B.C.
25:1 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying,
2 "Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From every man who giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take My offering.
(God is telling Moses that if any man or woman doesn't give his or her offering willingly, don't take their offering. God does not want any offering that is not given from a willing heart.)
3 And
(In vv.3-7, 15 objects = 3 x 5. 3 = Divine perfection, 5 = Grace. All numbers connected with the Tabernacle are multiples of 5.)
this is the offering which ye shall take from them: gold and silver and brass;
(No iron in the Tabernacle. Brass, a mixture of copper and zinc was unknown then. Probably copper, or bronze, a mixture of copper and tin.)
4 and blue and purple and scarlet, and fine linen and goats' hair;
(These colors connected with the crucifixion. Matt. 27:28. John 19:2. White mentioned last. So in Rev. 19:13,14.)
5 and rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim wood;
6 oil for the light, spices for anointing oil and for sweet incense;
7 onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod and in the breastplate.
(There would be twelve stones in the breastplate of the priests, one for each of the tribes of Israel. The Ephod was a sacred vesture that was warn by the high priest.)
8 And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.
(We are God's children, and God always wanted to be near to His children. God loves his children, and He wants each of us to love Him also. God created you for a purpose and that purpose was to give Him happiness. God is our real true Father, for He is the one that placed that embryo into your mother's womb and allowed it to form into the person that you have become. Each of His children have their houses, and this tabernacle is to be God's temporary house, when His children are on the move.)
9 According to all that I show thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.
(Cp. Heb. 8:5. Not a plan, but a model. The reality is in heaven. So with the Temple, later. 1 Chron. 28:11-19. With the utmost exactitude certain representative measurements given. 9 others, vital to construction, but not for significance given. #9= judgment. Probably these Divine silences were to make any unauthorized structures impossible. These 9 were I. Thickness of sides and bottom of ark; II. Thickness of mercy seat and details of cherubim; III. Thickness of table; IV. Dimensions of lamp-stands; V. Thickness of boards; VI. Middle bar dimensions; VII. Size &c. of rams' skins; VIII. Ditto on the badgers' skins; IX. All thicknesses of brazen altar, the 3rd dimension.
The Names of the Tabernacle.
It is important to distinguish the different words used by the Holy Spirit to describe the Tabernacle, and to express His design. They are variously translated in the A.V. They are distinguished severally in the notes; and are brought together here, so tat the different shades of meaning may be compared and understood: It is called:-
1. The House (Beth).
2. The Tabernacle (Mishkan) = dwelling-place, from shakan, to dwell: or habitation, indicating it as containing the presence of Yahaveh in the Light, called Shechinah, cp. Ex.25:8.
3. The Tent (O'hel). Erected as a special place of worship before the Tabernacle was set up. Hence to be always distinguished from the Tabernacle proper.. Its full title was-
4. O'hel Moh'ed = Tent of assembly, or the congregation.
5. The Tabernacle of witness, o'hel ha-eduth = The Tent as containing the tables of the Law, which were abiding witness to their covenant with Yahaveh.
6. Sanctuary (kodesh), or holy place.
In this connection it is well to notice that congregation is 'edah, which is general; while assembly is kahal, which is more local and partial.
Before the time of Christ, God would dwell with His people through this tabernacle and speak to the people through the priests, as the priest entered into the holy place at at the altar of God within the tabernacle. It was no accident that God prophesied that our Lord's name would be called Emanuel, for that name means "God with us". The presence of Jehovah in the Light, is called God's "Shechinah" glory, and it means that God is dwelling here on earth with us, and we have His presence amongst us. "Shechinah" comes from the Hebrew Word, "Shakan", meaning "to dwell". God wants to be in His tabernacle close to his people and in loving protection over His people.
God will not force Himself on anyone, and thus, it take a willing heart by His children, to come an meet Him at the place where He as designated for you to meet Him. He is looking for your love, for may people just do not have much if anything to give; but when the give their love willingly to Him, He counts that as perfect. He owns everything in this world, but He will only give you what you are able to take care of for Him.
The things that we are now going to look into that will go into that tent or place of worship, is looking far forward into the future from this time of Moses. A very important part of that tabernacle is the mercy seat, that will be built on top of the Ark of the Covenant. The "mercy seat" is not part of the Ark, but is built over the Ark. Why? The Ark represents the Law and the things under the law, while the Mercy seat is there to give each soul that approaches it, grace and mercy. Under the law, we are condemned by our sins, yet even with our imperfections; there is a mercy seat that we can come to where God gives his grace and mercy.
We all sin and fall short of God's mark of perfection, and that is why God has given us His mercy seat, for sinners that come to Him in repentance. When we repent when we do fall short of His standards, there is forgiveness and mercy by our Heavenly Father. So in this chapter our Heavenly Father is giving us His pattern, or picture as to those things that are important to Him personally. Each of the things that are to be put into this tabernacle of God, are from the gifts given freely to God, and each of those items will be woven into this place of worship by His children. As we look at each of these pieces of furniture or instruments of the tabernacle, lets look at them as to what they stand for today, after our Lord has gone to the cross and paid the price for our sins. We know that Jesus Christ is now the new Tabernacle, for which that old tabernacle was only a tent, that would hold the material for the temple that would come. The ultimate Temple that would come is Jesus Christ our Lord.)
The Furniture of the Tabernacle.
10-22. The Ark. Contents.
23-30. The Table. Contents.
31-40. The Lamp-stand. Contents.
(Note in chapter 25 we have furniture, for the worship, within; in chapter 26 we will see the protection outside.)
10 "And they shall make an ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof.
(See. Matt.15:16-20. Here the work begins with the ark and ends with the gate - 25:10-26:37. So with the 4 great offerings. So with His work in the heart of the saved sinner. We begin from the "gate" and with "sin-offering". God begins with the "ark" and the "burnt-offering". So this Ark of the Covenant would be a wooden box with the dimensions four foot long, two and a half feet high, and two and a half feet deep (4' X 2 1/2' X 2 1/2'). The "mercy seat" is an actual thing, or instrument, in which God placed priority over the Commandments and laws that He has given to us. So each of these things are part of the Covenant that God has made between Himself and man.)
11 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold; within and without shalt thou overlay it, and shalt make upon it a crown of gold round about.
(This Ark will be done up real pretty, and will be very pleasing to look at.)
12 And thou shalt cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in the four corners thereof; and two rings shall be on the one side of it, and two rings on the other side of it.
(These rings are for the purpose of putting staves through it, so that the children of Israel can carry this valuable Ark that God will communicate to them through. Remember that the Children of Israel will be wandering for the next forty years through the wilderness carrying this Ark, and bringing it into the promise land with them.)
13 And thou shalt make staves of shittim wood and overlay them with gold.
(These handles are done to both dress up the Ark, and to make the Ark so that it will endure the long journey that it will be on.)
14 And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be borne with them.
15 The staves shall be in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it.
(So why are these staves to be left in the Ark at all times? So somebody would not make the mistake and touch the ark by accident. It would cause their death the moment that they touch it. So this ark was very mobile, beautiful, and ready to move at any time. We know from the books of Samuel that the children of Israel became very careless with how and what they did with the Ark of God's Covenant. This Ark even fell into the hands of the Philistines at one time, only to be returned at great pain and expense to the Philistines. Remember that this Ark of the Covenant is God's Contract with His people, and the point here is that if the contract was not in hand, neither was God with you at that time. Get it? It was important, because it sealed the agreement between God and His people.)
16 And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee.
(Testimony = Heb. êdûth = witness, from ûd, to bear witness, give testimony. The two tables so called because they bore witness to, and were evidences of the covenant made and of its future extension. 1 Tim.2:6, "the testimony in its own season" = "all" without distinction. The very finger of God will write those instructions on those stone tablets. This is the contract between God and His people.)
17 "And thou shalt make a mercy seat
(= propitiatory cover, Heb. kapporeth = cover. Cover put for the propitiation made through the blood sprinkled thereon. Cp. Heb.9:5. Hence the meaning, God's "propitiatory gift" as in Papyri. Cp. Rom.3:25) of pure gold (not overlaid, because propitiation is a Divine work throughout.) of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof.
(This mercy seat represents God's grace for His people, and it is the propitiatory covering for forgiveness from sin. It is for those sinners that can't help themselves obtain forgiveness. This mercy seat is created for the Messiah, Jesus the Christ. So you have the law below in the box, and mercy above at the seat, for mercy always is above the law. Mercy is given at God's bidding, not man's. Mercy was given when the blood was sprinkled on that mercy seat, which therefore denotes propitiation [meaning "a temporary covering"] from sin.
However today it is far better that you put yourself at the mercy of God through repentance in Jesus name. The mercy that God gives to each of us in our repentance comes from this mercy seat, and this mercy seat was the seat that the Messiah was to sit on. However Satan also wanted to sit on that mercy seat also, and to present himself as God. Satan was the "cherub that covereth" he wanted to guard that mercy seat, and take the place of our Lord Jesus Christ.)
18 And thou shalt make two cherubims
(Pl. of Heb. cherub. See note below. Put for representation of the celestial beings, of which we know nothing. They are a reality, there, and representative of creation, symbolical of blessing for all creation. These were not the cherubims themselves, but representations of them. See Gen.3:24: but no "sword", because of the blood of propitiation. Occ. 7 times in vv.17-22. #7 = spiritual completeness.) of gold; of beaten work shalt thou make them at the two ends of the mercy seat.
The Cherubim.
It is hopeless to arrive at the meaning of the Cherubim from etymology. Only the usage of the whole of Scripture can we form an approximately true idea.
Their description is given twice - (Ezek. 1:5-14; 10:20 and Rev. 4:6-9).
By a process of elimination we arrive at the fact that they are a celestial order of spirit beings, and we can form no more notion of them than we can of other heavenly orders which are named, but not explained, and for want of better words are called "Thrones", "Dominions", Principalities", "Powers", &c.
They are to be distinguished from the symbolic figures of them, which are made to represent them.
Negatively, we may note:
1. That they cannot be the Godhead, of Divine in their nature, for likeness of any kind was strictly forbidden (Deut. 4:15,16 &c.); and the Godhead is distinguished from them by being mentioned at the same time.
2. Though heavenly, or celestial and spiritual in their nature and character, they are distinguished from the angels (who, as their name implies, were spirits used as messengers). Compare Rev.5:8,11 and 7:11, where the first cherubim offer worship, and then the angels. They must therefore be real spirit beings, for they could hardly be represented emblematically and really in the same verse. Moreover, they are never dismissed on errands as angels are, and are never seen apart from the Throne.
3. They cannot be merely symbols, for, though symbolic and emblematic representations of them were allowed to be made, they themselves are not symbolic, or we should have symbolic symbols of symbols, and no reality at all.
4. They cannot be a symbol of the "Church" or any portion of redeemed humanity, for they are distinguished from them in Rev. 5:9,10, according to the best readings of the most ancient MMS. and critical Greek texts, where the "us" of v.9 should be omitted, and the "us" and "we" of v.10 should be "them" and "they".Compare also Rev. 7:9-11.
5. For the same reason they cannot be symbols of "the four gospels" or books of any kind, for the cherubim are ministers associated with wrath; and call for judgment plagues. See Rev. 6 and 15:7. Moreover, there is no connection between these and the presence of the cherubim in Eden, in the Tabernacle, in the Temple, and the Throne of God.
Positively, we may note:
1. That the three root letters of Kerub, k, r, b, are root letters in our GRiP, GRaB, GRiPe, GRasP. In a passive sense the notion wold be that of holding something in same keeping: and, as a matter of fact, the symbolic representation of them were held fast to the mercy-seat, being made out of the same piece of gold (Ex. 25:18,23).
2. In Gen. 3:24 they were placed to KEEP (or guard) the way to the Tree of Life, and preserve the hope of re-genesis for the ruined creation (Cp. Gen. 2:15, where we have the word "keep" in this sense).
3. Their presence on the mercy-seat binds this hope with atonement, and with Israel.
4. On the vial the hope is bound up with the coming of Christ in incarnation and redemption.
5. They are 4 in number, and 4 is the number of Creation.
6. They are represented by the symbolic heads of the four divisions of animate creation; the lion (of wild beasts), the ox (of tame beasts), the eagle (of birds), man (of humanity).
7. They are beneath the Throne, for the earth is Yahaveh's footstool.
8. Their song, when they speak, is of creation (Rev.4:11) and is in connection with the earth. Redemption is a "new song" for them, relating to others.
9. We conclude therefore, that the cherubim are celestial or real spirit-beings, associated in some way with the embodiment of creation's hope as expressed in Rom. 8:19-23. The emblematic representation made of them connect that hope with "the hope of Israel" and associate it with the blood-sprinkled mercy-seat, and the rent vail (Heb. 10:10,20).
19 And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end; even of the mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof.
(So these two cherubs are the two cherubim that covereth. Remember that these two cherubs are suppose to protect that mercy seat. The cherubs that we read of in Ezekiel 28 took place in the earth age that was, and this is symbolic of what was to have taken place them. However we know that Satan violated his duty, and the purpose that he was created for, in doing that duty. So why did God's mercy seat have to be protected?
God gave all people, all souls free will even in that first earth age. Each soul had the free will to love God, or not to love Him. Then when you give billions of individuals (those sons of God [souls] from the first earth age) the right to do what they want to do, that free will to love or hate, there needs to be some protection. Those two cherubim were created in the full pattern to do just that, and Satan was one of those Cherubs that went against his created purpose for being in existence. And in Satan's uprising he took one third of all the other created souls that looked up to his beauty and wisdom, with him in rebellion.)
20 And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another. Toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.
(Toward = Looking toward the blood of propitiation. Cp. Ex. 12:13 and Josh. 2:18-21. See especially Ex. 37:9.
In the beginning there were two cherubim that were created to cover over the altar of God, and as we read above, one of them (Satan) tried to use his beauty and perfection to take over God's purpose for that mercy seat.
This conflict between God and Satan did not start in this earth age, but it started back in that first earth age. It is important for each of us to know the difference between God and this cherub Satan, for Satan will return very shortly to present himself as God, just like he did in that first earth age. Go back to Ezekiel 28 and try to understand that it was Satan's pride that caused his fall.
Ezekiel 28:17 "Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee."
This time that God laid Satan "before kings, that they may behold thee", happened between the time of Genesis 1:1 and verse two; and it will happen again. It will happen in the Millennium age of our Lord Jesus Christ's kingdom, that comes at the sounding of the seventh and last trump. Satan and his children, the Kenites now have to power traffic in the souls of men, and with gold and silver and many precious stones; but that will be coming to an end shortly. Satan will have his time here on earth for those short five month, and then it is all over for him and his system.
Revelation 18:7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, 'I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.'
Before this earth age of flesh man is over and done with, the religious world, even those that call themselves Christians [except for the elect and those sealed in their mind with the truth] will follow Satan. This will be at the sixth trumpet. Many Christians will marry into the wrong marriage with Satan, for they will think that the true Christ has come. They will follow their traditions that taught them to marry the first christ to come. Though they think that they are the bride of the true Christ, they will sit as this old harlot, `I sit a queen', and be taken in the wrong marriage. Satan will come at the sixth trump, and he will be beautiful, and come with supernatural powers, for remember God created him for that purpose of protecting his mercy seat, and those powers were created right into Satan's being. This is the reason that we are to fill our minds with the entire Word of God, so that those things that happen will be expected by us, when we see them happening. The world will be Satan's for God will give Satan the world for that short time of testing souls at the seventh trumpet. Satan will give you what ever it takes to buy your soul, and most Christians will sell themselves out very cheep.
Revelation 18:8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God Who judgeth her.
That's right; in one moment, at the last trump, instantly the things of this world will vanish and be completely destroyed, utterly. Paul talked about this in I Corinthians 15:50 to 52; It was the mystery that was held from the start of this earth age, that flesh and blood bodies simply cannot exist in the kingdom of God, and our Lord Jesus Christ's kingdom starts the moment that His feet touch down on the mount of Olives, in Jerusalem. This world age then is over, as is all flesh bodies.
I Corinthians 15:51, 52 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Paul is telling you that a time is coming all flesh living on the face of the earth, or where ever, will not die, but be completely done away with, and that instant will be faster than you can wink your eye. He then tells us when it will be, for it will be at the last trump. So what will we be changed into? We will change from these flesh and blood bodies which are mortal and corruptible, meaning they get sick and die; into our new "incorruptible bodies" as the angels have. Those bodies will not age or feel pain during that thousand year period that follows in Christ's millennium kingdom right here on earth.
Revelation 18:12,13 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.
Get it? these are the things that Satan and his Kenite children will be merchandising and trafficking in, and in one instant in time, faster than you can wink your eye, it will be all over and done with. Why, These flesh bodies will no longer need them, for we will be in another dimension, and they are out of date and of now use to souls existing in their new incorruptible bodies. The sad thing is that people will sell their souls to Satan for those thing, gold, silver, their chariots [cars, boats and planes], and there will be absolutely no use for any of it. Are you starting to get the picture why man's traditions are so dangerous, for they focus on things that just not so, and give one a false sense of security. Satan builds on that false security with his foundations of sand. Back to Ezekiel.
Ezekiel 28:18 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee."
Satan has already been judged and sentenced to death, and that is why Satan is called the "son of perdition" in II Thessalonians 2:3. Satan is the only son that has been sentenced to die, but that death will not come until after God has allowed him to be used to test the people of the earth at the sixth trump, and also after the Millennium age for a short season. Then as we read in Revelation 20:14, 15; "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. this is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." The first death is the death of these flesh bodies, and the second death is the death of your very soul. Only God can cause the soul to die out of extinction. Those that go into the lake of fire with Satan will go by their own choice, it will be no accident.
So do you see why God wanted these cherubim part of that mercy seat over the ark of the Covenant? It was as a reminder of what happened in Satan's revolt of the first age. God made Satan the full pattern of beauty, and Satan used that to violate God created purpose for him. The time is coming very shortly when this earth age of flesh man will come to a close, but before that event take place, all of mankind will see and make one last choice in this age whether they will worship God or Satan, as Satan plays his role as "the instead of Christ" [the Antichrist].
Ezekiel 28:12 ""Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, `Thus saith the Lord God; `Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.
"Tyrus" means rock, and Satan is the rock but not our Rock. This lamentation prophecy was against Satan as to what would happen to him in the end. Notice that when God created Satan, He made Satan "the full pattern of beauty and full of wisdom". Satan is a supernatural being, and that is why we are not to contend with him as human beings, for we are no match for him, but God's holy Spirit is. This is why we are to allow the Holy Spirit of God to use us, and not though our own abilities.
Mark 13:11 "But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Spirit."
That hour spoken on here is during the time of the sixth trump when Satan will be here on earth, right along with all his fallen angels from the bottomless pit. He will look like most people think Christ will look, and speak with much wisdom, for Satan is one of these cherubs give this supernatural powers. No, don't even try to outsmart Satan at this time, but be open to the Holy Spirit, for that is why you were place here in the first place. God's spirit opened your mind to the truth for a purpose, so that His Spirit could use you as the mouth piece in those final moments of this earth age. The words that flow from your mouth are from the Holy Spirit, and that is the tongues that is spoken of, for every person of the face of the earth will understand what you say, for they will hear your words in the very dialect that they grew up in. It is important that you understand who Satan is and the powers that God has put into this cherub, for he is coming and the world will be deceived by him.
Ezekiel 28:13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God: every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: The workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou was created.
In the garden of Eden, of God, Satan was called the serpent because of deceiving nature. Eve and Adam both bought Satan's lie, and from it came Cain, the son of Satan. Satan was also know as "the tree of the knowledge of good and evil". It is important that you mark it well that it was no accident that Satan was created with the perfection that God built into him. Satan was never born, and he had never intended to be born as you and I have been. Satan, the serpent, the king of Tyrus, or what ever you want to call him by the roles he played; in that first earth age was one of those two cherubs that sat there on the mercy seat of God, to protect it. Satan was the "anointed cherub that covereth", but this person is surely not the Christ, but the Antichrist. Satan held the highest position in heaven at one time, sitting on one end of the mercy seat, because God placed him there. Satan was perfect in all his ways until "iniquity was found in thee"; until he stopped loving God. Satan appeared to be so good and perfect that one third of all souls worshipped him in that first earth age, and most still do in this time of the end of our earth age.
Ezekiel 28:16 By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.
The "violence" that Satan uses is in a moral sense. God is telling Satan directly that his position in the heavenlies has been take from him. Again, God is letting us know that Satan was one of the covering cherubs that was allow to sit on the mercy seat of God as the protector. Satan has violated the very holiest place where salvation was to come to His children, at the very mercy seat of God. Satan lost sight that he was to guard the mercy seat, instead he wanted to sit on it and play the role of God himself. Sure, Satan's heart was lifted up with false pride because of the position that God had placed him in. Satan had splendor and people looked up to him for his great wisdom and beauty, and the attention went right to his head. It is a very common things today as many use their position to profane themselves just as Satan did.
Ezekiel 28:19 All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more.' "
How wise are you? Can you follow God's Word, and check out the Scriptures for yourself so that you will not be deceived? It was no accident that God placed these two cherubs on this ark of the covenant, for it is a symbol of warning to those with the eyes to see the truth, and the ears to hear with understanding. Every part of the Ark of the Covenant, God contract with His people, is there for a reason. Satan is coming again to this earth in all his splendor and beauty, and it is important that we know what to expect when he arrives so that we are not deceived by him. Many will believe that Satan is Christ, coming to rapture them away, a well know tradition that is so dangerous today. Satan will be cast to the ground, and when he come he will bring all his army of angels with him, and that time is not far away.
Revelation 12:7-8 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven.
This war is going on now, and it will end shortly; at the sixth trump. What the sixth trump sounds, Satan will no longer have access to heaven and to the throne of God as your accuser. He will be right here on earth playing the role of the false christ.
Revelation 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.
After Satan has had his time on this earth, deceiving people, he will be done away with for ever and ever, and not even the memory of his existence will be in the mind of God's children that will enter into that eternal kingdom. He will have served the plan of God, and Satan's usefulness will be done with. So now we see why God would have us place these two cherubs on the mercy seat, to give us a reminder to the rest of His Word pertaining to that negative part of God's plan.)
21 And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.
(So here we see why God would place these two cherubims on each end of the mercy seat above the ark. God knows the importance of this to man, however we do not worship the the mercy seat or the cherubs but to God alone. He is the creator of all things and to Him goes all honor and praise.
Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.
These images that are placed on the ark, molded by the hand of man, were never to be worshipped, no, they were placed there a a reminder to the children of Israel of God protection and care for them. The staff that Moses held to part the Red sea, did not part the sea, God parted the sea. The manna was not grown as food by man, for God provided the food and quail for them in the wilderness. No, the ark was not to be worshipped in any form, only it was a symbol or reminder to the People to draw their minds to God. The purpose was that we could better understand the role and order of things that had already happened.
If God appoints a person or cherub to a task of guarding a mercy seat or pastor over a flock, we are not to worship that one in any manner. If you set one of God's created beings up to be worshipped in your mind, you would be just as guilty of those that followed Satan in that first earth age, and refused to be born of woman to enter into this age of flesh man. This all hinges on the mercy seat, for it is the seat of Christ: Spiritually speaking or otherwise. The mercy seat is and was spiritual, and when you speak of the mercy seat you are speaking of a spiritual matter before God. So what is in the Ark that these mercy seat cherubs protected? The laws and commandments of God. Mercy is over and above that law; and faith is over the mercy. Faith from our souls that God will protect us and give mercy to us when we repent. Sure, we watch the cherubs, follow the law, but our salvation come by God's mercy given to each of us when we repent in Jesus name. Jesus paid the price once and for all times, so that at repentance, God would in His mercy, give us forgiveness from our sins.
The law is not bad for it keeps us out of trouble. But mercy is there because we do break the law. We break the laws of God in ignorance, and even accidentally. Then at times we even break one on purpose, but is by your faith, your knowing the difference between Christ and Satan, and following the true Christ. For we walk by faith and not by sight, for we cannot see the cherub that sits on the mercy seat, no we have the faith in our hearts that God's mercy is there for all those that will repent in Jesus name.
Sure men today have sought all over the world for the Ark of the Covenant, when God has told us exactly where He has put it; and it is out of the reach of flesh man. Revelation 11:19; "And the Temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in His Temple the ark of His testament: and there were lightnings and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail." Though the Ark is in heaven, God has given is his hidden manna, as we read in Revelation 2:17;
Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
It is only by the Spirit of God that our ears are open to the truth with understanding. That "hidden manna" is the truths from God's Word that will cause you to be an overcomer; to see Satan for the fake and deceiver that he is. That hidden manna is something that you must work to obtain, for it comes when you study His Word and allow that understanding by the Spirit of God to open your mind to the truth. God will give you a stone that is pure, not the lies and distortions of old Tyrus Satan. The word "stone" used here is the sister word for count, as in "count the number of the beast". When you know who the Kenites are and what Satan did, you have counted the number of the beast. Satan was the cherub that fell, and he will be coming to deceive all those that do not have the seal of God in their foreheads. Yes the cherubs are very meaningful for they teach us the difference between worshipping God, and falling for Satan's deceiving tricks.)
22 And there I will meet with thee,
(Heb. meet as by appointment, and this, in the appointed place and way: "there:, cp. 23:14-17; 29:42,43,45,46; 34:22-24; 40:34,35.)
and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the Testimony,
(it has 7 names, the other 6 are:-
Ark of the covenant of Yahaveh, Num. 10:33.
Ark of Adonai Yahaveh, 1 Kings 2:26.
Ark of Yahaveh, Josh. 3:13.
Ark of Elohim, 1 Sam. 3:3.
The holy ark, 2 Chron. 3:3.
The ark of Your strength, Ps. 132:8),
of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.
(The children of Israel would take this Ark of the covenant where ever they went. It would be kept in the place called the holy of holies later when the temple would be built. And that is why when Jesus was crucified, the vail leading into the holy of holies was rent in two, and there was no need for the mercy seat any longer.)
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.
(This table is the table of the show bread, and the show bread of today is the body of Christ that took the stripes for us. Jesus Christ's body is our Tabernacle and our Temple. All of the requirements for blood sacrifices was nailed to the cross with Him, however pay attention to how this table was built, so that you can understand why God wanted it part of His Tabernacle. Open your spiritual eyes to see the beauty of all of God's plan for man, and bringing him back to Him from that fallen state. When we take the bread of the communion table, we are taking the body of Christ, in remembrance of what He did for each of us)
24 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, and make thereto a crown of gold round about.
(Note the 3 "crowns": 1. Ark-25:11, the crown of the Law. The atoning blood between it, and the cherubim the executant. 2. Altar of incense-30:3, the crown of priesthood. Its incense fired only by the fire from the altar of burnt offering. 3. Table of show-bread-25:24, the crown of the kingdom. The 12 tribes symbolized by the 12 loaves.)
25 And thou shalt make unto it a border of a handbreadth round about, and thou shalt make a golden crown for the border thereof round about.
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.
(Each of the four legs that are attached to the table must have one of these four rings of gold, so that the table can be carried, just like the Ark of the covenant.)
27 Over against the border shall the rings be for places for the staves to bear the table.
28 And thou shalt make the staves of shittim wood and overlay them with gold, that the table may be borne with them.
29 And thou shalt make the dishes thereof and spoons thereof and covers thereof and bowls thereof for pouring; of pure gold shalt thou make them.
30 And thou shalt set upon the table showbread before Me always.
(Heb. bread of faces; faces being put for presence, denoting the Divine presence in which the bread stood, and from Whom all supplies, material and spiritual, came. First occ. Of course this shewbread table is not used today, and it simply doesn't have to be present to show the Divine presence of our Lord. Today we have the Holy Spirit present with us all the time, to comfort and lead us in the paths of our lives. However if you like to have a golden linen placed over a serving table, that's fine, but it simply is done away with for spiritual meaning. Sure it looks great, and I'm sure that it will be enjoyed. Remember that the Egyptians gave the Israelites their gold before they left Egypt, so these things were possible way out there in the wilderness.
We simply do not need a beautiful table to remind us of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is with us in our hearts and minds continually. So as we take the communion, on the serving table, before God is the Bread that is take in remembrance of our Lord's body that took the stripes. He took the stripes so that we could be healed. It is called the table of presence, because any time you take the communion, Christ is there with you. It is important that you know and remember this. Some day very shortly Jesus will return and take of that table with us, as we move into his Millennium kingdom, right here on earth.)
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 buds, and his flowers shall be of the same.
(It was one candle holder with seven branches to the stand. This seven branched candle stand, with all its fine work, the shaft, bowls, knops and flowers must all be made of pure gold also. This seven stick candle represents God's elect that gives out the light. However there are thousands of people that make up God's election that spread the light around the world today.
In the end times the two candlesticks represent the two witnesses that shall give up their lives, and the oil is the truth from God's Word that gives forth the understanding in the minds of those that the Holy Spirit opens. The oil that the ten virgins have in their lamps do not flow by gravity, but they flow by the Holy Spirit of God. All pure light of knowledge and truth in these last days will only come when the Holy Spirit allows it to flow. Zachariah 4 gives us a better understanding of these truths in these end times, about the seven thousand and the two witnesses. The candlestick only holds the candle light, the light itself is what brings understanding to His Word, and that can only come from the Holy Spirit of God. Jesus Christ is that true light.)
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.
33 Three bowls made like unto almonds
(Note connection with four, v.34, making seven.)
with a bud and a flower on one branch, and three bowls made like almonds on the other branch with a bud and a flower -- so for the six branches that come out of the candlestick.
34 And on the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their buds and their flowers.
(There is a difference between these candlestick and those of Zechariah 4, for there are only two bowls in Zachariah 4, but there are four bowls to this candlestick of Moses' time.)
35 And there shall be a bud under two branches of the same, and a bud under two branches of the same, and a bud under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick.
36 Their buds and their branches shall be of the same. All of it shall be one beaten work of pure gold.
37 And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof; and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over the face of it.
(Among God's elect, we are all the same, there are no parts that need to be assembled together, but a solid unit. No favorites and levels in God's children, for we are one in the body in Christ, and we share equally alike. Sure we have different gifts, but at payday we all get the same pay.
Romans 12:4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: The body of Christ includes all people that by faith believe in Jesus Christ, and have placed their sins under the blood of Christ through repentance in Jesus name. By saying, In Jesus name, you are saying that you believe that Jesus Christ was the only begotten Son of God, born in the flesh; that He lived the perfect life, that He suffered at the hands of the Kenite Jewish religious leaders, was crucified on the cross, and rose again on the third day. You believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah that ascended into heaven to sit and be our advocate at the throne of God, at the right hand of the Father.
When any person becomes a Christian the Holy Spirit of God enters into that person, to comfort and guide that person in his or her life. The Holy Spirit will give you the gifts that you have to be used as a member of the body of Christ, and each person will receive the gift to fulfill that office that our Lord expects you to fulfill. No we do not all have the same office or ability to do the deeds in the service of our Lord.
Romans 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
We are all part of that Tabernacle of Christ, that Temple built with many stones, each stone or person neatly fit, and in support of one another.
Romans 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
We are to teach and spread the gospel of the Word of God according as God has given us the grace to understand His Word. To most it is the planting of the seeds of truth from the Word to those that are around them, while to other it is to teach and fit the Word of the entire Bible to where God's people can see the full plan of God for their lives, and this world age.
Romans 12:7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: for he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
Even in our giving, we are to give with simplicity, the left hand not knowing what the right hand giveth. You give according as God has blessed you, for all things are made by God, and are God's property. He has allowed you the right to use it for a while.
We are living in the end times, and in Revelation 1:20 Jesus calls our attention to the fact that there are seven churches, and each of these churches are a light in that candle stand. From those seven churches come the light of the world, and this candlestick with its seven branches is a reminder of that time far into the future of Moses' day. There is only one light and that light is Jesus Christ Himself, so why should you sit in darkness when that light of Christ can fill your life. You can have God's blessings from the light, and there is enough to go around for everyone.)
38 And the tongs thereof and the snuff dishes thereof shall be of pure gold;
(These tongs, and snuff dishes represent the light that will crush Satan's darkness both now and in due time. When light enters into any room, the darkness has to flee.)
39 of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels.
40 And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shown thee on the mount.