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FOT—2007
Day 1—The Tabernacle of God
Fred R. Coulter – September 27, 2007
Greetings, brethren, welcome to the first day of the Feast of
Tabernacles, 2007. And the Feast of Tabernacles is a wonderful Feast, a
great time. A time for fellowshipping, a time for getting together with
each other. A time for learning. A time for really concentrating on
drawing close to God, drawing close to each other and, in many cases,
people have said the Feast of Tabernacles has been a “turning point” for
them—that they could rededicate themselves to God. So let’s hope that
this will be affective in your life and other people’s lives in the
things that we do for God. So we’re thankful for all of you who are able
to attend. We’re thankful for your kindness, your goodness, your support
for the Christian Biblical Church of God and the things that we are able
to do and provide for the brethren because of your prayers and because
of your tithes and your offerings.
So let’s go to Leviticus 23, and as you know, every year we work our
way through season by season all the way through the Holy Days of God as
listed here in Leviticus 23:33,
KJV: “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children
of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be
the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD…. [And
that’s why we are here now, Feast of Tabernacles. And it says there in
another place that we are to remember that the children of Israel dwelt
in booths or temporary dwellings and then you expand beyond that and
everything is temporary. And we’re going to see that there are multiple
meanings to the Feast of Tabernacles.] (verse 35): …On the first day
shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work
therein. Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the
LORD… [those were the offerings that they made on the altars and so
forth at that time. You can read all of that in Numbers 29. And there
were a tremendous amount of offerings that were given and you imagine
the feasting. The feasting that they had at that time really pales into
insignificance the feasting that we do today. But nevertheless, then He
says]: …on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye
shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: it
is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work
therein”
(vs 33-36). So it’s really quite a thing when you understand that from
the least comes the greatest. When we get to the Last Great Day—here
it’s just listed as the eighth day. There’s hardly any mention of
anything in it. So, you know, it’s really amazing how God fulfills His
Word to the nth degree.
So, He says here now, the next one, verse 37: “These are the
feasts of the LORD… [As we know, they all belong to Him, they’re not the
feasts of the Jews, they’re not the feasts of Israel, they are not the
feasts of Moses, they ARE the feasts of the Lord and God has good reason
why we keep them. As we keep them we understand them. And just like it
is with everything else, those who don’t keep the Sabbath, don’t keep
the Holy Days, don’t understand them and don’t realize the significance
of them, because we learn by doing. We learn by keeping, and that is
because God is with us, and God gives His Spirit to open our minds, to
give us love and truth and understanding of His way. So we need to keep
that in mind.] (verse 38): …Beside the sabbaths of the LORD, and beside
your gifts, and beside all your vows, and beside all your freewill
offerings, which ye give unto the LORD.” So we need to keep that in
mind. And we know that it says there in Deuteronomy 16 that during the
Feast of Tabernacles we are to appear before the Lord.
Now then, here comes the individual things that people are to do at
that time. Every man shall give as he is able according to the blessing
that the Lord God has given him. The other ones that are listed here are
the community sacrifices of the bullocks and the rams and the goats and
the lambs and so forth for keeping the Feast. But there in Deuteronomy
16 it is as it is for every individual. And every time we
give our tithes or give our offerings we have an opportunity to prove
God and to test God as to whether He will give us sufficiency in all
things or not. So brethren at this time we’ll pause and take up the
offering and we thank you for it and know that it will be put to
very good use.
(Pause)
Now on this first day of the Feast of Tabernacles we’re going to
cover many aspects and many meanings of the Feast of Tabernacles. And as
we’ve learned through the years, there are so many meanings to the Feast
of Tabernacles that it just sort of grows and multiplies and paints a
tremendous picture. And what we really need to understand is this: that
the Bible, in effect is really a story about the meaning of the Feast of
Tabernacles. It is also a history of the meaning of God in dealing with
His people. Now when He created Adam and Eve, He put them where? He
put them in the garden of Eden. A perfect setting—no sin, everything
was wonderful, everything was great! And God was with them. They lived
with God in the garden of Eden. So God is able to appear as an ordinary
human being whenever He desires to, so they were able to talk with God,
walk with God, until they sinned. And the whole story of Adam and Eve in
the garden of Eden is the whole story of man with God—which is this: you
cannot dwell with God and live in sin. And God is not going to abrogate
His laws just so people feel happy in their sins and their
self-righteousness. It isn’t going to happen.
So after they sinned they were cast out of the garden of Eden, the
dwelling of God. Now they had to make it on their own. And the whole
plan of God is the restoration from that time clear down to the end as
fulfilled in the book of Revelation. So in these things we begin in the
beginning and we end up in the end. And those things always happen. Then
we have the time, especially for us when we come down all through the
time past the patriarchs before the flood, through Noah’s time and then
the story picks up again with Abraham—with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And
let’s understand something that is true: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were
heirs to the promise. They even lived in the “promised land,” but it was
not theirs. God had not given possession of it to them.
So let’s come here to Hebrews 11 and let’s understand something that
is also true. In order to keep the commandments of God it takes
faith. It takes faith to keep the commandments. It takes faith
to keep the Passover. It takes faith to keep the Feast of Unleavened
Bread and Pentecost and Trumpets and Atonement and the Feast of
Tabernacles and the Last Great Day. It takes no faith whatsoever to not
keep any day or to keep Sunday, a day which God never commanded; or to
keep the holidays of this world, which God never commanded. It takes no
faith, everybody does it. See, those who love God and keep His
commandments are not of this world—though we live in the
world. Just like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They lived in the “promised
land” as sojourners, they didn’t own it yet—just the promise. And of
course, that promise expands out to the whole world as we find there in
Romans, the fourth chapter.
So let’s come to Hebrews 11 and let’s read about Abraham. “By
faith”—all of these are by faith and the thing that is important is
this: Just like James says: “You show me your faith with your works and
I’ll show you my faith with my works.” Because each has works one way or
the other. So works follow faith and faith sustains works.
They go hand-in-hand. Now, let’s pick it up here in Hebrews 11:8—why did
Abraham do the things that he did. Now, let’s just also understand this,
though Abraham had a large household, he and Sara were alone as far as a
relationship with God. Yes, he governed all those who were his servants
that lived with him, according to the laws and statutes and commandments
of God—that is true. But they were alone. So we need to realize and
understand this: If you have to serve God alone, by yourself,
that’s better than standing in the congregation of the wicked.
And that’s what Abraham had to do.
Hebrews 11:8, FV: “By faith Abraham, being called of
God to go out into the place which he would later receive for an
inheritance… [and he still hasn’t received it yet] …obeyed and went, not
knowing where he was going…. [And just like us, today who would ever
thought that we would be where we are today, doing what we are today and
following God by faith and keeping His commandments? None of us!
So the same thing applies to us today.] …By faith he sojourned in the
land of promise, like a foreigner, dwelling in tabernacles… [So their
very life, in living in the tabernacles and tents was a precursor of the
coming Feast of Tabernacles, and the meaning of the Feast of
Tabernacles.] (Now notice): …dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and
Jacob… [because the truth is, that Abraham lived long enough to see the
birth of Jacob. Isn’t that something!] …the joint heirs of the same
promise; For he was waiting for the city… [now where do we find the city
of God, New Jerusalem, listed? Revelation 20, 21,& 22, correct?
Yes. So this goes clear to the end. God is going to finish and
complete His plan. And the Feast of Tabernacles is a giant step in
completing and finishing the plan of God. So he was waiting for the
city] …with the foundations of which God is the Architect
and Builder” (vs 8-10). See because everything that man does is
temporary, because we’re flesh, we’re of the dust of the earth. And
everything that we do is temporary, though it may last for centuries.
Now you can see on the History Channel about the underground cities.
In other words, the cities which have been built upon the old city and
all the ancient parts of Rome, ancient parts of Istanbul, ancient parts
of London and so forth, ancient parts of Paris—they all have tunnels and
they all have graves and they all have things that are buried
underneath—and it just shows the temporariness of man. That’s why God is
going to give us eternal life. That’s why the rule of God is going to be
forever, you see. “…waiting for the city with the
foundations of which God is the Architect and Builder”—now that’s
a tremendous thing for us to understand and realize.
Now, when it comes down, after Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and then the
children of Israel. And then after God sent Moses to bring them out of
the land of Israel, God led them and brought them out, and brought them
to Mt. Sinai. And there God, we know, gave the Ten Commandments and then
the statutes and the judgments and they sealed the covenant with the
sacrifices and the offerings, Moses sprinkling half of the blood upon
the book of the law and half the blood upon the people, and the covenant
was signed, sealed and delivered. And now God began to reveal what He
was going to do, why He was going to do it and it all has to do with
dwelling with His people.
See, God created us to live with Him! That’s what God
intended. So God wanted to dwell among the children of Israel. And so,
God told Moses, in giving the instructions for the tabernacle. And of
course, the tabernacle, as we will see, was where God put His presence.
So He gave the instructions to Moses. And He told him, “Everyone to
bring a gift.” You see, God has it so that we
participate in His plan. We’re just not passive, sitting on the
side and everything is funneled to us. No, he expects us to
participate in it. That’s why He had them walk all the way to Mt.
Sinai to get the Ten Commandments and the laws and statutes and all of
the things which would govern Israel. So after that, here’s what God
told Moses when he went up on the mount and was there forty days and
forty nights to receive the instructions. And I just want to make a very
important point here because this will come in later, that no one
is going to build a tabernacle or a temple for God unless God gives them
the plans. Very important to understand.
So let’s pick it up here, Exodus 25, and let’s see the participation:
• God wants us to work.
• God wants us to participate.
• God wants us to do.
• God wants us to believe.
• God wants us to have faith.
And so, we see it all in action here, Exodus 25:1, KJV: “And
the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel,
that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly
with his heart ye shall take my offering…. [So God commands an offering,
but we decide what we are going to do and how much. And even in this
particular case, the offering had to be defined, because it was for a
specific purpose.] …And this is the offering which ye shall take
of them; gold, and silver, and brass, And blue, and purple, and scarlet,
and fine linen, and goats’ hair, And rams’ skins dyed red, and
badgers’ skins… [instead of badger because badgers are unclean, so God
would not have any unclean thing on the tabernacle, so this is ‘tanned
leather skins’ is the way it should be translated.] …and shittim wood,
Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense, Onyx
stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate. And
let them make me a sanctuary… [Very interesting. For what
purpose? See, for what purpose? God has created us. God has given
us all these things. And, as God said back there in Isaiah 66: ‘Where’s
the house that you’re going to build for Me? For all these things My
hands have made.’ And God looks to the one with ‘a broken heart and
contrite spirit.’ So here we have the same principle, right? You bring a
willing offering from the heart. And that’s the same way we need to do
today. Whatever we do we do from the heart, willingly. Not
just in bringing and offering or tithes or anything like that. But
everything we do, we do it willingly and from the heart.] (now notice):
…that I may dwell among them” (vs 1-8). Was God’s desire in the
beginning to dwell with Adam and Eve, correct? He put them in the garden
of Eden, yes! God wants to dwell with His people. God wants to bless His
people. And we’ll see how that applies to us today.
Now, let’s come here to the end of the book of Exodus. After all the
trials and difficulties they had, because they wanted to go their own
way and rebelled and sinned and made the golden calf and then all the
trouble that happened there. After that was all taken care of then they
went ahead and they built the tabernacle. They made everything according
to the instructions of God and then Moses began to set up the tabernacle
and the tent of the congregation on the first day of the first month of
the second year that they were in the wilderness. After everything was
done, it was all set up, then Moses dedicated it, according to the
instructions of God. Then Moses anointed Aaron according to the
instructions of God and put on Him the priestly garments and then they
set aside all the Levites to serve and everything like that. And after
it was set up, let’s come here to Exodus 40:17—so that it would be known
that God was there, because He said He wanted to dwell among His people.
That He would put His name there. That His presence would be there and,
of course, all during the Exodus what did we have? We had the pillar
of cloud by day and the fire by night. Now I want you to remember
that because this becomes important when we answer the question
tomorrow: What kind of temple will there be during the millennium? So
that’s just to get you to come back tomorrow. (Just kidding!)
“And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the
first day of the month,
that the tabernacle was reared up” (Ex. 40:17, KJV). Then he
went through and did everything and dedicated it, got it all ready to
go, everything was all set. Then when it was all done: verse 33: “And he
reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up
the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work.” Very
interesting, isn’t it? Christ has a work that He is doing and He is
going to finish it. Now, verse 34: “Then a cloud covered the tent of the
congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle…. [In
other words they saw the cloud come right down and fill the tabernacle.]
…And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation,
because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the
tabernacle” (v 35). What a spectacular event!
Now, let me ask you a question: If you saw something as spectacular
as this, would it really impress you so thoroughly that you would always
be in love and fear of God and never go out and grossly sin again?
Well, the answer is—through the Bible—probably not. If you did you
would be a rare person indeed! Because the children of Israel saw this.
Remember, they saw the fire and the flame, the cloud on Mt. Sinai.
They heard the voice of God.
But did it stop them from sinning? Did it inspire them to want to love
God and keep His commandments? Well, it should have, but you see, things
become “old hat” after a while. And so, you know the rest of the story,
what happened throughout all the wilderness for the 38 years. He even
brought them to the promised land and said, “Go up!” But they said, “Oh,
no, can’t do it, the enemies too tough for us.” So He said, “All right,
it’ll be another 38-1/2 years total 40 years, and I’ll bring the next
generation in.” So here we have a spectacular event! Moses was not even
able to enter in. Now you think of that. Here they had all the tribes of
Israel around whenever they were in a place, stationary place, here’s
the tabernacle of God and there’s the cloud in the day time and the fire
by night right over the tabernacle. And you could look from your tent
right in and look over and see, yes, there it is. God’s presence
is there! And Moses goes there to talk with God. Amazing!
So, likewise today. That’s why today we need the Spirit of God and we
need the faith of God to remain faithful, and to always walk in God’s
way.
Well, continuing on here: “And when the cloud was taken up from over
the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their
journeys: But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not
till the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of the LORD was
upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of
all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys” (vs 36-38). My!
Very inspiring. And every five years I promise that I will bring the
video on the tabernacle of God and when I do it again, I’ll redo it with
a new one because we’re switching to DVD’s, as you know, by this Feast.
All right, let’s continue on. Now, let’s come to 2 Samuel 7 and let’s
see what happened. The children of Israel finally made it into the
“promised land,” God finally gave them rest from all of their enemies
through raising up David. David became king—first king over all Israel
and Judah—and God blessed him, gave him rest from his enemies and he was
able to bring the Ark of the Covenant from Obed-edom and made a tent
right close to his house where he had different of the Levites and so
forth to attend the tabernacle. If you want more information on that you
can get the sermon that I did recently: The Tabernacle of David.
But, let’s come here to 2 Samuel 7:1 and let’s see that now another
phase concerning God dwelling with His people was about ready to take
place. And it was because it was in David’s heart. Now remember, this
was before David sinned the great sin with Bathsheba. So 2
Samuel 7:1, KJV—this is right after the Ark was brought up: “And
it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given
him rest round about from all his enemies; That the king said unto
Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark
of God dwelleth within curtains…. [Isn’t that amazing. The great God,
Who created the heavens, created the earth, everything that there is in,
He dwelled in a tent.] … And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that
is
in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee. And it came to pass
that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying, Go and
tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house
for me to dwell in?… [What man is going to build for God? Is that
possible? Quite a thought he had in his heart.] …Whereas I have not
dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children
of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and
in a tabernacle” (vs 1-6). Great meaning. But also this shows the
humility of God, does it not? Is it the power of God that’s so important
to Him? Is it the creating of everything that He leans upon and says,
“Behold I’ve done this.” He does that to show and impress men; but what
is the most important thing for God? To dwell with His people!
See, that’s why during the Feast of Tabernacles we need to be filled
with the Spirit of God. We need to be yielded to God; growing in grace
and knowledge; understanding the things that we need to do;
rejoice that God dwells with us! And as we’re going to see a
little later, within us! So he said, continuing, verse 7:
“In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of
Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded
to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar?
Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the
LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote… [he was the eighth son of
Jesse. He wasn’t even there among the sons, the other seven, to be
considered to be king. And you read there in 1 Samuel 16 how they all
came by and Samuel kept saying in his heart, ‘Oh, this has got to be the
one that the Lord has chosen.’ And God said, ‘No, this is not the one.’
So he went through it two times and finally he said, ‘Jesse, are all
your children here?’ ‘Oh no, the youngest one is out tending the sheep.’
He said, ‘Go bring him in, he’s the one that God has chosen.’ Now, it’s
interesting that He selected someone who had been a shepherd to shepherd
His people. So you can even draw quite a few analogies and lessons from
that. But anyway, God is talking to him and said]: …from following the
sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel… [God made the choice.]
…And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all
thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like
unto the name of the great
men that are in the earth” (vs 7-9).
Now you see, let’s just ask all of ourselves another question here,
because it’s awfully hard to do, which is this: If God blesses you
greatly, regardless of what it is, can we still remain humble to God?
And not get all lifted up in vanity and get lifted up in pride and think
how great we are? And always remember this: Remember the pride of
Nebuchadnezzar when he stood up and said, “I’ve built me this great
Babylon.” Of course he already had the vision of what was going to
happen to him. So when he stood up and said that, the vision was
fulfilled and he was turned over for seven years to be as a beast, to
eat the grass of the field and to have the dew of heaven come upon him.
And they didn’t even cut his fingernails or his hair—for seven years—to
show that “God rules in the kingdoms of men and gives it over to
whomsoever He wills and sets up over it the basest of men.”
So here’s David. God said, “I’ve been with you wherever you’ve gone.
I given you a great name and I’ve defeated all of your enemies; made you
what you are. Verse 10: “Moreover I will appoint a place for my people
Israel, and will plant them… [that’s a prophecy of the ten tribes of
Israel going to their modern possessions that we have today.] …that they
may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the
children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime, And as
since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people
Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also
the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house” (vs
10-11). See, the thing is, what great thing can a man do for God? The
answer is: NOTHING! The greatest thing you can do for God is
to love God, to serve Him, to keep His commandments, to let Him mold you
and build you into what He desires. He told David: “I’m going to build
you a house.” And then he said, verse 12: “And when thy days be
fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed
after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels [or loins], and I will
establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will
stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever” (vs 12-13). Then of course,
that is IF he would love God and follow His commandments. We’ve talked
enough about Solomon so we’re not going to dwell on it, but what we’re
going to do is this: We’re going to see what happened after the house
was built.
Let’s come to 2 Chronicles, the fifth chapter—and remember, always
remember this: It’s not—as I gave a sermon on it recently—it’s not how
your start, but it’s how you finish. And of course, look at how great
that Solomon started—as I covered in the sermon there. But nevertheless,
let’s continue on here—2 Chronicles, the fifth chapter, and let’s see
what happened after the temple was built, everything was dedicated, all
the priests were in order, everything was there for the official
ceremony of dedicating the temple. Now in this case it happened at the
beginning of the seventh month; and they had from the first day of the
seventh month—the first seven days they had dedication of the temple.
Then they took time off for a covering between the seventh day until the
beginning of the fifteenth day of the seventh month, and of course then
they didn’t have feasting during Atonement. Then they had the Feast of
Tabernacles. We’ll see all of that here. So, isn’t it interesting that
this is a type of fulfillment of the return of Jesus on the day of
Trumpets. So everything was all ready. The Levites were there.
Let’s pick it up here in verse 12 (2 Chron. 5, KJV): “Also the
Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman,
of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in
white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east
end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding
with trumpets:)… [So this was a
spectacular event. The temple was finished and built according
to the plans that God gave to Solomon. And everything was set in order.]
…It came even to pass… [Now you see, there are times when they did
please God and God fulfilled His will to them—when they loved God and
kept His commandments.] …as the trumpeters and singers were as
one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD;
and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals
and instruments of music, and praised the LORD, saying, For he
is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then
the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD…
[Just like the tabernacle, to show that God put His presence there. Now
later, the Jews referred to this as the Shekhinah or the presence of
God.
So God filled it with His presence there.] …So that the priests could
not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD
had filled the house of God” (vs 12-14).
Now imagine, here’s the beautiful temple, here’s the whole area all
around, and here are the other altars that were there for burning of
burnt offerings, so the people could rejoice in the Feast of
Tabernacles. And here, on the very first day, this spectacular event
took place. Now just stop and think. What would your reaction have been
if you were out there and saw this? You would know that God is with you.
You would know that God was there. Yes indeed! So then Solomon began his
long prayer. Quite a long prayer and quite a wonderful thing that took
place. And so, you read the whole prayer of Solomon and all the way
through it’s a plea to God concerning His people. “If
your people” do this, then do this. And “if they sin and they
return to You and repent” then forgive their sin. And “help them always
to look to this place.” And this was such a place that God said that He
would put His name there and He would dwell there forever IF the
people kept His commandments and loved Him and served Him. And
eventually that’s going to be fulfilled, as we know, through the Feast
of Tabernacles and the meaning of it.
Now let’s see what happened after Solomon got done with this powerful
and meaningful prayer. 2 Chronicles 7:1, KJV: “Now when Solomon
had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed
the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled
the house.” Amazing, spectacular thing! It happened a second
time. Now, you go back and you think about this: When did this happen
before? Well, this happened when God gave the promises of the
covenant to Abraham, right? With the sacrifices that were given
there. Fire came down from heaven and devoured them, correct? Yes!
When did that happen another time? It was later, during the days of
Elijah when there was a confrontation between Elijah—who was the
only prophet of God—and all the prophets of Baal,
450, and all of the priests of the house of Baal. So they made the
offering, God didn’t answer. But when Elijah set everything in order and
put his sacrifice on there and then poured the water on three times so
that it ran all over every place. And imagine this: After three and half
years of drought, they would take the water and do that, and Elijah made
a very simple prayer, he said, “Oh Lord God, let it be known today that
You are God in Israel and hear and answer my prayer.” And what happened?
Bang! Fire came down from heaven, consumed the sacrifice, consumed all
the wood, all the stones and there was just a pile of ashes left. Then
the people of Israel, who always vacillate between who’s God and who’s
not God. They said, “Oh, the Lord, He’s God! He’s God!” So here we have
a very similar thing. So this is quite a great and marvelous thing that
took place.
Now, let’s come over here to verse 8 (2 Chron. 7) so we get the time
setting. “Also at the same time Solomon kept the feast seven days, and
all Israel with him, a very great congregation, from the entering in of
Hamath unto the river of Egypt. And in the eighth day they made a solemn
assembly: for they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the
feast seven days. And on the three and twentieth day of the seventh
month he sent the people away into their tents, glad and merry in heart
for the goodness that the LORD had showed unto David, and to Solomon,
and to Israel his people. Thus Solomon finished the house of the LORD,
and the king’s house: and all that came into Solomon’s heart to make in
the house of the LORD, and in his own house, he prosperously effected”
(vs 8-11). So that was quite a thing. And after that God was
pleased. Listen, when we do the things that please God, He is
right there all the time. So we need to realize this—let’s ask ourselves
the question: Can we concentrate on doing the things that please God?
And can we please God? Yes!
Now notice what happened here. Verse 12—God was so inspired, see,
because men can inspire God with love and a right attitude and humility.
“And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have
heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of
sacrifice. If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command
the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and
pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I
hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer
that is made in this place. For now have I chosen and sanctified
this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine
heart shall be there perpetually. And as for thee, if thou wilt walk
before me, as David thy father walked [I will bless you.] (vs 12-17).
Well, you know the rest of the story. Solomon couldn’t handle it.
Solomon became corrupt and God divided the kingdom. Now, we’re going to
see how God chose to resolve the problem.
(Break)
Now let’s continue on for the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles,
2007 and let’s see how God was going to solve the problem. And we will
see that that begins, first of all, with Christ. That begins with what
God was going to do through Him. Because remember, there was the
prophecy back in Deuteronomy 18 that God would “raise up a prophet like
unto Moses” and Him everyone was to listen to. So this what we have in
the book John. Now, let’s come to the book of John and let’s see how God
began to solve the problem, and what God is doing now to solve the
problem. And we’re going to see that the physical building—because when
Christ came the second temple was still there—and the physical
building does not make anyone righteous! That’s the whole key.
And as we will see, without the truth of God, the Spirit of God, no one
can be righteous and the problem cannot be solved, unless it is solved
God’s way.
So that’s why John starts out his gospel the way he did: “In the
beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”
(John 1:1, FV). And so, one of Elohim became Jesus Christ, born
of the virgin Mary, and was made flesh. Now let’s come down here to
verse 14: “And the Word became flesh, and
tabernacled among us… [So God chose the way to solve the problem
was to become a human being with the same human nature that we have and
to dwell among men and to bring the message of God directly to men from
the Son of God, Who was a man.] …tabernacled among us… [That means He
dwelled temporarily among us. And so here’s the meaning of the Feast of
Tabernacles. Even in Jesus’ life. So, as I said, there are many meanings
to the Feast of Tabernacles. And, as we’ll see a little bit more of
this--.] …(and we ourselves beheld His glory, the glory as of
the only begotten with the Father), full of grace and truth.”
Now, let’s come to Romans, the eighth chapter. Hold your place here
in the Gospel of John, the first chapter, and let’s come to Romans, the
eighth chapter, and let’s see how profound this was in God sending
Christ in the way that He did. So, let’s pick it up here. Romans 8:3,
FV—What did God do voluntarily take upon Himself in the person of
Jesus Christ: “For what was impossible for the law to do…” You
see, because the law without the Holy Spirit, the law without having the
spiritual means to keep the spiritual law, and the law could not compel
anyone to do anything. The law stated what was right, what was wrong,
but the law of itself had no power. And the flesh “was weak”—so in
trying to follow the law, the weakness of the flesh would always
overcome. So to solve that problem, Christ was sent. “For what was
impossible for the law to do in that it was weak through the flesh
through the flesh, God, having sent His own Son in the likeness
of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh; In order that
the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who are not
walking according to the flesh, but according to
the Spirit” (v 4). So now, in order to solve the problem, God was
going to change where He dwelt. So He dwelt and tabernacled among men,
and made the truth and grace of God known.
Now, let’s come back to the Gospel of John 1:15, FV: “John
testified concerning Him, and proclaimed, saying, ‘This was He of Whom I
said, “He Who comes after me has precedence over me because He was
before me….”’ [Meaning that John understood that this was God in the
flesh Who came and existed before he did.] …And of His fullness we have
all received… [now this is John writing] …and grace upon grace…. [and we
need that grace and it is only through grace that we are saved; and it
is only through grace and the love of God that we grow and overcome. And
let’s see how that fits in to solving the problem and God dwelling with
His people.] (verse 17): …For the law was given through Moses, but
the grace and the truth came through Jesus Christ.”
And so now, when Jesus began His ministry—let’s come here to chapter
two and let’s see what happened, because the first place that Jesus went
to officially was to the temple. So let’s pick it up here in John
2:13, FV: “Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went
up to Jerusalem…. [Now He was the Lord God Who gave all the commandments
to build the temple. And even in the book of Ezekiel, the plans that
were given there were the plans to build the second temple. The Lord God
became Jesus Christ. So He came to the temple where He had put His name.
He had not yet removed His name from there. But it was destined to be
removed because of the sins of the people. And it was destined to be
removed so that God’s dwelling would no longer be at the temple, but
God’s dwelling would be some place else. And God’s dwelling would be
where it would be effective to do and complete what God wanted it to do.
So the first place He went was to the temple.] …And He found in the
temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money
exchangers sitting there… [So they had made the place a house of
merchandise and there was a lot of haggling and bargaining and lying and
cheating going on right there at the temple of God where God placed His
name. Because you see, God had not given His Holy Spirit to those
people. And the weakness was in the flesh, so Jesus came so that the
weakness of the flesh could be overcome by the power of the Spirit of
God within us.] …And after making a scourge of cords, He drove them all
out of the temple… [because He owned it; He was boss of it; He was Lord
of it, correct?] …with both the sheep and the oxen; and He poured
out the coins of the money exchangers, and overturned the tables” (vs
13-15). And after reading that I always think, you know, what it would
have been like throwing over all the tables of money and coins going
everywhere and the money exchangers going, “Oh! Oh! Where’s my money?
Where’s my money? Oh!” and those tending to the offerings and
everything, “Oh, look the sheep and the oxen are gone! The turtledoves
are gone! What’s going to happen here? Who is this Guy coming in and
overthrowing everything? Who does He think He is?” Now He did it again
at the end of His ministry as we find just before He was arrested and so
forth.
So notice what He said. He said, “to those who were selling the
doves, ‘Take these things out of here! Do not make My Father’s house a
house of merchandise’” (v 16). Wow! Nothing like this had ever happened.
So the “Jews, they answered and said to Him, ‘What sign do You show to
us seeing that You do these things?’” (v 18). Now Jesus always had a way
of answering the question which answered it, but didn’t answer it the
way that they wanted, and answer it in a way that they could understand.
So. “Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three
days I will raise it up’” (v 19). Now they were thinking of the physical
temple here, the one that Herod, who was half Jew and half Edomite,
decided he was going to improve and glorify the second temple. “Then the
Jews said, ‘This temple was forty-six years in building, and You will
raise it up in three days?’ But He spoke concerning the temple of His
body” (v 20). Now, that’s very interesting isn’t it? Because we’ll talk
about the body of Christ, relationship to a temple, relationship to us,
because we will see that is a solution.
Now even the disciples, who saw this going on, it took them over
three years before they understood it. Now here’s a lesson for us. The
things we know and understand, we know and understand. The things
we don’t know and understand, don’t worry about it because there will
come a day when we will understand. So notice: “Therefore, when He was
raised from
the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them;
and they believed the Scriptures, and the word that Jesus had spoken” (v
22). Quite a thing! This was also a prophecy of the destruction of the
temple as well. Now, verse 23: “Now when He was in Jerusalem at the
Passover, during the feast, many believed on His name, as they observed
the miracles that He was doing. But Jesus did not entrust Himself to
them, because He knew all
men” (v 24). See He entrusted Himself to God the Father, Who is holy
and righteous and perfect—not to men! Men are fallible,
men sin, even the best. And what man is there that does not sin? So this
is why we need our sins forgiven every day. “And He did not need anyone
to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man” (v 25).
Why? Because He put it there! Yes, He put the “law of sin and
death” within man beginning with Adam and Eve—passed on by inheritance
to us.
Now God is going to do something great. Now God is going to change
the circumstances and He’s going to change the place in which He dwells.
And He’s going to open up a way so that His spiritual temple can be
built. Now we know that the last warning that the Jews received was from
Stephen, who was called in before the Sanhedrin. And He said, “You
uncircumcised in heart and mind, you always resist the Holy Spirit of
God.” Now we’re going to see that God is going to change His dwelling
place, because the temple was destined to be destroyed. And it is
recorded that the Jews had a warning. For many years there was one
prophet, who for many years went through Jerusalem saying, “God is going
to destroy the temple. God is going to destroy the temple!” And then
came one night, on the night shift with the priests, in 66 A.D. just
before the Romans started invading, the priests heard a voice which
said, “Let us remove from here.” And they saw the glory, the Shekhinah
of God, go up out of the temple and then they saw chariots of war over
the Mt. of Olives circling, circling, circling, until the day that the
temple was destroyed.
But, God had already made a plan and was working the plan as to what
He was going to do. And Jesus told His disciples about it. Let’s come
here to John 15. Now let’s see where God is going to dwell, because the
whole theme of the Bible is: Where is God going to dwell? It started out
with Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. And then God said, even to
David, when he wanted to build the temple, “I’ve always dwelt in a tent
[transcriber’s correction—not temple (see pg. 6, 2 Sam. 7:6)] or a
tabernacle. And then the temple was a great failure because of man,
beginning with Solomon. And it was destroyed in 586 B.C. and then they
came back and rebuilt it and then destroyed it in 70 A.D., never to be
built again. God is not going to rebuild the same temple during the
millennium. You’re going to be absolutely amazed what the house of God
is going to look like—because it’s right there in the Scriptures,
believe it or not. And it’s going to be some dwelling!
Let’s pick it up right here in the beginning of John 15, because this
is also part of the covenant that God makes with us. Now remember, God
made a covenant with David, with Solomon, for the building of the temple
didn’t He? Yes. And He said, “IF”—then He would bless. Now let’s
come here to John 15 and let’s see this, because this extends, not just
for the Passover time—though this was given on the night of the
Passover—but this extends on all the time that God is doing and working
with down through all the time until Christ returns again. And this is a
precursor, a type of what God desires. And also a way that God is going
to build His spiritual house, and God is going to complete His plan. So
let’s begin right here in John 15:1, FV: “‘I am the true vine,
and My Father is the husbandman. He takes away every branch in Me
that does not bear fruit… [so we need to bear fruit] …but He
cleanses… [or purges—‘kathairo’] …each one that bears fruit, in order
that it may bear more fruit…. [So look at it this way: every trial and
difficulty that you go through, look at it as a pruning from God that
you can bear more spiritual fruit.] (now notice, verse 3): …You are
already clean through the word that I have spoken to you…” (vs 1-3).
Just put in your margin Ephesians 5:26, ‘by the washing of the water of
the word.’ That’s why Bible study is so important, because
it has an effect upon your mind, to keep it in the right
direction. And another profound thing to always remember is this:
Spiritual knowledge cannot be retained in the physical brain.
And with the spirit of man coupled with the Spirit of God it must be
renewed and renewed and renewed and renewed—and that comes through
personal prayer and Bible study—daily; and that comes through Sabbath
and Holy Day keeping—weekly and yearly—that we are renewed.
Human beings are that way. Now, if you don’t believe that that is
true, think about those who have left the Sabbath and left the Holy
Days, and have gone all the way back into the world; and even come to
the point that they now affirm—even in the Journal, which is
supposed to be informational for the Churches of God—that “we really
didn’t intend to, but now we believe that God has abolished all of His
laws.” How long does spiritual knowledge stay in a physical mind? It
can’t, unless it is renewed. Because it is to be living, it is to be
growing, it is to be active. And God then gives us the greatest, the
greatest strength and power and information to grow and change and
overcome. Now notice, verse 4: “Dwell in Me, and I in you.” That’s
how God solves the problem today. And amazing thing, isn’t it?
Hold your place here and come to 2 Corinthians 6, and let’s see what
even Paul wrote—very important. And this will help us to understand,
brethren. This is why as I’ve said before, you cannot solve spiritual
problems with political means. Or you cannot solve spiritual problems
with carnal means. Let’s also put that that way. This is why God has
called us. This is why, with the Spirit of God, through repentance and
baptism and the circumcision of the heart and the mind, we receive the
Holy Spirit of God. But there has to come a division between the
world and between God’s people. And we can’t be lukewarm and be dabbling
our hands and feet in the world and expect not to be burned.
Now let’s come down here to 2 Corinthians 6:11, FV: “O you
Corinthians!… [And boy, if we’re not living in a Corinthian age I don’t
know (chuckles)—think about that! Yes!] …Our mouths have been opened to
you, and our hearts have been enlarged toward you. You are not
suppressed by us, but you are restricted in your own hearts…. [And how
many people have restricted their own hearts with unbelief, and with
bitterness and with bad memories and things like this.] (verse 13): …Now
in return for our ministry to you (I am speaking to you as to
children), you should also enlarge your hearts toward us…. [What
caused them the problems? The false prophets. The false teachers. The
carnality. The viewing of things politically.] (so he says, verse
14): …Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers…. [Now here comes the
separation.] …For what do righteousness and lawlessness have in
common?… [See, you can’t be double-minded. Anyone who is double-minded
is ‘unstable in their ways’ and they don’t grow and they don’t overcome;
and they become disgruntled and, sooner or later, leave—because they
haven’t made this commitment.] …And what fellowship does light
have with darkness? And what union does Christ have
with Belial? Or what part does a believer have with an
unbeliever? And what agreement is there between a temple of God
and idols?… [So you see, God has called us. We were called, selected,
chosen and special to God. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you
are or what you are. It matters what is your standing before God and God
calling you, because He’s called you for most magnificent thing to
fulfill the Feast of Tabernacles, personally and individually in our
lives.] (Notice): …For you are a temple of the
living God… [YOU! ME! All the saints everywhere are a
mini-tabernacle of God. And what did He do in the tabernacle?
He put His Spirit in it! What does He do with us? He puts His
Spirit IN us,
correct?] (now notice): …exactly as God said: ‘I will dwell in them and
walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My
people’” (vs 11-16).
That’s how God solves the problem, and this is the meaning of the
Feast of Tabernacles for us. God is dwelling in us by His Spirit. God
the Father has begotten us with the begettal of eternal life. And God
delights to dwell in His people. Now, just like there were conditions
that were given to the children of Israel and Solomon when the temple
was built, for God dwelling there, there are conditions for us that God
continues to dwell with us. The problem is not with God if anything goes
wrong, the problem is with our human nature, you see. And God is there
to help us, to purge us, to lift us out of it. So therefore—here’s a
warning (verse 17): “‘Therefore, come out from the midst of them and be
separate,’ says the Lord, ‘and touch not the unclean, and
I will receive you; And I shall be a Father to you, and you shall be My
sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty” (vs 17-18). Now
that’s the solution to it.
Each one of us, as we keep the Feast of Tabernacles is, with the
Spirit of God living in us, a walking, breathing, tabernacle for the
Spirit of God. We don’t have to dwell in booths. We don’t have to dwell
in tents. Some people have said, “What if I build a booth out in my
backyard because I can’t go to the Feast of Tabernacles, would it be all
right to build a booth.” But of course! But, if you don’t have the
Spirit of God in you, building the booth won’t do you any good. You’ve
got to let Christ be in you.
Now, 2 Corinthians 7:1, FV: “Now then, beloved, since we have
these promises, we should purge ourselves from every defilement of
the flesh and the spirit, perfecting holiness in
the fear of God.” So there is the whole description of how then
we live. And, as we are going to see, how then we can please God and how
we can do the things that God delights in, that He can pour His Spirit
out to us as mini-tabernacles. Just like He put His Spirit in the temple
and put His Spirit in the tabernacle in the wilderness. Now maybe you’ve
never thought about it that way. But this is really the meaning of the
Feast of Tabernacles for each one of us individually.
God has a work and plan that He is doing for each one of us, and it
is so important that He has chosen to dwell in us!
Now what I want you to do is think on that and then think about what’s
important in the world. Now, really, nothing!
Now come back to John 15:4, FV: “Dwell in Me, and I in you.
As a branch cannot bear fruit of itself, but only if it remains in the
vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you are dwelling
in Me…. [Unless we are tabernacling in Christ and Christ is tabernacling
in us, we cannot bring forth any fruit, any character, that is going to
last unto eternal life.] …I am the vine, and you are
the branches…. [Christ is the Head of the Church, as we’ll see a little
later.] …The one who is dwelling in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit;
because apart from Me you can do nothing…. [That is nothing
spiritually. Oh, you can do things. But really, when you stop and
think about it, this is a true statement, because Who gave you life in
the first place? Who gives you breath every time you breathe? God
does! So apart from God you can literally do nothing.] …If anyone
does not dwell in Me, he is cast out as a branch, and is dried up; and
men gather them and cast them into a fire, and they are burned….
[Now, we’ve seen that happen. We haven’t seen the lake of fire yet, but
that’s coming. And it’s so important to God that He wants it done the
right way. Now if people reject Him then, hey, they have an opportunity
to repent. But if it comes to the end of their life and they haven’t
done it, then they’ve made their decision. They have judged themselves.]
(Now notice verse 7, and notice how this is very similar to what we read
concerning Solomon and God dwelling in the temple): …If you dwell in Me…
[Now we’re the “if” part, not God] …and My words dwell in you… [so we
need both; if you’re dwelling in Christ and Christ is dwelling in you
and if His words dwell in you—because ‘man shall not live by bread alone
but by every word of God’] …you shall ask whatever you desire, and it
shall come to pass for you…. [And the thing we ought to desire is
eternal life and to make it to the resurrection. Everything else is
subordinate to that. And God isn’t going to give us what we want, to
fulfill our lusts, our desires, our selfishness. He’s going to give us
whatever we need to finish the course for eternal life. That’s what He’s
going to give us, you see.] …In this is My Father glorified, that you
bear much fruit; so shall you be My disciples. As the Father has loved
Me, I also have loved you; live in My love” (vs 4-9).
So we’re to dwell in Him and dwell in His love, or live in His love—constantly.
And all you have to do is just take that one verse, examine your own
life and see what’s happening in the Church and realize, brethren, we
are all falling so short that we really need to wake up. And really need
to take advantage of what God will give to us if we repent and return to
Him. Christ is dwelling in us. We are that living tabernacle.
And we’ll see that a little bit later, here.
Verse 10—so here we have the second “IF”: “If you keep My
commandments, you shall live in My love… [so He tells us how to do it]
…just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and live in His love.
These things I have spoken to you, in order that My joy may dwell in
you, and
that your joy may be full…. [And remember what it was said there of
the Feast of Tabernacles when the temple was dedicated, they were all
joyful and left happy and in great gladness? Yes! Now, that’s
what it is to be for us.
So let’s just do another thing: While we’re here at the Feast of
Tabernacles, let’s forget all about the troubles, whatever any of us may
have and put them away. And then after we’re done with the Feast of
Tabernacles and have grown in grace and knowledge during this time, come
back and look at the problems and I will guarantee you you’ll have a
different perspective of them, and you will be able to handle them.
Now, let’s continue here. “This is My commandment: that you love one
another, as I have loved you” (v 12). Now let’s understand this. Let me
just say clearly: Stop your fighting. Stop your arguing and quarrelling.
Stop your hatred and suspicions toward brethren. And even if they have
problems, and even if they are false brethren, God will help them take
care of their problems or reveal the false brethren that they may go.
So stop your fighting! Stop your arguing! Now we have to
stand for truth. We have to stand for right doctrine. But we also better
stand for love. And we also better stand for doing the things that
please God, which we can do as we’ll see here in just a little bit.
“This is My commandment”—do you believe Christ? “That you love one
another as I have loved you.” Now then, He wants to make it clear. No
one, no one, no one has really done anything for God. Just like God told
David: “Are you going to build a house for Me?” He said, “No, I’m going
to build a house for you.”
So likewise here. “No one has greater love than this: that one lay
down his life for his friends. You are My friends, if you do whatever I
command you” (vs 13-14). Did not Jesus lay His life down for each one of
us? For you, for me, for all the brethren of God? All down through
history? Yes, He did. He wants us to understand that. That He has
done the greatest, so that He may dwell in you—and the Father may dwell
in you. So He says: “No longer do I call you servants, because the
servant does not know what his master is doing. But I have called you
friends because I have made known to you all the things that I
have heard from My Father” (v 15). And think about all the things of the
plan of God that we know. And brethren, the world doesn’t know it. Now,
I just might mention here: that there have got to be people on the
internet who are doing Google search and who are asking the question:
What is the plan of God? Now the reason I mention this is because
through York Publishing we do sell books on Amazon.com and we’re getting
a smattering of orders coming in for God’s Plan for Mankind Revealed
by His Sabbath and Holy Days—on kind of a constant stream. And since
we have mailed out to all the brethren on the mailing list and everyone
who has asked, the book and the CDs, there are people out there wanting
to know what’s going on, is there a plan of God? Now, you stop and
think. When you were on the other side and you knew nothing about the
plan of God, now that you know about the plan of God, how are you going
to handle it? How thankful are you going to be? How grateful are you
going to be? How involved with God are you going to be? So, it’s
interesting when you put it that way.
Now notice verse 16: “You yourselves did not choose Me… [In other
words, you didn’t come to God of your own accord and say, ‘God, here I
am!’ Remember when Peter said, ‘Lord, I’ll never deny You.’ Jesus said,
‘Ah, you’re going to deny me three times before this night’s over.’ ‘No,
that will never happen.’ So God wants us to know that you didn’t come to
God because of your goodness, He’s called you. Now, if you’ve been
seeking God, that’s fine. You need to do it, but He’s the one Who does
the calling.] …but I have personally chosen you, and ordained you, that
you should go forth and bear fruit, and that your fruit should
remain; so that whatever you shall ask the Father in My name, He may
give you. These things I command you, that you love one another. If the
world hates you, you know it hated Me before it hated you” (vs
16-18). So don’t worry about the world. Now just keep
yourself away from it. We have to live in it, but don’t become a part of
it. Ok, let’s go on. Because it says the “world would love its own,” but
He has “chosen us out of the world” (v 19).
Now, let’s see where it’s also likened unto a tabernacle. Let’s come
here to 2 Peter, the first chapter, and let’s see where Peter refers to
his life as a tabernacle. That he’s going to let these things be made
known. Let’s come to 2 Peter 1:12—where he was telling them that he’s
now going to write them. He’s going to put in order. In other words,
he’s saying that he’s going to set in order and we know that he was
responsible for the Gospel of Mark and 1 & 2 Peter. So he says, 2 Peter
1:12, FV: “Therefore, I will not neglect to make you always
mindful of these things, although you already know them and have been
established in the present truth. For I consider it my duty, as long as
I am in this tabernacle… [because he understood Christ was dwelling in
him. And he understood that the plan of God was to dwell in us, and so
all of us are mini-tabernacles] …to stir you up by causing you to
remember these things; Knowing that shortly the putting off of my
tabernacle will come, even as our Lord Jesus Christ has signified
to me. But I will make every effort that, after my departure, you
may always have a
written remembrance of these things in order to practice
them
for yourselves” (vs 12-15). And that’s why we have the New Testament.
Amazing isn’t it? Yes.
Now let’s come to 2 Corinthians, the fifth chapter, and let’s see
where Paul talks about it. No, let’s come to 1 Corinthians, the third
chapter, because he mentions that each one of us are a temple. Let’s
come here to 1 Corinthians 3:16, FV—for he’s writing to the
Corinthians: “Don’t you understand that you are God’s temple…
[individually and collectively—individually and then he builds and puts
it together.] …and that the Spirit of God is dwelling in you?…
[That’s where God desires to dwell. To have an intimate relationship
with you.] …If anyone defiles the temple of God, God shall destroy him
because the temple of God is holy, which temple you are” (vs
16-17). Now, that’s amazing!
Now come to 2 Corinthians, the fifth chapter, and let’s see where he
talks about the tabernacle. Let’s pick it up here 2 Corinthians 4:18,
FV: “While we consider not the things that are seen, but the
things that are not seen. For the things that are seen
are temporary; but the things that are not seen are
eternal.” And he says that after, “though we’re perishing outwardly, yet
the inward man is being renewed day by day” (v 16 paraphrased).
And this is what has to happen.
Now, let’s come to 1 Corinthians 5:1, FV: “For we know that if
our earthly house of this tabernacle is destroyed… [this body,
because it’s going to be destroyed; it’s going to die; it’s going back
to dust. Now, if you happen to live long enough to be alive when Christ
returns, then you’re going to change. He says]: …we have a building from
God, a house not made with human hands, eternal in the heavens.
For in this we truly are groaning, longing to be clothed with our
dwelling from heaven… [The change from flesh to spirit.] …If indeed
that being clothed, we may not be found naked. For we who are in
this tabernacle truly do groan, being burdened; not that we wish to
be unclothed, but to be clothed upon so that the mortal flesh may
be swallowed up by life” (vs 1-4).
Now, let’s just look at one more Scripture here in Ephesians, the
second chapter. We know that Christ is the Head of the Church, which is
His body. Now let’s come over here to the second chapter and let’s see
that after we are the workmanship of Christ in verse 10, then we come
down here to verse 18: “For through Him we both… [that is Jews and
Gentiles] …have direct access by one Spirit to the Father…. [and
that keeps us in contact with God. We are dwelling in Him and He’s
dwelling in us.] …So then, you are no longer aliens and foreigners; but
you are
fellow citizens with the saints, and are of the household of God.
You are being built up on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
Jesus Christ Himself being the chief Cornerstone In Whom
all the building… [so as God looks down on the earth and sees
all His people in whom He’s dwelling, He’s looking at all the building]
…being conjointly fitted together… [God is working out His plan] …is
increasing into a holy temple in the Lord; In Whom you also are
being built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit” (vs
18-22).
So brethren, remember the Feast of Tabernacles has many meanings and
the most important one is Christ dwelling in us.
So dwell in Christ and you be the walking, living, mini-tabernacle all
your life—and during this Feast of Tabernacles.
(The End)
FOT—2007
Day 1
Scriptural References
-
Leviticus 23:33-38
-
Hebrews 11:8-10
-
Exodus 25:1-8
-
Exodus 40:17, 33-38
-
2 Samuel 7:1-13
-
2 Chronicles 5:12-14
-
2 Chronicles 7:1-17
-
John 1:1, 14-17
-
Romans 8:3-4
-
John 2:13-16, 18-20, 22-25
-
John 15:1-4
-
2 Corinthians 6:11-18
-
2 Corinthians 7:1
-
John 15:4-19
-
2 Peter 1:12-15
-
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
-
2 Corinthians 4:18, 16 (paraphrased)
-
2 Corinthians 5:1-4
-
Ephesians 2:18-22
Old Testament Scriptures from the King James Version
New Testament Scriptures from The New Testament in Its Original
Order, A Faithful Version by Fred R. Coulter
Scriptures referenced, not quoted:
• Deuteronomy 16
• Numbers 29
• Romans 4
• James
• Revelation 20, 21, 22
• Isaiah 66
• 1 Samuel 16
• Deuteronomy 18
• Ephesians 5:26
• Ephesians 2:10
Also referenced:
Sermons: Tabernacle of David
It’s Not How You Start, but How You Finish
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