This message concludes our series on THE MISHKAN but looking at the ARK OF THE COVENANT which sat by itself in the Holy of Holies. This ark was actually two pieces of furniture: the chest and the lid, which was known as the Mercy Seat. We will learn about the wonderful history and theories of this ark but more importantly, we will learn about the lessons that it teaches us about the Holiness of God!
The last piece of furniture before entering through the curtain is called the Incense Altar. It's purpose is to fill the Holy Place with a beautiful fragrance but it is also a picture of Jesus Christ and of prayer. In this study, we will see that the altar has some interesting history and gives us some wonderful reminders about prayer.
The second piece of furniture inside the Mishkan (and the fourth overall) is the Table of Presence Bread. This table gives us some familiar symbols and some new ones. Today we will study a table and see how it affects our understanding of God and His Word. Hopefully, we will see that it is still very practical so many years after it disappeared!
The third piece of furniture (and the first inside the actual Mishkan) is the Lampstand. This seven-branched candlestick is a wonderful picture of Jesus Christ and His ministry in the life of the believer. Today, we walk into the Mishkan tent for the first time and begin to see the benefits to those who trust God.
The second piece of furniture that you would see after entering the Tabernacle complex was the copper basin (bronze laver). This is where the priests would wash their hands as a reminder from the cleansing by the blood. The basin will remind us of our need for baptism and daily cleansing.
The first and largest piece of furniture in the Tabernacle was the Bronze Altar. It was here that man began his relationship with God and also made his offerings. Today we will learn some of the meaning behind this altar and we will look at the seven kinds of offerings. The offerings will help us understand the attitudes and actions needed when we worship today!
This message begins a seven-week series on the tent that God asked His people to build for Him. It has been called the Tabernacle or the Tent of Meeting but the Hebrew word is "mishkan" which has a much larger meaning. God wants to "camp" with His people and so He requested that this mishkan be placed in the center of the encampment of Israelites. This message will show how it was constructed and we will see the incredible symbolism of this Mishkan and the one called Jesus.