The Ark of Covenant and of Jesus Christ 1

In the Old Testament, following Israel’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt, God instructs Moses to build a Tabernacle (or tent) in which the Israelites will worship God. That was a place where God Himself met with His people.   I will meet with you there and talk to you from above the atonement cover between the gold cherubim that hover over the Ark of the Covenant. Exodus 25:22   This is God’s public display of His desire wanting to live among His people.

To modern day believers, does the Ark of the Covenant still have any meaning or significance?

Placed in a special area known as “the Holy of Holies,” the Ark of the Covenant was the most sacred object in the Tabernacle. Detailed instructions were given by God to construct the Ark. It was to be made with acacia wood and overlaid with gold. Dimensionally, the Ark was to be 2.5 cubits (1 cubit is approximately 18 in.) long and 1.5 cubits wide and high. Atop the Ark were two gold cherubs that stood with their wings covering an area of the Ark known as the “Mercy Seat.” King David called it “the secret place of the Most High… under the shadow of the Almighty”.

The Ark of the Covenant was where God manifested His presence on earth. The Ark went ahead of the Israelites wherever they traveled. Not only was it the center of worship when it resided in the tabernacle, but the Ark also protected the Israelites in battle, supernaturally defeating any adversaries that came before them (Joshua 6:3-4). The Israelites also went to the Ark to seek God’s guidance and wisdom for the nation (Numbers 7:89, Exodus 25:22). The Ark of the Covenant was more than just a special furnishing with supernatural powers — It was also the Israelites’ means of relating to God.

The mercy seat covered the ark which contained the three emblems of man’s rebellion: the golden pot of manna — man’s rebellion against God’s provision, Numbers 11; two tablets of stone on which God wrote the Ten Commandments — man’s rebellion against God’s standard and laws, Exodus 32; and Aaron’s rod — man’s rebellion against God’s authority and His chosen priesthood, Numbers 17. Putting all three significant historical objects in a box, assembling much like a coffin and with the Lord’s own presence over it; God is essentially putting to death, not man but man’s total rebellion against Him! What a beautiful picture!

Once a year on the Day of Atonement, the high priest would sprinkle the blood of the sacrificed animal on the mercy seat and so make propitiation for the sins of Israel. The Ark of the Covenant played a key role in the forgiveness of sins. At first glance, the blood sacrifices associated with the history of the Ark of the Covenant may seem somewhat disturbing. Slaughtering animals and offering their blood on an altar. It is important to note, however, that these sacrifices were not intended to appease the wrath of a bloodthirsty deity. God does not desire the blood and suffering of helpless lambs (Hebrews 10:8). The biblical text repeatedly shows that where there is sin, the unavoidable result is death. The sacrifice of the lamb points to the severity of sin. Sin must always be atoned (paid) for in order for God to be just (Hebrews 9:22). God’s compassion enabled the sins of Israel to be transferred upon the lamb.

More importantly, these sacrifices were foreshadowing a greater sacrifice yet to take place — the sacrifice of the Jewish Messiah, Jesus Christ. God knew that these continual sacrifices would be insufficient to pay for the sins of Israel, much less the sins of all humanity. Therefore, God provided Jesus Christ as the ultimate sacrificial lamb, which became the greatest act of love in all history. A Roman cross became the ark on which Christ was sacrificed. The blood of Christ, once and for all, atoned for the wrongs of all who would accept Him as their Savior (John 3:16).

Today, it is not the blood of animals that makes propitiation for our sins, but the holy blood of the Son of God. (Romans 3:24–25) Christ is our present day mercy seat. His blood speaks for us and puts God on our side. God does not see our rebellion. He sees the blood of His Son and accepts us! That is why we can come boldly to the secret place of the Most High, in Christ, and feel secure that we have every right to be in God’s presence. We can come boldly to Him to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

And because Christ, our mercy seat, covers us with His blood, we are under God’s protection. We are in the secret place of the Most High, abiding under the shadow of the Almighty. Here, no evil will befall us, nor will any plague come near our dwelling. (Psalm 91:9–10) In the secret place of the Most High, we are favored and kept safe from all harm!

The Ark of the Covenant disappeared from the Jewish Temple somewhere before or during the Babylonian invasion of Jerusalem in 586 BC. In anticipation of the Ark’s disappearance, the prophet Jeremiah wrote: “And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith the LORD, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the LORD: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that be done any more” (Jeremiah 3:16). Even before Jesus, Jeremiah’s prophecy revealed that there would be no more need for the Ark of the Covenant in the future. God had a better covenant He would bring to pass — the new covenant in His Son, Jesus Christ.

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.   Psalm 91:1

The Gospel of Grace by Apostle Paul

How many of us when look into the Bible, longed to really understand it. How many of us wished we can comprehend every passage inside out. How many of us simply want to see God in the Scriptures and His Word coming alive in us. Actually, we can! But still, sometimes this may seem a little overwhelming. For modern day believers, the foundational cornerstone must not be further than the gospel of grace of Jesus Christ in post-resurrection written by the Apostle Paul in the Bible.

In order to understand the key of the gospel, we must have a proper view of the Bible; who wrote it and what authority the writers have. We all know that the Bible are divided into the Old Testament and the New Testament. In both sections, we have to deal with the history of different people, in other times, in various covenant relationships with God. Because of this, distinct laws, practices and rituals sometimes appear to be in conflict. And when we read the Bible, we have to understand whose it is addressing to; whether to believers then, believers now, non-believers, Jews or Gentiles – then or now. 

In the Old Testament, as God spoke through Prophets of old; He promised to descend to earth and reign as King forever. The Israelites then looked and waited for the Messiah–Immanuel, or “God with us.”  While the Old Testament speak of the prophecy of the Messiah, The New Testament is the fulfillment of that prophecy.

However, Calvary’s cross was the people’s answer or rejection to the offer of their Messiah, Jesus the Christ, as in the prophecy too. Then, the risen Christ chose a proud Pharisee and blasphemer, Saul of Tarsus, to be His special ambassador. Jesus Himself met Saul on the Damascus road. Deep in the Arabian desert, Jesus unfolded the “unadulterated” gospel to Saul. He would later return to Jerusalem as the Apostle Paul. His distinctive message would be salvation by grace through faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, see Romans 5:1-11.

This letter is from Paul, an apostle. I was not appointed by any group of people or any human authority, but by Jesus Christ himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead. All the brothers and sisters here join me in sending this letter to the churches of Galatia. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.

But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles.     Galatians 1:1-5, 11-12

In the first chapter of Galatians, Paul writes that his unique gospel, was the only true gospel of God. So emphatic was he, that he declared anyone preaching another gospel was under the curse of God, see here. In verse 11, Paul declared that the gospel he preached was not of human nature; He states that he did not learn his gospel from the apostles. The gospel was not passed on to him from man but was received by direct revelation by the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Only after fourteen years, did Paul go back Jerusalem and gained acceptance and support from the other apostles, James, Peter and John, see here. So what is the main message from this “radical” apostle?  If there is only one thing you can take away from this post, take this!

But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.     Galatians 4:4-7

This my friend, is the gospel of His loving grace.

 

 

Quote of the Day – Apologies

“Apologies does not necessarily mean that you are wrong and the other one is right… It simply means that you value the relationship much more than your ego … “

Be Amazed

In the morning, when you first smell the fresh air;
At noon, when you feel the smoothing heat of the sun;
With the evening dusk, when you see birds fly home to their nests;

Know that God is there to make this happen. For your pleasure…

When the inspiring joy inside you wanting to burst forth that you want to shout it out; Let it out!

You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds, O God our savior. You are the hope of everyone on earth, even those who sail on distant seas. You formed the mountains by your power and armed yourself with mighty strength. You quieted the raging oceans with their pounding waves and silenced the shouting of the nations. Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders. From where the sun rises to where it sets, you inspire shouts of joy.

You take care of the earth and water it, making it rich and fertile. The river of God has plenty of water; it provides a bountiful harvest of grain, for you have ordered it so. You drench the plowed ground with rain, melting the clods and leveling the ridges. You soften the earth with showers and bless its abundant crops. You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance. The grasslands of the wilderness become a lush pasture, and the hillsides blossom with joy. The meadows are clothed with flocks of sheep, and the valleys are carpeted with grain. They all shout and sing for joy!

Psalm 65:5-13

The Sovereign Lord Little Servant

The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will. The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me, and I have listened. I have not rebelled or turned away. I offered my back to those who beat me and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard. I did not hide my face from mockery and spitting.

Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame. He who gives me justice is near. Who will dare to bring charges against me now? Where are my accusers? Let them appear!

See, the Sovereign Lord is on my side! Who will declare me guilty? All my enemies will be destroyed like old clothes that have been eaten by moths!     Isaiah 50:4-9

5 Loaves & 2 Fishes

I was clearing my old stuff and came upon an CD album which I had been looking. While causally playing it over, this song gripped me hard by surprise, which it didn’t when I first listened to it. It never occurred to me this song is so Christian in an secular song album although I knew Corrine May is a believer. More importantly, the composition describing the boy’s faith and willingness to offer whatever little he had, the 5 loaves & 2 fishes, to the twinkling eyes of Jesus.

We need more of these beautiful and meaningful music. Enjoy…

A little boy of thirteen was on his way to school
He heard a crowd of people laughing and he went to take a look
Thousands were listening to the stories of one man
He spoke with such wisdom, even the kids could understand

The hours passed so quickly, the day turned to night
Everyone was hungry but there was no food in sight
The boy looked in his lunchbox at the little that he had
He wasn’t sure what good it’d do, there were thousands to be fed

But he saw the twinkling eyes of Jesus
The kindness in His smile
And the boy cried out
With the trust of a child
He said:

 

 

“Take my five loaves and two fishes
Do with it as you will
I surrender
Take my fears and my inhibitions
All my burdens, my ambitions
You can use it all to feed them all”

 

 

I often think about that boy when I’m feeling small
And I worry that the work I do means nothing at all

But every single tear I cry is a diamond in His hands
And every door that slams in my face, I will offer up in prayer

So I’ll give you every breath that I have
Oh Lord, you can work miracles
All that you need is my “Amen”

So take my five loaves and two fishes
Do with it as you will
I surrender

Take my fears and my inhibitions
All my burdens, my ambitions
You can use it all
I hope it’s not too small 

I trust in you
I trust in you

So take my five loaves and two fishes
Do with it as you will
I surrender

Take my fears and my inhibitions
All my burdens, my ambitions
You can use it all
No gift is too small

 

 

PS: Have a blessed and abundant life together Leonard & Melinda… every tear is a diamond in His hand and every laughter is music to His ears… He loves you with an everlasting love…

with love Bro and Sis

It is Always God’s Desire to Heal and Bless His Children

This is probably one the longest title of a post you can find in here. It is also probably one of the biggest statement I have to substantiate to stand on. Even in some circles within Christianity, these are rather “grey areas” where believers do not have a common understanding and believe. Some have known to fight strongly against such. So I have some rather big shoes to fill here…

But I see Daddy God’s heart, His heart for His children. And He wants to let us know that He loves and cares for us very much. It is not only His desire not to see anyone perish (2Peter 3:9), but it is also His desire that those who had already come to repentance should enjoy His mercy, grace and peace. And to be with us in truth and love (2John 1:3).

Throughout the Bible, there is little doubt that God can heal and bless His people. The big question is, does He wants to? Some of us have been brought up with concepts of God sitting high up in cloudy heaven on His ivory throne dishing out goodies to people who behave and who are good; and sending down sickness and punishments to those who are bad or misbehaved. Some Christians struggles with believes that restortation and deliverance can only come at the second coming of Christ. But before the “big tap opens”, there can only be so much droplets of healings and blessings trickling down, and even that is pending on the ”elusive sovereign” will of God.

Or is it?

When Jesus started His ministry on earth with The Sermon on the Mount. One of the most precious revelation that was never mentioned beforehand in the entire history of Old Testament is this: The God sitting high up in the so distance heaven is also called our heavenly Father!

Our dear heavenly Father…

And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child.    Galatians 4:6-7

Given that revelation in mind, now we have to ask ourselves; would we simply ignore a sick child’s plead for healing and attention? Would any of us give even a naughty kid a snake when he ask for a fish burger? Certainly not! (Luke 11:11-13) Sinful beings as we are, but we still look after our young. There is this Chinese folk saying: Even the ferocious tiger don’t eat its young cubs. Can we then ever accuse our heavenly Father for being an absentee parent or worse, a sadistic one that metes out death penalty and life poverty, labeling them as His will?

Since Jesus is the exact representation of God, by studying the life of Jesus in the Bible, we can know the real character of the One on the throne. And in all accounts, you will realise this: JESUS NEVER SAY NO TO HEALING! He never once denied anybody’s request for healing; male or female, young or old, Jews or Gentiles, sick or demon-possessed, dead or alive, Jesus healed them all!

Jesus came to give His people the abundant life, a full life, a rich and satisfying life (John10:10). It is all for God’s glory! If you meet a clean, heathy, pleasant, well-behaved child, you will give full credit it to his parents for such good upbringing. Similarly, if believers are well taken care of, healthy and whole; Father God gets the all the glory!

God is love. He has loved us with an everlasting love and drawn us into His loving-kindness (Jeremiah 31:3). He has plans to prosper us and plans to give us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). It is always Father God’s desire to heal and bless His children, simply because He loves us!

but we can face him (God) with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear.   1John 4:17-18

We live like Jesus here in this world! What a revelation. We don’t need to wait unit heaven to experience miracles. Like Jesus, if our believe is set correctly, based on His Word, our faith will rise and give breakthroughs in our prayer, in finances, in healing and in the restoration of relationships; things that once were once rare or impossible, are going to become common in our lives. What once was extraordinary is going to become prevalent for anyone who will dare to believe God for it. It is time for us to stretch our faith and stretch our hope than we have ever thought before. Our God is bigger than we think.

Renew My Mind

Lord, I ask that You would put Your laws in my mind and engrave them on my heart so that they will keep me on the path You have for me. I want only to be led by Your Spirit and not by my flesh. I want to not only read Your Word but to understand it with my mind and put it to good use in my life. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Engrave Your Word deeper in my heart every time I read it.

 

This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.   Hebrews 8:10

I am born again… again…

I was baptised in water today!

After 20 years, I am now a fully-water-immersed-water-baptised-water-Christian. I am a new creation, again… well, a newer creation… Hallelujah!

Actually, I was baptised a long time ago. But my baptism was conducted only through the sprinkling of water due to the many old folks who were getting baptised as well. Sadly,  my (ex) church took the short-cut. Frankly, I was rather disappointed and felt very short-changed. When I read about how even Jesus went through the water fully immersed, I so desired the same thing within my spirit.

Well, God didn’t short-change me afterall. My wife whom was also baptised through sprinkling joined me today as we were water baptised and immersed together as one body. It was just awesome!  and still is. Pastor Mathews mentioned that this is the period of the Feast of Tabernacle; symbolizes the restoration process. God’s plan for mankind involves restoration. The Feast of Tabernacles symbolizes the restoration process, which will start with the return of Jesus Christ, pictured by the Feast of Trumpets, and the banishment of Satan, depicted by the Day of Atonement. Once these events have taken place, as represented by the previous Holy Days, the foundation is in place for the restoration of the creation to peace and harmony with God. What a beautiful picture of Jesus.

God has been showing me this verse many times over today:  Because I live, you will live also.   John 14:19

What a wonderful God we have…

 

 

Oh, just to let you know, I stayed kinda long underwater…

Quote of the Day – Wings

We may not be created to have wings …
But we will still soar high on wings like eagles.

 

 

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles.   Isaiah 40:31