Monday, May 14, 2018

Outer Court of Temple (SD15)

Heb 10:1, 5 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect... Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: "Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me.
    Since the Temple of God is also a shadow, let's see how our Lord Jesus can prepare us to be a body (temple) just like His own Body.

The Outer Court
Exo 40:29-30 And he put the altar of burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, and offered upon it the burnt offering and the grain offering, as the Lord had commanded Moses. He set the laver between the tabernacle of meeting and the altar, and put water there for washing;
    In the Outer Court are the Bronze Altar (where burnt offerings were offered for the remission of sins and also the free will offerings of thanksgiving and gratitude to Him) and the Bronze Laver of water for the washing of the priests.

Bronze Altar of Burnt Offerings
Lev 7:37 This is the law of the burnt offering, the grain offering, the sin offering, the trespass offering, the consecrations, and the sacrifice of the peace offering, (Please read Lev 1-9)
    At the bronze Altar, the priest accepted the sacrifices of the Israelites and then prayed for the remission of sin, thanksgivings, healings, blessings, requests, etc.
    Similarly, our Lord Jesus (Lamb of God ) was offered on the cross just outside the walls of Jerusalem (the holy city of God) fulfilling the 'Altar of burnt offerings.' So whoever believes Jesus as the Lamb of God shall be saved. Then as Christians, we can also offer gifts, thanksgivings praises and worship to Him.
Heb 3:11-13 For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach.

Bronze Laver of Water
Exo 40:30-31 He set the laver between the tabernacle of meeting and the altar, and put water there for washing; and Moses, Aaron, and his sons would wash their hands and their feet with water from it.
    Before the priest could enter the Holy Place, he must first washed (sanctify) himself at the laver and then put on the priesthood garments in the Holy Place. We thank God that in Christ Jesus, all born-again Christians are called to become His royal priesthood.
1Pet 2:9-10 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

Mat 22:14 "For many are called, but few are chosen."
    Unfortunately few are chosen to be His servants (disciples) because most Christians refuse to sanctify themselves by keeping His words. Since they did not fulfill the covenant, God cannot choose them.
    Having been cleansed by the blood of Jesus, let us allow the Holy Spirit to further help you us by guiding us to holiness through the washing with pure water by obeying the word of God.
Heb 10:22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.