Participants: Stephen Bohr
Series Code: HWIS
Program Code: HWIS000017
|
00:30 Shall we bow our heads for prayer.
00:33 Father in heaven, as we open Your holy Word today, 00:36 as we've done before we ask for the presence 00:38 of Your Holy Spirit. 00:40 We realize that without Your help we cannot 00:42 understand Your Word. 00:44 And so we ask, Father that You will come close to us, 00:46 and through the ministration of the Holy Spirit 00:49 You will open our minds and hearts that we might 00:51 understand and receive Your word. 00:54 And we thank You, Father, for hearing our prayer. 00:55 For we ask it in Jesus' name, amen. 00:59 Perhaps there's no item in archeology that has become 01:03 so famous in the Christian world, as well as in the 01:07 non-Christian world, as the ark of the covenant. 01:11 You know, there are many theories about where the 01:13 ark of the covenant is found. 01:15 I'd like to share with you as we begin our study 01:18 the different theories about the location 01:20 of the ark of the covenant. 01:22 Some people believe that it's in Gordon's Calvary. 01:25 That is right underneath Golgotha where Jesus was 01:29 crucified, in some cave or tunnel there. 01:31 Others believe that the ark of the covenant is in Kuwait. 01:35 Still others believe that it's somewhere in Hezekiah's Tunnel 01:38 near Jerusalem. 01:40 Others still believe that it's found in Ein Gedi, 01:43 where the Dead Sea Scrolls were located in 1948. 01:48 Still others believe that it's found somewhere in Bethlehem 01:51 in a cave. 01:52 Or perhaps in Ethiopia. 01:55 And there's a very strong theory that it's found somewhere 01:58 in a cave on Mount Nebo where Moses died 02:02 and was buried. 02:03 Now this is the idea that is presented in an apocrypha book, 02:07 which is the second book of Maccabees. 02:09 Now I need to make it very clear that the books of Maccabees 02:13 are not inspired. 02:15 They're not part of the canon of Scripture. 02:17 But they are of very important historical value. 02:21 And so I'm going to read from 2 Maccabees chapter 2 02:24 and verses 4 through 8 what Maccabees says about 02:29 the location of the ark of the covenant 02:31 and where it was placed. 02:33 This is speaking about the prophet Jeremiah 02:35 who supposedly hid the ark of the covenant 02:39 right before the destruction of Jerusalem in the year 586 02:42 by Nebuchadnezzar. 02:44 And this is what it says there in 2 Maccabees 2 02:46 verses 4 through 8. 02:48 "It was also in the writing that the prophet, Jeremiah, 02:52 having received an oracle, ordered that the tent 02:56 and the ark should follow with him, and that he went out 03:00 to the mountain where Moses had gone up," that's Mount Nebo, 03:04 "and had seen the inheritance of God. 03:07 And Jeremiah came and found a cave, and he brought there 03:11 the tent and the ark and the altar of incense; 03:15 and he sealed up the entrance. 03:17 Some of those who followed him came up to mark the way, 03:22 but could not find it. 03:24 When Jeremiah learned of it, he rebuked them and declared, 03:27 'The place shall be unknown until God gathers His people 03:32 together again and shows His mercy. 03:35 And then the Lord will disclose these things, 03:38 and the glory of the Lord and the cloud will appear, 03:41 as they were shown in the case of Moses, 03:44 and as Solomon asked that the place should be 03:47 specially consecrated.'" 03:49 And so basically, this idea is that Jeremiah hid 03:53 the ark of the covenant in a cave and it will be 03:55 brought forth when God manifests Himself 03:58 as He did when He filled the temple, or the Sanctuary, 04:02 in the days of Moses, and the temple in the days of Solomon. 04:07 Now Ellen White adds her testimony. 04:09 She seems to confirm what is found in the 04:12 second book of Maccabees. 04:14 It appears to be a genuine tradition. 04:17 In the book, Prophets and Kings, page 453, 04:20 she had this to say about what happened to the 04:24 ark of the covenant; where it was placed 04:26 and if it will be brought forth again. 04:29 This is what she says. 04:31 "Among the righteous still in Jerusalem, to whom had been 04:35 made plain the divine purpose, were some who determined 04:39 to place beyond the reach of ruthless hands the sacred ark 04:44 containing the tables of stone on which had been traced 04:48 the precepts of the Decalogue. 04:50 This they did. 04:52 With mourning and sadness they secreted the ark in a cave, 04:57 where it was to be hidden from the people of Israel and Judah 05:01 because of their sins, and was to be no more restored to them." 05:06 That is, to the Jews. 05:07 "That sacred ark is yet hidden. 05:10 It has never been disturbed since it was secreted." 05:16 And so she confirms that the ark of the covenant 05:18 was placed in a cave and it has been in that cave ever since. 05:22 In other places in her writings, she indicates that the tables 05:27 of the law, which were found inside the ark of the covenant, 05:30 will be brought forth before the world as a testimony 05:33 at the end of time that the law of God 05:36 is still binding even today. 05:39 And so in our study today, we are going to take a look 05:42 at the ark of the covenant. 05:43 We're going to speak about the different aspects 05:46 about the ark of the covenant. 05:48 Now the first thing that I want us to notice 05:50 is something about the Ten Commandments 05:54 which were found inside the ark of the covenant. 05:57 If you have your Bibles, go with me to 05:59 Exodus chapter 19 and verse 11. 06:01 And we're going to notice several things about the 06:04 Ten Commandments when they were given to Moses 06:07 and to Israel on Mount Sinai. 06:10 Exodus chapter 19 and verse 11. 06:14 In this verse, we find that God Himself personally 06:18 came down upon Mount Sinai when He gave the Ten Commandments. 06:22 This is significant because the rest of the Bible 06:24 God simply spoke to the prophet and the prophet 06:27 wrote it in a book or wrote it on parchment. 06:29 But with the Ten Commandments, the Bible tells us that God 06:33 did not merely reveal this to the prophet and have 06:36 the prophet write it. 06:37 God came down in person, according to Scripture, 06:41 to give the Ten Commandments. 06:43 Notice Exodus chapter 19 and verse 11. 06:46 It says here, "And let them," God is speaking... 07:02 So notice that God Himself, according to Exodus 19 verse 11, 07:06 had told Moses that He was going to come down in person 07:10 upon Mount Sinai when He was going to give 07:12 the Ten Commandments. 07:13 But God was not going to come by Himself. 07:16 The Bible tells us that He was going to come there 07:18 with ten thousand of His saints. 07:20 In other words, He was going to come down to Mount Sinai 07:23 with the angels. 07:24 Notice Deuteronomy chapter 33 and verse 2. 07:28 Deuteronomy chapter 33 and verse 2. 07:32 This is reminiscing about the experience at Mount Sinai. 07:35 And it says this... 07:50 Now what was He coming for? 07:53 Notice what the verse says at the very end. 08:06 Now what were the Ten Commandments written with? 08:09 They were written in fire, according to this. 08:11 So did God come by Himself when He came down to Mount Sinai? 08:15 No, He actually came down, when He revealed His law, 08:19 with ten thousand of His saints. 08:21 And who are those ten thousand of His saints? 08:24 They are what? 08:26 They are angels. Exactly. 08:28 Now another unique thing about the Ten Commandments is that 08:31 God actually spoke the Ten Commandments. 08:35 He not only came down Himself personally, 08:39 but the Bible tells us that God also spoke the Ten Commandments 08:43 with His own lips. 08:45 He didn't tell the prophet, "You speak them." 08:47 God spoke them Himself. 08:49 Notice Deuteronomy chapter 4 and verses 11 to 13. 08:53 Deuteronomy chapter 4 and verses 11 through 13. 08:58 Here we find these words. 09:13 And now notice verse 12. 09:29 Notice, God declared to them His covenant. 09:38 So notice that this passage tells us very clearly 09:40 that God Himself spoke the Ten Commandments. 09:44 Another interesting and unique thing about the 09:46 Ten Commandments, and we just read it in 09:49 Deuteronomy chapter 4 and verse 13, 09:52 is that the Ten Commandments were actually written by 09:55 God Himself as well. 09:57 Notice Exodus 31 and verse 18 which underlines this same 10:01 thought that we read a moment ago in Deuteronomy chapter 4 10:05 and verse 13. 10:07 Exodus 31 and verse 18. 10:09 Speaking about the giving of the Ten Commandments 10:12 on Mount Sinai, it says this... 10:33 So God comes down personally, God speaks them personally, 10:37 and God writes them personally as well. 10:41 This makes the Ten Commandments unique. 10:42 And He doesn't come by Himself. 10:44 He comes down with ten thousand of His saints. 10:47 By the way, when Moses broke the tables of the law, 10:51 God told Moses to bring two additional tables of stone 10:54 to the top of the mountain. 10:55 And God said, "I will write again on those tablets." 10:59 Interesting that God, the second time, 11:01 also wrote the Ten Commandments Himself. 11:04 Notice that in Exodus 34 and verse 1. 11:07 Exodus 34 and verse 1. 11:09 Speaking about the second tables of stone, 11:12 it says there... 11:27 So who wrote the Ten Commandments the second time? 11:30 God did. 11:31 You know, the rest of the Bible God spoke to the prophet 11:34 and the prophet wrote it down. 11:35 But God said, "When it comes to the Ten Commandments, 11:38 I'm coming down Myself, I'm speaking these Myself, 11:42 and I'm writing these Myself. 11:45 And I'm coming down with ten thousand of My saints." 11:49 Now another interesting thing about the revealing of the 11:51 Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai was the so called natural 11:55 phenomena that accompanied the giving of the Ten Commandments. 11:58 Notice Exodus chapter 19 and verses 16 through 19. 12:02 And don't forget these details, because we're going to 12:04 come back to this a little bit later on in our study. 12:07 Exodus 19 verses 16 through 19. 12:11 Speaking about Israel at the foot of Mount Sinai 12:14 and what took place on the mountain, we're told this. 12:18 "Then it came to pass on the third day in the morning 12:21 that there were," now listen carefully, 12:23 thunderings and lightenings, and a thick cloud on the mountain; 12:30 and the sound of the trumpet was very loud 12:33 so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. 12:37 And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, 12:40 and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 12:43 Now Mount Sinai was completely in smoke, 12:46 because the Lord descended upon it in fire. 12:49 Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, 12:52 and the whole mountain quaked greatly." 12:54 Notice that there was an earthquake. 12:56 Verse 19, "And when the blast of the trumpet sounded long 13:00 and became louder and louder, Moses spoke, 13:03 and God answered him by voice." 13:06 In other words, God's voice was heard. 13:08 So notice the phenomena that takes place when God 13:11 reveals the Ten Commandments. 13:13 There's an earthquake, there's thunder, there's lightening, 13:17 there's fire and smoke, and the voice of God is heard. 13:22 Now it's interesting to notice what God told Israel to do 13:25 in the light of the fact that God was going to 13:27 reveal the Ten Commandments. 13:29 God told them that they needed to prepare in a special way 13:33 when God was going to reveal His law. 13:35 We find this in Exodus chapter 19 13:38 and verses 10 and 11. 13:39 Notice the response of the people, 13:41 what the people were suppose to do when God came 13:45 to reveal His law. 13:47 It says there in Exodus 19 verses 10 and 11, 13:50 "Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Go to the people and 13:53 consecrate them today and tomorrow,'" 13:56 and listen carefully, "and let them wash their clothes." 14:00 What do clothes represent in the Bible? 14:02 What do garments represent in the Bible? 14:04 They represent righteousness. 14:06 They represent character. 14:08 In other words, God is telling them to cleanse their what? 14:11 To cleanse their life, to cleanse their character. 14:13 Because He's going to reveal His Ten Commandments. 14:15 Verse 11, "And let them be ready for the third day. 14:19 For on the third day the Lord will come down upon Mount Sinai 14:23 in the sight of all the people." 14:26 And so God reveals His law, the Ten Commandments, 14:29 written by His own finger on tables of stone. 14:32 Now the question is, what happened with the 14:35 Ten Commandments after God gave them to Moses? 14:38 Well, we all know that God told Moses to build a Sanctuary 14:41 in the wilderness. 14:43 And one of the pieces of furniture in the Sanctuary 14:45 was the ark of the covenant, which was found in 14:47 the Most Holy Place. 14:48 You can see it there. 14:50 And God told Moses to take the tables of the law 14:53 and to place them inside the ark of the covenant. 14:57 Let's read about that in Deuteronomy chapter 10 15:00 and we'll read verses 1 and 2, and then we'll 15:03 jump down to verse 5. 15:05 Deuteronomy chapter 10 verse 1, verse 2, and also verse 5. 15:11 Notice what Moses did with the tables of the law 15:14 after God wrote the Ten Commandments 15:16 on tables of stone. 15:18 It says there... 15:43 Verse 5, "Then I turned and came down from the mountain 15:47 and put the tablets in the ark which I had made; 15:51 and there they are, just as the Lord commanded me." 15:56 So where were the Ten Commandments placed, 15:59 were the tables of stone placed? 16:02 They were placed inside the ark. 16:05 By the way, this is the reason why the ark is called, 16:08 the ark of the covenant. 16:09 Because the Ten Commandments were the stipulations 16:11 of the covenant of God with Israel. 16:14 In fact, let's read that in Deuteronomy chapter 4 16:17 and verses 11 to 13. 16:19 Because the ark is called, the ark of the covenant of the Lord. 16:22 You can read that in Numbers 10 and verse 33; 16:25 the ark of the covenant of the Lord. 16:28 And once again, the reason why it's called, 16:29 the ark of the covenant of the Lord, is because 16:32 the Ten Commandments are the stipulations of the covenant. 16:36 Let's notice that in Deuteronomy 4 16:38 and verses 11 to 13. 16:40 It says there... 16:59 And now verse 13 is the key verse. 17:06 Now what is that covenant? 17:13 And what is the covenant? The what? 17:15 The Ten Commandments. 17:20 Are you understanding why the Ten Commandments 17:21 are called, the covenant? 17:23 And why the ark is called, the ark of the covenant? 17:26 Because the Ten Commandments are the stipulations, 17:29 or the rules, of the covenant. 17:31 By the way, the Ten Commandments were 17:33 also called, the tablets of the Testimony. 17:37 In fact, let's read that in Exodus 31 verse 18, 17:40 which we read a few moments ago. 17:42 But let's notice this particular detail now. 17:44 Exodus 31 and verse 18. 17:48 It says here... 18:05 So the Ten Commandments are called, the Testimony; 18:07 and they're also called, the covenant. 18:09 And the ark is called, the ark of the Testimony; 18:12 and it's called also, the ark of the covenant. 18:15 So the Ten Commandments were placed inside 18:17 the ark of the covenant. 18:18 And then the question is, where was the 18:20 ark of the covenant placed? 18:23 Well, I gave you the answer a little while ago. 18:25 The ark of the covenant was placed in the Most Holy Place 18:29 of the Sanctuary. 18:31 Let's read that in Exodus chapter 26 and verses 31 to 34. 18:36 Exodus 26 and verses 31 through 34 tells us 18:42 where the Ten Commandments were placed, and then where the 18:44 ark of the covenant was placed. 18:47 It says there in Exodus 26 and verse 31... 19:32 So the question is, where was the ark of the covenant placed? 19:35 It was put in the Most Holy Place of the Sanctuary, 19:40 in the very center of the Most Holy Place of the Sanctuary. 19:44 Now, when was the ark of the covenant brought to view 19:47 in the religious year of Israel? 19:50 The fact is that there was the daily service in the Sanctuary 19:54 and there was the yearly service. 19:56 The daily service had to do with things taking place 20:00 in the court; the sacrifice and the laver. 20:02 And also it had to do with the implements that were found 20:06 in the Holy Place of the Sanctuary. 20:08 You can see it here; the candlestick, 20:10 the table of showbread, and the altar of incense. 20:13 But there was one apartment that was brought to view 20:16 once a year at the end of the religious year. 20:19 And that was the Most Holy Place of the Sanctuary. 20:23 In other words, the Most Holy Place of the Sanctuary 20:26 was the central focus at the end of the year on what was known 20:31 as the Day of Atonement. 20:33 In fact, let's read about that in Leviticus chapter 16 20:37 and verses 13 through 15. 20:39 Leviticus 16 and verses 13 through 15. 20:44 It says there... 20:45 And in a moment, I'm going to add some explanations 20:47 to this passage. 20:49 It says... 21:16 Now on the Day of Atonement, the Sanctuary was cleansed 21:21 from all of the sins that had entered the Sanctuary 21:23 in the course of the year. 21:25 But on the Day of Atonement, the Sanctuary itself was cleansed. 21:30 In other words, sins entered the Sanctuary 21:32 every day when people confessed their sins 21:34 and they repented of sin. 21:36 The sins entered the Sanctuary and were deposited there. 21:39 But on the Day of Atonement, the blood was sprinkled 21:42 on the mercy seat of the Most Holy Place of the ark. 21:46 And the sins that had been transferred there 21:48 throughout the course of the year now were 21:51 taken out of the Sanctuary. 21:53 In other words, the Sanctuary was cleansed. 21:55 This is another way of describing the judgment. 21:59 In other words, on great judgment day, 22:01 the cases of the Israelites were examined. 22:04 Those who had confessed their sins and placed their sins 22:07 in the Sanctuary through the blood could receive the 22:10 absolute certainty that their sins had been eradicated, 22:13 not only from their lives, but they had been eradicated 22:16 from the presence of God in the Sanctuary. 22:20 Now there's some other interesting things about 22:22 the ark of the covenant. 22:24 The ark of the covenant actually had tremendous power. 22:29 The ark of the covenant had tremendous saving power, 22:32 but it also had great destroying power. 22:36 I want you to notice Numbers chapter 10 and verses 35 and 36. 22:42 Numbers 10:35-36. 22:44 You know, when Israel was in a covenant relationship 22:47 with the Lord, the ark was a source of comfort for them. 22:50 They could trust that the ark was going to protect them 22:53 from their enemies. 22:54 In fact, notice Numbers chapter 10 22:56 and verses 35 and 36. 22:59 It says here... 23:19 So notice that they took the ark to battle. 23:21 And the Bible tells us that when the ark was lifted up, 23:24 the enemies of Israel were scattered. 23:26 It was a source of comfort and assurance to Israel 23:30 when they were in a covenant relationship with the Lord. 23:33 In other words, when God's people came to the Lord 23:36 in humility and in repentance, confessing their sins, 23:40 the ark was a symbol of salvation. 23:42 It was a symbol of assurance. 23:45 But on the other hand, when people trampled upon the 23:49 commandments of God and broke their covenant relationship 23:52 with the Lord then the ark became, not a source of 23:55 comfort and salvation, but it became a source 23:58 of destruction. 24:00 I want to give you one more example of how the ark 24:03 was actually a saving piece of furniture 24:07 to the people of the Lord when they were in a 24:10 covenant relationship with Him. 24:11 And then I'm going to show you several examples 24:14 of how the ark of the covenant brought destruction 24:16 upon those who were not faithful to God. 24:19 You remember when Israel crossed the Jordon River 24:22 when they entered the Promised Land. 24:24 The story is found in Joshua chapter 3. 24:26 They came to the edge of the Jordon River and there was 24:29 this tremendous barrier. 24:31 In fact, the Jordon was at flood stage at this point. 24:34 "Now how," they asked themselves, "are we 24:37 going to cross the Jordon River into the Promised Land?" 24:40 Well, the Lord performed a tremendous miracle. 24:43 And really, the ark of the covenant was involved 24:46 in this tremendous miracle. 24:48 I want to read you a statement that we find in 24:50 volume 4 of the Testimonies, page 157 and 158, 24:55 about this event of the drying up of the Jordon 24:58 to allow Israel to cross into the Promised Land. 25:01 Ellen White says here, "The priests obeyed 25:04 the commands of their leader and went before the people," 25:07 notice, "carrying the ark of the covenant. 25:11 The Hebrew hosts took up the line of march and followed 25:16 this symbol of the divine Presence." 25:19 That is the ark of the covenant. 25:20 "The wide column filed down the bank of Jordan, 25:23 and, as the feet of the priests were dipped in the 25:27 brim of the river, the water was cut off from above, 25:31 and the volume below rolled on, 25:34 leaving the bed of the stream dry. 25:37 When they, bearing the ark of the covenant, stood safe 25:40 upon the farther shore, God removed His mighty hand, 25:44 and the accumulated waters rushed down, a mighty cataract, 25:49 in the natural channel of the stream. 25:51 Jordan rolled on, a resistless flood, 25:55 overflowing all its banks." 25:57 You can almost imagine what it must have been like 26:00 for the Lord to perform this tremendous miracle of salvation 26:03 to open up the Jordon so that the people of 26:05 Israel could cross. 26:06 Because at this point, they were in a good proper relationship, 26:10 covenant relationship, with the Lord. 26:12 But as I mentioned, the ark of the covenant 26:14 was not only a source of assurance to those 26:17 who were in a covenant relationship with the Lord. 26:19 The ark also could be a very destructive power 26:23 when people trampled upon God's commandments 26:26 and were not in a covenant relationship with Him. 26:29 You remember the story of the destruction of Jericho. 26:34 Did the ark play a central role in the destruction of Jericho? 26:37 It most certainly did. 26:39 It went before the armies of the children of Israel. 26:42 In fact, let's read Joshua 6 and verses 6 and 7, 26:46 Joshua chapter 6 and verses 6 and 7, 26:50 so that we can understand the role of the ark 26:52 in the destruction of Jericho. 26:54 It says here in Joshua 6 and verse 6... 27:20 And you know, on the seventh day they marched around 27:22 the city seven times. 27:23 And what happened? 27:25 The walls of Jericho crumbled and the city 27:28 was taken by Israel. 27:29 The uncircumcised inhabitants of Jericho were destroyed. 27:34 The ark of the covenant became a symbol of destruction 27:37 to those who were enemies of God's people. 27:40 You also remember the story of Uzzah. 27:43 Do you remember the story of Uzzah? 27:44 God had told the priests, "Don't you touch 27:47 the ark of the covenant. 27:48 Don't you dare touch the ark of the covenant." 27:51 The Bible tells us that when the ark was coming back to Jerusalem 27:54 after it had been in the cities of the Philistines, 27:57 that it looked like the ark was going to fall off the cart. 28:00 And one of the individuals, his name was Uzzah, 28:03 reached out and touched the ark. 28:05 Let's read about it in 2 Samuel chapter 6 and verses 6 and 7. 28:09 Uzzah had broken the covenant of the Lord. 28:11 He had disobeyed God, an explicit command of God. 28:15 Notice 2 Samuel chapter 6 and verses 6 and 7. 28:18 It says... 28:43 So the ark was not only a source of salvation, 28:47 it was also a source of destruction for those 28:50 who knowingly and willingly trampled upon God's word. 28:56 You also remember when the ark was taken to the 28:58 cities of the Philistines, that from the ark came forth plagues. 29:02 Do you remember this, that the ark poured out plagues? 29:05 In fact, let's read it in 1 Samuel chapter 5 29:08 verses 1 and 2, and then we'll jump down to verse 6. 29:11 1 Samuel chapter 5 verses 1 and 2, and then verse 6. 29:17 It says here... 29:31 That was their patron god. 29:33 Verse 6... 29:45 If you continue reading, you'll find that the Philistine cities, 29:48 they passed it on from city to city because 29:50 nobody wanted the ark of the covenant. 29:52 Because the ark of the covenant was pouring out plagues 29:55 upon the uncircumcised Philistines. 29:58 And so we find that the ark of the covenant 30:00 was powerful to save those who were in covenant relationship 30:03 with the Lord, but it was also powerful to destroy 30:06 those who were not in a covenant relationship with God. 30:10 Now let's transition to another temple, 30:13 to another ark of the Testimony. 30:16 We're going to talk now about the Sanctuary in heaven 30:20 and the ark of the covenant in the heavenly Sanctuary. 30:23 I want you to notice that the Sanctuary that was 30:26 built on earth was actually a copy of a pattern of the 30:30 genuine Sanctuary that God showed Moses on the mountain. 30:34 Notice Exodus chapter 25 and verse 40. 30:37 Exodus chapter 25 and verse 40. 30:40 What I want you to notice here is that the earthly Sanctuary 30:43 was actually a copy, or a scale model if you please, 30:48 of the heavenly Sanctuary. 30:50 It says there in Exodus 25 and verse 40, 30:53 God is speaking to Moses... 31:02 In other words, God showed Moses on the mountain 31:04 a scale model of the heavenly Sanctuary, and He said 31:07 make the earthly Sanctuary in harmony with this scale model. 31:11 Now the book of Hebrews amplifies this point. 31:14 Go with me to Hebrews chapter 8 and verses 1 through 5 31:18 where clearly we find the idea that the earthly Sanctuary 31:22 was actually a shadow or a copy of the heavenly Sanctuary. 31:26 Hebrews chapter 8 and we'll read verses 1 through 5. 31:32 Here it says... 32:02 That is, if Jesus were on earth. 32:13 In other words, the earthly Sanctuary 32:15 and the earthly priests serve as what? 32:19 The copy and shadow of what? 32:22 Of the heavenly things. 32:36 Hebrews chapter 9 and verse 24 amplifies this point 32:39 about the earthly Sanctuary being a copy or a shadow 32:43 of the replica that God showed Moses on the mountain, 32:47 which is really a scale model of the great heavenly Sanctuary. 32:51 Notice Hebrews chapter 9 and verse 24. 32:54 It says here... 33:09 So the question is, is there a heavenly Sanctuary 33:12 which is the great original of which the earthly Sanctuary 33:16 is a shadow, or a copy, or a scale model? 33:19 Absolutely. 33:20 The Bible is very clear about this. 33:24 So I'd like to ask you, do you suppose that in the 33:26 heavenly Sanctuary there was also going to be 33:29 a Day of Atonement, a day of judgment when God was 33:33 going to cleanse the Sanctuary as well and was going to 33:35 perform a work of judgment? 33:37 Absolutely. 33:39 In fact, let's notice Daniel chapter 7 33:42 and verses 9 and 10, and then we'll read verses 13 and 14. 33:46 Let me give you a little bit of the chronology here. 33:49 And this is something that we're going to study in more detail 33:52 a little bit later on in this series. 33:54 Daniel chapter 7 gives a sequence of powers. 33:58 You have a lion, which represents Babylon. 34:00 You have a bear, which represents the 34:02 Medes and Persians. 34:03 You have a leopard that represents Greece. 34:05 You have a dragon beast that represents the Roman Empire. 34:08 Then the dragon beast sprouts ten horns, 34:11 which represents the divisions of the Roman Empire. 34:14 And then among those ten horns rises a little horn 34:18 who rules 1260 years. 34:21 And those 1260 years end in the year 1798. 34:26 And then as soon as this little horn power receives 34:30 its deadly wound in 1798, we find this interesting scene 34:35 in Daniel 7 and verses 9 and 10. 34:38 Let's read about it. 34:40 Here Daniel says... 34:46 By the way, those thrones are occupied by the heavenly jury. 34:50 And it continues saying, "...and the Ancient of Days was seated." 34:54 Which means that He must not have been seated before. 34:57 Who is the Ancient of Days, by the way? 34:59 The Ancient of Days is God the Father. 35:02 Now it describes what this Ancient of Days looks like. 35:28 Is this the same expression that we found when God 35:31 on Mount Sinai revealed His Ten Commandment law? 35:34 Absolutely. 35:35 He comes now for the judgment with ten thousand of His saints. 35:39 And notice what it continues saying. 35:46 So where is this judgment taking place? 35:48 On earth or in heaven? 35:50 It's taking place in heaven, because it's taking place 35:52 before the Ancient of Days and it's taking place 35:54 in the midst of the angels. 35:56 Now let's go to verse 13. 36:04 Who would the Son of Man be? 36:05 Jesus Christ. 36:08 What do the clouds of heaven represent? 36:10 The angels. 36:11 He came where? 36:17 And now notice what He goes there for. 36:37 Do you know what the purpose of the judgment is? 36:39 You know, we talk about Jesus going into the 36:41 presence of His Father to get the kingdom. 36:43 You know, usually we think of the kingdom as 36:45 a geographical territory. 36:47 But really, what is the kingdom of Jesus Christ? 36:50 The kingdom of Jesus Christ is composed of what? 36:53 It's composed of His people. 36:55 But does He have to determine and reveal who His people are 36:58 before He can establish His kingdom? 37:00 Of course. 37:01 So what Jesus does, He goes into the presence of His Father. 37:04 His Father sits, the court session begins. 37:07 Jesus goes in. 37:09 And now, at the conclusion of the judgment, 37:11 it's been revealed who are His. 37:13 The Sanctuary is cleansed, in other words, 37:15 from the sins of the people. 37:17 And Christ's kingdom is made up. 37:19 Are you understanding what I'm saying? 37:22 Now, if this judgment takes place in heaven, 37:25 which it does, and it takes place in the midst of 37:28 ten thousand of His saints, what would be the 37:32 standard of the judgment? 37:33 What was in the very center of the ark of the covenant? 37:37 The Ten Commandments. 37:39 Are the Ten Commandments the standard of the judgment? 37:42 In other words, the norm that God uses to evaluate people? 37:45 Absolutely. 37:46 Notice what we find in James chapter 2 and verse 12. 37:50 James chapter 2 and verse 12. 37:53 It says here... 38:02 So what is it that's going to judge God's people? 38:04 What are God's people going to be compared with, 38:07 their works or their lives? 38:09 With what? 38:10 With the law. 38:11 And notice, it's not a law of bondage. 38:14 It's a law of what? 38:16 Of liberty. 38:17 Notice also Ecclesiastes chapter 12 38:19 and verses 12 and 13. 38:21 Ecclesiastes chapter 12 and verses 12 and 13. 38:26 Here in these verses that are very well know, it says, 38:29 "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: 38:32 fear God and..." What? 38:34 "...and keep His commandments, for this is man's all. 38:39 For God will bring every work into judgment, 38:43 including every secret thing, whether good or evil." 38:48 Do the commandments of God have anything to do 38:50 with the judgment? 38:51 Of course. 38:53 Here, Solomon inspired by the Holy Spirit says, 38:56 "Fear God and keep His commandments, 38:58 this is the whole duty of man." 38:59 Because God is going to bring every work into what? 39:02 God is going to bring every work into judgment, 39:05 whether it be a good work, or whether it be what? 39:08 An evil work. 39:09 And by the way, some people say, "Well, I'm saved by faith." 39:13 That's true. 39:14 The Bible says that we're saved by grace through faith. 39:16 But the Bible also says that we will be judged by works. 39:20 See, we're saved by grace through faith, 39:22 but what is the evidence that we have genuine faith? 39:25 The evidence is found in our works. 39:27 And what are our works compared with? 39:30 They are compared with God's holy law. 39:33 Now the question is, does God have a right to judge us? 39:37 Why does God have a right to judge us? 39:39 Well of course, because He's our Creator. 39:41 Notice Revelation chapter 14 and verses 6 and 7. 39:45 Revelation 14 and verses 6 and 7. 39:48 Here, we find the end time judgment described. 39:52 And it gives us the reason why God has a right 39:54 to judge the human race. 39:57 It says there in Revelation 14:6-7... 40:10 Now let's stop there for a moment and let me 40:12 ask you this question. 40:14 While this gospel is being preached, 40:17 is it possible to be saved? 40:20 Is the door of mercy still open while the gospel is 40:23 being preached to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people? 40:25 Of course. 40:26 Because if the door of probation has closed, why preach? 40:30 Now I want you to notice something 40:32 very interesting in verse 7. 40:33 After saying that the everlasting gospel 40:36 is given to preach to those who dwell on the earth, 40:38 to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people, 40:40 it says, "...saying with a loud voice, 40:42 'Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of 40:47 His judgment will come.'" 40:49 Ah, thank you very much. 40:51 It doesn't say, "The hour of His judgment will come." 40:53 It says, "The hour of His judgment has come." 40:57 Does the judgment take place while the door of 40:59 mercy is still open? 41:02 While the gospel is being preached? 41:03 Yes or no? 41:04 Absolutely. 41:05 So this must be a pre-advent judgment, and it must mean 41:08 that it's taking place where? 41:11 Not in earth, but in heaven. 41:12 Where in heaven, specifically? 41:14 Where did the judgment take place in Israel? 41:17 In the Most Holy Place. 41:18 And what was at the center of the Most Holy Place? 41:21 The ark. And what was inside the ark? 41:24 The Ten Commandments. 41:25 Now, notice what it continues saying. 41:28 "Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of 41:31 His judgment has come." 41:32 And here it gives us the reason why God has a right to judge us. 41:43 So the judgment transpires while the door of mercy 41:47 is still open, while the three angels messages 41:49 are being proclaimed. 41:51 It there a time, however, when the Sanctuary service 41:54 in the Most Holy Place is going to close and it's going to end? 41:58 Absolutely. 41:59 And the very next chapter in the book of Revelation, 42:02 after saying, "The hour of His judgment is come," 42:05 and after telling us that this event takes place 42:08 in heaven before Jesus comes, while the door of mercy is 42:12 still open, in the very next chapter we're told that the 42:15 time is coming when the Sanctuary service 42:18 is going to close. 42:19 And nobody is going to be able to enter the Sanctuary anymore 42:22 for forgiveness of sin. 42:24 Notice Revelation chapter 15 and verses 5 and 6. 42:27 Revelation 15 verses 5 and 6. 42:32 This is the very next chapter after John has written 42:35 about the hour of God's judgment and the preaching of the 42:38 everlasting gospel. 42:39 He says this... 42:49 Where was that temple of the tabernacle? 42:51 Oh, "...in heaven was..." What? Was opened. 42:55 Which means that it must have been what? 42:57 It must have been closed before. 42:59 Because Jesus was in a different place. 43:01 Now notice... 43:18 So who comes out of the temple now? 43:20 The seven angels with what? 43:23 With the seven last plagues. 43:24 And if you continue reading there, it tells us 43:28 that the temple is filled with smoke. 43:31 And no one is able to what? 43:34 No one is able to enter the temple until 43:38 the seven last plagues have been what? 43:41 The seven last plagues have been poured out. 43:45 Incidentally, Revelation chapter 11 and verse 19 43:49 describes this moment when the temple of God was opened. 43:54 And in Revelation chapter 15, it tells us when it's closed. 43:58 Notice Revelation 11 and verse 19. 44:00 The moment in which the temple or the Most Holy Place 44:02 was opened in heaven. 44:04 It says, "Then the temple of God was..." What? 44:06 "...was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant 44:10 was seen in His temple." 44:13 And then what does it say? 44:15 "And there were..." What? 44:17 Lightening and noises and thunderings, 44:22 and an earthquake. 44:25 Did we see those things before? 44:27 Where did we see those things? 44:29 On Mount Sinai when God revealed His law. 44:31 So let me ask you, when the temple of God was 44:33 opened in heaven for the final judgment, 44:35 do we find the same phenomena that were found when God 44:38 revealed the Ten Commandments? 44:40 Absolutely. 44:41 The same identical phenomena. 44:45 Now you remember that the people at the foot of Mount Sinai 44:50 were required to make a special preparation 44:52 when God came to reveal His law. 44:56 They were suppose to wash what? 44:58 They were suppose to wash their garments. 45:00 Is there a special preparation that needs to take place 45:05 in the context of the judgment that is transpiring 45:08 in heaven now in preparation for the coming of Christ? 45:12 Absolutely. 45:14 Notice several texts that we find in the book of Revelation. 45:17 Revelation chapter 14 and verse 12. 45:19 It's speaking about God's people in the end time. 45:22 It says, "Here is the patience of the saints; 45:26 here are those who..." What? 45:28 "...who keep the commandments of God 45:31 and the faith of Jesus." 45:32 Is God going to have a group of people who keep 45:34 His commandments at the end of time? 45:36 Absolutely. 45:37 Is the devil enraged against those who keep 45:39 the commandments? 45:40 Absolutely. 45:42 Notice Revelation chapter 12 and verse 17. 45:44 Revelation chapter 12 and verse 17. 45:55 And what characterizes that remnant? 46:03 Notice once again, they keep the commandments of God. 46:07 Notice also Revelation chapter 22 and verses 14 and 15. 46:10 Same idea coming through. 46:12 Revelation 22 verses 14 and 15. 46:16 It says there... 46:25 So are all of those who are going to enter through 46:27 the gates commandment keepers? 46:29 They most certainly are. 46:30 What about those outside? 46:32 Are they commandment keepers or commandment breakers? 46:35 Breakers. Notice verse 15. 46:37 "But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral 46:42 and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves..." 46:46 And what? 46:47 "...and practices a lie." 46:49 Is there a special work of purification that takes place 46:52 in preparation for the second coming of Jesus Christ? 46:55 Absolutely. 46:56 Let's read several other verses in Scripture. 46:59 Notice 1 John chapter 3 and verses 1 through 3. 47:03 We're talking now about the preparation that Israel made 47:06 when God came to reveal the Ten Commandments, 47:08 how they washed their garments. 47:09 The equivalent is that God's people, through the power 47:12 of the Holy Spirit, are to wash their characters 47:15 through the power of the Holy Spirit. 47:17 Notice 1 John chapter 3 and verses 1 to 3. 47:45 And now notice verse 3. 47:49 That is, the hope of the coming of Jesus. 48:01 Notice Isaiah 33:14-16. 48:03 This same idea in the context of the second coming. 48:07 The emphasis is constantly that God's people 48:10 will have prepared. 48:11 They will be pure. 48:12 Their lives will be in harmony with God's holy law. 48:15 Isaiah 33 and verses 14 through 16. 48:19 It says here... 48:31 Who is the devouring fire? 48:33 God. 48:37 In other words, who's going to be able to live 48:39 in the presence of God? 48:41 Notice the answer. 49:05 So who are those who are going to be ready 49:07 when Jesus comes? 49:09 Notice the details, the character details. 49:12 They walk righteously, they speak uprightly, 49:15 they despise the gains of oppressions, 49:17 they gesture with their hands, refusing bribes, 49:19 they stop their ears from hearing bloodshed, 49:22 they shut their eyes from seeing evil. 49:25 In other words, their lives have been cleansed 49:27 through the power of God; through the power of 49:29 the Holy Spirit. 49:30 Incidentally, on the Day of Atonement 49:33 when the high priest was cleansing the Sanctuary 49:37 from the sins of the people, the people were suppose to be 49:40 outside the Sanctuary afflicting their souls 49:42 and cleansing their lives from sin. 49:44 Notice Leviticus chapter 23 and verse 29 on this point. 49:48 Leviticus 23 and verse 29, speaking about what the 49:52 people were suppose to be doing, just like Israel at the 49:54 foot of Mount Sinai. 49:56 Leviticus 23:29 49:58 It tells us... 50:08 In fact, it says in that same chapter that He who does not 50:11 sympathize with the work of the high priest 50:13 will be destroyed from among the people. 50:17 Notice also Joel chapter 2:12-13. 50:20 Describing once again the Day of Atonement 50:22 when the life is going to be compared with God's holy law. 50:26 Joel chapter 2 and verses 12 and 13. 50:30 "'Now therefore,' says the Lord..." 50:43 What did Israel do at Mount Sinai? 50:45 They cleansed their garments and they rend their garments. 50:47 But God is saying now, "Don't rend your garments. 50:50 That was a symbol." 50:51 What is He saying now? 50:52 "Don't rend your garments, but your..." What? 50:56 Your heart. 51:06 Psalm 15 describes this same necessary preparation 51:09 for the coming of Christ. 51:10 Notice Psalm 15. 51:12 And it's a short psalm, so we'll read all five verses. 51:15 It says, it begins by asking a question... 51:25 Notice the answer. 51:56 Let's notice several other texts from the New Testament. 51:58 2 Corinthians chapter 7 and verse 1. 52:01 This theme comes through time and again 52:03 that in preparation for the coming of Christ, 52:05 not only must Christ cleanse the sins from 52:08 the heavenly Sanctuary, but Christ, through the power of 52:10 the Holy Spirit, must cleanse the life from sin as well. 52:14 2 Corinthians 7 verse 1. 52:34 Notice Hebrews chapter 12 and verse 14. 52:37 Time and again this theme comes through. 52:39 Hebrews 12 and verse 14. 52:41 Here, the writer of Hebrews says, 52:44 "Pursue peace with all people, and..." What? 52:48 "...holiness, without which no one will see the Lord." 52:54 Let's read one more. 52:56 Titus chapter 2 and verses 11 to 14. 52:58 Titus 2 and verses 11 to 14. 53:01 Speaking once again about the sterling character that 53:03 God's people must have. 53:05 It says there in Titus 2 verse 11, 53:08 "For the grace of God that brings salvation 53:11 has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying..." 53:15 now listen carefully, "denying ungodliness 53:18 and worldly lusts..." 53:20 What do we need to deny? 53:22 "...ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, 53:27 righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for..." 53:34 Notice, this is in the light of the coming of Christ. 53:36 "...looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing 53:40 of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 53:43 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us 53:46 from every..." What? 53:48 "...lawless deed..." 53:49 And then do what? 53:52 "...purify for Himself His own special people, 53:57 zealous for..." What? 53:59 "...zealous for good works." 54:02 One final point that I want to share with you as we 54:04 draw this to a close. 54:06 Do you remember that the ark of the covenant 54:08 poured out plagues upon those who were not in a 54:10 covenant relationship with the Lord? 54:12 It was a source of protection for those who had a 54:14 covenant relationship with God, but it was a destructive power 54:18 upon those who were not right with the Lord. 54:22 Go with me to Revelation chapter 16 54:24 and verses 17 to 21. 54:26 This is our final passage in our study today. 54:30 I want you to notice that when the temple is opened 54:33 at the very end of time, and the angels come out to 54:36 pour out the plagues, the seventh angel, when he 54:39 pours out his plagues, you have the same phenomena 54:42 that you had at Mount Sinai. 54:44 But now not in a saving context, but in a destroying context. 54:49 Notice Revelation 16 and verse 17. 55:00 Was there a voice heard at Mount Sinai? 55:03 Was it God's voice? 55:04 Absolutely. 55:05 Notice what it continues saying. 55:07 "And there were noises..." 55:09 Did that happen at Sinai? 55:11 Yes. "...and thunderings..." 55:12 Did that happen? Yes. 55:14 "...and lightenings... How about that? 55:16 Sure. 55:17 "...and there was also a great..." What? 55:20 "...earthquake..." 55:21 Did that happen at Sinai? 55:23 Absolutely. 55:45 Do you remember that there was also fire on Mount Sinai? 55:48 Notice that there are now stones of fire that fall. 55:51 It says then in verse 21... 56:08 And by the way, this was not hail made of ice. 56:11 This was fiery hail. 56:13 You can read about it in Exodus chapter 9 and verses 24 and 25. 56:17 And also the fact that the book of Revelation says that 56:20 upon the wicked will fall fire and what? 56:23 Fire and brimstone. 56:25 Which takes place at the moment of the seventh plague. 56:28 And so what has God tried to teach us 56:30 with the ark of the covenant? 56:32 What God is saying is that there was a Sanctuary on earth 56:36 in which was the ark of the covenant. 56:38 In the ark of the covenant was the law of God 56:41 that was used to evaluate the lives of His people 56:45 on the great Day of Atonement. 56:46 His people were suppose to cleanse their lives 56:49 so that God would save them in the great Day. 56:52 Is that parallel to what is transpiring now in heaven? 56:57 The same thing is happening in heaven. 56:59 Only now, Israel is not in view. 57:02 The whole human race is in view. 57:05 The lives of all are being compared with the 57:07 great standard of justice; God's holy law. 57:12 And God is inviting us now in this time of mercy and grace 57:15 to come into the Sanctuary with our sins, to confess our sins, 57:19 to repent of sin, so that our sins can be cleansed 57:23 from the Sanctuary and from our lives. |
Revised 2014-12-17