SSLS 2017-01-10
2017 1st Quarter
Lesson 2, January 7-13, The Holy Spirit: Working Behind the Scenes
Tuesday, January 10
The first testament (Old Testament) ordinances of the everlasting gospel consisted of animal sacrifices at the gate of Eden by Adam and Eve. These ordinances were expanded to include circumcision in the days of Abraham. Further expansion were given to the children of Israel in the Wilderness Tabernacle in order to illustrate the plan of salvation of which God had promised.
Most obviously depicted is the foreshadowing of how sin guilt is confessed, transformed to an innocent “clean” animal without “spot” or “blemish” symbolizing the perfection of Jesus Christ the Son of God, how the animal was slain as a substitute with its blood taken into the sanctuary, and how, later on the Day of Atonement, the sin guilt was transferred from the sanctuary to the scapegoat representing Satan–the originator of sin, and the one to whom blame for the existence of sin belongs.
What we are studying today is how the Holy Spirit is involved in the building of the Wilderness Tabernacle after the pattern–the original sanctuary in Heaven. Notice how Miriam and Moses sang this song, at the Red Sea escape crossing, about the sanctuary of God before they had ever built one in the wilderness:
“Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O Lord, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased. Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O Lord, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.” KJV, Exodus 15:16, 17, emphasis added.
Later, at Mount Sinai, God commanded Moses, “And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.” KJV, Exodus 25:8, 9, emphasis added.
So, how is the Holy Spirit involved in this work of building?
“And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship. And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee.” KJV, Exodus 31:1-6, emphasis added.
Today, the Holy Spirit is building a different kind of tabernacle–one with lively stones.
“To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” KJV, 1 Peter 2:4-10, emphasis added.
“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” KJV, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, emphasis added.