Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Symbols and similitudes » Tabernacle
{A Psalm of David} Lord, who shall dwell in thy tabernacle? Who shall rest upon thy holy hill?
and is a minister of holy things, and of the very tabernacle which God pitched, and not man.
which priests serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things: even as the answer of God was given unto Moses when he was about to finish the tabernacle: "For take heed," said he, "that thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount."
My dwelling shall be with them, yea I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
That first tabernacle verily had ordinances and servings of God, and worldly holiness. For there was a fore tabernacle made, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the show bread, which is called holy. But within the second veil was there a tabernacle, which is called holiest of all, read more.
which had the golden censer, and the ark of the testament overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot with manna, and Aaron's rod that sprung, and the tables of the testament. Over the ark were the cherubims of glory shadowing the seat of grace. Of which things, we will not now speak particularly. When these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle and executed the service of God: But into the second went the high priest alone, once every year: and not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the ignorance of the people. Wherewith the holy ghost this signifying, that the way of holy things was not yet opened, while as yet the first tabernacle was standing, which was a similitude for the time then present, and in which were offered gifts and sacrifices that could not make them that minister perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; with meats only and drinks, and divers washings, and justifyings of the flesh, which were ordained until the time of reformation. But Christ being a high priest of good things to come, came by a greater, and a more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands: that is to say, not of this manner building, neither by the blood of goats, and calves: but by his own blood, we entered once for all into the holy place, and found eternal redemption.
which had the golden censer, and the ark of the testament overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot with manna, and Aaron's rod that sprung, and the tables of the testament. Over the ark were the cherubims of glory shadowing the seat of grace. Of which things, we will not now speak particularly. When these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle and executed the service of God: But into the second went the high priest alone, once every year: and not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the ignorance of the people. Wherewith the holy ghost this signifying, that the way of holy things was not yet opened, while as yet the first tabernacle was standing, which was a similitude for the time then present, and in which were offered gifts and sacrifices that could not make them that minister perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; with meats only and drinks, and divers washings, and justifyings of the flesh, which were ordained until the time of reformation. But Christ being a high priest of good things to come, came by a greater, and a more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands: that is to say, not of this manner building, neither by the blood of goats, and calves: but by his own blood, we entered once for all into the holy place, and found eternal redemption.
It is then need that the similitudes of heavenly things, be purified with such things: but the heavenly things themselves are purified with better sacrifices than are those. For Christ is not entered into the holy places, that are made with hands, which are but similitudes of true things: but is entered into very heaven, for to appear now in the sight of God for us.
Symbols and similitudes » Two sticks
The word of the LORD came unto me, saying, "Thou son of man, take a stick and write upon it, 'Unto Judah; and to the children of Israel, his companions.' Then take another stick, and write upon it, 'Unto Joseph, the stock of Ephraim; and to all the household of Israel, his companions.' And then take both these together in thine hand, so shall there be one stick thereof. read more.
Now if the children of thy people say unto thee, 'Wilt thou not show us what thou meanest by these?' Then give them this answer, 'Thus sayeth the LORD God: Behold, I will take the stock of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them to the stock of Judah, and make them one stock, and they shall be one in my hand.' And the two sticks whereupon thou writest, shalt thou have in thine hand, that they may see, and shalt say unto them, 'Thus sayeth the LORD God: Behold, I will take away the children of Israel from among the Heathen, unto whom they be gone, and will gather them together on every side, and bring them again into their own land. Yea, I will make one people of them in the land, upon the mountains of Israel, and they all shall have but one king. They shall no more be two peoples from henceforth, neither be divided into two kingdoms: they shall also defile themselves no more with their abominations, Idols, and all their wicked doings. I will help them out of all their dwelling places, wherein they have sinned: and will so cleanse them, that they shall be my people, and I their God. David my servant shall be their king, and they all shall have one shepherd only. They shall walk in my laws, and my commandments shall they both keep and fulfill. They shall dwell in the land that I gave unto Jacob my servant, whereas your fathers also have dwelt. Yea even in the same land shall they, their children, and their children's children dwell for evermore: and my servant David shall be their everlasting prince. Moreover, I will make a bond of peace with them, which shall be unto them an everlasting covenant. I will settle them also, and multiply them; my Sanctuary will I set among them for evermore. My dwelling shall be with them, yea I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Thus the Heathen also shall know, that I the LORD am the holy maker of Israel: when my Sanctuary shall be among them for evermore.'"
Now if the children of thy people say unto thee, 'Wilt thou not show us what thou meanest by these?' Then give them this answer, 'Thus sayeth the LORD God: Behold, I will take the stock of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them to the stock of Judah, and make them one stock, and they shall be one in my hand.' And the two sticks whereupon thou writest, shalt thou have in thine hand, that they may see, and shalt say unto them, 'Thus sayeth the LORD God: Behold, I will take away the children of Israel from among the Heathen, unto whom they be gone, and will gather them together on every side, and bring them again into their own land. Yea, I will make one people of them in the land, upon the mountains of Israel, and they all shall have but one king. They shall no more be two peoples from henceforth, neither be divided into two kingdoms: they shall also defile themselves no more with their abominations, Idols, and all their wicked doings. I will help them out of all their dwelling places, wherein they have sinned: and will so cleanse them, that they shall be my people, and I their God. David my servant shall be their king, and they all shall have one shepherd only. They shall walk in my laws, and my commandments shall they both keep and fulfill. They shall dwell in the land that I gave unto Jacob my servant, whereas your fathers also have dwelt. Yea even in the same land shall they, their children, and their children's children dwell for evermore: and my servant David shall be their everlasting prince. Moreover, I will make a bond of peace with them, which shall be unto them an everlasting covenant. I will settle them also, and multiply them; my Sanctuary will I set among them for evermore. My dwelling shall be with them, yea I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Thus the Heathen also shall know, that I the LORD am the holy maker of Israel: when my Sanctuary shall be among them for evermore.'"