Page 200 - Bible Writers Theology Original

184 ♦ Bble VMers' Theology Chapter Seven
the center of the court. These two rooms were actually one when viewed from the outer court, but a veil inside divided them. The Holy Place con tained the table of holy bread, the altar of incense, and the golden lamp stand, while the Most Holy Place contained the ark of the covenant. The Holy Place pointed to the redemptive role of Christ, who is our bread from
heaven, mediator, and light. The Most Holy Place represented the presence of God Himself. The unity of the two placesshows the union of the flesh and spirit (Son and Father) in the one person of Jesus Christ (John 2:19-22; 14*6- 10).
The outer court represented atonement for sinners. The priest took blood from the outer court, passed through the Holy Place, and entered into the Most Holy Place to sprinkle the blood over the ark, signifying that no one can reach the Father but through Christ (John 10:1-18; 14:6-7, II Corinthians 5:17-20; I Timothy 2:5-6; Hebrews 7).
The ark of the covenant contained the tables of stone on which were writ tentheten commandments ofGod, including the Name ofGod. The ark and the tables ofstone can be seen as depicting the incarnation. Ifwe compare the ark to the body, and the name and Word of God inscribed on the tables
of stone to deity, we then have a picture of the incarnation: the Father in Christ (in the Word that was made flesh).
After Moses put the tables of stone in the ark, nobody was able to see Aent. Nevertheless, God worked mightily by His Name, among His people in the Old Testament days. Likewise, in the New Testament the invisible
God in Christ, r^onciling the world unto Himself Qohn 5:43; II Corinthians 5:19). That is why Christ was called Immanuel, or "God with us." (Isaiah 7:13-14; Matthew 1:23). Moreover, since Christ is Immanuel, He is the mighty God and the everlasting Father (Isaiah 9:6). Isaiah '40*5 declares, "And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it." According to Hebrews 1:3 and John 1:14, Christ is the glory of God. It is through the body
of Christ that people have seen the Father. In Christ is the ultimate fulfill ment of God's covenant of His manifestation: "And I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you. And I will walk among you
and will be your God, and ye shall be my people" (Leviticus 26:11-12). (See also Revelation 21:3-4.) The prophecy of Haggai concerning the greatness of the glory of the latter temple, which was Christ, is fulfilled when the word became flesh to be an everlasting temple of God the Father. (Haeeai
2:9;John 2:20-22;Colossians 2:9).
The glory of God that was in the ark of the covenant and the tabe.-nacle at large is now vividly manifested in the everlasting dwelling or temple of God, that is, the flesh (Christ). The Word of God, represented by the tables
of Stone, was made flesh and the fellowship of the Father, and Christ dwells in the hearts of believers today by the Holy Spirit. Thus is Ezekiel 36:26-27
fulfilled: "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put with- ia you: and I xvill take away the stony heart out of your flesb, and 1 will