As I said, the Tabernacle of Moses lays out the pattern of God’s provision through the Cross of Christ. Let’s identify in an elementary way, some of the essential Truths represented here.
The Outer Court is illuminated by the sun and moon, which speaks of natural light; or, natural reasoning and understanding. There we find the Brazen Altar and then the Brazen Laver. Brass speaks of Judgment against sin. The altar speaks of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God.
Natural man; presented with the Truth of the Lamb of God slain upon the Cross as our Substitute for sin can choose to believe the Gospel, repent, and then receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. The Brazen Laver points to the need of embracing water baptism and the renewing of the mind through the washing of the water of the Word.
One can be convicted, repent, be born-again, baptized into Christ, and have their mind renewed through the power of the Cross and the Word of God in the Outer Court; or, entirely in the realm of natural reason and understanding.
Some spend years there; for many, their entire Christian life in the Earth is lived in the Outer Court: an incredibly wonderful Place. The Outer Court life is a Place where Amazing grace and joy is the birth-right of all born-again Christians; a life that can be lived in the unending wonders of the Savior and the Word of God.
And yet; faithfully, the Holy Spirit bears witness to us all that there is more that God desires our lives to attain to. He ever gently and persistently draws us to a deeper walk with Christ Jesus and the Father: a more intimate communion with God, by moving forward into the Holy Place. Amen.
Many Christians equate moving on into the Holy Place of the Tabernacle, with the Gifts and Manifestations of the Spirit; particularly those who are of the Charismatic/Pentecostal streams or tribes, if you will. Though these spiritual elements are valid aspects of the Holy Place, they are not the primary focus of this area of the Tabernacle of God’s design.
God cleanses us through the Blood and we are born-again as His children through the embracing of the Truths of the Outer Court. God desires us to then commit our lives to the provision of His grace and then by faith, move forward into the Holy Place.
[in preparation for the Holy of Holies]
We do this by simply committing ourselves to grow in Holiness by embracing the fear of the Lord and move forward in Truth. Perfection is an old-English word for completion, or maturity.
2Co 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Regrettably, it seems at times that the Outer Court is over-run with immature “Spirit-filled ministers”(?) lacking the Spirit of the fear of the Lord. These are those who quickly left the Brazen Alter Truths after getting saved, bypassed the renewing of the mind; entered in and received the baptism of the Holy Ghost and some gifts in the Holy Place, and then, they decided to run back out and play. These are spiritual children; enthralled with demonstrating among those in the Outer Court how proficient they are with their gifts.
[Look at me, look at me! My gift is bigger and more accurate than yours is! Whoa; dude! You’re an amazingly powerful prophet! Or apostle! Or…. whatever. ]
Jesus said the Baptism of the Holy Ghost was poured out to endue us with power that we might be witnesses unto Him; or martyrs, as it says in the Greek. The first priority of the equipping power of the Holy Spirit, is to enable us to lay our lives down daily for Christ, His people, and His Kingdom on Earth. But, that is laid out in the progression of Truth as we move on into the Holy Place, rather than returning immediately to the Outer Court. [to be cont.]
brother cliff
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