Friday, October 11, 2019

What is God’s purpose for my life? Or is that even the right question? Shouldn’t we begin with God? What’s God’s Purpose? Does the Old Testament apply to Christians now that we are under the Law of Grace? Are there blueprints for becoming a Temple for God? What’s all the fuss regarding the Priestly Tabernacle of Moses? What does it mean to be built on Jesus, the Apostles and Prophets?

Ephesians 2:19-22 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. 

We are being built into a holy temple in the Lord, individually and corporately, for a dwelling place for God. But what does Paul mean that we are built on the Apostles and Prophets? Why is he referring to two different dimensions: one old and the other new. The newer foundational aspect of the Apostles, or “Sent Ones” of Jesus, is communicated through the Gospel, and New Testament teachings and the older aspect is found in the Prophets of the Old Testament. Unfortunately many a Christian blindly seek to build their own structure divorced from the clear teaching of Scripture, and its’ Architect. The good news is that He has left some blueprints which enable us to cooperate in the process. Our cooperation guarantees that we pass inspection on the day of His judgment. This judgment is not to be confused with the “White Throne Judgment” but is actually a judgement of what we do with the eternal life He has given us to live. IN other words, what have we done with His deposits of Grace, Spirit, and Word? 

It’s interesting that Scripture refers to Moses as a Prophet. Old Testament prophets represented God and the Law to God’s people. Moses had received a strict warning on how to build the Tabernacle. Hebrews 8:4-5 states: If then He were still living on earth, He would not be a priest at all, for there are [already priests] who offer the gifts in accordance with the Law. [But these offer] service [merely] as a pattern and as a foreshadowing of [what has its true existence and reality in] the heavenly sanctuary. For when Moses was about to erect the tabernacle, he was warned by God, saying, See to it that you make it all [exactly] according to the copy (the model) which was shown to you on the mountain.

The prophet of God is warned to make it exactly according to the copy which he had been shown. When I was younger in the faith I used to wonder what all the fuss was about? What difference did it make if Moses got some of the details wrong? It wasn’t until I discovered the Biblical way of reading Scripture that the treasures of God’s Word began to emerge. For you see that the messages of prophets are often full of hidden meanings, and messages. It is no less true in the writings of Moses. The writer of Hebrews alludes to the fact that these things Moses depicted were shadows and patterns (or types) of something greater than themselves. For you see the exact representation was for the intended purpose of discovering the Messiah in each and every detail. The Father wanted future generations to make the connection between the various aspects of the Temple and His Beloved Son, Jesus.

It’s no coincidence that Jesus referred to Himself as the Temple. Nor is it a coincidence that the Book of Revelation depicts Him as the man with feet like burnished bronze. As you carefully read about the Tabernacle and Temple you discover that Jesus is not only the structure but He is its Bronze Altar, Bronze Laver, Menorah, Table of Showbread, Altar of Incense, and Ark. Since that is true He is building you into these also.

The philosophy of the ancient biographer Plutarch has crept into the minds of Modern believers who have reduced Jesus’ mission to fit into a tiny, little box. On inspection of the contents of that box you discover the pitiful purpose to be: “saving people to live with Him in Heaven.” That’s it end of story. That’s the Fathers grand purpose. That’s what we’ve been told repeatedly through the generations. This misinformed belief has created self-serving, delusional opinions regarding the after-life and our occupation of it. Many quote, or paraphrase Romans 8:28 We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. 

In this passage Paul alludes to the fact that we are called to a purpose. To be called implies that you can hear, and recognize the One calling you. Not only do you recognize the call, but you know the specifics of what was said. Keep in mind that when Paul wrote this to the Romans that he didn’t explain this. Why? It was understood. They knew the details of the call. Yet we shouldn’t stop there. We need to be discovering the answer for ourselves by asking, What is God’s Purpose? What is the purpose to which God has called us? Romans 8:29 provides the answer: For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren.

What is the Father’s purpose? That we become like Jesus. Do you see now where this is going? The Architect, blueprints (which is an interesting term when you consider that the color blue is a symbol for revelation and the prophetic), and the builders have all outlined for future “temples” (that’s you and me) how to cooperate in the process of becoming like Jesus. The Father echoes for us the words which He spoke to Moses, See to it that you make it all [exactly] according to the copy (the model) which was shown to you on the mountain. 

You see, you and I are made for more than just dying and going to Heaven. We were born-again to be little Jesus.’