Thursday, October 24, 2019

What connection is there between the Ark of the Covenant and the Throne of God? How does Jesus fit into this powerful symbol for God? What connection is there between our worship and His Ark? Are you an ark of His Covenant?

Exodus 25:17-22 And you shall make a mercy seat (a covering) of pure gold, two cubits and a half long and a cubit and a half wide. And you shall make two cherubim (winged angelic figures) of [solid] hammered gold on the two ends of the mercy seat. Make one cherub on each end, making the cherubim of one piece with the mercy seat, on the two ends of it. And the cherubim shall spread out their wings above, covering the mercy seat with their wings, facing each other and looking down toward the mercy seat. You shall put the mercy seat on the top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the Testimony [the Ten Commandments] that I will give you. There I will meet with you and, from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are upon the ark of the Testimony, I will speak intimately with you of all which I will give you in commandment to the Israelites.

Obviously we have in this passage a description of the Ark of the Covenant which had as it’s lid a mercy seat, or covering. This is where God would meet with Moses and the High Priest speaking intimately with them. How powerful is that? What we don’t know is the New Testament reference to the Ark and its connection to Jesus: Romans 3:23-25 states in the NKJV: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,…

The New King James’ Translation obscures the original Greek meaning of propitiation but the Amplified Classic brings out its hidden meaning:  Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives. [All] are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy), through the redemption which is [provided] in Christ Jesus, Whom God put forward [before the eyes of all] as a mercy seat and propitiation by His blood [the cleansing and life-giving sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation, to be received] through faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over and ignored former sins without punishment.

Jesus was our Mercy Seat. The Forerunner Commentary had the following explanation: This passage tells us that Jesus Christ is our Mercy Seat, but the translators have hidden it. “Propitiation” (Greek hilasterios) in verse 25 is literally “place of conciliation or expiation” or “Mercy Seat.” The Septuagint used hilasterios to translate the Hebrew noun kapporeth (“Mercy Seat”). This Hebrew word’s root is kapar meaning “to cover” or “to conceal.” 

God’s Ark, a Symbol of His Throne, becomes the place where our sins are hidden, and expiated, and we are reconciled to God. Here Jesus becomes our covering to conceal our sins. Here we find the Holy Father’s Mercy. Thus we are commanded to draw near to God’s throne of Grace in Hebrews 4:16: Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].

We are to draw near to receive mercy, and find grace to do God’s Will. 2 Peter 3:18 states: But grow in grace (undeserved favor, spiritual strength) and recognition and knowledge and understanding of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (the Messiah). To Him [be] glory (honor, majesty, and splendor) both now and to the day of eternity. Amen (so be it)! 

We grow in Grace as we assemble before His Throne of Grace, and we grow in Grace as we build for Him a throne in our hearts. Psalms 22:3 states in the NAS Translation: Yet You are holy, O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel. 

His Throne is built in us as we establish Him upon our praises, and worship. Interestingly enough this Psalm is the Crucifixion Psalm of Jesus. As we build His throne in our hearts through obedient worship, sacrifice and service Jesus is exalted and enthroned on high. But what’s truly amazing is a promise made for those who come out of the Laodicean Church Age opening the Door to His Presence. It states in Revelation 3:21: He who overcomes (is victorious), I will grant him to sit beside Me on My throne, as I Myself overcame (was victorious) and sat down beside My Father on His throne. 

We actually get to sit with Jesus on His Throne. In conclusion we are building for Him a throne through our own lives of surrender. We build and become a Tabernacle/Temple for His Presence. The question remains: Are you an ark of His covenant? Is your life a throne of His Presence?