Topic: The Old Testament Speaks of Me – Discover the Book by Dr John Barnett 2 December 2021

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The Old Testament Speaks of Me

Today I would like to invite you to walk with me on holy ground. That Holy Ground is the verses in which we find our Lord Jesus Christ in all His glory. Our goal is to have a strategic grasp of the Bible. That strategic grasp comes as we find that ALL THE Scriptures speak of Him. In John 5:39 that is exactly what Jesus said, and that is what we aim to see.

Also Read: Open Heaven 2 December 2021 –Topic: THE CURE FOR SHAME 

First join me in a quick overview of how God laid out the plan of salvation so clearly in the detailed plans for the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle portrays a seven-step plan of salvation:

1. A sinner is outside the Tabernacle, kept away by a 7 ½ foot high white fence, set of posts held up by 60 solid brass sockets. There is only one way or gate into the enclosure, which opened directly in front of the Brazen Altar. That altar is the Cross of Jesus, which is where our spiritual life begins at salvation.
2. The next step after salvation is the regular cleansing at the Brazen Laver.
3. After being cleansed the next door leads to the Holy Place [about the size of a large living room (30 x 15)] where we find the Golden Table of Bread as we fellowship with Jesus through His Word.
4. Then guided by the light of the Golden Lamp stand we are able to walk confidently as I John 1:7 says.
5. Then and only then can we understand the power of prayer as portrayed by the Golden Altar of incense.
6. Through prayer we enter the Holy of Holies of God’s very presence.
7. In that Holiest Place we find the peace and security of the Ark of the Covenant, the blood sprinkled mercy seat and the glow of the Shekinah of God’s presence.

A 450-foot long fence made of white linen surrounded the Tabernacle. This wall that was higher than anyone could see over had a strong message “stay out”. The posts that held the fence were set in solid brass post holders called sockets. The brass always speaks of judgment. This pure white fence set in sockets of brass says be perfect or God will judge you, and spoke of our inability to qualify on our own to come to God, and represented the law which says:

• Romans 3:9 “What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.”
• Galatians 3:22 “But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.”
• James 2:10 “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.”

So there was not only one way into the Tabernacle, but also one attitude. The only way a sinner might enter was with a sacrificial substitute to die in that sinners place. Hebrews 9:22 “And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission”. By coming to that gate a sinner admitted his sinfulness, and accepted the only hope, a substitute to die in his place. There was no other way in. All else inside that tent was based on that contrite admission.