14/03/14

The Veil that hid the Ark is taken away

Exodus 40:21 - And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the vail of the covering, and covered the ark of the testimony; as the LORD commanded Moses.


The Hebrew word 'arown' translated as Ark means 'chest' and comes from the root word 'arah' which means to gather and the Hebrew word 'poreketh' translated as 'vail'/'veil' comes from the root word perek means 'cruelty'/ 'harshness'.

We know from the books of Moses, Samuel, Kings and Chronicles how the Ark had power to deliver the Israelites when they carried it in sacredness. Great armies came against it but if the Ark was with them they carried it to a mountain top for all to see and get inspirited by it and thus have victory. But at times when they did not walk in holiness and yet had the Ark, the power of its presence did not help them. The sanctification was so important that only a Levite (one separated to God) was only allowed to not only touch it but also carry it. Anyone else even so touched it would die immediately. So we see there were 2 factors for their victory one was to uphold the Ark and second to sanctify themselves.

The Jews carried a symbolic object and did not know what it symbolized; it was only through Jesus that the real understanding of the Ark was revealed. Jesus said unless one denies oneself and carries his Cross and follows Him (His teaching) is not worthy of Him. So we see like the Jews were told to carry the Ark to enter the Promised Land so also Christians are told to carry the Cross to enter Heaven for only when one follows Jesus does one enter Heaven for He is the only way.

The Greek word translated as Cross 'stauros' comes from the word 'histemi' which means 'stand' or 'cause' (something established). To understand the stand or cause we need to look at the shadow in the OT which was the Ark, which meant 'to gather' and we see Jesus is called the Good Shepherd who is come to gather His sheep. So the real Cross of Jesus was not the wooden crucifix but the Mission He had come for, which was to gather His people / sheep and lead them to the Father.

All those who are in Jesus are given a mission which is to witness Him to the people given unto them, so we too like Him are given a Harvest / a flock of sheep whom we are to gather unto the main flock, which is the Father's flock (a shepherd does not own the flock but is the caretaker until he reaches them home). We are not called to lead our flock but to gather them and join them to the main flock.

There was also 2 conditions required to carry the Ark one was to separate oneself and second to sanctify oneself. Jesus said unless one denies oneself and follow His teaching he or she is only worthy of Him. So denying oneself means to separate oneself to God, denying this world's teachings and the pleasures (not needs) of this world. To sanctify oneself, Jesus tells us to follow His teachings and as we follow His teachings we start to live a life of holiness.

The wrath of God kept the Cross hidden from us and thus there was no way for us to go to Heaven. Jesus took the wrath of God on Himself and made peace between God and man thus tearing the veil revealed the Cross to us. He not only revealed the Cross to us but made us worthy to carry it and also gave us a Helper (Holy Spirit) to carry it. Today the Cross is no longer covered by a veil like it was done before. Let us thank God for the Cross and thank Jesus Christ for taking the wrath on Himself and revealing the Cross to us.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord, we thank You for the Cross, for making us worthy to carry it and be part of your army. Lord, let every Christian know that unless one carries the Cross they are not really Christians. Let them know unless they do not witness You to the people given unto them they are not really Christians. Let them know unless they do not gather your sheep unto You, they are not Christian. Lord we prayer that more people who call themselves Christians become real Christians by the power of the Cross...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference ]
Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Matthew 10:38 - And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

1 Corinthians 1:18 - For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Mark 16:14-19
14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

Matthew 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.



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