BRINGING DOWN THE GLORY

BRINGING DOWN THE GLORY

Exod.25:8; Num.9:15-23; 2Chron.5:11-14; 7:1-11

In ancient Israel, the Glory of God appearing was evidence that God was with His people. It produced confidence and assurance among the people. God’s glory would display in the form of cloud or fire. When this happened, Israel understood it as the presence of God. The glory of God guided his people. It provided protection against their enemies (Exod.14:19-20). It showed up in the burning bush when there was a special assignment to Moses. It showed up when God accepted the sacrifice of His people. It showed up sometimes when there was need to judge between God’s people (Num.12:1-5). In the Early Church, a hint of the Glory was displayed on the day of Pentecost.

But today we concentrate on how and why the Glory of God came down when the Tabernacle and the Temple of God were completed.

1)  THE COMMAND TO BUILD THE SANCTUARY

 

     i.        The Purpose of the Sanctuary –

The Sanctuary was to be a “dwelling place” for God (Exod.25:8-9). The prospect of God dwelling among His people was very exciting to the Israelites. The prospect of God dwelling among us should excite us too. We even have better prospects. God is not just going to dwell among us but within each of us as children of God (2Cor.6:14-18; Lev.26:12). At that time God’s Spirit had not been poured out on all flesh, but today he has. Jesus promised faithful and obedient disciples that the Holy Trinity will dwell in them (John 14:21-23). The apostle Paul reminds us that we, as a Church, are the Temple of God, that is, of the Holy Spirit (1Cor.6:19-20). So God commands those who belong to Him to build a sanctuary for His dwelling. That Sanctuary is US! We are God’s Sanctuary.

    ii.        The Pattern of The Sanctuary (Exod.25:8-9, 40) –

Moses received the specifications for the construction of the Tabernacle on the Mountain from the Lord. Our GS used to tell us how the pattern of Deeper life Bible Church came to him by revelation, the type of Church, the type of ministry, the dressing, the great multitude that would be part of this Church. And he has stuck to what God showed him. God is particular about patterns. The blood sprinkled on the door posts by Israelites during the Passover night in Egypt represents the cleansing of sin by the Blood of Jesus. The Bronze serpent that Moses made and put up on a pole represents the importance of the Crucifixion of Christ. The sanctuary in the wilderness was a pattern of things to come. And if our body is the Temple of God today what pattern is it to follow (Deut.22:5; 1Cor.3:16-17; 6:19-20; 2Cor.6:16-20)?

   iii.        The Preparation for the Sanctuary – (Exod.25:1-9)

God commanded to take an offering for Him for the purpose of the Sanctuary. The resources for building the sanctuary were to be brought by God’s people. It is the people of God who will build the house of God. Non-believers cannot, are not called upon to build a house for God. Children of God are called to build a house for God

2)  THE COMENCEMENT TO BUILD THE SANCTUARY

     i.        The Collection of Gifts for the Sanctuary –

God has asked for offering and every person related to Him must stand up and give. As has been said, God can without the help of man provide for His sanctuary, but He offers the privilege of giving to His people. Giving is a form of accountability – it makes us to know that what we have has been given to us by God (Gen.22:1-12, 15-18)! Now we are required to give generously for the building of our Regional Headquarters. It is to be to us the Sanctuary of God. How will you give? What will you give on the 1^st of March and beyond? Will you give like Abraham? Will you give like David? Will you give like Abel or will you give like Cain?

    ii.        The Consciousness of the Givers to the Sanctuary –

When you become conscious of divine ownership, you will not withhold anything from the Lord. Notice how the Israelites had to be restrained from giving for the construction of the Sanctuary (Exod.36:2-7). Notice how King David provided much of what was needed to build the Temple of God (1Chro.29:1-13). That was the character of the man after God’s heart. He never held anything back from God Notice how much King Solomon offered towards the dedication of the temple (2Chron.7:4-5). See how God blessed them.

Are you conscious that God owns all you are and all you have (1Chron.29:1-17)? Do you know that God saved you for Himself? Can you give your Isaac to the Lord? I have heard people arguing whether to give tithe or not. Don’t think it is your talent that will make you to prosper It is God who make us prosper. Some people who were hailed as celebrities are now booed as criminals! God was not in their mind. They thought they have made it. But now they are jailed, they are vilified. If they spent their time serving God He would have rewarded them.

   iii.        The Cessation of Giving for the Sanctuary –

These people understood that storing treasures on earth is a fruitless effort (Mat.6:19-33). When we understand that things of this world will pass away, we will give everything necessary to the service of God! Jesus asked Peter a searching question which is very relevant to us today (John 21:15-17). What do you love? Your education of God? Your money or God? Your beauty or God? Your property or God?

3)  THE CULMINATION OF THE BUILDING PROJECT

     i.        God’s Glory Came Down (Num.9:15-23; 2Chro.5:13-14; 7:1-11) –

The Tabernacle has been completed. People gave generously for its construction. It was built according to pattern. God was satisfied with the work. This is what brought down the glory of god. For us to bring down the glory, God must find our work perfect (Gen.6:9; 7:1)

    ii.        God Accepts His People – (2Chron.7:12-16)

When the glory of God came down in the Tabernacle (Num.9:15-23), and in the Temple (2Chro.5:13-14; 7:1-3), it showed that God has accepted His people and their sacrifice.

   iii.        God Answers Their Prayers – (2Chron.7:12-14; Mat.7:7-9)

After the dedication of the Temple, God appeared to Solomon by night. That was the second time he had appeared to him. God was pleased with what they had accomplished in His name.

The ultimate goal of all our religious exercises is that God will accept us. He will accept what we are doing in His name. We will not be like Nadab and Abihu.

The Glory of God came down when the people obeyed the Lord and as He told them. The Glory of God will come down on our Church when we obey Him in giving to the building of our Regional Headquarters.