Where you live is important in the spiritual realm for it affects you eternally. I am not talking just about heaven or hell, but your daily relationship in Christ.
Whoever Believes
The bible says, whoever believes shall have eternal life, John 3:16. Those who accept that the shed blood of Christ frees them from the wages of sin, which is eternal death, Romans 6:23, shall not go to hell with Satan. They will have eternal life with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
There is absolutely nothing anyone can change about that. Even if you accept Christ and backslide, you cannot crucify Christ twice, Hebrews 6:6. What happens to an unrepentant backslider is much debated, however, is not our business, but God’s.
This is likened to a student who enrols in a course. Once enrolled you cannot be unenrolled because you cannot turn the clock back. It is not our place to judge a backslider. We need to pray for their return to the fold and that they experience a truly deep relationship with the Saviour.
Heavenly Pattern
Moses Tabernacle in the wilderness served as a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, Hebrews 8:5. This is something that is little discussed in Christian circles or even taught.
However, the Tabernacle has so many types and shadows of Christ and His work of redemption it fills many books. The Tabernacle is also a loud and clear type and shadow of our walk in Christ. We are instructed to grow to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ, Ephesians 4:13.
Vast numbers of Christians do not see the importance of this simple statement in relationship to where we live.
Outer Court
The Outer Court was a type and shadow of all that took place in the terrible depths of Calvary. Christ who knew no sin was made sin that we might become the righteousness of God in Him, 2 Corinthians 5:21. We cannot comprehend what it took for Him to drink every vile sin that man has perpetrated since the time of Adam.
As a Christian we can dwell in the Outer Court all our Christian life. We are saved and have the promise of eternal life. What more does God want? We even agree to full emersion water baptism, attend church, be acquainted with the bible and pray when we want something. But that is all there is a need for?
Four Pillars
There are a total of 13 pillars in Moses’ Tabernacle. To enter the Outer Court you passed through the four pillars of the gate. Four is the Biblical number that relates to this world. All who will, may enter the Outer Court and none will be turned away no matter who they are or what they have done. Just think of the dying thief on the Cross.
Christ alone is the gate, John 10:9. No man can enter the kingdom of heaven, except through the acceptance of the shed blood and death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. No man comes to the Father except through Him, John 14:6.
Follower
What more do you need besides receiving the free gift of salvation? Jesus’ command is to ‘Follow Him’, that He might make us fishers of men, John 4:19.
We were saved that we might be the light, Matthew 5:14, in a world that is in absolute chaos. Every day sinful men are dropping into Hades because they rejected Christ, even unbelieving Jews. There is no way into the majestic presence of God Almighty, apart from the Saviour of the world who was total God and total man.
Five Pillars
Now begins the journey into the deep things of God. An exciting journey that lasts a lifetime. To enter the Holy Place you must enter through five pillars. Five is the biblical number of grace and spiritual life.
We need to get our eyes off the things of this world and reach for higher things. Only then will we begin to see the One who is enthroned in the heavens, Psalm 123:1.
The Holy Place
The Holy Place contained the Table of Shewbread, The Candlestick and the Altar of Incense. These are the type and shadow of a Christ-followers walk.
As we spend time in the Word of God we begin to partake of who Christ really is. He is not a man-made religion with its set of do’s and don’t’, but a living Person who desires an intimate relationship, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
God gave us His living Word, the Bible, that He might ever reveal Himself to us. You can study the Bible for a lifetime, yet never come to an end of the hidden treasures between its pages. It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search it out, Proverbs 25:2.
Altar of Incense
The seven branched Candlestick is the light of the Holy Spirit, while the Altar is the incense of the children of God’s prayers rising into the heavenlies.
This however, is a two-way contract, or divine exchange. God is always speaking to those who have an ear to hear, but He is also always listening. God does not just want us to bring him our ‘shopping list’ of things we want and need. He already knows everything we need before we even ask, Matthew 6:8.
Prayer and worship is all about relationship just as we establish relationships with the people around us. The Father’s heart is for a very personal relationship with His people, deeper than any earthly tie we may form.
Four More Pillars
We can remain living in the Holy Place and have a useful life in the Kingdom of God. The vast majority of Christians are quite happy there, performing the rites and ceremonies of the church etc. Missionaries are sent overseas and give their lives, others are regular attenders of the church or even become elders. All are faithful in their belief.
However, in the Holy Place no one steps out of the boat like Peter did, Matthew 14:29. When Jesus said ‘Come’, impetuous Peter leapt out of the boat, but 11 other disciples sat dumbfounded. It takes courage to get out of the boat into rough seas, let alone walk on water.
Most Holy Place
There is one more step available to the dedicated follower of Christ. That is to enter the Most Holy Place. First though, you must go through another four pillars. This is where you truly learn to die to self, that you might wholly live for Christ. Not too many desire to take this route, for their ties to the earth are too strong.
It is in the Holy Place that the follower of Christ truly begins to grow to the fulness of the stature that belongs to Christ and Christ alone. This is an exciting journey for you to discover alone with Christ your Saviour.
Where You Live is Important
This article is about you asking yourself ‘Where do I live?’ Outer Court, Holy Place or the Most Holy Place. The type of relationship you establish on this earth is the relationship you will take to heaven.
As stated at the beginning, Where You Live affects you eternally. Those who live in the Outer Court would be uncomfortable being a pillar in the temple of my God and never going from before His face, Revelation 3:12. They are content to have the free gift of eternal life. However, living for self and earthly pleasures dominates their way of thinking. They are saved, but……
Vast numbers of Christians inhabit the Holy Place and serve well in their community. Yet, there is so much more available. Nothing on this earth compares to the indescribable joy of taking up your cross daily, Matthew 16:24, and becoming a bond-servant of the living God. The blessings and promises of such submission is beyond comprehension.
Where you live is your choice, for God gave you a free will which He will not violate. However, where you choose to live is important in terms of eternity.
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