I feel led to speak about the shallowness of the intake of the Word of God in the Body of Christ. In the Emergent Church movement which by description is twenty miles wide and ½ inch deep, and brings its own hot rod version of the Bible, The Message or as I coin it The Massage. This to me epitomizes the “Shallow” end of the pool; you know, 1-3 feet deep where arm floaties are required.
We are all called to maturity, to grow by the washing of the Word of God. That means the deep end of the pool, where there is no bottom and the Word of God washes us with the intent of making the mind of Christ resident in us.
2. For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the Lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the Holy Place.3. and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, 4. Which had the golden censor and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5. And above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. Hebrews 9:2-5 NKJV.
Mercy seat, hilasterion, Strong’s # 2435: The lid or covering of the Ark of the Covenant, made of pure gold, on and before which the high priest was to sprinkle the blood of the expiatory sacrifices on the great day of atonement, and where the lord promised to meet His people (ex.2517,22, 29:42; 30:36; Lev 16:2, 14,15).
The Apostle Paul, by applying this name to Christ in Romans 3:25, assures us that Christ was the true mercy seat, the reality of cover of the Ark of the Covenant (Heb.9:5). Therefore it means a place of conciliation, of expiation (atonement), what the ancients called thusiasterion (2379), altar or place of sacrifice.
It does not refer to the expiatory sacrifices themselves. Jesus Christ is designated as hilasterion in Heb. 9:5 and Rom 3:25 because He is designated not only as the place where the sinner deposits his sin, but He himself is the means of expiation.
He is not like the high priest of the OT whose expiation of the people was accomplished through the blood of another and not of himself (Heb.9:25).
Through His voluntary expiatory(act of atonement) sacrifice in the shedding of His blood, under Divine judgment upon sin, and through His Resurrection, Christ has become the Mercy Seat for His people.
Chris
Sep 24, 2013 @ 01:07:06
You have mentioned some pretty deep subjects here, Manny.
The application of the name of our Savior to the Mercy Seat is tremendous for those who believe.
“He is designated not only as the place where the sinner deposits his sin, but He himself is the means of expiation.”
Without this “depository” we would be eternally lost.
Thank you for pointing out the verses that help us understand this concept.
“For God so loved the world…” “God is love.”
It is an unconditional love that no one can fathom. But, we understand it as well as our mortal minds can allow.
I’m with you on the message “bible.” “May the God of green hope…” Huh? Mr. Peterson has a new age agenda and unfortunately a friend of mine from college who became a pastor quotes him on his blog quite a bit. Sad.
God’s blessings my friend…
Delight in Truth
Sep 24, 2013 @ 04:18:31
If only the eyes of the orthodox Jews would be opened to see the meaning of your article, Manny!!! It is intriguing that Christ is all over the OT, yet they do not see Him. His atonement is all over the OT, but they ignore it. The greatest person of the OT, Moses, prophecied of Jesus Christ, but they do not listen. Yet.
Mannyr
Sep 24, 2013 @ 17:39:46
Very sad, the inability of the Jewish people to receive. The hardness of their hearts toward Jesus brings the Bible’s un-lifted veil. Yes I agree on the Mercy seat teaching, we are so blessed with the intricacies of our Savior. You know of course there are many wonderful personal characteristics given to in plain sight. As any U.S.Marshall will testify to, the best place to hide a person from discovery is in plain sight.