TABERNACLE - Eaton
TABERNACLE - Davis

ALTAR
ALTAR

LAVER (WASHING BASIN)

(TABLE OF) SHEWBREAD
(TABLE OF) SHOWBREAD

CANDLESTICK (LAMPSTAND)
LAMPS, LAMPSTAND:

THE ALTAR OF INCENSE
INCENSE

ARK
ARK OF THE COVENANT

It is most interesting to compare the unusual order of the furniture first listed in Exodus, not being the order they actually appear in the Tabernacle, with the 5 fold ministries (specific types of leadership or ministries within the church) listed in Ephesians 4:11. This illustration gives a practical observation of the biblical order of restoration of leadership ministries to the church in these days. The dates given are approximate times of general acceptance rather than of first appearance.

Ark of the Covenant
Table of Showbread
Golden Lampstand
Brazen Altar
Incense Altar
Washing Basin

Jesus or God_________________(Jesus’ Return?)
Apostles_____________________(1990’s on?)
Prophets_____________________(1960’s on)
Evangelists__________________(1920’s on)
Pastors______________________(1900’s on)
Teachers_____________________(1900’s on)

1. Ark of the Covenant: Represents the Godhead. Jesus was, and still is, the “Mercy Seat” through whom all our sins can be forgiven. His return will be the ultimate fulfilment of God’s plan of restoration for mankind. He gave these 5 ministry leadership gifts to the church through the Holy Spirit, to prepare the people for His return. They existed in the early church, were lost in mainstream churches as the anointing of the Holy Spirit was rejected, and are progressively being re-established in those churches that have accepted the move of the Spirit.

2. Table of Showbread: The first ministry to be lost and the last to be restored is that of the apostle. We know that the Table of Showbread represents the Word. I, in my ignorance, always thought that the job of the apostle was to set up new churches, probably because that is what the Apostle Paul did. But when you think about it, the enduring contribution that Paul made to the church was the formalising of the major principles and doctrines of the faith. For the true job of the apostle is to pioneer and bring out the truths of God’s word. We can therefore look forward to new understandings of the Word as the ministry of the apostle returns to the church.

3. Golden Lampstand: The prophet is the illuminator of the Word through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Illumination was of course, the function of the Lampstand in the Holy Place. A prophet prophesies in revelation, correction, confirmation and foretelling. While the apostle brings out principles relating to the whole church, the prophet interprets and applies these principles to specific situations – to a country, to a church, to an individual.

4. Brazen Altar: The Brazen Alter represents the sacrifice, the blood of Jesus. The job of the evangelist is to present this message of God’s saving grace through the blood of Jesus, to the people. The evangelist encourages believers as well as challenging the lost.

5. Incense Altar: The Golden Altar as it is often called, was the final place of preparation for the priest before entering into Gods presence. It represents praise, worship and prayer. This Altar typifies the pastor, whose job it is to prepare his people to enter into God’s presence. To co-ordinate all the ministries for his congregation.

6. Washing Basin: The washing of the water of the Word. The teachers’ job is to explain the apostles’ principles to the people. The teacher explains the scriptures, showing people how to cleanse and live their lives through their application.

All these roles are essential to the church, just as each item of furniture was to the Tabernacle. Each is a essential link in the full chain of God. It is interesting how God has gradually been lengthening his chain, adding links as His church is restored. The ministry of Apostleship is the last link to be forged before Jesus completes the chain by returning to rule and reign on the earth for a thousand years, as promised in Revelation 20. For there is no Darwinian ‘missing link’ in God!

God has a plan - a plan that whose fulfilment is not yet finished - in spite of what some might like to think! In fact, it won't be fully accomplished until the day of Jesus return!

But let's first have a look at what's in store for us in the meantime.

This teaching was actually written naerly 10 years ago. It is fascinating to see, in the past years, the growth of the apostolic ministry in the church. In a lot of cases, those calling themselves 'Apostles' (should be a small 'a' as a function, not a title) are really church planters or pastors to pastors. True apostles are messengers of God.

But it is really comforting to see what was predicted starting to happen!

Bring on the Tabernacle church too, Lord!

Sea of Galilee - The Plain of Gennesaret

This aerial view looks north over the fertile plain of Gennesaret. The road follows the route of the biblical Way of the Sea (Matt. 4:12—17). The modern-day Kibbutz Ginnosar is not far from what was Gennesaret in Jesus’ time.

In the distance along the northern shore, the remains of Capernaum are barely visible as small white buildings. Somewhere on the tree-lined slopes of the hills at the end of the lake is the location where the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5—7) and the feeding of the five thousand (Matt. 14:13—21) took place. Across the sea to the right (not visible) are the hills of the Decapolis — today’s Golan Heights.

Source: http://www.followtherabbi.com