https://www.cuttingedge.org/newsletters/index.html
The **Ark of the Covenant** was one of the most instrumental symbols of faith and God’s presence in the Bible. It is described as a wooden chest coated in pure gold and topped off by an elaborate golden lid known as the **mercy seat**. According to the Book of Exodus and First Book of Kings in the Hebrew Bible, the Ark contained the **Tablets of the Law**, by which God delivered the **Ten Commandments** to Moses at Mount Sinai. Additionally, it also contained **Aaron's rod** and a **pot of manna** .
The Ark originated from **Exodus 25:10**, when God commanded Moses to “make an ark of acacia wood.” God made a covenant with the children of Israel through Moses, which was conditional. He promised good to them and their descendants for generations if they obeyed His laws. As a sign of His promise, God had the Israelites construct the Ark of the Covenant, according to His design, to hold the stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments. This box, called an “ark,” was made of acacia wood overlaid with gold. The Ark was to be kept in the inner sanctum of the Tabernacle in the desert and later in the Temple in Jerusalem.
In Exodus 25:10-22, specific details about constructing the Ark were laid out. It needed to be two cubits and a half in length (approximately 19.8-20.6 inches), a cubit and a half in breadth, and a cubit and a half in height. The Ark was overlaid inside and out with pure gold, with a molding of gold around it. For transportation, it had four rings of gold with two rings on each side. A pole made of acacia wood overlaid with gold was placed into these rings to carry the ark. These poles for transportation were permanent fixtures and never removed.
The Ark represented God’s presence and played a significant role in Israelite worship and religious practices. Its construction and contents are detailed throughout various parts of Scripture, including Exodus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, Psalms, and Revelation. The reverence for this sacred relic underscores its importance in biblical history.
The **Ark of the Covenant** holds immense significance in the Old Testament. Let's explore why it was so important to the nation of Israel:
1. **Divine Presence**: The Ark represented the **presence of God** going with the people of Israel. It was a sacred chest built by the Israelites according to **meticulous specifications** given by God. The Ark served as a tangible reminder that God was with them, guiding and protecting them on their journey .
2. **Covenant Symbol**: The Ark embodied God's covenant with Israel. It was a physical representation of His promise to be their God and for them to be His people. The Ark's construction details are described in Exodus 25, where God instructed Moses to build a sanctuary for His presence to dwell among the people. The Ark was made of acacia wood, overlaid inside and outside with pure gold, and adorned with a molding of gold all around it.
3. **Mercy Seat**: Atop the Ark was the **mercy seat**, where God's presence would manifest. It was here that God would meet with Moses and communicate His guidance (Exodus 25:22). The mercy seat symbolized God's willingness to forgive sins and extend mercy to His people.
4. **Atonement**: The Ark foreshadowed Jesus Christ as the sole place of atonement for sins. In the New Testament, Jesus became our ultimate High Priest, offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 9:11-14). Just as the blood of animals was sprinkled on the mercy seat in the Old Testament, Jesus' blood provides forgiveness and reconciliation with God.
5. **Holiness**: The Ark was intrinsically holy. It accompanied Israel during their wanderings in the desert and remained central until the destruction of the First Temple. Its holiness stemmed from its connection to God Himself, making it an essential symbol of Jewish faith.
In summary, the Ark of the Covenant represented both God's presence among His people and His covenant relationship with them. Its significance extends beyond its physical form, pointing forward to Jesus Christ as our ultimate mediator and atonement for sin..
**Christianity** and **Judaism** share historical and theological connections, but they have also diverged significantly over time. Let's explore some of the key differences between these two religions:
1. **Origins and Early Development**: - **Christianity** began as a movement within **Second Temple Judaism**. Early Christians were initially part of the Jewish community and followed Jewish customs and practices.
- Over time, however, Christianity developed into a distinct religion, with its own beliefs and practices centered around Jesus Christ.
- **Judaism**, on the other hand, continued to evolve independently, emphasizing adherence to Jewish law (halakha) and the covenant between God and the Jewish people.
2. **Beliefs about Jesus**:
- The most significant difference between Christianity and Judaism is their view of Jesus.
- **Christians** believe that Jesus is the **Messiah**, as prophesied in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament). They see Jesus as the Son of God who became incarnate (God in human form) to save humanity.
- **Jews**, however, do not accept Jesus as the Messiah. For them, he was a teacher or prophet but not divine. The concept of God taking human form is incompatible with Jewish monotheism.
3. **God's Nature**:
- **Christianity**: The Christian concept of God includes the **Trinity**—Father, Son (Jesus), and Holy Spirit—united in one essence. The incarnation of Jesus is a central doctrine.
- **Judaism**: Emphasizes the **Oneness of God**, rejecting any notion of God in human form.
4. **Scriptures**:
- Both religions recognize parts of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), but they differ regarding additional texts:
- **Christianity**: Accepts both the Old Testament and the **New Testament**, which contains writings about Jesus' life, teachings, death, and resurrection.
- **Judaism**: Does not recognize the New Testament as part of its scriptural canon.
5. **Belief vs. Practice**:
- **Christianity**: Emphasizes correct belief (**orthodoxy**) based on faith in Jesus Christ's redemptive work.
- **Judaism**: Prioritizes correct conduct (**orthopraxy**) based on adherence to Jewish law (halakha) and ethical actions.
6. **Salvation**:
- **Christianity**: Views salvation as a combination of faith and works (e.g., Roman Catholicism). Some Protestant denominations emphasize faith alone.
- **Judaism**: Focuses on individual and collective participation in an eternal dialogue with God through tradition, rituals, prayers, and ethical actions.
7. **Jewish Christians**:
- In early Christianity, there were Jewish followers of Jesus known as *Jewish Christians* or *Ebionites*. They maintained Jewish practices while accepting Jesus as Messiah.
- However, over time, Gentile converts to Christianity outnumbered Jewish Christians, leading to greater divergence from Judaism.
In summary, while Christianity emerged from Judaism, it eventually developed its own distinct theology centered around Jesus Christ. The two religions share historical roots but have evolved separately over centuries.
**The Messianic Judaism** you are advocating here is the name given to New Covenant faith in **Yeshua (Jesus)** as Messiah by those who are of Jewish heritage. It also invites into fellowship Gentiles who are called to embrace an expression of faith in Yeshua in a Jewish communal context. Messianic Jews maintain their Jewish identity while acknowledging Yeshua as the Messiah. Here are some key differences between **Messianic Judaism** and **Christianity**:
1. **Scriptures:**
- Both Messianic Jews and Christians embrace the entire **Hebrew Bible (Old Testament)** and the **New Testament** as Spirit-inspired Holy Writ.
- However, many Messianic Jews continue to live by the first five books of the Bible, called the **Torah**, something most Christians do not do.
2. **Observance of Shabbat (Sabbath):**
- Messianic Jewish people observe the Sabbath, or **Shabbat**, during the traditional Jewish time starting before sunset on Friday evening until Saturday night.
- Christians have been observing the Sabbath on Sundays since the second century.
3. **Holidays:**
- Christians observe holidays like **Christmas** (celebrating Jesus' birth) and **Easter Sunday** (celebrating His resurrection).
- Messianic Jews also observe Yeshua's resurrection, believing it is evidence of His finished work in conquering sin and death for us. They celebrate Yeshua's resurrection on the first day of First Fruits, which is the first day of the week after the "weekly" Shabbat following Passover.
- Additionally, Messianic Jews observe traditional Jewish holidays and feasts such as **Purim**, **Chanukah**, **Yom Kippur**, **Rosh Hashanah**, and **Sukkot**.
4. **Historical Context:**
- Historically, Jewish people have not acknowledged Yeshua as the Messiah promised to Israel.
- Christians are typically non-Jews who have responded to Yeshua in faith to experience spiritual rebirth and reconciliation to God.
In summary, while both Messianic Judaism and Christianity share common elements, such as faith in Yeshua, they differ in their observance of Torah, Sabbath, holidays, and historical context. Understanding these distinctions helps foster dialogue and mutual respect between these two expressions of faith.
So, while some may advocate for building a physical Third Temple, others maintain that Christ's work has already established something greater—the Church as God's dwelling place. Whether one supports or opposes constructing a new temple, it's essential to recognize that faith transcends mere bricks and mortar; it resides within hearts and lives.
No matter how many books you read on a particular subject, which are ultimately someone's opinion, or how many times you have visited a place like the Temple Mount, or even if you have spoken to rabbis and read archaeological books on the subject, what truly matters is the word of God and not your Jewish beliefs.
You can do all of the above but my Bible transcends all of it. What I believe is that there will never be a temple rebuilt in Jerusalem, and I refuse to believe the pro-Israeli, pro-Jewish propaganda machinations of this website. The Bible does not mention a third temple ever being built in Jerusalem. A bricks and mortar building yes, but not a temple of God, never.
Blessings
No comments:
Post a Comment