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