Guidance From God’s Tabernacle

Guidance From God’s Tabernacle

“And on the day that the tabernacle was raised up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the Testimony; from evening until morning it was above the tabernacle like the appearance of fire. So it was always: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night. Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle, after that the children of Israel would journey; and in the place where the cloud settled, there the children of Israel would pitch their tents. At the command of the Lord the children of Israel would journey, and at the command of the Lord they would camp; as long as the cloud stayed above the tabernacle they remained encamped.” Read Numbers 9:15-23.

Here we can see the safe and good guidance the children of Israel received from the tabernacle, the tent of the Testimony, when it was raised up in their midst. They looked toward the tabernacle, and they immediately broke camp or made camp according to whether the cloud moved or not. Even in the night they could see the cloud clearly, for then it appeared as fire. They never had to be in doubt.

A tabernacle has also been raised in the new covenant. The children of Israel were guided from without, but now we can receive guidance from within. Divine guidance is only given from the tabernacle. Opinions and feelings rule outside the tabernacle, and people go astray. In the old covenant only the high priest was allowed to enter the Holiest. Now we all can enter in, but only with pure hearts and in the full assurance of faith. Heb. 10:22. In such hearts God raises up His tabernacle, the tent of the Testimony, in which God Himself testifies to purity and faithfulness. The carnal mind is no longer in control, but rather the mind of Christ.

God speaks through such hearts, and when they present this pure and clear message from heaven, there are many who rejoice and who know that here they have heard the unadulterated truth. However, they are not in the tabernacle themselves and cannot hold fast to what they have heard. They more or less drift away because of their own and others’ opinions and feelings. Others, again, can go to meetings for years on end and live a God-fearing and good life. They feel safe because of the preaching and leading by these people of God, but when they are on their own, they cannot find the way themselves. They are and remain soulish and human.

We cannot be in the tabernacle and keep our selfish life if we want to partake of the life and glory that is in Christ. It is impossible to lead such a double life.

In the tabernacle of the old covenant God spoke to the high priest by the mercy seat from between the two cherubim. There the priest heard everything he was to say to the children of Israel. Ex. 25:22.

It is terrible to think of all those who speak God’s Word today and yet do not stand in God’s Holy of Holies in purity of heart and in holy fear. They do not hear God speaking, so what do they actually have to say? Everything they say is based on their own opinions and feelings. They have gone astray and are leading others astray. Faith comes by the preaching, and when the preaching is impure and unclear, we understand the truth of what James writes, that many should not become teachers, knowing that they shall receive a stricter judgment. Jas. 3:1. From this we also realize how valuable true and faithful servants of the Lord are.

If a person is not faithful in the Lord’s Holy of Holies, the thought of gain and honor and all kinds of carnal tendencies immediately influence his words. Only if we are pure and faithful in our hearts can we see clearly and hear clearly. Therefore we read, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” Prov. 4:23.

It is safe and good to receive counsel and guidance from God-fearing people, but it is far greater and more glorious to be one of those who can hear God’s voice in their own heart. This is the voice that is followed by joy and peace, that causes us to be convinced and unshakable in everything that is noble and good. It is the Good Shepherd speaking, and by His words we learn to know what is for our personal benefit and for the benefit of our fellow men. By His words the church of the living God is being built. All the members of the body of Christ have forsaken everything and are willing to be led by Christ, who is the head. Their bodies are temples where God dwells, speaks, and works. 1 Cor. 6:19. Each one of us is a building of God, and through the voice of the Shepherd we are joined together and grow up to be a holy temple in the Lord. If we are not increasingly and more tightly joined together with the other stones in the building to become perfectly one, then we are either not listening to His voice or are disobedient to it.

The entire building of God and all its living stones are outside the camp. All these stones are rejected by men, but chosen and precious in God’s sight, just as the chief cornerstone is. 1 Pet. 2:4-5.

In the camp you can receive forgiveness for your sins, but you cannot partake of perfect unity or be conformed to the life and glory of Christ, which is divine nature. In the camp they are sanctified by Jesus’ blood (Heb. 13:12), but they do not become holy as Jesus is holy, and to this we are called in the new covenant. 1 Pet. 1:15-16.

The disciples felt secure when they walked together with Jesus, but they did not yet possess this inner life and were unacquainted with this inner leading. If they were left to themselves, they even argued about who was the greatest among them. However, Jesus told them that He would not leave them fatherless. He promised to send them the Mediator, the Holy Spirit, who would lead them. On the day of Pentecost Christ raised up His tabernacle in their hearts and moved in. Now they heard the same words in their hearts that Jesus had heard when He sojourned on earth. By these words they found the way, and they could lead others. By this Spirit we also receive the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, that we may have a walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him. Col. 1:9-10. This knowledge is exceedingly valuable for us and for others and is a power against all the evil and impurity that rises up at various times. It is also a mighty weapon against all religious darkness and hypocrisy.

In the millennium the nations will experience safe and good guidance from Jerusalem, from Christ, and from those who were willing to be led by Him during their time on earth. They will make up the New Jerusalem that will guide the nations on the new earth with its light.

By being obedient and faithful to the laws of the Spirit of Life, we will receive this eternal light and indwelling glory within us during our brief lifespan here on earth. Just think! The Father and the Son will raise Their habitation in our hearts and manifest Themselves to us. John 14:23. Their words will always comfort us with a living hope.

Blessed are those who know how to appreciate such an exceedingly great offer and who accept it wholeheartedly. “You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.” Ps. 73:24.