THE TABERNACLE AND THE TEMPLE NO. 1

THE TABERNACLE AND THE TEMPLE NO. 1

Many thanks for your letter. Your remark about the tabernacle is very interesting. I have been lately (in connection with John 17 and the new Jerusalem) impressed with the idea that the church, as the complement of Christ, would, in its glory, cover the earth “as the waters cover the sea” — in fact, God’s dwelling-place. How do you distinguish between the tabernacle and the temple? I think it is easy to see that there is a glory, which is, so to speak, common to the Father and the Son. Connecting the ram of consecration with John 13: 31 I greatly like, for thus you can understand your fitness to behold the Lord’s glory (2 Corinthians 3: 18). I am sure we must learn approach first. A Man has glorified God; through Him we can approach, we behold the glory of the Lord; and following on this there is the untold greatness — the Son glorifying the Father. I do not see that we reach the Father until we come to Ephesians 2: 18 “Through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father”. I see that we are in company first with Christ, and we enter with Him into the Holiest; that is approach; and then we behold His glory, we are in the efficacy of the ram of consecration; but the worshipping of the Father cannot be until we are with the Son in the presence of the Father. I have been studying this subject with reference to the names we use in addressing ^[p. 77] God, and it appears to me there is very little intelligence as to the name Father. I like the thought that ‘the Shekinah was more than the Holiest’. I feel it is opening out to me.

As to the manna. I quite agree that it is not for approach. I believe that if Christ is not living in me outside of all here, I shall not be able to walk in the details of daily life as He walked. “The life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2: 20). It is most wonderful. He never learned anything from man. He was a Man fully according to God’s mind — perfection in the midst of imperfection.

I am more and more confirmed in the accuracy of your remark that the questions of the propounders of the new theories show that they are not clear of the old man as judicially terminated in the cross. I fear many are stranded there.