The world says there are many gods.

God says “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” (1 Timothy 2:5-6)

The world says there are many ways to God.

God says “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)

The world says nothing is sin, so do as you please.

God says “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

The world says God would send no one to hell.

God says “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)

The world says there is no such thing as the Trinity.

God says “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” (1 John 5:7)

The world says that Jesus was a good man, but not God.

God says “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. “ (John 1:1) and “My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.” (John 10:30) Jesus is the one speaking.

The world says truth is what we make it.

God says “If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:” (Ephesians 4:21) and “This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.” (1 John 5:6)

The world says earth and all its inhabitants, including man, evolved over millions of years.

God says “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth…” (Genesis 1:1, 21, 27; 2:3; 5:1;) See also: Deuteronomy 4:32; Malachi 2:10; Mark 13:19

The world says we must work our way to Heaven.

God says “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10)

The world says we can do anything we want without repercussion.

God says “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. “ Romans 6:23

The world says homosexuality is an acceptable lifestyle.

God says “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” (Romans 1:26-27, 32)

The world says it isn’t human, so abortion is justified.

God says “Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb?” (Job 31:15) and “I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother’s belly.” (Psalms 22:10) and “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.” (Psalms 127:3)

The world says “It is my body and I can do with it as I please.”

God says “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

The world says marriage is not necessary.

God says “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” (Hebrews 13:4)

The world says that prostitution is just another way to earn money.

God says “Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness.” (Leviticus 19:29) See Proverbs 6:24-25

The world says looking at pornography is harmless.

God says “But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Matthew 6:23) See Proverbs 6:24-25

The world says that lying is acceptable in certain cases.

God says “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” (Proverbs 6:16-19)

The world says there is no need to respect our parents.

God says “My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:” (Proverbs 6:20)

The world says it is okay to live off the “government,” other people, in other words.

God says “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” (1 Timothy 5:8)

The world says stealing is okay at times.

God says “Thou shalt not steal.” (Exodus 20:15)

The world says it is okay to talk about others.

God says “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.” (1 Peter 4:15)

I have listed but just a few contrasts of what the world says, either by word or deed, and what God says. Also, I have used only a very, very few verses to show what God says. God’s Word, the Bible has much to say about how we live, whether we are a Christian or a non-Christian.

It is important we understand that it doesn’t matter whether the verse or verses quoted come from the Old Testament or the New Testament. They are all God’s words. Whether they were written by Moses, David, Paul, Peter or any other writer of Scriptures, they are still the words of God.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Peter 1:21)

These contrasts, and many others not listed, are far too great to ignore. Either the world is lying or God is lying. At best, one or the other is wrong. Who do you think it is? Is it the world or God?

Grant Phillips

The Tabernacle

“For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.” (Isaiah 53:2)

The Tabernacle as seen from the outside is very unappealing. It was just an old drab tent with a flat roof. I feel that while Jesus walked on this earth in the flesh, He was just an average guy, as far as looks are concerned. Especially on the cross, He was a horrible sight to look upon.

“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” (Isaiah 53:3)

However there is more to outward appearance than meets the eye.

When entering the Tabernacle, we are surprised. It doesn’t have the drab appearance of the outside. We soon notice that the top of the Tabernacle has four coverings which are draped down the outer sides from the top.

The top or outer covering is made of badgers’ skins (seal skins). As we saw in Isaiah 53:2, it too has no beauty. However, it is very durable and speaks of Christ’s walk among men.

The second covering from the top is made of ram’s skin dyed red, which speaks of Christ’s strength and His sacrifice for us on the cross. We are reminded of His substituting Himself for us.

The third covering from the top is made of goats’ hair. Since it is symbolic of Christ’s death for us (Hebrews 9:2) it did not touch the ground. It is holy since it represents our Lord’s worth to be sacrificed for the sins of the world.

The fourth covering from the top, which of course is the inner covering, is made of fine-twined Egyptian linen and is pure white. It could not be seen from the outside of course and could not touch the ground. The beauty of the embroidered cherubim in the fabric could only be seen from inside, reminding us of our Lord’s Heavenly beauty and that we are hidden under His wings. (Psalms 17:8)

There are two rooms in the Tabernacle, the Holy Place and then the Holy of Holies.

In the Holy Place were the Seven-branched Lampstand, the Table of Shew Bread and the Altar of Incense. The Lampstand is to my left. The Table of Shew Bread is to my right, and the Incense Altar is straight ahead. Behind the Incense Altar is the Veil separating the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies.

The Pure Gold Lampstand (Exodus 25:31-39)

The pure gold Lampstand was beaten from one piece with a central stem and six branches. The central stem represented the Second Person of the Godhead, Jesus Christ, and the other six represented mankind. Seven is the number of completion and perfection, while six is the number of man. The God of Heaven was beaten for us that all who come through Jesus Christ might be saved.

The Table Of Shew Bread (Exodus 25:23-30)

The Table of Shew Bread was made of acacia wood overlaid with gold. The acacia wood represented Christ conceived by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35) as the Son of Man and the gold as the Son of God. In Hebrews 2:9 we see Him as the one who suffered for us and is now crowned with gold. The twelve loaves of bread represent all his people, the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve Apostles.

The Incense Altar (Exodus 30:1-10)

The Incense Altar, made of gold, is a place of prayer. Jesus said that His house is a house of prayer in Luke 19:46, which He was quoting from Isaiah 56:7.

Just think, God is telling us that in Him He is the light of the world (Lampstand), that He is the bread of life (Table of Shewbread) and we may enter His presence in prayer (Incense Altar).

The Veil

Blocking the entrance into the Holy of Holies is a veil fifteen high and anywhere from four to six inches thick. No one but the High Priest could enter this area, and only once per year on the Day of Atonement.

When Jesus had finished His work on the cross for mankind He cried up with a loud voice and gave up His Spirit. Then, “At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened. (Matthew 27:51 NLT)

Only the hand of God could have split that 4-6” thick curtain from top to bottom making it possible for all to enter therein by the blood of Jesus Christ. Never before could this happen. If anyone entered that room other than the High Priest they would die. If the High Priest entered on any day other than the Day of Atonement he would die. If he made even an innocent mistake while in there he would die. Now, as Christians, you and I can enter the Holy of Holies and worship God any day, any time, and only Jesus could have made that possible.

The Holy of Holies

In this holiest of places is the Ark of the Covenant, representing God’s throne. Now we go directly before the throne of God in Heaven in our prayers and worship.

The Mercy Seat rests on top of the Ark as its cover. It is often called the Propitiation Cover. In other words, it is a reminder of conciliation between man and a holy God. On this cover the blood of a goat was sprinkled.

“Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past,” (Romans 3:24-25 NLT)

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” (Romans 5:8-9 NLT)

The two Cherubim attached to the covering lid, the Mercy Seat, reminds us that God’s presence dwells over the Ark and what is within. They also represent the glory of God.

Within the Ark itself are (1) the two stone tables of the Law, (2) Aaron’s rod that budded, (3) and the golden pot of hidden manna.

Only Jesus could live up to God’s Law written on the two stone tablets. Only Jesus is our High Priest, and only Jesus’ Word, the Bible, is our source of Truth.

I have given only a brief outline of this wonderful truth found in the Tabernacle of Moses, just enough I hope to whet your appetite for more. I cannot stress enough that there is much, much more that I have not even mentioned. My hopes are that some of you will be driven to do your own study and dig deeper. I can assure you that your heart will be blessed.

When you understand the Tabernacle, the book of Hebrews, for example, will make sense to you. Both are all about Jesus Christ our High Priest and what He has accomplished for those will put their trust in Him.

There is one last thing I would like to mention. When considering the Tabernacle and the Gospel, let us rise up in our mind above the scene. We get in our imaginary helicopter and look down, and as we do, we notice from the Bronze Altar to the Holy of Holies is a straight vertical line. From the Lampstand to the Table of Shewbread is another, smaller, straight line going horizontally across the vertical line. Yes, it’s the Cross of Jesus told to us via the Tabernacle.

For those who are interested, my favorite book on this subject was written by M.R. DeHaan (copyright (1955) simply called, “The Tabernacle.” It can still be purchased at Christianbook.com or Amazon for about $10.00 the ISBN number is 0-310-23491-3.

Grant Phillips