"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:" 1 Peter 2:9

1). Shittim wood covered with Gold (humanity & deity). Ex 25:23-24

2). 2x1x1½ cubits (3’x1½’x2¼’tall) Ex 37:10

1). The Border with 2 Crowns. This table had a ledge (border) with an inner and outer crown.

2). These crowns speak of the crowns of Jesus. He was once crowned with a crown of thorns, but will one day receive His crown: King of kings and Lord of lords.

3). This Border was intended to keep the shewbread on the table just as the saved are kept by the power of God safe in the hand of Jesus. (1 Pe 1:5, Jn 10:28-29).

*there is safety in fellowship with God!

4). This table had 4 rings of gold and staves for carrying it. We have the Word of God which must be carried to the 4 corners of the earth!

"And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." John 6:35

1). It is at the fellowship table that we commune with God through His Word. We need more than physical food as Jesus said in Matt 4:4:

2). Notice there were no chairs at this table. The priest had to eat standing or kneeling (due to size). This has 2 significance’s: 1). We should meet before God on our knees. 2). As we are fed we cannot sit back and enjoy the "good life" there is work to do. We are sustained for service!

1). Pure Solid Gold beaten into shape which speaks of the beaten and bruised Savior (Isa. 53:5,10).

2). It used pure beaten Olive Oil which speaks of the beaten Holy Spirit who is sometimes used and abused in our lives (Eph 4:30).

3). This was one of the more elaborate items in the Tabernacle. It had a center shaft with 3 branches on each side, making 7 lamps. Christ is the center (Jn 15:5) and we are the branches (Mt. 5:14).

4). It was decorated with bowls, knops and flowers. The branches differed from the main shaft. The branches had 3 bowls, 1 knop, & 1 flower each, but the main shaft had 4 of each and a knop under each branch. We are to be like Christ, yet He is altogether grander!

5). The illustration of the almond bowls etc. It has been said that the Hebrew word almond means wakeful or hastener because the almond tree is the first to awaken after the winter in early January. This also speaks of Christ who is "risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept." (1 Cor 15:20)

*the bowls (buds), flowers & the knops (almond) speak of the order of the risen Savior. After resurrection there was early evidence (bud) that He was risen (Mt 28:2), there was confirmation (flower- Jn 20:12) and there was many infallible proofs of resurrection (almond- Acts 1:3, 1Cor 15:1-8).

1). The Holy Spirit is the oil which is used in anointing and is burned for light.

a). the word "Christ" means anointed. The scriptures tell that Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit. (Isa. 61:1; Acts 10:38; Lu. 4:16-22)

b). the Holy Spirit is the light that teaches us and brings things to our remembrance. (Jn 14:26; 1 Jn2:27)

2). Jesus said "I am the light of the world" (Jn 9:5). In New Jerusalem Jesus will be the light (Rev. 21:23).

a). In Rev. 1:12,13,20 there are 7 golden candlesticks and the middle is Christ (the Son of man). These seven candlesticks are churches (ages) and Christ is what gives them union.

b). Notice that in the Holy Place there is no light except from this candlestick! In our life there should be no light but God’s light. We must force out the influence of the world or false light (Satan in transformed into an "angel of light" 2Cor.11:14).

3). The Testimony of the believer is a light in the world (Mt 5:13-16). Just as the shaft of the candlestick is different we will never be as bright as the Son, but the "church" is likened to the moon which reflects the light of the sun at night.

"That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;" Phil 2:15

4). 4 rings and 2 staves for carrying this altar. Prayer can be carried with you wherever you go!

1). The altar stood "before the veil…before the mercy seat…where I will meet with thee" (Ex 30:6)

2). God has given us the gift of prayer that we might "come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Heb 4:16).

3). This altar was the closest item and the closest place to the Holy of Holies. It is when we stand before God in prayer that we enter the throne and are closest to God!

1). 4 ingredients: Stacte- natural gum of myrrh tree found by cutting the tree. Onycha- perfume from shell-fish. Galbanum- resinous, yellow-brown incense of unknown origin. Frankincense- resin of the Boswellia tree growing in India & Arabia. Smells like balsa and burns white.

2). For the believer we are told that our prayers are kept like incense before God (Ps 141:1,2; Lu 1:10; Rev 5:8, 8:3,4).
 

John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.