Chapter 3 TENT OF MEETING
CHAPTER 3 TENT OF MEETING
As you will recall from our study in chapter 2 of Needful Things, one of the primary functions, or purposes which the Holy Spirit serves is to enable us to understand the Word of God (see I Cor.2:12; Eph.1:17; I Cor.2:9-10; John 16:13 & John 14:26). We also know that our faith is increased as we become immersed in God's Word (Ro.10:17) and that the goal of our faith is the salvation of our soul (I Pe.1:9). Since the mind of sinful man is death (Ro.8:6) and we are made new in the attitude of our minds through the Spirit of God (Eph.4:23 & Ro.8:6), we are in effect being shown that the soul realm (Greek - psyche) is in fact the realm of our mind (Acts 14:2 & Phil.1:27). Since the physical transformation of our bodies is proceeded by the renewal of our mind (Ro.12:2), we should expect that the pattern of the Tabernacle would reveal the purification of the soul by the Holy Spirit after our spirit is saved by the sacrifice of Jesus, and before the transfiguration of the body by the Father in the Holy of Holies (II Pe.1:16 & Matt.17:2&5). Let us now see if in fact that is what we do see.
Take a moment and look back at drawing 1A. You will notice that the glory of God is represented by the cloud which is resting above the enclosed structure inside the curtained Outer Court area. This structure is known as the Tent of Meeting (Ex.39:32; 40:2,6,7,22,24,26,29,30 & 32). Inside the Tent of Meeting is the area we know as the Holy Place, or the Middle Court, and the Most Holy Place, or the Holy of Holies. The Middle Court contains the Lampstand, the Table of Shewbread and the Altar of Incense, while the Ark of the Covenant is located within the Holy of Holies (see drawing 3A). In this chapter we will take a close look at the materials and dimensions of the Tent of Meeting itself, leaving our discussion of the items found within the Middle Court and the Holy of Holies to subsequent chapters.
According to Ex.36:36-37 you enter the Middle Court, or Holy Place of the Tabernacle by entering through another curtain. Like the one you passed through to get into the Outer Court, this one was also made of blue, purple and scarlet linen. We are therefore again reminded of Jesus - His royalty, His blood and His walk. But there is a difference in this one. Now the wooden pillars that uphold this curtain are covered in gold, and the hooks are gold instead of silver (Ex.36:37). The wooden pillar still would be symbolic of man, but he is now covered with the divine nature of God, which is symbolized by gold (Rev.21:18; Rev.3:18 & Ex.25:11).
Our entrance into the realm of the Holy Spirit is signified by the fact that these 5 pillars are 10 cubits in height. The product of 5 times 10 is 50, and 50 is the number of Pentecost (Lev.23:16). Needless to say, it was on Pentecost that the power of the Holy Spirit came upon men, to infill and indwell them (Acts 2:4). Brass is still found in these pillars, but now that the pillars have been given a new nature (gold), it is fair to assume that while brass still stands for judgment, a different aspect of judgment is being foreshadowed here. I believe that in this instance we are being shown that these bases stand for the feet of the overcomer (Rev.2:18 & Rev.1:15) under which the enemies of Christ will one day be trampled (Ro.16:20, I Cor.15:25-26 & Heb.2:8-9). While brass still signifies judgment, it must be understood that the believer who enters the realm of the Holy Spirit (Middle Court) is undergoing purification of the soul in preparation for the time when the overcomers themselves will judge (I Cor.6:2; Matt.19:28 & Rev.20:4).
The Middle Court (Holy Place) is the 2nd court of the Tabernacle, and the number 2 is often times referred to as the number of witness (Matt.18:16 & Rev.11:3). The Holy Spirit has been given to us that we might have the power to witness (Acts 1:8), but we must remember that this is only the realm of the first fruits (Ro.8:23 & Ja.1:18), for the latter rain, or 2nd anointing has yet to be poured out upon mankind. Allow me to explain.
Many Pentecostal, Spirit filled, charismatic believers (use whatever term you wish) feel that the latter rain has already fallen, or is currently falling, and are therefore satisfied with the message they hear today, or with the way things are currently going in their church. But God has so much more He wants to do and will do to and for those who will seek all that He has for them in the Middle Court. According to II Ki.2:7-17, fifty of Elijah's company of prophets wanted to go out into the wilderness searching for him even though they knew that the new anointing had come upon Elisha. The message for us in that account is that we should not go running after a past move of God even in the realm of the Pentecostal experience. Rather, we must continue to press ahead towards total soul purification or regeneration so that we can be more effective witnesses under the double anointing God will pour out upon those of His children who press in (II Ki.2:9). And it is time to press in!!
While the Outer Court measurements signified the 1,500 year period of the law, the dimensions of the Middle Court reveal the church age. The Middle Court was 10 cubits high, 10 cubits wide, and 20 cubits long (Ex.36:21 - height; Ex.36:27 - width; Ex.36:23 & Ex.26:1-6+33 - length). The product of these three numbers gives us a time span of 2,000 years for the Pentecostal realm. This should give us cause to think seriously about our level of commitment. Remember, Jesus said we would not know the day or the hour of His return (Matt.24:36; Lk.12: 40 & Mk.13:22), but we are to know the season (Mk.13:28-29).
The curtain into the Middle Court was 10 cubits long and 10 cubits high. Now, the number 10 is used not only to signify the law, but it is also used to signify the ultimate responsibility we have as believers to fulfill God's command to us (Deut.4:13; Lk.19:13,17+24 & Matt.25:28-29), and it would therefore appear that we have the responsibility to seek out the fullness of God and enter into the realms He is calling us into (Phil.3:12-14). While it is true that we are no longer under the law (Eph.2:15) & Ro.10:4), it is also true that God is showing us a pattern. He warned Aaron and his sons that failure to comply with the pattern meant physical death (Ex.30:20). Aaron's sons failed to heed that warning, and they physically died (Lev.10:1-3). Likewise, we cannot expect to physically stand before the Father (Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies) without physically dying if we ignore or are ignorant of the pattern He has so carefully spelled out for us (Hosea 4:16).
Through the sacrifice of Jesus in the Outer Court we have access to the Father, but we cannot enter except through His Spirit (Eph.2:18). There is no other way. The soul must be purified by the Holy Spirit (Ro.8:13) through the Word (I Pe.1:22 & John 16:12). This is an ongoing process (Phil.2:12) which will be completed in those who physically enter the Holy of Holies (I John 3:3 & Rev.19:7). You cannot physically stand on Zion with an impure soul - mind (Ps.15:1; Ps.24:3; Isaiah 35:8-10 & I John 3:3 with Ro.8:23). Not only should this serve as a note of caution to those who deny the work of the Holy Spirit today, but it should also serve to open the eyes of Spirit filled believers who feel that they will be physically taken up in some secret pretribulation rapture to enter into God's presence without completing the typology of the Middle Court purification process (Ex.33:1-6). That process involves seeking more of God than is exhibited in the firstfruit anointing we are currently under.
While it may appear that I am over emphasizing the aspect of walking in complete holiness, I urge you to consider the remaining construction features of the Tent of Meeting. In so doing, I believe that you will see that my emphasis is, if anything, somewhat understated. According to Ex.36:20-30 the walls of the sanctuary (which was divided into the Middle Court and the Holy of Holies) were made up of 48 boards, each one being 10 cubits high, 1 1/2 cubits wide, and overlaid with gold. The boards stood on end and had two tenons projecting from the bottom, with each board resting on 2 silver bases (one tenon in each base). There were 20 boards on the north, 20 on the south, and 6 on the west end with an extra board at teach of the two corners on the west side. Each board had 3 golden rings imbedded into it. On each side of this structure 5 gold covered poles ran through these rings, one long pole through the center, and two short ones on top and two short ones on the bottom (see drawing 3A). While this description may appear meaningless let us look closely at what these facts and figures are showing us.
Like the gold covered poles at the entrance to the Middle Court, the gold covered boards are showing us man covered in God's divine nature. II Pe.1:4 and I Cor.15:49 show us that we do not totally have that nature, but then neither did the Acacia tree growing wild in the forest. Like the Acacia we must first be uprooted from the dust of the earth (I Cor.15:47 & Eccl.3:20). That uprooting killed the tree, and before we can put on the totality of the divine nature we must become dead to sin and die to self (I Cor.15:31 & Ro.6:2). Before anything else can be done the tree branches must be removed, and John 15:1 tells us that the Father is the gardener who prunes us. Next the bark is stripped and Eph.4:22 directs us to put off our old self so that we can be made new in the attitude of our minds.
Return momentarily to the account of Elisha and the 50 members of the school of the prophets I referred to earlier. Notice in I Ki.2:12 that before Elisha picked up Elijah's mantel and received the double anointing he "took hold of his own clothing and tore them apart" (See also Col.3:9). Purity will proceed that double anointing. Returning to the boards of the sanctuary we find that only after all this trimming and stripping away of the outer covering was the board ready to be shaped, and then it was made according to the pattern (Ex.39:32). So also are we being thus shaped and conformed into His image (Eph.1:11; Ro.8:29; Eph.2:10 & Ro.12:2). Then, and only then, was the board ready for the gold.
Notice also what it is that provides the number 48. The number of man (6) is multiplied by the number 8 which is symbolic of a new life (I Pe.3:20 Lk.2:21 & II Chron.29:17), and a new beginning (II Cor.5:17). But this new man (the 48 boards) is not one man (one board), but is one body made up of many parts (I Cor.12:12&25). Each board was only 1 1/2 cubits wide, and since we have previously seen, divine fullness is represented by the number 3, one man by himself is incomplete. Similarly, while each board or person stands on his own faith (Ro.3:23-24 & Acts 16:30-31) all the boards are viewed together as one unit (Eph.2:21) for we are all members of one body (I Cor.1:10; Eph.2:19 & Eph.4:25). Joel 2:7-8 and I Cor.16:13 both indicate that God's many membered body, or army, will be in close contact with each other, but they will not jostle or annoy each other. They will walk in harmony. Why? Simple, from the pattern we see that that which touches the neighboring board is not the wooden nature of man, but the divine nature of God, and with that there would be nothing but pure harmony (I John5:8).
In addition to showing us the unity of the structure, we are shown that which God chose to use to give it stability. Each board had 3 golden rings attached to it (Ex.36:34) just as each of us needs to anchored in faith, hope and love (I Cor.13:13). These rings held the poles which in turn provided support to the structure. I believe that the description of the type and number of the poles as found in Ex.26:26-29 was a foreshadow of the five fold ministry as set forth in Eph.4: 11-13; namely, Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher. This ministry is to help in the building process of the final Tabernacle - the Body of Christ.
The center pole was the longest, being some 30 cubits long on the North and South sides. That pole could symbolize the Apostle as the foremost of the five (Eph.2:20 & I Cor.12:28), with Jesus our Chief Apostle (Heb.3:1) having begun His ministry at age 30 (Lk.3:27). Note the significance of the number 30 in that it points to the maturity of priests (Nu.4:47), and the beginning of both David's and Joseph's periods of ruling (II Sam.5:4 & Gen.41:46). The relationship of this fact to the five fold ministry appears more obvious when it is recalled that it is the purpose of this ministry to help bring the body into the fullness of Christ (Eph.4:13) and the fullness of Christ means overcoming physical death as the last enemy (I Cor.15:26) without our bodies first seeing decay in the grave (Acts 2:31).
There were 3 sets of 5 wooden poles covered in gold. The total number of poles was 15, which as we saw before, is the number of rest. The five fold ministry is under the order of Melchizedek, not Levi (Heb.7:12+17), and the Melchizedek priesthood speaks of physical immortality (Heb.7:17,8&3). The rest we are to come into is the rest of passing from the realm of mortality into the realm of immortality as seen in I Cor.15:51 after the board has been cut, pruned, debarked and shaped.
These boards are no longer of this earth (John 17:16; I John 2:15 & I Tim.2:19). They are now rooted and grounded in the love of Christ (Eph.3:17). The sanctuary boards rested not on the earth, but upon foundations of silver (Ex.38:27 & 30:16) which, like the silver caps we saw on the Outer Court pillars, were derived from the atonement tax which again directs our attention to the love God showed us by offering Jesus as the redeeming sacrifice for all ages (John 3:16). We must never forget that the new man rests squarely upon the redeeming blood of Jesus. There is no foundation for us other than Jesus (I Cor.3:11; Matt.7:25 & Isaiah 28:16 with I Pe.2:5-7).
Each base had one socket into which it received one of the tenons of the board which it rested under. The Hebrew word for 'tenon' is also translated 'hand' throughout the Old Testament. In a sense, we are being shown that the two tenons, or hands, of the boards literally take hold of the death and resurrection of Jesus as represented in the sockets of the redemption silver bases (II Tim.1: 13 KJV; I Thes.5:21; Heb.3:6 & Rev.3:11). Before progressing to the multi-layered covering of the sanctuary, one final comment should be made concerning the silver foundation. Close to 4 tons of silver went into making the bases. That is a costly foundation indeed, but it serves to remind us that we were bought at a high price (I Cor.6:20 & 7:23), the precious blood of Jesus (I Pe.1:19).
Unlike the Outer Court, the Middle Court is not open to all - only God's priests can enter (Heb.9:6). This realm is open only to believers who, as we have seen before, are considered today's priests (Rev.5:10 & I Pe.2:9). In fact, the beauty and majesty of this area is totally hidden from the world (I Cor.2:9-10). The outer most covering which was seen by all who entered the Outer Court was made of sea cow skins (badger - KJV, Ex.36:19 & 26:14; see drawing 3B).
This covering completely covered the other three coverings, which in turn covered the golden boards and all the furniture or fixtures which were located within the Tent of Meeting. Therein we are shown two things. First, since this outer most covering was made of the same material that the Israelites' sandals were made of (Ez.16:10 - Hebrew word tah ghash), it was a very tough material, well able to withstand all the attacks of the elements during the 40 year journey. Secondly, it was not very attractive in appearance. For the believer who is looking at it with spiritual eyes that see however, the message it proclaims is one of joy. You see, this covering which shields the new man in Christ is representative of the covering of the Lord (Isaiah 4:6; 25:4; Ps.27:5; 31:20 and 55:8). And while no dimensions were given for it, we know that it was large enough to protect everything that it covers Isaiah 43:2-5; Ps.124:1-8 & Ps.91:9-10).
Concerning its appearance, we are reminded that while the world might consider it unattractive, they also feel the same way about Christ (Isaiah 53:2; John 1:10 & I John 3:1). There were no distinguishing marks to this covering which again is all that the world can see of Jesus. When the world looks at Him, all they see is the "carpenter's son" (Matt.13:55 & Mk.6:3). There is of course more to Jesus than His surface appearance as the carpenter's son reveals and, as we look beneath the outer covering of the Tent of Meeting, we begin to see what was being prophesied by its various layers.
Immediately beneath the covering of seacow hide we find a layer of ram skin dyed red (Ex.26:14- see drawing 3-B). Like the layer which preceded it, no specific dimensions are given for this covering, although we know that it was large enough to do its assigned task because, like everything else in the Tabernacle, it was made exactly according to the Lord's command (Ex.39:32). The ram's skin dyed red clearly speaks of Jesus' substitute sacrifice for us Gen.22:13; I Pe.2:24 & Matt.8: 17), for as we said before, it was His blood that brought redemption to the whole world (John 19:34; Ro.5:9; Eph.1:7; Col.1:20 & Rev.1:5). No dimensions are needed because it was an all powerful sacrifice never needing to be repeated (Heb.7:27).
Heb.8:1 tells us that Jesus is our Great High Priest, and Heb.2:11 informs us that He considers us to be part of His family - even going so far as calling us brothers. Therefore, as priests serving under the Great High Priest Jesus, we should consider one additional type of ram sacrifice that points toward the level of commitment we are to possess as new men in Christ Ex.29:19-21 says that the priests who were to serve at Moses' Tabernacle were to be consecrated by sacrificing a ram and taking some of its blood and placing it upon the ears, thumbs (hands) and toes (feet) of each priest. With our ears we hear the Word of God (Matt.11:15; 13:16 & Ro.10:17), with our hands we work (I Thes.4:11; Prov.10:4 & Prov.21:25) and with our feet we walk (Ps.119:105; Prov.4:26 & Heb.12:13). Only consecrated priests may serve God (I Chron. 15:12-14 with 13:9-10), for He made it clear to Moses that failure to follow the pattern of consecration would bring about physical death (Lev.8:35). We must therefore, be totally committed and dedicated to God.
Again let me reassure you that I am well aware of the fact that we are not under the law. As such, we are not required to comply with the legal requirements of sacrificing animals and sprinkling blood. However, since Ro.12:2 specifically says that the transformation of the body is proceeded by mind renewal, we cannot afford to ignore anything foreshadowed by what the builder of the house (Matt.16:18, Heb.3:3 & 11:10) has included in His blueprint on the topic of soul/mind renewal. In the physical realm, living stones (I Pe.2:5) are needed to complete the dwelling He is building (Eph.2:22). And His pattern merely points the way toward the goal of becoming an overcoming (Rev.3:21), living (I Cor. 15:26) fiery stone (Ez.28:16) in His temple if this is indeed the last generation.
Remember, as we have said before, the one who has this hope purifies himself (I John 3:3). The ram skin covering then reminds us both of Jesus' sacrificial offering and our duty to become consecrated priests. He is calling together a kingdom of priests who have sacrificial concern for each other (I Cor.12: 25-26). And if you would still question the relationship of this sacrifice to the soul realm, or the totality with which we must put off our own personal desires, I urge you to consider the fact that the Greek word for "life" used in I John 3:16, which directs us to lay down our "life" for others is psyche which is in fact our soul. Notice also that that which must be thoroughly crucified according to Matt.16:24-25 wherein Jesus directed us to take up our cross and follow Him, is our soul, and as we are so clearly being shown, it is in the Middle Court of the Tabernacle, through the power of the Holy Spirit, that this is accomplished.
Directly beneath the ram skin covering was one made of goat hair (Ex.26:7-13 & 36:14-18- see drawing 3-B). At this point we are, for the first time, given some specific dimensions for this covering. This in no way should be viewed as limiting the scope of the function which this covering foreshadowed. Rather, as we will see, the dimensions serve to highlight it's purpose. This covering was made from 11 separate pieces, each one being 30 cubits long and 4 cubits wide. 5 pieces were sewn together to form one section of the whole covering and 6 were sewn together to form the other section. The larger one was now 24 cubits long and 30 cubits wide and the smaller one was 20 cubits long and 30 cubits wide
The larger portion covered the Middle Court with one piece extending over the front entrance, thereby covering the golden posts and the linen curtain. The smaller one covered the Holy of Holies, and extended over the rear of the sanctuary. Note, the only portion of this covering which was visible was the 1 piece which hung down over the entrance. The rest of it was covered by the ram skin, which was in turn covered by the seacow hide. Both the larger section and the smaller section each contained 50 loops. One loop from one section was attached to the corresponding loop of the other section by means of a brass clasp- thus making the two sections one piece.
Like the covering of ram skin, this one of goat hair again focuses our attention upon Jesus. The goat was the sin offering (Lev.9:3; 16:9-10 & Nu.28:15) under the law, and there is no question but that Jesus was offered up for our sins (Isaiah 53:6 & I Pe.2:24). Again though we see the number 50 introduced which, as we saw before, symbolizes Pentecost and the infilling of the Holy Spirit. I believe that the 50 loops on each piece of the goat hair covering and the 50 clasps show us that the Holy Spirit is available to those who believe in and accept the sacrifice which Jesus underwent on our behalf (Acts 10:44 & 15:18). The two sections of 5 pieces and 6 pieces, each 30 cubits long, point toward the five fold ministry (5) given to man (6) in order to lead us to the maturity (30) of Christ which is made possible only because of Jesus' redeeming sacrifice (Eph.4:122-13 & Col.2:19). Furthermore since the gifts of the Holy Spirit, as set forth in II Corinthians chapter 12, have as their purpose the building up of the Church (I Cor.14:12; 14:26 & I Pe.4:10), it is fitting that the five fold ministry (5 piece section) is joined to man (6 piece section) by the power of the Holy Spirit (50 clasps).
The silver bases upon which the sanctuary boards rested pointed to the fact that our faith must be founded in Jesus (Cornerstone). The fact that the goat hair covering is fully extended overhead points to the fact that His blood fully covers us as well (Capstone). Indeed, it is easy to see how Jesus is both the cornerstone and the capstone of our life (I Pe.4:8 & Ro.4:7 and I Pe.2:6-7). But this covering has more to tell us. Recall for a moment that only one of the eleven separate pieces which formed the entire covering hung down over the front of the sanctuary. This was the only part of the covering that was visible from the Outer Court. One out of eleven pieces could be seen, ie. 1/11th was visible. The same thing can be said for Jesus, for as you will recall, only 3 out of His 33 years ( 1/11th) were spent in open - public ministry. The other 30 years were virtually hidden from view.
Prov.19:2 informs us that zeal without knowledge is wrong. Jesus began His ministry after He reached age 30 (maturity) (Lk.3:23). This does not mean that we should not witness until we all reach age 30. Perhaps though, the witness of a changed life and a few Spirit directed words would be a more effective witness for the new immature believer instead of the condemnation and supposedly 'great teaching' which many new converts expound upon. All too often these well meaning individuals seem to alienate their families and half the neighborhood in their zeal to see everyone come to Christ.
We are clearly directed to grow up into the fullness of Jesus (Eph.4:15). The head (Jesus) cannot say to the rest of the body (the Church) "I don't need you." (I Cor.12:21). The fullness of Christ is represented in the goathair covering by the 100 (fullness) loops. When the two pieces of the covering are fully joined together, then all things will be under it. While we know that all things are under Jesus now (Heb.2:8), we must remember that that is in the realm of the spirit, for the physical manifestation of that has yet to be seen (Heb.2:8 & Acts 3:21). When this joinder is completed then the overcomers will rule and reign with Jesus (Rev.3:21) in all realms.
It should be noted here that the point where this joinder occurs in the goat hair covering also marks the beginning point for the Holy of Holies (Ex.26:33). Needless to say, while in the spirit we can approach the throne, we have not yet come to the fullness of Christ which would permit us to do so physically. WE must complete the learning, maturing and purifying process of the soul in the Middle Court with the Holy Spirit before we can thus stand before the Father in our physical body. Never allow anyone to tell you that this teaching lessens the importance of what Jesus did for us on the cross. Remember, the fact that 1 piece of the goat hair covering hung down over the entrance is but another reminder that there is no way into the Father's presence other than through Jesus' sacrifice.
There is now one final covering which we need to discuss. This one is the one which was visible on the inside of the sanctuary and served as the ceiling in both the Middle Court and the Holy of Holies (see drawing 3-B). Like the goathair, ramskin, and seacow hide coverings which were above it, it also extended over the outside of the gold covered boards. Again, like the covering of goat hair, we are given dimensions for this final covering. Therein we are given some addition information which expands upon the pattern which God is unfolding for us.
From Ex.26:1-6 & 38:8-13 we learn that 10 pieces of material each 28 cubits long and 4 cubits wide were used in this covering. This time 5 were sewn together to form one section and 5 were sewn together to form another section. Again 50 loops were found on each section giving us a total of 100 loops also held together by 50 clasps. But this time we see that the clasps were gold and the loops were blue. Now, instead of some animal hide, the covering was made of fine linen; blue, purple and scarlet in color with cherubim interwoven throughout.
Each time we have seen linen of this color we have been reminded of Jesus, but this time it is not hanging, but is overhead and all around (Phil.2:9 & Eph.1:20). You see, we are now dealing with the exalted Jesus, for we have entered the Middle Court, and His sacrifice (symbolized by the entrance curtain itself and the one piece goat hair covering which hangs down in front of the entrance curtain) is behind us. Once and for all He has dealt with sin, and need not do so again. This is further symbolized by the fact that unlike the other coverings which extended over the boards all the way to the ground, this covering extended over the boards, but was one cubit off the ground on each side. The coverings which pointed to His sacrifice touched the earth (sinful man) but since that issue has been dealt with by His sacrifice once and for all, the exalted Christ (the fine linen covering) does not need to touch it again. This is not to say that Jesus does not return to earth, but when He does, it will be as the One who has come to rule, not suffer.
The important thing for us to note here is that for the 2nd time we are shown 50 clasps and 100 loops, the clasps of gold and the loops of blue. The second out pouring of the Holy Spirit, or the true latter rain anointing, will be the one that brings the united body into the stage where it manifests the Glory of God (gold - Ro.8:23) AFTER it has thoroughly purified itself through the power of the Holy Spirit in the realm of the soul (Ro.12:12; Ro.8:13 & Rev.19:7). Note, it is the anointing of the Holy Spirit (50 clasps) which makes the two parts (Head and Body - Col.1:18) one unit (Ex.36:13).
Note also that only the priests were allowed to enter into this realm and see with their physical eyes the typologies of God's glory (Nu.18:7 & Heb.7:14). Similarly today, only those who are led by the Spirit of God will become mature manifested sons of God (Ro.8::14). Those who deny the anointing of the Holy Spirit and the working of His power today as described in Scripture (which includes I Corinthians chapters 12&14) are denying the very anointing needed to pass physically into the Holy of Holies without first tasting physical death. This does not mean that they are not saved, for if they believe in Jesus they are saved in spirit and have begun the salvation of their soul, but they will never complete the soul sanctification process if they persist in denying the power of the Spirit. They will go to heaven when they die, but they will not receive the totality of all that God has to offer them.
In a sense they are likened unto the priests listed in Ezekiel chapter 44. They could serve God in the Outer Court, but they were not allowed to minister before Him and behold His Glory (Ez.44:10-14) in either the Middle Court or the Holy of Holies. Therefore, do not think that simply because all believers today are included in God's priesthood (I Pe.2:5) that every priest, even those who refuse to enter into the Middle Court and allow the Holy Spirit to deal with them in ALL His ways, will physically enter into the Holy of Holies without tasting death, even if this is the last generation. As the Israelites discovered in the wilderness, you can be forgiven by God, but still be prevented from entering the promised land without tasting death, even if you are in the chosen generation (Nu.14:20-23). (We will talk about this in more detail in chapter 6)
