The Daily Word of Righteousness

Revelation 11:19, continued

So he left there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD Asaph and his brethren, to minister before the ark continually, as every day's work required: and Obededom with their brethren, threescore and eight; Obededom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be porters: and Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that was at Gibeon, to offer burnt offerings unto the LORD upon the altar of the burnt offering continually morning and evening, and to do according to all that is written in the law of the LORD, which he commanded Israel; (I Chronicles 16:37-40)

All of this implies that those who are raised at the time the Ark is revealed will be an army, an army poised to assume control of the earth in the name of Jesus Christ. Not all of God's elect will be raised at the revealing of the Ark of the Covenant, only a Gideon's army so to speak. This is the royal priesthood. They are given back their bodies at this time so they may be able to govern on the earth.

It is interesting to think about the time the Tabernacle was at Gibeon and the Ark was under its tent in Zion, a suburb of Jerusalem, David's city.

All of the functions of the Tabernacle were operating at Gibeon. The Altar of Burnt Offering was there, symbolizing salvation through the blood of the cross.

The Laver was present, speaking of repentance and water baptism.

The Table of Showbread was inside the Holy Place, reminding us of the born again experience, the Presence of Christ.

The Lampstand lighted the Holy Place at night, speaking of the ministries and gifts of the ascended Christ that give a dim light during the spiritual darkness of the Church Age.

The Altar of Incense filled the Holy Place with the holy perfume, portraying the prayers of those who have offered themselves to the Lord, denying themselves for His sake and the Gospel's.

And then on the tenth day of the seventh month came the Day of Atonement, the Day of reconciliation through the blood of the slain goat and the removal of the scapegoat from the camp. Of great importance was the sprinkling of the blood of the slain goat upon and before the Mercy Seat.

But there can be no observance of the Day of Atonement. Why? Because there is no Ark of the Covenant in the Holy Place. All of the functions of ministry are present, but God is not there.

Where is God? God is with David at Zion where the Ark has been placed.

So it is today. We see the Lord's people being divided into two groups. One group is burdened with a tremendous desire for God. They cannot be satisfied without God's very Presence. They are repenting and confessing their sins. They are praying that God once again will visit His people.

The other group does not have this same intensity of desire. Yet they are active in all the familiar aspects of the Christian ministry. Sometimes they cannot understand those who have such a hunger for God, who cannot be satisfied with church activities as we have known them.

If our understanding is correct, this division will prevail until the new heaven and earth reign of Christ. At that time the two groups will become one and descend from Heaven as the one new Jerusalem, the holy city of God.

To be continued.