Gold

Hebrews 9-Part 2
But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is to say not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place having obtained eternal redemption for us. Hebrews 9:11-12

LET IT GLOW

"In every way, the present sanctuary is superior," says Warren Wiersbe in his book, Be Confident:
The five deficiencies of the Old Covenant sanctuary are matched with the five superiorities of the New Covenant sanctuary.

• It is heavenly (verse 11). It's not made with hands of men; not made out of the same materials as the tabernacle of Moses, which was patterned after the heavenly sanctuary. 
• Its ministry is effective to deal with sin (verses 12-15). Jesus' blood sacrifice for sins was final and complete, while the animals' was repeated; His blood "taketh away sin" (John 1:29), but animals' blood only covered sin; His changed the person's heart (Heb.8:10), while the animals' was a ceremonial cleansing.
• Its ministry is based on a costly sacrifice (verses 16-23). Jesus' blood shed for us was the New Covenant (Luke 22:20). Obviously it was a more costly sacrifice, the life of a human compared to the life of an animal. The tabernacle was purified through the sprinkling of blood once a year (Lev. 16:12-19). Our heavenly sanctuary is purified with the blood of the Son of God.
• Its ministry represents fulfillment (verse 24). The high priest' offerings was only temporary and a symbol of what Jesus did-He entered the Holy of Holies in heaven with His blood sacrifice, once and for all. The tabernacle was replaced by Solomon's temple, destroyed by the Babylonians, rebuilt by the Jews, embellished by King Herod, the destroyed by the Romans. The heavenly sanctuary will not perish because it isn't made with hands, but is eternal.
• Its ministry is final and complete (verses 25-28). This describes Christ's work. He is now ministering in heaven on our behalf.

As a believer in Christ, my citizenship is in heaven (Phil.3:20); my treasure is in heaven (Matt. 6:19); my Savior and hope are in heaven. I walk by faith, not by sight. My eternal destiny is sealed, no matter what happens to me on earth. How about you dear friend?

I'm reminded of a song that goes: Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true; with thanksgiving, I'll be a living sanctuary for You.

Romans 12:1 begs me to present my body as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God , which is my reasonable service. (Linda's paraphrase)

1 Corinthians 6:19 asks me if I know that my body is the temple of the Holy Ghost.

Shouldn't I daily offer myself to God for His use, for His glory?

LET IT GROW

Coin collecting was Mom's hobby. She would spend hours in the evenings looking through rolls of coins, which brought her pleasure. She even bought special ones. There were a couple of coins that were special, not in value, but different. They were made of gold, five dollar gold pieces. I had never seen any gold coins before finding these in her collection after her death. These are quite pretty to look at. Even though they aren't of high monetary value, they are special to me. And to think, this gold that is rare and valuable on earth will be plenteous in heaven, so common that I will walk on it. Wow! I did some checking on gold and found some interesting things that I wanted to share with you.

Gold is used to symbolize earthly riches. Finer than gold, which, physically speaking, is considered non-perishable, typifies incorruptibility. Refining of gold is a figure for great purity or a test of. Gold was the most valuable of metals. It stood for anything of great value, hence was most worthy for use in worshipping Yahweh, and the adornment of angels or saints. A crown of gold was synonymous with royal honor. Wearing of gold typified lavish adornment and worldly luxury. Comparing men to gold suggested their nobility. [Resource: The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, by James A. Patch]

I found some new interesting facts about gold.
The children of Israel had to take gold with them, from the Egyptians, into the Promise Land, because it is not a product of mines in the region. It was also brought in from India. Gold coinage was unknown in the early Old Testament times.
In modern times, gold is a standard for our monetary system. Also, it is put through a long process when mined; smelting is a way used to get the impurities out. It doesn't boil until it reaches 2, 800 degrees.
Maybe we are put into the fire of testing so the impurities can come out of our life.
It is no coincidence that my Bible study group on the internet with Wendy Pope is studying Exodus right now. Beginning with chapter 25 of Exodus, we find the details of the tabernacle given to Moses.

What things were pure gold in the tabernacle?
1. Within the Holy of Holies, the inner room, the Ark of the Covenant was a sacred chest, 45" x 27"
     x  27" inside and outside made of pure gold; 4 gold rings were attached for carrying with wood
     poles  were overlay with gold; its cover, the Mercy Seat and the place of  atonement, was from
     pure gold; 2 cheribim from hammered gold were placed at the ends of the atonement cover, facing
     each other, with wings spread above it. Inside the Ark was the stone tables the golden pot of
     manna, and Aaron's rod.
2.  Within the Holy Place, the first room, was a Table of Showbread, 36"x 18" x 27", overlay with
      pure gold; a 3" gold border with gold molding; 4 gold rings were attached at the 4 corners, for
      carrying with the wood polse overlay with gold. Special containers of pure gold for the table-
      bowls, pans, pitchers, and jars, used to hold the drink offerings. (The show bread was to be on the
      table at all times.)
3.   Another item in the Holy Place was the lampstand, made of pure, hammered gold, with six
      branches, each branch had three cups. Seven lamps for the lampstand, lamp snuffers, and tray were
      made of pure gold.
4.  The Altar of Incense was for burning incense; made of wood, 18" square x 36" with horns of the
      altar of pure gold; top and sides were pure gold; two gold rings were attached for carrying with
      wood poles overlay with gold; it was placed outside the inner curtain. A golden censer, shovel,
      was used for carrying the coals or the altar upon which the coals were placed.
      (The burnt offering altar and washbasin or laver where the priests washed, were made of bronze.)
5.  The enterance to the tabernacle had the first curtain hung from gold hooks and five posts were
      made of wood overlay with gold.
[Resources: New Living Translation, Liberty Bible Commentary]

Are my works going to burn up as hay, wood, stuble, or be lasting as pure gold and silver? (1 Cor. 3:12)

We are told that the streets of the new Jerusalem will be made of pure gold. (Rev.21:21)

But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve. (Jer. 17:10)

What a day that will be, seeing Jesus and walking on streets of gold, not dirt and rocks!


LET IT GO

Surrender myself to be God's sanctuary.

Strive to have faith and works as pure as gold.