I've Got You Covered - God

INTRODUCTION

Today we will continue our study on the Tabernacle and we will talk specifically about the types and symbols of being covered by God.

The Roof Coverings

Four layers were used to cover the wooden structure from the howling winds of the desert, the sudden rains, and the intense heat and each of the four coverings had a distinct purpose.

• The Inner Linen – was for decoration and cleanliness.

• Spun Goat’s Hair – helped soundproof & insulate the Tabernacle from the desert heat.

• Ram’s Skins dyed red – also insulated from noise, wind, rain and intense heat.

• Porpoise Skins (Outer Covering) carefully sewn together – served to waterproof the Tabernacle.

The Door Into The Holy Place

The was a curtain made of cloth and suspended on five pillars. It led from the courtyard into the Tabernacle and served as an entry way, and also protected the interior from the weather.

Exodus 26:36-37 Amplified Bible

• Jesus identifies Himself as the door we must all enter so that we might find abundant life, overflowing with joy.

“I am the Door; anyone who enters in through Me will be saved (will live). He will come in and he will go out [freely], and will find pasture. The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).

John 10:9-10 Amplified

• The Five Pillars speak of the gifts that Jesus gave to the Body of Christ to perfect and equip the saints for the work of the ministry until we all attain oneness in the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God. These gifts are the Five-Fold Ministries of the Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor & Teacher.

Ephesians 4:11 Amplified

The Promise of Protection

Today we will focus on the promise of God’s protection as a vital part of the covenant that God makes with His people. The following Scriptures all relate to the spiritual significance of the protection God promises each one of us.

• Isaiah 4:5-6 Amplified

• Psalm 27:4-5 Amplified Bible

• Colossians 3:1-3 Amplified Bible

TODAY WE WILL FOCUS ON THE COVERINGS WHICH SYMBOLIZE

OUR PROTECTION WITHIN THE COVENANT OF GOD

I. First Inner Covering: White Linen

The first inner covering was white linen richly embroidered in blue, purple, and scarlet designs of cherubim, giving splendor to the ceiling.

A. Fine White Linen is a type of The Righteousness of Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:18-21 Amplified

18 But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself [received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself] and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation [that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him].

19 It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, not counting up and holding against [men] their trespasses [but cancelling them], and committing to us the message of reconciliation (of the restoration to favor).

20 So we are Christ's ambassadors, God making His appeal as it were through us. We [as Christ's personal representatives] beg you for His sake to lay hold of the divine favor [now offered you] and be reconciled to God.

21 For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness].

1. The colors embroidered into the linen signify His:

a. heavenly origin (blue),

b. His kingliness (purple), and

c. His redemptive work on the Cross (red).

B. The cherubim in the design were angelic creatures that are guardians of the holiness of God.

1. They are holy ones who are the attendants of the throne of God, and

2. Their song is given to us as “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty.” Revelation 4:8.

C. Ezekiel 1:4-11 goes on to say the cherubim were living creatures, which had four faces depicting the fourfold character of the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

1. The face of a man speaks of His perfect humanity;

2. The lion speaks of His kingship and power;

3. The ox is the symbol of sacrifice and service, and

4. The eagle speaks of the ability to see great distances, and therefore speaks of omniscience.

• All of this the believer sees in the Lord Jesus Christ, once he has entered by faith into Christ, and into the more perfect Tabernacle by way of the altar and by way of the blood.

• To the outsider, all this glory is completely hidden, and they cannot comprehend how the Believer can become so enamored, enraptured and infatuated with the loveliness of the all-sufficient beauty of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.