Mark's Daily Reading Journal

Gates Bible Fellowship

The Kingdom of God has come near!

Everything in the Tabernacle, everything is about the presence of God, it is about HIS Holiness, HIS Glory, and HIS burning desire to be present with HIS covenant people.  The intricate detail is amazing, everything had to be done exactly as the LORD directed or it would not have been acceptable.  At the end of Exodus we see the significance of the pain-staking attention to detail...it is a glorious display of the presence of God among HIS people.  You may recall the over arching summary of the Bible I shared from my Greek prof., Ken Easley..."the Lord God through His Christ is graciously building a kingdom of redeemed people for their joy and His own glory." 

The Lord’s Glory Fills the Tabernacle

Ex 40:34-38 Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. 35 Moses could no longer enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle.

36 Now whenever the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out on their journey, following it. 37 But if the cloud did not rise, they remained where they were until it lifted. 38 The cloud of the Lord hovered over the Tabernacle during the day, and at night fire glowed inside the cloud so the whole family of Israel could see it. This continued throughout all their journeys.

“Tabernacle”Tabernacle

(Heb. mishkan) (Ex. 25:9; 26:1; 40:2). Strong’s #4908: The word tabernacle signifies “a dwelling place” and is related to the verb meaning “to dwell,” “to settle down,” and “to live among” (Ex. 29:45; Gen. 14:13). In Exodus, the tabernacle is a temporary place to live—a tent (Song 1:8). God’s tent, the tabernacle, functioned as an object lesson in God’s holiness and a symbol of His divine presence among His people (Ex. 33:7–11). It was a sign that God wanted to live among His people and establish an intimate relationship with them (Ex. 5:8, 9). The ultimate outworking of that desire was that Jesus Christ, who was Himself God, became a man. As the Son of God, Jesus lived among us, walked with us, and revealed God the Father to us (John 1:14–18). This is why His name is Immanuel, meaning “God with us” (Matt. 1:23).

Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Ex 40:1-2). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

 

The Baptism of Jesus

I love the progression here in the opening words of Mark.  John testifies about Jesus, the Holy Spirit testifies about Jesus and then the Father Himself testifies about Jesus!  Consider that right here in these few verses if you will see God the Father shows us the trinity...all three are present at the same time!

Mark 1:9-13  In  those days Jesus came from Nazareth  in Galilee  and was baptized in the Jordan by John. 10 As soon as He came up out of the water, He saw the heavens  being torn open and the Spirit descending to Him like a dove. 11 And a voice  came from heaven: Jesus baptized

          You are My beloved  Son; I take delight  in You!   

12 Immediately  the Spirit  drove  Him into the wilderness.  13 He was in the wilderness 40 days, being tempted  by Satan.  He was with the wild animals,  and the angels  began to serve Him.

Mk 1:14-17  After  John was arrested,  Jesus went to Galilee,  preaching  the good news    of God:  15 “The time  is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God  has come  near.  Repent  and believe  in the good news!”

16 As  He was passing along by the Sea of Galilee,  He saw Simon  and Andrew,  Simon’s brother. They were casting a net into the sea,  since they were fishermen. 17 “Follow Me,”  Jesus told them, “and I will make you fish   for people!” 

Our God is the on time God...never early, never late...HE is always on time!

Galatians 4:4  But when the completion of the time came, God sent His Son,  born of a woman,  born under the law,

Eph 1:10  for the administration  of the days of fulfillmentto bring everything together in the Messiah,  both things in heaven and things on earth  in Him.

1 Ti 2:6  who gave Himself—a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time.

Tit 1:3 and has in His own time revealed  His message  in the proclamation that I was entrusted  with by the command  of God our Savior:

The kingdom of God has come near, God longs to be present with HIS people, but HE will not reside in an unclean vessel...REPENT AND BELIEVE!  Keep you eyes on Jesus, fix your eyes on Jesus...praise God the glory of the Old Covenant is surpassed by the glory of the New Covenant, the Covenant purchased and sealed with the blood of God, the blood of Jesus.  REPENT, be clean and eat, breath, live and walk in HIS presence...for HIS glory and Your joy!

Pr 9:11-12 For by Wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. 12  If you are wise, you are wise for your own benefit; if you mock, you alone will bear ⌊the consequences⌋.”

IT is the wise who walk with Jesus!

Love,

m

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