In this episode we continue studying the Book of Exodus. In this episode God told Moses to make a sanctuary, so he can dwell amongst His people.

He was also instructed to make an ark. The ark was a box with a lid on top, the lid was to be covered with gold and have two gold cherubs on top, one on each end. The lid would be called the Mercy Seat.

Moses would put the testimony, also called the ten commandments inside the box and cover it with the Mercy Seat. The law was covered, it was hidden by the mercy seat. Demonstrating that when it came to keeping the commandments, God would show mercy to his people.

God told Moses he would meet with him and commune with him from above the mercy seat and between the two cherubims which were upon the ark of the testimony regarding ALL the commandments he would give to Israel.

The cherubs are first mentioned in the book of Genesis, they had the job of blocking man’s entrance into the Garden of Eden, after Adam and Eve sinned. There God met the man and woman he made in his image, there they walked and talked with Him, face to face, there they heard his voice and received his counsel, and because of the ark and the mercy seat the gateway to fellowship and communing with God had been restored.

Moses was also told to make a golden candlestick. The candlestick had almond blossoms and bowls shaped like almonds on it.

The AHLB says, the almond has the shape of an opened eye. And the almond tree is known to be the earliest to blossom of all the nut trees.

The Candlestick, represents Jesus who is the light of the world. And those who abide in Him will be the first to be resurrected, they will be the first to have their eyes opened from the sleep of death and experience new life on a new earth.

Death is not the end of our lives, we will all be resurrected but each man in his own order or time. 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verses 21 through 23.

1Corinthians 15:21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

1Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

1Corinthians 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

John notes the order of the resurrections in Revelation chapter 20, he reveals there are two resurrections. He notes the privileges of partaking of the first resurrection. Then he notes the potential dangers of having to partake of the second resurrection.

Those who partake of the first resurrection have escaped Hell. Hell will not be a threat to them.

But the partakers of the second resurrection will have to stand before the judgment seat of Christ, to determine their fate. Will they be granted eternal life or sentenced to the second death?

Here’s the text:

THE FIRST RESURRECTION:

Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Revelation 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

THE SECOND RESURRECTION:

Revelation 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Revelation 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

Revelation 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.