Shadows, Realities and the Glories of Christ

Opening readings were led by Apostle Chris Gbedemah. The message began from a settled confession and moved through the tabernacle as a sustained picture of Christ.

• The confession the message rests on: “Jesus is still on the throne and He's still the King of Kings, and I am a child of God.”

• Shadows. Old Testament regulations on food, drink, new moons, festivals and Sabbaths were shadows of things to come. The reality is Christ.

• The building. Believers are fellow citizens, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the chief cornerstone, growing into a holy temple in the Lord.

• Walking in the reality. Old Covenant prophets saw heavenly visions and symbols of what was coming. New Creation believers must walk in the full spiritual reality instead of returning to shadows that have passed, to fear, or to ungodly practice. As with Joshua the high priest, faithfulness gives a place to walk among those who stand in God's presence.

• Take an uncompromised, bold stand for God, as Elijah did at Samaria.

• Colossians 2:16-17
• Ephesians 2:19-20
• Zechariah 3:6-8
• 1 Kings 18

• The honey badger is resilient and fearless. It does not retreat from venomous serpents like cobras — it hunts them down, and rises again even after being bitten.

• The outer badger-skin covering is therefore a picture of Christ's fearlessness, resilience and victory over the devil: He died, but rose after three days to judge the enemy.

• Believers are to walk in that same divine boldness, exercising authority over serpents and scorpions without fear.

• Exodus 26:7-14
• Luke 10:19

• The bronze altar represents sacrifice; the bronze basin or laver represents cleansing and sanctification before entering the holy place.

• In Solomon's temple that basin expanded into the Sea, resting on twelve oxen facing east, west, north and south.

• Exodus 30:17-21
• 1 Kings 7:23-25

• The eleven goat-hair curtains fastened with bronze clasps speak of Christ becoming sin for us, and of the eleven faithful apostles who shared in His sufferings.

• Zebedee's sons asked to sit at Christ's right and left hand. Jesus answered that they would first drink His cup of trial and persecution before receiving kingdom authority.

• Solomon's ivory throne in the Hall of Judgment stood on six steps flanked by twelve lions, with two more at the armrests. Those twelve lions are the twelve thrones promised to the apostles, who will sit with Christ and judge the tribes of Israel.

• The order. Endurance comes before reigning — “if we endure, we shall also reign with Him.”

• Exodus 26:7-14
• Luke 22:28
• Matthew 20:20-23
• 1 Kings 7:6-7
• 1 Kings 10:18-20
• Matthew 19:28
• 2 Timothy 2:12

• Moses' tabernacle had one golden lampstand and one showbread table. Solomon's temple had ten of each, five on the north and five on the south.

• That expansion represents the redeemed congregation — the general assembly and church of the firstborn — gathered to feast in Christ.

• It is matched by the ten linen curtains of blue, purple and scarlet, which clothe the saints in royal priesthood and righteousness.

• The veil. The veil is the flesh of Christ, and the cherubim woven into it are the mystery of heavenly realities embodied in His earthly flesh.

• The bride. The bride of Christ matures out of darkness into the full light of morning — fair as the moon, clear as the sun, awesome as an army with banners — as the seventh-month festivals move from the new moon to the full moon of Tabernacles.

• 1 Kings 7:48
• Exodus 26:1-3
• Hebrews 10:19-20
• Song of Solomon 6:10