John 14:1-3
II Chron. 29, 30, 31
We are all familiar with the stories of the life of Joseph, the Scapegoat, and the Passover Lamb. We are also aware of the many parallels contained in them, that convey the significance of Christ. There are many other analogies in the writings of Moses and all of the prophets, which also speak of Christ. These articles on “Shadows of Christ” deal with those which are not so familiar to us. (Luke 24:27).
After the death of King Ahaz, Hezekiah his son, reigned as king over Judah. In the first year of his reign, “He opened the doors of the house of the Lord, and repaired them,” which Ahaz his father had closed. He gathered the priests and Levites together and commanded them to sanctify themselves and also the house of the Lord and “To carry forth the filthiness out of the Holy place.” He told them they had transgressed God’s laws and turned their backs against the Lord. God’s wrath was upon them and Jerusalem, and He had delivered them to their present troubles.
When the cleansing of the temple was completed, Hezekiah held a passover, the likes of which was not seen since the days of Solomon. He sent letters throughout the land asking that the people should come to Jerusalem and keep the passover in the second month. Some also came from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar and, Zebulun. He prayed also for the people that God would accept them and their offerings, because some were not all clean.”
Following the Passover, Hezekiah commanded Azariah the high priest, that the people should bring their offerings as commanded under the law of Moses for the welfare of the priests and Levites. “They brought of the first fruits of corn, wine, oil and honey, and the increase of the fields and tithe of all things abundantly,” also oxen and sheep. “In the third month they began to lay the foundations of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month.” Then came Hezekiah to assess the work and question the priests and Levites concerning the heaps. He was informed that “since the people had brought their offerings, the priests and Levites had enough to eat and plenty,” and the heaps were the overflow portions. “Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers or storehouses in the house of the Lord, and they prepared them.” II Chron. 31;10-15.
Kore was stationed at the east door of the temple, and from his post he would be the first to see the sun rising—a beginning of a new dawn. It was indeed a new dawn for the priests and Levites, with the coming of Hezekiah to the throne. It will also be a new dawn for the children of Israel and the entire world with the return of Christ. Kore, as doorkeeper or porter, was over all the freewill offerings, to distribute the oblation of the Lord and the most Holy things. In their wilderness wanderings, the Gershonites and Merarites were the group of Levites given wagons and oxen to transport the tabernacle with its boards, sockets, bars, curtains and hangings, and both went before to prepare the tabernacle for reassembling, so the porters, who carried the ark on their shoulders, arrived later with their burdens, would find that the tabernacle was already erected and in place.
Jesus in his vast understanding of the oracles of God, could graphically draw on the events of the past to illustrate the present spiritual and prophetic future events.
John, chapter 13:38 ends with Jesus telling Peter before the cock crow, he would deny him thrice. In chapter 14:1, it would seem as though he had changed the subject, but had he?
“Let not your heart be troubled” Peter, “you believe in God, believe also in me.” In my father’s house (temple) there are many mansions (store-houses.) If it were not so I would have told you.” There is room for corn, oil, wine and honey. Plant the corn, the seed of the word, that it may grow. Take oil for the lamp, that it may light the way for some poor brother or stranger — and be not like the foolish virgins. The wine which represents my poured out blood, will be shed for you. You will have to make some sacrifices yourself also; the word in your mouth should be sweeter than a honey comb.
I go to prepare a place for you. See that you are doing likewise. “Feed my sheep”. After my departure, bring the word to the lost sheep of Israel. “Feed my sheep.” After my resurrection, preach to the gentile sheep, a flock without a shepherd. “Feed my lambs,” by consoling and counselling your fellow apostles, be an example unto them. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again. Just as Hezekiah inspected the offerings, so will I when I come again (judge your works, reward your good deeds, and receive you unto myself).
Peter, I am the door of the sheepfold. Only my sheep who know my voice can enter in. I am the high priest in the house of God, that stands in Aaron’s place. I am the King, who will reign from David’s throne in Jerusalem. I am the porter who will lift you up and carry you on my shoulders into the Holy of holiest, into the innermost sanctuary of the kingdom of God, “that where I am, there may you be also.”
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One