Bibleteachingonline101.net / Phase 4, Page 3 / Cont. from Page 2

IV. The Brazen (Brass) Altar
         
         The Brazen Altar is the next piece of furniture in our approach to God. This Altar was placed
​         "before the door" (or the gate to the Tabernacle) where sacrifice was made to atone for sin. There is no
         excuse not the see this piece of furniture. The ONLY way to not see the Brazen Altar, is to deliberately
        ignore it.This was the only place of sacrifice, and was the only true source of "fire" that lit the
         Candlestick, and it provided the burning coals for the Golden Altar of Incense on the Day of Atonement 
         (Lev.16:1-34, v.12-13). 

       A. The Brazen Altar
                 
                The writer of Hebrews says, "we have an altar...Jesus..." (Exod.27:1-6, Heb.13:10-13, Lev.17:8-9,
                  John.3:16-18, 36; 14:1,6, 1Tim.2:5)  No one was permitted to make their own Altar other than the
                Brazen Altar, or else they were cut off. The pattern has not changed! It has been fulfilled in
              Christ (Matt.5:17-19, Gal.3:24).

               1. It is possible to preach "another Jesus,"  i.e. build another Altar (2Cor.11:4).  
                    
                    a. Certain men in the Church
                          
                         There were "certain men"  crept into the 1st century Church turning the grace of God into
                         lawlessness, denying the only Lord God (Jude.1:4). They had built their own Altar, that

                         looked " like" the real (Note: Isa.14:1-3, 2Thes.2:4, v.7).

                    b. Brazen serpent that became an idol(Num.21:4-9, 2Kings.18:4)
                              
                         Jesus drew a parallel between Himself and this "fiery serpent" (John.3:14-15, Num.21:8-9). He
                         was "lifted up" (crucified) on the Cross (i.e. "set...upon a pole" Num.21:8) and "made him to be sin
                         (Num.21:8) for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness
                         of God in him" (2Cor 5:21). Later this brazen serpent (that was pointing to the crucified Christ)
                         became an idol ("another Jesus") to pull Israel away from God (2Kings.18:4). These things are
                         written for our learning (Rom.15:4).

              2. Church tradition

                    Church tradition has made "The Altar" a place at the front of the Church. The Altar is Jesus, 

                    not a place in a building (John.2:18-20, Acts.7:48, 1Tim.3:15, Matt.18:20). Jesus will meet you

                    where you are at.[10] The "so-called" Altar in the front of the building has become holy ground.

                    It can become like an idol. In fact there is no record of the Church at Jerusalem having a

                    actual building anyway. They meet at the upper room (Acts.1:13; 2:2), Solomon's porch

                    (Acts.5:12), the Temple, from house to house (Acts.2:45), and in an upper chamber (Acts.20:8).

                     There was no building program or property, in fact Steven said, "the most High dwelleth not

                    in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet" (Acts 7:48-49). We are the ones that

                    emphasis buildings made with hands as the Church or God's House. People are God's house.

                    We are the church! A meeting place is only for our convenience. Jesus is not returning

                    to a temple made with hands. In Jesus is the fulfilment of Moses Tabernacle.

                   a. The thief that repented.

                         He did not have time to "go to Church" (i.e. the building made with hands) and come down to the
                         "so-called" altar (Luke.23:42).

                  b. The House of Cornelius

                         Those at the house (Act 10:.22) of Cornelius were not at Church when they were saved.

                         In fact they were saved (born again) while Peter was preaching (Acts.10:44-48; 15:15:8).

                           It was a gathering of "kinsmen and near friends" (Acts.10:24) in "his house" (Acts.10:22).

                   c. The Day of Pentecost

                         The 3,000 people that were saved on the day of Pentecost when they had gathered by the upper
                         room (Acts.2:2). Neither of these groups were at the "so-called" altar at Church.

         B. God lit the fire in the Brazen Altar

                The Altar was the place of sacrifice and the fire completely consumed the sacrifice. God lit the
                fire upon the Brazen Altar, and it was the priesthood's responsibility to keep it lit. (Lev.9:22-24; 6:12)
                This was the only place of sacrifice. (atonement) (Lev.17:9, Exod.30:9, Exod.30:9)

               1. Remember: Aaron's two sons offered "strange fire"
                
                    They offered "strange fire" before the Lord (fire that was not lit by God / fire from "another" source.
                    Review: IV. A. They were judged and rejected by God.
                    (Lev.10:1-2)
  
                    The pattern has not changed!
 
              2. Our atonement (redemption, salvation)

                    It is "not of yourselves: (God lights the fire) it is the
                    gift of God" (Eph.2:8). Everything else is rejected, as
                    Cain's offering was (Gen.4:1-4).

              3. God is a consuming fire (Heb.12:29) 

                    He wants to "consume" you with His Word (Jer.23:29, 1Cor.3:13-15). He wants to do away with our
                    fleshly abilities completely (Rom.8:4-8). That is why we are crucified with Christ (Gal.2:20), and            
                    buried with Him (Rom.6:1-6) in Water Baptism.

              4. The Priesthood was responsible to keep this fire going.
            
                    The fire in the Brazen Altar was never to go out. It is our responsibility to proclaim the atonement in
                    Christ's blood, thus keeping the fire "ever...burning" (Lev.6:12).

       C. Brass (Brazen) is a type of sin and judgment
        
               1. Under the curse of the law
  
                    The heavens would become as brass in judgment against Israel for their disobedience 
                      (Duet.28:15, 23). Without God's love "I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling    
                    cymbal" (1Cor 13:1-2). 
                

              2. Jesus, the brazen serpent and sin
                
                     Jesus said, He was to be lifted up as Moses lifted up the brazen (brass) serpent in the wilderness 
                     (John.3:14-16, Num.21:4-9). He was speaking of how God the Father made 'Him to be sin for us', 

                     (i.e. the brazen serpent) who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God

                     in Him" (2Cor.5:21).

        D. To Summarize, the Brazen Altar has it's fulfillment in Christ    
           
               We are to draw nigh unto God (Jam.4:8) as His Bride, in the "true Tabernacle" (Heb.8:1-5). The
               righteousness of God (i.e. the outer court fence) directs us to the "gate" (John.10:1-10 door / gate). 
               After entering the gate everyone is faced with the Brazen Altar. (i.e. The Blood atonement of Christ). In
               order for God to dwell amongst us, there must be the Blood Atonement. No atonement, no dwelling!
               The apostle Paul wrote that we are "builded together for an habitation (dwelling) of God.








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          Note: Think on this! The apostle Paul wrote that we (the Church / Body / Bride) are "builded together for an habitation of
            God. The Tabernacle pattern has NOT been destroyed, the reality of it is now found in the Body of Christ / Church / Bride.

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        E. Tabernacle floor plan and Church History(1517- 20019 AD)
              
               It begins with the Outer Court fence (the righteousness of God) Review: III, A-B, bringing us through
               the gate to the Brazen Altar (The blood atonement in Christ Jesus). 

               This also parallel's the Feast of thePassover Lamb. Review: Phase 2, Page 3. I. A  

               This parallel's the "Reformation," (1517 AD) and the truth of Justification by Faith (Repentance from
               dead works and faith towards God (Heb.6:1-3, Rom.1:17). Review History of Church: Phase 2, Page.6.           
               The Lutheran, Presbyterian and Episcopal Churches developed (and others) from this visitation of
               God. History reveals that they had an excellent beginning, but "built a box" (so-to-speak) around this  
               truth and rejected the next step in the  blueprint . Drive through your City, town and Community
               and see these Church buildings today. They are a monument to the wisdom (1Cor.1:19-29; 2:1-14)
               of man rejecting the next move of God which we know today as Water Baptism. That is being

               buried with Christ, completely submerged in water. 

               Because of Phase 2 we know that this is ONLY the beginning.


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       F. Tabernacle floor plan and The Redemptive Week (Phase 3) 
  
                Since the time that "sin entered into the world" (Rom.5:12) through the fall of Adam, God has been
                working according to a Redemptive plan to "dwell" amongst us (Rev.21:3) again as He did the garden.
                This plan is following the same pattern as the Tabernacle of Moses because this is His "divine
                nature" (2Peter.1:4). It is who He is. (Note: When God "had no respect" for Cain's offering (Gen.4:1-4),
                it was because Cain did not follow God's "divine nature" / pattern of blood atonement 

                ALWAYS being established first. Cain offered a 'meal offering', an offering of his good works unto

                God. (Review: IV. B. 2 / Phase.2, Page.1, IV.A)  God cannot deny His nature (2Tim.2:13)! 

                (Review: Phase.3 for explanation of this chart)    
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                The blood atonement is ALWAYS first.(Review: IV. B. 2 / Phase.2, Page.1, IV.A)  He cannot deny
                Himself! (2Tim.2:13)  (Review: Phase.3 for explanation of this chart)

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             1. The pattern begins with "brazen Altar"
                
                    The outer court had the "brazen" (brass) Altar (Atonement). This parallel's the 1500 year
                    period of time of the Law of Moses. (The 3rd. day to the 4th.day of God's Redemptive Week)

                   a. Here are the reasons why the pattern begins here
                   
                        (1) It was the "brass" Altar
                         
                               Brass foreshadows the judgment (Duet.28:15, 23, 1Cor 13:1-2) of the Law of Moses. "But sin,
                               taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For
                               without the law sin was dead. For I was alive without the law once: but when the    
                               commandment came, sin revived, and I died" (Rom.7:8-9).

                         (2) The Altar began the path to "dwelling" in His presence

                                  God told Moses to "set the altar (Brazen / Brass) of the burnt offering before the door of
                               the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation. There was a specific place for each piece of
                               Furniture. NOTE: It was the shedding of the blood of the Passover Lamb that began (Exod.12:
                                 1-2) there journey to Solomon's Temple. (REVIEW: PHASE 2) The "truth" that is being
                               established (Gen.41:32, Deut.17:6;19:15, Matt.18:16, 2Cor.13:1) here is that God ALWAYS begins
​                               with the blood atonement.

                           (3) The only place of animal sacrifices (None in the 5th, 6th, and 7th days)
                       
                               When Jesus came, He caused the "animal sacrifice and oblation to cease" (Dan.9:27), exactly
                               as thebuilding code(Blueprint, Pattern, Shadow, Type / "ensample") says. Note: The sacrifice
                               and oblation (Exod.30:9) belonged in the outer court, (Before the Cross). Once again showing
                               the consistency, reliability, the steadfastness, dependability of God's person. This is how God
                               works. He "dwells" among these principles. (Remember this  Blueprint  when you study the
                               end times.

                        (4) The jot[65] and tittle [66] of the Outer Court fence    
                       
                               The length of the court shall be an hundred cubits, and the breadth fifty every where, and
                               the height five cubits of fine twined linen, and their sockets of brass" (Exod.27:18-19). This
                               is a total area of 1500 Cubits, (100 for the south side, + 50 for the West side +100 for the North
                               side +50 for the East side x 5 for the height of the fence) the time of the Law of Moses and the
                               Prophets.

             

                               Review: Phase 4, Cover Page / Page 1, 2, 3  
​                            NEXT: PHASE 4, Page 4 

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