THE TRAVELLING ARK
The Ark is a type of the presence of the Lord in His fullness. For this reason we are able to view its wanderings as part of dispensational prophecy.
In the travels of the Ark the Lord instructed Israel to house the Ark in three typical houses or dwelling places. These three dwellings are representative of the ages of time.
1. The Tabernacle of Moses. The Law Age.
2. The Tabernacle of David. The Church Age.
3. The Temple of Solomon. The Kingdom Age.
THE JERUSALEM MOUNTAINS
The three dwellings places became associated with Jerusalem. They were finally erected on three mountains round about the city. Another giant teaching aid to help the people of God understand His eternal purpose.
Psa 125:2 (NIV) As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore.
1. Mt Gibeon, ( Gibeon = hill, height.)
Upon this was to be found the Tabernacle of Moses.
1 Chr 16:39 (NIV) David left Zadok the priest and his fellow priests before the tabernacle of the LORD at the high place in Gibeon.
2. Mt Zion. (Zion = a fortress.)
David placed his Tabernacle there.
(2 Sam 5:7 NRSV) Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion, which is now the city of David.
2 Sam 6:17 (NIV) They brought the ark of the LORD and set it in its place inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and David sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before the LORD.
3.Mt Moriah ( Jah provides.)
Solomon built the temple here.
2 Chr 3:1 (NIV) Then Solomon began to build the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to his father David. It was on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, the place provided by David.
The Ark was taken from Mt Sinai to Mt Gibeon and placed in the tent of Moses. Later David carried it to the tent he had prepared at Mt Zion. After the death of David and the building of the temple Solomon had it placed in the temple on Mt Moriah.
MOUNTAINS IN SCRIPTURE
Scripture associates mountains to the dwelling place of God and the places of assembly.
Exo 40:22 (NIV) Moses placed the table in the Tent of Meeting (congregation) on the north side of the tabernacle outside the curtain
Isa 2:2 (NIV) In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.
Isa 14:13 (NIV) You said in your heart, “I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain.
Ezek 28:14 (NIV) You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount ofGod; you walked among the fiery stones.
Read also Psalm 48.
THE MOUNTAIN OF THE LORD’S HOUSE
There is ordained a time for the final establishment of the mountain of the Lord’s house in relation to humankind.
Isa 2:1-4 (NIV) This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: 2 In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. 3 Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4 He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.
Micah 4:1-2 (NIV) In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it. 2 Many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Heb 12:22 (NIV) But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly,
The word established in these Scriptures is ‘ kun ‘ = to be formed, prepared, established.
Happenings in the last days .
Gen 49:1 (NIV) Then Jacob called for his sons and said: “Gather around so I can tell you what will happen to you in days to come.
Acts 2:17-20 (NIV) “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
2 Tim 3:1 (NIV) But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.
Heb 1:2 (NIV) but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.
James 5:3 (NIV) Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.
2 Pet 3:3 (NIV) First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.
The last two days of the Lord.
… The years of the church age.
In the top of the mountain:
Christ and His church will sit in heavenly places.
All the nations
Jews and Gentiles will be drawn to flow to the victorious church.
MOUNTAINS ARE TYPICAL OF SPIRITUAL TRUTH ABOUT THE CHURCH
Three natural mountains around Jerusalem and the tabernacles placed upon them show an example of spiritual development and when combined point to the mountain of the Lord’s house and His church.
1 Cor 15:46-47 (NIV) The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven.
Other references are :
Psa 72:3 (NIV) The mountains will bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness.
Isa 30:25-26 (NIV) In the day of great slaughter, when the towers fall, streams of water will flow on every high mountain and every lofty hill. 26 The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full days, when the LORD binds up the bruises of his people and heals the wounds he inflicted.
Isa 40:9 (NIV) You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!”
Isa 49:11 (NIV) I will turn all my mountains into roads, and my highways will be raised up.
In particular read all of Isaiah and note all references to mountains in the light of this study. Consult several other translations, as some are more illuminating than NIV. version.
THE PSALMS OF ZION.
(Psa 87 NIV) Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. A song.
He has set his foundation on the holy mountain;
The LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob
Glorious things are said of you, O city of God: Selah.
“I will record Rahab and Babylon among those who acknowledge me— Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush — and will say, ‘This one was born in Zion.'”
In deed, of Zion it will be said, “This one and that one were born in her, and the Most High himself will establish her.”
The LORD will write in the register of the peoples: “This one was born in Zion.” Selah.
As they make music they will sing, “All my fountains are in you.”.
David brought the Ark and placed it in a tent that he had prepared. Around this central place gathered the Levites and the singers, and the glory of God presenced Himself with them.
We also in the times of the church age gather around the Lord. The Lord Jesus Christ is in our midst. We gather Him who is the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
Psalm 87 is from a special group of songs that we know as the psalms of Zion. At the gatherings around the Ark as it sat in the Tabernacle of David, there came forth these songs of Zion, songs of the fortress of God. It was in God’s presence, that the songs were born and revelations of the coming of the Lord Jesus were given in the messianic psalms.
Gen 49:10 (KJV) The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
MOUNTAINS AND THE GOSPEL
The gospel of Matthew might well be called the Gospel of the Mountains.
It was on a high mountain that Jesus was tempted by Satan
Mat 4:8-10 (KJV) Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Notice worship first and service second. The pattern is illustrated by Jesus. He would often go up into the mountains to pray or teach or struggle in the spiritual realm then return into the valley of service and ministry. He came down from the mount of temptation then .
Mat 4:23 (KJV) And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
The next mountain was the occasion of the great sermon.
Mat 5:1 (NIV) Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him,
This occasion was typical of the prophecy of Isaiah.
Isa 2:1-3 (NIV) This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: 2 In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. 3 Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Again He came down from the mountain of teaching into the valley to care for human need.
Mat 8:1 (KJV) When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.
Lepers were healed, the centurion’s servant, the sick woman.
Going up into the mountain to pray.
Mat 14:23 (NIV) After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,
When He came down He saved the disciples from the storm and ministered to the sick.
Ascending the mountain of provision and healing.
Mat 15:29 (NIV) Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down.
The mountain of glory.
Mat 17:1 (NIV) After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
The Mount of Olives and the end time teachings.
Mat 24:3 (NIV) As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
The giving of the great commission:
Mat 28:16 (NIV) Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.
Mountains being featured in the ministry of Jesus follow the insight and prophetic vision of David.
David touched upon the spiritual symbolism of the hills and mountains in the Psalms.
Psa 121:1 (KJV) A Song of degrees. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
(Psa 87:1 NIV) Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. A song. He has set his foundation on the holy mountain;.
MOUNTAINS AND KINGDOMS
Symbolically the mountain is often used to represent a kingdom.
Jer 51:24-25 (KJV) And I will render unto Babylon and to all the inhabitants of Chaldea all their evil that they have done in Zion in your sight, saith the LORD. 25 Behold, I am against thee, O destroying mountain, saith the LORD, which destroyest all the earth: and I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and roll thee down from the rocks, and will make thee a burnt mountain.
Dan 2:35 (KJV) Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.
Rev 17:9 (KJV) And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sits.
THREE STAGES OF GROWTH
In a similar way the three mountains upon which the tabernacles rested, represent three stages in the growth of the Kingdom of God.
First the law age, then after the cross, the age of the New Testament church. In other words the Tabernacle of David stage. The church is not yet at rest, the poles are still in the Ark.
The coming to the third mountain will see the poles removed and the church will enter into the millennium rest as represented by the Temple of Solomon stage.
But this is not the final culmination. This is seen in the mountain of the Lord’s house being fulfilled in all its glory.
(Isa 2:2 NIV) In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.
THE FOUNDATIONS
The foundations of the Lord’s house are patterns for the foundation of the local church in our day.
The basic teaching .
(Luke 6:46-49 NIV) “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? [47] I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. [48] He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. [49] But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”
The foundation was to be upon a rock.
(1 Cor 3:9-11 NIV) For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. [10] By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. [11] For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
The man dug deep. (the need for bible study.)
(2 Tim 2:15 NIV) Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
The foundations Heb.6:1-2 contains the foundation doctrines.
(Heb 6:1-3 NIV) Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, [2] instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. [3] And God permitting, we will do so.
Notice: if God permits.
God is rather like a building inspector. He will not approve the building if the foundations are not right. A local church or an individual saint who neglects to dig deep and be able to use and understand the foundation doctrines will be building an ecclesia or a life, ready to fall when the wind of adversity blows.
Mat 16:18 (NIV) And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
There is only one rock foundation of the church, the Lord Jesus. He alone NOT Peter is the foundation already laid.
.1 Cor 3:11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
HIS FOUNDATIONS ARE IN THE HOLY MOUNTAINS
Gibeon,Zion, & Moriah.
| Moses Tabernacle | David’s Tabernacle | Solomon’s Temple |
| Rested on silver sockets | On Zion a rocky hill. | On the threshing floor where Isaac was offered up (the only son.) |
| (Exo 26:19 NIV) and make forty silver bases to go under them—two bases for each frame, one under each projection. | (Isa 28:16 NIV) So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed. | (Gen 22:2 NIV) Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.” |
(2 Chr 3:1 NIV) Then Solomon began to build the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to his father David. It was on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, the place provided by David.
The Lord’s foundation is upon the silver of the atonement money, upon the rock, and upon the only begotten son.
Ps. 87. A key word is ‘ born ‘. We must be born into Zion (the church.)
All our fountains (springs) are in her. Always a freshness of the Spirit comes from Zion.