God’s GPS

In Psalm 77:13, we read that God’s way is through the sanctuary. In John 14:6, Jesus states He is the way, the truth, and the life. Christ is the center of the sanctuary. In this devotional, we will see how the pattern of salvation through Jesus is found in the sanctuary.

In Exodus 26:14, God commanded Moses to build the sanctuary, so God could dwell among His people. This was that foreshadowing of the day when Jesus would dwell among the people that He would save them from sin as Immanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23). A bird’s-eye view of the tabernacle reveals that the placement of the furniture inside the sanctuary corresponds with the sacrificial wounds that Christ suffered as well as revealing the shape of the cross. We see the sanctuary pattern when Christ left His throne in heaven (ark of the covenant) to come down to the earth to be the light of the world (seven-branch candlestick), the bread of life (table of showbread), and to intercede for us (altar of incense). He was baptized at the age of 30 (laver) and then was crucified (altar of sacrifice).

The sanctuary ultimately contains the path that all who want to be saved must follow. These six steps span separation caused by sin! The first step in the plan of salvation is to accept Christ’s sacrificial death and His shed blood on our behalf (altar of sacrifice). Romans 10:9 &10 tells us that we must confess with our mouths and believe with our hearts. But the journey does not stop here! Many, unfortunately, think that this is all it takes to make it to God’s throne. This is because without a map, without a blueprint, it is at best guesswork with only the pretense of salvation. Indeed, many are trying to give directions to heaven without a GPS!

Acts 2:38 tells us the next step is essential to getting back to the throne of God. It says, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” This is the laver, but it doesn’t stop there. The person who does these things from a sincere heart will also live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4, table of showbread). But it doesn’t stop there either. Those who do this will understand the importance of praying always, with all prayer and supplication (Ephesians 6:18, the altar of incense). They will also let their light shine before men and witnesses of what God has done for and through them (Matthew 5:16, seven-branch candlestick). All this is to prepare the true believer to come boldly before the throne of grace whereby mercy is obtained for those who keep His commandments (Hebrews 4:16; Deuteronomy 5:10, the ark of the covenant).

At every stage, Satan is seeking to stop the believer from advancing through these articles because he does not want us to find our way to the throne of God. This is why millions have been kept in the dark about this central truth of the Bible for if it is understood, Satan’s power of deception is broken. Armed with this blueprint, Israel was to prepare the world for the first coming of the Messiah, the Light of the world who would bridge the gap caused by sin. With this blueprint now in the hands of Israel, Satan would do all he could to destroy and distract the people who possessed it. The entire Old Testament is the story of how God would advance His plan and how Satan would try to counter it. When we come back next week we are going to level up and see how God advances and counters Satan’s attack.

Pastor Anthony Nix

Anthony serves as the Pastor For Anderson Seventh-day Adventist Church in Anderson, IN. A charismatic communicator with a message that motivates discipleships to Jesus, Anthony teaches on a variety of topics, emphasizing God’s unfailing love and His desire to be in relationship with His creation. He is a graduate of Southern Adventist University. Anthony and his wife Nayeli have three beautiful and loving children.