kingdom (the Royal Priesthood) would be a “little flock.” (Luke
12:32)
The fact that we see believers who are trying to put away their
sins, is not of itself evidence of their being Priests, for Levites, as
well as Priests, should practice circumcision of the heart–”putting
away the filth (sins) of the flesh.” Nor is a spirit of meekness,
gentleness, benevolence, and morality, always a result of
consecration to God. These qualities belong to a perfect natural
man–(the image of God), and in occasional instances partially
survive the wreck of the fall. These, when in the nominal church,
not infrequently pass for the cream of Christianity.
Nor yet, when we see believers practicing self-denial in some
good work of political or moral reform, is that an evidence of
consecration to God, though it is an evidence of consecration to a
WORK. Consecration to God says, any work, any where; Lo, “I
delight to do Thy will, O God–Thy will in Thy way be done.
CONSECRATION TO God, THEN, WILL INSURE A SEARCHING OF HIS
REVEALED PLAN IN HIS WORD, that we may be able to spend and be
spent, for Him and in His service.
Marvel not, then, that so few have ever seen the glorious
beauties within the Tabernacle; only Priests can see them. The
Levites may know of them only as they hear them described. They
have never seen the hidden light and beauty; never eaten of the
hidden bread; never offered the acceptable incense at the Golden
Altar. No, for these they must pass the vail–in entire consecration
to God.
The Golden Table bearing the shew bread, represents the
church as a whole, including Jesus and the apostles–all “Holding
forth the word of life.” (Phil. 2: 16) The great work of the true
church during this age, is to feed and strengthen and enlighten all
who enter the covenant–spiritual condition–The Bride of Christ is
to make herself ready. (Rev. 19:7)
The Golden Altar seems also to represent the entire
(consecrated) church in the present sacrificing condition. From this
altar ascends the sweet incense, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
Here is offered to God the priest’s willing services–our praises,
our willing obedience, all things whatsoever we do, to the glory of
God. Those who thus offer incense acceptable to God by Jesus
Christ our head (1 Pet. 2: 5), come very close to their Father–close
up to the vail; and if they have requests to make they may be
presented with the incense “much incense with the prayers of the
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