The Rock Church

The Mercy Seat Connection

Recently, a sister in our church pointed out something rather remarkable to me. There is an obvious  connection between the Mercy Seat found in the Old and New Testaments.

The Ark of the Covenant was in the Old Testament Jewish tabernacle/temple. (You might remember it from Raiders of the Lost Ark). The Ark of the Covenant was a chest that contained The Ten Commandments, a pot of manna, and Aaron’s staff. On the top of it was the Mercy Seat. This was, in fact, where God’s presence dwelled. The priests sprinkled the sacrificial blood there, and He gave mankind mercy. 

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Chosen

In Numbers 16, we read about some men who rebelled against Moses and Aaron. They were angry and envious of Moses and Aaron’s position among the congregation of Israel. Also, they assumed that Moses and Aaron were making themselves out to be more holy than the rest of Israel. Along with that, these rebels wanted to be recognized as great men, also. However, instead of humbly going to the Lord about their thoughts, they grumbled and rebelled.

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Grace Rules!

Being told what to do seems acceptable (and popular). Sometimes I just want someone to tell me what to do or show me how to do it. YouTube (and many other social media avenues) provide countless how-to videos. Without looking too far, you can quickly learn how to fix your hair, car, appliances, relationships, and phone. Additionally, you can learn to sing, ski, jump on a pogo stick, swim, speak a foreign language, and exercise. And the list certainly goes on…

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Treasure

Have you ever discovered a treasure? I can easily get caught up in treasure hunt shows on TV. I’m so eager for them to find something. It seems like most of the time, however, they chase a story or a tall tale. Unbelievably, the treasure somehow slipped past the previous 5,000 treasure hunters. In fact, most of the time, they don’t find anything.

My family knows I love treasure stories. About five years ago, they bought me a metal detector for Father’s Day. I think they figured I’d share with them if I found something! One time during a family gathering, I had fun with them . I pulled out the new metal detector and waved it over a spot in the yard where the grass annually faded into the shape of a gravesite. Of course, the metal detector made all kinds of noises, and we got several shovels out. We frantically dug, and everyone was surprised to find a concrete slab below the ground. At least almost everyone (I kind of knew what we’d see).

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Jesus the Killer

“And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.” — 2 Thessalonians 2:8

Have you ever read a verse that stopped you? Made you really think about something in a way you hadn’t before? As our Youth Group read through the New Testament this year, it was good to study the Gospels, Epistles and Revelation. A few months ago, I read the above verse and like I said, it stopped me. The chapter talked about the end times (eschatology); it described the Antichrist and the return of Jesus. But the phrase, “the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth” stopped me. 

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