Let me share with you a view of creation (the literal six-day Miracle when God made the heavens and the earth, the whole universe in fact) that is “fresh” to me. In fact, I am thrilled over it!

God creating this world (earth) as a “house” in which He and mankind can live and enjoy fellowship. Yes, God abides in Heaven … but often in the Old Testament He came down (a theophany it’s called) to spend time with man!

Earth as a … HOUSE … with a basemen, a main floor and an attic! (Three parts, three levels … if you will allow me this illustration!) Maybe better said … “the seas, the earth and the heavens.”

There are specific facts given Creation Week about God making the earth (main level), the oceans (basement) and the stars (attic) in the sky!

Then Genesis 7:11 agrees … “In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the (1) fountains of the great deep broken up, and the (3) windows of heaven were opened.”Yes, with (2) the earth being judged for its flagrant wickedness!

Job also, living/writing on (2) earth and describing our Great God … “Which alone spreadeth out (3) the heavens, and treadeth upon the (1) waves of the sea.” Job 9:8

This incisive view of habitable creation is actually prevalent throughout Scripture. Earth … as a “house.” As a dwelling place! A place for God to “visit” mankind!

Now … leaving earth and considering the Holy Mount once again, Mount Sinai. It also had (1) a “base,” then (2) a “midsection,” and yet finally (3) a “summit, peak, apex.”

It too is created as a “Dwelling Place” (a three-tiered house) for God and Moses and the people of Israel to KNOW God’s Company!

The people at the (1) base, Moses and a few leaders at the (2) mid-section … but Moses alone with God … at the (3) top!

Now … and the point of today’s Lesson … the Tabernacle in the wilderness! Help me think. Does IT perhaps have three levels, three tiers of Fellowship with God?

YES INDEED!

And “Outer Court,” a “Holy Place,” then the very “Holy of Holies!”

God dwelling with His Creation!

Three epochal Moves of God! Of His desire to be with man!

Most clearly in the “Tabernacle” as a “House.” As “God’s House,” at which He invited the Jews to come worship Him!

But nearly as clearly in the “Holy Mount” Events!

And, when closely considered and studied, in the very Creation of the “earth,” as a “House” too!

Wow!

Looks like everything God has done … has shown His Heart to be one of “Love,” and of deep “Longing” to be with His people! In Communion, in Fellowship!

1 John 1:3 accents this exciting Concept, putting it into New Testament parlance … “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have FELLOWSHIP with us: and truly our FELLOWSHIP is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.”

Amen!

John (and the Disciples) had sweet “fellowship” with God and His Son (Jesus)! And he is (in this verse) INVITING US to join them (the Disciples) in Fellowship with both GOD THE FATHER and HIS DARLING SON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST!

The Purpose of the Tabernacle!

The Purpose of Mount Sinai!

The purpose of Earth itself!

Wow!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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