What other scriptures highlight the significance of God's presence among His people? The Mercy Seat Behind the Veil (Exodus 26:34) “Place the mercy seat on the Ark of the Testimony in the Most Holy Place.” • The ark—under the mercy seat—signaled that God Himself dwelt at the center of Israel’s camp. • Every scripture below echoes this same heartbeat: the Lord longs to live right in the midst of His people. Presence in the Wilderness • Exodus 33:14 – “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” • Numbers 14:14 – “They have heard that You, O LORD, are among this people, that You, O LORD, are seen face to face.” • Leviticus 26:11-12 – “I will make My dwelling place among you… I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be My people.” Glory Filling the Temple • 1 Kings 8:10-11 – “The cloud filled the house of the LORD… for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD.” • 2 Chronicles 7:1-2 – “Fire came down from heaven… and the glory of the LORD filled the temple.” • Psalm 132:13-14 – “For the LORD has chosen Zion… ‘This is My resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it.’” Psalms—Confidence Because God Is Near • Psalm 23:4 – “For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” • Psalm 46:1, 5 – “God is our refuge and strength… God is within her; she will not be moved.” • Psalm 73:28 – “But as for me, it is good to draw near to God.” Prophetic Promise: “God With Us” • Isaiah 7:14 – “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.” • Isaiah 43:2 – “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.” • Haggai 2:4-5 – “‘My Spirit remains among you; do not be afraid.’” The Word Tabernacled Among Us • John 1:14 – “The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us. We observed His glory…” • Matthew 1:23 – “‘They will call Him Immanuel’ (which means, ‘God with us’).” • John 14:23 – “If anyone loves Me… My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” The Spirit in the Church • Acts 2:2-4 – The Spirit fills the believers, signaling a new temple made of living stones. • 1 Corinthians 3:16 – “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” • 2 Corinthians 6:16 – “We are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will live with them and walk among them.’” • Ephesians 2:19-22 – “In Him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” The Ultimate Dwelling Yet to Come • Revelation 21:3 – “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with men, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.” • Revelation 22:4-5 – “They will see His face… and they will reign forever and ever.” Why It Matters Today • Every stage of redemption—from the tabernacle to the church to the New Jerusalem—unfolds the same story: God moves toward His people. • Because He is present, worship is intimate, obedience is empowered, and hope is unshakable. • The mercy seat behind the veil was a preview; in Christ the veil is torn, and one day the barrier will be gone forever. |
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