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How are both brass and gold fitting metals to portray Christ's states of humiliation and exaltation? |
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Which steps of humiliation and exaltation will be experienced by unbelievers? Which will be experienced by true believers? How will their experiences differ? |
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Jesus is viewed as bearing the sins of His Church and His Church is viewed as bearing the righteousness of Christ. How does this truth relate to Christ's states of humiliation and exaltation? |
In the Old Testament tabernacle, the furniture placed in the courtyard was brass while that in the Holy Place was gold.
Brass is a metal known for its strength and durability. It is a type of Christ's strength and durability under God's wrath and judgments upon sin. The Brazen Altar of Burnt Offerings and Brazen Laver were both placed in the tabernacle courtyard. They picture Christ's suffering and meriting work on earth for His Church: His blood for justification portrayed by the altar, and His water for sanctification displayed by the laver.
Gold is a metal famous for its richness and gloriousness, a type of Christ's glory and majesty in heaven. The golden Table of Shewbread, Candlestick, and Altar of Incense were located in the Holy Place. They picture Christ's applying work in heaven for His Church. He continually prays for (incense), feeds (shewbread), and enlightens (candlestick) His Church.
How are Christ's states of humiliation and exaltation, and the work He performs in each for His Church, pictured by the tabernacle furniture?
Both of Christ's states can be divided into major events or steps. Jesus' state of humiliation is divided into five steps, His state of exaltation into four. These nine steps are portrayed in the chart on the following page.
