All Things According to the Pattern

by Harvey Block
(rev 2023/08/20)

God, on Mount Sinai, gave Moses the pattern for building the Tabernacle. There were many details. Here is the start of the detail for the lampstand, and a very important final instruction:

31 “You shall also make a lampstand of pure gold; the lampstand shall be of hammered work. Its shaft, its branches, its bowls, its ornamental knobs, and flowers shall be of one piece.
...
40 And see to it that you make them according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.
(Exodus 25:31 ... 40)

... there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; 5 who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.
(Hebrews 8:4b-5)

In the letters to the seven churches the Lord through John writes:

“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write,

‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:
(Revelation 2:1)

The instructions given in the Law, in Exodus, for the making of the lampstands is a 'type,' a shadow picture of the church that Jesus said He would build. And that is why in Revelation the letters to the seven churches starts with "He who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands." These are the seven churches that He, Jesus, is walking in the midst of.


New Traditions with the New Covanent

Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you.
(1 Corinthians 11:2)

See what Paul says. These are not just 'suggestions', they are commands!

Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.
(2 Thessalonians 2:15)

But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.
(2 Thessalonians 3:6)

There are no traditions or instructions about "building a church building" made of wood or any other physical material anywhere in the New Testament. The apostles of Jesus Christ taught no such traditions. In fact Paul warns about building materials.

Consider what James says concerning the Law:

For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.
(James 2:10)

Consider, for example, instructions for making a car. The instructions would have a lot of detail. Suppose you followed the instructions and put almost everything together correctly, except you didn't think that the little detail of the battery cable was necessary. The car would not work at all; you could never start the engine.

Or suppose you connected that cable but didn't like the detail about the brake line. So now you could start the car and go fast, but the brake pedal did nothing. Your car would not last long. You would likely even lose your life in the crash.

If you miss one detail, the whole is a failure!

If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
('will keep' future indicative active)
(John 14:15)

If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, ...
('will abide' future indicative active)
(John 15:10)

What does that grammar stuff mean? "future indicative active" is a statement telling what you will do in the future. It is not 'imperative' which would be a 'command'. Jesus is not saying "If you love me, then keep my commandments." No, He is letting you know what the result will be. "If you love me, the result will be that you will find yourself doing what I have said."




Copyright © 2020 - 2023 by Harvey Block
(2020/12/26 rev 2023/11/03) on ReturnReturn.Net