In the past few lessons, we examined Solomon's palanquin as he traveled to his Bride. Some Bible scholars say this represents Jesus' entrance into the heavenly Jerusalem after His death, burial, and resurrection. We have established the meaning of each material mentioned used to make it and how they relate to Christ Jesus.
There is however another perspective that relates closely to all we've said in the last few lessons. This palanquin was not just made for Solomon but for His Bride too. As Brides of Christ His palanquin is also ours. So, the palanquin represents the universal church of Christ. All who proclaim Jesus would journey through the wilderness of this world until they get to heavenly Jerusalem (our promised land) at the end of their lives.
Concerning the church of Christ, much of the palanquin description retains its meaning but gains more significance as it applies to her.
Just like Christ Jesus came out of the wilderness, His church also will come out of the wilderness as pillars of smoke at the end of this age. Many believers over the ages have sacrificed their lives to propagate the gospel and many still do. The enormous sacrifices of numerous saints over the years will go with them as a thick cloud of smoke.
The perfume of the smoke of myrrh and frankincense is the fragrance of our love. The fragrance of death to self and the world they live in and of lives lived as pleasing sacrifices just like Jesus.
The merchant's fragrant powders represent the diverse range of men and women who serve God in different capacities, with different gifts, and in various ways.
The first thing seen approaching is Solomon's couch which we said represents the gospel by which we come to Christ to find our rest in Him. The church of Christ is the custodian of this gospel. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:18 that God:
...has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.
The sixty valiant men round about the palanquin represent ministry gifts, shepherds of the church, and mature believers tasked with protecting the Lord's sheep. They are experts in spiritual warfare whom the Lord himself taught their hands to war like David said of himself in Psalm 144:1. They are not hired men. They are men born, bred, and trained in the church by the Spirit of God to stand against the evil one.
They hold swords in their hands to defend those in the palanquin. Paul in Ephesians 6:17 says this sword of the spirit is the word of God. Hebrews 4:12 says this God's word is:
...living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
This sword is said to be on their thighs because of fear in the night. Hebrews 5:14 says one of the signs of maturity is being able to use the word to discern good and evil. And 1 Timothy 2:15 teaches that those tasked with shepherding the Lord's flock must be able to handle/divide the word of Truth. So these are people equipped with not just the word but with skill, knowledge, and experience on how to use it in times of need and when confronting the forces of darkness.
Not just men are tasked with protecting the Bride of Christ. Numerous angels and the very presence of God also protect the Bride from assault.
The Bride also said King Solomon made himself this palanquin of the wood of Lebanon. As wood represents Christ's humanity. He made himself a church to dwell in, where His Bride can be nurtured and nourished to maturity. As a tree is cut down to make a palanquin, He made the church by sacrificing His own body, His life.
Redemption obtained by Christ's sacrifice is represented by the silver used for the palanquin pillars. Gold which is the support/base of the palanquin represents His love and divine nature. Christ's redemption upholds the church and His love and divinity is the very foundation on which the church and all provisions of redemption rest.
Silver and gold being means of exchanges and currencies in the past that still appreciate represent Christ's wealth and never-ending provisions for His church as joint heirs with Him.
The purple seat represents the power and authority of Christ given to His church. He said in Matthew 28:18-19:
...All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
We do all we do on earth under His authority. The church is not powerless or at the mercy of the world. We are formidable because Christ has given us His power and authority.
Lastly, the interior of the Palanquin is paved with love by the daughters of Jerusalem. This is the labor of love of all saints. Our service to God is shown in our service to men. The unconditional love of God is what makes the church different from other social organizations.
Each one of us must be willing to give our lives to promote unity in the body and serve Christ by serving His people. We must do it in any way He has instructed us to in His word or by the instructions He gives us in and outside the local church.
The church of Christ is the most important body on earth. It is a great honor to be a part of God's family and we must conduct our lives as such.
PRAY WITH ME:
Thank You Father God for the opportunity to be a part of Your family. Let me see Your church as You see her and love her as You do. Grant me the revelation of the truth I have learned today that I may take my place in Your church and enjoy all the benefits of being a part of her.
REFLECT & ACT:
- Consider each description of the church of Christ. How do they apply to you as an individual?
- What mind shifts do you have to make about the body of Christ?
- Evaluate your labor of love in and outside your local church. Is it motivated by unconditional love and done joyfully?
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