GoD's WorK - God's Puzzle Solved

36 God’s WorkThe tabernacle replaced God, personally, dwelling in the midstof Israel. God, Himself, would not even listen to them. In fact,for Israel to be accepted by God, irrespective of God listening tothem, they had to seek and worship Him in the tabernacle. Thistabernacle was placed afar off from the nation of Israel, and onlyoccasionally God’s “presence” or “glory” would appear in thetabernacle with the cloud (I Kings 8:10-13). But, this tabernaclewas not God’s dwelling place, because of Israel’s sin (Acts7:48).God’s presence would be, only, in the tabernacle (but not God,Himself). Israel called God’s presence, “the shekinah.” ThisHebrew word, “shekinah,” comes from the root “chakanh.”“Chakanh” means “to dwell in the neighborhood for a long time- but not eternally.” Every time God’s “glory” (presence) wasin the tabernacle and, later, in the temple, Israel would say that“the shekinah” was there. They knew God, Himself, was notthere. Read all of Exodus 33 for further understanding and proofof these statements.New Heaven And New EarthA new heaven and earth appears at the conclusion of God’s purposefor man (Revelation 21:1). Paul said this event wouldhappen when Christ would put an end to all of God’s enemies- including death (I Corinthians 15:24-26). Where there is nodeath, there is no sin. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).There will be no death and no sin! Then, in I Corinthians 15:28,God can and will become “…all in all.” Eventually, without sin,God can - and will - dwell personally with mankind. What doesGod do at the future time of the new heaven and new earth?At this time, God Himself will dwell in the midst of all people and