The Inscribed Hand
Fingers - Furniture
Palm - Outer Court
Gate - Way of Salvation
Door - Grace Orientation
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The Lord's right hand is inscribed in the Tabernacle. The right picture shows the Lord's right hand in the Tabernacle. The left picture shows the mirror image of that hand as it would appear looking up. Every part of the Tabernacle corresponds to parts of the Lord's hand. The Brazen Altar, which represents Christ, our sacrifice for Salvation, is represented by the end phalange of the thumb. The Laver, which represents Christ our Sanctification, represents the second phalange of the thumb. There are two articles of furniture in the Outer Court, which correspond to the two phalanges of the thumb.
The
articles of furniture are like rings on the Lord's fingers. The first
finger corresponds to the Lampstand, which represents Christ our Light
(John 1:4; 8:12; 1 John 1:7). The second finger corresponds to the
Ark of the Covenant, which represents Christ, our all and in all (Ephesians
1:23; Colossians 3:11). The fingernail, which covers the finger,
represents the Mercy Seat, which represents Christ our propitiation (Romans
3:25; 1 John 2:2). The third finger corresponds to the Altar of Incense,
which represents the Christ our intercessor, who requests God's vindication
or justification (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1). It represents
Justice (Psalm 89:14). The little finger corresponds to the Table
of Shewbread, which represents Christ, the Bread of Life (John 6:35; Luke
22:19) and the perfect humanity of Jesus Christ in hypostatic union (1
Peter 1:19; 1 Timothy 2:5).
The
palm of the hand fits into the Outer Court, which is associated with Salvation
and Rebound, while the fingers fit into the Holy Place, the symbol of the
Spiritual Life. The middle finger extends into the Holy of Holies,
which symbolizes Heaven. The three mounts at the rear of the palm
next to the wrist correspond to the three pathways between the 4 posts
of the Gate. The three mounts are the Masculine Mount (blue), the
Mount of Evangelism (purple), and the Feminine Mount (green). The
Mount of Evangelism represents Common Grace whereby the Gospel in the left
lobe (Masculine Mount) is made real in the right lobe (Feminine Mount)
by the Holy Spirit. The Laver sits in the hollow of the palm, which
is the Mount of Capacity for Life. The mounts of the four fingers
correspond to the pathways between the 5 posts of the Door.
Hand of Christ
Gate
Lines of the Palm
Door
Fingers of Christ
Finger 1 - Christ the Light
Finger 2 - Christ Our High Priest
Finger 3 - King of Kings
Finger 4 - Spiritual Maturity
Finger 5 - The Thumb - Christ the Lord of the Armies
The
physical hand of the Lord Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the symbolic
hand of the Lord in the Tabernacle. The Mount of Evangelism at the
base of the palm bears the nail scar, which is in His resurrection body
(John
20:24-28). The hand corresponds to the hand of the human
body of Christ in His incarnation. His destiny was tied to the Cross,
and the Line of Destiny begins at the nail scar, which corresponds to the
location of the Brazen Altar in the Tabernacle.
As outlined by the Tabernacle, the three parts of the hand correspond to the Outer Court, Holy Place, and Holy of Holies. The palm of the hand corresponds to the Outer Court, which symbolizes Salvation and Rebound. The palm represents the imputation of human life, which in Christ meant the Hope of providing Salvation for all mankind. The fingers correspond to the Holy Place, which represents the Spiritual Life. The fingers of Christ represented the Hope of demonstrating the unique Spiritual Life of all history and receiving blessings in time. The tip of the middle finger corresponds to the Holy of Holies, which represents Heaven. The tip of the middle finger of Christ represented the Hope of having Eternal Life in a Resurrection Body and receiving rewards in Eternity.
The symbolism of the hand in the Tabernacle was generic and rudimentary. The fulfillment of that symbolism in the life of Christ as told in the New Testament is the reality, which completes the picture. What the Old Testament predicted, the Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled. From the New Testament scriptures, the individual phalanges of the fingers can be related to the Lord Jesus Christ. For example, in the Tabernacle, the Lord Jesus Christ was the Light. In the New Testament He becomes the glory of the Star of Bethlehem and the Morning Star. And His Light shines as the Good Shepherd, who lays down His life on the Cross for the sheep.
Phalange 1: Phalange 1 of the forefinger represents the Lord Jesus Christ as the uniquely born Son of Glory (John 1:14) and Light of Life (John 1:4). Believers in Jesus Christ become the sons of Light (Luke 16:8; John 12:36; Ephesians 5:8). Light is the glow, or glory, of the divine presence of Eternal Life. The Light of God is invisible unless He chooses to make it visible.
Phalange 2: Phalange 2 represents the Lord Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd (Isaiah 40:11; Ezekiel 34:11-16, 23) who lays down his life as a substitute for the sheep (John 10:7-18; Psalm 22). The testing for the Good Shepherd was the Cross (Acts 2:23). This corresponds to Eclipse Testing for the believer who must withstand the counterattacks from darkness with the armor of the Light (Romans 13:12).
Phalange 3: Phalange 3 represents the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ in His Resurrection Body as the Morning Star (Revelation 22:16) at the Rapture, when He returns for the Church (1 Corinthians 15:23b, 52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16), and at the Second Advent, when He will conquer His enemies (Matthew 16:27; 24:30; Mark 8:38; 13:26; Luke 9:26; 21:27). The glory of the Resurrection Body was previewed on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:2; John 17:24). When Christ as the Morning Star returns at the Rapture, believers will be glorified as they receive their Resurrection Bodies (2 Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 3:20-21; Colossians 3:4; 1 John 3:2). Faithful pastors will receive the Crown of Glory from the Lord Jesus Christ as the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4; Revelation 7:17). Old Testament saints will receive their Resurrection, glorified, Bodies at the Second Advent.
The order of resurrection is:
The birth of Jesus Christ was foretold by another star, the Star of Bethlehem, which was the herald of the First Advent.
Phalange 1: The 1st phalange of the middle finger represents the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God (John 1:18; Hebrews 5:5-11; 6:20; 1 John 4:9), who existed eternally as one of the three coequal members of the Godhead.
Phalange 2: The 2nd phalange of the middle finger represents the Lord Jesus Christ as the Holy One, or sanctified one (Isaiah 43:3; 54:5; Ezekiel 39:7; John 6:68-69). Holy means consecrated to God. Sanctified means set apart. Believers are called saints (Daniel 7:18; Romans 1:7). A saint is a person who is set apart, or consecrated, to God. God's holiness is the combination of His absolute Righteousness and perfect Justice. Holiness means integrity. It means completely without flaw or defect. Thus, it requires that all of the whole have integrity and be without defect. Holiness, or divine integrity, is thus, a description of Christ, our all and in all.
The testing of the Holy One was symbolized by the Flood, which was the most extensive, devastating Judgment that God ever sent. The sins of the world were covered by the flood waters. Similarly, the Mercy Seat, the covering of the Ark of the Covenant, was covered in the blood of Christ. The blood of Christ covered the sins of the entire world. After the Flood, a rainbow was placed in the sky as a testimony of the completion of the Judgment. The rainbow was covered with red light, the symbol of the covering of the blood on the Mercy Seat.
In order to bear the sins of the world, Jesus Christ had to be sinless. He was tested in every way that mankind is tested, yet He was without sin (Hebrews 4:15; 9:14). The humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ was brought to completion through suffering (Hebrews 2:10). He was, therefore, uniquely qualified to bear the sins of the world.
Just as the Flood covered the sins of the world, the blood of Jesus Christ who died as a substitute for the sins of the world on the Cross, covered the sins of the world. After He had finished paying for the sins of the world, Jesus Christ died physically. Then his heart was pierced with a spear and out poured "blood and water" (John 19:34). The Lord's body was dead and the blood had separated from the serum to form blood clots and water. Two things side-by-side represent a witness. In the Outer Court of the Tabernacle stood the Brazen Alter, the symbol of the blood, and the Laver, the symbol of sanctification. The two things represented a witness. The blood symbolized redemption, or the sacrifice for sins (Hebrews 9:14, 22; 1 Peter 1:18-19), and water symbolized the witness of the sanctification of the Word, the Gospel of Salvation (Ephesians 5:26; Titus 3:5). This is explained by John (1 John 5:4-8). It is remembered in Eucharist (1 Corinthians 10:16) where the body represents the impeccable humanity of Jesus Christ and the cup represents His blood.
Furthermore, the blood and the water represent the two great Judgments for sin in the history of the world. The first was the Flood, which delivered Noah and his family and covered the rest of the world. The second was the Cross, which sent Jesus Christ to His death and delivered the human race from the penalty and guilt of sin. No one will ever be condemned for sin because Jesus Christ paid for sin.
Phalange 3: The 3rd phalange of the middle finger represents the Lord Jesus Christ as the High Priest of the Church. As a priest He represents man to God. This was no problem because He was both God and man in Hypostatic Union.
For in Him all the fulness of Deity dwells in bodily form, (Colossians 2:9, NAS)The believer-priest is in the Church, or system, over which Christ is the High Priest. The believer-priest is made complete by his relationship with Christ, the High Priest.
and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; (Colossians 2:10, NAS)This is the meaning of the middle finger as Christ our all and in all. The ultimate relationship with Christ our all and in all is called Spiritual Rapport. Spiritual Rapport requires circumcision of the heart, which is the removal of scar tissue from the soul.
and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; (Colossians 2:11, NAS)Spiritual Rapport, which is the highest relationship with God in this life, is symbolized by the 3rd phalange of the middle finger. The believer in Spiritual Rapport has occupation with Christ.
Phalange 1: The 1st phalange of the third, ring, finger represents the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of David (Ezekiel 34:24; Revelation 22:16). In the Davidic Covenant, the Lord promised David that He would establish his throne forever, i.e. David's descendants would sit on the throne forever (2 Samuel 7:11-16; Psalm 89:29; Isaiah 55:3). The Lord Jesus Christ was descended from David (Matthew 1:1; Luke 3:31; Romans 1:3). He was the firstborn and designated to sit on the throne of David and fulfill the Davidic Covenant (Luke 1:31-33). However, the Cross had to come before the crown, and the Lord will not ascend the throne of David until the Millennium.
After Jesus Christ was born, the Magi came looking for Him, whom they called "the King of the Jews" (Matthew 2:2). The Jews of Jesus' day knew the Messiah would be the Son of David (Matthew 12:22-23). And Gentile believers knew that He would be the Son of David (Matthew 15:21-22). Jesus admitted that He was the King of the Jews (Matthew 27:11). When He was crucified, a sign on the Cross proclaimed Him to be the "King of the Jews" (Matthew 27:37). Kings must be born in the royal line to qualify to become king. However, kings do not rule until the death of their fathers. In the meantime, they undergo rigorous training to prepare them to handle the responsibilities of ruling.
Phalange 2: The 2nd phalange represents the Lord Jesus Christ as the righteous Servant (Isaiah 42:1; 50:10; 52:13; Matthew 12:18; Acts 3:13, 26; 4:27, 30).
“Behold, My Servant whom I have chosen;The Lord Jesus Christ said the one who "wishes to become great among you shall be your servant" (Matthew 20:25-28; Mark 10:42-45). Thus, the training for King was to become a servant. That also happened in the life of Joseph, who was sold into slavery before becoming Prime Minister of Egypt.
My Beloved in whom My soul is well -pleased;
I will put My Spirit upon Him,
And He shall proclaim justice to the Gentiles. (Matthew 12:18, NAS)
Fire Testing tests the metal of the Servant.
1 Peter 1:6-7Fire Testing is designed to refine silver and gold, which represents Bible Doctrine in the soul (Revelation 3:18). Silver symbolizes judgment, and is, therefore, associated with the third finger.
6 In which you have great Happiness (+H), although now for a little while, if perhaps it is necessary, you have become sorrowful in many different kinds of tests 7 In order that the verification of your doctrine, which is more precious than gold that perishes, even though validated through fire, may be discovered to result in the praise, glory, and honor at the time of the revelation of Jesus Christ.
The whole earth will undergo the Baptism of Fire at the Second Advent when the unbelievers are purged and Tribulational believers go into the Millennium (Matthew 3:11-12; 13:40-43; 25:31-42). In the Baptism of Fire unbelievers (goats) will be taken off the earth, and believers (sheep) will go into the Millennial Kingdom.
Phalange 3: The 3rd phalange represents the Lord Jesus Christ as the King, who will rule in the Millennium on the Throne of David (Isaiah 9:7; 16:5; Daniel 2:44; Luke 1:32-33; Revelation 2:27; 12:5; 19:15-16). The Lord Jesus Christ with be the King of kings in the Millennium (1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14;19:15-16).
Phalange 1: The 1st phalange of the little finger represents the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of Man, who was born of a virgin. The relationship between the mother who nurtures and cares for the child represents the personal love of the baby believer for God the Father, who provides Logistical Grace support and security. The mother symbolizes God the Father who gives birth to the believer, feeds, and protects him (Isaiah 46:3; Ezekiel 34:27-28).
The little finger is associated with the Table of Shewbread, where the 12 loaves represented the human bodies of the 12 Tribes of Israel, whom the Lord created and nurtured. Twelve is the number for the authority of the Lord over all His creation. The bread symbolizes Logistical Grace. The giving of bread in Logistical Grace corresponds to the Lord's authority over creation whereby the rain is sent to grow crops for bread (Deuteronomy 11:13-17; Ezekiel 34:26).
The Lord Jesus Christ was the Bread of Life, which is a metaphor for Bible Doctrine (John 6:47-51). The Lord Jesus Christ grew to Spiritual Maturity through the daily metabolization of Bible Doctrine, and believers must do the same (Jeremiah 15:16; 1 Peter 2:2; 1 Corinthians 11:24).
The 1st phalange of the little finger also corresponds to Spiritual Self-Esteem, which is the first phase of the adult Spiritual Life. Spiritual Self-Esteem is a phase of the Spiritual Life.4 It has nothing to do with human self-esteem. Spiritual Self-Esteem is the use of metabolized Bible Doctrine in all circumstances of life, including suffering for blessing. In the testing of this phase, God makes the believer weak in order to demonstrate the sufficiency of His Grace from His Sovereign Design. Spiritual Self-Esteem is characterized by personal love for God, but that Love will be tested.
Paul was given a thorn in the flesh5 to torment him, (2 Corinthians 12:7). Paul prayed three times for the Lord to take it away, but the Lord answered, "My Grace (has been and still) is sufficient for you" (2 Corinthians 12:8-9a).
And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for the power is achieved with weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses in order that the power of Christ may reside in me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)Paul's boasting in his weakness is a demonstration of Spiritual Self-Esteem. Paul has confidence that Bible Doctrine is sufficient to handle any trial or exigency of life. Paul's suffering was Providential Preventative Suffering, which is suffering for blessing. It is one of the forms of testing in Spiritual Self-Esteem to qualify for promotion to the next phase of Spiritual adulthood.
Phalange 2: The 2nd phalange of the little finger represents the perfect humanity of Jesus Christ as symbolized by the Lamb without spot or blemish, who was uniquely qualified to bear the sins of the world (Isaiah 53:7; John 1:29, 36; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Revelation 5:11-13).
The 2nd phalange as symbolized by the Lamb also represented the testing that the Lamb must pass. Through every test, the Lord Jesus Christ did not sin. He was impeccable. The Lamb could not be used as a sacrifice for sin if it had a spot, which represented sin.
The 2nd phalange also corresponds to the second phase of the Adult Spiritual Life, which is called Spiritual Autonomy. Spiritual Autonomy is the cognitive independence derived from freedom to utilize Bible Doctrine to solve any problem and pass any test in the Spiritual Life. Spiritual Autonomy requires impersonal love for all mankind.
Impersonal love differs from personal love. In personal love, the subject expresses love for the object based upon the attraction of the object. There is no merit in personal love. A weak person can love as powerfully as a strong person. In contrast, impersonal love is unconditional and emphasizes the virtue of the subject rather than rapport with the object. The power of impersonal love is based upon the strength of the subject, not the object. God's love toward mankind is impersonal. Man's reciprocal love for God is personal. When a weak person says, "I love you," the love is no stronger than the subject.
Spiritual Autonomy is tested in many ways, which include people testing, thought testing, system testing, and disaster testing.
For this reason I find contentment in weaknesses, in slanders, in pressures, in persecutions, in stresses, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am powerful. (2 Corinthians 12:10)As Paul advanced from Spiritual Self-Esteem to Spiritual Autonomy, he had to add impersonal love to handle the multitude of tests (Acts 24:16; 1 Peter 2:19).
Phalange 3: The 3rd phalange of the little finger represents Spiritual Maturity, which is the third phase of the Adult Spiritual Life (Ephesians 4:13; Hebrews 5:14; 6:1). The mature man represents Spiritual Maturity. The Lord Jesus Christ reached Spiritual Maturity by about the age of 12 and continued to advance Spiritually and to handle suffering and testing until he had fulfilled every facet of the Spiritual Life. Spiritual Maturity is not the final objective but the beginning of the third phase of the Adult Spiritual Life. There are other objectives of the Christian Life as demonstrated by the other fingers. The third phase qualifies a person for production in Spiritual Maturity.
Middle Phalange:
The 2nd, or middle, phalange of the thumb represents Christ the Word of God (John 1:1, 14). The Lord Jesus Christ is the revealed member of the Godhead. When God is seen or heard in any form, that is the revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ is the author of scripture, which is the implementation of the Sovereign Design of God. The humanity of Jesus Christ had to learn Bible Doctrine to grow Spiritually. His deity already knew the scripture, but He did not use His deity in the First Advent.
The 2nd, or middle, phalange of the thumb is normally associated with rational thinking, logic, and control. The thinking of Jesus Christ was so based upon Bible Doctrine that He was called the Word.
Tip Phalange:
The tip phalange of the thumb represents the Lord Jesus Christ as the Lord of the Armies. As the Lord of the Armies, He will conquer the enemies of Israel at the Second Advent. He will annihilate the enemies and take no prisoners. Those who defy the God of Israel must die. The Lord of the Armies, which is often incorrectly translated, "Lord of hosts," is a military title for the chief general, or chief of staff (Isaiah 9:19; 10:24-26; 13:4; 14:22-23; Jeremiah 50:18; Zephaniah 2:9). The thumb is required to have a strong grip on a sword.
The tip phalange of the thumb represents the volition with which a person chooses to accept or reject Salvation. That choice is made possible because Jesus Christ used His volition to obey the will of the Father to go to the Cross and pay for the sins of the world. After Jesus Christ paid for sins, a person can be saved through an act of volition of believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. Anyone who would deny Jesus Christ would also deny God the Father.
Released June 27, 2002 - Revised Oct. 12, 2016
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