Day Code Shadows - Part 2

           The Spirit-inspired record of the Old Testament makes sure that we don’t overlook the Day Code in His-Story. In Exodus 24 we get a repeat performance, but this time the timing is changed, and it’s not by coincidence. God calls Moses up to the mountaintop again for more instructions regarding a meeting place where God would dwell with His people. God gives Moses the construction plans and layout for the Tabernacle, which would later be replicated in the permanent Temple.
            The glory of the Lord rests upon Mount Sinai as a cloud for six days. On the 7th day, God calls Moses out of the midst of the cloud. Just as God’s people wandered in the wilderness for forty days and forty nights, Moses is on the mountaintop with God for forty days and forty nights. The number 40 in Scripture symbolizes testing. But the test isn’t for Moses. It’s for God’s people at the foot of the mountain. Will they trust the plan?
            Long story short, they don’t. They get impatient with God and Moses. So they concoct their own worship plan. “Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, ‘Come, make us gods that shall go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him’ ” (Ex. 32:1).
            Aaron, Moses’ brother and assistant, gives into their wishes. When the people shout in exaltation, Moses knows something is up and comes down the mountain. He sees the golden calf and becomes so angry that he throws down the two tablets inscribed by the hand of God with the Ten Commandments, breaking them into pieces. Aaron gets the point and begins playing the blame game. “Do not let the anger of my lord become hot. You know the people, that they are set on evil.”
             The Chronos Lesson: The Law could not do what Jesus did for us. It could only highlight mankind’s shortfall. It could only remind us of the corruption caused by choosing evil. The curse of the Law of Sin and Death could only be overcome one way. Or should I say by One Way. “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’ ” (Gal. 3:13).
            Following the creation pattern, six great Days have been allotted for the “work” of mankind. But the 7th Day is a unique Day, the Lord’s Day. On the 7th Day we shall be taken up in clouds of glory  and taken back to Father’s House in Heaven as promised. And we shall be changed!
            For a sneak peak at what that will be like, check out Matthew 17, which records the Transfiguration of Christ. If you back up to the end of chapter 16, you’ll see that six days preceded this mountaintop moment as well. Jesus is transfigured on the 7th day. It’s another shadow of things to come.
            Under the New Covenant, we do not have to go through the elaborate sacrifices, offerings, and the yearly Feast of Atonement to have our sins covered by the blood of animals for the next year. Jesus offered Himself as the final sacrifice to remove our sins once and for all. Therefore, we are ready for His return on the 7th Day—when counting from Adam. When counting from Christ’s appearance it is the 3rd Day as we saw in the 3rd Day shadows.
            The Holy Spirit within is our seal or guarantee of that glorious rapture. Some teach that Jesus cannot return until we have made ourselves ready as His Church. That statement in itself goes against the New Covenant of grace and not works. Such people teach that we have to get in unity and be holy and without spot.
            But hear what our Lord has already done for us. “Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish” (Eph. 5:25-27). It bears repeating: we are ready for His return by virtue of Jesus’ finished work—the shedding of His blood that makes us spotless through forgiveness. “And the Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely” (Rev. 22:17).