Scripture Reading: Exo. 19:1-6, 10-11, 16-20; 24:1-2, 9-18; 25:8-9
Ⅰ
The spiritual significance of the mountain of God is that it is the place of God's speaking with God's vision—Exo. 3:1, 12; 4:27; 18:5; 24:13; Num. 10:33; 1 Kings 19:8:
A
According to the record in the Bible, God often spoke from a mountain:
１
The constitution of the kingdom of the heavens was decreed while the Lord Jesus was on a mountain with His disciples—Matt. 5:1.
２
God the Father spoke to the disciples while they were on a mountain seeing the vision of the transfigured Christ—Matt. 17:1-2, 5.
３
The prophecy concerning the end of this age was given on a mountain—Matt. 24:3.
４
For God's New Testament economy, the disciples needed to come to "the mountain where Jesus directed them"—Matt. 28:16.
５
John was carried away "in spirit onto a great and high mountain" to see the vision of the New Jerusalem—Rev. 21:10.
B
The mountain of God is the place where God's seekers meet with God and with one another, where they serve God, and where they receive God's revelation and vision—Exo. 24:13, 15-18; 1 Kings 19:8; Exo. 4:27; 18:5; 3:12; 24:12-13; 1 Kings 19:8-9.
C
The mountain of God is the place where God's people can be infused with His substance—Exo. 24:17-18; 34:29; 2 Cor. 3:18; Matt. 13:43a.
D
It is of vital importance that we come to the genuine mountain of God on earth today—Heb. 12:22a.
Ⅱ
In Exodus 19 we have a portrait of the fellowship between God's redeemed people and God Himself at the mountain of God:
A
At Mount Sinai God's redeemed people were brought into the presence of God:
１
We are brought into the presence of God through sanctification, that is, by being separated from the world unto God—v. 10.
２
If we would be brought into the presence of God, we must be in resurrection; this means that the old has passed away and that we are altogether in a new position and situation—v. 11.
３
When we are brought into the presence of God, we hear the speaking of God—v. 9.
B
At Mount Sinai God's redeemed people were brought into the knowledge of God:
１
In the fellowship with God at the mountain of God, we know the grace of God—eagles' wings—v. 4:
ａ
All that we experience of the Lord's salvation and provision is an experience of the wings of the great eagle—Isa. 40:31.
ｂ
We have been carried by the grace of God; this grace has been doing everything for us, and we owe everything to it—1 Cor. 15:10; 2 Cor. 12:9.
２
In the fellowship with God at the mountain of God, we know the holiness of God—Exo. 19:10-24:
ａ
God Himself is holy, and the place where He dwells is holy—Lev. 19:2.
ｂ
Santification is the holiness of God becoming our experience—Rom. 6:19; 1 Thes. 4:3; 5:23a.
３
In the fellowship with God at the mountain of God, we become God's personal possession and peculiar treasure, a kingdom of priests to God, and a holy nation—Exo. 19:5-6:
ａ
As we stay in God's presence, we become a dear and precious treasure to Him, enjoying intimate affection with Him—Dan. 10:11a.
ｂ
As a kingdom of priests, we live in God's presence, enjoying Him as our portion, even as He enjoys us as His treasure—Eph. 1:14, 11, 18.
ｃ
As a holy nation, we are separated from everything other than God unto God Himself—1 Pet. 2:9.
Ⅲ
In Exodus 24 we have a portrait of the vision of God in a transparent and clear heaven and of remaining with God under His glory on the mountain of God:
A
Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel "saw the God of Israel"—vv. 1-2, 9-10a:
１
"Under His feet there was something like paved work of sapphire, even like heaven itself for clearness"—v. 10b.
２
"They beheld God and ate and drank"—vv. 11b, 1.
B
Moses remained with God under His glory; he was on the mountaintop staying with God under His glory and receiving the revelation of God's dwelling place—vv. 12a, 17-18; 25:8-9.
C
Among believers today, there are different degrees of fellowship with the Lord and different degrees of closeness to Him—2 Cor. 5:19-20; 1 John 1:5, 3:
１
Many are at the foot of the mountain; that is, they are in the outer court.
２
Some are on the mountain; that is, they are in the Holy Place.
３
A few have come to the mountaintop; that is, they are in the Holy of Holies, dwelling with God under His glory and seeing the vision of the desire of His heart.