The Molten Sea

    

INTRODUCTION: The Laver of the Tabernacle was replaced with ten lavers and the Molten Sea in Solomon’s Temple. The temple was a picture of the glorified Christ. This message looks at the significance of the Molten Sea.

I.         IT GUARDED ACCESS TO THE TEMPLE

A.      A Picture of our Access to God 

B.      First the Altar of Sacrifice

C.      Then the Molten Sea

II.      IT WAS MADE OF MOLTEN BRASS

A.      Called the Brasen Sea – 1Chronicles 18:8 Likewise from Tibhath, and from Chun, cities of Hadarezer, brought David very much brass, wherewith Solomon made the brasen sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass.

B.      A Picture of Judgment

1.       Made of fire

2.       Appearance as of fire 

C.      Points to the Necessity of Facing Judgment Before We Can Approach God

III.   IT WAS FILLED WITH WATER

A.      A Picture of the Word of God

B.      We Are Cleansed by the Word

1.       John 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

2.       Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

C.      It Enables Us to Draw Nigh Unto God

1.       Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

2.       It is for priests to wash in (v.6)

IV.   IT POINTS TO THIS AGE OF GRACE

A.      Altar of Brass Pictures the Time Before Christ

1.       Capacity is 20 x 20 x 10 = 4000: the number of years from creation to the time of Christ

2.       This was the time of animal sacrifice. After the coming of Christ, these were no longer necessary (Hebrews 10:12-14)

B.      Molten Sea Pictures Time After Christ

1.       Full capacity – 3,000 baths (v.5 – “it received and held three thousand baths.”)

2.       Working capacity – 2,000 baths (1Kings 7:26 – “it contained two thousand baths.”)

3.       Application

a.        Grace Age – 2,000 years

b.        Kingdom Age – 1,000 years

c.        Total time – 3,000 years

d.        During this time, the full sacrifice of Christ has already been made. We come to God through His word without further sacrifices (Romans 10:9-10). Illustration: Speaking to the rock the second time (Numbers 20:8).

e.        After this time, there will be no more sea (Revelation 15:2; 21:1)

V.      IT SAT ON A BASE OF TWELVE OXEN (4:4)

A.      A Picture of Strong Servants

1.       Psalm 144:14 That our oxen may be strong to labour…

2.       Proverbs 14:4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

B.      A Type of the Twelve Apostles – Ephesians 2:18-22

VI.   IT WAS COMPASSED ABOUT WITH ROWS OF OXEN (4:3)

A.      Engraved Around the Sea Below the Brim: 1Kings 7:24 – “And under the brim of it round about there were knops compassing it, ten in a cubit, compassing the sea round about: the knops were cast in two rows, when it was cast.” Note: the knops were engravings of oxen.

B.      A Type of the Ministers of the Word – 1Corinthians 9:9-10; 3:6-9

C.      The Oven Bear the Water to Others – Acts 6:4

VII.  ITS BRIM WAS LIKE THE BRIM OF A CUP (4:5)

A.      Inviting the Weary to Drink

1.       Isaiah 55:1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

2.       Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

B.      Decorated with Flowers of Lilies

1.       Lilies are a beautiful work of God – Matthew 6:28-30

2.       Christ is the Lily of the Valley – Song 2:1 I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.

 

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