Contemporary expressions of the House of Prayer often refer
to David’s Tabernacle as its biblical model because David established 24/7
worship and prayer before the Ark of the Covenant. (See 1 Chronicles 15:2, and 1 Chronicles 16).
Because it is birthed and most fully expressed in the Old
Testament, some would say it is no longer relevant as a model for night and day
prayer. However, we believe it describes an eternal reality and a valid
launching point for corporate worship-filled prayer because it reflects the
glorious dynamics of the Throne Room of God, which is not, by any means,
delegated to the restraints of history.
Lord Jesus connected night and day prayer to justice for the
earth. The apostle Peter connects it to the emerging expression of Joel 2.
James picks up this theme in Acts 15 as he quotes the prophecy from Amos 9 and
John sees it and describes it again and again in the Book of Revelation (see
Ch. 5 ff). Simple bible study underlines the fact that revival for Israel
always came on the heels of each restoration of 24-7 worship-filled prayer
before the Lord and post-biblical history confirms the same fruit from major
moves of worship-filled prayer throughout the centuries (see below for more
detail). The final word though belongs to the Lord describing His Father's
House as a House of Prayer for all nations and an invitation to Israel and the
nations to gather around Him and learn from Him as He is seated upon His
earthly throne in Zion. (See Isaiah 1, 2:3, 56, Zechariah 8)
Rather than engage in a debate over expression ancient
verses modern expression, we invite you to look at the historical beauty of
David's Tabernacle and consider its relevance based upon the significance of
its message and impact...
All eyes on God...
Upon the incarnation of Jesus there is an added dimension to
the inspiration behind David's Tabernacle and it requires the church to
consider the model again with fresh eyes because of what Jesus' life
communicates about it.
The Revelation of God, The King of Israel, in the context of
broken humanity, unveiled yet another dimension of His Majesty. God was done
with earthly buildings. He wanted/wants, instead, to dwell in the hearts of mankind.
From that perspective, if you re-read the "Old Testament" with
unveiled eyes and take a good long look at the symbolic structure of the
Tabernacles and the Temples throughout Israel's history, it becomes marvelously
clear that JESUS is and has always intended to be, the Living House of Prayer
for all nations. He is the eternal meeting place of God and humanity.
Every aspect of Jesus' life and identity point to this
reality but it emerges into clear view upon Jesus' crucifixion and
resurrection. Echoing the creation account of Genesis 1 and 2, He meets with
his friends and breathes His own spirit into the apostles, thus birthing a new
creation. They received the fiery indwelling of the Holy Spirit into their
inner man and something phenomenal occurred... Glory took up residence in human
beings. The corporate "Body of Christ" became the Tabernacle of
David's Son, The Son of God.
When we speak about foundations, (this may sound
hyper-biblical but that's because it is), Jesus, the Christ is the foundation,
the cornerstone and the capstone. He is the focal point.
So, why look to David's Tabernacle for inspiration?
David’s model was brilliantly and prophetically inspired by
an eternal, Kingdom of God perspective rather than a finite, man centered practice.
It reveals a profound understanding of God’s heart for relationship and it
employed a number of the love languages of God as its primary expression of
intimacy. The Tabernacle, in its open simplicity, pointed toward faith in the
provision of the coming Messiah. It communicated a founding principle; it is
God’s pleasure and desire to be in unhindered relationship with humanity and we
will find our highest pleasure in enjoying open relationship with Him.
Additionally, unceasing worship, intercession, creativity and revelation of God
surrounds His Throne in Heaven perpetually. Within this arena justice/mercy and
the Government of God is expressed to Heaven while impacting the earth. That is
the primary reason why adapting this idea to our time frame is still relevant
and will continue to be relevant regardless of where we are on the timeline of
History. We are stepping into a lifestyle that has eternal qualities and
unending relationship in mind.
David clearly understood this, enjoyed it and modeled it. He
walked in the confidence of the generous, relational, merciful nature of God
while meditating upon Him, worshiping Him, interceding with Him, creating with
Him and marveling at Him. From that relationship, lived out before the Lord's
Presence in the Tabernacle, He interacted with Israel as well and served the
nation with justice/mercy in government.
David’s Tabernacle also had a different tone to it than the
Tabernacle Moses had developed (which, interestingly, was still operational at
the same time). It was a vibrant atmosphere where dancing and singing and
creative musical expressions were released freely. It was also an environment
where the nation was invited to interact with God without death and sin in the
forefront of our communications. It was a prelude to the priesthood of all
believers who may now offer their lives as an act of worship and their
sacrifice is praise because of the efficacy of Jesus' sacrifice of His own
life. Look at the staffing David put into place. “Moreover four thousand were
porters; and four thousand praised the LORD with the instruments which I made,
said David, to praise therewith.” See 1 Chr. 23:5, 2 Chr 7:6, 2 Chr 8:14 (The
word for "praised" here is a form of “Halal”, which means wild,
clamorous, extravagant praise.) David called thousands to live this in reality
and led the way by pouring out his affections upon God on the day He brought
the ark up to Jerusalem. His life, in so many ways, pointed toward Jesus, who
has been anointed with the "oil of gladness" more than all of His
brothers. "You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; Therefore
God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of joy above Your fellows.
"Ps. 45:7
The Davidic Order of Worship
Although the Temple built by Solomon replaced the Tabernacle
of David, the Davidic order of worship was embraced and combined with the
sacrificial system of the Tabernacle of Moses. Beginning with Solomon, the
Davidic order was instituted/re-instituted by six subsequent leaders in the
history of Israel and Judah. They understood that the Tabernacle of David was
God’s revealed desire and it was/is an integral part of what happens in the
Tabernacle of God; of which the earthly Temple was modeled after. Each time
this order of worship was reintroduced and reintegrated, spiritual
breakthrough, deliverance and military victory followed.
Solomon instructed that worship in the Temple should be in
accordance with the Davidic Order (2 Chronicles 8:14-15)
Jehoshaphat defeated Moab and Ammon by setting singers up in
accordance with Davidic Order: singers at the front of the army singing the
Great Hallel (2 Chronicles 20:20-22 & 28)
Jehoida ( 2 Chronicles 23)
Joash's Reforms (2 Chronicles 24)
Hezekiah cleansed, re-consecrated and re-instituted the
Davidic Order of worship in the Temple (2 Chronicles 29, 30:21)
Josiah re-instituted Davidic worship (2 Chronicles 35)
Ezra and Nehemiah, returning from Babylon, re-instituted
Davidic Worship (Ezra 3:10, Nehemiah 12: 28-47)
Historians have also speculated that around the time of
Jesus, in their search to find communion with God, the Essenes of the Judean
wilderness re-instituted the Davidic order of worship as part of their life of
prayer and fasting.
In Amos 9:11ff, we find a remarkable prophecy
"In that day I will raise up the fallen booth
(Tabernacle) of David,
And wall up its breaches;
I will also raise up its ruins
And rebuild it as in the days of old;
This prophecy is yet to be fulfilled.
When Solomon built the Temple and the two Tabernacle models
converged, it pointed toward our present and future relationship with Jesus.
The Lord, Jesus is our Great High Priest, the One who establishes our
righteousness because of His own. He is also the sacrifice/propitiation for our
sins. He sits on the Throne of the Lord, i.e., The Mercy Seat. He is also the
resident Glory that fills the Temple and He is the source of Revelation for the
worship and prayers offered in the Temple. He is the Worship Leader Who extols
The Father to the “congregation” (Ps.40:10, 107:32, Hebrews 12:2).
We are informed by the Apostle Peter that because "it
is no longer (us) who lives but Christ who lives in (us)" (Galatians
2:20), we are now, in Him, a kingdom of priests. Paul informs us that we are
also now the Temple and Holy Spirit resides in us. (1Corinthians 6:19) That
means that we carry both realities at once. Meaning, we are able to minister
with and to Jesus as priests through worship and prayer in the “Holy of Holies”
because we are completely consecrated in Jesus AND the Glory of God resides in
us both individually and corporately as the Temple of living stones being built
together (Ephesians 2:20). We now have a role that corresponds with Jesus as a
Bride relates with the Bridegroom (John 3, Ephesians 5, Revelation 19). At this
moment in time, we get to offer sacrifices of praise and intercede on behalf of
the Nations until every enemy is placed under Jesus’ feet. We also get to
overcome the satan by means of grace and those who do are given the privilege
of ministering before God’s Throne forever and He will spread HIS Tabernacle
over us. (Ruth 3:6-13, Revelation 7:14-16)
We live in a time unlike any other in history. Historically,
we have had beautiful expressions of the Tabernacle of David but they were
mostly isolated though long lasting expressions of this reality. In this day,
the marriage of worship-filled prayer has emerged into a global movement. It is
as if a dandelion was blown and all of the nations are beginning to sprout with
the seed of the Tabernacle.
Kampala has received just such a seed. Like the Tabernacle of
David, Kampala House of prayer (KHOP) desires to facilitate an accessible
environment of night and day worship-filled prayer conducive to loving
relationship. A place where the Spirit of the Lord is enthroned upon our kisses
of worship and people can freely enter into an atmosphere where Love is offered
and honored.
King David was a man of “one thing” (Psalm 27:4). We are a
people of "one thing"...
We desire a similar freedom and lavish affection in our own
worship. Because of the environment he cultivated (revealed by the Lord
prophetically) he entered into a whirlwind of prophetic revelation himself.
With his heart focused on enjoying God, he modeled a template for relationship
that was an entirely new encounter for Israel i.e., there was nothing in
between the Ark of His Presence and the people except worship and intercession.
The Body of Christ/the Church Corporate is being built into
the "Tabernacle of David". The KHOP desires to demonstrate this
spiritual reality by facilitating an equally accessible, corporate,
worship-filled-prayer-filled environment conducive to loving relationships; a
place where the Spirit of the Lord is enthroned upon our kisses of worship and
people can freely enter into an atmosphere where Love is offered and honored.