My immense thanks are due to our Lord
Jesus Christ for granting me the gift of the art of writing His word and spreading it far and wide. I made use of this gift and already wrote two books with the titles “The Legacy of God’s
People”, and the “Quest for the Living God”. My hard work on those two books were well read in
India as well as in the USA and appreciated by many readers and scholars of the Bible. With this encouragement, I proceeded further with the third book, “The Offsprings from the Tabernacle”.
Regarding the second book, “Quest for the
Living God” most of the matter was not found in the Bible. But it concerned with the stories of the
Bible. I gathered this matter from historical books, theological commentaries etc., The readers of the second book also expressed their happiness for the information I collected from various sources.
The third book, “Offsprings from the Tabernacle” contains the matter concerning the faithlessness of Israel towards God and how God came to their aid in great troubles and difficulties. I am sure the readers will find it as useful and inspiring as my first two books.
I am thankful to God for the loving encouragement that I received from my wife Mrs Grace Vijaya in bringing out this book. Its my sincere prayer that it would please our great God to use this book for His glory and for the spiritual enlightenment of many readers.
Sundara Rao Ts.
Author
PHILIPS PUBLICATIONS
D. No.47-2-7, Lourdunagar
Gunadala, VIJAYAWADA - 520004
A.P. India. Ph. 0866-2451783
Offsprings from the Tabernacle
OFFSPRINGS FROMOFFSPRINGS FROMOFFSPRINGS FROMOFFSPRINGS FROMOFFSPRINGS FROM
THE TTHE TTHE TTHE TTHE TABERNABERNABERNABERNABERNAAAAACLECLECLECLECLE
By
Sundara Rao Tsappidi
PHILIPS PUBLICATIONS
47-2-7, Lurdhu Nagar, Gunadala
VIJAYAWADA - 520004
A.P., India. Ph. 0866-2451783
OFFSPRINGS FROM
THE TABERNACLE
Sundara Rao Ts.
First Edition - November 2010
© The author
Price: Rs. 75/-
Published by:
Philips Publications
D No. 47-2-7, Lurdu Nagar
Gunadala, VIJAYAWADA - 520004
A.P., India. Ph. 0866-2451783
Printed by:
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A TRIBUTE
DAVID RAVI TSAPPIDI
Born 13th Oct. 1969Promoted to Glory: 4th Sept. 2010
David Tsappidi was born on October 13, 1969 to parents Sundara Rao Tsappidi and Grace Vijaya Tsappidi in India. He was nicknamed “Pedda Ravi” (bigger Ravi) within the family circle, given the hierarchy and popularity of his name.
As a child, he used to make the most of his life. He was an extrovert, inquisitive and had a deep affection for music. Following his high school graduation, he embarked on a career in Engineering, specializing in Printing and Graphics communications at Pune, India.
During his educational experiences, he loved to express himself through music by performing in multiple bands around the country. Subsequently, he relocated to New Delhi, India, for his first job, and continued his passion for performing music nevertheless.
On the 15th of May 1997, Ravi was married to Kavitha Rao at Hyderabad, India. He continued his career at New Delhi, until opportunities in the US came his way. Having made a transcontinental move to New Jersey in 2000, Ravi shifted his focus entirely on his career and family, and was blessed with his first child” Pranay P Tsappidi” in 2002.
Subsequently in 2007, his second son “Praket P Tsappidi” was born.
His love for his family was well demonstrated by the degree of involvement in his kid’s sports leagues including soccer and baseball. Despite hardships at work from the current economy, he maintained his positive, cheerful attitude, commitment to his children’s activities and responsibilities to his family.
His deep passion for classic rock and motorsports, optimistic attitude in life, unquestionable generosity to his friends and family and his heartwarming smile behind the thick moustache, remain our most memorable recollections of him.
May his soul rest in peace!
This Book is fondly dedicated to the loving memory of our beloved son This Book is fondly dedicated to the loving memory of our beloved son This Book is fondly dedicated to the loving memory of our beloved son This Book is fondly dedicated to the loving memory of our beloved son This Book is fondly dedicated to the loving memory of our beloved son
David Ravi Tsappidi
Sundara Rao Tsappidi and Mrs Grace Vijaya
Parents
Kavitha Tsappidi - Wife
My husband was always happy and go lucky and he loved music. He was always happy laughing with friends.
He was very friendly, very helpful, always first the first one who would end up at anybody's door if they needed help.
He enjoyed caring for his two sons aged 2 & 8 .He remained persistent in his job search. He was always optimistic.
Dr. Beaula Koduri, wife of Dr. Hemanth - Sister
David Tsappidi’s sad demise marks a great loss for all of us. Your love and support shown through your presence here, explains how much my brother meant to each and every one of you. I thank you all for your condolences towards me and my family at this time.
Before I begin I would like to read out a short tribute on behalf of my father. “All the world is a stage” Shakespeare said, “All men and women are mere actors on the stage.
They play their part and depart from this material world”. My son Ravi’s life was like a lily of a day. He was an embodiment of all noble qualities and he was too good to live in this world.
We will miss him dearly even as he continues to remain in our hearts.
Words fail me to talk about my brother. Be it through his patient listening or his ever ready to help attitude, Ravi always loved without expecting anything in return; and it was this unconditional love that made him such a great son, brother, father and uncle. Childhood seems like such a long time ago, but one thing that stands strong in my memory is his encouragement and support in everything I did. He was always proud of my achievements and his faith in me is what got me through a lot of life’s struggles. Sometimes I wonder if his unending tolerance of my whining is why life seemed so stress free when he was around. He passed on the same love and support to my kids and always took time out for them. Maybe that’s why “Ravi Mama” as they call him is an uncle they will always remember.
Humility was like second nature to Ravi. He was never malicious of anyone’s success.
In a world of stiff competition and betrayal, it is rare to find anyone who genuinely celebrates your accomplishments; but I was blessed to have experienced that sincere happiness for me in the form of my brother.
Every family has its ups and downs. They share griefs and joys that are outside the touch of time. Through everything that our family has been through, Ravi was that backbone with his big reassuring smile that could help us through anything: A smile that never let any
I know that wherever he is, Ravi knows that we all loved him dearly.
“My grief may fade away and my tears may dry up but somewhere in a little corner of my heart your bright eyes and your hearty smile will always be alive forever. I love you
Ravi. May your soul rest in peace.”
Samuel Kiran Kumar - Brother
Good morning to all of you, and thank you for taking the time on a working weekday to spend a few moments with my dear brother for the last time. Your mere presence here signifies the indelible impressions left by him in your lives most certainly mine.
To me, he was actually the mediator in my family. He managed to bridge the differences in perspective and attitudes between my parents and myself. He successfully negotiated many issues and decisions made between my concerned parents and my stubborn self. And he did an excellent job of it.
There have been many lessons in life and otherwise that I’m grateful to him for -placing priorities of others in need over yours - whether reciprocated or not -the capacity to play hard, yet be responsible
-the ability to love someone unconditionally
-having the simple objective of happiness in life
Ravi, my permanent memories of you that I would cherish forever, would he your smiling face, your endless optimism, the cheerful demeanor, your undying loyalty, your boundless patience among other unique qualities from a brother - A brother I have no more.
You will be immensely missed - may you finally get your much deserved rest.
Rest in peace.
Offsprings from the Tabernacle
FOREWORD
“When I consider how my light is spent yre half my days, in this dark world and hide, And that one talent which is death to hide
Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest He returning chide, _”
In the above lines, John Milton, one of the greatest poets of the English literature and author of “The Paradise Lost”, the second Bible, expressed his anguish for not writing great poetry in praise of God, his Maker. Though he had talent of writing poetry, he could not write for becoming totally blind. Yet, he wanted to write poetry in praise of God and submit his true account, lest, he should be punished like the third man in the parable of “The Talents” in the New Testament.
Similarly Mr Ts Sundara Rao, though he lost 40% of his eye sight due to illhealth and at the age of 74, strongly desired to contribute humbly something to his Master, Lord Jesus. As a result, the first book “The Legacy of God’s People” has come out.
With much prayer and humility, he was able to bring out the second book, “Quest for the Living God”.
Unlike many people, who curse their old age and ill health, spending time like an idler in the USA, Mr Ts Sundara Rao offered his prayer with great submissiveness to the Lord and brought out the third book “Offsprings from the Tabernacle”. Though he lost his beloved son David Ravi in the United States, he clunged to the feet of the Lord for the rest of the soul of his son in the Abode of the Great Task Master, our Lord
Jesus Christ, consoled by near and dear, on the fifth day itself he talked to me by phone regarding the book to be published with the title, “Offsprings from the Tabernacle”.
This book comprises 20 chapters starting from the history of the Tabernacle.
Each chapter is unique of its kind. All the 20 chapters are very informative and provide more and more information about some men of God referred to in the Holy
Bible. This book also tells us about how two worlds collide, the spiritual world and the world of flesh as well as the difference between Christianity and Islam. The information he provides in this book is thought provoking. All the articles in the book will help the reader as guidelines and a torch for better understanding of the Offsprings from God and His everlasting love for humanity.
Mrs Grace Vijaya Sundara Rao, his better half whose contribution and untiring support in bringing up this book along with their children late David Ravi, Beaulah and Samuel Kiran Kumar is praiseworthy. May the blessed Lord bless him with good health and long life to write many books of this kind.
With all the best wishes,
D.S. Sundara Rao, M.A., M.Phil,
Dept. of English, SAS Degree College
Vijayawada - 1
Offsprings from the Tabernacle
PREFACE
My immense thanks are due to our Lord Jesus Christ for granting me the gift of the art of writing His word and spreading it far and wide. I made use of this gift and already wrote two books with the titles “The Legacy of God’s People”, and the “Quest for the Living God”. My hard work on those two books were well read in India as well as in the USA and appreciated by many readers and scholars of the Bible. With this encouragement, I proceeded further with the third book, “The Offsprings from the Tabernacle”. Before I began writing the first book, I happened to visit the Holy Land and got the information which prompted me to start writing. I came to know that some non-Christians who read these books were impressed by their content and accepted
Jesus Christ as their Saviour.
Regarding the second book, “Quest for the Living God” most of the matter was not found in the Bible. But it concerned with the stories of the Bible. I gathered this matter from historical books, theological commentaries etc., The readers of the second book also expressed their happiness for the information I collected from various sources. The third book, “Offsprings from the Tabernacle” contains the matter concerning the faithlessness of Israel towards God and how God came to their aid in great troubles and difficulties.
While I was seriously collecting the matter to finish the book at the earliest, some calamity took place in my family. It is the death of my eldest son. He is 40 years old, died under suspicious circumstances, leaving two sons, aged 8 and 3. This horrible incident pulled me back from the work for some time. But still I have decided to finish it at the earliest.
I would like to bring some of the salient features of the topics. for example, God told Moses to prepare the Tabernacle, called ‘Moving Temple’ which would contain the ten commandments, the ark of the covenant, the menorah and the table of shew bread. Then the glory of God called ‘Shekinah’ in Hebrew language. Moses first saw this Shekinah in the burning bush. And the same glory led the Israelits in the wilderness for 40 years. In the priesthood it is said that the descendents of Aaron continued the priesthood with particular garments almost till the time Jesus Christ.
The book of “Esther” is important for two reasons. (1) Jews enjoyed complete name of God even once. The Bible characters of Abigail and Nabal were picturized in the story of the Beauty and the Beast the main source of which is a French story by the same name. ‘The Tragic life of Jephthah as Son and Father’ is nothing but the miserable life of his only daughter.
I want to express my heartfelt thanks to the following writers for their contribution to the Christian society. I have taken liberty to collect some material from various books authored by them: Kavin Howard, David Ettinger, Ellsworth J Kalas, Eugine Price, Marvin
Rosenthal, Zions Fire, Sara Jerkins, Dr Tim M Sigler.
Their writings consoled me at the death of my beloved son when I was in great distress. I wish to spread the word of God far and wide through my books.
I humbly pray to God to bless my readers and make use of this book for their salvation.
Yours in Christ
Sundara Rao Tsappidi
VIJAYAWADA
20th Nov., 2010Author
Offsprings from the Tabernacle
CONTENTS
సాక్ష్యం 1. History of the Tabernacle9
2.The Glory of God24
3.Priesthood of Israel33
4.The unhappy story of Dinah41
5.Samson and Delilah47
6.Tragic life of Jephthah as son
and father53
7.the Beauty and the Beast60
8.Queen esther and the
Festival of Purim66
9.Amos’ Mission to Bethel73
10.A woman with issue of blood83
11.The Samaritan Woman88
12.Who is a Blessed Man?94
13.Seeing is believing100
14.Journey of Life109
15.Redemption plan of God119
16.Resurrection and Reunion127
17.Babylon the mother of harlots134
18.two worlds Collide142
19.Israel and Middle East154
20.Christianity and Islam163
Offsprings from the Tabernacle
1
HISTORY OF THE TABERNACLE
God called Moses to the top of the mount Senai, and gave him some instructions for the Israelites to follow. Along with them, He gave "ten words" in Hebrew called the ten commandments by writing with His own finger on the blue stones called Sapphire. Then He gave the plan for the Tabernacle (a mobile tent) called the mobile temple of God. After recieving from God, Moses came down to the foot of the mount Senai. But to his surprise he found the Israelites fully engaged themselves in dancing with the golden calf prepared by themselves.
This spectacular scene made Moses terribly angry and threw away the tablets of the Ten Commandments to the ground which became pieces. Then he took the golden calf, put it in the fire and made it into powder. Then he mixed the powder with the water and asked the Israelites to drink it. Moses went to the mountain top for the second time as God called him and brought back the Ten
Commandments. This time Moses stayed with God for forty days and forty nights without bread and water.
After he came down, he entrusted the work of the preparing the Tabernacle to the concerned workmen and the work started at the foot of the mount Senai in the wilderness. The main purpose of this Tabernacle was to worship God in it.
The other details about the Tabernacle can be found in the 13th chapter of the book of Exodus. The priesthood and sacrifices were the other requirements for the functioning of the Tabernacle. It seemed God Himself gave the plan of the Tabernacle. The workers were able to complete the making of the Tabernacle in about eight months.
The Israelites reached the mount Senai in about three months from Egypt.
During the work they invited free will offering for the construction of the Tabernacle. By the time, it became almost one year and it was said they celebrated their first anniversary also. It is already said the Tabernacle was a moving house
History of the Tabernacle of worship. It was smaller in size. It was built in interlocking system with the purpose of relocation.
Whenever a thick cloud was seen in the sky, it indicated the presence of God. Then the priests would shift the Tabernacle from one place to another in the wilderness. In some contet God told king David "I have not in any house since I brought up the Israel out of Egypt. Even to this day, but have I walked in a tent and in a Tabernacle" (2 Sam 7:6).
This Tabernacle became a temporary dwelling place of God. He said He would select a permanent place for His dwelling after the Israelites settled in their promised land Canaan. According to God's plan the permanent temple would be built in the unmovable building but not like the Tabernacle etc., God stressed two more things at the time of the dedication of the Tabernacle. He said, "for now have I chosen and sanctified this house that my name be there forever" (2 Chron.
7:16). In future an eternal sanctuary will be made by the hands of God and established. Then the Lord shall reign and Israel in mount Zion from hence forth even forever.
Good models and network became necessary for building better Tabernacle.
But unfortunately the workmen could not find amazing beauty in the making because of two reasons. First, they could not portray all the facts about the authentic functioning of the Tabernacle which was made by the artisans for which they spent millions of dollars and costly material. Secondly, the scripture did not reveal any information about the models of the Tabernacle.
Moreover, the Bible did not give full details of the Tabernacle, but only technical details, design etc., At the same time, it was not written as a blue print or as a complete technical understanding for the artisans. But Moses received the plan from God and explained that to the workmen.
The original Tabernacle was not in existence today. But some of the details were established for information. For instance the Hebrew scripture does not reveal anything about the side panel of the Tabernacle. The temple institutes a Jewish religious organisation located in the Jewish quarters of the old city of Jerusalem. This organisation was dedicated to rebuilding of the holy temple and continue the service in it. This was followed by Rabbi "Israel Ariel" an Israelite paratrooper in 1957 who also helped for the liberation of the temple mount in 1967.
Offsprings from the Tabernacle
The items produced by the temple institutes were not reproductions of the modeles. They were prepared for the actual service in the future "Third Temple".
The temple institutes had already prepared the required sacrificial vessels for the temple. The rubbis believed that the Art of the Covenant is still hidden in a secret place under the temple mount. The reconstructed items and many pieces of artwork were finally on display in the Temple Institute Modest Musium in Jerusalem.
God instructed Moses to build the Tabernacle
God instructed Moses and gave the plan of the Tabernacle. There are four important items in the Tabernacle to be put -
1.The ark of the covenant
సాక్ష్యం 2. The menorah
3.The incense altar
4.The table of shew bread
The tent would be surrounded by a rectangular couryard which contained brass leever and an altar for the sacrifices. God gave some information for the building of the Tabernacle. It was built for the purpose of worshipping the Lord.
The original material was acquired through free will offerings only of "any man that giveth it will enjoy with his heart ye shall take my offerings" (exodus 58:25).
Then the nation gave free offerings more than is required for its building. Many costly items like gold, silver, brass (blue, purple, scarlet) linen, goats, hair, rams skins, red legions skins, shirkeem wood, oil for the lights etc., The making cost of the Tabernacle was no doubt very high in history. The three precious metals used were gold, silver and brass and the quantity of each item was recorded in the scripture. The Tabernacle contained 2,800 lbs. of gold, 9,600 lbs. of silver and 6,900 lbs. if brass (Exodus 55:24-31). Then the copper zinc alloy of brass with the high power melting point of nearly 2000 fh. was used for the sacrificial altar.
God clearly told Moses "and let my people make me a sancuary that I may dwell among them." Therefore, the Hebrew word "prisham" which means (a dwelling place) became one of the names for the Tabernacle.
History of the Tabernacle
1.The Ark of the Covenant
The Lord commanded "and they shall make an Ark of the Covenant with Shittim wood" These Shittim trees were common plants in the area of mount
Senai. The importance of this Ark was that God proposed this as the first item tobe put in the Tabernacle. This wooden "chest" the Art of the covenant was the most valuable and most sacred object in the Temple of Israel. They considered that as the greatest treasure to the nation. It travelled with Israel and crossed the river Jordan. Then it was with the Philistines for some time.
During the travel, of the Ark was always wrapped with the cloth. It was considered the holiest object in the Temple. As the Ark was a holy item, the people were kept away from that view, because if they look inside of it, they would die. Only the high priest was permitted to come before the Ark an "Yan
Kippur" on the single day of the year the high priest would enter the Holy of the holies to burn the insense and sprinkle the blood before the Ark, for an atonement of "sin" of the people.
The English word Ark is from 'Arca' which means "chest". The Hebrew word for this is "aran" which means cabinet, container, box, chest etc., The length of the Ark was 3 feet 9 inches, width is 2 feet 3 inches and height 2 feet 3 inches.
God inscribed with His own finger the two tablets that contained the Ten
Commandments were legally binding original documents of the Mosaic covenant. They were the testimony between God and the people of Israel at mount Senai.
The Ark symbolized God's throne. So king David called it "the footfloor of our Lord". The Ark belonged to God. So it was called the Ark of God. The testimony was safe guarded and its tablets put inside Israel's holy lock box. Two
Golden Cherubims were attached inside top of the Ark near the mercy seat. The Cherubims were heavenly bodies only but not angels. They will have two eyes like human beings but shape of the feet is like that of a calf and they have four faces.
Satan was also one of the Cherubs. He had fallen down to the earth as a punishment from God. He was actually more intelligent and more beautiful than any other in heaven. So God entrusted him the affairs of the throne in the mountain in the garden of Eden.
Offsprings from the Tabernacle
Many incidents took place to the Ark during the time of the Judges that are worthy to mention at least one of them. After the Philistines returned the Ark to Israel, some men in curiosity looked inside the Ark in Bethlehem. As a result more than fifty thousant men died in judgement. After some time king David brought that Ark to Jerusalem. It is said the Ark contained the following items_
1.Two types of the tablets of the Ten Commandments
2.The Golden bowl (pot) of Manna