As pastor of Fellowship Church for almost a quarter of a century, I have been responsible for developing a vision for worship, for nurturing an attitude toward worship, and for giving oversight to the leading of that worship. Over the years, we have enjoyed a very dynamic worship experience. We have developed what we consider to be a Biblical vision for worship. Recently, however, we became aware that there is a very bold Biblical foundation for Church (Christian) worship. This sudden awareness is due to our introduction to a series of teachings on worship that has been developed by Ray Hughes of Selah Ministries of Norene, Tennessee. Pastor Hughes has been given a wonderful revelation of the meaning of the "Tent of David", which was erected to house the Ark of the Covenant 3,000 years ago in Jerusalem. He has interpreted this revelation relative to worship in the local congregation. We will develop that picture of Church worship here.

At the time of David, Israel had been engaged in a war with the Philistines for generations. Just prior to the judgeship of Samuel, the Ark was lost to the Philistines. They attempted to bring it into their own house of worship with disastrous effect. The Philistines returned the Ark to Judah; however, it remained for many years in the home of Abinadad near the border of Judah and the territory of the Philistines. During the entire reign of Saul, there was no effort to recover the Ark and to return it to its rightful place in the Tabernacle of Moses.

When David became King of Israel, he brought the Ark to Jerusalem and set it in a tent that he had prepared for it. Logically, one would think that David would have brought the Ark to the Tabernacle of Moses in Gibeon, but he did not. Instead, he brought it to Jerusalem and instituted worship before the Ark. David established a totally new form of worship. He provided for singers and musicians to praise the Lord continually in the tent. Indeed, they functioned around the clock for the remainder of David's reign. There was no veil in the tent; so the praise, worship, and intercession continued before the Ark — in other words, directly before the Throne of God.

After David's death, his son Solomon succeeded him on the throne and built the Temple on Mt. Moriah. The Ark was moved again — this time, into the new Temple. The Levitical liturgy of the Tabernacle of Moses was resumed in the Temple in Jerusalem. This same liturgy was continued throughout the First and Second Temple Eras until Titus destroyed the Second Temple in 70 AD.

For the brief reign of David (33 years in Jerusalem), a completely novel form of worship was introduced. This worship was characterized by open access to the Throne of God. As a result, there was bold praise and worship that was exuberant and joyful. David, certainly, entered directly into the presence of God. The musicians and singers were also stationed directly before the presence of God. Presumably, others also came in the tent and joined the worship.

David served as a type and forerunner of the Messiah. God made an unconditional and everlasting covenant with David: the kingdom, throne, and house of his son would be established forever (2 Samuel 7:12-16). David functioned as prophet, priest, and king in the midst of Israel. These functions define the office of Messiah. During David's reign, the Kingdom of Israel expanded to its Biblical borders for the first and only time in history. Now, we understand that David also established the pattern for Messianic worship.

The prophet Amos prophesied that in the last days, God would raise up the Tent of David (Amos 9:11). The same prophecy is repeated in Acts 15:16. We have already concluded that we are living in the "last days"; hence, we believe that God is fulfilling this prophecy today. Jesus is building a living tabernacle for God's presence; this is the Church. In a local church setting, Jesus is manifested in the midst of the body of believers. Through them, He offers up praise to the Holy One (Hebrews 13:15 and 1 Peter 2:5). From the pattern set forth in the Tent of David, praise should be bold and exuberant leading to deep spiritual worship directly before the Throne of God. In this setting, the Glory of the Holy One fills the tent.

This is the nature of worship that we have experienced for many years at Fellowship Church. This is not three songs and an offering. It is not just an assembly of unrelated believers who are individually praising and worshiping the Lord looking to receive a blessing in order to sustain themselves. Messianic worship consists of a body of believers related to each other in the local body by Jesus' Lordship who are: (1) humbling themselves before God, (2) believing to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and (3) allowing the Holy Spirit to bring alive the resurrected Son of God, whose desire is to praise and worship the Father. This is praise and worship solely for the purpose of bringing glory to the Most High God. This worship is prophetic of that which is ongoing in heaven as the elders, along with the heavenly host, worship God. Three thousand years ago in Jerusalem, King David initiated Messianic worship. Truly, God is raising up the "Tent of David" once again.

We want to express our deep gratitude to Pastor Ray Hughes for being a faithful servant of the Lord. He has been the vessel of great light and blessing to us.