Introduction: Longing for Closeness

Part 1: Our Past
Eden

1. In the Garden of God
2. In God’s Image
3. Not Yet Dressed 
4. Discern Right from Wrong
5. An Intruder
6. Discernment Lost
7. Life Outside the Most Holy Place

Israel

8. Sanctuaries and Ladders
9. Jacob
10. Moses
11. A Nation of Priests
12. Holy
13. A Meal with God
14. In God’s House
15. Priests Clothed
16. Job Descriptions
17. Priests at Work
18. “Be Holy as I Am Holy”
19. In God’s Courtroom
20. A Tumultuous Interlude

Part 2: Jesus Our Tabernacle 

21. The Holy One Descends 
22. Jesus our Passover Lamb
23. Interrupted by a Wedding
24. Jesus the Temple
25. Jesus the High Priest
26. Believe
27. Descending Further
28. The Lamb Slain
29. Jesus Ascends, the Spirit Descends 

Part 3: Almost Truly Human

30. Priests in Plain Clothes
31. Priests Descend and Ascend
32. Saints
33. Shining Faces
34. Living Stones, Flowing Fountains
35. Enter In
36. Be Sent Out
37. Walking Uphill
38. The High Priest Prays for You

Epilogue
Notes
General Index
Scripture Index

“You have your grace books and your older holiness books. At times, they exist in two different worlds. Not for Ed Welch. In a book full of rich insights that link the Old and New Testaments, Welch paints a picture of holiness and intimacy with God that makes you want to be holy. He widens our view of holiness, working to craft it into a vision of beauty. You’ll want to obey after reading this book.”
Paul E. Miller, author, A Praying Life; J-Curve; and A Praying Church

“Scripture is a strange book that tells a different story about who we are. It feels strange to hear that priesthood is a key theme of our identity in this life, so full of work stress, broken relationships, and personal failure. But Welch shows us that being near to God, secured by the priestly work of our Lord Jesus Christ, is what we were made for. This book will help you see yourself in this strange, wonderful light.”
Jeremy Pierre, Lawrence and Charlotte Hoover Professor of Biblical Counseling, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky

“There is no greater human longing than for relational intimacy. This is because we are created for intimacy with our Creator and others. Sin destroys this intimacy, and the gospel restores it. The best news we will ever hear is that the perfectly holy God invites us into table fellowship as his adopted children. By faith every believer has full access as priests to boldly approach the throne of grace. Ed Welch offers great help in understanding these astounding results of the finished work of our Great High Priest. I hope this book has a great influence in encouraging God’s people to seize our priestly privileges in Christ.”
K. Erik Thoennes, Professor and Chair of Theology, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University; Elder of Congregational Life, Grace Evangelical Free Church, La Mirada, California

“I treasure Ed Welch’s writings. I don’t know another counselor who can write a book like this—Ed has built for us a rich biblical theology of God’s presence. Created to Draw Near helped me to understand my Old Testament better, and it grew my love for Jesus as Savior and High Priest of my soul.”
Deepak Reju, Pastor of Biblical Counseling and Family Ministry, Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington, DC; author, The Pastor and Counseling and She’s Got the Wrong Guy

“When some writers and preachers today suggest that the gospel is only about forgiveness, Ed Welch reminds us that it is also good news that God brings us into a life of holiness.”
Gerald R. McDermott, Former Anglican Chair of Divinity, Beeson Divinity School