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I hope and pray that this Bible study on the Sanctuary blesses you as much as it has me. The structure of this Bible study is designed around the assumption that you already understand the basics of prophetic symbolism. This is not an exhaustive study by any means. It's main purpose is two fold.
You will find that once stepping into the Sanctuary of the Lord a grand adventure in prophecy will unfold. Studying the Sanctuary actually helps to better understand prophetic symbolism. For it is written...
The actual introduction of the sacrificial system was realized in Eden. The disobedience of Adam and Eve resulted in the graphic display of a need for a system of forgiveness for mankind. After Adam and Eve sinned, the Almighty required bloodshed for the sin. Hebrews 9:22 declares, "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission." So blood had to be shed, and seeing how the Almighty God is a merciful God, He allowed for a replacement for that bloodshed. Adam and Eve were spared eternal death by the symbolic shedding of the blood of a lamb that actually foretold of the true Lamb of God that would come in the future to shed His literal blood for all of us. And after the Lord sacrificed a lamb, He made clothing for Adam and Eve out of the skin of that animal. Genesis 3:21, "Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them." Later on after the flood, we see the children of the Lord had begun to loose sight of the real meaning of the Sanctuary. Paganism infiltrated the sacrificial system transforming it into idolatry. Human sacrifices were even incorporated into it like all spinoffs of Babylonianism have seen. Therefore the Lord instructed Moses to actually build the Sanctuary on Earth after the pattern of that which was built without human hands in the Kingdom of Heaven..
This was done for two reasons. They needed to restore the original meaning for the Sanctuary in their hearts as well as create an actual dwelling place for the Lord so that He could reside among His people.
The book of Hebrews gives us a quick glimpse as to what we find in the Tabernacle of the Lord. Hebrews 9:1-5 declares, "Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat;"
The first Sanctuary that was made by man was a portable version of the one made "before the foundations of the world" by the very hand of the Almighty Himself. The Sanctuary itself is made up of three major sections.
Numbers 1:51 says, "And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up..." So it was definitely a portable version of the one in Heaven. THE COURTYARD: The entire courtyard measured 50 meters in length. (164 feet) It was 25 meters (82 feet) in width, and the fence that surrounded the entire courtyard was 3 meters (10 feet) high. As you walked into the only entrance to the courtyard at the eastern side, you first came to the altar of burnt offering. By the way, do you realize as t why there was only one entrance? And why it was on the eastern end? Those walking into the Sanctuary would have to do so by placing their BACKS to the eastern horizon that all Pagans directed their worship. The "Sun" that rose in the east was their object of adoration and worship. Walkign INTO the Sanctuary facing the west was an open and obvious denial of Baal the sun god of Babylon.
This is where the sacrifices were offered up daily for the sins of the people. As is recorded in Exodus 27:1, "thou shalt make an altar of shittim wood ... make it: as it was shewed thee in the mount, so shall they make it." This altar of burnt offering just like all pieces of the Sanctuary were built after the pattern that was built by the Lord before the foundations of the world. And seeing how it was built by the Lord beforehand, what does this altar of burnt offering represent?
The altar of burnt offering is a graphic symbol of the ultimate reality of Calvary. Jesus Christ was our Lamb slain for our salvation, and He made this decision to die for us long before He created the world, and at the same time the Sanctuary was built. For it is written, this is "...the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." -Revelation 13:8
The Word states that Jesus "entered into the holy place" for our eternal redemption. Notice it also states He did this BEFORE THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE WORLD as the preceding passages so amply confirmed. The Almighty is not a God of disorder. He knew that if man chose to sin, there would have to be a way out of their eternal damnation, IF they chose to believe in it. In the Sanctuary on Earth the believers of the Lord would use animal sacrifices to gain access to the other blessings of the Sanctuary. The Word of the Lord confirms this as well. The sacrifice was a faith filled symbol of what Jesus would do in reality for all of us. Therefore, those of us with the faith of His children now have a God given, "...boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus," [Hebrews 10:19] We can actually step into the holiest part of the Sanctuary because of our High Priest Jesus Christ's blood being shed for us. There is one aspect of this altar that many fail to see. In Revelation 6:9 it states, "when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:" Did you notice? Those that were slain for their testimony WERE UNDER THE ALTAR in prophetic symbolism! The altar of burnt offering in the Heavenly Sanctuary also has the blood of the martyrs upon it. Their Rock hard faith in Jesus Christ literally cost them their lives. They truly went wheresoever the Lamb leadeth.
Now, as you travel westward in the courtyard you then come to the laver of bronze. This is where the priests would wash their hands and feet before entering into the tabernacle to continue on in the services of the Sanctuary.
What does this symbolize? Why did the priests use the water to wash their hands & feet?
Just as the altar of burnt offering is first and then the laver of bronze is second. We too follow this path. First we must come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and accept His sacrifice on the cross that is symbolized by the altar of burnt offering. Then, we must move on in our Christian walk and come to realize we need to be baptized as well. The laver of bronze is actually the very next step in the Christian walk. By the way, notice that Jesus explains to Peter the fact that once baptized, we only need to "wash the feet" to be completely re-cleansed as we walk through life. It is written in John 13:10, "Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all." Foot washing is actually a continuous guarantee of the cleansing grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. And remember, baptism and foot washing does NOT save anyone. Only Jesus Christ can do that. The Sanctuary illustrates rather nicely that it is through the services of the Sanctuary that we can see we are cleansed by Christ Himself. THE HOLY PLACE: As the priest walked past the linen veil entry way of the tabernacle. The first thing he would see on his right was the table of show bread. Every Sabbath 12 fresh showbread were laid out and the old ones were removed that had been placed there the previous Sabbath. On his left was the seven branched lampstand. This lampstand has seven oil lamps that were filled at all times and kept burning day and night thus lighting the tabernacle 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Directly in front of the veil that divided the tabernacle into two separate rooms, (the holy place and the most holy place) was the altar of incense. It was here that incense was burned every morning and evening, and once a year there was a special ceremony designed to purify the veil completely from the blood sprinkled upon it. What do each of these furnishings represent?
Every Sabbath we see that the Lord required the showbread to be replaced. But first, what does this showbread represent? According to Luke 22:19 we read that Jesus, "took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me." Jesus also declared in John 6:51 that He is, "the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." To put it plainly, the showbread represents the body of Jesus Christ that was offered as a sacrifice for our sins. However, why was this showbread to be changed every single Sabbath day? First of all we need to realize that Jesus also declared bread was a symbol of spiritual things. It is written in Matthew 16:11-12, "How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees." Many people to this day, especially in the Catholic church look only upon this bread as the body of Jesus Christ alone. Yet here we see plainly that it also pertains to the doctrines and teachings of Sciriptures as well. Fact is, we are also aware that Jesus Christ is actually "the Word made flesh, and dwelt among us..." according to John 1:14. So, the Biblical fact here is this. The showbread was changed each Sabbath day simply because it is on this holy and sanctified day that we are especially urged to study His Word. This is not to say that we should only study on Sabbath, because it is a daily blessing you forfeit when not "eating of His Word." Is it not written that we should ask for Him to "give us our daily bread?" The point I am trying to make regarding the showbread is, each Sabbath day we go to church do we not? And each Sabbath day we learn a new lessons in His Word of Truth by Sabbath sholl lessons as well as hearing of the Word spoken by the annointed man of God on the pulpit. The "new showbread" is truly eaten each Sabbath. We can also see the "Word of God" and "Showbread" connection that typifies the Word as food indeed by the following passages...
Read His Word! Feed on His Truth. Grow in grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ!
(NOTE: The candlestick is ONE lamp. The SIX branches (3 on each side) that jut out from a center lamp create a total of SEVEN lamps in "one.")
As with all the other furnishings, walls, curtains, etc. The lampstand was also to made as a duplicate of the seven branched lampstand within the Heavenly Sanctuary that was revealed unto Moses upon the mountain.
All must realize that there truly is a seven branched lampstand within the Sanctuary in Heaven. The Apostle John saw this with his own eyes in the vision given him on the isle of Patmos as well.
And just like all the other furnishings within this Sanctuary. The seven branched lampstand also points to Jesus Christ. In John 8:12 we see that Jesus declared, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." 2 Corinthians 4:6 also confirms this when it says, "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." But what about the oil that is within the lampstand? What does this symbolize? Zechariah 4:2-6 says, "And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord? Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts." The oil in the lampstand symbolizes the Holy Spirit. The lampstand that represents Jesus as the "light unto the world" if you do not have sufficient "oil" within your vessels, the "light" is diminished and the Christian walk become a darkened one. It is "by His Spirit" that we walk is it not? And is not our walk is lighted with His Light? "But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." [Proverbs 4:18] Without the Holy Spirit teaching us the Truth that is in His Word, the Light would be darkened.
Every morning and evening sweet incense was burned on the altar of incense. No sacrifice, no burnt offerings, no meat or drink offerings were to be offered on the altar on incense. Incense alone was to be burned. But why? What was the symbolic meaning of this?
The burning incense represents the prayers of the saints. The rotting blood that is daily sprinkled on the temple veil throughout the year representing our sins is a vial stench unto the Lord. You see, the temple veil is directly behind this altar of incense which in fact is only a few feet from "Most Holy Place." Yet the heartfelt prayers of the saints represented here by the burning of sweet smelling incense extinguishes the foul stench of sin wafting into the "Most Holy Place." The Holy Spirit actually perfumes the prayers of the truly repentant sinner so as to please our Heavenly Father.
While in prayer it was revealed to me that sometimes we speak in ways that are dis-respectfull towards the Almighty, and we do not give Him the reverence so graphically due. So, the Holy Spirit filters our words as we speak. And seeing how the Lord already knows what we are seeking in prayer, even the words themselves are not needed to reach His ear. Therefore, only the LOVE we have for Him is sent Heavenward, and the prayer is not only accepted, it is answered.
NOTE: The blood on the veil is an more graphic reminder of dis-respect then many realize. Before the cross of Christ, the sins were forgiven in a "proleptic" manner. Meaning, they were forgiven with the understanding that one day the true Lamb of God would come and spill His blood as an offering for sin comitted. All year (until the day of atonement) the temple veil carried the stench of rotted blood upon it. The "sins" were not yet actually atoned for because Jesus had not yet arrived to die for them, yet the prayers represented by the insense covered the odor made by the reality of the sins in advance. The insence was a prefect example of our heartfelt prayers asking forgiveness from the Father. And His Son's death is an open and graphic answer to that prayer! You HAVE been forgiven, because you believe in Him and what He did for you so strongly. THE MOST HOLY PLACE: Once a year on the day of Atonement, the High Priest would venture past the veil that divided the "holy place" and "the most holy place." On no other day of the year but the day of atonement was the High Priest allowed to enter in. Once inside he would actually see the ark of the covenant. This was a chest made of acacia wood overlaid with pure gold inside and out. Inside the ark of the covenant was contained the two tablets of stone in which the very finger of God inscribed the Ten Commandments. Also inside the ark of the covenant was contained a jar of manna, and the staff of Aaron that had budded. The lid to the ark of the covenant was called the mercy seat. Upon it were two cheribs (angels) of solid gold facing each other. Each cherib had one wing pointing towards the earth, and the other wing pointing towards Heaven on the mercy seat. In the most holy place we see only two furnishings. What do each of these furnishings represent?
CONTENTS OF ARK:
Hebrews 9:4 says, "...the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;" The ark of the covenant is a chest made of wood overlaid with pure gold inside and out. This ark contained as is so bluntly described here, the Ten Commandments of the Almighty for His people. The fact that this ark is here, and the ten commandments are within it, signifies the graphic importance of the law of God. The law of God is so important in fact, that it is one of the main reasons the devil is so angry with those of us that keep it to this day. The enemy of God Himself has tried every way possible to get the Creator's children to ignore the law of God. It is indeed a very important fact of the Christian life today. For more information on this, as well as frequently asked questions answered on this topic, see this page entitled... "The Law of God" The reason the "pot of manna" was held within was to remind the people of Israel that the Lord WILL take care of His own. Many of the children of Israel were showing a lack of faith that the Lord would provide manna for them daily. Some would hold onto the previous days gathering of manna "just in case" the Lord would not provide. But when they would look upon it in the morning, it was always lfoul smelling and loaded with worms.
Moses was instructed to place the pot of manna inside the ark mainly because Israel sinned and sought to keep manna overnight as well as gather manna ON SABBATH regardless of the fact they were told not to. They felt because the manna would rot within 24 hours on regular days, it would not be able to withstand the elements for 48 hours when the Lord told them to gather "2 days worth" on Fridays so as to not to break Sabbath by gathering manna of that holy day. They lacked faith in the Almighty and His ability to care for them.
They realized that the Lord would not allow it to become rotten or filled with worms if they simply trusted Him. This is why Aaron placed the manna inside the ark. It was placed there to show future generations the Almighty truly is a Father who cares for His children no matter how much "so called evidence" you have that all is lost..
This manna will NEVER rot nor will worms EVER infest it because the Amighty has already assured us that He WILL take care of us throughout our generations. Soon many of us will be unable to buy and sell due to the Roman Catholic beast that will look to enforce its mark on all. Rest assured, just as the manna fell from Heaven for the children of Israel, so shall it be provided for the children of Jesus Christ today. For it is written that, "if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."[Galatians 3:29] And the Almighty WILL provide for His own!
The reason for "Aaron's staff that budded" being placed inside the ark, was because of the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abriam. They came against Moses and Aaron as is described here....
It wasn't good enough these men held positions of honor as Levites. They also sought the priesthood that was NOT ordained on High to them!
Their zeal to go against the will of God prompted a graphic sign PROVING Aaron was the chosen man for the job as the Almighty suggested and not as man suggested. The main reason the Almighty stepped in was because this self-exalting spirit was the exact same spirit Lucifer had that caused the revolt in Heaven. He sought a place of honor that was not sanctioned from on High. The Almighty recognized Aaron as the man for the job, and He made that very clear when He made Aaron's rod bring "...forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds." [Numbers 17:8] THEN the Lord directed Moses to place Aaron's rod within the ark to make it eternally clear that He alone is the one who places men in the positions they are standing in.
Again, we see MERCY in the hand of the Almighty when He chooses to do this act so as to prevent their deaths. Fact is, they were going directly against His will, and that is not a wise move in any reality. Angelic or human. Still, He is merciful and He does give us free will.
The mercy seat was actually used as a lid to cover the ark of the covenant. It has two cherubim (angels) on top of it as well. In between the wings of these two golden cherubim appeared a ball of fire in which the presence of God Almighty resided 24 hours a day 7 days a week. This was called the Shekinah glory of the Almighty Himself. It was from here the Father would give instruction unto the high priest. The mercy seat also points directly to the sacrifice of Jesus Himself. A glorious and wonderful work that even the angels themselves wonder with great admiration towards.
Think about it. The mercy seat is placed above the ten commandments that are within the ark of the covenant. This portrays rather graphically that the sacrifice of our sin offering, the Lord Jesus Christ, is our propitiation. We have the forgiveness of our sins, and our sins are transgressions of that law of God contained in the covenant of the most holy place.
THE SERVICES
We see here the daily service of the Sanctuary. Day by day the children of Israel would bring sacriifices before the Lord. This daily service was done in the courtyard as well as the Holy Place. Twice a day these sacrifices were offered for the sins of the people. The sins were transferred from the sinner to the sanctuary through the blood of the lamb.
As we know, the transgression of the Law is the definition of sin. And disobediance to that Law meant death to the sinner. The lamb being offered in the sanctuary service is a statement of faith made by the sinner of their faith in Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world in the future. John the Baptist confirmed this fact of faith in John 1:29 when he said, "...Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." Further evidence of this Truth concerning the "blood of the Lamb" is found in numerous areas of the Word. A few of those areas are...
The four horns of the altar having the blood dipped upon them are symbolic of the call of Christ unto the four corners of the world. Just as the four pillars that held up the gate of the Sanctuary (See Exodus 27:16) were an open invitation unto all both far and wide to "come unto me" so are the horns of the altar that reach out in a worldwide invitation to the North, South, East and West for men to come unto salvation. When Joab sought protection of the Almighty...
Even the Saviour Himself verified the horn as part of that which occurred at Calvary...
The first aspect of the ministry of Jesus Christ within the Sanctuary is in fact SALVATION. This is revealed by looking upon the courtyard of the sanctuary itself.
At the altar of burnt offering we see the "Lamb of God" offered up for our sins. And then as you walk further west you come to the laver of bronze which is where Christ cleanses our hearts in the sacrament of baptism. One word can describe that which occurs in the first part of the sanctuary. JUSTIFICATION. All our sins are totally blotted out making us appear righteous before the Father because of the blood of the Lamb.
After the daily sacrifices were performed, the priest had to also make intercession for the people within the Holy Place by the offering of burning incense.
As we all realize, when Jesus cried out and declared "it is finished" the temple veil ripped in two and the earthly sanctuary became absolutely useless from that day forward.
When that temple veil ripped, it openly declared the work of intercession that was performed by the priest was done away with because of the work of our TRUE High Priest upon that cross. This in fact reveals the second aspect of the ministry of Jesus Christ in the sanctuary itself.
When the Lord ascended to Heaven above after His ressurection, He became both our High Priest as well as the Lamb of God which is our atoning sacrifice.
Our High Priest in the Heaven Sanctuary is Jesus Christ Himself. He is all we need to make intercession for us. Those of us that trust our Saviour and His Scriptures know perfectly well that there is only ONE mediator between God and man. Jesus Christ! For it is written in 1 Timothy 2:3-6, "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." As Jesus intercedes for us, He wants us to come to the full knowledge of His Truth. And as we saw earlier in the study, the furnishings are extremely usefull in that aspect.
As we continue to walk with Christ, His Holy Spirit brings us day by day into a closer understanding of His Truth. As time moves forward in our Christian walk we see a change being made in our values, priorities, desires, actions, and even our way of seeing things is blessed with a better emulation of the Lord Jesus Himself. We actually start to reflect the Son of God more and more. This work is yet another aspect of the ministry of Christ. SANCTIFICATION.
Prayer is such an important part of the Christian life. It is an absolute opportunity to actually speak unto the Creator of all things great and small. Surely there must be something on your mind right now you can discuss with Him. How did your day go? Your week? Were there problems during that time that you needed answers on regarding how to move forward in your work as His child? Peering into His Word is also a major aspect to the Christian walk. Without it, one cannot expect to know the Father they pray to. For His will IS written within those pages allowing us to realize that numerous prayers are ALREADY answered. So... take advantage of that which He has given and walk in the light of His Spirit so as to bless the sanctification that is already placed in you.
Justification (righteousness) and sanctification (set apart) are two steps that every Christian must strive to perfect. However, we must also understand that ONLY through Jesus Christ our Lord is this perfection realized. Knowing this fact, and actually believing it deeply is a well of spiritual confidence that no enemy can invade. "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:" -Philippians 1:6 In the annual service of the Sanctuary we have a special service that all mankind benefits from. We have just learned that the daily services were designed to allow the people to confess their sins, thereby transferring them to the Sanctuary itself. After a full year of this, it became necessary to purify that which sin defiled.
The first goat was sacrificed as a sin offering representing the atoning sacrifice of Christ at Calvary.
The second goat, "the scapegoat" symbolizes Satan himself. He will eventually bear ALL the responsibility of the sins of mankind. He will suffer the dreadful consequences as well. He will be lead out to the wilderness during the 1000 years that we reign with Christ is eternal victory. For more in on this, go to the 1000 years page of this site.
The "1000 years" that Satan will rome the earth AFTER we go to New Jerusalem with Jesus will indeed be a "land not inhabited."
Bound = the same as you saying "I'm all tied up, I can't go with you." It's circumstances that will bound the Devil for the 1000 years, and what are these circumstances?
He can't tempt anyone because they are all DEAD! The world Satan is about to be cast into will indeed be a place "not inhabited!" The reason for the shedding of the blood of innocent animals was a graphic and very much "in your face" way to illustrate the absolute horror of sin. The sinner had to kill the lamb himself and watch it doe. It also illustrated the overwhelming love of the Saviour in a way that mere words cannot describe. Jesus died the death on the cross for all those that realize blood had to be shed for those sins THEY committed. And the love of the Lord is so great that He decided to allow HIS blood to be shed so that we would have to die and be permanently separated from the Father. The day of atonement was the annual service that required all mankind to examine themselves, admit there sin, repent, and realize exactly what that bloodshed represented. The ultimate price of God's forgiveness. His only begotten Son. Jesus Christ.
To summarize the two services held in the Sanctuary. You need to look at these two verses...
First the daily sacrifice was done by the priests for the people in the Holy Place. Then the day of atonement / annual service was done to cleanse the Sanctuary of all the sins placed upon it throughout the year. This was done in the Most Holy Place.
All these services were to be administered while the Sanctuary was still standing. There is an aspect of the ministry of Christ Himself that fulfills the "Day of Atonement" in the Sanctuary. Do you know what that is? But first, understand that the Heavenly Sanctuary which was the true design of the earthly, must also be cleansed.
In Daniel chapter 8 we see the prophet saw the cleansing of this Sanctuary in a vision. It entails the 2300 day prophecy that is discussed in some detail on "The Rapture" page of this site. On tis page I discuss how the seven year tribulation lie is actually a twisting of a portion of that 2300 day prophecy to get people not only to miss the truth of the Sanctuary, but to also be "caught unaware" when Antichrist stands before them. So... what did Daniel see?
Daniel saw the Lord cleansing the Sanctuary after 2300 days.
This stage of Christ's ministry has Him cleansing the Sanctuary. This coincides with the judgment of the people of the Lord. And did you notice that the judgment begins in the house of the Lord? That's right, CHRISTIANS are the first judged simply because THEY were called to preach this Truth. ...Have you?
The beauty of being a Christian is that we have an Advocate unto the Father. Jesus Christ stands firmly between us and the Father. If we truly have given Him 100% control over our lives, then He will stand there covering 100% of all our sin as well. We must "examine" ourselves to make sure that were are not grasping onto any sins in our lives. Proclaiming "Lord, Lord" can be done easily by even the most wicked, so be confident in your faith. Examine your heart. Repent. And make straight your paths. For the Lord is most assuredly returning!
In the Sanctuary of old. Each and every person that continued to embrace his sins was cut off from the people of God. Regardless of the fact that he may have sacrificed daily in the Holy Place. Just like today, anyone and everyone can cry "Lord, Lord," but do they truly look to Him when they say that? Only those with GENUINE conversion are allowed within the wedding feast of that day. Just like only those that repented wisely stood WITH the people on the Day of Atonement.
The work of Jesus in judgment will cause the TRUE believer to step into the final stage of the Christian walk. GLORIFICATION.
The holy place had a daily service performed by the priests every day of the year, but the most holy place had one service each year on the day of atonement. And only the high priest was allowed to perform it.
As we see, the Word also tells us that the earthly Sanctuary services were only given to us until the time of the reformation. What does the Word of God tell us is that which would replace the Sanctuary? Plus, what is the 'second Sanctuary' if this earthly one is being spoken of as the first?
According to the Word of God in both the Old and New Testaments. In order for Moses to understand how to build the Sanctuary here on earth, the Lord showed Moses the pattern that was already in existence in Heaven. Does this mean there is another Sanctuary? And if so, where does it stand?
Fact is, the pattern shown unto Moses on the mount was the actual Heavenly Sanctuary that was built by the Almighty Himself before the foundations of the world. Another interesting fact is, both Sanctuarys can be found to be intimately related.
By the way... There is a Heavenly Sanctuary as as an earthly Sanctuary. However, after the cross of Christ, we see the Holy Spirit is now dwelling in yet another temple. This temple is being built day by day by the Creator Himself. Plus, there are many of these temples the world over. What are they?
Christians are now the indwelt temples of the Holy Spirit.
Ellen G. White comments
on the Sanctuary...
"But the Lord gave me a view of the heavenly sanctuary. The temple of God was opened in heaven, and I was shown the ark of God covered with the mercy-seat. Two angels stood one at either end of the ark, with their wings spread over the mercy-seat, and their faces turned toward it. This my accompanying angel informed me represented all the heavenly host looking with reverential awe toward the law of God which had been written by the finger of God. Jesus raised the cover of the ark, and I beheld the tables of stone on which the ten commandments were written. I was amazed as I saw the fourth commandment in the very center of the ten precepts, with a soft halo of light encircling it. Said the angel, 'It is the only one of the ten which defines the living God who created the heavens and the earth and all things that are therein. When the foundations of the earth were laid, then was also laid the foundation of the Sabbath. I was shown that if the true Sabbath had been kept there would never have been an infidel or an atheist. The observance of the Sabbath would have preserved the world from idolatry. The fourth commandment has been trampled upon, therefore we are called upon to repair the breach in the law and plead for the broken down Sabbath. The man of sin who exalted himself above God, and thought to change times and laws, brought about the change of the Sabbath from the seventh to the first day of the week. In doing this he made a breach in the law of God. Just prior to the great day of God, a message is sent forth to warn the people to come back to their allegiance to the law of God which antichrist has broken down. Attention must be called to the breach in the law by precept and example. I was shown that the third angel proclaiming the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, represents the people who receive this message and raise the voice of warning to the world, to keep the commandments of God and his law as the apple of the eye, and that in response to this warning many would embrace the Sabbath of the Lord." -Life Sketches of Ellen G. White 1880 page 236.3 The Word of the Lord confirms... Isaiah 58:12-14, "And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it." LETTING HEBREWS 8,9, 10:1-27 SUM IT ALL UP... Hebrews 8:1-13, "Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away." Hebrews 9:1-28, "Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation." Hebrews 10:1-27, "For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me) to do thy will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; 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. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries."
(NOTE: pictures and tables courtesy of Cyberspace ministry) |
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Altar of burnt offering:
The laver of bronze:
The table of showbread:
The seven branched lampstand:
The altar of incense:
The ark of the covenant:
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