THE SANCTUARY -- A TRUTH LOST SIGHT OF
Chapter 5 - THE HOLY - Part 1
Introduction to the Holy
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Contents
- Introduction Part A
- Introduction Part B
- Chapter 1
- Chapter 2
- Chapter 3
- Chapter 4
- Chapter 5
- Chapter 6
By his own hand the animal was then slain, and the blood was carried by the priest into the holy place and sprinkled before the veil, behind which was the ark containing the law that the sinner had transgressed. By this ceremony the sin was, through the blood, transferred in figure to the sanctuary.
In some cases the blood was not taken into the holy place; but the flesh was then to be eaten by the priest, as Moses directed the sons of Aaron, saying, "God hath given it you to bear the iniquity of the congregation." Leviticus 10:17. Both ceremonies alike symbolized the transfer of the sin from the penitent to the sanctuary." PP 354, 355.
"The holy places of the sanctuary in heaven are represented by the two apartments in the sanctuary on earth. As in vision the apostle John was granted a view of the temple of God in heaven, he beheld there "seven lamps of fire burning before the throne." Revelation 4:5.
He saw an angel "having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne." Revelation 8:3. Here the prophet was permitted to behold the first apartment of the sanctuary in heaven; and he saw there the "seven lamps of fire" and "the golden altar," represented by the golden candlestick and the altar of incense in the sanctuary on earth.....
Thus those who were studying the subject found indisputable proof of the existence of a sanctuary in heaven. Moses made the earthly sanctuary after a pattern which was shown him. Paul teaches that that pattern was the true sanctuary which is in heaven. And John testifies that he saw it in heaven." GC 414, 415.
Before studying this subject, we should know that the early pioneers found that there is a real, literal sanctuary in heaven, because John the revelator saw it as a place in heaven. The word of God tells us so, and the passages read above verify this, but we need to study it carefully for ourselves, for "...the subject of the sanctuary and the investigative judgment should be clearly understood by the people of God...Otherwise it will be impossible for them to exercise the faith which is essential at this time or to occupy the position which God designs them to fill." GC 488
We are today living in the dispensation of the Most Holy apartment work, and so many of us focus on the second apartment of the Most Holy, without a thorough understanding of the first apartment. Remember, this truth must be clearly understood. Let us first consider the dimensions.
1 Kings 6:2, 3. The house(tabernacle) was 60 cubits long by 20 cubits broad. The first apartment was 40 cubits long by 20 cubits broad. 1 Kings 6:17; Ezekiel 41:1, 2. This leaves the Most Holy place measuring 20 cubits long by 20 cubits broad.
Consider the diagram below:
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Composition of the sanctuary
First, the Most Holy place or (1) above is 20 cubits long by 20 cubits broad. The holy place or (2) and (3) is 40 cubits long by 20 cubits broad. The Diagram above reflects some of the detail which we have already shown in chapter 1 when we dealt with the Anointing. The tabernacle of God is 60 cubits long by 20 cubits broad.
The number 60 or 6 x 10 (see Numbers Book) show that the sanctuary is centered in the saving of individual human beings. Christ in the sanctuary above concentrates on each man as vessels of salvation to be saved by His precious blood.
But the mathematical area of the sanctuary is 60 x 20 = 1200. The number 12 is the subject-kingdom number(see Numbers Book). So we have 12 x 10 x 10 = 1200. Meaning that the sanctuary is made up and composed of men who have been saved by the blood of Jesus, and they stand in Him as that sanctuary of salvation.
The holy place made up of (2) and (3) is in fact subdivided into two blocks or squares, both measuring 20 cubits long by 20 cubits broad. In other words, each square within the holy place (2)+(3), represents a Most Holy work or Most Holy function within that square in the holy. The squares in the holy are separated, but yet joined, showing their inter-dependence upon each other.
The work of the second apartment of the Most Holy is to bring them together so that ultimately there is only one square--see SR 412. That mathematical work is performed by our great High Priest Jesus, called in Daniel 8:13--"that certain saint" which is translated as 'the wonderful numberer' or 'numberer of secrets' -- in Hebrew, this is called Palmoni.
He alone has the formula of wisdom to accomplish this. The question may however be asked, but why show a measurement of 40 cubits long by 20 cubits broad, if the work or function is perfect? The answer will take up the remainder of our study today, for we MUST receive a better understanding of the holy if we are to co-operate with our Great High Priest.
Identification of "the Holy"
"When the priest offered incense before the Lord, he looked to the mercy-seat. Although he could not see it, he knew it was there; and as the incense arose like a cloud, the glory of the Lord descended upon the mercy-seat, and filled the most holy place, and was visible in the holy place; and the glory often so filled both apartments that the priest was unable to officiate, and was obliged to stand at the door of the tabernacle.
The priest in the holy place, directing his prayer by faith to the mercy-seat, which he could not see, represents the people of God directing their prayers to Christ before the mercy-seat in the heavenly sanctuary. They cannot behold their Mediator with the natural eye, but with the eye of faith they see Christ before the mercy-seat, and direct their prayers to him, and with assurance claim the benefits of his mediation." 1 SP 273, 274.
The priest in the holy place represents the people of God, living by faith. Every single new covenant believer is a priest. Do you see now why we have to be baptized? Why our bodies have to be washed from head to feet before entering the body of Jesus?
Because in the anointing of the old covenant priest, he first had to be washed at the door of the tabernacle in the presence of the congregation. Leviticus 8:3, 4, 8. "Such was the service performed "unto the example and shadow of heavenly things." And what was done in type in the ministration of the earthly sanctuary is done in reality in the ministration of the heavenly sanctuary..." GC 420. In the days of Moses, did the common priest officiate in the court only? No. He also had a work to perform in the first apartment of the holy.
"The Jewish tabernacle was a type of the christian church. It was a wonderful structure, made in two parts, the outer and the inner, one open to the ministration of all the priests, the other to the high priest alone, who represented Christ." The Signs of the Times, 1900-02-14.
Why is the holy place 40 cubits long by 20 cubits broad, even though the work is Most Holy and perfect? Because the temples(vessels) in which the work is being performed are imperfect in measure. The people of God are not now perfect, but they must be, if they are to pass through the time of trouble in the crisis, which is ahead.
But let us return to the quotation above. 'The priest in the holy place represents the people of God, directing their prayers to God whom they cannot see." This statement is a direct quotation that the people of God stand in the holy place of the heavenly sanctuary when they pray, yea, when they live by faith. These are the straight and clear words of inspiration interpreting what the first apartment is. Remember the first apartment was separated from the Most Holy place by a vail.
God through the shekinah glory dwelt in the Most Holy only. Therefore the common priest could not see Him(God) in his ministration. The people of God cannot now see within the Most Holy apartment in heaven where God is, because of that vail which hung before the ark. In our next chapter we will be looking at the vail and what it represents.
You should take note that the apostle Paul refers to each of the first and second apartments of the heavenly sanctuary as separate tabernacles or sanctuaries. Hebrews 9:2, 3. In other words the first apartment was a tabernacle. The second apartment was also a tabernacle.
Let us now revise what the sanctuary is before continuing. "The term "sanctuary," as used in the Bible refers, first, to the tabernacle built by Moses, as a pattern of heavenly things; and, secondly, to the "true tabernacle" in heaven, to which the earthly sanctuary pointed. At the death of Christ the typical service ended. The "true tabernacle" in heaven is the sanctuary of the new covenant...." GC 417.
Where is this word 'true tabernacle' found in the bible? Hebrews 8:1,2. Verse 2 tells us that Jesus is the minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched and not man. Let us let inspiration speak to us as we identify this "true tabernacle" or sanctuary. You must however remember the dual principle of application as it relates to the sanctuary. In other words the sanctuary being a symbol of (1) A place and (2) A being or a unit of beings.
"The Jewish tabernacle was a type of the Christian church....The church on earth, composed of those who are faithful and loyal to God, is the "true tabernacle," whereof the Redeemer is the minister. God, and not man, pitched this tabernacle on a high, elevated platform.
This tabernacle is Christ's body, and from north, south, east, and west He gathers those who shall help to compose it....A holy tabernacle is built up of those who receive Christ as their personal Saviour. ....Christ is the minister of the true tabernacle, the high priest of all who believe in Him as a personal Saviour" 7 BC 931.
When we are studying the sanctuary, we are studying the plan of salvation as it relates to the church, which is the sanctuary of the new covenant. So when we seek to study lamps of the sanctuary, candlestick of the sanctuary, and bread of the sanctuary, as we will be, where do we look for them? In the church of God, which is 'the true tabernacle'-- the Pillar and Ground of Truth. What is the 'true tabernacle? The church of God.
"Christ is called the minister of the true tabernacle. He is the head of His church on earth...." Manuscript Release No. 760: The Integrity of the Sanctuary Truth.
"As in the typical service the high priest laid aside his pontifical robes and officiated in the white linen dress of an ordinary priest; so Christ laid aside His royal robes and garbed Himself with humanity and offered sacrifice, Himself the priest, Himself the victim...." AA 33
The Individual person as a temple
In our introduction A, we laid down an important principle. "From eternal ages it was God's purpose that every created being, from the bright and holy seraph to man, should be a temple for the indwelling of the Creator." DA 161. In order for the church to be a tabernacle, every single believer must be a temple(tabernacle) for the indwelling of God.
The prophet Ezekiel saw in prophecy from Chapters 40-48, a picture of the final generation temple. We are introducing it at this point so that the context can be clearly seen from inspiration.
"Wonderful is the work which the Lord designs to accomplish through His church, that His name may be glorified. A picture of this work is given in Ezekiel's vision of the river of healing: "These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed.
And it shall come to pass, that everything that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live:...and by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine." Ezekiel 47:8-12.
From the beginning God has wrought through His people to bring blessing to the world. To the ancient Egyptian nation God made Joseph a fountain of life. Through the integrity of Joseph the life of that whole people was preserved. Through Daniel God saved the life of all the wise men of Babylon.
And these deliverances are as object lessons; they illustrate the spiritual blessings offered to the world through connection with the God whom Joseph and Daniel worshipped. Everyone in whose heart Christ abides, everyone who will show forth His love to the world, is a worker together with God for the blessing of humanity. As he receives from the Saviour grace to impart to others, from his whole being flows forth the tide of spiritual life." AA 13.
Where are the waters issuing from? The sanctuary. What does this issuing of water from the sanctuary represent? "As he receives from the Saviour grace to impart to others, from his whole being flows forth the tide of spiritual life." It represents the grace of God flowing forth from the people of God. Let us now turn to this passage of scripture to see where in the tabernacle this water came from. Ezekiel 47:1.
These waters came from the south of the altar. South of the altar is the position of the candlestick with the lamps. This is the first apartment of the sanctuary. The church, "enfeebled and defective" in its imperfection is the holy place. The believer who has accepted Christ as his Lord and Saviour is the holy place of 'the true tabernacle.' And as 'the holy', there is now a work to be done in him.
This principle of 'the holy' being the people of God, brings a completely new understanding to the Sanctuary Truth. But the diagram above shows that not only is the holy made up of (3) i.e the bread and the lamps, but it includes (2) the altar. Who or what is this mysterious altar that combines with the people of God to make up the first apartment?
The altar represents the intercession of Christ, but we have a full chapter on that ahead. We need to understand and grasp that the holy place apartment work is a function by God in Christ for His people.
"The ministration of the priest throughout the year in the first apartment of the sanctuary, "within the veil" which formed the door and separated the holy place from the outer court, represents the work of ministration upon which Christ entered at His ascension.
It was the work of the priest in the daily ministration to present before God the blood of the sin offering, also the incense which ascended with the prayers of Israel. So did Christ plead His blood before the Father in behalf of sinners, and present before Him also, with the precious fragrance of His own righteousness, the prayers of penitent believers. Such was the work of ministration in the first apartment of the sanctuary in heaven." GC 420, 421. In the first apartment work, Christ pleaded His blood before the Father in behalf of sinners. But what about the second apartment?
"When in the typical service the high priest left the holy on the Day of Atonement, he went in before God to present the blood of the sin offering in behalf of all Israel who truly repented of their sins. So Christ had only completed one part of His work as our intercessor, to enter upon another portion of the work, and He still pleaded His blood before the Father in behalf of sinners." GC 429.
The first apartment work of pleading His blood before the Father continues in the second apartment, showing that the people of God are still in a first apartment condition of imperfection. Hence the necessity not only to know what work is presently being done for us, but also what co-operative work is required of us to bring this work to completion. In our next chapter as we study the vail, we will understand what is meant by the door to the holy place of apartment one being eternally closed by Christ, and that no man can open what He has shut.
The church of God is the body of Christ. The church of God is the sanctuary of the new covenant. The church of God is the holy place where the believers cannot see their saviour ministering and interceding for them, but by faith they know that He is there. What a high and holy calling is ours as members of His body.
Let us today be anointed by His spirit of love, that henceforth we will no longer be slothful servants but truly sons and daughters of a King who has an eternal inheritance for those who submit to Him. May this be our willing submission to Him today.
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