THE SANCTUARY — A TRUTH LOST SIGHT OF
Introduction Part B
-
Contents
- Introduction Part A
- Introduction Part B
- Chapter 1
- Chapter 2
- Chapter 3
- Chapter 4
- Chapter 5
- Chapter 6
This was eventually built by Solomon and was called Solomon's temple. The spirit of prophecy comments on this temple at Jerusalem: "Of surpassing beauty and unrivaled splendor was the palatial building which Solomon and his associates erected for God and His worship." Prophets and Kings, page 36. There was no other building on earth as beautiful as Solomon's temple built for the habitation of God.
We have seen in our last study that when terms such as 'sanctuary', 'tabernacle', or 'temple' are used in the bible or spirit of prophecy, they can refer to a place or a person.
"Through all their weary wandering in the desert, the symbol of His presence was with them. So Christ set up His tabernacle in the midst of our human encampment. He pitched His tent by the side of the tents of men, that He might dwell among us, and make us familiar with His divine character and life. "The Word became flesh, and tabernacled among us (and we beheld His glory, glory as of the Only Begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth." John 1:14, R.V., margin." DA 23,24.
In our first introduction, the sanctuary was shown to be a symbol of God--His character, while the passage just read tells us that the sanctuary was a symbol of Christ sojourning on earth. And yet we know that there is a place in heaven which is also called sanctuary.
"The holy places of the sanctuary in heaven are represented by the two apartments in the sanctuary on earth." GC 414.
Therefore, when using the three interchangable terms as mentioned above, it is vital that we recognize a dual application. We saw that when Christ spoke of the temple, the Jews thought He was referring to the temple building still in existence. The disciples themselves did not understand His language until after His resurrection that He was referring to Himself. John 2:19-21.
In this study, we want to ensure that you grasp that principle fully so that as we interpret truths in the future chapters, there would be no difficulties in understanding. Let us state it fully:- The terms sanctuary, tabernacle or temple when used in the bible and spirit of prophecy are applicable to a place, a being, a set of beings, or both the place and beings.
The 2300 day/year Prophecy
Daniel 8:14 brings to view a prophecy which has been the pillar of the S. D. A. church, and therefore we ought to know it. The beginning of this prophecy is found in Daniel 9:24-27. This prophecy begins with the decree to build and restore old Jerusalem from desolation in BC 457.
It also brings to view the desolation again(during the ending of the seventy weeks), for the last time of that same temple between AD 27-31. when Christ told the Jews:- "Behold your house is left unto you desolate." Matthew 23:38. The house(the temple) had now become spiritually desolate, after the Jews were bent on their course of rejecting Christ. It was finally destroyed in AD 70, never to be rebuilt.
What was Jesus doing during the first half of the week? He was building the foundation, the cornerstone of His temple. John 2:19-21.
"....So Christ set up His tabernacle in the midst of our human encampment. He pitched His tent by the side of the tents of men, that He might dwell among us, and make us familiar with His divine character and life...." DA 23,24.
This work pertained to character. The work of the building of the new covenant, the new temple, or the new Jerusalem started in Christ and was confirmed(Established) between AD 27-34. Daniel 9:27; Ephesians 2:20-22.
Two Divisions
The sanctuary was divided into two apartments with a separating vail between. "The ministration of the earthly sanctuary consisted of two division: the priests ministered daily in the holy place, while once a year the high priest performed a special work of atonement in the most holy, for the cleansing of the sanctuary...." GC 418.
"...As Christ's ministration was to consist of two great divisions, each occupying a period of time and having a distinctive place in the heavenly sanctuary, so the typical ministration consisted of two divisions, the daily and the yearly service, and to each a department of the tabernacle was devoted." PP 357.
The sanctuary brought to view a daily ministration throughout the year, and a once yearly ministration. In the daily ministration, the sinners brought their sins to the sanctuary and transferred them(sins) by blood through the priest into the tabernacle thus defiling the holy place.
The blood brought to the sanctuary was the blood of a clean animal without blemish. Exodus 12:5; 29:1. This animal without blemish represented Christ who had to offer Himself for us. John 1:29. But He first had to be without blemish, for only thus could His sacrifice be acceptable by God for sinners. Only thus could the law be satisfied. Some of the animals used to supply blood were bulls, goats, heifer, lambs or pigeon doves. In the once yearly ministration, the holy place had to be cleansed from this defilement which occurred during the daily ministration.
Exodus chapters 25 to 40 give us the details of the building of the sanctuary by Moses on earth, which you can read and study for your own benefit. Here is an overview of the two divisions
1st Apartment
1. The entrance or door to the tabernacle was to the east. Numbers 3:38. The tribe of Judah also encamped to the east of the tabernacle. Numbers 2:3.
2. The table for 'shewbread' was placed to the north side, outside the second vail. Ex. 40:22
3. The 'candlestick' with the 'seven lamps' was placed on the south side opposite the shewbread. Ex. 40:24
4. The 'golden altar' was placed just on the outside of the second vail which was before the ark. Ex. 40:26.
5. The sanctuary was built without windows, hence the need for lamps. Ex. 26:1-32.
2nd Apartment
6. The 'ark of the testimony' was inside the tent, with the 'mercy seat' on top of it. Ex. 40:3, 20.
7. 'Two cherubims' were at the two ends of the 'mercy seat'. Ex. 25:18-21
8. A vail of covering was in front of the ark, so it could not be seen. Ex. 40:21.
The Court
9. The 'altar of burnt offerings' was by the door of the tent of congregation. Ex..40:29. Another name for this door is 'a hanging' Exodus 26:36 or 'vail' Hebrews 9:3.
10. The 'laver' was positioned between the tent and the altar of burnt offerings. Ex. 40:30.
The priests were consecrated in a service by Moses who was careful to follow the instructions of God, in front of the entire congregation before the sanctuary could function. Exodus 29; Leviticus 8. This consecration service lasted for seven days. Leviticus 8:33-36.
We have just given a brief summary of the structure of the sanctuary built by Moses, detailing all the furniture in connection there-with. In our studies, we will be focussing primarily on these so as to enlargen our understanding, that we may be led to co-operate more with God, thus enabling our faith to grow and increase to the level of that which was found in Jesus, and that we might perfect and entire wanting nothing. Revelation 12:17; 14:12; James 1:4.
Sanctuary Terminology and Definitions
The tabernacle built by Moses was a pattern of the heavenly. Exodus 25:9; Hebrews 8:5. Therefore it must follow that whatever names were used in the Old Testament in relation to Moses' or Solomon's building will apply with equal meaning and understanding to the New Testament's building.(The word 'Testament' simply means covenant). Only thus can there be any measure of clarity found in the word of God. Some of these names are:-
- 1. Sanctuary or Sanctuary of God - Exodus 25:8, Hebrews 8:2.
- 2. Tabernacle or Tabernacle of God - Exodus 25:9, Hebrews 9:2.
- 3. Temple or Temple of God - 1 Samuel 1:9; Revelation 11:19.
- 4. House or House of the Lord - 1 Samuel 1:7,24, Hebrews 10:21(Solomon's temple was not built).
- 5. Tabernacle of the Congregation - Exodus 33:7.
- 6. Tabernacle of the tent of the Congregation - Exodus 39:32.
- 7. The tent of the Congregation - Exodus 40:7.
- 8. The tent of Testimony - Numbers 9:15.
- 9. Tabernacle of Testimony - Numbers 1:50, 53; Revelation 15:5.
- 10. Tabernacle of Witness - Numbers 17:7, 8; Acts 7:44.
Each of the names mentioned above applied to the sanctuary of the Old Testament. Why are these names so important to our understanding of the gospel in the sanctuary? The apostle gives us the answer. Hebrews 9:1-5. Notice the word 'also' in verse 1, signifying that the same furniture and vessels which were identified in the first(old) covenant must also be found in the second(new) covenant. The word 'also' comes from the greek word 'kai'. It means both, even, likewise, moreover, so , too etc.
The names mentioned above with new testament verses are repeated in the 'New Testament', and so we must know how to make the relevant application. Some of the names above are repeated in the New Testament with reference to persons. e.g house, tabernacle--2 Corinthians 5:1; temple--2 Corinthians 6:16.
We have gotten so accustomed to these verses, we do not see them as applying to the sanctuary truth, which truth details the plan of Infinite Wisdom to and for man. Let us now refer to our first lesson:
"In the cleansing of the temple, Jesus was announcing His mission as the Messiah, and entering upon His work. That temple, erected for the abode of the divine Presence, was designed to be an object lesson for Israel and for the world. 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.
It was and still is God's plan that every human being be a temple, sanctuary, tabernacle of witness, etc. We have the example of Jesus, who provides us with the enabling grace to do it:
"...He brought healing to soul and body. In His life was enshrouded the love, the pity, the compassion, the joy, of heaven. Thousands were healed by His word, 'I will; be thou whole." By His work, His glory was so plainly revealed that demons were pained, and when compelled to cease tormenting human beings, confessed Christ to be the Holy One of God.
This work Christ did to show men that He was the tabernacle of witness; that the Word had been made flesh. In the human encampment, amongst the erring and sinful, Christ pitched His tent. He lived close to the poor and the lowly, yet He was the King of glory. He would make all familiar with His character, that we might be partakers of the divine nature, and thus become one with Him in faith and practice...." Upward Look 229.
"We are to put our entire trust in God, glorifying Him. Daily we are to learn lessons from the greatest Medical Missionary that ever trod this earth. He is our tabernacle of witness for heavenly things...." Testimonies for the Church.. 47.
The Sanctuary of Character Building
One of the names given to the sanctuary was "the tabernacle of testimony". Number 1:50, 53; 10:11. The same word 'eduth' translated 'testimony' is also translated "witness". So if the sanctuary was called 'tabernacle of testimony', it was also called "tabernacle of witness". Numbers 17:7, 8; 18:2.
Let us face it, these terms are only applicable to living beings that can think, move and behave. A piece of rock, wood or tree, can never be a witness furthermore give a testimony. But where was this testimony found?
The testimony was placed in the ark, which was located in the second apartment. Exodus 25:16, 21. As a result, the ark was called -- 'the ark of the testimony'. Exodus 25:22; 30:6. What was this testimony that it had to be hidden away behind a vail? Exodus 31:18; 32:15, 16.
These first set of tables were broken. Exodus 32:19. Signifying the braking of God's law in the hearts of Israel. They were subsequently rewritten by God. Exodus 34:29. But before writing over his law, the Lord showed what the law represented.-- His character. Exodus 34:5-7. When Moses came down from the mountain where he received the law, his face shone. Exodus 34:29, 30.
"So sacred and so glorious is the law, that when Moses returned from the holy mount, where he had been with God, receiving from His hand the tables of stone, his face reflected a glory upon which the people could not look without pain, and Moses was obliged to cover his face with a veil.
The glory that shone on the face of Moses was a reflection of the righteousness of Christ in the law. The law itself would have no glory, only that in it Christ is embodied. It has no power to save. It is lusterless only as in it Christ is represented as full of righteousness and truth.... He saw that only through Christ can man keep the moral law." 1 SM 237.
The testimony was God's moral law. The 'tabernacle of testimony' or 'witness' was 'the tabernacle of God's law. Earlier we read that Christ is our Tabernacle of Witness. This simply means that Christ is our law to be hidden away in our hearts, beneath the vail of our flesh.
The law was not to be something kept apart in a building, but brought into the life through Christ, for when Christ is in us, the Law is satisfied. 'The law being kept in the building of wood or stone was done away with", for God dwelleth not in temples made with hands or of wood, but in living vessels which His own hands have made. Acts 7:48. God ever dwells in living beings made by Him who will permit Him. That law remains unchanged.
Jesus when He was on earth represented God's law of Love to us. He gave us a testimony in His life. It stands as a witness for and against us. He gave us an example that we may follow by choosing. 1 Peter 2:20-24. Of the last generation of Seventh-day Adventist believers, it is said they "keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Revelation 12:17. May each of us choose this way of life for Jesus' sake.
| <-- Previous | Next --> |
