A Mysterious Structure
All over the world, people have made superb structures. However, there is one structure that surpasses every modern man-made structure. To find out more about this building, keep reading!
God drew the plans
Exodus 25:8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.
Answer: The Lord spoke to Moses directing him to build a structure called the sanctuary. This building was to be a place where God would dwell with His people.
WHAT DID THE SANCTUARY LOOK LIKE?
Answer: In Exodus chapters twenty six to twenty seven, we read that the sanctuary was a tent structure. The dimensions were 15’ x 45’. In the sanctuary, special services were conducted. Acacia wood was used to build the walls. They were set in silver sockets overlaid with gold. The roof had four layers of coverings. The layers included linen, goat’s hair, ram’s skin and badger skin. The sanctuary had to two rooms called the holy place and most holy place. Between the rooms, a heavy veil separated the rooms. The area around the sanctuary, called the courtyard, dimensions were 75’ x 150’. The courtyard was fenced with fine linen cloth and was supported by sixty pillars of brass.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE SANCTUARY?
Psalm 77:13 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?
Answer: The purpose of the sanctuary and its services is to demonstrate the plan of salvation. In symbols, God revealed what Jesus would do in the great plan of saving humanity. To understand the plan of salvation, one must understand the symbolism connected with the sanctuary.
WHERE DID THE SANCTUARY BLUEPRINTS COME FROM?
Hebrews 8:1-2 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.
Hebrews 8:5 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.
Answer: We read that God gave the sanctuary specifications to Moses. The design specifications for the earthly sanctuary were based on the original sanctuary in heaven.
THE COURTYARD
The Altar of Burnt Offerings:
Exodus 27:2 And thou shalt make the horns of it upon the four corners thereof: his horns shall be of the same: and thou shalt overlay it with brass.
Leviticus 4:25 And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin offering with his finger, and put it upon the horns of the altar of burnt offering, and shall pour out his blood at the bottom of the altar of burnt offering.
Habakkuk 3:4 And his brightness was as the light; he had horns coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power.
Exodus 40:6-7 And thou shalt set the altar of the burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation. And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and shalt put water therein.
Revelation 20:9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
Mark 9:43-48 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched
What does this represent? In Exodus 29:37, the text mentions that whatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy. Those who had committed sin, like Adonijah and Joab, fled and caught hold of the horns in an attempt to preserve their lives. The altar symbolized the cross of Christ where every person must flee to in order to be saved. The animal that was offered typified Jesus Christ, the ultimate sacrifice. John the Baptist declared “Behold the Lamb of God, which
taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29). Horns are symbols of power. The blood of the sacrifice was put on the horns of the altar. This signifies that there is power in the blood of the Lamb to cleanse us from all sin! Paul to the Romans wrote this: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Romans 12:1). As Jesus laid down His life in service for His Father, so must we lay our lives down on the altar of service for Jesus. In Leviticus chapter seven we read about how fat was removed from the offering and burned as a trespass offering. This symbolized that we must cut out the sinful habits in our lives. We must confess and forsake our sins and allow Jesus, our High Priest, to remove them far away from us to be burned. According to Isaiah 59:2, sin separates us from God. Before the sinner can be at-one-ment (think atonement) with God, the sinner must put away their sins or else suffer the fiery judgment of God. The Lord hates sin and loves the sinner. If sinners cling to sin, they will be identified with sin and be destroyed along with it. In Leviticus 9:24 and 6:13, we read that all burnt offerings were burnt upon the brazen altar and that this fire was kindled by the Lord and was kept burning continually. In a secondary application, this is symbolic of the fire which destroys all sin from the earth. This altar can represent the final destruction of sin which has to be done in order for the redeemed to enjoy their eternal inheritance. When we consider the courtyard, all of the work performed there represents the work done in the earth. Consider Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross while on earth and Satan, sin and sinners destroyed on earth.
The Ashes:
Leviticus 1:16 And he shall pluck away his crop with his feathers, and cast it beside the altar on the east part, by the place of the ashes:
Leviticus 6:10-11 And the priest shall put on his linen garment, and his linen breeches shall he put upon his flesh, and take up the ashes which the fire hath consumed with the burnt offering on the altar, and he shall put them beside the altar. And he shall put off his garments, and put on other garments, and carry forth the ashes without the camp unto a clean place.
Malachi 4:1-3 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.
Ezekiel 28:18-19 Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee. All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more.
What does this represent? The priests in the earthly sanctuary served, as Hebrews 8:5 describes it, unto the example and shadow of heavenly things. As the fire upon the altar was constantly burning, ashes accumulated. The ashes were removed by the priests and this typified a portion of the final work of Christ. The priest wore pure white linen garments and laid aside his priestly robes. The ashes represent all that will remain of sin, sinners and the devil after the fires of the very last day burn. At the end of the world, Jesus will put off His priestly garments and put on His kingly attire coming as King and Conqueror and will vanquish all evil.
The Laver:
Exodus 30:18-20 Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein. For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat: When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD:
Exodus 38:8 And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the lookingglasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Titus 3:5-6 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
What does this represent? The washing at the laver can represent cleansing from sin. The washing at the laver teaches us the truth, as Jesus taught, that except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God (John 3:5). Those who are not washed from their sins will die in their sins. Cheap grace teaches us that we can live in sin and be saved, but God’s priceless grace teaches us that we should live soberly, righteously and godly now.
THE HOLY PLACE
Table of Shewbread:
Exodus 25:23-30 Thou shalt also make a table of shittim wood: two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof. And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, and make thereto a crown of gold round about. And thou shalt make unto it a border of an hand breadth round about, and thou shalt make a golden crown to the border thereof round about. And thou shalt make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings in the four corners that are on the four feet thereof. Over against the border shall the rings be for places of the staves to bear the table. And thou shalt make the staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table may be borne with them. And thou shalt make the dishes thereof, and spoons thereof, and covers thereof, and bowls thereof, to cover withal: of pure gold shalt thou make them. And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.
To understand more about this table of shewbread, read the following Bible quotations:
1Chronicles 9:32 And other of their brethren, of the sons of the Kohathites, were over the shewbread, to prepare it every sabbath.
Leviticus 24:5-9 And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof: two tenth deals shall be in one cake. And thou shalt set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before the LORD. And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row, that it may be on the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire unto the LORD. Every sabbath he shall set it in order before the LORD continually, being taken from the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant. And it shall be Aaron’s and his sons’; and they shall eat it in the holy place: for it is most holy unto him of the offerings of the LORD made by fire by a perpetual statute.
1Samuel 21:3-6 Now therefore what is under thine hand? give me five loaves of bread in mine hand, or what there is present. And the priest answered David, and said, There is no common bread under mine hand, but there is hallowed bread; if the young men have kept themselves at least from women. And David answered the priest, and said unto him, Of a truth women have been kept from us about these three days, since I came out, and the vessels of the young men are holy, and the bread is in a manner common, yea, though it were sanctified this day in the vessel. So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but the shewbread, that was taken from before the LORD, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away.
Matthew 12:3-4 But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?
1Corinthians 5:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
What does this all represent? On the Sabbath day the Levites made twelve loaves, or cakes, of unleavened bread. These cakes were placed on the table hot each Sabbath day, arranged in two rows, or piles, six in a row, with pure frankincense on each row. During the entire week the bread lay on the table. By some translators it is called “the bread of the presence.” At the end of the week it was removed and eaten by the priests. This explains why Ahimelech the priest had no common bread on the Sabbath to give to David, as the priests were accustomed to eat the “hallowed bread” on that day. It was not lawful to bake common bread upon the Sabbath; the command is very plain that all bread for Sabbath use in the homes should be baked upon the sixth day. “This is that which the Lord hath said, To-morrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord: bake that which ye will bake to-day, and seethe (or boil) that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.” But the Lord directed that the Levites should prepare the showbread every Sabbath. All the service connected with the table of showbread was done upon the Sabbath. The bread was prepared on the Sabbath, and while hot was placed upon the table. The following Sabbath it was removed, and eaten by the priests on that day. The priests served “unto the example and shadow of heavenly things;” therefore there is a heavenly lesson for us in the antitype of the showbread. It was a continual offering, ever before the Lord. It taught that man was wholly dependent upon God for both temporal and spiritual food, and that both alike come to us through the One who “ever liveth to make intercession” for us before the Father.
This, like all other types of the sanctuary service, met its fulfilment in Christ. He is the true bread. He said, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is My flesh.” Then He added, “Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man…ye have no life in you.” Even the disciples could not comprehend Christ’s words, and they murmured. Jesus read their thoughts, and said unto them, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” His word is the true bread, of which we are to eat. As the bread in the presence of God was taken out from them sanctuary and eaten, so Jesus said, “The word which ye hear is not Mine, but the Father’s which sent Me.” The Bible came direct from God. God gave it to Christ, Christ signified it by His angel unto the prophets, and the prophets gave it to the people. We often read the Bible as a mere form of godliness, or to get something to give to others; but if we would receive its life-giving power into our own souls, we must have it “hot,” warm from heaven.
There, is no more appropriate time to let God speak to our own souls through His word than on the Sabbath day, when we lay aside our worldly cares and business, and take time to study the Holy Word and let it come into our inmost heart until we hear God speak to us, not to another.
The priests were not only to set the hot bread upon the table on the Sabbath day, but later that same bread was to be eaten and become a part of their very being. God designed that His people should each Sabbath day gain a fresh experience in divine things, which would make them better fitted to meet the temptations of the week. The soul that never gains a deeper experience on the Sabbath than on any other day, fails to keep the Sabbath as God would have him.
Seven Branch Candlestick:
Exodus 25:31-40 And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same. And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side: Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick. And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers. And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick. Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold. And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it. And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold. Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels. And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.
Zechariah 4:1-6 And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, 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.
Revelation 4:5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
What does this represent? The candlestick sent out light in the sanctuary. We can liken this to Jesus Christ who is the Light of the world (John 9:5). As Christ’s representatives on earth, we are to show forth the light of Christ’s character…that great Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. Jesus said “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.” (Matthew 5:14). According to Leviticus 24:2, the lamps were to burn continually. This means that the Christian is ever to let the Spirit of God rule his life and constantly represent the great Light, his Saviour. Not only are we to show forth His character, but also teach the Bible for the Psalmist wrote “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” (Psalm 119:130). The candlestick had seven branches. The number seven in the Bible denotes completeness (God completed His work of creation in six literal days and rested on the seventh day). In Revelation 1:12-20, we read of the seven candlesticks representing the seven churches. God has a church on this earth that is showing forth His character and teaching the Bible. The church is sending out special light. God’s people have a special message for this time. Hosea 6:5 says Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth. God’s people are sending forth light, warning the world of the judgements of God! They have the first, second and third angels’ messages which warn the world of the hour of judgment, God’s wrath against Babylon and warning about receiving the mark of the beast.
Altar of Incense:
Exodus 30:7-8 And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it. And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations.
Exodus 30:1-2 And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon: of shittim wood shalt thou make it. A cubit shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof; foursquare shall it be: and two cubits shall be the height thereof: the horns thereof shall be of the same.
Leviticus 4:7 And the priest shall put some of the blood upon the horns of the altar of sweet incense before the LORD, which is in the tabernacle of the congregation; and shall pour all the blood of the bullock at the bottom of the altar of the burnt offering, which is at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Habakkuk 3:4 And his brightness was as the light; he had horns coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power.
Psalm 141:2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
Revelation 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
What does this represent? The altar of incense represents the prayers of God’s people. The altar of incense teaches us that when our prayers are mingled together with the righteousness of Christ, there is power in our prayers! Surely then we will rest assured in Jesus words “If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:14).
THE MOST HOLY PLACE
According to Exodus chapter twenty-five, the only piece of furniture was the ark of the covenant. Made out of acacia wood overlaid with gold, the box on top of it two angels made of solid gold. A mercy seat laid between the two angels, and this is where the presence of God dwelt.
Psalm 80:1 To the chief Musician upon Shoshannimeduth, A Psalm of Asaph. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.
What does the ark represent? The ark symbolizes God’s throne in heaven.
According to Deuteronomy 31:25-26, the book of the law was placed beside the ark of the covenant which would guarantee its preservation as a witness against the people.
A PEEK INSIDE THE ARK
Deuteronomy 10:4-5 And he wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which the LORD spake unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly: and the LORD gave them unto me. And I turned myself and came down from the mount, and put the tables in the ark which I had made; and there they be, as the LORD commanded me.
Hebrews 9:4 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;
What does this all represent? The ark of the covenant contained the golden pot of manna, Aaron’s rod that blossomed and brought forth almonds (Numbers 17:8), and the tables of stone which folded together like a book. The mercy seat was found on top of the ark. The ark’s contents would be considered beneath the mercy seat. This indicates that the 10 Commandments are the foundation of God’s government, and the 4th Commandment shines out in a special way because it contains His special seal. The holy law is the standard by which all will be judged. That law will condemn the guilty; for “sin is the transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4). The same law that condemns the sinner will witness to the righteousness of those who, through faith in Christ, have tried to walk in harmony with its holy precepts, humbly seeking forgiveness for every transgression (Romans 3:21). According to Exodus 16:15 and John 6:31, manna was considered the bread from heaven. Jesus said “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4). God’s written word, the Bible, is our only rule of faith. Every true Christian will accept the authority of the Bible. God’s word is authoritative. Aaron’s rod bears special significance. All of the tribes of Israel were given rods, and they inscribed the name of the house of their fathers upon the rods. Aaron’s name was written on the rod of Levi. After one night, this rod brought forth fruit. This miracle was performed in order to teach the Israelites that God recognized the authority of the priesthood. This was a lesson to the Israelites that they should stop murmuring against the priesthood and stop calling into question their authority. Jesus, our God and High Priest, holds the reigns of priestly authority.
IS THE SANCTUARY RELEVANT FOR CHRISTIANS TODAY?
Revelation 12:1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:
Malachi 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
1John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
Hebrews 10:1 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.
Revelation 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Revelation 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Answer: The book of Revelation shares both past, present and future events; therefore, it encompasses events relating to God’s church throughout time. In Revelation 12:1 there is a woman that the dragon hates. The dragon is that old serpent called the devil or Satan. He hates the woman. The woman represents God’s end time church because a woman represents a church. To understand this, compare Jeremiah 6:2, Isaiah 51:16, 2 Corinthians 11:2, and Ephesians 5:23. She is clothed with the Sun of righteousness which represents the righteousness of Christ or His character. The church has the moon under her feet. The moon reflects the light of the sun, just like the Old Testament sanctuary services, with all its animal sacrifices, pointed towards the Lamb of God or the Light of the world named Jesus Christ. The woman stands upon the moon. This indicates that the foundation of God’s church is the sanctuary doctrine. Clearly, the sanctuary is relevant for Christians today, and we would do well to find the church that teaches the sanctuary doctrine. Look for the people who keep the commandments of God, have the Spirit of Prophecy and teach the sanctuary doctrine.
