The Sanctuary, Introduction: Part 1

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The entire Bible is about Jesus and the plan of salvation.  We see Him working in the lives of the human race from the beginning:

  • in the Garden with Adam and Eve after their fatal decision – God covered their ‘nakedness’ with His righteousness (Genesis 3),
  • with Cain who was jealous and angry that Abel’s offering was accepted offering and his was not – God provided him council regarding his anger about an insufficient offering (Genesis 4),
  • with an ‘evil’ society in the days of Noah – He provided the human race with sufficient warning (120 years) regarding the impending deluge (judgment) Genesis 6-7,
  • when He led Abraham out of the pagan country of Ur – God led him to the land of promise (Genesis 12),
  • when Abraham took matters in his own hands (i.e., Hagar, deceit regarding Sarah) – God provided the promised son and spared Sarah from being violated Genesis 12, 16, 20;
  • when Jacob exploited Esau’s hunger to gain the birthright,  Genesis 25
  • when Isaac was deceitful to Abimelech about Rebekah – God allowed Abimelech to see Isaac and Rebekah caressing one another (Genesis 26),
  • when Jacob personated Esau before blind Isaac and stole the blessing, instead of waiting on God to fulfill the promise – God allowed Jacob to experience the deceit of Laban as an object lesson in the molding of Jacob’s character (Genesis 27),
  • when Jacob ‘loved Joseph more’ than all his children, this led to animosity in the hearts of the older siblings and they hated Joseph; coupled with Joseph’s dreams the older siblings were incited to violence (with the exception of Reuben) and they sold Joseph to the Midianites, but they all lied to Jacob saying he was dead – God used Joseph to save His people and others from starvation, brought forth the truth, and reunited the family (Genesis 37, 41-46),
  • AND, this is only the Book of Genesis…

Jesus works of justification, sanctification, and glorification (plan of salvation) is the theme of the entire Bible, but it is a special message of the sanctuary doctrine. Jesus invites us to have an personal relationship with him and the sanctuary visually draws a picture of what that looks like.

In Exodus, when we consider the salvation of children of Israel from Egypt, it follows this plan exactly. Egypt corresponded to the courtyard where justification transpired. God sacrificed all the firstborn of Egypt, representing those who will pay for their own sins. But the Israelites were allowed to substitute the blood of the Passover Lamb for their firstborn child, representing those who accept Jesus’ payment. After the sacrifice came the cleansing. All of the children of Israel were “baptized” in the Red Sea (1 Corinthians 10:1, 2) symbolized by the laver.

This daily progress in character building is the process of sanctification. As we are justified, and in a constant state of sanctification; glorification developing. The ultimate goal is to come to the place where we would rather die than dishonor our Savior by sinning. This is loving the LORD with all that we have. That is when the new covenant is fulfilled in us. “But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people” (Jeremiah 31:33). When God’s law is our delight and pleasure and sin has no more power over us, then we are ‘imaging’ God. The finality of it all occurs when judgment is ‘finished’ and Jesus Christ returns – full restoration is complete.  The sanctuary doctrine exemplifies this process and this is the study of this series.

Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God? Psalm 77:13

Let them make me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them. Exodus 25:8

God desires to dwell with his people. God instructed Moses to build a sanctuary and provided him with a blueprint.  The earthly sanctuary was to be a replica of the heavenly sanctuary (Ex. 25:9, 40; Hebrews 4:14-16, 8:1-2).

The entire structure points to Jesus, from the outer courtyard to the inner Most Holy Place.  The sanctuary pointed forward to the coming Messiah, his death, and his work on our behalf (Jn. 1:29; 1 Pe. 1:18-19; Rev. 7:14).

The sanctuary is like the ark in that there were three levels inside the ark, respectively there are three compartments in the sanctuary (courtyard, holy place, most holy place).  The ark, as well as the sanctuary, only had one way in which to enter.  There is only one way to salvation and that is through Jesus, and only one way to the Father and this is through Jesus as well.  Just as the ark pointed only to Jesus as our Savior, the entire sanctuary is the embodiment of Jesus our Redeemer and High Priest. The sanctuary exemplifies the work of Christ past, present and future…what he has done, is doing, and will do.  The sanctuary is the interpretive key of the work of the Messiah, which includes justification, sanctification, and glorification. It is amazing to consider that through the great themes of the sanctuary service, the Lord has revealed His plan of salvation to the human race (Ps. 77:13).

In this series, we are going to break down the sanctuary service which showcases the story of salvation in its greatest detail and how is it relevant today. Obviously, we don’t sacrifice animals, but the symbolism of the sanctuary rings loud of the gospel message.  From a historical view, it flows from the early patriarchal altars through the mosaic tabernacle and the Temple of Jerusalem, reaching its climax at Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and through His priestly ministry in the heavenly sanctuary, which includes justification, sanctification, and glorification.

Purpose of the Sanctuary – Overview

The instructions for the sanctuary can be found in Exodus 24-31.

God gave Moses the pattern for the earthly sanctuary (Ex. 25:40), and we are told that it was patterned after the heavenly (Heb. 9:23-24).

The sanctuary is:

The Abiding Place of God

The sanctuary is the manner in which God chose to dwell with his people (Ex. 25:8, Ps. 77:13).

Read the article written by E. J. Waggoner titled: “The Sanctuary of God”. Click here.

The Depository of His Law

God engraved, with his finger, his commandments on two tablets of stone which he gave to Moses (bible verses). God’s eternal law existed from the beginning and was violated in the Garden and transgression has been our plot ever since.  The law was to be placed inside the ark which rests in the Most Holy Place of the Sanctuary. The plan of salvation was set in motion because His holy law was breached. See the Appendix at the end of the post for more information.

Sanctuary Used as a Teaching Tool for Important Truths

The result of sin is death (Romans 6:23), but God intended to teach that the sinner’s death sentence could be pardoned through Jesus who paid the wages for our sin, and the death penalty could revert back upon the instigator of sin.

The sanctuary displayed important truths about:

  • Jesus as our Sacrifice,
  • how the plan of salvation was achieved,
  • the character of God,
  • the final disposition of sin.
  • Jesus as our High Priest,
  • how the requirements of justice were met at the cross, and
  • highlights the Christian journey (justification, sanctification, and glorification).

The Place Where Salvation is Available

The sanctuary lessons taught God’s perfect and complete plan for man’s salvation. It demonstrates that salvation centers in Christ’s sacrifice, as well as, by His ministration in the heavenly sanctuary. It is in the sanctuary we come to understand the significance of justification, sanctification, and glorification; all which Jesus does for us and in us. On the sinners part, confession and faith are required in this sole provision by God.

This series will focus on each section (courtyard, holy place, most holy place) and the articles of furniture contained in each location; as well as other important items such as the fence, gate, veils, etc. – and how they relate to Jesus, his work, and the plan of salvation.

Purpose of the Sacrifice

A Bit of History

Shortly after the fall of man, God sought to illustrate the way back to Him by providing object lessons involving altars, fire, and the blood of animals.  By this system the Lord taught salvation through faith in the promised Redeemer.

Clear Back in Eden 

The very first insight given to this concept was immediately after the fall in the Garden of Eden.  Adam and Eve attempted to cover their own “nakedness” (sin) by making for themselves fig leaf coverings.  God taught them that their attempt (works) to cover their shame (sin) would not suffice. 

Adam and Eve slay an animal, the first animal sacrifice, and what a lesson for them to learn the great cost of their sin. This pointed them, in a visual way, to the only One that would be able to provide reconciliation; and that is Jesus Christ the Messiah. God in his mercy and with his own hands made them a covering from the skins symbolizing that Jesus would cloth them in his righteousness. Jesus would take upon himself our sin though he knew no sin (2 Cor. 5:21), and pay our debt (wages) of sin (Romans 6:23).  Additional scripture: Ps. 32:5, NASB; also see these verses.

When the perfect Jesus (sinless, guiltless) stepped in and paid our wages of death speaking of the second death, he basically said, ‘I will die the death you deserve, in order to give you life which I deserve.’  It is imperative that we understand that Christ PAID OUR WAGES; however, Satan will be held responsible for the guilt of sin and that guilt will be placed upon him when he is thrown into the ‘lake of fire’.  More about this when we get to the services performed, specifically the yearly service called ‘The Day of Atonement’ and the scapegoat.

Two Brothers – Cain and Able

The next time that scripture records a sacrifice is in the story of Cain and Able.  We see a repeat of merit or works, when Cain attempts to provide his own sacrifice which was not acceptable to God.  In contrast, God accepted Abel’s offering because it fulfilled the requirements to shed blood which represented the eternal sacrifice which would be made for all the world.  God said that ‘without shedding of blood is no remission” of sin (Hebrews 9:22).

Adam, Eve, and their children understood that the Lamb was a type of symbol of the promised Savior.  Christ Himself was to be ‘as a sanctuary’ for the repentant sinner.  This plan of redemption has been formulated ‘from the foundation of the world’” Revelation 13:8.

Abraham and His Son, Isaac

As we move through biblical history, we come to the story of Abraham and his great trial of faith and the offering of his son Isaac (Gen. 22).  This story is a microcosm of the plan of salvation and what God the Father did in so loving the world that he sent his son. Isaac was a miracle boy and God instructed Abraham to take him to Mt. Moriah and offer him as a burnt offering.  Abraham did not hesitate; he obeyed the voice of the Lord. Abraham remained faithful and as we know, God stayed his hand and provided a sacrifice.  This story is told beautifully by Pastor Doug Batchelor, click on the link provided to watch the presentation.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIaDsJcY7DM

The sacrifice was to point to the ultimate sacrifice which God himself would provide. This scripture is profitable in our study: click here.

A More Elaborate System of Sacrifice Established

Leaving Bondage in Egypt

As we progress to the Exodus, we see that at Mt. Sinai God established a dynamic visual aid that, without question, made very clear the plan of salvation to his people who for generations (400+ years) were held as captives in Egypt. As the generations passed away and the task master required more of them, they lost sight of God’s message of a promised Redeemer and his commandments.

Chosen to Evangelize the World

God showed his people he was not a regional god, like the idols worshiped by the Egyptians or the false gods of the other tribes in Canaan.  He was the true Living God of Heaven and Earth. He was to dwell with his people and they were to be his evangelists to the world (Exodus 25:8, Ps. 77:13). 

This nation that God brought out of Egypt was called “the church [or “congregation,” RSV, NIV] in the wilderness” (Acts 7:38, KJV), its members were considered “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Ex. 19:5), and God’s “holy people” (Deut. 28:9; cf, Lev. 26:12).

God placed the Israelites in Palestine, the center of the major civilizations of the world. Three great continents—Europe, Asia, and Africa—met in Palestine. It is here they were to be “servants” to other nations, and to extend the invitation to others to join them as God’s people. In short, God called them out in order to call the nations in (Isa. 56:7). He desired, through Israel, to create the largest church on earth—a church where representatives of all nations of the world would come to worship, learn of the true God, and then return to their own people with the message of salvation.

The Bible reveals that they failed miserably and spiraled down so far that the many did not recognize Jesus when he came. In fact, they were blinded by their own righteousness that they schemed his murder.  This caused their ‘house to be left desolate’, and God chose his new founded church (body of believers) to be the torch bearers of the gospel message…that includes you and me today.

More Elaborate System

Wilderness Sanctuary (Mobile)

At this time Moses was given the more elaborate system of sacrifices and service of the ‘wilderness sanctuary’.  This system illustrated the purpose of Christ’s complete sacrifice as well as His future ministration that would take place in the heavenly sanctuary following His resurrection (Hebrews 8:1, 2; 9:24).

Solomon’s Temple (Fixed)

As history unfolded, king David desired to build a permanent structure for God’s tabernacle, but due to His hands having shed much blood, this task was passed on to his son.  The sanctuary was firmly established in the building of Solomon’s temple. 1 Chron. 22:8.

*Note: The terms: tabernacle, sanctuary, tent or tent of meeting refer to the structure that Moses built according to God’s blueprint.  The terms can be used interchangeably so context is important to garner whether it is the entire structure or a portion such as the first and second compartments. The word ‘sanctuary’ itself can reference the earthly as well as the heavenly. Context is critical for understanding.

A Brief Description of the Physical Sanctuary

God had commanded Moses, “let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them” Exodus 25:8.  The sanctuary was built according to the pattern given by God to Moses (Exodus 25:40).

The earthly sanctuary was a pattern identical to “the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man” (Hebrews 8:2). The earthly sanctuary was patterned after the heavenly sanctuary according to scripture (Hebrews 8:5).

Here is a simple depiction of the sanctuary and its furniture. The entire structure will be studied in detail during this series.

Type (Earthly) Meets Antitype (Heavenly)

The symbolism of the sacrifice was fulfilled when Jesus lived the perfect life of sacrifice and service, and then was slain as the unblemished “lamb of God.” The importance of these lessons was reenacted daily in the earthly sanctuary. The services became a reality when these ‘types’ met ‘antitype’ upon Jesus’ ascension into heaven after his resurrection. He entered the heavenly sanctuary as our High Priest to mediate on our behalf (Hebrews chapters 8 and 9).

The shadow of earthly sacrifices ended for Christ fulfilled the requirement; thus the veil was rent in two from top to the bottom (Matt. 27:51). This visual was for us to see that through Jesus we have access to the Father AND that he entered His priestly ministry in heaven on our behalf.

Satan’s Attack

Satan, since his fall in heaven, has sought to destroy. In heaven he caused one-third of the heavenly host to rebel against God. Satan’s ambitions weren’t satisfied with just the angels that chose to follow him, for we know that he sat eyes upon the inhabitants of Earth. He succeeded in usurping dominion from Adam and Eve (Gen. 3), and continues to seek those who he can devour (1 Pe. 5:8).

Satan relishes in keep the human race from coming to an understanding the sanctuary message of love. He is at war, think upon what he did in heaven, so we can understand that he hates the beautiful plan of salvation for mankind (Isa. 14:12-15; Eze. 28:7; Rev. 12:7-9; 2 Cor. 4:4, 11:14; Eph. 6:11-13; Jn. 8:44, Rev. 13). Moreover, it is only through the sanctuary doctrine that people will come to understand the present ministration of Christ in heaven – a concept which actually encourages the sons and daughters of God to set their affections on things above (Colossians 3:1-2), as they look forward to the soon return of their Savior in the clouds of heaven (Rev. 1:7).

Despite Satan’s fierce attack on the sanctuary doctrine, God in His mercy provides enormous opportunities for those seeking eternal truths to obtain the needed light on the topic. In this series, we are going to complete a detailed study of the sanctuary and its services.

APPENDIX

It seems outrageous that God would condemn Adam and the entire human race for simply eating a piece of fruit! Unfortunately, Adam did something else that warranted such a response from God.

The fall of Adam isn’t merely about the definite sin of eating a piece of forbidden fruit. It concerns the mind and heart of man acting in rebellion against God himself.

What happened in the Fall is told to us in Genesis 2:16-17; 3:1-7, but basically Adam was instructed not to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, and when he and Eve were later tempted to do this by the serpent in the Garden of Eden, they did so anyway.

What commandments did Adam break in the Garden? He violated all of them (Jas. 2:10).  In essence, a violation of one part of the law is a violation of the whole law. Think of it as the law being a chain, and to break one link is to break the entire chain.  So, eating a piece of forbidden fruit is far more complex than one may first recognize.

Did Adam and Eve specifically break any of the Ten Commandments? Yes, they did, even though the law had not yet been written on a tablet (Ex. 20:1-18; Deut. 5:1-22). Note: Deuteronomy 5:3, uses language that draws contrasts, not only with our fathers (who actually heart it), but with us also.  See Ellicott, Benson, Jamieson-Fausset-Brown, and Gill’s commentaries.

Scripture tells us the eternal nature of God’s law for it refers to the devil as a liar and a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44).  The devil (in heaven he was called Lucifer) could only be charged with these transgressions if there was a law. Then we come to Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve had another god in place of the true God, they obeyed Satan (Romans 6:16, Luke 4:8) and desired to be as ‘gods’ thus violating the first commandment, there was coveting of wisdom (10th), disobeying or not honoring their Creator (5th), stole that which was not theirs by taking of the tree that did not belong to them (8th), and brought death upon all humanity (6th). Sin is referenced many times after Adam and Eve and before Mt. Sinai here are a few: Genesis 4:6-10, Genesis 6:5, Genesis 13:13, Genesis 26:5, Genesis 30:33, Genesis 31:32, Genesis 35:2-4, Genesis 39:7-9, Genesis 44:8-9; Exodus 1:15-17, Exodus 3:6, Exodus 16:23,28,30, Exodus 18:21.