Chapter Five
Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies)
The Command:
Ex 26:31 Make a curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, with cherubim worked into it by a skilled craftsman.
Ex 26:32 Hang it with gold hooks on four posts of acacia wood overlaid with gold and standing on four silver bases.
Ex 26:33 Hang the curtain from the clasps and place the ark of the Testimony behind the curtain. The curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. NIV (italics mine).
The heavy woven curtain (veil) was the divider between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. The Most Holy Place often called the Holy of Holies was the most sacred place in the Tabernacle. With walls of acacia overlaid with gold on the north, south and west, it had a ceiling of white linen, adorned with cherubim in scarlet, blue and purple. Its east wall was the curtain or veil of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen having cherubim worked into its design. It must have been spectacular.
This room was ten cubits high by ten cubits deep by ten cubits wide. The scriptures below break the west wall into segments of six frames for the wall and two corner frames. The corner frames were double, that is, four frames total, coupling two together into one unit with rings at each corner .
Make six frames for the far end, that is, the west end of the tabernacle, and make two frames for the corners at the far end. At these two corners they must be double from the bottom all the way to the top, and fitted into a single ring; both shall be like that. So there will be eight frames and sixteen silver bases -- two under each frame. Exodus 26:22-25 NIV (italics mine).
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Two = witness/ division
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Four = world
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Six = man
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Eight = new beginning
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Ten = law, order, government/ trial, testing, redemption
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Twelve = divine/apostolic government
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Sixteen = product of two (witness) X eight (new beginning) set in silver bases (symbolic of Jesus sacrifice).
We see that the Lord's instructions break down the west wall into units of six frames and eight frames while it seems to indicate ten frames on the west wall; that is six plus two double corner frame sets (6 + 4=10). Why. then, does the Lord say six frames for the far end then say to make two frames for the corners and that the corners must be doubled from bottom to top So there will be eight frames? He could have simply said make eight frames for the west wall and double the frames at the two corners.
Perhaps the reason for His expressing it this way has to do with the message in the numbers. If we consider that the six frames of the wall symbolize man, and that Jesus constantly referred to Himself as the Son of Man, and that the two double frames (four total) symbolize witness and world, we see this wall symbolically indicating the responsibility of the church to witness Jesus to the world.
The six wall frames plus the two corners, "So there will be eight frames" indicating a new beginning. The double frames bound together with a ring indicated the unity of Jesus and the Father and believers with the Lord.
Eight frames each 1 1/2 cubits wide (8 X 1.5 = 12 cubits outer dimension of west wall) symbolize the new beginning believers have through faith in Christ Jesus. Twelve is symbolic of divine government and each frame was ten cubits tall. The interior dimension of the west wall allowing for the thickness of the north and south walls was ten cubits. Therefore the width, length and height were each ten cubits. Ten is the number symbolic of law and order, trial and testing. This room where God met with the High Priest symbolized the believer's witness to the world through trials and testing leading to a new beginning with law and order under Divine government.
Sixteen, the product of two and eight (2 X 8 = 16) being the number of silver bases symbolizes the unique relationship Christ has with the believers (the church) as it is supported by Him, given new life and beginning through His sacrifice and empowered to be His witnesses.More, than that though, we see the corner frames, each consisting of two frames (fitted into a single ring), at the corners where the north and south walls join the west wall.
I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name — the name you gave me — so that they may be one as we are one John 17:9-11; NIV (bold & italics mine).
22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one John 17:21-22.l NIV (bold & italics mine).
This would seem to indicate the unity of believers in the Lord, the influence of God's witnesses and the importance of that unity between the Lord and His witnesses in supporting the church and keeping it together.
In the photo above the priest is depicted serving at the gold Altar of Incense in the Holy Place in front of the curtain (veil) separating it from the Most Holy Place (indicated by the arrow). Since the veil was discussed in detail in Chapter 3 it will not be necessary to repeat those details here. It is important, however, to note that the curtain at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting hung upon five pillars set in bronze bases while the veil hung upon four pillars set in silver bases visible in the photo above. Since the back wall and side walls of the Tent of Meeting served as three walls of the Most Holy Place, with the veil forming the east wall, all four walls of the Most Holy Place were set in silver bases.
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Silver bases = blood of Christ
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Four pillars = four gospels, universal, worldwide, fourfold personage of Jesus, New Jerusalem
And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. 11 It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. 13 There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. Rev 21:9-14; NIV (italics mine).
The Contents of the Most Holy Place
The Ark of the Covenant
The Command:
Ex 25:10 Have them make a chest of acacia wood -- two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high.
Ex 25:11 Overlay it with pure gold, both inside and out, and make a gold molding around it.
Ex 25:12 Cast four gold rings for it and fasten them to its four feet, with two rings on one side and two rings on the other.
Ex 25:13 Then make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.
Ex 25:14 Insert the poles into the rings on the sides of the chest to carry it.
Ex 25:15 The poles are to remain in the rings of this ark; they are not to be removed.
Ex 25:16 Then put in the ark the Testimony, which I will give you.
Ex 25:17 Make an atonement cover of pure gold-- two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide.
Ex 25:18 And make two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover.
Ex 25:19 Make one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; make the cherubim of one piece with the cover, at the two ends.
Ex 25:20 The cherubim are to have their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the cover.
Ex 25:21 Place the cover on top of the ark and put in the ark the Testimony, which I will give you.
Ex 25:22 There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony, I will meet with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites. NIV (italics mine).
Ex 26:34 Put the atonement cover on the ark of the Testimony in the Most Holy Place. NIV (italics mine).
Size of the Ark of the Covenant
The length was two cubits and a half (45 inches). The width one cubit and a half (27 inches) and it was one and a half cubits (27 inches) high.
And they shall make an ark of shittim wood: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof. Exodus 25:10 KJV (italics mine).
The ark was basically a medium sized acacia wood box or chest, two and one half cubits (18" x 2.5 = 45 inches) long, one and one half cubits (18" x 1.5 = 27 inches) wide and one and one half cubits (18" x 1.5 = 27 inches) high. It was covered with gold, having rings and poles to carry it. It was made with a molding or crown (an ornate raised ledge) around the top edge to hold its cover, the Atonement Cover or Mercy Seat, in place as it was moved from place to place. Aside from the fact that it was overlaid with gold inside and out, it was not physically that unique.
The ark also had a cover referred to as the atonement cover or mercy seat. This cover will be discussed in detail later.
Design and Materials of the Ark of the Covenant
Have them make a chest of acacia wood-- two and one half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high. Overlay it with pure gold, both inside and out, and make a gold molding around it. Cast four gold rings for it and fasten them to its four feet, with two rings on one side and two rings on the other. Then make poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold. Insert the poles into the rings on the sides of the chest to carry it. The poles are to remain in the rings of this ark; they are not to be removed. Then put in the ark the Testimony, which I will give you. Exodus 25:10-16 NIV (italics mine).
We have, of course seen the acacia wood before representing incorruptible humanity, Jesus. The gold overlaying the chest, inside and out, once again symbolizes the glory of God that adorns Him. Some have indicated that the interior of the Ark was covered with red silk. This seems very unlikely. Scripture is very clear that it was to be overlaid with gold "inside and out ".
It does not seem likely that God would instruct them to overlay the inside with gold then cover it with cloth. Moreover, scripture, being very specific on every point of the Tabernacle’s materials and construction, says nothing about silk and nothing is mentioned about any interior covering except for the gold.
Source of the Materials for the Ark
This was to be made from the gifts given by the Hebrews as gifts of love to their God. Our love and the gifts we give to Him, whether directly or by sharing with others in need, glorify the Lord.
The LORD said to Moses, "Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from each man whose heart prompts him to give. These are the offerings you are to receive from them: gold, silver and bronze; blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair; ram skins dyed red and hides of sea cows; acacia wood; --" Exodus 25:1-5 NIV (italics mine).
Ex 16:32 Moses said, "This is what the LORD has commanded: `Take an omer of manna and keep it for the generations to come, so they can see the bread I gave you to eat in the desert when I brought you out of Egypt.'"
Ex 16:33 So Moses said to Aaron, "Take a jar and put an omer of manna in it. Then place it before the LORD to be kept for the generations to come."
Ex 16:34 As the LORD commanded Moses, Aaron put the manna in front of the Testimony, that it might be kept. NIV (italics mine).
Ex 25:16 Then put in the ark the Testimony, which I will give you. NIV (italics mine).
Num. 17:2 Speak to the Israelites and get twelve staffs from them, one from the leader of each of their ancestral tribes. Write the name of each man on his staff.
Num. 17:3 On the staff of Levi write Aaron's name, for there must be one staff for the head of each ancestral tribe.
Num. 17:4 Place them in the Tent of Meeting in front of the Testimony, where I meet with you.
Num. 17:5 The staff belonging to the man I choose will sprout, and I will rid myself of this constant grumbling against you by the Israelites. NIV (italics mine).
Num. 17:8 The next day Moses entered the Tent of the Testimony and saw that Aaron ’s staff which represented the house of Levi, had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds. NIV (italics mine).
Num. 17:10 The LORD said to Moses, "Put back Aaron's staff in front of the Testimony, to be kept as a sign to the rebellious. This will put an end to their grumbling against me, so that they will not die. NIV (italics mine).
Duet 10:1 At that time the LORD said to me, "Chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones and come up to me on the mountain. Also make a wooden chest.
Deut 10:2 I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. Then you are to put them in the chest." NIV (italics mine).
According to God’s instructions a bowl of manna, Aaron’s rod that budded and the stone tablets with the Ten Commandments were placed into the ark. Each of these items bore a testimony of mankind’s rebellious nature and disobedience to God.
The manna spoke of God’s gracious provision and the Israelite’s ungrateful grumbling about how much better they had it as slaves in Egypt.
Moses said, "This is what the LORD has commanded: `Take an omer of manna and keep it for the generations to come, so they can see the bread I gave you to eat in the desert when I brought you out of Egypt.'" Ex.16:32 (bold & italics mine).
The budding rod spoke of God’s provision of a tribe, the Levites, to serve the nation as priests, to guide them and intercede for them. (Exodus 28:1; Numbers 17:8).
The LORD said to Moses, "Put back Aaron's staff in front of the Testimony to be kept as a sign to the rebellious. This will put an end to their grumbling against me, so that they will not die. Numbers 17:10 NIV (bold & italics mine).
The stone tablets spoke of God’s grace and desire to help them understand their shortcomings and provide a way to restore their relationship with Him.
So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come we are no longer under the supervision of the law Galations 3:24-25 NIV (bold & italics mine).
Additionally, these tablets spoke of the Israelite's constant rebellious attitude and failure to obey God’s law.
What then was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. Galations 3:19 NIV (italics mine).
The items were also a reminder of their broken covenant with God. They had sworn that they would obey His commands. Then, before Moses had even returned from receiving the commands of God, they had broken their word by creating a golden calf and worshiping it (Exodus 32:1-19). All of these things declared clearly God’s efforts to redeem mankind and the guilt of man before a holy God.
Contents of the Ark of the Covenant
Ex 16:32 Moses said, "This is what the LORD has commanded: `Take an omer of manna and keep it for the generations to come, so they can see the bread I gave you to eat in the desert when I brought you out of Egypt.'"
Ex 16:33 So Moses said to Aaron, "Take a jar and put an omer of manna in it. Then place it before the LORD to be kept for the generations to come."
Ex 16:34 As the LORD commanded Moses, Aaron put the manna in front of the Testimony, that it might be kept. NIV (italics mine).
Ex 25:16 Then put in the ark the Testimony, which I will give you. NIV (italics mine).
Num. 17:2 Speak to the Israelites and get twelve staffs from them, one from the leader of each of their ancestral tribes. Write the name of each man on his staff.
Num. 17:3 On the staff of Levi write Aaron's name, for there must be one staff for the head of each ancestral tribe.
Num. 17:4 Place them in the Tent of Meeting in front of the Testimony, where I meet with you.
Num. 17:5 The staff belonging to the man I choose will sprout, and I will rid myself of this constant grumbling against you by the Israelites. NIV (italics mine).
Num. 17:8 The next day Moses entered the Tent of the Testimony and saw that Aaron ’s staff which represented the house of Levi, had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds. NIV (italics mine).
Num. 17:10 The LORD said to Moses, "Put back Aaron's staff in front of the Testimony, to be kept as a sign to the rebellious. This will put an end to their grumbling against me, so that they will not die. NIV (italics mine).
Duet 10:1 At that time the LORD said to me, "Chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones and come up to me on the mountain. Also make a wooden chest.
Deut 10:2 I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. Then you are to put them in the chest." NIV (italics mine).
According to God’s instructions a bowl of manna, Aaron’s rod that budded and the stone tablets with the Ten Commandments were placed into the ark. Each of these items bore a testimony of mankind’s rebellious nature and disobedience to God.
The manna spoke of God’s gracious provision and the Israelite’s ungrateful grumbling about how much better they had it as slaves in Egypt. This was the physical bread of life for them in the desert and was symbolic of God's provision of Christ Jesus, the spiritual Bread of Life. It is no wonder that God was upset when they grumbled and rejected it.
Moses said, "This is what the LORD has commanded: `Take an omer of manna and keep it for the generations to come, so they can see the bread I gave you to eat in the desert when I brought you out of Egypt.'" Exodus 16:32 NIV (italics mine) (also see Exodus 16:3).
The budding rod spoke of God’s provision of a tribe, the Levites, to serve the nation as priests, to guide them and intercede for them. (Exodus 28:1; Numbers 17:8).
Then the LORD said to Aaron, You and your sons are not to drink wine or other fermented drink whenever you go into the Tent of Meeting, or you will die. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean, and you must teach the Israelites all the decrees the LORD has given them through Moses." Leviticus 10:8-11 NIV (italics mine).
This budding staff was also a reminder of their arrogance in assuming that, they were equal with Moses (Numbers 12:1-15 NIV).
The LORD said to Moses, "Put back Aaron's staff in front of the Testimony to be kept as a sign to the rebellious. This will put an end to their grumbling against me, so that they will not die.Num 10 NIV (italics mine).
The stone tablets spoke of God’s grace and desire to help them understand their shortcomings and provide a way to restore their relationship with Him.
So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come we are no longer under the supervision of the law Galations 3:24-25 NIV (italics mine).
Additionally, these tablets spoke of the Israelite's constant rebellious attitude and failure to obey God’s law.
What then was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. Galations 3:19 NIV (italics mine).
These items were a reminder of their broken covenant with God. They had sworn that they would obey His commands. Then, before Moses had even returned from receiving the commands of God, they had broken their word by creating a golden calf and worshiping it (Exodus 32:1-19). All of these things declared clearly God’s efforts to redeem mankind and the guilt of man before a holy God.
Then the LORD said to Aaron, You and your sons are not to drink wine or other fermented drink whenever you go into the Tent of Meeting, or you will die. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean, and you must teach the Israelites all the decrees the LORD has given them through Moses." Leviticus 10:8-11 NIV (italics mine).
The Atonement Cover
(The Mercy Seat)
The Command:
Ex 25:17 Make an atonement cover of pure gold-- two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide.
Ex 25:18 And make two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover.
Ex 25:19 Make one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; make the cherubim of one piece with the cover, at the two ends.
Ex 25:20 The cherubim are to have their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the cover.
Ex 25:21 Place the cover on top of the ark and put in the ark the Testimony, which I will give you.
Ex 25:22 There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony, I will meet with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites. NIV.
Ex 25:17 And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof. KJV (italics mine).
The Atonement Cover or Mercy Seat was an essential part of the Ark of the Covenant. As we have seen, nothing in or about the Ark, that we have examined to this point has, in any way, made provision for man to enter through the veil, approach God, and obtain mercy. The Mercy Seat or Atonement Cover, by its very name, tells us that there is something unique about it. Speaking of the Ark, God told Moses.
"And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel " Exodus 25:17-22 KJV (italics mine).
Size and Design of the Atonement Cover (Mercy Seat)
We see that the size of the Atonement Cover (Mercy Seat), two and one half cubits long by one and one half cubits wide, is the same as the Ark, one and one half cubits (45 inches) long and one and one half cubits (27 inches) wide so that it will perfectly cover the chest securing its contents. We are not given its height.
We further note that the Atonement Cover is very ornate having cherubim at each end. They are facing each other and looking down upon the cover as if to peer into the Ark and view its contents.
This cover, unlike the Ark (chest) it covered, was made of entirely of gold. Only this Mercy Seat that covered the Ark, and the Lampstand which furnished light for the ministries in the Holy Place, were made entirely of pure gold. This represented the pure glory of God. This was where the glory of God appeared above the Ark between the cherubim to meet with Moses and the High Priest.
The Purpose and Message of the Ark of the Covenant
The Jews cherished The Ark, a holy vessel, as the instrument of God’s meeting with man. The Ark went before them across the Jordan and into battle victories. It was the place where God’s glory was seen by the High Priest. It was, in fact, God’s earthly physical throne. God spoke to the Israelites from between the cherubim above the mercy seat.
There,above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony, I will meet with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites. Exodus 25:22 NIV.
It is significant that this solid gold cover bearing the cherubim covered the ark made of acacia wood overlaid with gold. The cover, called the Mercy Seat, covered the ark made of acacia wood symbolizing man covered in glory. The arc and the symbols of their sin and rebellion it contained, were covered by this Mercy Seat.
When the Ark was taken from Israel the blessings ceased until it was returned (1 Samuel 4:21-22). These things were the things known and understood about the Ark by the Jews. Although the concept of a Messiah who would serve the people was well documented and well known to them, the concept of a suffering Savior who would die for them was not.
There is, however, much more to be understood by those who will hear what the Spirit has to say. Though Ark was prized by the Jews and feared by their enemies but little was understood about what it really symbolized. (see: Appendix 2 Symbols and Types).
The High Priest was only allowed into the Holy of Holies one time each year after special preparation. This was the Day of Atonement when the priest first atoned for his own sin and then for the sins of the people of Israel. He could not enter without the censer of burning incense and the blood of the sacrifice that he was to sprinkle onto the Atonement Cover between the cherubim, and in front of it, seven times.
The sprinkling of the blood is of special significance. We first saw it in the garden when God made coverings from the skins of animals to cover the nakedness of Adam and Eve. They had been naked before without shame but now their sin of rebellion left them exposed and guilty (Genesis 3:8-10). We then see the cherubim, the guardians of God’s holiness, guarding the entrance to the garden to prevent sinful man from re-entering (Genesis 3:22-24). The man was guilty of sin and the penalty was death. The price of blood had to be paid so God provided a substitute, the animal(s) whose skin provided the coverings. Later we see Abel making animal sacrifice to the Lord (Genesis 4:3-5). Nevertheless, the blood of an animal was not sufficient to permit man to continue to walk in communion with God in the garden as before.
The significance of the blood was apparent again in Egypt, when the Hebrews were told to put blood above the door posts so that death would pass over them. The first born male of every household in Egypt, that did not have the blood applied, died that night. The blood on the door post was a symbolic barrier barring the entry of death into that household.
Here, in the Most Holy Place, the blood was placed upon the Atonement Cover symbolically blocking the view of the cherubim, preventing them from peering into the Ark to see its contents - - the reminders of man’s sinful nature and rebelliousness. Instead, they see the blood of the sacrifice.
This blood was only a covering for sin, temporarily substituting for the ultimate perfect sacrifice, Jesus. Because the evidence of sin was covered, hidden from view, by the blood of the sacrifice, the priest could commune with God and God could bless rather than curse the Israelites.
Even this, however, was not all it represented. We have seen already that the chest of acacia wood overlaid with gold symbolized Jesus. It also represented those who by faith follow Him. These items representing the sinfulness of man were placed into the chest and then the Atonement Cover was placed over it. But notice that the chest was designed with a ledge around it to keep the cover in place:
Overlay it with pure gold, both inside and out, and make a gold molding around it. Exodus 25:11 NIV (italics mine).
Jesus took Our Sin upon Himself
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Romans 5:21 NIV (italics mine).
He was then covered with glory by God and by our love, praise, obedience and worship. His precious blood atonement was applied and the cover secured in its place so that our sin was forever removed from God’s sight.
Jesus is the living Ark of God. Jesus took our sin and guilt upon Himself. He then took our punishment and died upon the cross in our place. Some have noted that the Ark resembles a coffin. However, there was no body in it -- not even something that could be symbolic of a body. Jesus died upon the cross but He is not in a grave. After three days, He, being the giver of life, defeated death and took His life back. After witnessing to His disciples, He ascended to the right hand of the Father. His blood is still on His robes (Rev. 19:13) and when the heavenly host look upon Him our sin is not visible. The only thing buried forever was our sin. It is forever removed from sight.
The poles for carrying the Ark were never to be removed because they were to be ready to move when the symbol of God’s presence, the cloud and pillar of fire, moved. Likewise, we are always to be ready to respond to the leading of the Lord. This requires sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and constant vigilance on our part. It would have been dangerous for the Hebrews to have failed to break camp when the cloud lifted and moved or to have continued when it settled since they would have been out of the will and protection of the Lord. We likewise can find ourselves in jeopardy when we do not take care to follow Him.
The Cross
If viewed from above, the furnishings of the Courtyard, the Holy Place and Most Holy Place formed a cross with the Altar of Burnt Offering as the base, the Ark as the top, the Lampstand and Table of Shewbread forming the line of the cross beam. Using this view, the Altar of Incense would be about where Jesus head would have been as He hung upon the cross praying,
"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23:34 NIV (italics mine).
Let us picture Jesus upon that cross -- lifted up from the ground.
"But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." He said this to show what kind of death he was going to die. John 12:32-33 NIV (italics mine).
The penitent sinner comes into the courtyard, drawn by the beauty of the gate (Jesus) to the base of the cross symbolized by the brazen altar. There he repents and confesses his sin, accepts Jesus sacrifice by faith and acknowledges Jesus as his Savior, this is the cleansing by blood.
As he continues the journey upward toward the throne of God, symbolized by the Ark of the Covenant, he comes to the Laver where the accumulated filth of daily contact with the world can be washed off with the water of the Laver (Word of God). Here we notice two kinds of cleansing, the initial cleansing of atonement by blood and now the cleansing from contact with the world by water.
But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear,bringing forth a sudden flow of blood and water. John 19;34 NIV (italics mine).
The penitent, his sins having been atoned for at the cross and the filth of daily living in the world being cleansed by God's word applied by the Spirit the convert is now separated from the outside world of unbelief. Even so the work is not finished. He now needs to be prepared to enter into ministry, symbolized by the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
Here in the light of God's presence (Lampstand and oil), in the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit, he enters into fellowship, symbolized by the Table of Shewbread. With God's provision he begins to minister by carrying God's light into dark places, feeding the hungry with both real and spiritual food, comforting those in physical and emotional pain, and praying incessantly for fellow Christians and for the lost (Altar of Incense).
Some might tend to view these articles forming a cross as a coincidence. That this is mere coincidence seems very unlikely in view of all the other "coincidental" features of the Tabernacle. Moreover, this writer doesn't subscribe to the idea that anything that God does is in any way coincidental or accidental. God’s work is all by His design and plan. There are no accidents or coincidences. If the sign of the cross is there, and it is, He put it there -- purposely.
Requirements for Access to the Most Holy Place
Only for Priests
The first requirement was that the individual entering the Tent of Meeting had to be a priest (see: comments on requirements for priesthood in Chapter 3 under the heading, "Requirements for Access to the Tent of Meeting"). However, priesthood alone was not sufficient to enter the Most Holy Place. To enter this room was to step into the very presence of God.
"There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony, I will meet with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites." Exodus 25:22 NIV (bold and italics mine)..
Even entering the Tent of Meeting was a matter not to be treated lightly. Anyone, even a priest, who dared to presumptuously enter the presence of God would surely pay a heavy price for doing so.
The LORD replied, "Go down and bring Aaron up with you. But the priests and the people must not force their way through to come up to the LORD, or he will break out against them." Exodus 19:24 NIV. (italics mine).
It is important to notice that they had to be born into the priesthood since they had to be descended from Aaron. They had to be without defect not lame or deformed, etc. (see: Lev. 22:1-2; 21:16-23; Dt. 15:21-23). They had to be anointed, be wearing the appropriate robes, having washed at the laver.
Also important to notice here is the fact that other than the blood brought in by the High Priest to atone for sin, the only things that could be brought into the Tent of Meeting were the fire from the altar for lighting the lampstand, oil, the wine, the incense, and the shewbread.
The fire was symbolic of God's power and the light of His truth. The oil symbolized the Holy Spirit. The wine symbolized the shed blood of Jesus Christ, the incense the prayers of His followers. The shewbread was symbolic of the fellowship of believers with each other and with God. No other offering of any kind was permitted: no animal, bird, fruit or grain, was allowed. And no person other than a priest could enter the Tent of Meeting.
Entrance into the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies) was even more restricted. For a priest to enter the Most Holy Place, he had to be serving as High Priest on the annual Day of Atonement. Even the High Priest could only enter the Most Holy Place on this one day each year.
But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense. Azariah the priest with eighty other courageous priests of the LORD followed him in. They confronted him and said,
"It is not right for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD. That is for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who have been consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful; and you will not be honored by the LORD God. 2 Chronicles 26:16-18 NIV (italics mine).
King Uzziah became furious with the priests but when the Lord struck him with leprosy he was anxious to leave. He had leprosy until the day he died. God does not like pretenders handling His holy things and entering His presence presumptuously.
After Aaron’s two sons died when they approached the Lord inappropriately, the Lord gave instructions to Moses.
The LORD spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron who died when they approached the LORD. The LORD said to Moses: "Tell your brother Aaron not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain in front of the atonement cover on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud over the atonement cover. Leviticus 16:1-2 NIV (italics mine).
Even the High Priest had to Prepare
Even the High Priest could not enter anytime he wished and when he did enter he had to prepare himself. He had to wash himself and change into special clothing.
"He is to put on the sacred linen tunic, with linen undergarments next to his body; he is to tie the linen sash around him and put on the linen turban. These are sacred garments; so he must bathe himself with water before he puts them on." Leviticus 16:4 NIV (italics mine).
Sin Offering for Priest
He had to make the prescribed offering of a bull for his own sin and the sins of his family and a ram as a burnt offering.
"This is how Aaron is to enter the sanctuary area: with a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. " Leviticus 16:3 NIV (italics mine).
"Aaron shall bring the bull for his own sin offering to make atonement for himself and his household, and he is to slaughter the bull for his own sin offering. " Leviticus 16:11 NIV (italics mine).
He was required to enter with burning incense as a protective shield to obscure his view of the Mercy Seat.
"He is to put the incense on the fire before the LORD, and the smoke of the incense will conceal the atonement cover above the Testimony, so that he will not die." Leviticus 16:13 NIV. (italics mine).
It was also necessary to take some of the blood of the offering with him as he passed through the veil and to sprinkle it on, and in front of, the Mercy Seat.
"He is to take some of the bull's blood and with his finger sprinkle it on the front of the atonement cover; then he shall sprinkle some of it with his finger seven times before the atonement cover." Leviticus 16:14 NIV (italics mine).
All of this was required of the priest in preparation to make an acceptable sin offering for the other Israelites.
Service (Ministry) Expected
At this point the High Priest was now ready to offer atonement for the Israelite people. This also involved a very carefully observed procedure.
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First, they had to carefully select two young goats and a ram.
"From the Israelite community he is to take two male goats for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. " Leviticus 16:5 NIV (italics mine).
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Next, the goats were presented before the Lord at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting for the Lord to select one for a sacrifice.
"Then he is to take the two goats and present them before the Lord at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. He is to cast lots for the two goats-- one lot for the LORD and the other for the scapegoat." Leviticus 16:7-8 NIV (italics mine).
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The High priest then would make the sacrifice of the goat selected by lot as the sin offering.
The High Priest was now required to make atonement for the Most Holy Place, the Tent of Meeting and the Altar of Incense. He was to sprinkle the blood of the goat upon the Atonement Cover of the Ark and in front of it. No one else, not even other priests, were allowed to enter the Tent of Meeting while this was going on.
"He shall then slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and take its blood behind the curtain and do with it as he did with the bull’s blood: He shall sprinkle it on the atonement cover and in front of it. In this way he will make atonement for the Most Holy Place because of the uncleanness and rebellion of the Israelites, whatever their sins have been. He is to do the same for the Tent of Meeting, which is among them in the midst of their uncleanness.
No one is to be in the Tent of Meeting from the time Aaron goes in to make atonement in the Most Holy Place until he comes out, having made atonement for himself, his household and the whole community of Israel. Then he shall come out to the altar that is before the Lord and make atonement for it. He shall take some of the bull’s blood and some of the goats blood and put it on all the horns of the altar. He shall sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times to cleanse it and to consecrate it from the uncleanness of the Israelites." Leviticus 16:14-19 NIV (italics mine).
The Scapegoat
Next, the goat that was selected to live (the scapegoat) was brought before the High Priest to have the sins of the people symbolically transferred to it.
"When Aaron has finished making atonement for the Most Holy Place, the Tent of Meeting, and the altar, he shall bring forward the live goat. He is to lay hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites -- all their sins -- and put them on the goat’s head. He shall send the goat away into the desert in the care of a man appointed for the task. The goat will carry on itself all their sins to a solitary place; and the man shall release it in the desert." Leviticus 16:20-22 NIV (italics mine).
Here we have a beautiful illustration of what Jesus Christ does for the believer. He became our scapegoat, taking the penalty for our sins, and carrying our sins into a remote, uninhabited place where they are remembered no more and can never be brought back to be used against us.
Logically we know, and scripture confirms, that the use of animals in these ceremonies did not remove the people's sin. Nevertheless, the faith demonstrated through their acts of obedience was credited to them as righteousness.
Isaiah quoted the Lord, "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remember your sins no more" Isaiah 43:25 NIV (italics mine).
It is no longer necessary or even acceptable to offer a sacrifice for sin. Jesus paid the price, the full price, for all sin. This is why it is futile to give money, time or energy in an attempt to atone for our sins. Any efforts or gifts we may wish to provide are not even acceptable to God until we have accepted His gift of forgiveness through Jesus. Once we have accepted Jesus as our Savior God doesn't just cover or blot out our sin He no longer even remembers them.
As frail humans it is difficult to comprehend this truth. For us, many times, the harder we try to forget an offense the clearer it becomes in our memory. This is a fact that we simply have to take by faith. God doesn't lie so if He says He no longer remembers our sin, it is a fact!
What then shall we say? That the Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith, but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the "stumbling stone". Romans 9:30-32 NIV (italics mine).
From the author of the book of Hebrews we read:
"Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more." And where these have been forgiven there is no longer any sacrifice for sin Hebrews 10:17-18 NIV (bold and italics mine).
"For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more. " Hebrews 8:12 NIV (bold and italics mine).
Another unique part of the instructions from God for the Sin Offering required that; the fat, the kidneys, and the covering of the liver, from the bull offered for the High Priest, were to be burned upon the brazen altar. However, the rest of the bull’s flesh; hide, legs, head, inner parts and offal (waste parts, refuse, garbage), was to be taken outside the camp (later – outside the city walls of Jerusalem) to a ceremonially clean place and burned.
Then take all the fat around the inner parts, the covering of the liver, and both kidneys with the fat on them, and burn them on the altar. But burn the bull's flesh and it's hide and it's offal outside the camp. It is a sin offering. Exodus 29:13-14 NIV (italics mine).
He shall remove all the fat from the bull of the sin offering -- the fat that covers the inner parts or is connected to them, both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the covering of the liver, which he will remove with the kidneys -- just as the fat is removed from the ox sacrificed as a fellowship offering. Then the priest shall burn them on the altar of burnt offering. But the hide of the bull and all its flesh, as well as the head and legs, the inner parts and offal -- that is, all the rest of the bull -- he must take outside the camp to a place ceremonially clean, where the ashes are thrown, and burn it on a wood fire on the ash heap. Leviticus 4:8-12 NIV (italics mine).
Jesus was judged by the High Priest, Caiaphas, and condemned as worthy of death. He shed His blood during the beatings He received. Then He was taken outside the city walls where He was crucified. He was taken outside the city, like the waste and garbage, because He was the sin offering.
He died there upon the cross, not for His own sin - but for your sin and mine. In doing so, Jesus Christ personally prepared the way to God for those who will humble themselves to ask for, and receive, the gifts of forgiveness and life He offers. The guidance of the Holy Spirit will then shed light upon the Word of God, leading the believer into a more abundant life, as he or she grows in sanctification. Jesus prayed,
" Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" John 17:17 NIV (italics mine).
There is more to this mystery of the crucifixion, however, than these simple facts reveal. We see in the scriptures relating the offerings for the priests and the people that the inner fat, kidneys, and covering of the liver were offered as a burnt offering on the brazen altar but the rest of the bull was taken outside the camp to be burned.
This is significant because Jesus, just before His death, said,"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Matthew 27:46 NIV (italics mine).
and in 2 Corinthians we find the following;
"God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Co. 5:21 NIV (italics mine).
Jesus was both our sin offering and our scapegoat.
And if this were not enough, He was even more which we will examine later, in this chapter, under the heading, "Jesus; The Perfect Offering".
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Jesus is Our High Priest
As mentioned previously, Jesus is now our High Priest, after the order of Melchizedek (Heb. 5:6). He thoroughly understands our pain, our sorrows and our weaknesses under stress and in the midst of temptation. He took our humanity upon Himself enduring suffering and temptation just as we do and so He is fully qualified to be our High Priest.
At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, 13 and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. Mark 1:12-13; NIV (italics mine).
Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 5:8-10 NIV (italics mine).
There were many High Priests in the lineage of Aaron. They understood our weaknesses and shortcomings because they also had them. This was the problem; they couldn't atone for our sins. They couldn't even atone for their own sins. Only Jesus was fully qualified to accomplish our redemption. Born of God, through the Holy Spirit, to Mary, a virgin daughter of the House of David, He was both Son of Man and Son of God. It also qualified him to become our kinsman redeemer. He lived a sinless life and thus fulfilled the Law of Moses. His death upon the cross paid the full price of sin and His resurrection gave the promise of eternal life to all who believe.
He is also the perfect sacrifice, foreshadowed by all of the offerings made to the Lord under the Law of Moses. He was not, as some believe, an emergency stop gap measure God had to hurriedly come up with when mankind surprised and disappointed Him. God knew, long before He created Adam and Eve, exactly what each one of us would be like. He also knew precisely what He was going to do about it.
After the sin of Adam and Eve, God told the serpent:
"--. And I will put enmity between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." Genesis 3:15 NIV (italics mine).
Jewish lineage was always traced through the male line, yet here God clearly indicates "he", a person, who is her offspring (lineage). Jesus was the offspring of Mary but not of Joseph. Mary was Jesus mother and God was, and is, His Father.
--"Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:20-21 NIV (italics mine).
Jesus The Perfect (Complete) Offering
Jesus is the Sin Offering:
Jesus is the sin offering bearing of all our sin, so He was crucified outside the city gate.
But burn the bull's flesh and its hide and its offal outside the camp . It is a sin offering. Ex 29:14; NIV (italics mine).
"The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him and said,’ Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’" John 1:29 NIV (italics mine).
There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. Romans 3:22-24 NIV (italics mine).
He is the Offering of First Fruits:
"But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive, but each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him." 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 NIV (italics mine).
He is the Peace Offering:
" Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you." John 14:27 NIV (italics mine).
" For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven." Colossians 1:19 NIV (italics mine).
He is the Fellowship Offering:
"No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6 NIV (italics mine).
"My command is this: love one another as I have love you." John 15:12 NIV (italics mine).
I am the bread that came down from heaven." John 6:41 NIV (italics mine).
He is the Freewill Offering:
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 NIV (italics mine).
"The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life -- only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father." John 10:17-18 NIV (italics mine).
He is a Sweet Savor Offering:
He is a sweet savor offering, because His spirit was pure and acceptable to God.
When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying,"This is My beloved Son , in whom I am well pleased." Matt 3:16-17; NKJV (italics mine).
A careful examination reveals that Jesus, our High Priest, has made the perfect (complete/ totally sufficient and acceptable) offering on our behalf -- Himself! Not one of us can fully understand or appreciate what that cost Him. We can't even imagine the full extent of the physical pain, suffering and humiliation that He went through. What it took for the Creator of heaven and earth to step down from His throne, leaving the constant presence of the Father and the adoration of the holy angels, to take on human flesh, knowing what He would endure, is beyond our understanding.
He has given His own physical human life as payment in full for the sins we committed so that we may have eternal spiritual life. Faith in Jesus is the atonement price, the half shekel of silver, that everyone can afford and that everyone must pay as the ransom for their soul if they are to be counted as part of God's redeemed people.
There is a very good reason that everyone can afford the ransom for their souls. It is illustrated in the symbolism of the Tabernacle and Biblical account of the rescue of the Hebrews from Egypt. When the Hebrews were finally released from bondage and allowed to leave Egypt, God set it up for them to "plunder" the Egyptians. Literally He inclined the hearts of the Egyptians to give the Hebrews whatever they asked for.
Likewise, God has given everything we will ever need, including the price of ransom for our souls. He gave us the Precious Cornerstone Jesus the foundation in which our faith is anchored. In turn, Jesus gave us His precious blood the price of our ransom. He even gives us the faith to appropriate it.
Paul said, in his letter to the Romans:
But now a righteousness from God, apart from the law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. Rom 3:21-22 NIV ( italics mine).
God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished -- he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Rom. 3:23-26 NIV ( italics mine).
And to the Ephesians he wrote:
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast. Eph. 2:8, NIV (italics and bold mine).
Jesus: The Veil
In addition, He is the torn veil opening the way for us to enter into the presence of Almighty God.
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;-- Hebrews 10:19 - 20 KJV (italics mine).
It is obvious then, as mentioned previously, that the veil symbolically represented the flesh or body of Jesus. His standard of sinless perfection presented a barrier of righteous holiness to all who would enter into the Holy of Holies, until He died upon the cross and the veil was torn from top to bottom, opening the way to God once for all.
We saw earlier how the Israelites with Moses were forbidden to approach the presence of God lest they die. Jesus, by His death on the cross changed that for us and gave us the sign of the torn veil as a symbol of that change. We are now invited to enter into the presence of God:
Purpose and Message of the Most Holy Place
To Help Us Understand Our Need:
The Most Holy Place, or Holy of Holies as it is often called, was a physical representation, upon the earth, of the true spiritual dwelling place of God. The Lord was using it as a means of communicating to the Israelites and future generations, including us, His message about God’s character and ours. God realized, though men seldom do, that without a savior we are lost. He was both able and willing to provide the necessary savior, but it does no good unless we want a savior. God has, after all, given us free will and the right to choose.
We really don’t want a savior until we understand our desperate need. A generous man can offer food, clothing and shelter to the homeless but he cannot force anyone to accept his help. He may have made all the necessary arrangements and paid for everything in full, but if those he is attempting to help are too proud or suspicious to accept or if they do not recognize their need, they will not receive any benefit from his efforts. It was for this very reason that God provided the Law of Moses, the Tabernacle, and the Priesthood.
But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper.
The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming-- not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. Hebrews 10:1-2 NIV (italics mine).
Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins Hebrews 10:11 NIV (Emphasis mine).
But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Hebrews 10:3-4 NIV (Emphasis mine).
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it*. James 2:10 NIV (italics mine).
James is not saying that if you break one point of God's law that you have broken every specific point of it. What he is saying is that if you violate any of the statutes you are guilty of breaking the law - as guilty as though you had broken every point of it. God's law is the law and you are not guilty by degree - you have either obeyed it or you are guilty of disobeying it.
When Moses had proclaimed every commandment of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people. He said, "This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep." In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence. Hebrews 9:19-24 NIV (italics mine).
We see from the scripture above that the Tabernacle and its contents were copies of heavenly things. Because they were of this world they had to be redeemed with the blood of sacrifices which only symbolized the sacrifice which was to come -- that is, Jesus blood.
When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance-- now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.Hebrews 9:11-15 NIV (italics mine).
When Jesus ascended back to heaven He entered the heavenly Tabernacle by His own blood as our High Priest and as the mediator (between man and God) of a new covenant. Under this new covenant He gave His life to set us free from the sins for which we owed a penalty of death under the first covenant, the Law.
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
25 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. Rom 3:23-25; NIV (italics mine).
Just as man is destined to die once, and after that the judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him . Hebrews 9:27-28 NIV (italics mine).
But one might ask, "Why was a blood penalty required?" After all, God was the one who imposed the penalty in the first place. "Why did He do it knowing that ultimately Jesus would have to die on the cross?"
The answer is in our nature. Look at the world we live in - really look at it! Lying, cheating, and stealing are minor offenses in our society today - all over the world. Rape, murder, and torture are commonplace. Do you doubt it? Read your local newspaper or turn on CNN. Some wars scarcely make the news these days. High school students murder their teachers and fellow students, snipers kill strangers in highway shootings, fathers rape and torture their own daughters.
We hardly flench when politicians are openly promiscuous or dishonest. Our government illegally breaks contracts and violates its own labor laws. Evil is no longer called evil - instead we call it "expediency", "playing hard ball", "doing business" or being "politically correct" and justify it as "the way things are" or "everybody does it".
We do all of these things even though the truth of the gospel and its influence has helped shape our nation and the world we live in. Imagine what our world would be like if the church had never existed and the power of the Gospel message had never influenced the minds and hearts of men and women around the world!
If mankind, inclined as we are to evil, where not somewhat convinced of the seriousness of sin, the world would not be a livable place. It barely is now in many places. In addition there is the matter of eternal life. If mankind were allowed to enter eternity without conviction and repentance of sin, heaven would not be paradise -- it would be Hell!
The purpose of the law, the tabernacle, the priesthood and the ceremonies with their sacrifices, was not to save men from their sins, but to point men and women to the one who could save them:
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.
20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin .
21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.
22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference,
23 for all have sinned
and fall short of the glory of God
24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Rom 3:19-24; NIV (italics mine).
The problem with sin is that we do not want to acknowledge it or deal with it. In fact, some today deny its existence. We are all guilty but we don't want to face the truth.
Yet because the wicked do not fear God , it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow. Eccl 8:13; NIV (italics mine).
Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth — to every nation, tribe, language and people. 7 He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water." Rev 14:6-7; NIV (italics mine).
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. 1 John 1:8-10 NIV (italics mine).
Birth, even re-birth, is a painful process. It is not pleasant facing and admitting who and what we really are. Nevertheless, the results are well worth it.
To Help Us Understand the Character of God:
For mankind to understand their need of the Savior they must understand the holy character of God and the sinless perfection required to enter His presence. I cannot be reconciled to God until I recognize how pure, holy and great He is and how impure, rebellious, sinful, and helpless I am. Then, and only then, will I turn to God in repentance seeking mercy and the Savior. This was the message the Tabernacle and especially the Most Holy Place presented.
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:19-22 NIV (italics mine).
Jesus by His personal sacrifice and suffering opened the way for us and has issued the invitation to enter. Nevertheless, we need to remember the teachings of the Mosaic Law and the ceremonies of the Aaronic Priesthood, so that we enter with reverence and humility into the Holy of Holies. I am not speaking of the prune faced, sober attitude that people used to think was so pious and holy.
I believe God truly loves us and likes nothing better than to see us revel in the joy of being with Him and each other. I do not believe for a moment that He is offended by our laughter, joking and fun, even in the church sanctuary, provided it is not out of order. If we truly reverence the Lord, it will not be out of order.
Then the LORD said to Aaron, "You and your sons are not to drink wine or other fermented drink whenever you go into the Tent of Meeting, or you will die. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean, and you must teach the Israelites all the decrees the LORD has given them through Moses." Leviticus 10:8-11 NIV (italics mine).
Aaron and his sons are to wash their hands and feet with water from it. Whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting, they shall wash with water so that they will not die. Also, when they approach the altar to minister by presenting an offering made to the LORD by fire, they shall wash their hands and feet so that they will not die. This is to be a lasting ordinance for Aaron and his descendants for the generations to come." Exodus 30:19-21 NIV (italics mine).
What I am advocating is not obedience to the Law of Moses. Jesus satisfied the requirements of the law on our behalf. Rather, I suggest that we have some understanding of the law and the ceremonies that accompanied the law and the Tabernacle, so that we can better understand and appreciate God. Just as God required the respect and reverence of the priests, and the people in and around the Tabernacle -- He expects it now. God has not changed.
It is amazing how many, who would never think of going into their own homes with mud and filth on their hands and feet, will think little of going into God’s presence, to ask His blessings and favor, with the filth of the world clinging to them. I am not speaking here of the sinner coming into the church building and approaching the altar to repent. That was the very purpose of the courtyard gate and the brazen altar. Rather, I am speaking here of the redeemed of God (the priesthood), who should know their responsibility, to:
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first, to confess our own sins and receive forgiveness (symbolized by the priests washing their hands and feet at the Laver).
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then, to fellowship with Him (symbolized by the Table of Shewbread).
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finally, to minister (serve the needs ) of others;
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make them aware of their need for a Savior, and
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point them to the means of their salvation, through faith in God to fulfill His promise, given first through Abraham, to provide the perfect sacrifice (Genesis 22:7-8).
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show reverence for the Lord (symbolized by command not to drink wine or strong drink when entering the Tent of Meeting),
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refrain from the obvious offenses (symbolized by the requirement to obey the ten commandments), and
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be sanctified through the study of God’s Word and examining themselves carefully under the guidance of the Holy Spirit (symbolized by command to wash at the Laver).
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Yet, it is common now, to see people ministering at the alter of God, teaching, and in positions of leadership, who; at best lead questionable lifestyles, and at worst, may not be redeemed themselves. While it is true that God shows great restraint at this time and does not strike us dead when we fail to give Him the reverence to which He is due, we still owe Him love and respect.
It may well be the grace and mercy of God that prevents the anointing of the Spirit that has been observed in the church in the past. If the same anointing were present today that was present in the early church led by the Apostles, there would, perhaps, be many of us in danger of receiving the same fate as Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11).
If the chosen priests of God could not enter the Holy of Holies without preparation,"that they die not", why should we believe that we can? In the eleventh chapter of his letter to the Corinthian church, Paul chastised them for their divisiveness, selfishness, and lack of consideration. He goes on to say that, "whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner -- eats and drinks judgment on himself. that is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep." Corinthians 11:27-30 NIV (italics mine).
We must never forget that we are entering the presence of an awesome and holy God who, although He greatly desires our presence, He expects us to behave respectfully and reverently.
Category: Tabernacle
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