The Symbolism of the Sanctuary

[RND]

The Symbolism of the Sanctuary

Psalms 77:13 – KJV Thy way, O God, [is] in the sanctuary: who [is so] great a God as [our] God?

2 Cor 3:12 – 16 NIV Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. 14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away

When the veil of the Tabernacle, which is representative of the lies and mischaracterization that Satan has told about God is lifted and taken away we can see just exactly what was being pointed to by the ceremonial sacrifices and by the law. We can plainly see the Ark of the Testimony and have free access to the Throne of God on Earth through His Son, the High Priest. Hebrews 3:1, Hebrews 4:15-16


Passover Lamb = Was not prayed over, no sins confessed over the lamb. This was offered from the owner’s flock symbolizing our part in the death of the innocent lamb which covers our sin. Eaten in the house and ingested and internalized as a sign of acceptance and trust in God’s word and actions. Symbolic of the work the Lamb does to cover our sin and that no work is required of us other than acceptance. Hebrews 9:22

Ezekiel 44:9 - Thus saith the Lord GOD; No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary, of any stranger that [is] among the children of Israel.

Sanctuary Curtain = White, symbol of purity; being cleansed by the blood.

Lamb, High Priest, Moses = All were a type of Christ. John 1:29

Outside of Sanctuary = Represents the on looking world and universe into the mystery of sin and the process of redemption.1 Peter 1:1, 1 Corth. 4:9

Twelve Tribes = Represents all of the people of the earth. Home of the saved, New Jerusalem. Rev. 7:4, Rev. 21:12

Courtyard = World Itself. Where sin, and thus sacrifice, take place.

The Brazen Alter = Farthest from God. Ezekiel 16:23-30. This represents false worship, self exaltation, and turning away from God.

Horns of the Brazen Alter = Represent the selfish, arrogant traits of character of the unconverted heart. Psalms 75:4-5

Blood of the sacrifice = Symbolic of the life of Christ. John 6:53-55

There are three types of “blood = death” used in the various ceremonies.

1. The lamb’s when we become Christians - Justification
2. The goat’s when Christians need forgiveness - Sanctification
3. The bullock’s for transfer into the sanctuary and for corporate sins - Sanctification

When eaten these transfer the character and nature of the sacrifice into the sinner.

Vessels to catch the blood = Represent the believers that have the love and character of Christ poured into them. Acts 9:4, 2 Tim 2:21.

Daily Priests = Represent the priesthood of believers. Exodus 19:6, John 20:21, 1 Peter 2:5

Dressed in white robes = Represents the character of Jesus which we partake in, which is imparted to us. Zec. 3:3-5

Laver = Represents the Holy Spirit that washes and cleanses us in preparation for the ministry. Titus 3:4-7

Fire in the Brazen Alter = Represents the Holy Spirit. Lev 10:1, As the Holy Spirit comes it burns away the things that separate us from knowledge of God’s true nature and character.

The Holy Place

The Holy Place = Represents the church, the congregation of believers. It is centered in the courtyard, representative of being “in” the world not “of” the world. 2 Corth. 6:17, John 1:15-16

Lamp stand = Symbolic of the living and written word. It was made of pure gold. John 1:14, Psalms 119:105 Oil in the lamp bowl = Represents the Holy Spirit in us. Light shines into the courtyard beckoning those in the courtyard to enter in to the sanctuary. Mathew 5:14-16

Shewbread = Word of God. John 6:35. 12 loafs represent the twelve tribes of the world. Jesus Christ’s word is sufficient to save everyone in the world.

Wine of the Table = Blood of Christ. Mathew 26:29

Golden Alter = Where incense was burned. Sweet smoke represents the prayers of the converted mixed with the fragrance of Christ. It represents the mind and heart of the “converted” people. Changed from “brazen” to “golden.” Gold represents the character of God. Incense represents Christ-like character. Psalms 141:2, 2 Corth. 2:14-15 Sweet smell draws all those outside the camp to enter into the sanctuary. Symbolizes our renewed character as Christians to a sinful world.

Horns on the Golden Alter = Represent the remaining sin that is slowly being taken away from the converted.

Curtain separating the Holy Place and Most Holy Place = When the veil of the Tabernacle, which is representative of the lies and mischaracterization that Satan has told about God is lifted and taken away we can see the light of the Shekinah Glory completely which symbolizes the Glory of God and His character. We can plainly see the Ark of the Testimony and have free access to the Throne of God on Earth through His Son, the High Priest. 2 Corth. 4:2-4, Hebrews 3:1, Hebrews 4:15-16

We can’t see God through the veil because of the lies that Satan has told about God’s character; The Light of God in Christ Jesus. Hebrews 2:14 – Satan holds the power of death. John 17:3 – Eternal life is knowing God contrasting Eternal death is “not knowing” God. Satan’s power is his lies that obscure our vision of God.

Most Holy Place

Most Holy Place = Contained the Ark of the Covenant. The Most Holy Place represents heaven and the believer in full unity and “oneness” of God and His creation. The Shekinah presence represents God the Father. Isaiah 9:2. The angels on the lid of the Ark represent the angelic host watching all the things that transpire between God and man.

Elements in the Ark = 1) The Manna represents the word of God, Jesus Christ. John 6:48-51. 2) The Ten Commandments are symbolic of the character and nature of Christ. The law of love. Matthew 22:37-40. Jesus came to “fulfill” or more properly “Fill Full” the law and the prophets. Matthew 5:17. 3) Aaron’s rod that Budded which represented Christ and His character that takes that which is dead (the Rod) and brings new life into it (the budding).

The Ark or Box = Represents the heart and mind of the converted believer. The heart of the regenerated believer that has Christ’s law and character now written in the heart. Hebrews 8:10 – Law in the old system was in the box, law in the new system is in the heart.

First thing the heart receives is the manna, or the word, which dispels the lies of Satan. When trust is restored we can open our hearts to Him writing His law on our hearts. Thus we which were “once dead” in sin and trespasses are changed and converted and made “alive” in Him through His word and His truth. We are now walking in the newness of life. Romans 6:13

The Lid or Mercy Seat = Represents Jesus Christ which connects the heart of the believer (Ark) and the Shekinah Glory of the Father (Between the Cherubim) Ephesians 1:9-10 Brings together the sinner and God – At-one-ment/Atonement
Col 1:16-20

Sin offering (Non-Priest) = 1) High Priest washes in the laver (Symbolic of the Holy Spirit cleansing). 2) Sins confessed over the head of the sacrifice (Represents where sin is born, in the mind – Jeremiah 17:9) 3) As soon as sin is attached to the sacrifice, the throat of the animal is cut which represents the destruction of the circle of life that sin produces. Sin separates us from the source of Life - John 14:6 (The life is in the blood/Circle of life broken/Leviticus 17:11) 4) Blood of the sacrifice is symbolic of the Blood of Christ of caught in the vessels (Represents the life of the sacrifice being poured out in us. The transfer of the nature and character of the sacrifice being poured out in us) 5) The blood is then placed by the High Priest on the four horns of the brazen alter, representing the conversion of character of the sinner and poured out at the foundation of the Brazen alter representing the foundation of our new nature. 6) The meat being eaten by the priests symbolizes the transfer of the sin to the High Priest.