Sanctuary Pt. 3

There is no doubt that understanding the sanctuary and the purpose it served is important.
If Jesus is our High Priest it only stands to reason we should know what a High Priest's functions are.
We've learned that in the sanctuary service instituted by God through Moses back when God called a people to become His own, to dedicate themselves to Him, that sin would separate the people from God.
The separation needed a bridge of sorts and that could only be found in forgiveness. Sin couldn't be changed it couldn't be lessened to make it easier for people, it had to be forgiven.
All sin separates us from God and all sin needs to be covered by the blood of the Lamb to be forgiven.
This sums it up-
'The sin of the sinner was open - he confessed, and was deserving of death, but had presented a substitute. By the means of the blood of the substitute, the priest had in turn "covered" his sin.
In the reality, Jesus became both Substitute, and Priest, one following the other. As the great High Priest over the house of God, He has effected the judicial atonement - whether individual or corporate - covering the sins of all who "come unto God by Him seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them." (Heb. 7:25)'
Let's continue on with the study from William Grotheer and the Thought Paper Watchman What of the Night.
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1981 Jun -- XIV 6(81) -- LET'S TALK ABOUT THE ATONEMENT - II -- As we continue our discussion about the Atonement - and specifically that phase of the atonement which involves man's at-one-ment with God - we shall consider the second step as pre-figured in the earthly type.
In the First Apartment --
In the earthly sanctuary service, all ministry within the first apartment was done by the priests.
It was the priest who placed the incense on the golden altar, which stood before the second veil, both morning and evening; and who "dressed" the lamps simultaneously. (Ex. 30:6-8)
Prepared by the Levites, the cakes of shewbread were placed by the priests on the Table opposite the Golden Candlesticks, and were renewed every Sabbath day. (Lev. 24:5-8).
But while the priests were ministers of the Holy Place, the people were involved in that ministry. They were commanded to provide oil for the lamps (Lev. 24:2) they were assessed an half shekel for the service of the sanctuary.
This assessment was considered as "an offering unto the Lord, to make an atonement for your souls." (Ex. 30:13-16)
Thus the very materials purchased by the half shekel, and used by the priests in the ritual of the Holy Place were considered a part of the ongoing atonement.
Theologically, the services and articles of furniture in the Holy Place have been understood to represent the experience called sanctification.
In the type by the assessment of the half shekel and the purpose for which it was used, and how the Lord regarded it, we can understand that what we call sanctification is a part of the atonement - man becoming at-one with God.
The people of Israel sensed the typical meaning of the first apartment ritual.
The offering of the incense - both morning and evening - was recognized as a time of prayer. (Luke 1:10)
*{1:10} And the whole multitude of the peoplewere praying without at the time of incense.*
Since the lamps were trimmed at the same time, they could perceive a meaning in this act as well - "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Ps. 119:105)
The service connected with the Table of Shewbread reminded them weekly of their responsibilities under the Fourth Commandment.
With the establishment of the New Covenant, the involvement of the ones who had become atone with God through the priestly act of Jesus resulting from the sacrifice of Himself as Substitute was more direct.
They are pictured as participants in the ministry before the Throne in the first apartment of the heavenly sanctuary.
There the four and twenty elders have "everyone of them harps, and golden vials full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints." (Rev. 5:8)
Representing the 24 courses of the Levitical priesthood, these 24 Elders are no longer restricted to the tribe of Levi, but have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb "out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation." (Rev. 5:9)
While redeemed members of the human family serve with their great High Priest in the ministry of the first apartment of the tabernacle "which the Lord pitched and not man" (Heb. 8:2); the earthly believer is also considered a part of this royal priesthood, thus becoming a part of the kingdom of priests to which all Israel were called, but to which Israel never attained. (I Peter 2:9; Ex. 19:5-6)
*{2:9} But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light*
*{19:5} Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all theearth [is] mine: {19:6} And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These [are] the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
The "priesthood of all believers" involves more than mere equality of rank, but involves active participation in the daily "dressing" of the lamps; the offering of the incense morning and evening; and the weekly participation in the renewing of the bread of His presence on the Holy Sabbath.*
In this priestly ministry under the New Covenant, the believer has committed himself to a work of a lifetime - daily, both morning and evening, he holds communion with his God; the light of the Spirit guides in his life's decisions; and each week he partakes with his fellow "priests" of the bread of God's presence as found in the Word, and through this fellowship a renewing of their perceptions and commitment. To perceive the depths of this ongoing atonement provided through Jesus Christ, the great High Priest over the household of God, one can find endless insights as the mind is directed by the Holy Spirit in the study of the symbols devised by God in the lesson plans for the earthly sanctuary.***
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And we're going to stop there for now.
It's amazing isn't it? Active participation. A work of a lifetime. Daily- morning and evening holding communion with God.
We know from previous studies that there is a *walk* with Christ after the initial repentance of sin in our lives and acceptance of Christ as our sacrifice, our redeemer.
If a person believes that their *effort* ends at the acceptance and their lives otherwise are unchanged then is it a true conversion? Are they really walking with Christ, living a life in Christ?
I'm going to stop here to point out that NO, WORKS WILL NOT SAVE YOU! I'm not advocating trying to live a certain way to save yourself, you'll never be able to save yourself, never and we can't make that mistake. Christ alone can save us. Christ alone makes it possible and any actions we make that might seem like *good works* those might result from the life we choose to live in Christ but it's not a life that saves us, it's Jesus.
We do actively promote that life in Christ, and that is typified in the Sanctuary service of old.
Morning and evening prayer- if that's too much for us to engage in are we really seeking to draw closer and closer to our Lord and Savior? Are we really making an opportunity for us to get to know Jesus better and more importantly for Him to know us? Don't think that's foolish. Christ is going to tell people to get away from Him, that He never knew them.
Matthew {7:22} Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? {7:23} And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.'
Many will say they worked for the Lord, they lived their lives for Jesus doing His works in His name and Jesus is going to tell them He never knew them.
We don't want to be deceived that way. We want Jesus to know us and for that to happen we need to put ourselves in a position to speand time with Him through the Holy Spirit.
Morning and evening prayer is a blessing. Morning and evening prayer is something we need to make time for, not to save ourselves, but to enrich the life we are given in Christ. We need to contemplate the Cross, contemplate the atonement, we need to do this not because we *have* to, but because we desire to be closer, ever closer to Jesus.
May God continue to bless us with His Word through this study, opening our eyes with the Spirit of understanding. We need the Lord's love in our lives and we need discernment.
By His grace and mercy, by His love, In the name of Jesus Christ our Savior.
Amen