1989 Special 1 -- Light From the Throne -- Part 1 -- EDITORIAL (WWN - William Grotheer)
A Comparison and a Contrast --
The wilderness tent was 30x10x10 cubits. See Exodus 26, and the explanation in the SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 1, p. 640.
The Temple built by Solomon was 60x20x30 cubits. (II Chron. 3:3; 1 Kings 6:2).
The extra 10 cubits in height can be explained by the size of the cherubim for the most holy place which "stood on their feet" rather than made a part of the mercy seat. (II Chron. 3:10-13)
Besides this enlargement, a molten sea was made - ten cubits across - in which the priests washed.
Then ten lavers were formed for the washing of the sacrificial offerings.
Instead of one candlestick and one table of shewbread in the holy place, there were ten of each in the Temple of Solomon. (II Chron 4:1-8)
The text states that "Solomon was instructed for the building of the house of God." (II Chron 3:3)
This instruction came from David of "the pattern ... that he had by the Spirit." (I Chron. 28:12)
Thus in each instance, the two sanctuaries were built from divinely revealed patterns, and each structure when completed was filled with the visible glory of God. (Ex. 40:33-35; 11 Chron. 7:1-3)
Why the difference, and each constructed from a divine blueprint?
Each was adapted to the time then present.
In the wilderness a structure that would be mobile was required; but made permanent in the established kingdom.
By contrast, the Heavenly Sanctuary in size, even in the Most Holy Place, accommodates an angelic host numbering "ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands." (Rev. 5:11; Dan. 7:9-10)
Even in the articles of furniture, there is a contrast between the "shadow" and the reality.
The golden candlestick of the Mosaic structure was a single column with six branches topped by bowls to hold oil for light. (Ex. 25:31-32)
The representation of the heavenly as seen by John is declared to be "seven torches of fire burning before the throne." (Rev. 4:5 Greek)
What is all of this saying?
The earthly models were "not the exact image"; but the services performed in each were a "delineation" (hupodeigma) of the reality.
The emphasis is on the priests "who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things." (Heb. 8:5)
Even in their service, there were the "shadowy" sacrifices which could not "make the comers thereunto perfect." (Heb. 10:1)
What is it not saying?
1) It does not deny the reality of "a Heavenly Temple." (Rev. 11:19)
Heaven is not the sanctuary, no more than the earth was when so taught by William Miller. There is in the Heaven of Heavens a sanctuary.
2) Neither is it denying a movement of God's throne from one apartment to the other as the ministry of Jesus, the High Priest, changes.
At the time of judgment, thrones were placed, "and the Ancient of days did sit." (Dan 7:9)
The place where God is pictured enthroned in Revelation 4, is not the place described when "the temple of God was opened in heaven." (Compare Rev. 4:5 with 11:19)
Rev 4:5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
Rev 11:19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
The "movement" of God and Christ in the heavenly ministration is from the "throne of grace" on which Christ sat at the Father's right hand upon entering His high priestly ministry to "the throne of judgment" before which He appears to receive His kingdom. (Heb. 4:14-16; Dan. 7:13-14)
Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Dan 7:13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
Dan 7:14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Then following the judgment, "shall He sit upon the throne of HIs glory." (Matt. 25.31), and "He shall reign forever and ever" (Revelation 11.15).
Mat 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
Rev 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
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There was a difference as stated above, in the first tabernacle created after the example given to them. The tabernacle that was portable, meant to be carried as the children of Israel wandered through the wilderness. Easily set up, and easily taken down, this tabernacle moved with the chosen people of God. This went on until finally Solomon built the temple that his father, David wanted to build for God. And as mentioned recently, the prayer Solomon prayed when dedicating the temple even spoke of the fact God cannot be contained … well...here, let's read it…
1Ki 8:27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?
However having said that, Solomon continued to pray...
1Ki 8:28 Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day:
1Ki 8:29 That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place.
1Ki 8:30 And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place: and when thou hearest, forgive.
1Ki 9:1 And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished the building of the house of the LORD, and the king's house, and all Solomon's desire which he was pleased to do,
1Ki 9:2 That the LORD appeared to Solomon the second time, as he had appeared unto him at Gibeon.
1Ki 9:3 And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.
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God's name was in the temple, the temple was holy, God's eyes and heart were in the temple and would remain there as long as God's people remained with Him.
This temple that Solomon built as we learned above, was DIFFERENT from the portable temple, yet GOD blessed it and knew it would be used according to all the establish laws of sacrifices.
The temples built according to God's plans, for God's purposes.
The Heavenly Temple is the same, established for God's plans and God's purposes.
And while the Temple DID change, the SERVICES never did. We have to study this! May God bless us as we continue to do so. Please, Lord, bless us, keep us, love us, forgive us!
All in YOUR love!
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