The Sanctuary Pt. 5

We're continuing our Sanctuary study learning about the various aspects of the Sanctuary, it's services, it's meanings.
Typifying the ulimate sacrifice for our sins, Jesus Christ, the daily morning and evening animal sacrifices were made as well as the yearly Day of Atonement sacrfices. There is a lot to study here and so lets get on with it.
We're using studies from William Grotheer's Thought Paper to help us along, but most of all we're searching the Bible for the answers we need, praying to the Holy Spirit for understanding by the Grace of Jesus.
1981 Jun -- XIV 6(81)
THE GOSPEL IN THE LIGHT OF THE ATONEMENT -- Now having talked about the Atonement - God's atonement with man, and man's atonement with God - what is the Gospel, the good news about our redemption?
In the KJV of the New Testament, the word, atonement, is used only once.
In Romans 5:11, it reads - "And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement."
The word translated - "atonement" - is the Greek word katallage (katallagh), which means reconciliation. This word is used only by Paul in the New Testament; and by Paul only in Romans, and his letters to the Corinthians.
In II Cor. 5:18-20, Paul sets forth this reconciliation - this atonement, and indicates that God has committed to us "the ministry of reconciliation."
The message to be given is - "Be ye reconciled to God."
God by the Cross has been reconciled to man, but now man must be reconciled to God.
The good news is that God can still be just; and yet the justifier of those who believe on Jesus.
The story of that reconciliation and how it is to be attained on the part of man, and how it will be achieved is to be found in the message of the Sanctuary for the way of God is in the sanctuary. (Ps. 77:13) This, too, is good news - the Gospel. To mitigate it, to deny it, is to preach an incomplete and partial gospel - another gospel.
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1989 Special 1 -- Light From the Throne -- Part 1
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Since the way of God, the way of holiness, is in the sanctuary, and we are admonished to follow "holiness, without which no man shall see God," it is mandatory that we know and understand the light which came from the Throne of God. (Ps. 77:13; Heb. 12:14)
((((Ps. 77:13 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a Godas our God?
Heb. 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without whichno man shall see the Lord)))
"If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." (I John 1:7)
Is not this cleansing the promised result of Christ's final atonement? Would not the "fellowship" fulfill the High Priestly prayer which Christ prayed just before entering the Garden of Gethsemane? (John 17:21-23; 18:1) Then let us walk progressively and understandingly in the light from the Throne, and soon we may walk in that light at the Throne.
(((({17:21} That they allmay be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, thatthey also may be one in us: that the world may believe thatthou hast sent me. {17:22} And the glory which thou gavestme I have given them; that they may be one, even as we areone: {17:23} I in them, and thou in me, that they may bemade perfect in one; and that the world may know that thouhast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
{18:1} When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forthwith his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was agarden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.)))
We would suggest that this Commentary, and the one to follow, be read only with the use of the Bible, and that every text cited be carefully checked and studied. It would be well not to read these issues unless one has time to think about what he is reading. In other words, do not read it hurriedly, but meditatively, comparing Scripture with Scripture and conclusion with conclusion. All human work is fallible, and only truth with asolid basis in the revealed Word of God gives a firm foundation. All else is sand. "But the path of the just is as a shining light which shineth more and more unto the perfect day." (Prov. 4:18) As we approach that perfect day, we can expect the brilliancy of that light to increase. To ignore or to discard past light - the sanctuary truth - is to take us from the pathway to the Throne, and leave us stumbling on in darkness. God forbid!
Light From the Throne -- Part 1 -- At the John W. 0sborn Lectureship Series held in Riverside, California, October 23-25, 1988, commemorating the historic message given at the 1888 General Conference session, William G. Johnsson, Editor of the Adventist Review, presented a paper on "The Biblical Message of Righteousness by Faith." In this presentation, he said:
We gain insight into the biblical message of righteousness by faith as we look at the language of salvation the biblical models of salvation.
The Bible sets forth a series of models to describe the message of righteousness by faith.
What God has done and, is doing for us in Jesus Christ is too rich to be encompassed by any one term.
Among the many expressions the principal ones are justification, reconciliation, forgiveness, adoption, and sanctification.
While the New Testament does use these illustrations - illustrations drawn from a court of law, financial transactions, human relations, and family ties - the editor omits -other major illustrations, except by allusion - warfare, and the model revealed in the Scriptures for man's redemption, the sanctuary.
The book of Hebrews clearly declares that the saving work of Christ can be understood by the model which the Hebrew sanctuary services revealed. In that book, Jesus Christ is presented as the great High Priest, who at the Throne of Grace ministers, to those who come boldly, the mercy of God. (Heb. 4:14-16)
{4:14} Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that ispassed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us holdfast our profession. {4:15} For we have not an high priestwhich cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities;but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet withoutsin. {4:16} Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne ofgrace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help intime of need.
The sum of the whole matter is declared to be that we have an High Priest who is able to save to the uttermost, seated at the right hand of that Throne, "a minister of the sanctuary," even'"the true tabernacle." (Heb. 7: 25; 8:1-2)
{7:25} Wherefore he is able also to save them to theuttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever livethto make intercession for them.
{8:1} Now of the things which we have spoken this isthe sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on theright hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; {8:2}A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle,which the Lord pitched, and not man.
Paul further testifies that the Aaronic priesthood served "unto the example and shadow of heavenly things." (8:5)
{8:5} Who serve unto the example and shadow ofheavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when hewas about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, thatthou make all things according to the pattern shewed to theein the mount.
He further writes that when the wilderness tent had been erected, "the priests went daily into the first" apartment "accomplishing the service; but into the second, the high priest alone once every year." (See 9:6-7)
{9:6} Now when these things were thusordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle,accomplishing the service of God. {9:7} But into thesecond went the high priest alone once every year, notwithout blood, which he offered for himself, and for theerrors of the people:
It should be thoughtfully noted that it was the Holy Spirit who signified that this dual service was "cast down beside" the heavenly reality that we might understand its ministry (Heb. 9:8-9; see below on parabole).
{9:8} The Holy Ghost this signifying,that the way into the holiest of all was not yet mademanifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:{9:9} Which was a figure for the time then present, inwhich were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could notmake him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to theconscience;
The Holy Spirit sent to guide into all truth unequivocally set forth the duality of the Hebrew sanctuary service as the model.
This sanctuary model dominated the Old Testament revelation and became the foundation of Adventist theology. This is not saying that the New Testament illustrations are not found in the Old Testament, nor is it saying that Adventist theology rejects these New Testament illustrations. It is saying that true Adventist theology accepts the dictum of Jesus that "salvation is of the Jews." (John 4:22)
{4:22}Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship:for salvation is of the Jews.
This dictum must be understood in context. Jesus was conversing with a woman of Samaria. The different places held sacred by the Jews and the Samaritans had been interjected into the conversation. Jesus declared plainly - "Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews." Basically, the two religions did not differ much at the time of Christ, but Jesus declared the model associated with the temple revealed the way of salvation.
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The relationship of the earthly sanctuary model to the Heavenly reality is expressed by different words:1) Hupodeigma. In Hebrews 8:5, it is translated, "example" and in Hebrews 9:23, the word, "patterns," is used. It means: figure, copy, representation, or a delineation of a thing.2) Skia. In both Hebrews 8:5 and 10:1,
{8:5} Who serve unto the example and shadow ofheavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when hewas about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, thatthou make all things according to the pattern shewed to theein the mount.
{10:1} For the law having a shadow of good things tocome, and not the very image of the things, can never withthose sacrifices which they offered year by year continuallymake the comers thereunto perfect.
It is accurately translated, "shadow." The language of Hebrews 10:1 is emphatic that skia is the exact opposite of "the very image (eikon). Now eikon transliterated into English is "icon" or an idol. How often we have been guilty of making the "shadow" the very image, and have theologically worshipped the idols thus created by going into great detail, giving significance to every article and symbol of the sanctuary structure beyond the meaning and purpose revealed in Scripture. Whole series of studies have been built around the furniture, curtains, walls, and vestments of the ancient sanctuary layout, neglecting the objective indicated by the Holy Spirit the significance and lessons of the service performed.
3) Tupos. Transliterated this word is "type," but translated "pattern" in Hebrews 8:5.
{8:5} Who serve unto the example and shadow ofheavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when hewas about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, thatthou make all things according to the pattern shewed to theein the mount.
It means "the pattern in conformity to which a thing is made."
4) Parabole. This word is translated "figure" in Hebrews 9:9.
{9:9} Which was a figure for the time then present, inwhich were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could notmake him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to theconscience;
Transliterated it is our word, "parable," and means literally - "to cast down beside." It is a comparison of one thing with another.
This last concept, that the earthly sanctuary is a figure, a comparison - "symbolic" (NKJV) - needs to be rigidly adhered to; and that in comparing the two, we dare not project onto the reality, the limitations of the "shadow." The prayer of Solomon at the dedication of the Temple needs ever to be kept in mind.
He asked - "But will God in very deed dwell with men on earth?" Then in answering declared - "Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee; how much less this house which I have built!" (II Chron. 6:18)
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Pausing here for today.
Seriously studying this we find this-
Ps. 77:13 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?
Heb. 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.
I John 1:7 If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.
We need to understand the symbolic aspects of the sanctuary. We can't however bring God down to our level. We have to look up to His level, not that we'll understand fully, but we are in danger when we try to bring God down to us. God will forever be our Creator, Christ our Redeemer, the Holy Spirit our guide, anything that can help us to learn the ways of the the Lord, ways that can guide us and enlighten us are worth studying.
May God continue to bless us as we delve into things even further.
{4:14} Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that ispassed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us holdfast our profession. {4:15} For we have not an high priestwhich cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities;but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet withoutsin. {4:16} Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne ofgrace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help intime of need.
By His Grace.
Amen.

The Sanctuary Pt. 4

Our sanctuary study continues and picks up with us learning more and more about the symbolic meanings of the rituals performed in the sanctuary service.
We learned about the daily offering of incense morning and evening which is a call to morning and evening prayers.
Luke 1:10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.
We all know how important prayer is. Prayer is something we're encouraged to do by Jesus himself. Jesus prayed. So being called to pray morning and evening is something that can only enhance a spiritual life.
Communicating with the Lord through prayer by the Holy Spirit. Communication with someone only brings you closer to them, only gives you more knowledge of them. Communication fosters a relationship. While some believe prayer to be one-sided talking, in truth God hears every word we speak in prayer and we are given His word, His guidance through the Holy Spirit. We acknowledge in prayer that God is the one and only true God, worthy of our worship and praise. We acknowledge the Creator as creatures of His. We acknowledge our Savior, our Redeemer, that we are in need of being saved from our sins.
Prayer is an amazing thing it really is.
More about the symbolic elements of the Sanctuary as we pick up the study--
1981 Jun -- XIV 6(81) -- LET'S TALK ABOUT THE ATONEMENT - II William Grotheer--
The Bible pictures not only Christ as the minister of the true tabernacle where in its first apartment He ministers as "a Lamb as it had been slain;" but also as the One who has obtained from the Father, the light of the seven golden candlesticks which is "sent forth into all the earth." (Rev. 5:6)
*{5:6} And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.*
It is through this Holy Spirit that where two or three are gathered together in His name partaking of the heavenly Shewbread - He is in the midst of them. This church on earth and the Church of the heavenly Jerusalem become one through the ministry of Jesus "the mediator of the new covenant" and "the blood of sprinkling." (Heb. 12:22-24)
*{12:22} But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, {12:23} To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, {12:24} And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than [that of] Abel.*
From an individual judicial atonement resulting from the acceptance of the Substitute sacrificed "in the court," and the mediation of that blood upon "Mt. Sion," we enter an individual-corporate atonement process in the first apartment ministry, a process which is to be completed in the Most Holy Place as a corporate atonement, or as prefigured in the type - a national atonement.
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Individual judicial atonement from accepting the sacrifice made in the court.
Mediation of the blood on Mt. Sion.
We are in a process of individual-corporate atonement - in the first apartment.
The process which will be completed in the Most Holy Place symbolically as the Day of Atonement - a national atonement.
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In the Most Holy Place -- It is of utmost importance to note that 0. R. L. Crosier in his study - "The Sanctuary" - first appearing in the Day Star, Extra, February 7, 1846, and reprinted again in the 1850 Advent Review, a 48-page pamphlet, notes the daily ministry in the earthly sanctuary which pertained to the sin offerings as "the individual atonement," and the once-a-year ministry in the Most Holy Place as "the National Atonement." To this concept, we have given little attention. In simple language, it means a corporate atonement.
Introducing this concept, Crosier used Hebrews 9:7 - "But into the second [apartment] went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people." He emphasized - "errors of the people," defining people as "nation" from the Greek word used - AaoV.
This was to emphasize the corporate idea involved rather than the result to a single individual.
This concept is emphasized in the Levitical detailing of the ritual to be performed on the Day of Atonement.
The two goats over which the lots were cast were to be taken from "the congregation of the children of Israel." (Lev. 16:5)
The one which became the Lord's goat is designated as "the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people." (verse. 15)
The atonement was made "because of the uncleaness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins." (ver. 16)
The ritual commanded was declared to be an "everlasting statute" by which "to make atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year." (ver. 34)
Further, this was noted by God as "the sin offering of atonements" (Ex. 30:10)
All previous offerings by which atonement was realized find their ultimate objective in this final atonement. It was national, collective, and corporative.
This atonement of atonements involved "the holy place within the vail", because "of the uncleanness of the children of Israel." (Lev. 16:2,16)
It involved "the tabernacle of the congregation" [the first apartment];
"the altar that is before the Lord" (ver. 18);
and the priests and "all the people of the congregation." (ver. 33)
Its purpose - that the people "be clean from all [their] sins before the Lord." (ver. 30)
In this study of the services of the Day of Atonement, it must be clearly understood that the people's involvement in the ritual of this day, whether considered collectively, or individually was absolutely nil.
It was the blood of the goat designated as "the Lord's goat" (See Lev. 16:8-9) which accomplished the atonement.
It was the High Priest arrayed in his holy garments who entered the Most Holy Place alone to minister the atonement of atonements.
This Day was to be to the people a holy convocation (Numbers 29:7)
As they assembled, and throughout the day, they were to "afflict their souls." (Lev. 23:27, 32)
In it they were to do no work - for if anyone did he would be destroyed from "among the people." (ver. 30)
This people as they assembled, assembled as "forgiven sinners" not as "cleansed saints."
That was to be the result of the atonement made on this Day.
Even though throughout the year, they had assembled morning and evening at the time of prayer; even though they had diligently sought to know and practice the precepts of the Lord, they still were unclean before the Lord.
And nothing which they could do on the Day of Atonement could gain them merit.
They were to do no work, and anyone who attempted to accomplish something by his works was to be destroyed from among the people.
The blood of the Lord's goat, and the ministry of the High Priest alone would attain the atonement of atonements. This was the type.
In the great antitypical Day of Atonement in the sanctuary which the Lord pitched and not man, our great High Priest, with His perfect holiness and by His own blood will accomplish the cleansing of not just one individual, but the cleansing of His people.
This cleansing will be of a people who know they have been forgiven, and that at the foot of the Cross - before the altar of the court - is the highest place they can attain; a people who are not seeking perfection by their own works, but who find in their communion with God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit that humility of soul, that distrustfulness of self which God delights to honor. "Blessed are they who know their spiritual poverty, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matt. 5:3 RBV)
It must also be recalled from the type given that as God made a covenant with Moses as representative of the people - a covenant to which the people did not assent to as a nation, but which through the "daily" services of the sanctuary they individually acknowledged by the bringing of their sin offerings, so Christ has been accepted by the Father as the representative of the individuals who accept Him as their Substitute - their Sin-Offering.
For these people - collectively - He will make the atonement of atonements. They are His people. As a Representative of them, He has covenanted to "make a man more precious than gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir." (Isa. 13:12) This He will do; but it must be kept in mind that He and He alone will do it! He does it in and for those who recognize themselves as sinners, not perfected saints. It was this He made painfully clear to the "religious" during the days of His earthly ministry. He said "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Matt. 9:13)
As our High Priest, Christ will obtain from the Father all power necessary for the accomplishment of His part of the covenant so that the ultimate objective of the at-one-ment may be realized - "Father, I will that they also, whom thou has given me, be with me where I am." (John 17:24) For who is like unto our heavenly Father, who "pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retaineth not His anger forever, because He delighteth in mercy. He will [respond], He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; [He] will cast all [our] sins into the depths of the sea." (Micah 7:18-19) And when this shall have been accomplished in the atonement of the atonements, then we shall see His face, and His name shall be in our foreheads. In that hour we shall experience the fullness of the atonement (Rev, 22:4)
Our Father, as He sees the host of the redeemed - His earth-born children come home - will rejoice over [them] with joy, He will rest in His love, He will joy over [them] with singing." (Zeph. 3:17)
Isaiah 13:12 is a very important text. The promise to make a man more precious than fine gold is placed in a time setting in context with "the day of the Lord." Following the fulfillment of the prophecy - "the sun shall be darkened in his going forth" (verse 10) - and before "the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of hosts, I and in the day of His fierce anger" - this promise is to be fulfilled. Thus between the Dark Day, May 19, 1780, and the close of human probation, Christ will make a man as precious as the golden wedge of Ophir. Thus the timing of this promise coincides with the antitypical Day of Atonement - the Day of the Atonement of the Atonements. (See Isa. 13:9-13; Dan. 8:14)
"Let no one take the limited, narrow position that any of the works of man can help in the least possible way to liquidate the debt of his transgression. This is a fatal deception. If you would understand it, you must cease haggling over your pet ideas, and with humble hearts survey the atonement. This matter is so dimly comprehended that thousands upon thousands claiming to be sons of God are children of the wicked one, because they will depend on their own works."(Ms 50, 1900; 6BC: 1071)
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We're going to pause here.
So much to contemplate, so much truth.
Over and over we are reminded that our *good works*, anything we do as a result of our born again (In Christ) state, any outcome of our desire to walk with Christ will not save us, can't save us, we cannot save ourselves. We can only rely on the sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
May we each realize our sinfulness and our need, it is only in realizing our need that we can truly seek the saving grace of Christ. People who say they have no need, are people deceived.
We know many are going to claim to know Christ and that Christ knows them, when in truth they are being deceived.
I pray that we aren't deceived that our knowledge of Christ, that our relationship permits Jesus to know us so we may be claimed by Him to be His now and forever.
By the grace of Christ, by His mercy and love I pray.
Amen.

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

The Sanctuary Pt. 2

Sanctuary 3

Why is it important that we study the sanctuary?

Hebrews {8:1} Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; {8:2} A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

This is why.

We have a minister of the sanctuary.

A minister of the true tabernacle.

A minister of the tabernacle the Lord pitched and not man.

We have a High Priest.

Hebrews {9:11} But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; {9:12} Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

But Christ being come an high priest.

By a greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands.

Not by blood of goats and calves.

By His own blood he entered in once into the holy place.

Do you see why we should study the sanctuary? What it meant to be given the sanctuary, what it meant so that we can understand even more fully what our Lord and Savior has done in becoming a High Priest for us.

Some might thing all that sanctuary stuff has been done away with and is nonsense destroyed by Jesus, but I don't think that at all. I think the old covenant with the earthly sanctuary served its purpose in being an example. Jesus' birth, life, death, and resurrection are all tied into the old covenant as He made a new one.

Sometimes in life we don't *have* to understand the old way of things to be part of the new way, but history is taught in all our schools because history shows us where we've been, how far we've come, it reveals the good and the bad and we constantly seek to make our present and future lives something meaningful so that one day when it to is history we'll be able to say that we progress, we learned from the old and welcomed the new.

Learning from the old can sometimes fully explain the new for those seeking a deep understanding of things more than a superficial one. Sometimes we are called to a deeper understanding, sometimes it is very necessary especially when Satan would have us give up hope and make it all a lie. The deeper rooted we are into the Word of God the harder it will be to uproot us. I pray that God through His Holy Spirit by the Grace and Mercy of His Son, our eyes and hearts are opened to the understanding He would have us find in Him through love.

*******

Picking up from yesterday with just a tiny review--

1981 May-- XIV 5(81) -- LET'S TALK ABOUT THE ATONEMENT - I Author William Grotheer

*
Pg. 3

{22:44} And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Thus Gethsemane could have become the antitypical Altar. Why then the Cross? The Cross brings to our poor deranged and dull senses that sin is the will to kill God. Jesus had told the Jews that the lusts of their father the devil they would do. Being a murderer from the beginning - desiring to kill the Immortal Potentate, Satan would have them do that very thing to God's Son in whom all the fulness of the Godhead dwelt. (John 8:44) When we truly perceive what sin really is, our thinking is rearranged, and we see in Him whom we have pierced, our Sacrifice and Substitute.


However, with the healing of our thought processes, we are still short of the glory of God.

We are still just as unable to meet the judicial requirements of God as stated in His law, as we were before we found our place at the foot of the Cross.

But He who became our Sacrifice and Substitute speaks to us, and says I will be your Mediator - your Priest. I will accomplish your atonement with your God. And so "of Him are [we] in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." (I Cor. 1:30)

"Wisdom" - for by the Cross we see the real meaning of sin; "righteousness" for by His righteousness God is able to declare "the remission of sins that are past." (Rom. 3:25); "sanctification" for by His sanctification the truth is to be inwrought in our lives (John 17:19); and "redemption" for by that redemption our vile bodies shall be changed into the likeness of His "glorious body" (Phil 3:21); - yea all this is for us by Jesus Christ that "in all things He might have the preeminence." (Col. 1:18) But in this divine process whereby we become atone with God and see His face again (Rev. 22:4), there are specific acts to be performed on both the part of the priest and the individual.

These conditions were outlined in the types of the earthly sanctuary which foreshadowed the work and ministry of our great High Priest as He makes atonement for us in the sanctuary of the heavens.

In the Court --

The principle article of furniture as far as the individual was concerned was the Brazen Altar.

On this Altar was offered the sin offering.

While the disposition of the blood varied with the status of the sinner, the process by which it was presented, and the ultimate result reflecting back on the sinner was the same.

The one presenting the animal of the sin offering must bring it "to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord." (Lev. 4:4)

Then he would "lay his hand upon the head of the sin offering and slay the sin offering" before the Lord. (Lev. 4:29)

With this ritual the participation of the sinner ceased. But in his participation, he had performed two very meaningful acts.

First, he had presented a substitute to meet the demands of justice, and secondly, he himself slew the substitute.

At the point when the victim was killed, the priest took over.

He either ministered the blood directly before "the veil of the sanctuary" (Lev. 4:6), or he partook of the flesh of the sin offering. (Lev. 10:17)

Through the priestly act, atonement was made, and forgiveness was extended to the sinner. (Lev. 4:20)

Again this ritual tells us something. The atonement of man with God was not made until after the sacrificial substitute was offered.

The result of the atonement was forgiveness - judicial in its results, because the sinner had just as much a potential to sin after the sin offering was presented as he had before its presentation.

The forgiveness extended had only one effect upon him - he could rest in the consciousness of freedom from the guilt caused by his sin. He stood before his God as though he had never sinned.

The victim had borne his sin, and had been accepted in his place.

The Hebrew word translated "atonement" in describing the ritual of the sanctuary is kah-phar. It means literally "to cover."

Its first use in Scripture had to do with Noah's ark. There God commanded Noah - "Make yourself an ark of gopher wood, and cover it inside and out with pitch." (Gen. 6:14 RSV)

In the sanctuary service as pertaining to the sin offering, the priest made the "covering."

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)

If in the sanctuary service, the ritual of the Court had been all that was to be performed, and the first apartment into which the priest went with the blood of the sin offering was a vacant vestibule, then we might conclude that the "new theology" had some merit. But the Scripture plainly teaches that beyond the judicial atonement was much more to be performed by the priests on behalf,of the sinner directly effecting his final atonement with God.

There was the Holy Place, not vacant and meaningless, and the Most Holy Place, where the final decree regarding sin and sinners was prefigured each year in the great Day of Atonement. These we shall discuss in the next thought paper, God willing.

***

And with that note we will pick up with the next part of our Sanctuary study tomorrow.

There is a lot of food for thought here, a lot.

The fact that we are each responsible for the slaying of the innocent Lamb of God, responsible in a REAL way, not an imagined abstract way. Our sins, our seeking to kill God, to separate ourselves from God is so real. We don't want to look at sin that way. We want to look at it as harmless little acts we are compelled to perform beyond our ability to control. We want to take ourselves, our blame out of the equation and toss it elsewhere. We want to imagine that those little defiant acts that scream selfishness and self love over God love aren't so bad as all that. Sin is horrific and when we take the true nature of sin and try to conform it into something it isn't who are we deceiving but ourselves? Yes, the heavy weight of the knowledge is grievous and we can't imagine ever being sinless, and this is where our faith has to come into play. Our faith and our belief that God is willing to guide us to the acceptable place in our lives through the mercy and grace of His slain Son, not because we deserve it, because we don't, but because He loves us with an unimaginable love.

By His Grace. By His Mercy. By His Love.

Amen.

The Sanctuary Pt. 1

The Sanctuary.

We talked a little bit yesterday about the Sanctuary and how the Sanctuary here on earth was patterned after the heavenly Sanctuary. How before the world began Jesus was part of the plan should we sin.

Creating humans was a great undertaking. You ask any doctor about how we're made inside and they'll tell you that the wonders of our bodies are just amazing.

While some like to think we formed from a microscopic organism in water to what we are now it just unbelievable. That we evolved from apes, just, well, I just have to shake my head. Then again even apes are amazingly created. All the various life forms we know are amazing in their own right.

We were made in the image of God. We're not the substance of God, not the nature of God in the Spirit form at all, but we are made in His image. We are made with the ability to choose right from wrong, we were given that gift. We were made a little lower than the angels, perhaps in that we are limited in our physical abilities and they are not?

While some people think that humans become angels, or angelic-like upon death isn't something I think is true. Angels are unique to what they are, angels aren't created from dead humans. Angels existed before humans did. We will never become angels, we will forever be human. We were created differently for a reason.

God in creating us planned us, planned how things would be and in that plan because he was giving us the ability to choose good from evil, He had to figure out what He would do with us should we choose evil. Yes, he could have wiped us out of existence instantly as a failed creation, but He didn't. We are that special Him, that important to Him, He loves us that much.

Yes, there was a time or two when wiping out the evil filled humanity seemed like a good course but even then it wasn't done because enough good remained in humans to keep them worth saving. Jesus was all part of that plan as Creator of humans with God.

Instead of arbitrarily just wiping all humans out of existence because they are prone to sin, He would step in and make it possible for them to be sinless in Him. He would atone for their sins and make things right again and when the sin-filled world was finally only those who are sinners still and haven't placed their hope and faith in Jesus and His ability to save them will be wiped out of existence. They'll have had every chance to be saved and rejected all of them.

The plan of salvation involves the Sanctuary.

The Sanctuary whose sole purpose of existence was to point to a sinless life in God. The plan that was made before the world was created had to be shown to people. There would be a process whereby they could realize on a personal level the outcome of their sinning, then when that was brought to a culmination in the reality of God's own Son being sacrifice to save us, then the earthly sanctuary would no longer be needed.

A progression... a teaching lesson... an example for all to witness.

Today we have all this history to learn from and know our place in the whole grand scheme of things.

*

It's important for us to study the sanctuary, to learn all we can about the earthly sanctuaries based on the heavenly. It's important because there is a heavenly sanctuary whose sole reason for existing is to finish the work started by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

*

I want to take from a study I've found elsewhere to help out here to explain things better, so maybe we'll do that bit by bit each day.

It's from William Grotheer's Thought Paper. This man has a brilliant mind and brilliant insight into the Bible. God has blessed him with so much. No, he's not perfect, none of us are and I'm not worshipping him in any manner. There is only one worthy of worship and that is God.

*

1981 May-- XIV 5(81) -- LET'S TALK ABOUT THE ATONEMENT - I

-- The word - atonement - is an English word coming from "atone," a word in Middle English meaning - at one. So we can say that atonement means simply to be at one again with a person from whom we have become estranged.

When applied to theology, it indicates the reconciliation between God and man, and man and God. There is only one thing that has separated between God and man, and man and God, and that is sin.

In the case of man's alienation from God, the Scripture states it very simply -

"All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (Rom. 3:23)

Paul summarizes the condition of man by quoting from the Old Testament - "As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one." (Rom. 3:10-12)

With God, the alienation was forced upon Him by man's actions, not by any action initiated by Him.

Isaiah declared - "Your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear." (Isa. 59:2)

God is holy and righteous. The Psalmist sang that "righteousness and judgment are the basis of His throne." (Ps. 97:2 Heb.)

Sin - rebellion - on the other hand had challenged the very foundations of the government of God. Justice demanded that the traitors be executed. There is, however, another aspect to the character of God. His holiness and His righteousness emanate from a heart of love. Love devised an atonement that would meet the demands of justice, and thus secure the Throne, and would provide a means for the healing and restoration of the traitor.

Before we can understand the atonement devised by God, we must understand the sickness of man.

All sin represents degrees of insanity.

We continue in our rebellion because "the whole head is sick." (Isa. 1:5)

Sin originated with a created being whose mind became deranged.

The prophet stated of Lucifer under the symbolism of the king of Tyrus - "Thou has corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness." (Eze. 28:17)

How could a created being ever think that he could destroy an immortal God, and take His place?

But once in the pathway of insanity, this arch-traitor led our first parents into sin by a derangement of their thought patterns, a subversion of the higher nature to the lower.

The atonement must bring healing to the mind, and restoration of the glorious character lost through this deceptive derangement.

There is, however, that judicial aspect of judgment with which God had also to deal so that He could be at-one-ment with sinful man, and thus effect the healing of man.

"The wages of sin is death." (Rom. 6:23)

But who would be willing to die as a substitute, and who could die in such a capacity so that the demands of justice might be met?

There was only One, and that was the Son of God.

To Abraham who was bringing his "only son" as an offering to God, the Spirit encouraged his heart so that he could say to Isaac - "My son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering." (Gen. 22:8)

And He did!

"God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son." (John 3:16) "The Lord laid on Him the iniquity of us all . . . His soul [was made] an offering for sin." (Isa. 53:6, 10)

Thus the first great question of the Atonement found an answer - How can God be just, and yet justify the sinner? (See Rom. 1:16-17; 3:24-26)

((({Ro. 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
{1:17} For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Ro. 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
{3:25} Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance
of God
{3:26} To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.))))

We can, therefore, from the viewpoint of God - and only from that viewpoint - speak of the Cross as an atonement.

The Cross is an atonement only in this phase of the relationship - God becoming at one with man.

In the cross man is provided by God what could be called a "second chance," but which is in reality an opportunity to escape his corporate involvement in the first choice made for him by the father of the race, for "by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation." (Rom. 5:18)

The significance of this atonement with man on the part of God is illustrated in covenant-history.

Israel was assembled before Mount Sinai. They had heard the voice of God proclaim His law amid thunderings and lightenings. They listened carefully as Moses read "the book of the covenant" which he had prepared under the direction of God. To what they heard, Israel responded -

"All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient." (Ex. 24:7)

In this book of the covenant had been written as its preamble the requirement of God for singleness of worship on the part of Israel. It read -

"Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven. Ye shall not make with Me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold." (Ex. 20:22-23)

Within forty days following the ratification of this blood covenant, and the solemn commitment of Israel, they gave their adoration to the "golden calf" of Egyptian devil worship. They repeated the sin of Adam and Eve in giving their loyalty and allegiance to the enemy of God.

The reaction of God to this apostasy was swift. Moses was immediately informed by God as to what was happening in the camp below, and was told that He no longer considered them His people. (Ex. 32:7)

{32:7} And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves

Moses after returning to the encampment of Israel from his dialogue with God in the Mount, removed the "tabernacle" of meeting without the camp. (Ex. 33:7)

{33:7} And Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the congregation. And it came to pass, [that] every one which sought the LORD went out unto the tabernacle of the congregation, which [was] without the camp.

Then he told the people - "Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the Lord, peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin." (Ex. 32:30)

{32:30} And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD; peradventure I shall make an
atonement for your sin.

The result of this interceding of Moses, and the exchange that took place between him and God is given in God's final answer to Moses' pleadings -

"The Lord said to Moses, Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel." (Ex. 34:27)

Israel's commitment was not secured to this covenant. It was a covenant by which Moses stood as surety for Israel's compliance, and through which God could once more become atonement with Israel.

It was a "type" covenant of the "atonement" achieved by Christ for man to effect God's reconciliation with man. God became at one again with humanity in Christ Jesus. Even, as God talked with Moses face to face (Deut. 34:10)

{34:10} And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,

So Christ in His glorified humanity is in the very presence of God to speak for man. (Heb. 4:14-15)

{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. {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.

The fact should not be overlooked that at the time when Israel was forfeiting their rights as God's people in the worship of the golden calf, and demonstrating the inability of man to keep any covenant to which mentally he would agree, God was giving to Moses "the plan" by which man can become at-one with God.

The sanctuary and its services, which were to operate as "types" under a type-covenant, were being revealed to Moses. (See Ex. 24:18-32:1)

This second aspect of the atonement - man becoming one with God begins at the same point - the Cross. Here his healing begins for in the Cross he comes to see the real significance of where his mental derangement will lead. If God had only the judicial aspect of the atonement in mind to effect the redemption of man - justification - Gethsemane would have sufficed. There the cup was accepted, and there the blood first touched the ground. (Luke 22:44)

{22:44} And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Thus Gethsemane could have become the antitypical Altar. Why then the Cross?

The Cross brings to our poor deranged and dull senses that sin is the will to kill God.

Jesus had told the Jews that the lusts of their father the devil they would do. Being a murderer from the beginning - desiring to kill the Immortal Potentate, Satan would have them do that very thing to God's Son in whom all the fulness of the Godhead dwelt. (John 8:44) When we truly perceive what sin really is, our thinking is rearranged, and we see in Him whom we have pierced, our Sacrifice and Substitute.

***

I'm going to stop here even though the first part in the thought papers goes on.

I think this is enough to digest for one day. :)

May God bless and keep us and guide us as we seek to understand more fully all He has done and is doing for us, and all He will do.

In the name of His all merciful Son, by the grace of Jesus Christ our Savior.

Amen.

Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary

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


Psalms {63:2} To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.

Psalms {73:17} Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

Ps. {27:4} One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

Ps. {68:24} They have seen thy goings, O God; even the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary.

Commentary on Psalms 77:13--
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/calcom10.xii.iii.html
13.
Thy ways, O God! are in the sanctuary.
Some translate in holiness, and they are led to do this, because it seems to them a cold and meagre form of expression to say, that God’s ways are in his sanctuary.
But as the rules of grammar will not easily admit of this, we must inquire whether a profitable truth may not be drawn from the term sanctuary, which is the proper signification of the original word ????, bakkodesh.
Some are of opinion that this is an abrupt exclamation, as if it had been said, O God, who art in the sanctuary! O thy ways! but of this I do not approve; for they do violence to the words of the prophet.
The clause should be read in one connected sentence, and the word sanctuary is to be taken either for heaven or for the temple.
I am rather inclined to refer it to heaven, conceiving the meaning to be, that the ways of God rise high above the world, so that if we are truly desirous to know them, we must ascend above all heavens.
Although the works of God are in part manifest to us, yet all our knowledge of them comes far short of their immeasurable height. Besides, it is to be observed, that none enjoy the least taste of his works but those who by faith rise up to heaven. And yet, the utmost point to which we can ever attain is, to contemplate with admiration and reverence the hidden wisdom and power of God, which, while they shine forth in his works, yet far surpass the limited powers of our understanding.
If it is objected, that it is wrong to attempt to confine to heaven the ways of God, which are extended through the whole world, the answer is easy; for although there is not a single corner of the globe in which God does not exhibit some proof of his power and operation, yet the wonderful character of his works escapes the eyes of men. If any would rather understand sanctuary as meaning the temple, it may be noticed, that we have met with an almost similar sentence in Psalm 73:16, 17,

-16When I thought how I might know this,

It was too painful for me;

17Until I went into the sanctuary of God,

And considered their latter end.


Easton Dict. Sanctuary

Denotes,
(1) the Holy Land (Ex. 15:17; comp. Ps. 114:2);
(2) the temple (1 Chr. 22:19; 2 Chr. 29:21);
(3) the tabernacle (Ex. 25:8; Lev. 12:4; 21:12);
(4) the holy place, the place of the Presence (Gr. hieron, the temple-house; not the naos, which is the temple area, with its courts and porches), Lev. 4:6; Eph. 2:21, R.V., marg.;
(5) God’s holy habitation in heaven (Ps. 102:19). In the final state there is properly “no sanctuary” (Rev. 21:22), for God and the Lamb “are the sanctuary” (R.V., “temple”). All is there hallowed by the Divine Presence; all is sancturary.

***

The sanctuary. Has it lost it's importance because Jesus did away with the sacrifices, becoming the ultimate sacrifice?

I say no. If anything it has only gained more importance because the entire earthly sanctuary service pointed to Christ's sacrifice, and we know that the sanctuary built on earth was a figure of a sanctuary in heaven. Read this--

Ex.
{25:8} And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.
{25:9} According to all that I shew thee, fter the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the nstruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.

Hebrews
{8:5} Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

Hebrews
{9:23} It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better
sacrifices than these.
{9:24} For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us

***

Patterns of things in heaven. Moses was shown the heavenly sanctuary and a pattern for an earthy sanctuary was given. Why, you might ask, would there need to be a heavenly sanctuary if the sanctuary on earth in all its aspects revealed the need for a savior? Surely none in heaven are sinful and none need to avail themselves of the rituals even symbolically to be saved. I believe that the way to salvation began in heaven, the way for man to be saved from sin was decided before sin corrupted Adam and Eve, before even the world began.

1 Corinthians {2:7} But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory

2 Timothy {1:9} Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.

Titus {1:2} In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began

John {17:1} These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
{17:2} As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
{17:3} And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
{17:4} I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
{17:5} And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

1 Peter {1:18} Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers
{1:19} But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot
{1:20} Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you

***

Before the world was, before the foundation of the world, before the world began... Jesus was with God, Son was with the Father.

Imagine if you will that before a great, wondrous *project* is undertaken all the plans are laid out for it. All the plans, all the scenarios that can happen are thought of and plans are made for any of those scenarios. Whenever you bring an unpredictable element into a plan you have to think outside the box so to speak, you have to think what might happen if things don't go as planned. How many *government* experiments have been scraped in the end because things didn't go as planned? Probably a lot. How many were undertaken and with the unpredicted results even greater plans were made? Can you imagine a room full of scientists sitting about discussing a propose project and each one comes up with a different scenario of possibilities. Just because the scenarios are plentiful and the possibilities unpredictable doesn't mean the project will be scraped, rather each scientist is told to set up the 'what if..' scenario with possible outcomes from their scenario. You can picture all that right? It's easy really because we've all seen movies on tv that depict various situations with 'projects' and for the most part the excitement of the movie comes from the projects going wrong and having to be fixed. That old, something goes horribly wrong, now what? Now we have to fix this problem. Usually kill a deformed alien of some sort, or find a cure for a wild virus, or some such thing. You know what I'm talking about, I'm sure.

So before the world even began as plans were being made Jesus Himself agreed that if something went wrong that He'd step in, He'd sacrifice Himself to set things right again.

A way was made for this to happen, the way was made in heaven.

After man sinned the plan had to go into effect. And know this...realize this...man did not sin right away. He wasn't created one moment and sinning the next. It might seem that way but truthfully we don't know how long Adam and Eve lived in the garden sinless before falling to temptation. God's plan, Jesus' plan, their creation of human beings didn't go awry the second after it was implemented. For awhile there it's very possible that they thought the contingency plan would not be necessary, that the creation of human beings was a success. These created beings were a made a little lower than the angels and given free will, and they were wonderful creations, a good thing-- a very good thing. Made in God's image, they were an amazing creation.

Then something went wrong.

Satan beguiled Eve. Beguiled her, tricked her, tempted her and she fell into the temptation and sinned.

Instantly the contingency plan was put into place, from that moment on the way to save humanity was begun. Satan was told this--

Genesis
{3:14} And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou [art] cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
{3:15} And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel

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While Satan would hurt humanity, in the end humanity would triumph. Bruising a heel isn't life threatening, bruising a head is, and we're talking eternal life threatening. While Satan would hurt Jesus, he wouldn't kill him, yet Jesus in the end will do away with Satan and all sin.

Right from the beginning things were set in motion.

When Moses received the instructions for an earthly sanctuary they were patterned after the heavenly with good reason. The plan was made and not being implemented and it was important to get things right.

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I do believe I'm going to be studying the Sanctuary for a bit now, but this is enough for a start. :)

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

May God bless and help us to understand His way in the sanctuary and in truth understand more fully the amazing sacrifice made for each and every one of us by Jesus Christ His Son.

In His Grace and Mercy, by His Will.

Amen.

If we hold fast

Hebrews{3:1} Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus{3:2} Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.{3:3} For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. {3:4} For every house is builded by some man but he that built all things is God.{3:5} And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to bespoken after; {3:6} But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
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He who hath builded the house hath more honor than the house.
He that built all things is God.
Christ, son over his own house.
Whose house are WE.
IF we hold fast.
Firm unto the end.
**
Jesus is the builder of all things-
John {1:1} In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.{1:2} The same was in the beginning with God. {1:3} All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Jesus has more honor than we do as is only right. Jesus is the builder we are the house he built IF we hold fast the confidence (have faith) and the rejoicing of the hope (faith) unto the end.
We all want to be molded and shaped by our Savior don't we? Isn't that why we are seeking Him in us, seeking to find Him, seeking to know Him and have Him know us? Who knows a house more intimately than its builder? No one. The house is in existence because of the builder, without the builder there is no house. We are houses built by Jesus if we believe and have faith and not only have it but have it until the end.
It's important to consider the end. It's important to consider the life long process not just the immediate result. Too often people will do things impulsively without thinking long term. We have to think past the beginning and to the end. Our faith will be tested and tried severely.
1 Peter {1:5} Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.{1:6} Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations{1:7} That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise andhonour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ
Our faith may cause heaviness through manifold temptations, this is the trying of our faith. Do we believe in God, or don't we truly believe beyond superficial claim? We have to know that our faith will be tried as gold is tried in fire and that's a process that isn't easy at all. To claim to be Christ's and to faint as soon as we are tried isn't to be Christ's at all. We need to hold fast through the trying process and I know, easier said than done.
Lives are falling apart all around us with the financial crisis taking place, bad situations are only getting worse and sometimes it seems that we are being kicked when we are down, and maybe we are, but being a Christian doesn't mean having an easy life at all. Being a Christian means holding fast to the faith we need in our Savior during the worst of times knowing that just because we might be seemingly living in hell on earth doesn't mean there isn't hope, that Christ has forsaken us, God has left us, that we are cursed in some way. Being a Christian means holding fast even in the very worst of times when all seems lost and hopeless we have to 'hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.'
We are Christ's.
May God help us as we believe and have faith seeking to increase in faith, in hope always so that we may holdfast unto the end.
In the name of Jesus by His grace and mercy now and forever.
Amen.