• The Holy of Holies and the Veil

  The Holy of Holies and the Veil <– Click it to download pdf

  The Holy of Holies and the Veil

  

  Within the Holy Place of the tabernacle, there was an inner room called the Holy of Holies, or the Most Holy Place. Judging from its name, we can see that it was a most sacred room, a place no ordinary person could enter. It was God’s special dwelling place in the midst of His people. During the Israelites’ wanderings in the wilderness, God appeared as a pillar of cloud or fire in and above the Holy of Holies. The Holy of Holies was a perfect cube — its length, width and height were all equal to 15 feet.

  A thick curtain separated the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place. This curtain, known as the “veil,” was made of fine linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn. There were figures of cherubim (angels) embroidered onto it. Cherubim, spirits who serve God, were in the presence of God to demonstrate His almighty power and majesty. They also guarded the throne of God. These cherubim were also on the innermost layer of covering of the tent. If one looked upward, they would see the cherubim figures.

  Cherubim

  by Micha F. Lindemans

  Winged creatures who support the Throne of God, or act as guardian spirits. They appear in the Bible (the book of Ezekiel) as bearing the throne and chariot of God, and hence later conceived as a type of angels. They are also mentioned in Genesis 3:24 as guardians (or protectors) of the Garden of Eden. They were placed at the gates of the Garden to prevent humans from re-entering and thus gaining access to the Tree of Life. They also formed the mercy seat on the Ark of the covenant (Exodus 25:18-20).

  In Jewish and Christian religion they are second in the order of angels, directly after the seraphim. They were usually depicted as angels with four wings and four faces (human, lion, bull and eagle). Artists in later times made them appear as the chubby, rosy-faced, winged infants of which they are known today. They are usually clothed in blue, while the seraphim are clothed in red. They originated from the winged and human-headed bulls of Babylon (also named cherubim), a lesser order of deities, which guarded the gates of the royal palace.

  The word “veil” in Hebrew means a screen, divider or separator that hides. What was this curtain hiding? Essentially, it was shielding a holy God from sinful man. Whoever entered into the Holy of Holies was entering the very presence of God. In fact, anyone except the high priest who entered the Holy of Holies would die. Even the high priest, God’s chosen mediator with His people, could only pass through the veil and enter this sacred dwelling once a year, on a prescribed day called the Day of Atonement.

  The picture of the veil was that of a barrier between man and God, showing man that the holiness of God could not be trifled with. God’s eyes are too pure to look on evil and He can tolerate no sin (Habakkuk 1:13). The veil was a barrier to make sure that man could not carelessly and irreverently enter into God’s awesome presence. Even as the high priest entered the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement, he had to make some meticulous preparations: He had to wash himself, put on special clothing, bring burning incense to let the smoke cover his eyes from a direct view of God, and bring blood with him to make atonement for sins.

  “But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.” (Hebrews 9:7)

  So the presence of God remained shielded from man behind a thick curtain during the history of Israel. However, Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross changed that. When He died, the curtain in the Jerusalem temple was torn in half, from the top to the bottom. Only God could have carried out such an incredible feat because the veil was too high for human hands to have reached it, and too thick to have torn it. (The Jerusalem temple, a replica of the wilderness tabernacle, had a curtain that was about 60 feet in height, 30 feet in width and four inches thick.) Furthermore, it was torn from top down, meaning this act must have come from above.

  As the veil was torn, the Holy of Holies was exposed. God’s presence was now accessible to all. Shocking as this may have been to the priests ministering in the temple that day, it is indeed good news to us as believers, because we know that Jesus’ death has atoned for our sins and made us right before God. The torn veil illustrated Jesus’ body broken for us, opening the way for us to come to God. As Jesus cried out “It is finished!” on the cross, He was indeed proclaiming that God’s redemptive plan was now complete. The age of animal offerings was over. The ultimate offering had been sacrificed.

  We can now boldly enter into God’s presence, “the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf.” (Hebrews 6:19-20)

  “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body …let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith.” (Hebrews 10:19-22)

  The Holy of Holies is a representation of heaven itself, God’s dwelling place, which we have access now through Christ. In Revelations, John’s vision of heaven — the New Jerusalem — also was a perfect square, just as the Holy of Holies was (Revelation 21:16).

  “For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. …But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.” (Hebrews 9:24-26)

  The Ark of the Covenant and Atonement Cover

  

  Within the Holy of Holies, shielded from the eye of the common man, was one piece of furniture comprising two parts: the Ark of the Covenant and the atonement cover (or “mercy seat”) on top of it. The ark was a chest made of acacia wood, overlaid with pure gold inside and out. It was 3 feet, 9 inches long and 2 feet, 3 inches wide and high. God commanded Moses to put in the ark three items: a golden pot of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the two stone tablets on which the Ten Commandments were written. We will discuss these three objects in further detail below.

  ‘The Mercy Seat’ (Ex 25:17-22)

  Ps 99:1 The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble! He dwells between the cherubim; let the earth be moved!

  Exod 25:17-22 “You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold; two and a half cubits shall be its length and a cubit and a half its width. And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of hammered work you shall make them at the two ends of the mercy seat. Make one cherub at one end, and the other cherub at the other end; you shall make the cherubim at the two ends of it of one piece with the mercy seat. And the cherubim shall stretch out their wings above, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and they shall face one another; the faces of the cherubim shall be toward the mercy seat. You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the Testimony that I will give you. And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony, about everything which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel.”

  
  

  The Ark of the Covenant was a small chest made of acacia wood overlaid with gold and open at the top. The Mercy Seat was the lid or cover of solid gold the same size as the top of the Ark (2 1/2 cubits long x 1 1/2 cubits wide). At each end of the Mercy Seat, and of one piece with it, were two hammered gold cherubim facing one another. Their outstretched wings overshadowed the gold lid and their faces constantly looked down upon it. They were symbols of the presence and holiness of the Lord and are His chosen instruments of judgment toward any sinful approach toward the presence of the Lord and as they look upon the blood the wrath of God is appeased and they are at peace.

  After the children of Israel had journeyed to Mount Sinai God told Moses on the mountain that He would pitch His tent among them on their journeys:

  Exod 25:8-9 “And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it.”

  When God revealed the pattern of the tabernacle and the way to approach Him He also declared exactly where He would meet Moses:

  Exod 25:22 “And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony, about everything which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel.”

  So the outstretched wings of the cherubim were to provide a throne for the God where He would mediate His rule on the earth as a representation of the real throne in heaven:

  1 Sam 4:4 So the people sent men to Shiloh, and they brought back the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim. (NIV)

  When God had spoken to Moses out of the midst of the cloud upon Sinai, He also told him that He would come down to speak with him in the midst of His people. It was from the area above the Mercy Seat that He did:

  Num 7:89 Now when Moses went into the tabernacle of meeting to speak with Him, he heard the voice of One speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the Testimony, from between the two cherubim; thus He spoke to him.

  
  The Mercy Seat was where the blood was sprinkled.

  In the New Testament this Mercy Seat or atonement cover is spoken of twice.

  Heb 9:2-5 “For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle, which is, called the Holiest of All, which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.”

  Rom 3:23-26 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”

  The Greek word for Mercy Seat is ‘hilasterion’. It is used here in Romans 3:25 where Paul says (literally) that God presented Christ as a propitiation or ‘mercy seat’. This means that Jesus Christ is the mercy seat.

  The Mercy Seat did not derive its worth from the purity of its gold but from the fact that it was the place where the blood of sacrifice was sprinkled in the presence of Yahweh.

  The word for “mercy seat” is the same root for the word “atonement”. It means to cover, cancel, appease, or cleanse.

  The Greek equivalent is the word “propitiation”.

  The atonement cover was the lid for the ark. On top of it stood two cherubim (angels) at the two ends, facing each other. The cherubim, symbols of God’s divine presence and power, were facing downward toward the ark with outstretched wings that covered the atonement cover. The whole structure was beaten out of one piece of pure gold. The atonement cover was God’s dwelling place in the tabernacle. It was His throne, flanked by angels. God said to Moses:

  “There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony, I will meet with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites.” (Exodus 25:22)

  “Tell your brother Aaron not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain in front of the atonement cover on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud over the atonement cover.” (Leviticus 16:2)

  Other Scriptures also speak of God’s throne:

  “…the ark of God, which is called by the Name, the name of the Lord Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim that are on the ark.” (2 Samuel 6:2)

  “O Lord Almighty, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth.” (Isaiah 37:16)

  Above the ark and the atonement cover, God appeared in His glory in “unapproachable light” (1 Timothy 6:16). This light is sometimes referred to as the Shekinah glory. The word Shekinah, although it does not appear in our English bibles, has the same roots as the word for tabernacle in Hebrew and refers to the presence of the Lord.

  The Israelites were led by the “Shekinah” for forty years, after which the “holy presence” of the omniscient God inhabited the Tabernacle and the land of Israel. The “Shekinah” was not always afterwards physically manifested — as we read in Numbers 35:34 –

  You shall not defile the land in which you live, in which I Myself abide ["shakan"], for I the LORD [YEHOVAH] abide ["shakan"] among the Israelite people.

  When Moses and the Israelites finished erecting the Tabernacle, the “Shekinah” of YEHOVAH God filled it:

  When Moses had finished the work, the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the PRESENCE OF THE LORD [YEHOVAH] filled the Tabernacle. Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting, because the cloud had settled upon it and the PRESENCE OF THE LORD filled the Tabernacle. When the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, the Israelites would set out, on their various journeys; but if the cloud did not lift, they would not set out until such time as it did lift. For over the Tabernacle a cloud of the LORD rested by day, and the fire would appear in it by night, in the view of all the house of Israel through- out their journeys. — Exodus 40:33-38.

  Whenever that presence was physically manifested, it was frightening to those who experienced it:

  When Moses had ascended the mountain, the cloud covered the mountain. The PRESENCE OF THE LORD ["Cavod YHVH"] abode ["shakan"] on Mount Sinai, and the cloud hid it for six days. On the seventh day He called to Moses from the midst of the cloud. Now the PRESENCE OF THE LORD ["Cavod YHVH"] appeared in the sight of the Israelites as a consuming fire on the top of the mountain. — Exodus 24:15-17.

  Because the ark was God’s throne among His people, it was a symbol of His presence and power with them wherever it went. There are quite a number of miracles recorded in the Old Testament surrounding the ark: With the presence of the ark, the waters of the River Jordan divided so the Israelites could cross on dry land, and the walls of Jericho fell so that the Israelites could capture it (Joshua 3:14-17, 6:6-21). Yet the ark could not be treated with irreverence because it was also a symbol of God’s judgment and wrath. When the Israelites fought their enemies the Philistines during the time of the prophet Samuel, they disregarded the commands of the Lord and took the ark out to the battlefield with them, “summoning” God’s presence. God caused the Philistines to win the battle and “the glory departed from Israel, for the ark of the Lord was taken” (1 Samuel 4:22). However, God showed His power to the Philistines when He caused their idol, Dagon, to fall to the ground when the ark was placed next to it, and several Philistine cities were plagued heavily when the ark was in their midst (1 Samuel 5). Ultimately, the ark was returned to Israel.

  Articles in the Ark of the Covenant

  What may seem strange to us today is that, hidden in the special golden box representing God’s presence were not treasures and precious gems, but three unlikely items: a jar of bread, a stick and two stones. What were these curious keepsakes and why did God want them in His ark?

  The three articles represented some of the most embarrassing and disgraceful events in the history of the Israelites.

  First, the pot of manna:

  “This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Take an omer [portion for one man] of manna and keep it for the generations to come, so they can see the bread I gave you to eat in the desert when I brought you out of Egypt.’” (Exodus 16:32)

  God had provided this bread-like food for the Israelites when they grumbled during the wanderings in the desert. It was bread from heaven! He continued to provide the food daily and faithfully, but the people were not one bit thankful. They complained and wanted something else. The pot of manna was an uncomfortable reminder that despite what God had provided for them, the Israelites had rejected God’s provision.

  Second, Aaron’s staff that had budded: The people, out of jealousy, rebelled against Aaron as their high priest. To resolve the dispute, God commanded the people to take 12 sticks written with the names of the leader of each tribe and place them before the ark overnight. The next day, Aaron’s rod from the house of Levi had budded with blossoms and almonds. God confirmed his choice of Aaron’s household as the priestly line.

  “And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Put back the staff of Aaron before the testimony, to be kept as a sign for the rebels, that you may make an end of their grumblings against me, lest they die.’” (Numbers 17:10)

  The staff reminded the Israelites that on more than one occasion, they had rejected God’s authority.

  Third, the two stone tablets with the Ten Commandments: God had chosen the Israelites as His special people. For the Israelites to qualify for that distinction, God had demanded one thing. They must obey His Law, the Ten Commandments. This was a conditional agreement:

  “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” (Exodus 19:5-6)

  The Israelites had said heartily, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do,” in response to God’s covenant (Exodus 19:8). But how did they fare in fulfilling their end of the contract? Miserably. It was impossible for them to keep the Ten Commandments perfectly. Over and over again, they violated God’s holy Law, and God made it clear to them the consequences of their sin by sending plagues, natural hazards and foreign armies upon them. The stone tablets in the ark were a reminder that the Israelites had rejected God’s right standard of living.

  These three articles were preserved in the ark throughout Israel’s history as an unpleasant symbol of man’s sins and shortcomings, a reminder of how they rejected God’s provision, authority and right standard of living. It pointed to man as a helpless sinner.

  It may have been uncomfortable to think that God’s splendor was so close to the three articles associated with man’s sinfulness. But this is where God’s provision comes in. When God looked down from His presence above the ark, He did not see the reminders of sin. They were covered by a necessary object — the atonement cover.

  The Atonement Cover

  Every year, the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement. Bringing burning incense to shield his eyes from a direct view of God’s glory, he sprinkled blood from a bull onto the atonement cover for his and his household’s sins, then sprinkled blood from a goat for all the sins of Israel. God promised that when He saw the blood, it would cover over man’s sin. (To atone for means to cover over — hence the name atonement cover.) God did not see the sin anymore but the provision instead, and it appeased His wrath.

  The Israelites found acceptance with God by believing His word to be true — that when their sins were covered by blood, God temporarily overlooked their sins as it they had been obliterated. But Jesus Christ has become our permanent atonement cover. Through Jesus’ blood, our sins have been covered over. When God looks at us, He doesn’t see our sin, but the provision: His own Son. Jesus lay down His life for us as an innocent sacrifice so that God would look on us and see His perfection.

  The atonement cover was God’s throne in the midst of the Israelites. God is on His throne today in heaven and Jesus, our high priest, is at His right side. When we come to God now, we approach a throne of grace.

  “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

  The Sacrifice

  The sacrifice consisted of Lambs, the Red Heifer, Bullocks and two goats. The two goats belonged to the appointed sacrifice of the day. The High Priest had a box in which there were two discs on which the lot was cast concerning the fate of the goats. One was the scapegoat, Hebrew “Azazel”, which carried away all the sins of the Children of Israel into the desert place to die. “And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions and all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness: And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited; and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.” (Leviticus 16:21-22)

  The second goat was killed by the High Priest in the Temple and its blood sprinkled to make atonement. At this time, of the day of Atonement, the High Priest was ready to enter the Most Holy Place, Holy of Holies, to finish the atonement ritual. He had with him the blood that was taken from the sacrifices and he would sprinkle the altar of burnt-offering, the altar of incense, in the Holy place, and the veil, cleansing them from the defilement of sin. He then entered in the Holy of Holies, not without the blood, and sprinkled the Most Holy Place where the Ark of the Covenant was placed and the “Mercy Seat”overshadowing it. Above the ‘Mercy Seat’, between the Cherubims, was the, “Shekina Glory”, – the visible presence of God in a cloud. [Look at the picture, where the High Priest stands before the Ark of the Covenant, for here he brings the blood from the sacrifice, (bowl in left hand), to place it upon the horns of the Ark and the Mercy Seat.] It is here that the High Priest appeared before the very presence of God, imploring the Lord by His mysterious and sacred Name, “Jehovah”.

  While the High Priest was in the Most Holy Place, in the very presence of God, the people waited outside with a mounting tension of suspense as to the health of the Priest. For on the bottom of the garment of the Priest were bells attached and the people were listening for them and hearing them they knew that he was all right. The silence was deafening, for if the Lord did not acknowledge the sacrifice, and the Priest dies, or if the Priest was not worthy and he dies, the bells would stop sounding.

  With a louder sounding of the bells and upon seeing the High Priest, there was a crescendo of great joy from the people, for the Lord had accepted the sacrifice and they were forgiven from their sins. He said,“Your sins are forgiven”. There is great rejoicing for they are truly forgiven, from their maker and Lord of Hosts. This ‘crescendo’ of joy, I think today, is the again reciting of the ‘Shema’, which is as follows:Shema, Israel, Adonoy elohenu, Adonoy Echad. Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord.” (Deut. 6:4) This is the witness of Israel concerning the Lord and to the world that there is One God and One Lord.

  Do you know that this is the work of Israel to the world? Let’s look at this from the Word of the Lord. “Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen; that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am He: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me thee is no Saviour….therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God”. (Isaiah 43:10-12)

  Do we believe in God? It is because of Israel, we believe. Is it any wonder that the devil wants to silence Israel, then he can say, “See there is no God, all your faith is in vain.” All that God hath said will come to pass no matter what man does or says, and what Satan trys to do to Israel. Israel is because of God, and will be because of God. “I am the Lord, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King.” (Isaiah 43:15)

  Articles in the Ark — Revisited

  The three items in the ark that served as a sore reminder of man’s shortcomings have taken on a different meaning since Jesus Christ redeemed us from our sins. Let’s review the three articles and see how they point to Christ.

  First, the pot of manna: When Jesus came and walked on earth, he didn’t reject God’s provision. Rather, He became God’s provision to us. Manna, the bread from heaven, in itself did not impart life. But Jesus told us that He is the true bread from heaven.

  “Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. I am the bread of life. Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die.’” (John 6:32, 48-50)

  Second, Aaron’s budding staff: Jesus didn’t reject God’s authority. Instead, He submitted Himself to the Father’s will and died on the cross.

  “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.” (John 6:38)

  But He came back to life like Aaron’s budding rod, “the firstfruits from the dead” (1 Corinthians 15:20).

  “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” (John 11:15-26)

  Third, the Ten Commandments: Jesus didn’t reject God’s right standard of living. He lived a sinless life and obeyed God’s law perfectly, becoming our perfect sacrifice and intercessor. His sacrifice instituted a new covenant that was not based on the Law.

  But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” (Romans 3:20-22)

• THE FURNITURE WITHIN THE HOLY PLACE (Exodus 25,27,30,37)

  We should never cease to MARVEL at the WONDERS OF OUR SALVATION.

  [1]. At the Brazen Altar - FORGIVEN; At the Laver - CLEANSED.
  [2]. All this was accomplished on the CROSS.

  There are OTHER PRECIOUS PRIVILEGES available to us through the PRESENT MINISTRY OF CHRIST.

  [1]. To know these, the believer must enter the DOOR that leads from theOUTER COURT into the HOLY PLACE.
  [2]. This REQUIRES a definite act of FAITH as was required to enter the GATE, and many Christians have not taken this SECOND STEP.

  (a). A saved person in the COURT sometimes thinks that it is so wonderful what more should he want (it is glorious Just to be saved, but what more glorious to enter into sweet fellowship with Christ).
  (b). The Tabernacle is not seen UNTIL INSIDE.

  [3]. To grow a Christian must enter, we cannot hold fellowship with the world and enter at the same time; we cannot take the world with us, we cannot know the joys of the yielded life until fully consecrated. WITH REVERENT HEARTS we enter the SACRED PLACES reserved for PRIESTS UNTO GOD (Heb. 9:23-28; I Pet. 9) (the believers) as seen in the THREE PIECES OF FURNITURE (Rev. 1:5,6).

  I. THE TABLE OF SHEWBREAD - (North) (Ex. 25:23-30; 31: 18; 37:10-16).

  FELLOWSHIP – in CHRIST is seen here. The Lord desires to have fellowship with us, and more – that we know Him better, so He has provided a table for us to come around – this is His invitation to the believer to commune with Him by feasting upon the Bread of Life (John 6:35).

  We can do this by feasting on the WRITTEN WORD, both in private and public Bible study we find the answer to our every need (in Christ).

  A. THE SIZE - 2 by 1 by 1 1/2 Cubits

  [1]. The Table was large enough to receive all who are worthy to come (all who will enter and desire this inner fellowship); but small enough to exclude all who are not worthy (l Cor. 11:28,29).

  B. MATERIALS – Shittim Wood, overlaid with gold (humanity and divinity).

  C. CHARACTERISTICS – Not an ordinary table, there were some peculiarities:

  [1]. THE BORDER: Perhaps a ledge around the table to hold the utensils.
  [2].TWO CROWNS: Of gold – one, kept bread on the Table; second, kept things from falling off the border.

  (a). The twice-crowned Lord: once with thorns, and the crown He will wear as King of Kings, Lord of Lords.

  [4]. RINGS AND STAVES: Used to carry the Table when traveling, it went with them; we have the WORD, which can be taken anywhere we go (Israelites had no abiding place in the wilderness, ever on the march; the Tabernacle was a picture of God’s complete provision: Table, food; Candlestick, guidance; Altar of Incense, intercession).
  [5]. VESSELS: Dishes, spoons for putting incense on the bread; and covers and bowls for the drink offering.

  D. THE SHEWBREAD – Was that which the priest fed upon, the priests would then be representatives of the people.

  [1]. 12 loaves of bread on the Table at all times, two rows of six each.
  [2]. (Lev. 24:5-9) The priests would eat the bread once a week (flavored with frankincense), and it was replaced as it was eaten (never a time of no food).
  [3]. The basis of our fellowship is Christ, He is sufficient, all we need.
  [4]. Feeding and feasting on Christ is not a SHALLOW ENTERTAINMENT, but a time of nourishing and strengthening.
  [5]. Unleavened – Leaven is a type of sin (“no fault in Him “Pilate).
  [6]. Fine Flour – Of the earth, crushed, not palatable until baked; here is the testing, suffering Christ.
  [7]. “Standing Up” – There were no chairs for them to sit down, for the House of God is not a PIECE OF EASE AND ENTERTAINMENT but the place of WORK AND SERVICE (no laziness, no excuses).

  II. THE GOLDEN CANDLESTICK

  LAMPSTAND (South) (Exodus 25:31-40; 37:17-24; 39:37)

  Here is TESTIMONY, giving forth LIGHT, a symbol of CHRIST THE HOLY SPIRIT, and THE BELIEVER Joined together.

  A. SIZE AND SHAPE – No size given, but shape and design given in detail (the most beautiful and ornamental piece of furniture).

  [1]. A center shaft with three branches on each side, making seven lamps (Christ is the center Jn.15:5); we are the branches (Matt. 5:14).
  [2]. Estimated weight would be around 100 pounds of gold.
  [3]. Six branches differed from the center shaft;

  (a). 3 bowls, 1 knop, 1 flower on each branch – the center shaft had 4 of each – also a knop under each set of branches.

  [4]. Lamps for oil – usefulness as well as beauty, to give LIGHT.

  (a). Tongs, snuffers and snuffdishes for trimming, morning and evening.

  B. BEFORE THE LORD - (Exodus 40:25)

  [1]. The lampstand is not light before the world, but the world knew that it was alight, when we seek to live for his glory only, the world will say: These men have been with Jesus.”

  C. THE PERSONAL PRONOUN “HIS” USED OF LAMPSTAND – (refers to Christ).

  [1]. “Beaten of gold” (Is. 53:5,10) – suffering, bruising of Christ.
  [2]. “Beaten olive oil” – The sufferings of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30).

  III. THE ALTAR OF INCENSE – (Center, West) (Ex. 30:1-10,34-38; 37:25-29).

  “Before the veil” - PRAYER AND WORSHIP AND PRAISE.

  Here is CHRIST in whose name our prayers must ascend [Matt. 17:5; Eph. 1:6).

  How eager we should be to learn how to PRAY and to PRAISE HIM.

  [1]. SIZE – 2 by 1 by 1 cubits – just large enough to serve its purpose.
  [2]. MATERIALS – Shittim Wood, overlaid with gold (Christ makes intercession in Heaven for the believers on EARTH.
  [3]. A CROWN – To keep fire from falling to the ground (fire with incense).
  [4]. HORNS – As on the Brazen Altar, speak of power and strength - POWER OF PRAYER.
  [5]. RINGS AND STAVES - For travel, prayer is not limited to time and place.
  [6]. PURPOSE – Shows forth the greater work of the Cross, and NOW becomes our MEDIATOR.
  [7]. POSITION – In the Holy Place BEFORE THE THRONE, the Mercy Seat; as Christ is now not sitting on a throne, but at the right hand of God.
  [8]. THE INCENSE – Equal portions of:

  (a). STACTE – The natural gum of the myrrh tree; myrrh being artificially produced by incisions.
  (b). ONYCHA – A perfume that was rendered from shellfish types.
  (c). GALBANUM – Resinous, yellow-brown incense, but it is not known from what plant or tree it was derived.
  (d). FRANKINCENSE – Resin of the Boswellia tree, which grows 40 feet high in India and Arabia. it has a balsamic smell and bums with a white name and fragrant odor.

• Ladies' Night English Tea Party

  Varieties of tea and light refreshments to be enjoyed
  while watching Jane Austen’s Persuasion

  When: Oct 1, 2010
  Where: Hughes’ home
  Time: 6:30-8:30pm

  CHILDCARE WILL BE PROVIDED!!

• Lesson Two-THE FENCE AND THE OUTER COURT

  The Tabernacle Exodus 26; 27:9- 18; 38:9-20 “WHOSOEVER WILL MAY COME” The most costly building, for its size, ever erected, was the TABERNACLE [1]. It was only 15 ft. wide, 45 ft. long, 15 ft. high (675 sq. ft. of floor space, only two rooms). [2]. The cost of materials was over $10,000,000.00 (not counting labor). [3]. It stood WITHIN A COURT which was the size of an average city lot (75 x 150): and was enclosed by a FENCE (7 1/2 ft. high).  I. THE TABERNACLE WAS ALWAYS IN THE CENTER OF THE CAMP  [1]. God is, and always has been, the GOD OF ORDER (Tribes around Tabernacle). [2]. The beauty and significance of this arrangement is GOD IS THEIR “CHIEF” (as the Bedouin camps in the desert). [3]. The CENTER, then was a PLACE OF SAFETY (Psalms 91).  B. The TABERNACLE – Always faced EAST – looking toward the SUNRISE (Matt. 24:27). [1]. It is not suggested by tints that our churches face East today, but our hearts should! [2]. The Tabernacle floor was sand – all the beauty was up (Col. 3:2 ) church is also in the wilderness. [3]. The temple floor was gold (I Kings 6:30) (speaking of Christ on earth during the millennium).  II. THE MATERIALS OF THE FENCE The FENCE was of FINE, TWINED LINEN suspended on sixty pillars (posts) of brass resting on sockets of brass, caped with chapiters (crowns of silver), held in place with linen cords and pins of brass. A. One of the more prominent materials – (fence, gate, door, veil, covering). [1]. Approximately 6,000 sq. ft. used in the Tabemacle and priest robes. [2]. Linen suggested two things: (a). The righteousness of God (Heb. 7:26; Rev. 19:8). (b). “Good Works” of the saved (Eph. 2: 10) Both thoughts are Joined in (Is. 61:10). [3]. What a wonderful exhibition of RIGHTEOUSNESS. [4]. How the LINEN FENCE must have stood out in CONTRAST to the hundreds of BLACK TENTS (Solomon 1:5) pitched around it – Christ’s RIGHTEOUSNESS in a perverse and crooked generation (Deut. 32:5; Phil. 2:15). B. THE HARVEST OF LINEN - [1]. For seven years the soil is prepared before the flax seed is sown for this high grade, finely twined linen (other crops are raised and plowed back into the soil – this is the work of the Holy Spirit preparing our hearts to receive the Word (seed) of God. [2]. The special seed is sown (flax will grow anywhere, in contrast to cotton or silk: God’s righteousness is universally available). (The blood of Christ can meet the needs of any sinner anywhere). [3].Harvesting is done by hand, (flax has been sown closely together ) to preserve the fine texture (individual salvation) and laid in pools of water for the flax plant to die and the linen fibers to “come alive-separated” (baptism of the believer). [4].Cleansing and combing come next, much rough treatment, but many short hairy bits are removed (testing, trials). [5].Finer, and finer combing brings soft, silky finish (Rom. 5:3-51). [6].Spun into thread, wetted and spread in the sun to bleach. (1 Pet. 1:6-7). C. THE PILLARS – (posts) Sixty in number, made of brass sockets, silver chapiters. [1]. 60 – composed of five twelves. [2]. 100 cubits long. [3]. 50 cubits wide (Lev. 25:5-17). [4]. Brass – divine judgment – Christ took the divine judgment of sin for us (2 Cor. 5:21). [5].The CHAPITERS of SILVER (Ex. 30:11-16). Silver is discriptive of REDEMPTION, although condemned and deserving of death, the believer has been judged and redeemed in Christ’s death.  III. THE PURPOSE OF THE FENCE The Fence was continuous, except for the One Gate in front. A. It was a BARRIER – Unlawful entrance is prevented. B. It was PROTECTION – Kept enemies of righteousness at a distance, but inside you are surrounded by righteousness. C. It was a LINE – The camp outside, the Tabernacle inside; a positive mark (righteousness) separating the Church and the World. D. It was a WAY OF APPROACH – man must come God’s way, God’s provided way in Christ.  IV. THE GATE There was only ONE OPENING in the FENCE – THE GATE A. THREE ENTRANCES – Gate, Door, Veil - [1]. VEIL – Downward from God. [2]. DOOR – Outward from God to man. [3]. GATE – Upward from man to God. [4]. ALL THREE equal in size – 100 cubits square; Gate (5×20); Door, Veil (10x 10). [5]. EXTRA WIDE – WHOSOEVER WILL.  B. DESCRIPTION OF THE GATE - [1]. 20 cubits wide, 5 cubits high, supported on 4 pillars. [2]. Fine twined linen embroidered with blue, purple and scarlet. [3]. BLUE – Heavenly origin, nature (JOHN – Son of God). [4]. PURPLE – Royalty (MATTHEW - King of the Jews). [5]. SCARLET – Sacrifice, death (MARK – suffering servant). [6]. LINEN – Righteousness (LUKE – (Perfect) Son of Man). [7]. FOUR PILLARS – (North, East, South, West) – The WORLD NUMBER (three openings In pillars – The WAY, The TRUTH, The LIFE).  C. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE GATE - [1]. It was an ONLY GATE – One way (Acts 4:12). [2]. It was a WIDE GATE – “Whosoever will” (Rom. 10:13). [3]. It was an ACCESSIBLE GATE – No locks, no bars, (no cherubims). [4]. It was an ATTRACTIVE GATE – A beautiful blend of colors. [5]. It was a WELL SUPPORTED GATE – Holding forth God’s righteous demands.  THE GATE is the FIRST STEP TO GOD: “WHOSOEVER WILL MAY COME”  MULTIPLES OF FIVE IN THE MEASUREMENTS A large number of the measurements are multiples of fives. What does this mean? FIVE is the number of Death or Grace! THE COURT: THE ENTRANCE: 60 pillars (12×5) Gate 20 cubits wide (4×5) 60 chapiters (12×50 Gate 5 cubits high (1×5) 60 sockets (12×5) Door 10 cubits wide (2×5) 20 pins (24×5) Door 10 cubits wide (2×5) 100 cubits long (20×5) Door 5 pillars (1×5)     THE TABERNACLE: HOLY OF HOLIES: 30 cubits long (6×5) 10 x 10 x 10 (2×5) 10 cubits wide (2×5)   10 cubits wide (2×5) BRAZEN ALTAR: 100 silver sockets (20×5) 5 x 5 cubits (1×5) 15 bars (3×5) 5 vessels (1×5) 5 bars each side (1×5) 5 animals (1×5) 10 curtains (2×5) 5 offerings (1×5) 50 taches (10×5) In the Ark: 100 blue loops (20×5) 10 commandments (2×5)     HOLY PLACE:   20 cubits long (4×5)   10 cubits wide (2×5)   10 cubits high (2×5)   ESTIMATED VALUE (Exodus 38:24-31) With the change in monetary values, it is difficult to accurately evaluate the Tabernacle. However, the Scriptural listing was: GOLD 29 talents 730 shekels = 1 1/4 tons SILVER 100 talents 1,775 shekels = 4 1/4 tons BRASS 70 talents 2,400 shekels = 4 tons A talent of gold was about 120 pounds, a talent of silver about 100 pounds, a shekel was one-half ounce. Adding to this the cost of the wood, fabrics, priestly garments, precious stones, it has been estimated to be valued at $10,000,000.00 without labor. Where did they get this wealth? (Exodus 12:35,36)  Notes:

• Keys to God’s Kingdom Introduction (NEW LESSONS)

  Unlocking Faith-Filled Belief

  Introduction

  We are going to start an adventure!  Learning Keys to the Kingdom is a subject brought up quiet often in the Bible.  So much so, I began to pray and ask God to reveal His complete Truth concerning the keys to His kingdom to me.  I don’t know about you, but I want everything God has for me as a Christian.  Not crumbs, not just enough to get by, but really pumping it up to learn more about our wonderful God!  So, here we go learning together about some keys to God’s kingdom. 

   Matthew 16:19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind (declare to be improper and unlawful) on earth must be what is already bound in heaven; and whatever you loose (declare lawful) on earth must be what is already loosed in heaven.

  Of course to use these keys we must be first birth from above (salvation).  Not church membership, not talking to a pastor for counsel, not leaning on family traditions, nor is it a crutch to use when life kicks us hard.   Birthing from above is an intimate introduction to the Creator of the world, God the Father, through the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  When this happens to us at God’s timing and purpose then we enter into God’s kingdom.  A kingdom has a King and it is a territory the King has usually fought a battle for to win or take a territory back from another ruler who was not treating the people of the territory good, so the good King comes and fights a war and wins, and the Kingdom is His and the ruler must surrender his title to the King and be under authority to the victorious King.

  We have to learn about the kingdom and its beginnings the Bible speaks of.  This is a simple analogy I wrote to kind of give us the idea of living in God’s Kingdom.

  God created the earth and His presence was               Verses                             Satan wanted to be equal to God

  With  His Creation.                                                                                                                    he hated God’s Creation, so He

                                                                                                                                                                  stole  man’s position with God.

   

  God gave Adam authority in His Kingdom. —————————————Satan, was in the very

  but Adam lost the kingdom due to his                                                           presence of God,  because he

  disobedience and sin.                                                                                      was created by God.  But due

  to his disobedience he was    kicked out of God’s headquarters and cast down to earth.  Not satisfied with this position, he desired to be equal with God so He lied and Adam chose to believe Satan rather than God, so therefore Satan took the Kingdom and became the evil ruler, who used his power in the earth to kill, steal and destroy.

  .The kingdom suffered at the hand ———————————————–Satan worked hard through

  Its  new evil ruler.                                                                                                                 the very ones who were the

  chosen ones of God  (religious rulers) of the Kingdom.  They took the commandments of God and made them personal preferences.  The love the ruled God’s kingdom was turned into lies which enslaved the people God loved.

   

  Centuries pasted but God never————————————————–The evil ruler, Satan, knew

  forgot the promise He made to regain                                                                              the battle was coming, so he

  the  kingdom by the battle God was                                                                                   looked through the earth for

  planning between His Son, Prince Jesus                                                                            people to help him when the

  and the evil ruler, Satan.                                                                                                          battle came.  And he found

                                                                                                                                                              them among the very ones who

                                                                                                                                                               said they loved God and was

                                                                                                                                                              waiting for Jesus too.

                                                                         

  Time was right and the expected——————————————————–The evil ruler, Satan, drew his

  Prince came into the fallen kingdom.                                                                                      chosen ones close too.  He blinded

  He lived in the evil ruler’s kingdom and                                                                                  them to the true identity of Prince

  chose his knights (disciples) carefully.                                                                                    Jesus.  Causing them to divide the

                                                                                                                                                                     earth’s people.

  Prince Jesus took time to train and arm His——————————————-While the evil ruler caused

  knights and also did good among the common                                                                  confusion and even attacked the

  people.  The battle would come and He was listening                                                    Prince knights and caused them to

  his Father God’s instructions and joining Him in plans                                                 doubt their loyalty to Him.

  to seek and save the lost in the earth.

                         

  The time drew near for the Prince’s intense——————————————The evil ruler, knew the knight’s

  battle to take back the kingdom from the evil ruler.                                                      weaknesses from his spies.  He even

  He was ready, His knights were in place, tho’ they                                                          divided them so he could have the

  were weak Prince Jesus knew what He had                                                                         Prince killed and his authority would

  taught them would help win the battle.                                                                                 continue in the fallen kingdom.                                                                                                                                                                         His plan worked!  And he thought

                                                                                                                                                                was secure in the earth

  The Prince died at the hand of the ones———————————————The evil ruler, Satan, even made sure

  the evil ruler had used to set up the                                                                                  the body of the Prince was guarded

  assassination of Prince Jesus. The                                                                                     Just in case, someone was not on his

  religious who had said they were waiting                                                                       side.  But the joke was on the

  for Prince Jesus.                                                                                                                       religious traders because they didn’t

                                                                                                                                                           realize they would be slaves to the                                                                                                                                                            evil Satan for centuries to come.

   

  But God had a secret plan the evil ruler didn’t————————————-The evil ruler, was not prepared for

  know about.  Prince Jesus was given power by                                                             the Prince invading his private palace.

  God to come back to life, to never die again.  But                                                          Much less taking the keys he had

  not only did Prince Jesus come back  to life, He                                                             worked and schemed over to get!!

  went to the headquarters of the evil ruler (hell)                                                             He was left without a fallen kingdom,

  and took the keys back for the Kingdom God had                                                           and had to work extra hard to

  created.  The Prince was now the King of the                                                                      convince the great big powerful

  Kingdom He had won.!                                                                                                                  leader he once was!  

                                                                                      

  Prince Jesus set up His Kingdom with authority———————————–The evil Satan wouldn’t give up, he

  and promises to His people.  He returned to                                                                  knew there would be a second

  His headquarters (heaven) and He and God rules                                                        battle and this one he would win.

  the Kingdom today.  There are many  who God                                                            So he started his strategy for this

  has invited to be in the kingdom with Him and                                                              battle and once again he send spies

  they enjoy all the blessing, protection and benefits                                                    into the kingdom and they gathered

  of their King Jesus.                                                                                                                     information.

  Satan knew he wouldhave to divide the Good King’s kingdom, so he came again to the religious rulers in the New Kingdom and many listened to him and decided to leave the Good King’s kingdom.  Some stayed but were loyal to the evil Satan’s lies.  So much that they took them to the streets and tried to get the Kingdom dwellers to believe them and become powerless to the Good King.

   The Good King Jesus assured His people in the————————————-The evil Satan knew he had to steal

  Kingdom through His Pastors and Teachers, that                                                          the people’s joy and devotion from

  His promises for them was true and all they had to                                                      from King Jesus.  So he set out to

  do was believe Him and take Him at His word and                                                       kill, steal and destroy on every level

  pledge their loyalty to Him.  The Good King Jesus                                                       he could. 

  But King Jesus had giventold them, He would take care of them as long as those in His kingdom weapons and

  they stayed in His Kingdom.  King Jesus told them  armor to fight with but  Satan knew He was preparing for the final battle and that                                                                 he must use his weapons, which had

  the evil Satan would be completely judged and                                                              worked in the past to destroy the

  held captive for eternity.  King Jesus would be                                                               citizens of the Kingdom, who had

  victorious again and His Kingdom would be forever.                                    power to destroy him.  So he told half truths, and brought up their past and accused them on every hand.  He caused them to fear lies and doubt the goodness of their King.   It render many powerless and by doing so there weren’t so many coming into the Good King’s Kingdom.  He killed off others by sickness and diseased before their time because of lack of the experience of faith in the promises the King had made.  It was working!

   

                                                                                     

   

  Now let’s ask these questions—have you been invited into this Kingdom by King Jesus?  If you have you are a citizen of God’s Kingdom that is forever.   Are you ready to be a warrior for Him or will you live on the out-skirts of the Kingdom and be a powerless and fearful citizen? Do you believe the promises the King has made?  Have you surrendered your personal rights to your King?  Is He Lord of your life?

   

  Be watchful, Satan, will tell you lies and you will become prideful and desire to be like God, and chose to reason with the King.  But a King you do not reason with, but rather surrender to.

   

  You may think this is a silly analogy of our place in God’s kingdom, but it’s not, it’s the Truth.  We will begin to study the Keys to the Kingdom each week.

                                                                                                                         

  Luke 12:31 Only aim at and strive for and seek His kingdom, and all these things shall be supplied to you also.