CSSA 2-1-23 - THE MOST SACRED PLACE IN ISRAEL

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148. THE MOST SACRED PLACE IN ISRAEL

The Most Holy Place was Israel's most sacred place, as its name indicates. Only the High Priest was permitted into it, and even then only once a year after a special ritual. In this way all Israel was impressed with the holiness of Yahweh their God. He is separate from all flesh, and man must humble himself before Him if he wants to be approved of God.

Exodus 25:10-22; 37:1-9

THE MOST HOLY PLACE

The far end of the Tabernacle was divided by a curtain or vail like the one at the door. The Vail separated the Most Holy from the Holy Place and it was through this that the High Priests entered only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Exod. 30:10). Only he was allowed into the Most Holy. Israel was taught that Yahweh was separate from all flesh and that man needs a mediator (a go-between) appointed by God between himself and God.

THE VAIL

The vail was a curtain of needlework embroidered with blue, purple and scarlet threads and gold cherubim. It was hung from four wooden pillars overlaid with gold. It separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy. The colours of the threads of the vail are used to mean the following in scripture:—

Fine Linen represents righteousness (Rev. 19:8);

Scarlet symbolises sin (Isa. 1:18). Christ is the sin bearer whose blood was shed for us (1 Pet. 2:24).

Purple is a token of royalty showing Christ's royal destiny (Jn. 19:2) Being a mixture of red and blue, it is a token of priests mediating between man and God (1 Tim. 2:5);

Blue is a symbol of holiness to God (Num. 15:38-40).

THE FURNITURE IN THE MOST HOLY

The only furniture in the Most Holy was the Ark of the Covenant. It was a chest made of shittim wood overlaid with gold, and with rings of gold on each corner and staves of wood overlaid with gold. The lid called the "Mercy Seat", was a slab of pure gold, with the figures of two cherubim — one at each end, beaten out of the same piece of gold. The two cherubim had outstretched wings which bent over the mercy seat. Its faces looked toward each other and down upon the mercy seat. Inside the Ark there were the tables of stone, on which was inscribed the Law, the golden pot of manna, and Aaron's rod that budded.

THE CHERUBIM AND MERCY SEAT

The Mercy Seat pointed forward to Jesus Christ, who is our Mercy Seat (Rom. 3:25). Through him, his brethren and sisters approach God and through him obtain forgiveness for their sins. The Cherubim are one with the Mercy Seat, being formed from the same piece of gold (Ex. 25:18-20). In the same way, true believers must be one with Jesus Christ (John 17:20-21). Notice that the faces of the Cherubim are turned towards the Mercy Seat (Exod. 25:20), as the faces of true believers should always be turned towards their Lord (Hebrews 12:2).

THE BLOOD IN THE MOST HOLY

Once every year on the Day of Atonement, the High Priest entered through the Vail into the Most Holy. He was commanded by God to sprinkle the mercy seat with blood (Lev. 16:14). If he dared to go into the Most Holy without doing this, he would be punished by death. The Mercy Seat was sprinkled with the blood of bulls and goats (Lev. 16:14-15). As the Cherubim looked down, their faces were turned towards the blood-spattered Mercy Seat. As our eyes are turned towards the Lord Jesus we "see" his great offering for us, and we realise that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins. We know that in him is the true law, the true manna or bread of life (John 6:48-51), and the true resurrection of which Aaron's dead rod that budded is a symbol.

THE GLORY OF YAHWEH

The Most Holy had no need of artificial lighting as it was lit by the light of the glory of Yahweh, which shone from between the Cherubim and above the Mercy Seat (Exod. 29:43-46; 25:22).

When Jesus appeared 1960 years ago, he was likened to the LIGHT or GLORY of Yahweh shining in a dark place (John 1:5). He revealed the glory of the Father to men. In all that he said, and did, as well as in the wonderful character he had, there was seen a reflection of Divine glory. This was made even brighter when he was raised from the dead, and made immortal.

Possessing now the nature of God as well as God's character, he is, indeed, the expression of Divine Glory. As the High Priest saw the glory of God above the Mercy Seat, we can imagine it manifested by the Lord Jesus. John says that the disciples beheld in him "the glory of the Father" (John 1:14). This was the Father's moral glory. Paul later saw him in his physical glory (Acts 9:3; 22:6), and all the world will see Christ's glory at his return. The glory of Yahweh not only shone above the Mercy Seat, but between the Cherubim as well. The lesson taught Israel (and us) is that true Israelites must reflect the same glory as the Mercy Seat. That is what Jesus meant when he said "let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father, which is in heaven" (Matt. 5:16). We can reflect or mirror the glory of the Lord now, if he dwells in our hearts by faith (Eph. 3:17). If that is our position, we will in the end gain the glory which is the Lord Jesus' now. We will possess his nature of sinlessness and immortality, and share his glory. Thus Paul said we live "in hope of the glory of God" (Rom. 5:2) He also told us that Jesus at his return will change our body "that it may be like his glorious body" (Phil. 3:21). Then men will see in us, as in our Lord, the glory of Yahweh revealed (Rom. 8:18). How thankful we should be to be given such a glorious hope to take part in extending God's glory in the Kingdom Age. What an honour is held out to us!

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TABERNACLE TO US

In Hebrews 9:1-10, the Apostle shows how the rules, sacrifices and the Tabernacle furnishings were typical of Christ and his work. Later he states that Christ is our High Priest who has entered into heaven (vv. 11-12). He is our Mediator through whom we can approach and worship God (Heb. 10:19-24).

The Tabernacle was God's dwelling place and there He met with Israel. When Christ's work is completed and the earth freed from sin, God will dwell with men in the complete sense. If we are worthy and rewarded with eternal life God will dwell with us for eternity.

SUMMARY OF THE LESSONS FROM THE TABERNACLE

The three sections of the Tabernacle are like the three stages by which we can share God's glory in the coming Kingdom:

1. Outer Court — Preparing

All must enter the doorway (through Christ). They must wash at the laver by heeding the instruction of the Word. Then they must make contact with the altar of sacrifice through Baptism. Only then are they fit to enter the Holy Place.

2. Holy Place — Walking In The Light

A person does this when he accepts Christ in the way appointed. He must walk in the light of the Truth (Lampstand). He must partake of the bread of life and bring forth fruit to God (Shewbread). He must keep on praying (Incense).

3. Most Holy Place — Sharing The Glory

The apostle says that the vail is a symbol of the flesh (Heb. 10:20). Thus to go 'beyond the vail' is to become immortal. In the bright shining of glory there is seen the final glory of one who has accepted Christ and has walked consistently in the light of his truth.

As the Most Holy Place was approached, fewer in Israel were permitted to enter as worshippers. Thus:

Outside the court were the thousands of Israel;
Inside the court the Levites and priests could come;
In the Holy Place only the Priests were permitted;
In the Most Holy the High Priest alone could enter once a year.

Jesus has told us that many are called but few will be chosen. They will enter the immortal, divine state, represented by the Most Holy Place. Let us listen to that call and joyfully seek to know the Truth so that we can be judged worthy to enter the Kingdom of God.

REFERENCE LIBRARY:

"Visible Hand Of God" (R. Roberts)—Ch. 17

"The Law Of Moses" (R. Roberts)—Ch. 13

"Law And Grace" (W. F. Barling)—Pp 63-66

"The Tabernacle" (H. C. Gates)

PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS:

1 (a) How often was the High Priest allowed into the Most Holy Place?

(b) What material and colored threads were used in the making of the vail and how did these point forward to Christ?

2 (a) What furniture was used in the Most Holy?