Sin is the problem. The solution is in the sanctuary. What makes sin the great problem? It is the root cause of all other problems. War slays its millions, leaving weeping widows and orphans, and it all started with sin. There can be no peace until sin is eradicated.
Crime costs billions of dollars and fills the hearts of multitudes with fear. In large sections of many cities one does not dare to walk alone on the streets after dark. “Sin is the transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4). So until someone solves the sin problem, crime will continue. “Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse” (2 Timothy 3:13).
The wreckage of broken homes piles up on the rocks of human selfishness, and selfishness is sin. The only answer to security in the family lies in getting rid of sin. Then husband and wife, parents and children, can rejoice in unity.
Disease fills our hospitals and saps the vitality of many people who manage to “keep going.” Pain-filled days and weary nights make life a burden. Directly or indirectly, sin causes it all. When God eternally and completely solves the sin problem, “the inhabitants shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity” (Isaiah 33:24).
Worse than the strife and war around us, more painful than any physical disease, is the problem of the restless human heart suffering under the burden of guilt. These feelings of guilt are only the fruit; sin is the root. And the ax must be laid at the root of the tree.
Yes, sin is man’s great problem, but it is also God’s great problem. He longs to have us with Him in happy fellowship. Yes, since sin made the separation, sin must be removed for the separation to end.
Why should it be such a problem to get rid of sin? Why not burn it up, the sooner the better! God would like to destroy it at once. But look at His problem. Many of those He loves are infected with this deadly virus. The only solution which can satisfy God’s heart of in nite love must separate sin from sinners. Can this be done? God says it can. Satan says, “Impossible!” Whom do you believe?
Only God can solve the sin problem. “I, even I, am the Lord; and beside Me there is no Saviour” (Isaiah 43:11). He Himself provides the ransom that makes possible the reunion. “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself ” (2 Corinthians 5:19). Through Christ all things will be reconciled, things in heaven as well as things on earth (Colossians 1:20). “He was manifested to take away our sins” (1 John 3:5).
The center of the plan of salvation is God’s temple in heaven. “A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary” (Jeremiah 17:12). “The Lord is in His holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven” (Psalm 11:4). God’s angels surround His throne—ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands. And He has enlisted all of them to help solve the sin problem; “are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14).
To that temple God’s people have turned their eyes and poured out their prayers in hope and faith. David sings, “I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy loving kindness and for thy truth” (Psalm 138:2). “In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears” (Psalm 18:6).
God desires that we shall become well acquainted with the work going on in the heavenly sanctuary. “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; a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man” (Hebrews 8:1, 2). Because in that heavenly temple He “ever liveth to make intercession” for us, He invites us to “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 7:25; 4:16).
The most marvellous visual aid of the ages was prepared in order that we might become acquainted with God’s heavenly temple. God planned a miniature model and gave Moses the directions for Israel: “Let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8). And He told Moses to make it like the pattern.
Paul says that the pattern which Moses saw on the mount was the heavenly sanctuary. The priests who ministered on earth served “unto the example and shadow of heavenly things” (Hebrews 8:4, 5). So by studying the earthly sanctuary and the services conducted here, we shall better understand the services of the heavenly sanctuary and thus shall be prepared to cooperate with Christ in solving the sin problem.
Detailed descriptions of the earthly tabernacle and its services cover many chapters in Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers.
Patriarchs and Prophets, in the chapter entitled “The Tabernacle and Its Services,” presents a beautiful summary.
Let us in our imagination visit the camp of Israel and observe. In the center of the camp we see a tent-like structure surrounded by a large court, approximately 150 feet long and 75 feet wide. On the east side we enter between beautiful curtains and observe a large bronze altar, the place of sacrifice. Between the altar and the sanctuary a bronze laver provides water for the priests to wash their hands and feet before engaging in the sacred services.
The sanctuary itself has two apartments. At the entrance we see a magnificent veil of blue, purple, and scarlet. In the first room, called the holy place, the seven-branched golden candlestick sheds its light, which the gold-plated walls reflect. On the right stands the table of shewbread with its twelve loaves of bread. At the western end of the room we notice the golden altar of incense where the priest morning and evening burns incense. Its fragrant smoke ascends and fills the sanctuary, spreading out into the court.
Beyond the second veil is the most holy place. Here we notice a beautiful chest overlaid with gold, covered by the mercy seat. Golden figures of cherubim, one at either end, look down with reverent attention. Enshrined within this ark of the covenant, lie the Ten Commandments, which point out sin. And the services carried on in the court, in the holy place, and in the most holy place, show how God deals with the sin problem.
The Book of Hebrews describes the tabernacle that Moses made and presents it as the sanctuary of the old covenant. In contrast it shows us the sanctuary of the new covenant, the temple of God in heaven (see Hebrews 9:1-5; 8:1-6). Moses made the one on earth; God made the one in heaven.
In vision John saw the heavenly temple and “seven lamps of re burning before the throne” (Revelation 4:5). He saw incense hovered “with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar” (Revelation 8:3). Then he looked within the second veil and viewed the most holy place.“ The temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament” (Revelation 11:19).
While God entrusted to human hands the building of the earthly sanctuary, instructing men to make every detail like the heavenly pattern, He reserved to Himself the work of writing the Decalogue. “He wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments” (Exodus 34:28). “The law of God in the sanctuary in heaven is the great original, of which the precepts inscribed upon the tables of stone, and recorded by Moses in the Pentateuch, were an unerring transcript.” Those who understand “this important point” are “thus led to see the sacred, unchanging character of the divine law” (GC 434). They realize that from age to age “all his commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever” (Psalm 111:7, 8).
The ancient sanctuary no longer functions. The shadow has given place to the substance. Jesus’ ministry has opened a new and living way. God has provided an infinite ransom to effect eternal reunion. As we look through the telescope of divine revelation we will watch what is going on within that open door and will thus become acquainted with Christ’s work as the Mediator of the new and better covenant. Thus we will be prepared to share with Him in the solution of the sin problem. R&R WDF
Crime costs billions of dollars and fills the hearts of multitudes with fear. In large sections of many cities one does not dare to walk alone on the streets after dark. “Sin is the transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4). So until someone solves the sin problem, crime will continue. “Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse” (2 Timothy 3:13).
The wreckage of broken homes piles up on the rocks of human selfishness, and selfishness is sin. The only answer to security in the family lies in getting rid of sin. Then husband and wife, parents and children, can rejoice in unity.
Disease fills our hospitals and saps the vitality of many people who manage to “keep going.” Pain-filled days and weary nights make life a burden. Directly or indirectly, sin causes it all. When God eternally and completely solves the sin problem, “the inhabitants shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity” (Isaiah 33:24).
Worse than the strife and war around us, more painful than any physical disease, is the problem of the restless human heart suffering under the burden of guilt. These feelings of guilt are only the fruit; sin is the root. And the ax must be laid at the root of the tree.
Yes, sin is man’s great problem, but it is also God’s great problem. He longs to have us with Him in happy fellowship. Yes, since sin made the separation, sin must be removed for the separation to end.
Why should it be such a problem to get rid of sin? Why not burn it up, the sooner the better! God would like to destroy it at once. But look at His problem. Many of those He loves are infected with this deadly virus. The only solution which can satisfy God’s heart of in nite love must separate sin from sinners. Can this be done? God says it can. Satan says, “Impossible!” Whom do you believe?
Only God can solve the sin problem. “I, even I, am the Lord; and beside Me there is no Saviour” (Isaiah 43:11). He Himself provides the ransom that makes possible the reunion. “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself ” (2 Corinthians 5:19). Through Christ all things will be reconciled, things in heaven as well as things on earth (Colossians 1:20). “He was manifested to take away our sins” (1 John 3:5).
The center of the plan of salvation is God’s temple in heaven. “A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary” (Jeremiah 17:12). “The Lord is in His holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven” (Psalm 11:4). God’s angels surround His throne—ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands. And He has enlisted all of them to help solve the sin problem; “are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14).
To that temple God’s people have turned their eyes and poured out their prayers in hope and faith. David sings, “I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy loving kindness and for thy truth” (Psalm 138:2). “In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears” (Psalm 18:6).
God desires that we shall become well acquainted with the work going on in the heavenly sanctuary. “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; a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man” (Hebrews 8:1, 2). Because in that heavenly temple He “ever liveth to make intercession” for us, He invites us to “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 7:25; 4:16).
The most marvellous visual aid of the ages was prepared in order that we might become acquainted with God’s heavenly temple. God planned a miniature model and gave Moses the directions for Israel: “Let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8). And He told Moses to make it like the pattern.
Paul says that the pattern which Moses saw on the mount was the heavenly sanctuary. The priests who ministered on earth served “unto the example and shadow of heavenly things” (Hebrews 8:4, 5). So by studying the earthly sanctuary and the services conducted here, we shall better understand the services of the heavenly sanctuary and thus shall be prepared to cooperate with Christ in solving the sin problem.
Detailed descriptions of the earthly tabernacle and its services cover many chapters in Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers.
Patriarchs and Prophets, in the chapter entitled “The Tabernacle and Its Services,” presents a beautiful summary.
Let us in our imagination visit the camp of Israel and observe. In the center of the camp we see a tent-like structure surrounded by a large court, approximately 150 feet long and 75 feet wide. On the east side we enter between beautiful curtains and observe a large bronze altar, the place of sacrifice. Between the altar and the sanctuary a bronze laver provides water for the priests to wash their hands and feet before engaging in the sacred services.
The sanctuary itself has two apartments. At the entrance we see a magnificent veil of blue, purple, and scarlet. In the first room, called the holy place, the seven-branched golden candlestick sheds its light, which the gold-plated walls reflect. On the right stands the table of shewbread with its twelve loaves of bread. At the western end of the room we notice the golden altar of incense where the priest morning and evening burns incense. Its fragrant smoke ascends and fills the sanctuary, spreading out into the court.
Beyond the second veil is the most holy place. Here we notice a beautiful chest overlaid with gold, covered by the mercy seat. Golden figures of cherubim, one at either end, look down with reverent attention. Enshrined within this ark of the covenant, lie the Ten Commandments, which point out sin. And the services carried on in the court, in the holy place, and in the most holy place, show how God deals with the sin problem.
The Book of Hebrews describes the tabernacle that Moses made and presents it as the sanctuary of the old covenant. In contrast it shows us the sanctuary of the new covenant, the temple of God in heaven (see Hebrews 9:1-5; 8:1-6). Moses made the one on earth; God made the one in heaven.
In vision John saw the heavenly temple and “seven lamps of re burning before the throne” (Revelation 4:5). He saw incense hovered “with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar” (Revelation 8:3). Then he looked within the second veil and viewed the most holy place.“ The temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament” (Revelation 11:19).
While God entrusted to human hands the building of the earthly sanctuary, instructing men to make every detail like the heavenly pattern, He reserved to Himself the work of writing the Decalogue. “He wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments” (Exodus 34:28). “The law of God in the sanctuary in heaven is the great original, of which the precepts inscribed upon the tables of stone, and recorded by Moses in the Pentateuch, were an unerring transcript.” Those who understand “this important point” are “thus led to see the sacred, unchanging character of the divine law” (GC 434). They realize that from age to age “all his commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever” (Psalm 111:7, 8).
The ancient sanctuary no longer functions. The shadow has given place to the substance. Jesus’ ministry has opened a new and living way. God has provided an infinite ransom to effect eternal reunion. As we look through the telescope of divine revelation we will watch what is going on within that open door and will thus become acquainted with Christ’s work as the Mediator of the new and better covenant. Thus we will be prepared to share with Him in the solution of the sin problem. R&R WDF
