This post endeavors to offer a concise explanation of the importance of the different furniture, services, and areas of the ancient Israelite sanctuary which was a “type” of the sanctuary that is located in heaven. “We have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man. (Hebrews 8:1-2).
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The entire sanctuary was rectangular in shape. Its perimeter was a “fence” of sorts made up of linen curtains. A tabernacle was located on the east side of the sanctuary. Within the tabernacle were two compartments. These were the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. The area outside of the tabernacle, and inside of the linen curtains was referred to as the Courtyard.
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The Brazen Altar
In the ancient Israelite sanctuary service, when an Israelite sinned, she/he was required to offer a spotless, white lamb as a sacrifice on the brazen altar in the courtyard. This ritual was pointing forward to the Cross. When Christ died on Calvary it was the culmination of the “Creator Becomes Sin” event. YHWH, the Creator of the heavens and Earth (Revelation 14:7) took on human form and was born in a lowly stable to Mary. He then lived a sinless life which ended at the Cross. This event satisfied the penalty of breaking the Law of God, which was death. When a lamb was sacrificed on the brazen altar, it was meant to direct the worshiper’s attention to the Lamb that takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
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The Laver
The laver represents being baptized in the water and the Spirit, thus being cleansed of sin. It represents how, when we come to Christ, we have the opportunity through His life, death, and resurrection to overcome. The laver, located in the courtyard, was where the priests, after offering a sacrifice on the brazen altar, would wash the blood of the sacrificial animal from their hands. There is a direct correlation between this act and the ritual of baptism as, when we are baptized, we are choosing to have sin removed from our lives. Sin requires the shedding of blood, and when we choose to follow Christ, we acknowledge that we must rely on his life, death, and ressurection to overcome. As part of that process, sin is washed from our lives just as the blood was washed away from the priests’ hands in the laver after the shedding of blood.
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Table of Showbread
This article of furniture was inside of the tabernacle, in the Holy Place. Twelve cakes of unleavened bread were placed upon this table on a weekly basis. The table of showbread represents Jesus as the bread of life. “For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world.” (John 6:33) Jesus referenced himself as the bread of life a number of times in the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John. When we have continual discourse with Him we are partaking of eternal life. By regularly eating of that bread of life which came down from heaven, Christ is able to come and live within us. When we eat this bread it becomes part of our very being and Christ lives His life in us, on this Earth, in this world.
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The Lampstand
The lampstand represents letting our light shine, being a witness for the Infinite One. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness.” (John 8:12) If we are in close communion with the Creator we will continually be letting our light shine just like He did. We will do this even in the simplest acts of life. We can be constantly letting our light shine by our kindness and our humble demeanor. “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:4-5) When we represent Jesus in our daily lives, we too can partake of this “Light of the world” phenomenon. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)
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Altar of Incense
The altar of incense, located in the Holy Place near the veil which separates the two compartments of the tabernacle is where the priests offered incense perpetually. This incense represents the Holy Spirit relaying our prayers to God. This is something that is done continually, bringing us into communion both with the Son and the Father. The incense that was burnt on this piece of furniture is a symbol of the communion we can have with Christ and the Father. Just as the smoke went up and over the veil into the Most Holy Place, our prayers too ascend to the Most Holy Place in heaven where the Son and Father sit.
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The Ark of the Covenant
The ark of the covenant was located within the veil just beyond the altar of incense in the Most Holy Place. Inside of it were the Ten Commandments and on each end of this ark was placed one of the golden cherubim. These were two angels made of gold that were looking down towards the law.
Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the High Priest entered the Most Holy Place sprinkling the blood of a lamb on the mercy seat, which was part of the ark of the covenant, above which, God dwelt in the form of the Shekinah Glory. The lamb was sacrificed to atone for the sins of Israel and this sanctuary service enabled Israel to be at one with God. If you study the etymology of the word atonement you will find that it actually means “at-one-ment.” The state of being at one with another being. As with the Israelites, this reality of being at one with God is also available for us, and it is God’s ideal for the human race. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.” (Revelation 21:6-7)
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