THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE

TO THE

9:1-10

Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. 2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. 3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; 4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. 6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. 7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: 8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: 9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

In this passage we see the earthly sanctuary described. The treasures to be found in the study of the Tabernacle are far too numerous for us to go too far in depth in this study. What I would like to do at this time is to list the different types that can be found in the earthly Tabernacle.

1. Gold - Deity

2. Silver - Atonement (Exodus 30:13-16)

3. Brass - Judgment (Leviticus 26:19; Numbers 21:8-9; Deuteronomy 28:23)

4. Blue - The Heavenly One (The atmospheric heavens are blue)

5. Purple - Royalty

6. Scarlet - Suffering servant (Atoning Blood)

7. Fine Linen - Righteousness (Revelation 19:8)

8. Goats' Hair - Fatal Sin of Man (Romans 5:12)

9. Rams' Skins dyed red - Consecration; obedience unto death

10. Badgers' Skins - Unlimited Protection

11. Shittim Wood - Incorruptibility (Psalms 16:10)

12. Oil - The Holy Spirit

13. Sweet Spices - Beauty (Exodus 30:34-38)

14. Veil - "That is to say, his flesh" (Hebrews 10:20)

            Types Attached to Numbers and Measurements

One - Unity

Two - Fellowship

Three - Triune Godhead

Four - Earth (Four winds; four corners of the earth)

Five - Grace

Six - Man; Human weakness

Seven - Perfection

Eight - New Beginning (New world began with 8 people, new week)

Nine - Spirit Fruit

Ten - Responsibility on earth; Completeness

Eleven - Human failure; Confusion; Judgment

Twelve - Earthly government (12 Tribes, 12 Apostles)

Forty - Testing (Jonah 3:4; Luke 4:2)

Fifty - Jubilee (Leviticus 25:8-17)

In measurement involving half cubits, each half becomes a unit of measure. For example: 2 ½ cubits = five half cubits (Five=grace).

Baking, beating, bruising, burning, crushing, piercing, and roasting remind us of Christ's suffering. For example: beaten gold (Exodus 39:3) roasted lamb (Exodus 12:9).

Now lets look at the gate. The gate was only half as high as the door and veil, but it was twice as wide. Just inside the Gate is the Altar (a type of Calvary). The invitation to redemption is wide open for one and all, as suggested by the double width.

The entrances grow narrower as you draw closer to the Holy Place. The closer one walks to Christ, the straighter his walk will become.

There were two pieces of furniture found in the Outer Court of the Tabernacle (Exodus 27:1-19; 38:1-20). First, there was the Brazen Altar (Exodus 27:1-8; 38:1-7). The Altar was a place where sacrifices were offered, and typifies Calvary. The shittim wood typifies Christ's humanity, and reminds us that Christ became Man for the express purpose of experiencing our infirmities, and to lay His life down for us. Its length was 5 cubits (Grace), and its breadth was 5 cubits (Grace). This shows double grace. Never has grace been shown more clearly than at Calvary!

On the altar there were horns on all four corners. Horns represent power. The horns on all four corners shows the power of the blood of Calvary to cleanse unto the four corners of the globe.

The Altar was overlaid with brass, typifying judgment. Calvary manifested God's judgment upon sin.

There are four great doctrines that are illustrated by the Altar. These are: Atonement (Leviticus 17:11,14; Hebrews 9:22); Redemption (Galatians 3:13; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; Titus 2:14); Justification (Romans 3:24-26; 5:1,2); and the Initial act of Sanctification (Hebrews 10:10,14; I Corinthians 1:30).

The second piece of furniture was the Brazen Laver (Exodus 30:17-21: 38:8). The Laver was made of brass typifying judgment. This was a place for the priests to wash before entering the Holy Place. It is significant to note that the Laver was made from the looking glasses of the women (Exodus 38:8). God's Word is compared to a mirror in James 1:22-25. In order for us to enter the "Holy Place", we must first wash ourselves with the Word of God, and examine ourselves in its mirror.

There are four great doctrines that are illustrated by the Laver. They are: Regeneration (John 3:5; I Corinthians 4:15; Titus 3:5; James 1:18; I Peter 1:23); Illumination (Psalms 119:105,130; John 1:1,9); Self-examination (I Corinthians 11:28; James 1:22-25); and Progressive Sanctification (II Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 5:25-27).

The outer Court structure separated the worship center from the world. It typifies Christians being in the world, but not of the world. There was not an ounce of gold in the outer court. The most prominent materials in the court were brass and wood.

There were sixty pillars that upheld a fine linen hanging, which represents the righteousness of saints since this is the only thing the world could actually see (Revelation 19:8). Often times the only glimpse of Christ the world gets to see is through the lives of the saints.

Each pillar stood in sockets of brass (judgment). When judgment arrives each person will stand alone, in a fixed position too late to change. They were crowned with silver (atonement) chapiters. The fine linen (righteousness) hung on silver fillets (atonement). Our righteousness hangs on our atonement!

Now lets look at the structure of the Tabernacle (Exodus 26:15-37; 36:20-38). The structure was made from boards. A board is a tree that has been cut from its roots, and made straight. As saints, we have been cut from our carnal roots, and made upright and straight through the righteousness of Christ. The boards represent members of Christ's body, standing upright in Him. In Him we are "jointly fitted together" (Ephesians 4:16).

Every board was 10 cubits long, and 1 ½ cubits wide (3 half cubits). Completeness (10) is not in man, but in God (3). There were twenty boards on each side (ten doubled). Jesus completed every responsibility toward God and man. On the west end were 6 boards plus 2 corner boards; 6 (man) + 2 (union with Christ) = 8 (a new beginning).

Each board stood upon two sockets weighing one talent each. These were made from the atonement money required in Exodus 30:13-15. It took the atonement money of 12,000 men to make sockets for one board! Atonement is VERY COSTLY!

These boards stood side by side, held firmly by five bars (grace) all the way around. The bars were made of shittim wood overlaid with gold. An appropriate reminder of the dual nature of Christ.

There were several different types of animal skins covering the Tabernacle. First, there was the linen curtain (called The Tabernacle). This was on the outside surrounding what was on the inside. It was a seven foot high fence with only one entrance. This pictured that there is only one way to get our sins forgiven, and that’s through Calvary. This curtain was composed of ten strips, each 28 cubits long. Five were coupled in one section, five in another. Then the two sections were couple together with 100 loops of blue and 50 taches (Exodus 26:1-6).

Two groups of five represent grace upon grace. 50 Taches = 5x10. Grace completed. Every fiftieth year was jubilee. At this time debts were canceled, mortgages released, and captives were set free. That is what Jesus did for us on Calvary. Our sin debt was forgiven. That is COMPLETE GRACE!

Then there was the curtain of goat's hair. This typifies Christ as our sin offering. The Bible specifies eleven occasions when goats were to be used for sin offerings. The scapegoat was also used to make atonement for Israel. Likewise Christ removes our sins "as far as the east is from the west."

This curtain of goat's hair was made up of eleven joined panels.  There were two sections; a panel of five and another panel of six.  These were joined together by fifty taches of brass. Grace (5) coupled with fallen man (6) rescues fallen man from destruction. As the fifty taches of brass (judgment) joined the tent together, so also Calvary (50; Jubilee) joins grace (5) with man (6)!

Then there was the coverings of rams' skins dyed red. Rams were used for consecrating the priests for office. One for a burnt offering, and one for consecration (Exodus 29:15-22). Jesus became our consecrated High Priest and Sacrifice at the same time. Rams' skins without being dyed were not sufficient. They had to be dyed red, symbolizing the shed blood of Christ, without which there is no remission!

Then there was the coverings of badgers' skins. Badgers' skins were tough, durable, non-porous (no passages for fluids to travel through), water repellent, and weather resistant. Protection was its purpose.

The beauty was inside the Tabernacle. The outside withstood the rain, storms, and the sun. Jesus withstood the torture, ridicule, and shame of the Cross for our sake. He weathered the storm that we might enjoy the beauty inside.

No dimensions were given for the two upper coverings of rams' skins dyed red or badgers' skins. The cleansing power of Jesus' blood (rams' skins dyed red) is immeasurable. The durable badgers' skins typify the boundless protection and security of believers in Christ.

Non-Christians never see the inner beauty of Christ. They only see the plain boring looking badgers' skins. We who are in Christ are able to enjoy the beauty of the gold!

Inside of the Tabernacle there were two Sanctuaries separated a veil. The first is where all the priests could go, accomplishing the service of God. This was called the Holy Place. Inside the Holy Place were many different items. Each item is very significant. These items included:

The Table of Shewbread (Exodus 25:23-29; 37:10-16) - Here is where the bread was displayed. The table was made from wood overlaid with gold, showing the nature of Christ. 100% God, 100% man. The width was 1 cubit showing unity; the length was 2 cubits representing fellowship; and the height was 1 ½ cubits, or 3 half cubits, symbolizing the Triune Godhead.

On the table there was twelve loaves of bread made from fine flour, representing the sinless life of Christ. The flour still had to be baked, showing that one is not saved just by Christ's sinless life, but also by His atoning death! The twelve loaves of bread represented the twelve tribes of Israel. The table was a picture of fellowship with the coming Messiah (the bread of life).

The Golden Candlestick (Exodus 25:31-39; 37:17-24) - There were no windows or other sources of light for the inside, so the candle stick was the only source of light. This is a picture of Christ being the Light of the world.

There were six branches that came out of the central stem. This represents the church's total dependence on Christ. Jesus said "I am the vine, ye are the branches." The candlestick was a beaten work. Even the branches were beaten. This represented the pierced Saviour, as well as the persecuted church.

The candle stick held seven candles (completion). In each candle was oil. Oil in the Bible represents the Holy Spirit. The candlestick was important to the table. Without the candlestick, you could not see the bread. That is import today because we can’t see the bread of life (Christ and the Bible) without the Holy Spirit.

The candle stick was made from pure gold. Pure gold shows the full and perfect Deity of Christ. There were no specific dimensions given, telling us that the light of the Gospel has no boundaries. Its weight was one talent, which is a tremendous amount of gold. Jesus paid an enormous price for our redemption!

Golden Altar of Incense (Exodus 30:1-10; 37:25-28) - This stood in front of the Mercy Seat just outside the Veil. It typifies Christ in His role as intercessor. The horns emphasize the power of prayer. One horn on each corner represented that this power is equally available to all people, and equally effective in all parts of the world.

The Brazen Altar wore no Golden Crown. The Crown on the Golden Altar declares the Suffering Servant of Calvary to now be crowned King. Through Him, and Him, alone do our prayers reach the throne of grace. Aaron was to burn incense upon this Altar every morning and evening. Incense symbolizes the prayers of the saints. This is to remind us that our "one a day" prayer lives are not enough.

The Veil (Exodus 26:31-33; 36:35-36) - The Veil was made with four prominent colors representing the body of Jesus. Blue - Heavenly One; Purple - Royalty; Scarlet - Suffering Servant; and Fine (white) Linen - Righteousness.

By His death He consecrated for us a "new and living way" into the Holy of Holies, giving us access to the Blood-sprinkled Mercy Seat. This beautiful Veil hung on four pillars of wood overlaid with gold, and standing in sockets of silver (atonement). The hooks of gold upon which the Veil hung reminds us that it was Christ that kept Himself on the cross.

Behind it was the Holiest of Holies. The only one who could enter into the Holiest of Holies was the high priest. Then, on the day of atonement (once a year), he would offer the gifts and sacrifice for himself, and for the people. There were several items in this room. These include:

The Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:10-16; 37: 1-5) - The bottom part of the mercyseat. The Ark was made of shittim wood, which is a very strong, durable wood. This represents the incorruptibility of Christ. It was overlaid with gold within and without to show that Jesus retained full Deity in union with His humanity. The golden crown announces Jesus as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The length was 2 ½ Cubits = 5 half cubits: 5 = grace. The breadth and height were 1 ½ cubits = 3 half cubits: 3 = Triune Godhead.

The Ark contained three things: (1) The tables of stone with the Ten Commandments (Exodus 25:16). This shows that God's law was KEPT (observed and preserved) by Christ. (2) The Golden Pot of Manna (Exodus 16:32,33) typifies Christ as the Bread of Life. (3) Aaron's Rod that budded (Numbers 17:10) that depicts Christ's resurrection (Life out of death).

The Mercyseat (Exodus 25:17-22; 37:6-9) - This is the place where the blood was sprinkled. The priest would sprinkle it seven times picturing the perfect sacrifice. The Ark typifies the PERSON of Christ. The Mercy Seat emphasizes His PURPOSE. The Mercy Seat was pure gold. No wood. Nothing but pure Deity could offer saving mercy. The length and breadth were identical with the Ark. This shows that mercy will one day cover ONLY those IN Christ. The thickness is not mentioned. Unnamed dimensions represent something infinite. That is certainly true of God's mercy!

The Mercy Seat is where God met with Moses. This typifies Christ, where "mercy and truth are met together" (Psalms 85:10). A seat is a place to rest. Christ, our Mercy seat, is a place of rest (Matthew 11:28).

9:11

Christ, our High Priest, is in a better, perfect Tabernacle. Christ became our High Priest, and when He did that, He did away with the earthly Tabernacle. The Veil before the Holiest of Holies was rent in half when He died on the cross (Matthew 27:51). Now everyone has full access to the Holiest of Holies. This Tabernacle is not of this world, and is not made with hands. He is the builder of the heavenly Tabernacle (Hebrews 8:2).

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. 13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

As the high priest entered the Holiest of Holies, He entered with a blood sacrifice. When Christ entered the heavenly Tabernacle, He entered with His blood as our sinless sacrifice.

The Old Testament saints were not saved through the blood of the goats, calves, or any other animal they sacrificed. Every person, from the beginning of time until now, have always been saved by the blood of the Lamb. The shedding of the animal’s blood was just a picture of what was going to take place on the cross.

And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. 18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.

Because of the total saving power of the blood of Christ, He can be our Mediator. This secures both forgiveness for the sins not covered by the former imperfect Covenant, or Testament, and also an eternal inheritance to the called.

Because of His death, we were bought out of our sins. This give us an eternal relationship with the Father, and a secures the promises He has for the redeemed.

As we discussed in chapter 1, in order for an inheritance to take place, there must be a death of the person that owns what is being given out. Then, the property goes to the administrator of the estate. Then the administrator distributes the property to the heirs. After Christ's death, burial, resurrection, and ascension, He became the administrator of all things, and by inheritance we have the right to all that the Father has to offer.

9:19-21

For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, 20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. 21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.

We see here that after God told Moses what He wanted him to do, Moses told the people what he must do. He took the blood of the sacrifice, and sprinkled it on four different things. These four things are the book, the people, the tabernacle, and the vessels. Each one has a special significance.

The book - All throughout the Bible, we see the blood.

The people - Through the blood the promises of God are made real to us.

                        (Verse 20 talks of these two being enjoined together)

          The tabernacle - The sprinkling signifies our access to God.

The vessels - Speaks of our service. In the earthly tabernacle, if the vessels were sprinkled with blood, it showed that they were sanctified for the services of God. We too are the vessels of God. If we were cleansed by the blood of Christ, then we are sanctified for His service.

9:22

The Bible states here that almost all things are by the law purged with blood, because in some cases certain vessels were purified by water, some by fire (Number 31:23), and some with the ashes of the red heifer (Numbers 19:2-10); but it was always understood that every thing was at first consecrated by the blood of the victim.

There is absolutely no salvation but through the sacrificial death of Christ, and His shed blood! Every sinner, by his sin and transgressions, has forfeited his life. Therefore, the law of God requires his death; the blood of the victim, which is his life. Through the Old Covenant sacrifices, the sacrifice of Christ was typified.

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. 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:

The heavenly Tabernacle that Christ has entered, and is where He performs and fulfills His ministry. The use of the word "purified" here applied to heaven, does not give the meaning that heaven was unholy, but it indicates that it is now made accessible to sinners; or that they may come and worship.

The earthly Tabernacle was purified by the blood of the sacrifices, so that men might approach with acceptance and worship. The heavenly Tabernacle, by purer blood, is rendered accessible to all sinners. The necessity for "better sacrifices" was, that it was designed to make the conscience pure, and because the service in heaven is more holy than any rendered on earth.

Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; 26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Under the Old Covenant offerings were continually being offered for the sins of the people. However, that was not the plan of God. He wanted to do away with sin. When Christ laid down His life, His work was completed! He was the only satisfying sacrifice for the sins of the world!

All must die, and then stand before the Judge. Christ is the Judge, and those that have accepted His final work, will be an unspotted saint anticipating the arrival of their Saviour!