按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
sacred chest； was the mercy seat； a magnificent piece of workmanship；
surmounted by two cherubim； one at each end； and all wrought of solid gold。
In this apartment the divine presence was manifested in the cloud of glory
between the cherubim。
After the settlement of the Hebrews in Canaan； the tabernacle was replaced
by the temple of Solomon； which； though a permanent structure and upon a
larger scale； observed the same proportions； and was similarly furnished。 In
this form the sanctuary existedexcept while it lay in ruins in Daniel's
timeuntil its destruction by the Romans； in A。D。 70。
This is the only sanctuary that ever existed on the earth； of which the
Bible gives any information。 This was declared
413
by Paul to be the sanctuary of the first covenant。 But has the new covenant
no sanctuary？
Turning again to the book of Hebrews； the seekers for truth found that the
existence of a second； or new…covenant sanctuary； was implied in the words
of Paul already quoted： 〃Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances
of divine service； and a worldly sanctuary。〃 And the use of the word 〃also〃
intimates that Paul has before made mention of this sanctuary。 Turning back
to the beginning of the previous chapter； they read： 〃Now 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。
Here is revealed the sanctuary of the new covenant。 The sanctuary of the
first covenant was pitched by man； built by Moses； this is pitched by the
Lord； not by man。 In that sanctuary the earthly priests performed their
service； in this； Christ； our great High Priest； ministers at God's right
hand。 One sanctuary was on earth； the other is in heaven。
Further； the tabernacle built by Moses was made after a pattern。 The Lord
directed him： 〃According to all that I show thee； after the pattern of the
tabernacle； and the pattern of all the instruments thereof； even so shall ye
make it。〃 And again the charge was given； 〃Look that thou make them after
their pattern； which was showed thee in the mount。〃 Exodus 25：9； 40。 And
Paul says that the first tabernacle 〃was a figure for the time then present；
in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices；〃 that its holy places were
〃patterns of things in the heavens；〃 that the priests who offered gifts
according to the law served 〃unto the example and shadow of heavenly
things；〃 and that 〃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。〃 Hebrews 9：9； 23； 8：5； 9：24。
414
The sanctuary in heaven； in which Jesus ministers in our behalf； is the
great original； of which the sanctuary built by Moses was a copy。 God placed
His Spirit upon the builders of the earthly sanctuary。 The artistic skill
displayed in its construction was a manifestation of divine wisdom。 The
walls had the appearance of massive gold； reflecting in every direction the
light of the seven lamps of the golden candlestick。 The table of shewbread
and the altar of incense glittered like burnished gold。 The gorgeous curtain
which formed the ceiling； inwrought with figures of angels in blue and
purple and scarlet； added to the beauty of the scene。 And beyond the second
veil was the holy Shekinah； the visible manifestation of God's glory； before
which none but the high priest could enter and live。
The matchless splendor of the earthly tabernacle reflected to human vision
the glories of that heavenly temple where Christ our forerunner ministers
for us before the throne of God。 The abiding place of the King of kings；
where thousand thousands minister unto Him； and ten thousand times ten
thousand stand before Him （Daniel 7：10）； that temple； filled with the glory
of the eternal throne； where seraphim； its shining guardians； veil their
faces in adoration； could find； in the most magnificent structure ever
reared by human hands； but a faint reflection of its vastness and glory。 Yet
important truths concerning the heavenly sanctuary and the great work there
carried forward for man's redemption were taught by the earthly sanctuary
and its services。
The holy places of the sanctuary in heaven are represented by the two
apartments in the sanctuary on earth。 As in vision the apostle John was
granted a view of the temple of God in heaven； he beheld there 〃seven lamps
of fire burning before the throne。〃 Revelation 4：5。 He saw an angel 〃having
a golden censer； and there was given unto him much incense； that he should
offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was
before the throne。〃 Revelation 8：3。 Here the prophet was permitted to behold
the first apartment
415
of the sanctuary in heaven； and he saw there the 〃seven lamps of fire〃 and
〃the golden altar；〃 represented by the golden candlestick and the altar of
incense in the sanctuary on earth。 Again； 〃the temple of God was opened〃
（Revelation 11：19）； and he looked within the inner veil； upon the holy of
holies。 Here he beheld 〃the ark of His testament；〃 represented by the sacred
chest constructed by Moses to contain the law of God。
Thus those who were studying the subject found indisputable proof of the
existence of a sanctuary in heaven。 Moses made the earthly sanctuary after a
pattern which was shown him。 Paul teaches that that pattern was the true
sanctuary which is in heaven。 And John testifies that he saw it in heaven。
In the temple in heaven； the dwelling place of God； His throne is
established in righteousness and judgment。 In the most holy place is His
law； the great rule of right by which all mankind are tested。 The ark that
enshrines the tables of the law is covered with the mercy seat； before which
Christ pleads His blood in the sinner's behalf。 Thus is represented the
union of justice and mercy in the plan of human redemption。 This union
infinite wisdom alone could devise and infinite power accomplish； it is a
union that fills all heaven with wonder and adoration。 The cherubim of the
earthly sanctuary； looking reverently down upon the mercy seat； represent
the interest with which the heavenly host contemplate the work of
redemption。 This is the mystery of mercy into which angels desire to
lookthat God can be just while He justifies the repenting sinner and
renews His intercourse with the fallen race； that Christ could stoop to
raise unnumbered multitudes from the abyss of ruin and clothe them with the
spotless garments of His own righteousness to unite with angels who have
never fallen and to dwell forever in the presence of God。
The work of Christ as man's intercessor is presented in that beautiful
prophecy of Zechariah concerning Him 〃whose name is the Branch。〃 Says the
prophet： 〃He shall
416
build the temple of the Lord； and He shall bear the glory； and shall sit and
rule upon His ＇the Father's＇ throne； and He shall be a priest upon His
throne： and the counsel of peace shall be between Them both。〃 Zechariah
6：12； 13。
〃He shall build the temple of the Lord。〃 By His sacrifice and mediation
Christ is both the foundation and the builder of the church of God。 The
apostle Paul points to Him as 〃the chief Cornerstone； in whom all the
building fitly framed together groweth into an holy temple in the Lord： in
whom ye also；〃 he says； 〃are builded together for an habitation of God
through the Spirit。〃 Ephesians 2：20…22。
〃He shall bear the glory。〃 To Christ belongs the glory of redemption for the
fallen race。 Through the eternal ages； the song of the ransomed ones will
be： 〃Unto Him that loved us； and washed us from our sins in His own blood； 。
。 。 to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever。〃 Revelation 1：5； 6。
He 〃shall sit and rule upon His throne； and He shall be a priest upon His
throne。〃 Not now 〃upon the throne of His glory；〃 the kingdom of glory has
not yet been ushered in。 Not until