Topical Encyclopedia The concept of the sanctuary as a divine dwelling place is a central theme throughout the Bible, representing the presence of God among His people. The term "sanctuary" is derived from the Hebrew word "miqdash," meaning a holy or sacred place, and the Greek word "hagion," which also denotes holiness. The sanctuary serves as a physical manifestation of God's desire to dwell with humanity, a theme that unfolds from Genesis to Revelation.The Tabernacle The first explicit mention of a sanctuary is the Tabernacle, a portable dwelling place for God among the Israelites during their wilderness journey. In Exodus 25:8, God commands Moses, "And they are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them." The Tabernacle was meticulously designed according to divine specifications, symbolizing God's holiness and the order of His creation. It consisted of the Outer Court, the Holy Place, and the Most Holy Place, where the Ark of the Covenant resided. The Tabernacle served as the focal point of Israelite worship and the place where God met with Moses and the priests. The Temple The concept of the sanctuary evolved with the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem, first built by King Solomon. In 1 Kings 8:13, Solomon declares, "I have indeed built You an exalted house, a place for You to dwell forever." The Temple became the permanent dwelling place of God's presence, symbolized by the Shekinah glory that filled the Holy of Holies. The Temple rituals and sacrifices underscored the need for atonement and holiness in approaching God. The Exile and Return The destruction of Solomon's Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BC marked a significant moment in Israel's history, as it symbolized the departure of God's presence due to the people's unfaithfulness. However, the promise of restoration and a new sanctuary was given through the prophets. Ezekiel 37:26-27 proclaims, "I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant. I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary among them forever. My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be My people." The Second Temple and Beyond The Second Temple, rebuilt under Zerubbabel and later expanded by Herod the Great, continued to serve as the center of Jewish worship until its destruction in AD 70. However, the New Testament reveals a shift in the understanding of the sanctuary. Jesus Christ, in His incarnation, is described as the true temple. In John 2:19, Jesus declares, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," referring to His body as the temple. The Church as Sanctuary With the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the Church becomes the new sanctuary, the dwelling place of God on earth. Believers are described as the temple of the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 6:19, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God?" The Church, as the body of Christ, is called to be a holy community, reflecting God's presence in the world. The Heavenly Sanctuary The Book of Hebrews presents the heavenly sanctuary as the ultimate reality, of which the earthly tabernacle and temple were mere shadows. Hebrews 8:1-2 states, "We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and who ministers in the sanctuary and true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man." This heavenly sanctuary is where Christ intercedes for believers, offering His own blood as the perfect sacrifice. The New Jerusalem The culmination of the sanctuary theme is found in the vision of the New Jerusalem in Revelation. Revelation 21:3 declares, "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.'" In the New Jerusalem, there is no temple, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple, signifying the perfect and eternal communion between God and His people. Nave's Topical Index Exodus 25:8And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. Nave's Topical Index Greek 3485. naos -- a temple ... 3485 (from , "to dwell") -- properly, a (divine dwelling-place); a (sacred abode), the place of ... shrines (1), temple (42), temple sanctuary (1), temples ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3485.htm - 7k Library The Lord Our Dwelling Place What is the Sanctuary? What is the Sanctuary? A Soul Gazing on God The Divine Word A Little Sanctuary On the Feast of the Nativity of St John the Baptist The Temple and Its Dedication The Veil Rent He Made the Pillars Thereof of Silver, the Couch of Gold, the ... Resources What makes a room or building a sanctuary? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the sanctuary movement? | GotQuestions.org What was the sanctuary shekel? | GotQuestions.org Sanctuary: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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