Earthly Sanctuary

The concept of the earthly sanctuary is rooted in the Old Testament, where God commanded the Israelites to construct a tabernacle as a dwelling place for His presence among them. This sanctuary served as the focal point of Israelite worship and was a tangible representation of God's covenant with His people.

The Tabernacle

The instructions for building the tabernacle are detailed in the book of Exodus. God commanded Moses, "And they are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them" (Exodus 25:8). The tabernacle was a portable tent of meeting, designed to accompany the Israelites during their wilderness journey. It consisted of the Outer Court, the Holy Place, and the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies), each with specific furnishings and purposes.

The Outer Court contained the bronze altar for burnt offerings and the bronze basin for ceremonial washing. The Holy Place housed the table of showbread, the golden lampstand, and the altar of incense. The Most Holy Place, separated by a veil, contained the Ark of the Covenant, which held the tablets of the Law, Aaron's rod, and a jar of manna. The presence of God, represented by the Shekinah glory, dwelt above the mercy seat of the Ark.

The Temple

The tabernacle was eventually replaced by the temple in Jerusalem, built by King Solomon. The temple maintained the basic structure and function of the tabernacle but was a permanent and more magnificent edifice. In 1 Kings 6:1, Solomon began the construction of the temple, which became the central place of worship and sacrifice for the Israelites. The temple was destroyed and rebuilt several times throughout Israel's history, with the Second Temple standing during the time of Jesus.

Heavenly Sanctuary

The concept of a heavenly sanctuary is primarily found in the New Testament, particularly in the book of Hebrews. The earthly sanctuary is seen as a shadow or copy of the true sanctuary in heaven, where Christ serves as the High Priest.

Christ as High Priest

The book of Hebrews presents Jesus as the superior High Priest who ministers in the heavenly sanctuary. Hebrews 8:1-2 states, "The point of what we are saying is this: 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 not made by human hands but is the true dwelling place of God.

The New Covenant

The earthly sanctuary and its rituals were part of the Old Covenant, which was fulfilled and surpassed by the New Covenant through Christ. Hebrews 9:11-12 explains, "But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands, that is, not of this creation. He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption" .

Symbolism and Fulfillment

The earthly sanctuary, with its sacrifices and priestly functions, symbolized the greater reality of Christ's redemptive work. The veil of the temple, torn at the moment of Jesus' death (Matthew 27:51), signifies the removal of the barrier between God and humanity, granting believers direct access to the heavenly sanctuary through Christ.

The earthly and heavenly sanctuaries together illustrate the continuity and fulfillment of God's redemptive plan, with the earthly serving as a precursor to the ultimate reality found in the heavenly. The earthly sanctuary's rituals and sacrifices pointed forward to the perfect and final sacrifice of Jesus, who now intercedes for believers in the true sanctuary of heaven.