August 20, 2021
Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: “Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering. And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.” Exodus 25:1,2,8
The purpose of the sanctuary—also known as the place of assembly, the tabernacle of meeting, and the temple—was reconciliation. The inner chamber of the sanctuary, the Most Holy Place, held the ark that contained the Testimony (v.21) of God, the Ten Commandments. God’s desire to be reconciled with His erring people was expressed lovingly. Just as He specified that each one giving the offering would be doing it willingly with his heart, He desires that His people choose to be wholeheartedly in agreement with Him.
The tabernacle, on the outside, looked fairly plain. But inside it was gloriously beautiful, augmented by the glory of the presence of God (v.22) manifested above the mercy seat of the ark. Likewise, Jesus appeared as an ordinary man. But bright glimpses of heavenly glory were perceived by those who hungered and thirsted for righteousness. So we see that the Old Testament temple pointed forward to Jesus Christ. Early in His earthly ministry, after the first cleansing of the temple (John 2:14-17), Jesus said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking of the temple of His body. John 2:19-21 The glory of God was in Jesus and He was reconciling the world to Himself.
There is a train of truths regarding a dwelling place for God in the use of the sanctuary terminology, beginning with the tabernacle in the wilderness and continuing in Jesus—in the temple of His body. Now, as our High Priest, Jesus is out of the reach of the enemy. However, if the enemy can dim the understanding of Christ’s followers as to the reality of the heavenly sanctuary, then a breakdown occurs, greatly weakening the power of the gospel message. The more in-depth one understands attributes of our Lord and the beautiful facets of His work in the plan of redemption, the greater the commitment to follow Him all the way. He is the all-sufficient sacrifice which, if fully relied upon, brings cleansing and victory over sin. He is the Bread of Life that nourishes His followers for increased knowledge, understanding, wisdom, and faith. He is the true Light that chases away the darkness of error and superstition. He is the Intercessor, the only mediator between man and God. And He is the giver of the perfect and unchanging Law which is the eternal Law of the universe. It is the Law of divine love! All of this and more is illustrated in the sanctuary.
Satan’s attack on the truths of the sanctuary, including the Law of God, continues from many angles. Daniel was shown in prophetic vision the uninterrupted 1260-year reign of the little horn power:
Because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices; and he cast truth to the ground. He did all this and prospered. Daniel 8:12
In the last days this is only intensifying. We are told in Scripture that the mortal wound that marked the end of the 1260-year reign of the little horn heals, bringing renewed strength and vigor to its worldwide influence (see Revelation 13:3,14). In every strategy of the enemy, the goal is to negatively alter the way that people perceive God. Make sure that you are receptive to the love of the truth and that your quest for truth is not derailed by earthly philosophies.
The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10