Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Sunday, September 8, 2019

This is devotional thought number 4 in our devotional series, “Removing the Veil: Sanctuary Living in the 21st Century.” Our subject is: Understanding Shadows

Here’s the question for consideration: How are we to understand the principle of patterns so we can stay on track?

“And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.” (Exodus 25:8–9).

Well, before we get too deep here let me say one thing of certainty: shadows, types, figures, representations, symbols, and the like help us get a picture of the genuine article, but are not such themselves. Just as the Bible enjoins that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost, and that we are to follow Jesus’ example, yet even when we follow His example we are not Him, such is the case with the sanctuary, as we know it. Simply stated, we are representatives of Christ; reflectors of His light in the world, but He is the true light. Likewise, whatever we learn about the Old Testament sanctuary on earth is a representation of the higher, more perfect entity of the heavenly sanctuary, and ultimately, Jesus Christ Himself. If we don’t get that straight in our minds early, we will certainly get off track. God would have us learn eternal lessons from the symbols and not try to squeeze the eternal realities into their earthly shadows’ mold. Just as shadows give us a view of that upon which the light is shining, the shadows of the Old Testament sanctuary, its articles, services, ceremonies, etc., also give us a view of God’s ministry of salvation, in heavenly places. After the Old Testament system of sacrifices met their fulfillment in Christ, inspiration taught us the following: “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:” (Hebrews 9:24). As we learn more on this subject, it will become vital that we hearken back to my near perseverative coverage on this point.

Here’s another way of expressing the thought, in living color examples. The Ark of the Covenant in the OT sanctuary had a lid on it called the mercy seat, over which the presence of YHWH hovered. Are we to assume that in heaven there’s a box made of shittim wood over which the presence hovers, or that YHWH sits upon His throne? He sits upon His throne. Crafted on either side of the ark were two cherubims. Are we to assume that images of cherubims are represented in heaven, or that there are real live covering cherubs attending the throne? God has real cherubs attending Him. There was a golden candlestick with seven lamps fueled by olive oil in the sanctuary. Are we to assume heaven needs a light or does it represent the seven spirits of God? There was an altar of incense just before the veil before the presence of God. Is there an actual altar presently in heaven whereon is special incense burning, or does this all represent the prayers of the saints, which Jesus and the Holy Ghost make acceptable to the Father on our behalf?

I could go on, but suffice it to say, we have so much to learn through the OT sanctuary symbols about what God is currently doing for us. We will take our time, and with the aid of the Holy Spirit, we will discover sweet truths that will engender praise, thanksgiving, respect, and full-on worship of our wonderful Savior. Put on your seatbelts, dear friends. It’s going to be a wonderful ride, in Jesus’ name.—L. David Harris (http://bit.ly/BQuotable)

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