The Holy Place

History

  1. Recording of the blood
    1. On the horns of the alter of incense: “And he shall put some of the blood upon the horns of the altar which is before the Lord, that is in the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall pour out all the blood at the bottom of the altar of the burnt offering, which is at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.” (Lev. 4:18)
    1. Before the veil: “And the priest that is anointed shall bring of the bullock’s blood to the tabernacle of the congregation: And the priest shall dip his finger in some of the blood, and sprinkle it seven times before the Lord, even before the vail.” (Lev. 4:16, 17)
  2. Alter of Incense
    1. Construction: 1 ½ ft wide and 3 ft tall, made of shittim wood overlaid with pure gold, with four horns and a gold crown around it, 2 golden rings at two of the corners – carried using two staves of shittim wood overlaid with gold (Ex. 30:1-5)
    1. Location: In front of the veil (Ex. 30:6)
    1. Use: High priest was to burn sweet incense on it every morning and evening (Ex. 30:7, 8)
  3. Table of Shewbread
    1. Construction:  3 ft x 1 ½ ft wide and 2 ¼ ft tall, made of shittim wood overlaid with pure gold, with a gold crown around it, plus a border around it with a second gold crown on it. It had 4 golden rings on the four corners and was carried by staves of shittim wood overlaid with gold. Also, dishes, spoons, covers, and bowls of pure gold were made for it. (Ex. 25:23-29)
    1. Location: In the tent on the north side, outside the veil (Ex. 40:22)
    1. Use: Every Sabbath twelve cakes of fine flour were baked and placed on the table in two piles (6 on each pile) and remained there the entire week. Frankincense was put on the top of the bread. The priests were to eat the bread in the holy place the following sabbath. (Lev. 24:5-9, Ex. 25:30, 1 Chr. 9:32)
  4. Golden Candlestick
    1. Construction: Made of 1 talent (about 75 pounds) of pure gold that was beaten. It had three branches coming out either side of the lamp stand. Each branch had three cups shaped like almond flowers with buds and blossoms, and the lampstand had four. A bud was located under each pair of branches on the lampstand (3 in all). 7 lamps were set at the top of the candlestick. (Ex. 25:31-40)
    1. Location: In the tent, outside the veil (Lev. 24:3)
    1. Use: Pure olive oil was used in the lamps, which burned continually. The high priest was to trim the wicks every morning and evening. (Lev. 24:2-4)

Prophetic Symbolism (Christ’s Life)

  • Table of Shewbread
    • Bread represents Jesus (Bread of Life): I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever” (John 6:51)
    • Two crowned border represents God & Christ as Kings: “upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown (Rev. 14:14)
    • If you’ve seen Christ, you’ve seen the Father (John. 14:7, 9)
    • Christ sitting on the right hand of God: “So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.” (Mark 16:19)
    • Lucifer wanted to sit on that throne: “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” (Isa. 14:12-14)
  • Seven Golden Lampstand
    • Eyewitness: John had a vision of Jesus ministering at the lampstand (Rev. 1:10-12)
    • Oil represents Holy Spirit (Zech. 4:2-6; Matt. 25:1-13)
    • Lamps represent Jesus giving the Holy Spirit to the church (Rev. 1:20)
  • Alter of Incense
    • Jesus is our mediator: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” (1 Tim. 2:5)
    • He understands our situation: “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” (Heb. 2:18)
    • Holy Spirit makes intercession: “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (Rom. 8:26)
    • Incense symbolizes prayer: “Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” (Ps. 141:2)

Personal Application

  • Table of Shewbread represents study of God’s word (John 6:51; 1:1-3,14; 14:9)
    • Two stacks of bread = Old & New Testament
    • 6 & 6 = 66 books of the Bible
    • Israelites knelt down (prayer) and gathered the manna in the desert every morning (Bible study): “This is the bread which the Lord hath given you to eat… And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating: and when the sun waxed hot, it melted.” (Ex. 16:15, 21)
    • Jesus is the bread of life:
  • Lampstand represent witnessing life: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16)
  • Alter of Incense represents prayer life: “Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” (Ps. 141:2)
  • “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17)