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The Outer Court
"And all things are of God, who hath reconciled
us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us
the ministry of reconciliation " - 2 Cor. 5:18.
THE Sanctuary was divided into three sections:
The Outer Court, the Holy Place, and the Most Holy
Place.
Outside the sanctuary were the tens of thousands
of Israel, representing the countless thousands to
whom Divine fellowship and worship (symbolized by
the Tabernacle) has been offered.
Inside in the Outer Court, the Priests and
Levites performed their service on behalf of, and
representing, those who approached with their
offerings.
Into the Holy Place entered still fewer - only
the priests who there carried out their
representative service (cp. Heb. 9:6).
In the Most Holy Place only two entered - (1)One
day each year, the High Priest bearing the blood of
the Atonement for his sins and those of his people
whom he therein represented (cp. Heb. 9:7).
(2)Moses, Yahweh's representative in the midst of
His people (see later reference).
This was a "figure for the time then present"
(Heb. 9:9) and the significance of it is profound
indeed.
For, the further we proceed into the Tabernacle,
the fewer people we find. This is analogous to the
call of the Gospel. The way of salvation is open to
all, as the call to worship was made to all Israel
in their tents of blackness. However, comparatively
few embrace the truth, and this was illustrated by
the limitation of the outer court to the priests
and levites who laboured there. The numbers
lessened in the Holy Place, teaching the lesson
that of those who accept the Truth as a doctrine,
only a proportion carry out its moral requirements.
The Most Holy, of course, anticipated that state of
glorious immortality. The High Priest entered
therein on his own, once a year, pointing forward
to the complete work of redemption in Christ, Only
the Lord, and those truly "in him", the veil of
whose flesh will be changed to the glory of Divine
nature, will attain unto the glorious consummation.
On the Day of Atonement, when the High Priest
entered the Most Holy he represented the people as
well as himself.
God Manifestation Taught in Type
The three sections of the Tabernacle taught the
three stages of God manifestation: Preparation,
Application, and Glorification.
The Outer Court represented a mental approach to
God Manifestation. The design of the Truth is first
to change our minds, so that our thinking conforms
to the "mind of Christ". This is in preparation for
further advance in the things of the Truth. We come
to understand, believe, and accept the Divine
arrangement of things. This is the first step
towards reconciliation between the creature and the
Creator.
In the Outer Court was taken the first step in
separation to Divine education, service and life.
The Lord illustrated this stage in his own
experiences. Consider his mental attitude towards
temptation as displayed in the wilderness (Matt. 4;
Luke 4). Having identified himself with his
Father's will (Matt. 3:15), he resorted to his
Father's Word in resisting the temptations
presented to him. In quoting from Deut. 6:13-16 and
8;3, he identified himself with Israel in the
Wilderness, showing himself as the "Israel" (Isa.
44:1); the true Son of Yahweh in the Wilderness.
The Holy Place represented a moral application
in the lives and characters of those who have
developed beyond the "outer court" stage. Here is
to be seen the present life and service of the
saints in the Ecclesia. Here characters are
changed. Here is to be seen reformation and
dedication to the Truth's responsibilities and
functions. Again, the Lord after the trial of his
temptation, continued to display a character that
was Divine. The Word and Will of Yahweh was
manifested by him, marking him as Yahweh's dwelling
place in Israel.
The Most Holy Place pointed to ultimate
glorification: physical perfection in changed
bodies; to the immortal state of the Kingdom of
God.
This also was the experience of the Lord Jesus
Christ. He was raised from the grave and given his
Father's nature; elevated to his Father's right
hand in glory and power; and became the surety for
others who follow him.
These basic guide-lines should be kept in mind
as a more detailed examination of the features of
this Divine Pattern is made and their many lessons
learned.
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