The Purpose of the Sanctuary

“I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God,” “and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by my glory” (Exodus 29:45, 43), was the assurance given to Moses.10Patriarchs and Prophets, 314.

In the building of the sanctuary as a dwelling place for God, Moses was directed to make all things according to the pattern of things in the heavens. God called him into the mount, and revealed to him the heavenly things, and in their similitude the tabernacle, with all that pertained to it, was fashioned.

So to Israel, whom He desired to make His dwelling place, He revealed His glorious ideal of character. The pattern was shown them in the mount when the law was given from Sinai….

But this ideal they were, in themselves, powerless to attain. The revelation at Sinai could only impress them with their need and helplessness. Another lesson the tabernacle, through its service of sacrifice, was to teach—the lesson of pardon of sin, and power through the Saviour for obedience unto life.

Through Christ was to be fulfilled the purpose of which the tabernacle was a symbol—that glorious building, its walls of glistening gold reflecting in rainbow hues the curtains inwrought with cherubim, the fragrance of ever-burning incense pervading all, the priests robed in spotless white, and in the deep mystery of the inner place, above the mercy seat, between the figures of the bowed, worshiping angels, the glory of the Holiest. In all, God desired His people to read His purpose for the human soul. It was the same purpose long afterward set forth by the apostle Paul, speaking by the Holy Spirit:

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17.11Education, 35, 36.
The Faith I Live By p. 192
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for our nephew, Mark Penick, who has recently been diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer. We know that absolutely nothing is too big or too difficult for our Heavenly Father, our Great Physician! Sherrie
—-Please pray for Ronnie Jay that he will get his strength back after being sick that past couple of days. Pray also as they travel back home. Rose
—-Please lift up my sister, she’s facing some really hard stuff right now. ER
—-Please pray for my grandson who was recently arrested with his mother and her boyfriend.
He is only 18 years old. He was arrested for possession of drugs and his mom has several charges which includes forgery, fraud, and possession of drugs. His father, my son, was baptized two weeks ago and has turned his life around. I have prayed for this for many, many years.
Thank you for your prayers. anon
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Dear Friends,

Shortly after we moved here in the mid 90’s, Ronnie Jay wanted to add fish to his ever-growing collection of pets. He already had a dog, a bird and a gerbil, but that was not quite enough for my animal-loving son. I suggested a goldfish or guppies as they can flourish at room temperature and need little care. We decided to purchase a pair of extra fancy guppies. Before long, that pair of guppies had some little ones. Ronnie Jay got great enjoyment discovering those tiny baby guppies’ hiding places. To his horror, the parent fish began searching for and eating the babies. Although he liked his new pets, he did not like the fact that the adult fish ate the younger ones. This cruelty spoiled his joy at seeing these tiny specks of life.

How often we are like those adult fish consuming by our words, looks, and actions those whom we should encourage and nurture. How many times we “bite and devour one another” which is the very thing the Apostle Paul warned against in Galatians 5:15 Cruel words bite like a serpent causing wounds that leave deep scars.

How we deal with the little ones in our life (whether young in years or babes in Christ, the application is the same) will bear fruit as they mature. If we have turned them away from God because of our biting, devouring words or example, woe unto us. Our Dear Saviour warns, “whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matt 18:6 Fearful words! Indeed, our treatment of others largely determines where not only they but where we, ourselves, will spend eternity.

James explains the necessity of our governing our words and actions that they offend not, “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.” “If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. . . .Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.” James 1:26; 3:2-15

May we be very careful in our treatment of others that by our loving words and ways, we may lead those around us to the Kingdom of Heaven is my prayer.

Rose