TEMPLE MATERIALS
1. THE TEMPLE SITE
The site of the Temple was the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, and here David erected an altar to Yahuah at His command, in order to stop the plagues that came after he numbered his people instead of trusting Yahuah for victory. And here Yahuah answered David by fire from heaven on the Ascending-Near (burnt) and Intimate-Peace offerings that David offered. In due time Solomon would build the house of Yahuah in Mt Moriah, in Yerushalim on this very site of the threshing floor. The Temple was on the boundary line between Judah and Benjamin, and so formed a link between the northern and southern Tribes, almost in the centre of the Nation.
2. THE TEMPLE STRUCTURE
The general plan of the Temple was the same as that of the Tabernacle of Yahuah built by Moses, but on a larger and much grander scale. Actually its measurements were a little more than double than the wilderness Tabernacle. The Temple proper was built of hewn stones, and these stones were made ready in the quarries before being brought to the Temple site so that neither sound of hammer nor axe nor any tool was heard in the building - A SILENT CONSTRUCTION! The Temple measured 32m long, 11m wide and 16m high and was divided into two places, respectively called "the Set-Apart Place" and "the Oracle", or "the Most Set-Apart Place".
These two places were divided by folding doors made of olive wood and ornamented with carvings of cherubim, palms, and open flowers. They were hung on hinges of gold. These doors into "the Most Set-Apart Place" also had a veil associated with them similar in material and ornamentation to the veil in the Tabernacle of Moses. The entrance into "the Set-Apart Place" also had folding doors made of fir wood with door-posts of olive wood and ornamented in the same manner as the doors into the "the Most Set-Apart Place", which was a cube, 20 cubits square, and the 10 cubits above it in the remaining height of the Temple proper was used as a treasury, forming "the Upper Chambers".
The walls inside the Temple were lined with timber so as to cover the stones, the walls and roof being covered with cedar, and the floors with fir timber. The side walls were covered over with carved works of cherubim, palm trees and open flowers. At the top of the walls there were latticed windows, probably for ventilation, to admit light and allow the smoke of incense and burning lamps to ascend. Everything within the Temple was overlaid with thin plates of gold (as well as floor, ceiling and walls).
3. THE PORCH & PILLARS
In front of the Temple and joined to it was the porch 11m wide, 5m deep and 16m high (the height of the Temple itself). In front of the porch also stood two great brass (or bronze) pillars called "Jachin" and "Boaz", richly ornamented, standing as monuments, not for support.
4. THE PRIEST'S CHAMBERS
Around the sides and back of the Temple walls was built a three-storied building, containing rooms for the priests. These were used as priests chambers, Temple stores for furniture and other things for Temple services. This three-storied building was not part of the Temple proper but actually leaned against the walls. These chambers were entered by means of a door into the passage and by winding stairs. The whole house was overlaid with gold plates and the Temple glittered in the sunlight, dazzling the eyes of all who approached it.
5. THE TEMPLE COURTS
Surrounding the Sanctuary as a whole were two great courts called "the inner court" and "great court". The inner court running round the Temple was reserved exclusively for the priests. It was formed by a boundary wall made of three layers of hewn stones and a row of cedar beams apparently laid on top of the stones for protection and beautification.
Outside of this was the outer or "great court" intended for the use of the people, the Yisharalites, apparently surrounded by a stone wall with gates. In JER 36 the court of the priests is called "the higher court" indicating that it was on a higher level than the outer or great court. The Temple and its courts had a terraced setting and aspect to anyone approaching.
6. THE TEMPLE FURNITURE
In the Most Set-Apart Place was placed The Ark with its Mercy-Seat, which was taken from the Tabernacle of David on Mt Zion.
The Ark was placed between the two great Cherubim, each over 5m tall, made of olive wood and overlaid with gold. Their wings were outstretched, each being nearly 3m long, touching each other overshadowing the Ark of Yahuah, while the outer wings touched the side walls of the Most Set-Apart Place.
They stood on their feet with their faces toward the Set-Apart Place. In the Set-Apart Place was the golden altar of incense, made of cedar wood, overlaid with gold. It stood before the Set-Apart Place for the daily burning of incense and for use on the great Day of Atonement. Then there were ten Golden Candlesticks with their seven Lamps. These were placed (five on each side) on the right and the left of the Set-Apart Place.
Then there were ten Tables of Showbread, again, five being placed on each side of the Set-Apart Place. In the outer court was the great altar of brass, the altar of burnt offering. Its measurements were 11m square, and 5m high, made after the pattern of the Brass Altar in the Tabernacle of Moses. The various vessels belonging to this altar were of Brass also.
Between the Altar and the Porch stood the great Molten or Brazen Sea, a huge round basin of water, replacing the Brazen Laver of the Tabernacle of Moses. This was for the priests to wash there before entering the services of Yahuah in the Temple proper.
Then on each side of the Altar of Brass, on the right side and left side of the Temple, were 10 smaller Brazen Lavers on wheels, these being for the washing of the sacrifices for the altar.
7. THE TEMPLE DEDICATION
The Temple was dedicated during the Feast of the seventh month (Tabernacles) amidst much prayer and dedicatory offerings. Yahuah sealed the dedication of His house with the descent of the Shekinah Esteem-Fire and dwelt among His redeemed people who He loves.
We should recognise that the real understanding of the Temple and its furnishings is founded upon a working knowledge of the Tabernacle of Moses. The Temple is identified with this Tabernacle and replaces it on a much larger and grander scale. The truths, (as found in the Tabernacle, its furnishings and measurements with their details) will be amplified into fuller light and esteem, beauty and harmony, as we go on, and compare both Tabernacle and Temple, since both were of heavenly order and pattern. The earthly Tabernacle and Temple were but shadows of the Heavenly Tabernacle and Temple, but THERE IS ONLY ONE PATTERN. Yahuah had ONE purpose in mind.
THE TEMPORARY & THE PERMANENT
I . The Tabernacle speaks of that which is temporary and transitional. Yisharal as a Nation wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. They were pilgrims and strangers in the earth. In due time they possessed the land of promise and the Tribes were allotted their inheritances. The Tabernacle functioned over many years during the formation of the young Nation under theocracy prior to the monarchy.
2. The Temple speaks of the permanent. The land had been won. Journeys were over. Battles had been fought and victories won. All enemies were under their feet. With the rise of the monarchy, the Tribes being established as a united Kingdom under David's Blood-Covenant, the Temple would become the centre of the Nation's life and their worship of Yahuah, Who had gone from Tent to Tent, and one Tabernacle to another, but now He would dwell in a House in a more permanent Dwelling Place amongst His own.
YAHUSHA & HIS ASSEMBLY
I. The Tabernacle primarily speaks of Yahusha, and only secondarily points to His Bride, for there was only one Ark, one Golden Altar of Incense, one Golden Lampstand, one Table of Showbread, one Brazen Altar and one Brazen Laver. The whole emphasis is in the number ONE, all of which points to Yahusha Messiah. He is the ONE and ONLY way to the Father (JN 14:1-6, HEB 7:25 1 TIM 2:5). There is only ONE Mediator between Yahuah and mankind for Yahusha is the ONE and ONLY Saviour. There was only ever ONE tabernacle in the wilderness and all knew there was only ONE way to Yahuah. There was only ONE High Priest who functioned in this Sanctuary (Aaron). All other Levitical Priests were lesser priests. So Yahusha is the ONE and ONLY High Priest and all other believers are lesser Priests of that Body, of which Messiah is the head.
2. The Temple also spoke of Yahusha but more especially of Him IN HIS ASSEMBLY. There are things in the Temple (as in the Tabernacle) that speak of the ONE Messiah, and they could not be duplicated. However there are things in the Temple that speak of the Assembly and Yahusha's workings in it as His Set-Apart Temple. In the Temple there was the ONE and same Ark, ONE Golden Altar of Incense, and ONE Brazen Altar and Molten Sea. All again spoke of Yahusha as the one way to Yahuah, the one Deliverer and Mediator and sacrifice in ONE redemptive work. However there were TEN tables of Showbread, and TEN Brazen Lavers in the Set-Apart Place and Outer Court, respectively. There were also TEN Golden Lampstands in the Set-Apart Place. Then there was the Court for the Priests and the Court for the Yisharalites allowing for a greater company of worshippers. And again, the Temple measurements were twice the size of those of the Tabernacle of Moses. The Temple, therefore, spoke of a double portion, which of course points to Yahusha and His Bridal Assembly, the head and the body brought together in one. In the Temple Order the 24 Courses of the Priesthood were established, day and night in their Orders. The Temple was stamped with the significant number 24. The contrast is seen in the fact that the Tabernacle of Moses was stamped with the number Twelve and its significance. Again 2 x 2 = 24 and speaks of the double portion service of Yahusha and His Assembly in Priestly function.
TABERNACLE & TEMPLE MATERIALS
1. The Tabernacle in the wilderness was characterised by timber, acacia wood, overlaid with gold or brass. Other materials involved were silver, fine linen and precious stones. The priests ministered on the "desert floor". All spoke of pilgrimage and wilderness wanderings on the way to the promised land of rest. All spoke of that which was transitional and temporary.
2. The Temple (in contrast) was characterised by stone, timbers of fir, cedar and olive wood, overlaid with gold and beautified by ornamentation. Gold, silver, brass and iron, as well as precious stones were involved also. Here the Priests ministered on a "gold floor." Surely this points to the foursquare city of Yahuah where the streets are paved with transparent gold. The Temple speaks of both time and eternity. The city of Yahuah is garnished with twelve precious stones.
PENTECOST & TABERNACLES
1. The Tabernacle pattern was given to Moses by revelation at Mt Sinai during the Feast of Pentecost, (the third month after Passover Exodus). At the dedication of the Tabernacle of Yahuah at Mt Sinai the Shekinah-Esteem came down and filled the Tabernacle so that none could serve in the Sanctuary (EX 40).
2. The Temple dedication took place in the Feast of Tabernacles (seventh month), not the Feast of Passover or the Feast of Pentecost. And again, the Esteem of Yahuah came down and filled the House so that none could enter in or serve in the Sanctuary.
PRAYER & PRAISE
1. The Tabernacle sacrifices were ascending daily on the Brazen Altar, the ascending Incense from the Golden Altar and the burning lamps of the Lampstand. Otherwise all was still and quiet in the Sanctuary services.
2. The Temple sacrifices were ascending daily also, as well as the Incense and the burning Lamps. But here we have the order of the Levitical Singers and Musicians and their ascending SACRIFICES OF PRAISE. The Tabernacle was prayer, while the Temple was praise in the Priestly courses.
THE PRIEST & THE KING
1. The Tabernacle is emphatically associated with the office of the High Priest and the Levitical Priests. None could approach Yahuah in His Tabernacle in the wilderness apart from Priestly Service.
2. The Temple (in contrast) cannot be thought of without thinking of King Solomon also. The offices of King and Priest are brought together into sharper focus in a very real way in the service of the Temple. Righteous Kings and Righteous Priests worked together in the maintenance of the spiritual life of the Nation over the years. All Kings were judged by Yahuah by their relationship to the House of Yahuah and the Priests therein. The King represented the Kingdom. The Priest represented the Temple. The governmental and Ecclesiastical were seen to run parallel in the offices of King and Priest.
YAHUAH WAS NOT MERELY DUPLICATING THE TABERNACLE OF MOSES, BUT ACTUALLY AMPLIFYING ALL THAT WAS THERE WITH GREATER, RICHER, FULLER AND MORE SIGNIFICANT ADMINISTRATION OF DIVINE TRUTHS. THE TABERNACLE OF YAHUAH SPEAKS OF YAHUSHA IN HIS EARTHLY WALK, MINISTRY AND ESTEEM, WHILE THE TEMPLE OF YAHUAH SPEAKS OF YAHUSHA IN HIS HEAVENLY DIVINE MINISTRY AND ESTEEM.
TREASURY AND DONATIONS
Numerous vessels were used in the House of Yahuah. The charge of Yahuah to His people, and the Temple Priesthood is given in IS 52 "Be clean, those that bear the vessels of Yahuah." Yahuah wants His own, those in His great House to be "vessels of honour, delivered and suitable for the Master's use, and prepared for every good work" (2 TIM 2). Yahuah chooses those who will be vessels unto Him for His house and His people (Acts 9:15). He is the great potter and desires that vessels not be marred in His hand (JER 18). Let's look at some of the spiritual significances of the various materials used in the Temple of Yahuah.
1. GOLD
Gold speaks to us of Deity, Divine nature, the esteem of Yahuah in His set-apartness. Gold has always symbolised deity, even in Pagan Idolatrous feasts which corrupted the truth Yahuah gave to Yisharal. This metal was especially used in the Most Set-Apart Place as well as in the utensils listed above.
2. SILVER
Silver is symbolic of redemption, atonement, the ransom money. It points to Yahusha, even as gold points to the Father Yahuah. Silver was used for the ransom money, the atonement for the being in the Nation of Yisharal. Yahusha, like Joseph was sold by His brothers for silver pieces. Silver was used for Silver Lampstands in the Temple also. The Bride is redeemed not with silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Messiah.
3. BRASS
Brass is found to be symbolic of judgment against sin and against self. The Set-Apart Spirit is titled "The Spirit of Judgment and the Spirit of Burning." The heavens were to become as brass (and iron) against Yisharal if they sinned against Yahuah and His Word. The feet of Yahusha walking in His Assembly are as brass burning in a furnace. The serpent of brass was used to deal with Yisharal's sin. Brass is especially noted in both Tabernacle and Temple in their Outer Courts.
4. IRON
Iron is often linked with brass and is symbolic of strength and endurance, also judgment and inflexibility. David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors and gates of the Temple. The heavens would be as iron and brass, or brass and iron against Yisharal if they sinned against Yahuah.
6. STONES
Quarried stones used for the building of the Temple speak of believers taken from the quarries of this world, and prepared by the training of the Spirit to be placed in the House of Yahuah.
5. GEMSTONES
Precious stones were used in the Temple in the walls, as well as in the garments of the High Priest, in particular, the breastplate of judgment. They speak of the various gifts of the Spirit, the esteem of the Bride, and the preciousness of Yahuah's people and their works.
7. TIMBER
In contrast to acacia wood used in the Tabernacle of Moses, the Temple used timber from the cedar, the fir and olive trees more especially. Trees in Scripture point also to Yahusha and His Assembly. The Bride is likened to a tree planted by the rivers of water. Many Scriptures speak of trees and use such in symbolic manner.
As Israel gave freewill offerings to Yahuah of their material substance, so the Bride is to give freely to Yahusha, present themself and all that they have to Him as a freewill, voluntary offering. In the Temple Yahuah used actual materials to build His House, however the material He uses today is people. Yahusha's people are the material He uses to build a Spiritual House, His New-Blood Covenant Temple. The various materials from the various Kingdoms all symbolised some redemptive truth in His house, and all showed some aspect of His esteem. So to, all immersed-believers today, out of every kindred, tongue, Tribe and Nation, who are built into Yahusha's house, manifest some aspect of His esteem in New-Blood Covenantal and Redemptive Truth, if they are willing to give-over, surrender, die to their flesh and let Him shine through them, just as He did the Temple !
A DIVINE OPERATION MUST BE PERFORMED - THE OLD MAN - OLD HEART - OLD SPIRIT REMOVED AND A NEW TICKER INSTALLED WITH THE LATEST SOFTWARE UPGRADES AND HARDWARE POWER-PACKS TO PREPARE THE NEW TEMPLE FOR IT'S TRANSFORMATION FROM MORTALITY TO IMMORTALITY - AND BE READY TO RECEIVE THE FULL ESTEEM OF YAHUSHA IN CONSUMMATED MARRIAGE.
