Chapter 5 - THE HOLY OF HOLIES

CHAPTER 5 THE HOLY OF HOLIES

The Word of God is a mirror (Ja.1:23). Each one of us needs to look into this mirror and see how each one of the points we have thus far discussed is reflected in our walk with the Lord. When the Middle Court experience has been completed, ie. overcomer /soul purification by the power of the Holy Spirit, then and only then will we have the experience of physically standing before the Father without first tasting of physical death. In the Tabernacle in the wilderness the presence of the Father was symbolized by the Ark of the Covenant which stood alone in the inner most court, or the Holy of Holies. 

Those of God's children who choose to ignore the pattern He has established will most likely not be physically alive to share this experience, even if this is the last generation. If you refuse to purify your soul in the Middle Court, or even go so far as to enter the Middle Court, but ignore any one of the three stations God Himself has placed there, the pattern we have examined up to this point would seem to indicate that you will not be alive and remaining when the Father receives the kingdom from Jesus. The only way you will see the Father is to die and go to heaven. For those who will not take the time and effort to truly seek God, there is no secret rapture which is going to take them to a heavenly feast for seven years while other believers rough it out on the earth. 

This is not now, nor was it ever part of God's plan. This can be shown quite clearly as we examine the final veil, or curtain which was in the Tabernacle. This veil. like the door into the Middle Court was 10 cubits long by 10 cubits high. While it is true that the veil has been torn for us (Matt.27:51) it should be remembered that Moses' tabernacle was referred to by the Holy Spirit as a pattern of things to come after the veil had been torn at the time of Jesus' death. The tearing of the veil did not change the pattern; rather, it showed us that the time has now come for us to pass through this veil. Now the way has been opened; whereas before, only the High Priest could enter, and then only once a year (Lev.16:2). Heb. 10:20 tells us that the way into the Holy of Holies has been opened. The fact that it is the way clearly signifies that some type of journey is needed -you don't just happen to appear there. God is still a God of order. 

To see the completeness of God's pattern, I wish to draw your attention first to the description of Noah's Ark as found in Gen.6:15-16. For purposes of our discussion please note that it was 300 cubits long and had 3 levels, or decks. Needless to say, it was in this ark that every living human being who was to be saved, was in fact saved. Now turn to the account of Gideon as found in Judges chapters 6-8. Chapter 6:14 tells us that God chose Gideon to save all Israel from the Midianites. How did He do it? The first thing God did was to reduce Gideon's army from 30,000 plus men down to 300 men (Judges 7:7). The next thing He did was to divide these 300 men into 3 companies of 100 each (Judges 7:16). Notice the common theme these two examples reveal unto us. Total deliverance is related to the number 300 divided into 3 groups. The number 3 is God's number for divine fullness, and 100 is His number for total fruitfulness (Matt.13:8; Mk.4:8 & Lk.8:8). 

We are then brought back to the study at hand as we recall that the total perimeter of Moses' tabernacle was 300 cubits, and as we have so graphically seen, was divided into 3 parts: Outer Court, Middle Court and Holy of Holies. If that isn't enough, God shows us the same thing again only this time it is in the curtains or entrances to each of these three courts. The gate into the Outer Court was 20 cubits long and 5 cubits high. This gives us an area of 100 sq cubits. The curtain into the Middle Court was 10 cubits wide and 10 cubits high. Again we have 100 cubits in area. Finally, the vail into the Holy of Holies was also 10 cubits long and 10 cubits high, giving us the final 100 cubit area. 3 parts (100 cubits each), totaling 300 cubits. God has spoken twice within the confines of the Tabernacle itself. He has a plan for total salvation of man: spirit, soul & body. There are no breaks in that pattern, nor are there any holes in the ceiling which would permit His priests to pop through for 7 years and then return. 

This can be shown in still a third way. The entrance into the Outer Court is called a gate (Ex.27:15 KJV). The entrance into the Middle Court is called a door (Ex.26:36 KJV). And the entrance into the holy of Holies is referred to as a vail (Ex.26:31; Lev.16:2 & Lk.23:45). It was the vail that was torn in two when Jesus died (Mk.15:38). Now remember, the vail is that which separated the realm of soul salvation (Middle Court) from the realm of body salvation (Holy of Holies). Therefore, Jesus' death showed us that the way was now open to go into the Father's presence. In the realm of the spirit we are there now (Eph.2:6) In the realm of the soul we are to be in the process of coming there so that at the end of this age, which may well be in this generation, we may physically stand (bow) before the Father and behold the incomparable riches which He has for His overcomers in the ages to come (Eph.2:7). 

Aaron was told that he must not come behind the veil lest he physically die (Lev.16:2). Now, if you will turn to Isaiah 25:7-8 you will see that the elimination of physical death from the earth is liken unto the removal of a vail. When this happens, we will be like Adam and again walk with God in garden in the cool of the day (Gen.3:8). but notice what must happen first. To prevent Adam and Eve from re-entering the garden and eating of the tree of physical life, God placed cherubim as guards to block the entrance (Gen.3:24). In their sin nature Adam and Eve could not be allowed to partake of eternal physical life. Likewise, before we can physically walk with God, our sin nature must be eliminated (I Cor.15:31 & Matt.10:38). It must be put to death (Ro.8:13) and the cherubim blocking the way into the garden and the tree must be removed. Well Praise the Lord, because the removal of the cherubim has already been accomplished. You see, the vail which was torn in two, and which blocked the way of physical entry into the Holy of Holies was, according to Ex.26:31 finely interwoven with cherubim. The path to physical immortality is now clear, but we must still walk along it and therein put to death every single vestige of our old Adamic nature. That is accomplished in the Middle Court. 

Do not expect to be physically raptured into the Father's presence simply because you accept Jesus as your Savior. Jesus' death and resurrection purified us in the realm of our spirit (Heb.10:14 & 12:23), and our acceptance of that is the beginning of soul purification, but that is not the culmination of soul purification. Symbolically we have been shown that the soul can be completely purified only in the Middle Court by the power of the Holy Spirit. Bodily salvation ie. physical immortality can only come about when our soul (mind) is thoroughly renewed (Ro.12:2). 

The way into the Holy of Holies has been revealed, but up to this point in history, believers have still had to physically die to get there. Two factors have been responsible for this. First of all, the Church has taught that soulish perfection is impossible for us. Secondly, God's timing for putting death under our feet has not yet come (I Cor.15:26). However, we know that the Church Jesus returns for will be spotless and without wrinkle. While that is not its present state of affairs, through revelation many believers are now seeing that in His Word God clearly expects His end time overcomers to be in that condition. (I John 3:3 & Phil.3:15 see also chapter 11 of A Closer Walkand chapter 7 of The Last Enemy). It would therefore appear that God's timing for the overcoming of physical death (Ro.8:21) will coincide with the end time revelation that soul purification can be realized through complete participation in every aspect of the Middle Court Holy Spirit experience. 

While it may appear that I am overemphasizing this point, I hasten to remind the reader of the fact that God has placed so much importance upon this point that He Himself showed us in three different ways (2 variations of 300 divided by 3, and the cherubim in the vail) that there will be no physical secret rapture of half hearted believers into the Father's presence. Since any teaching which purports to show us some other method of physically coming before the Father without first purifying our soul is in opposition to God's revealed pattern, I can only say that to rely upon it is to place your faith in a false and deadly hope. 

This is not to say that those who teach it are not saved in spirit, or that they have not begun the salvation of their souls. However, by teaching that physical salvation (ie. physically coming into the Father's presence without first tasting of physical death) is a matter of chance (ie. just happening to be one of the lucky believers who is alive and remaining when Jesus returns), they are denying the existence of the pattern which I believe has been so clearly established (see also chapter 14 of Needful Things). 

Since there is no way to be justified in spirit other than by the blood of Jesus, which was symbolized in the Outer Court (Ro.5:9 & Ro.3:24-25) and which is past tense in nature, and there is no way to be sanctified (purified) in the soul other than by the Holy Spirit as symbolized in the Middle Court (Ro.5:16; I Thes.2:3 & I Pe.1:2) and which is present tense in nature (I Pe.1:9 & Phil.2:12), how can we now deny the pattern and expect the redemption of our body as described in Ro.8:23 to take place as a matter of pure happenstance? The Father's glory will physically shine forth only from those of His mature sons (huios) who have made every effort to please Him (Matt.15:5 with II Pe.1:7 & Eph.5:10), and not from those who believe that the only way to be protected from God's wrath is to be taken off the earth. 

According to Ps.91:1&9-10; Ps.90:1 & Ps.31:20 we are protected in God's dwelling or shelter. The Hebrew word for shelter in Ps.31:20 is succoth, which means "booth," and according to Lev.23:42 the Israelites were to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles by living in booths for seven days. Putting this in terms of Moses' Tabernacle, we discover that the Feast of Tabernacles, and our protection during the end times, is found in the Holy of Holies and like the two feasts which preceded it, takes place here on earth. Remember, Jesus was the Passover Lamb who died on this earth to save us (Outer Court). The Holy Spirit is our Pentecost experience, and He has come upon the earth to purify our souls (Middle Court). That covers 2/3rds of the pattern. But there is 1/3rd left. 

That is the Feast of Tabernacles experience which entails physically coming before the Father while on this earth, which is symbolized in the Holy of Holies. The Most High promises protection in His shelter, ie. His booth or tabernacle. And just as the first two experiences with the first two persons of the God head were here on the earth, so also will this third experience be earthly. The pattern will not be broken. There is no doubt that we rise to meet the Lord in the air (Rapture), but it is not to fly away with Him; rather, it is to escort Him immediately back to thisearth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 

For point of reference we should also note that like everything else we have thus far discussed, this relationship will also be dependent upon Jesus sacrifice. Both Ex.26:32 & 38:27 show us that the pillars which hold up the final vail were mounted in silver sockets which were made from the redemption silver we discussed earlier. Physical immortality, like the salvation of our spirit and soul rests clearly upon the foundation of Jesus Christ. 

As a further indication that we are about to enter into the realm of physical immortality I should like to point out the fact that each of these 4 sockets (or bases) weighed 1 talent each. There were 3,000 sheckels in each talent (Smith's Bible Dictionary) and 1/2 sheckel per person was the atonement tax collected by Moses (Ex.38:27 & Ex.30:11-16). Thus, each talent represented the silver collected from 6,000 redeemed souls, and all 4 bases represented a total of 24,000 persons. 24 is the number of priesthood (I Chron.24:1-8) and in particular it is the number of those who minister in the Holy of Holies (Rev.4:4; 5:8; 11:16 and 19:4). The number 1,000 is the size of the Holy of Holies (10 cubits x 10 cubits x 10 cubits) and corresponds to the Millennial age of Revelation chapter 20. The priesthood that is to minister now that the order of Levi has passed away is that of Melchizedek (Heb.7:12), and that is the order of the immortal priest (Heb.7:8&16). 

Before going any further into the realm of the immortality which is to be a part of the Melchizedek priesthood, and which is clearly foreshadowed in the symbolism of the Mercy Seat (the lid of the Ark of the Covenant), let us first take a closer look at the Ark itself, and the physical protection it represents. The Ark was a chest 2 1/2 cubits long by 1 1/2 cubits wide by 1 1/2 cubits high and was covered inside and out with pure gold (Ex.25:10-11 see drawing 5A). The top of the Ark, which contained the mercy seat, equaled the height of the Table of Shewbread and the grate on the Brazen Altar. What this shows us is that God's mercy extended into all three courts of the Tabernacle, and is great enough to offer us salvation in all three realms: spirit, soul and body. 

New man is represented by the circumference of the end of the Ark which is 6 cubits (6 is the number of man) and the circumference of the top of the Ark which is 8 cubits (8 is the number of new beginning) (I Pe.3:20 & Gen.17:12). This new man will be living in God who is clearly represented by the whole Ark itself. Remember, the Ark, which was made of wood, was covered within and without with pure gold. That shows us the triune nature of God in that the Father is gold without, Holy Spirit is the gold within, and the wood is the risen Christ who was crucified in the middle (John19:18). The Godhead can also be seen in the contents of the Ark as described in Heb.9:4. The one Ark contained 3 separate complete items. The tablets of the law represented the Father (Deut. 32:5-6 & Isaiah 33:22), the jar of manna represented the Son (John 6:49-51 & Rev.2:17) and Aaron's budded and fruitful rod represented the Holy Spirit Nu.17:6-11; Gal.5:22 & Ro.7:4-6). 

As to the protection which is foreshadowed by the presence of the Ark, which is itself symbolic of the presence of God, all we need do is turn to Joshua 6:6&11-13 and see that the Ark was prominent in the march around the walls of Jericho. To go into battle without God's presence is a sure sign that you are going to be defeated (Nu.14:44-45). Just as importantly though we are shown in I Samuel chapter 4 that it can be equally disastrous for us to attempt to use God's presence in our midst in a way that is contrary to His pattern. God's presence is not some magic potion which we are to invoke at will. We must respond to God on His terms. 

God's presence will provide us with insight (Joshua 7:6) and lead us into the promised land (Joshua chapters 3&4), and since there was no flooring other than the ground itself in any of the three courts, it would appear that like both the Outer and Middle court experiences, it is God's desire for His insight, guidance and protection to be given to us here on this earth. Remember, the Ark was used to lead God's people through the wilderness to a place of physical rest (Nu.10:33). God's presence was not used to take His people out of their time of tribulation, but through it. 

Notice that the Ark was not highly ornate. In point of fact, it was rather plain in appearance. The reason for this appears to lie in the fact that nothing is to detract from the Glory of God as He made His presence known on the Mercy Seat. Remember, there was no light in the Holy of Holies other than the Glory of God (Ex.40:34-35 & Lev.9:24). For the Israelites in the wilderness, the way into the Holy of Holies had not been made known; therefore, for them to have attempted to partake of this glory would have meant physical death (Lev.16:13 & I Sam.6:19). Now however the way is opened (Heb.9:8), and God is seeking a body of overcomers who are seeking to enter into this realm (Ro.2:7). 

This realm is itself represented by the Mercy Seat. This covering for the Ark was s slab of pure gold 2 1/2 cubits long by 1 1/2 cubits wide (Ex.25:17), and it is here that the priest was to physically meet and speak with God (Nu.7:89 & Ex.25:22). It is the throne of the Lord (II Sam.6:2 & Ps.99:1), the place of mercy (Heb.4:6), and as the Mercy Seat (or chair) (Lev.16:2 & Nu.7:89) it was the only place of rest in the entire tabernacle. We know that Jesus is our place of rest (Matt.11:25) and that He is on the mercy seat, the throne of grace. Yet, God is also telling us something that is often times overlooked, and that is that there was something (or someone) else on the Mercy Seat - the Cherubim of Glory (Heb.9:5). 

We know that God's glory is reserved for His mature sons, and not for the angels (II Cor.3:18; Ro.2:7; Col.3:4; I Thes.2:12; Phil3:21 & Eph.5:27). Therefore, while some people may feel that cherubim are a class of angels, I ask you to consider the possibility that the cherubim on the Mercy Seat are in reality symbolic of the body of overcomers who will rule and reign with Jesus on His throne. Carefully note the description of the cherubim as found in Ex.25:18-19 & Ex.37:8. Therein we are told that the Mercy Seat (Jesus) and the cherubim are to be hammered from one piece of pure gold. The cherubim were not fashioned separately and then added on to the cover. Jesus is not one with the angels, WE are His brothers (Heb.2:11), and it is the overcomer who is to sit with Him on His throne, not the angels (Rev.3:21). 

The cherubim are symbolic of the manifested sons of God seen in the glory of the throne, and they are the ones who are to be continually in His presence. They are one piece with the cover, they have been purified in spirit, soul and body. They have participated in the sufferings of Christ and He has given them His Glory (I Pe.4:13; Ja.1:2-4 & Dan.7:25-27). Those who have the hope of physically coming into the Holy of Holies will purify themselves (I John 3:3) according to the pattern of the Word (Ps.119:9). This physical entering into the Holy of Holies has yet to occur. Of the three main feasts spoken of in Ex.23:17 Passover was completed, Pentecost is being completed now, thereby leaving only the Feast of Tabernacles to be completed. the first two were completed according to the pattern, and to believe that God will now change that pattern and physically bring those into His presence who have not purified their soul is a fatal error. 

There are many truths which a detailed study of the Tabernacle in the wilderness will reveal. I have attempted to present a few of them here. I believe that the ones we have seen present a clear picture of the overwhelming love that God has poured out on us through the sacrifice of Jesus. This study has shown us that Jesus' sacrifice is at the heart of all that God has done. We have again seen that His plan for man's total salvation includes spirit, soul and body. 

Some may think that it is a mistake to emphasize the meaning of the numbers and the description of the materials as found in the verses we have studied. While I would agree that it is a mistake to overemphasize any single feature of God's word to the exclusion of any other part, I have to add that it is also a mistake to totally ignore the details which the Holy Spirit made sure were included not just once, but twice in the book of Exodus. 

In closing, I would like to state that there are additional meanings which can be applied to the individual numbers and materials we have studied However, I do not believe that these additional meanings will conflict with the overall pattern which we have seen. They will only serve to highlight more of the magnificent detail of that pattern, and point the way ever more clearly for us to go in order that we may again walk with God in the garden in the cool of the day.