The Gospel in the Sanctuary by L. A. Hoopes

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 6, 1908

The Gospel in the Sanctuary

By L. A. Hoopes

L. A. HOOPES

“Let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” Ex. 25:8. “Unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them.” Heb. 4:2. “God, . . . at sundry times and in divers manners, spake in times past unto the fathers, by the prophets.” Heb. 1:1.

Although many of the rites of the sacrificial service had been observed from the time the plan of salvation had been made known to the progenitor of the race, it was twenty-five hundred years before the definite plan of the sanctuary and its services was introduced. Why should it be introduced at that late day? The answer to this question will be the solution to a great many problems, which men have endeavored to solve independent of their true relationship to the sanctuary, and in every instance have failed. “When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; until I went into the sanctuary

of God; then understood I their end.” Ps. 73: 16, 17. What an exhaustless fountain of knowledge this sanctuary subject is. How it enters into, and forms the framework and substance, of every gospel theme, both in the Old and in the New Testament.

A very terse statement in connection with the study of the covenants is found in “Patriarchs and Prophets,” page 371: “There was a still greater truth to be impressed upon their minds. Living in the midst of idolatry and corruption, they had no true conception of the holiness of God, of the exceeding sinfulness of their own hearts, their utter inability, in themselves, to render obedience to God’s law, and their need of a Saviour. All this they must be taught.”

Are the people of this degenerate age any better than they? Is there not as great need of a teacher to give instruction on this subject as there was in the days of ancient Israel? The New Testament writers all recognized the importance of the sanctuary and its various rites and services by their frequent allusions to them. And well may they refer to it; for of all the devisings of men, there never has been a plan more simple, yet so comprehensive as that which was revealed to Moses in the wilderness. “See that thou make everything according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount,” was the divine command. It was to be a guide to Moses in the construction of the tabernacle and in the establishment of all the rites and services of the sanctuary. “Verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.”

No model could have a greater depth of meaning. Unlike any plan or model that man could devise, one can see new and richer meanings in the subject of the sanctuary every time he studies it. He gets a clearer view of heaven, of God and his throne, of Christ our advocate, of the ministration of angels, and of the eternal judgment.

It is not the purpose of this article to repeat the many excellent things that have been published on this subject, but to note some interesting lessons in our daily walks which may be aptly taken from the sanctuary and its services. We shall not deal with the specific rites pertaining to the various sacrifices, but rather with the building, its material and furnishings; and the service in a general way. It is the sincere desire of the writer that as we study the subject, we shall enter into it as if we were the only ones to whom God was speaking, and that to us was committed the charge of the construction of the building, and of communicating the deep significance of every feature to others.

First we are to consider the dwelling-place of the Most High. The sanctuary was a perfect type of the perfect dwelling-place of God in heaven. It likewise was a splendid witness to what our bodies should be, as temples of the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor. 3: 16, 17; 6: 19, 20. Since the church is called the house of God, and since the church is composed of members with a great variety of gifts, we would very naturally infer that, in the type, we should see a counterpart, as in the different kinds of material used, and in the great variety of parts of the building and the sacred vessels. These all show in a clear and distinct way the close and peculiar relationship between God and his creatures, not only on earth, but also in heaven. None were excluded who willed to contribute. Even the poorest could bring the hair off the back of the goat that supplied the family with milk. Each willing contribution was to have its proper place in the sacred dwelling and the divine ordinances. Even the poor were to have the gospel preached to them; and in turn their place in the church of Christ is a gospel sermon to others.

In the furnishings of the tabernacle, there is a clear demonstration of the various gifts which should be in the church, the body of Christ. “Every man hath his proper gift of God.” 1 Cor. 7: 7. And how good it is to know that we may all be bound together like the beautiful curtains with their loops of blue and their golden taches. Or like the boards bound together by the gold-covered bars. How like the bonds of true brotherly love are the loops of blue, while the taches and the gold-plated bars may well represent the staying graces of the “love of God with abiding faith.” And how quickly the mind reverts to the language of the apostle, “Having your loins girt about with truth.”

Each board was provided with two tenons and underneath these were two silver sockets. “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.”

Outside the tabernacle are found the laver, the altar of burnt-offering, and the court enclosure. These all have a wonderful significance. The seer of Patmos was told to measure the temple and altar and the worshipers, but the court was to be left out, for that was given to the Gentiles. He came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Even the Gentile may be brought nigh by the blood of Christ.

Cooranbong, N. S. W.

(To be concluded)