The Sanctuary is a great storehouse of truth. Though it’s central focus is on the Plan of Salvation, the truths within it resonate with many other aspects of life.
It is like the rim of a Great Wheel whose hub is God, and each spoke that connects the two is some aspect of life, whether it be science, relationships, principles of business, the organs of the mind and/or body, or something else.
Counterparts too? Absolutely! It was drafted by great mind of God.
Here are just a few simple illustrations.
The sanctuary has only one door, and it’s on the eastern side. This means that in order to progress in the business of the Sanctuary you have to go west. For some reason unknown to me, God prefers moving from the east to the west. When He starts something, nearly always He begins it on the eastern side. Like, where did He plant the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:8)? And on what side of the garden was the only entrance to the Garden (Genesis 3:24)?
Is there any difference between the east and the west? Yes. The east is characterized by simplicity and common things. In the Sanctuary we see the courtyard on the eastern side, and much brass. Brass is made by man (copper + zinc usually). In this area we see both priests and repentant sinners working together on a daily basis. In the west we see the Most Holy Place where God’s presence is. This is surrounded by golden walls and images of cherubim woven into the fabrics hanging there. No one is allowed into this chamber except the high priest, and then only once a year. Also the golden Mercy Seat rests there on top of the golden ark which contains the Law of God inscribed by His own finger into tablets of stone. The difference between the two sides is striking, but also interesting.
This east to west direction is one of RELATIONSHIPS. God invites us to come to Himself, but only in the Person of His Son (represented by the priests and high priest–John 14:6). As we approach Him we see an increase in beauty and value (which is reflected in those who approach Him… on His terms–Matthew 22:2-12). We also see this east/west characteristic with other relationships–
Matthew 8:11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem [they had to travel west to find the baby Jesus].
John 12:20 And there were certain Greeks [from the west] among them that came up to worship at the feast: (21) The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. (22) Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. (23) And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
When God opened up this great nation (America) as a haven for His persecuted people (Revelation 12:16), where did He first settle them? On the eastern side. What side of the nation had the most gold (where people went during the Great Gold Rush)? What side of Germany was the most progressive, the east side or the west?
Look at the great mountain ranges that run north and south. Which side is often more luxurious, with more foliage and fruit? The west. Why is the United States called the West (on a round globe)? Which ocean has more colorful fish in it, the Atlantic on the east of the Pacific on the west? The Pacific. Where do we usually find the slums in a city? It seems like it’s nearly always on the eastern side, and the western side is the place for newest growth. We can go on with this, but I think you get the picture. There seems to be a pattern, and the exceptions are few.
If you want to study more about the sanctuary, and especially how it works into our conversion, you may be interested in reading a book I wrote called, “What Converted Amun?“ It is available upon request (click here). It is not the typical sanctuary study. For one thing we approach the sanctuary ON FOOT, as it was designed for, not as a bird flying over the top. There are many lessons lost when we use the bird approach. Also the study is actually written in story format (though heavily footnoted so you can see where we got the illustrations from the Word). This way you can read it as a story and then go back later and read it as a study, following up on all the footnotes. It is written for 12 year-olds and above.
