In the sanctuary the theme is INTO not THROUGH.
Though there are several doors to pass through once inside the sanctuary, there is no back door to pass out of. To grasp this point is to understand the heart of God, the core of salvation, the purpose of the sanctuary, and the scope of intimate relationships.
John 17:21 … that they also may be one in us… (24) Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am;
Jesus not only wants us to be one with Him (married to Him), but to be with Him where He is. If a prince marries a lovely young country girl, forgoes his inheritance and lives among his wife’s family, the wife would be honored but her family not elevated. Their offspring would continue to be country children. But if the prince takes his wife to be with him where he is, she is not only honored but her children would become princes and princesses. This is what Jesus has in mind for His bride, to not only honor her by his love, but also to elevate her to the highest position possible in the universe, a oneness with God.
Jer 3:14 Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you.
Isa 54:5 For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.
This is why the sanctuary has no back door. Relationships are intended, in heaven’s perspective, to become closer and more intimate. But there is more.
The east has to do with beginnings (startups, frontier work, new ventures, initial efforts), and the going is often rough. Perhaps this is why the firstborn was often given a double portion. He or she would have a harder time or more challenges, as well as more duties and responsibilities as the family grows. The east is also associated with the beginning of the work day.
John 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
The west is connected to eventide, when the work of the day is completed. What do we do then? Well, for some they might say “Crash! Eat supper, watch television or a movie, then go to bed.” Too tired to play with the children, or spend intimate time with the spouse, for the day has demanded too much of their reserves. But this is not the intent of the sanctuary. The west is related to more maturity (growth), richer substance, and more pleasures and joys (“In thy presence is fullness of joy.” Psalm 16:11). Note what the Bible says about a couple’s intimate time together.
Lev 15:16 And if any man’s seed of copulation go out from him, then he shall wash all his flesh in water, and be unclean until the even. (17) And every garment, and every skin, whereon is the seed of copulation, shall be washed with water, and be unclean until the even. (18) The woman also with whom man shall lie with seed of copulation, they shall both bathe themselves in water, and be unclean until the even.
Did you notice that when the couple comes together during the day they are considered unclean? Until when? The evening time. As I’m understanding it, there are no cleansing rituals enjoined upon them if copulation happens in the evening… when intimacy is expected.
The word for “west” in Hebrew means “the roaring sea” or “a large body of water.” The idea here is maturity. Baby lions cannot roar. Neither is a “sea” produced by a heavy Spring shower. We see in this word growth, maturity, expansiveness. And that is the direction of the sanctuary.
I met a man one day who came from India. His father was a very religious man and in their religion earned himself the position of a god. In Eastern religions works is central to advancement, but advancement becomes more and more narrow. By the time this man’s father reached the ultimate stage in this life, to become a god, he had to focus on only one thing, which they called “love.” When he reached that point he had become oblivious to everything worldly. The family had to carry him to his mat in the morning (after they cleaned him up) and sit cross-legged all the day so people could come to worship him and bring him gifts. He could not speak, and others had to feed him, for he was not “of this world.” In the evening they would carry him back to his bed. That lasted seven years before he died.
Is that the progression of the sanctuary? No, no! To move westward in our experience with God is to move toward EXPANSION, enlargement, maturity, and value in life. Once we enter the Most Holy part of the relationship, we enter eternity… where there is no need of a back door.
