Have you ever had to be far away from your family and loved ones? How did you feel? Were you able to endure separation from them for a long time? What great joy did you feel when you heard from them, when you heard their voices, and when you knew for sure that they were well? After a conversation with them, what was your longing? For sure it was that the long separation would be over and that you could return home to hug your loved ones and enjoy their affection and tenderness. In the same way, but infinitely more so, the Lord enjoys communion with us and being in
us and with us. It is because He wanted to be close to His people that He gave the instructions: “And let them make Me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” Exodus 25:8. His desire was thrilling: “And I will set My tabernacle among you: and My soul shall not abhor you. And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be My people.” Leviticus 26:11, 12.
Some people think that for someone to get close to God he must take the first step–and perhaps more than one. There are people who make sacrifices, perform mortifications, and undergo suffering and pain to reach God with their prayers, offerings, and human strength. However, even though such efforts show that a person is interested in finding the Lord, the quoted texts show that the initiative comes from God; He seeks man’s company and communication. God always takes the first step to come near to His people and abide with them, considering them His highly esteemed sons and daughters.
Therefore it is written: “… Israel,… the seed of Abraham My friend. Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof,…
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of
My righteousness.” Isaiah 41:8-10.
One way for the Israelites to be close to God and have fellowship with His people was through the sanctuary. On Mount Sinai, God showed Moses the perfect model of the tabernacle and presented its complete operation–services, offerings, and sacrifices for communicating with Him. He even provided the way for His people to consult Him and receive answers to difficult problems. He was personally present inside the sanctuary in the Shekinah and outside in the pillars of cloud and fire that shaded them, illuminated the camp, and guided them on their journeys. It was a truly wonderful privilege for them to know that their hope and salvation were secure in Him and that He was always right there with them.
About the importance of the sanctuary the Spirit of prophecy writes: “The solemn service of the sanctuary typified the grand truths that were to be revealed through successive generations. The cloud of incense ascending with the prayers of Israel represents His righteousness that alone can make the sinner’s prayer acceptable to God; the bleeding victim on the altar of sacrifice testified of a Redeemer to come; and from the holy of holies the visible token of the divine Presence shone forth. Thus through age after age of darkness and apostasy faith was kept alive in the hearts of men until the time came for the advent of the promised Messiah.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 367.
The psalmist longed to be in the court of the Lord’s house more than in any other place, “For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.” There he found continual power and glory: “To see Thy power and Thy glory, so as I have seen Thee in the sanctuary.” He received help and support: “Send thee help from the sanctuary and strengthen thee out of Zion.” “O God, Thou art terrible out of Thy holy places: the God of Israel is He that giveth strength and power unto His people. Blessed be God.” Psalm 84:10; 63:2; 20:2; 68:35. For centuries, this is how it was for all of the believers who traveled long distances to go to the house of God.
Initially the sanctuary consisted of a removable, transportable tent. Beginning at Mount Sinai, the Levites could disassemble and then reassemble the house of worship in the different locations to which God guided His people. After they were settled in Canaan, the tabernacle had a more stable location; however, even then it was moved. Not until the time of Solomon was the portable “tent” of the tabernacle transferred into the permanent “temple” built in Jerusalem.
However, Israel did not always appreciate the great privilege of having the temple, the place of the Creator’s presence, in their midst. There were times when it ceased to be the place of attraction and blessing for the people. In times of apostasy, it was even desecrated. Because of this and also because of the people’s degenerated spiritual condition, the Lord permitted the sacred building to be destroyed by the Babylonian armies. After decades of inactivity, in the time of Ezra, the temple was rebuilt and the services were reestablished, supported by great personal sacrifice amid severe opposition. Still, deep spirituality was lacking, and Jesus found the temple desecrated and its true meaning lost from the people’s sight. When He gave His life as the one true Sacrifice for the sin of the world, thus fulfilling the prophetic symbolism of the temple and its services, the veil separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place was torn from the top to the bottom without hands, ending the temple services.
After ascending to heaven, Jesus began His ministry as the High Priest according to the order of Melchisedek, first, in the Holy Place and, second, in the Most Holy Place. He lives to make intercession for His people, forgiving their sins and cleansing them from all iniquity. May the Sabbath School Lessons on this fascinating, important subject be a great inspiration to all who study them. The desires of the writer, editor, and reviewers are that God’s people will thus be blessed and drawn closer to Him.
––The brothers and sisters of the General Conference