SOLOMON'S TEMPLE
A TYPE OF THE LORD'S CHURCH IN THE MILLENNIUM

Introduction: The following treatise is based upon the development of the same premise as the previous writing about the Tabernacle. Briefly stated it is this; There are FOUR buildings or houses for which God either gave the pattern or built himself. These four are each, in its day referred to as the dwelling place ofGod. The first two, the Tabernacle and the Temple are material or physical buildings and the third, the Lord's Church is a spiritual house. The fourth is the Holy City, the New Jerusalem and is Spiritual, made material. The first two prefigured the third and the third is to endure forever. Eph 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

The reader will no doubt notice that in writing about the Temple of Solomon, I do not refer to the vision of Ezekiel for descriptions or dimensions. The reason for this is, I do not accept the assumption, which seems to be common, that God was showing Ezekiel the Temple as it had once been. There are too many obvious differences. Even the standard of measurement is different. That used by Solomon was the standard Cubit while Ezekiel's vision used the 'King's Cubit' which was a span or nine inches longer. In addition to the many differences there is also a river of water flowing from under that seen by Ezekiel.

The Temple in Ezekiel's vision seems to be connected with the final regathering of Israel and Coming of the King into His reign. It is a literal temple, which is yet to be built. Perhaps it can be used as the subject for a later essay.

CHAPTER ONE

THE MOUNTAIN AND THE MEN

The Tabernacle had served the Lord and His people well during the wilderness wanderings. When the people were settled in their land, King David gave thought to the House of God. he called Nathan, the prophet and said to him, 2 Sam 7:2 That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.

The intentions were good, but the timing was off. Their enemies were still besetting them in spite of the many great battles won by David's army. Before a permanent house, a temple, could be built, a king of peace and glory must be upon the throne. 1 Ki 5:3 Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the LORD his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet.
1 Ki 5:4 But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent.
1 Ki 5:5 And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name.
1 Chr 22:8 But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight.
1 Chr 22:9 Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days.
1 Chr 22:10 He shall build an house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.
1 Chr 28:2 Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: As for me, I had in mine heart to build an house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and for the footstool of our God, and had made ready for the building:
1 Chr 28:3 But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood.

In the lineage of the promised seed, many prefigured Christ in some way. Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and Moses were each types of Christ in some of their characteristics. King David, in his strength, pictured the mighty power of Christ to subdue His enemies. There is coming a time when the enemies will have been put down and Israel rests safely in her land and Christ and His Bride will reign. The swords will be beaten into plowshares and the spears into pruning hooks and the people will learn war no more. That portion of the reign of Solomon that was pleasing to the Lord foreshadowed this time.

While David yet reigned, he received the pattern for the Temple and began to prepare the material from which his son was to build the House of God. 1 Chr 22:1 Then David said, This is the house of the LORD God, and this is the altar of the burnt offering for Israel.
1 Chr 22:2 And David commanded to gather together the strangers that were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to hew wrought stones to build the house of God.
1 Chr 22:3 And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the joinings; and brass in abundance without weight;
1 Chr 22:4 Also cedar trees in abundance: for the Zidonians and they of Tyre brought much cedar wood to David.
1 Chr 22:5 And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death. This Temple was a wonderful type of the Lord's Church during the millenial reign.

We live in a time of fighting and of preparation. For the fighting, we have the following instructions; 2 Tim 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
2 Tim 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Concerning the preparation for the 'MAGNIFICAL TEMPLE' which the Lord's churches shall become in that time, when the king of peace shall reign, we have scriptures such as
Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

A great and glorious truth concerning the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ now comes into view: As the tabernacle in the wilderness was the dwelling place of God; So too, the Churches of today are the houses of God and the pillars and ground of the truth. It is in them that God has chosen to receive worship, service and to be glorified. Eph 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Yet the glory of the Lord's churches will be even greater during the millenial reign. It will NOT be a new or different church; it will be the same that is being prepared now. It will be shown to the world in a way that ALL NATIONS will marvel at it and honor the Lord through it. The Temple shows forth this type in a glorious way. Before the dedication of the Temple, it was just a large expensive building. There had been larger structures built for false gods. Then came the day when Solomon caused the tabernacle and its furnishings to be brought into it and the Ark of the Covenant to be set in His place. At that point the glory of the Lord filled the house as it had the tabernacle! It was no longer just a building, it was God's House. God has decreed that He will receive glory in the church throughout ALL AGES (Eph 3:21) and so He shall! It shall not be another institution or another building in which He shall dwell then. It shall be the spiritual building that the Lord is now building, and has been through the centuries of this dispensation. It has moved from country to country even as the tabernacle moved from place to place in the wanderings of Israel. It will be a glorified Church, but it will be the SAME ONE with every identifying characteristic intact.

If we can but get a small glimpse of the glory of the Church as it shall be then , perhaps we will have more incentive to serve Him faithfully in the same Church today.

There is a fascinating statement made in 1 Chr 29:22 And did eat and drink before the LORD on that day with great gladness. And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time,. David had grown old and was confined to his bed because of his weakness. His son, Adonijah, who had been born to him by Hagith, took it upon himself to proclaim himself to be king. Nathan the prophet, Zadok the high priest and Bathsheba, the mother of Solomon took steps to head off this usurping of the throne. They reminded David of his earlier committment to make Solomon his successor. Upon being made aware of what was happening, David instructed Zadok to anoint Solomon as king. He ordered that Solomon should be made to ride through the city on David's own mule. He ordered the trumpets to sound and the people to shout, "God save King Solomon!" Yet Solomon did not sit upon the throne and begin to rule Israel then, for David's reign was not yet finished.

Christ, too, rode through the streets of Jerusalem on a mount that identified Him as the king who was to come. Zec 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
The people shouted and threw palm leaves before Him. Even Pilate recognized the legitimacy of His kingship. He had it written as the superscription to be placed over Him at His crucifixion, and refused to change it when the chief priests asked him to . John 19:19 And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.
John 19:20 This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.
John 19:21 Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.
John 19:22 Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.
They even crowned Him, though in mockery, and placed a robe around His shoulders. Yet He could not begin His reign then, for there were more battles to be won. This King in the lineage of David must finally lay down His sword and His valiant men must perform their final feat of valor. Then shall the King of Peace and Glory begin to reign. Psa 24:7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
Psa 24:8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
Psa 24:9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
Psa 24:10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.

While it took both David and Solomon to picture Christ as king, He alone is the one who fights and wins today's battles and it is He who shall someday enter Jerusalem as the King of Glory. He, who was led out in disgrace and ignominy to be crucified, will someday return in great victory after winning single-handedly, the greatest warfare the world will ever see: the Battle of Armageddon. With the host of heaven, he shall enter the eastern or the 'Golden Gate' which is now closed and reserved for the glorious coming of the King of Glory!
Ezek 43:1 Afterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that looketh toward the east:
Ezek 43:2 And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory.
Ezek 43:3 And it was according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, even according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city: and the visions were like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell upon my face.
Ezek 43:4 And the glory of the LORD came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east.
Ezek 44:1 Then he brought me back the way of the gate of the outward sanctuary which looketh toward the east; and it was shut.
Ezek 44:1 Then he brought me back the way of the gate of the outward sanctuary which looketh toward the east; and it was shut.
Ezek 44:2 Then said the LORD unto me; This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; because the LORD, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut.Ezek 44:3 It is for the prince; the prince, he shall sit in it to eat bread before the LORD; he shall enter by the way of the porch of that gate, and shall go out by the way of the same.

When Christ returns with all His saints after winning the Battle of Armageddon, His feet shall stand upon the Mount of Olives. It will split to the North and to the South and Christ, the victorious King, shall ride into Jerusalem on His white horse. He will enter through that same Eastern Gate which is now closed.

The nation over which Solomon reigned was founded by the decree of God as He called Abraham out of Ur. The land is that which the Lord had promised to give to Abraham and to his seed after him. The spot upon which Solomon was to build a temple, and on which sacrifices were to be accepted, is the same spot chosen many years earlier by God Himself; It is Mount Moriah. To Abraham, God had said Gen 22:2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

This is a great lesson on a most important point concerning faith and obedience, yet many still miss it. There were many mountains in the vicinity. Some were higher and more imposing than the one chosen. Some were certainly more convenient. Yet God had specified that it was to be a mountain of His choosing, not Abraham's. Though Abraham might have acted with the greatest sincerity, had he chosen any other spot, the end would no doubt have been tragedy, rather than victory. It was upon THIS mountain that God had prepared a ram. It was caught in a thicket by its horns and was the substitute offering. Here, the angel waited to stay the hand of Abraham as he raised the knife to slay his son! How sad it is that some will say today, "I'll serve God MY way" or, "I'll serve on my own terms and 'because I'm so sincere, God will surely accept it." The scripture declares emphatically that this course is deadly when applied to the salvation of the soul; Prov 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. and it leads to a loss of rewards and blessings when applied to service;
2 Tim 2:5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. When the Lord specified the New Testament Church as the place in which he would receive glory (Eph 3:21 again) He ruled out any other place as acceptable.

On the occasion of David's sin of numbering the people, God caused destruction to come upon Israel as David's punishment. When the time came for the hand of the Lord to be stayed, David was directed to this spot to meet the angel of the Lord. God instructed him to build an altar here and offer a sacrifice. In order to carry out God's orders David purchased the threshing floor of Ornan with the wooden threshing instruments and oxen. Upon this site and no other, Solomon was to build the Temple.2 Chr 3:1 Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the Lord appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.

Mount Moriah is one of three mountains associated with Jerusalem. To the west across the old Tyropoeon Valley is Zion and to the east across the valley of the Kidron is the Mount of Olives. Of the three, the Mount of Olives is the highest. A person approaching Jerusalem from the east could see neither the Temple Mount, nor the Mount of Zion, upon which the king's house stood, until he reached the top of the Mount of Olives. No matter that the traveler was anxious to view the glory ahead, he had to wait until he reached this spot. So it is with the glorified church, which is typified by the Temple. The thought of it may make us yearn to see its glory and through the pages of the Word we understand a little of its splendor, but something is blocking our view. It is still the Mount of Olives. When our Lord returns, his feet will stand upon the Mount of Olives and it will remove to the north and to the south. Only when this occurs, will the way be clear and all will see the Bride, His Church, in all her glory!

By studying the things shown to us in the types in the Temple of Solomon, we can have a better understanding of what that time will be like. It will help us also to comprehend that the present sufferings are not worthy to be compared with the glory that SHALL be ours!
Rom 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
1 Cor 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

The story of the men connected with the construction of the Temple would not be complete without mentioning the 'non-Jewish' aid upon which Solomon relied. Hiram was king of Tyre, a Phoenician maritime city north of the land of Israel. They had the capabilities of commerce and industry needed in such an undertaking. This was not a new alliance formed by Solomon, however. His father, king David, had worked with Hiram in building his own palace and in acquiring the material from which Solomon was to build the Temple.2 Chr 2:1 And Solomon determined to build an house for the name of the LORD, and an house for his kingdom.2 Chr 2:2 And Solomon told out threescore and ten thousand men to bear burdens, and fourscore thousand to hew in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred to oversee them.
2 Chr 2:3 And Solomon sent to Huram the king of Tyre, saying, As thou didst deal with David my father, and didst send him cedars to build him an house to dwell therein, even so deal with me.
2 Chr 2:4 Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual showbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel
2 Chr 2:5 And the house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods.
2 Chr 2:6 But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?
2 Chr 2:7 Send me now therefore a man cunning to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, and blue, and that can skill to grave with the cunning men that are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father did provide.
2 Chr 2:8 Send me also cedar trees, fir trees, and algum trees, out of Lebanon: for I know that thy servants can skill to cut timber in Lebanon; and, behold, my servants shall be with thy servants,
2 Chr 2:9 Even to prepare me timber in abundance: for the house which I am about to build shall be wonderful great.

At first, this might seem somewhat startling; a Jewish undertaking, depending upon non-Jews to accomplish its purpose! Yet, is this not what our Lord has done concerning His Church? It began as a strictly Jewish institution, but soon the major part of the building was assumed by those who were not of Israel. The Glorified Church, which will rule with Christ, shall be of all nations, kindred and tongues. Yet, she shall still be obedient to her head, the King of the Jews and she will dwell in the midst of redeemed Israel!

CHAPTER TWO

THE MATERIAL OF THE TEMPLE

As in the Tabernacle, the material used in the building tells us something about that which is prefigured. Let me state this point again and emphasize it; The Tabernacle typified the church during her ministry in this present age, while the Temple showed forth the church as she will be during the millenial reign, as she rules and reigns with christ.

Perhaps, the best way to approach the subject is to compare the materials of the two structures and note the similarities as well as the differences.

GOLD - There was no change in this substance nor in that which it pictured. There was, however, a large increase in its use. Gold shows forth that which is divine and this never changes in Types. We will note that there was much more of the divine in this building as it pictured a time when the vagaries of the flesh will no longer plague us.

SILVER _ This was the same metal as used in the Tabernacle and still represented redemption. While silver is listed among the things David had provided for the House of the Lord, there was none to be found in the courtyards, nor in the Sanctuary. There is no silver used in the entire house itself. There was only one place; it was used in connection with the Temple. This will be seen as we view the building itself in a later chapter.

BRASS - Judgment, or some aspect of it was still shown in the use of brass. There was an abundance of it to be found in the courtyard, but as in the Tabernacle, the only use in the building itself, was to be found in the entrance. There, it spoke eloquently of the coming of that time being pictured .

WOOD - In the Tabernacle the only wood used was a desert growth of acacia called shittim wood. For the Israelites in the wilderness of Sinai, this was the only wood available and served to typify the makeup of the Lord's churches today, being a twisted gnarly, knotted wood. They must build with available material. We may not be much, but God has chosen to use us as He used the boards in the Tabernacle.
1 Cor 1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
1 Cor 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
1 Cor 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
1 Cor 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
1 Cor 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
1 Cor 1:31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

In the Temple, however, the wood was of several kinds, and was imported from other places. The Church which reigns with Christ will not be made up of those he finds present in Jerusalem when He returns, but rather, of that material which is even now being prepared, and which He will bring with Him when He comes to sit upon His throne. The wood used in the Temple came from the far corners of the earth, as will those who make up the Lord's Church in the Millenium.

CEDAR - From the slopes of the mountains of Lebanon, these strong, pest and disease resistant trees, were hewn, cut to the proper dimensions, shaped and brought to the site. This wood pictures humanity, even as did the shittim wood of the Tabernacle. There is something different, however, in that this pleasant smelling, long lasting wood, shows forth the human church member in his redeemed state. There was no shittim (acacia) to be found in this building.1 Cor 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1 Cor 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.1 Cor 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

FIR - This is generally considered to be a kind of cypress. It was used in the floors and doors. These were places where strength and long wear were desired. Here is another view of our new bodies! They will be tough and beautiful just like that of our Lord.

OLIVE WOOD - The tree, from whence the oil comes, pictures that which is spiritual in the House of God. It was used wherever the human and the spiritual meet. 1 Cor 15:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

ALGUM TREES - (also ALMUG) Thought to be the Sandalwood, this tree was found on the coast of India south to Arabia and on the East Coast of Africa. Hiram's ships brought it, with gold from Ophir. We are not sure where Ophir was. We know it was a great distance from which to bring merchandise in those days of slow travel. The wood was extremely hard and aromatic. It is still prized for its use in chests, incense and for the oil obtained by boiling and distilling the pulp. In the Temple, its use is an exciting picture of things to come!

PRECIOUS STONES - 2 Chr 9:10 And the servants also of Huram, and the servants of Solomon, which brought gold from Ophir, brought algum trees and precious stones. The use of these stones is exciting but for the present, we shall only refer to God's message through Malachi; Mal 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.Mal 3:17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

STONES - These were all prepared and brought to the site where they were to be assembled. 1 Ki 5:17 And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house.
1 Ki 5:18 And Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders did hew them, and the stonesquarers: so they prepared timber and stones to build the house.
1 Ki 6:7 And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor ax nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.
1 Pet 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
1 Pet 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

FINE LINEN - This is a different word from that used in the Tabernacle. There, it is designated 'twined linen' which means 'of twisted straw' or of flax, woven and bleached. Here, the word, 'fine linen' comes from a Hebrew word, 'buwts' (boots) and means another cloth. (Some think it may mean cotton) bleached to an intense white. Indeed, a rock near Michmash was called 'bowtsets' which name derived from buwts and this meant 'shining'.

It is clear that there were two distinct materials under consideration. From the practical viewpoint, it seems reasonable that in the desert wanderings, they most likely did not have the facilities to weave a finer cloth and so the twined or twisted flax would have been practical. It is also likely that if the material in the Temple was indeed cotton, it was not available to them for the Tabernacle. This however, is only surmising. All we know for sure, is that there were different cloths used. That in the Temple being fine and more intense in whiteness than the other.

The meaning is simple and plain. The white linen in both cases typified the righteousness of Christ as imputed to God's people and their righteousness in obedient service to Him. In this present dispensation, this righteousness is a marvelous thing to behold. The rough, sin-cursed sinner is changed, by the grace of God, into a child of God and 'all things become new'. Yet, he is still a sinner and as expressed by Paul, he is still plagued by the pull of the flesh. Rom 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
Rom 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Rom 7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

Therefore, the 'twined linen' of the Tabernacle, fitted the situation perfectly; but for the Temple, another material had to be used. It had to be a finer and whiter material. It was picturing a time when those things that plagued Paul and each of us shall be no more. Having been raised in His likeness, we will no longer feel the pull of sin , but will show forth the righteousness of our Lord in a new and a shining way!


CHAPTER THREE

THE DIMENSIONS OF THE HOUSE

As in the Tabernacle, the Lord gave instrutions for the building. The Temple followed the same pattern as the Tabernacle, but was twice as large.

TWELVE - is a number used for divine government. There were twelve tribes in Israel and God was to be their ruler. 1 Sam 8:7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.
Christ ordained twelve apostles in the first church, and He is the head.
These twelve apostles are to sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel in the millenial reign. Mat 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

The Holy City, the New Jerusalem, is almost completely made up of 'twelves' or multiples thereof. The city itself is a cube, measuring twelve thousand furlongs. The wall around the city is one hundred forty-four cubits (12 X 12) high. The city has twelve foundations and there are twelve gates in the wall.

TEN - is a number that seems to always be connected, in some way, to the subject of human government.
There were ten patriarchs before the flood from Adam to Noah. After the flood there were ten more, beginning with Shem and ending with Abraham. The image in Nebuchadnezzar's dream is described as having ten toes, representing ten kings. In the book of Revelation, John describes a beast having ten horns. This has to do with the kings during the last days.
God gave Moses the ten commandments as a law to govern Israel.

The number repeats itself in magnificent ways in the Temple of Solomon as God pictures the time when Christ shall govern this earth with His Bride ..Rev 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

The number ten is absent from the description of the Holy City, the New Jerusalem. Since I plan to cover this subject in a later manuscript, it must be sufficient for now to say, 'This is as it should be!'

Five - This number is especially meaningful for us. It always is used to picture the Grace of God in some manner. We will find it used repeatedly in the Temple, as in the Tabernacle. The grace of God is connected with everything we do in His worship and work. Perhaps this will be more appreciated however, if we leave further explanation until we consider the actual building and see just how this wonderful truth is manifested.

Four- This number is used concerning creation or things created. It is a number used in both the Tabernacle and the Temple and also in the Holy City, the New Jerusalem. Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Rev 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Three - Wherever this number is found, it shows that the entire Godhead is involved.
We will look at these numbers in the dimensions of the building and its furnishings and also in the numbers of objects.
While the Tabernacle was a marvel in its day, the Temple was much more so. From the biblical description of it, one can see the wonders of it. There are ancient reports from those
who were not of Israel, who viewed it with awe and wonder.

Only the finest materials were used. From Israel as well as from Phoenicia, Solomon had available to him, the best craftsmen. Relics from archaeological digs testify to the exquisite work of which these men were capable. Since the work on the Temple had been commissioned by King Solomon and by his father, David, before him, and agreed to by Hiram, the King of Tyre, they were under double duress to do their very best.

A remarkable thing about the constrruction itself, was that every stone and every timber was prepared before being brought to the site. ham1 Ki 6:7 And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building. What a wonderful reminder to us is this fact.
I Peter 2:5 You, as living stones, are being made into a house of the spirit, a holy order of priests, making those offerings of the spirit which are pleasing to God through Jesus Christ. (Basic English Bible)
I Pet 2:5 yourselves also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. ( Darby's Bible)
I Pet 2:5 And be yourselves also like living stones that are being built up into a spiritual house, to become a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (Weymouth's Bible)

The work is progressing even now. The building material for the Church, which shall reign with Christ, is NOW being prepared! Because the Bible is silent on the subject, we can only surmise what was the fate of a stone not cut to the proper dimensions or a timber with a flaw. One thing is certain; these did NOT find a place in the building! It is sad to see one whose life does not measure up and whose service is not according to the Scripture, who is yet clinging fondly to the thought that SOMEHOW he will have a place in the Bride.1 Cor 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1 Cor 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
1 Cor 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1 Cor 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

We must remember, that as there was no adjusting, or fitting of stones or timber at the construction site, neither will there be opportunity at the marriage of the Lamb nor at the judgment seat to go back and make changes to one's preparation. This is most important for us to understand, for the scriptural teaching; Ecc 11:3 ..... and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be. applies not only to the condition of the soul as to its salvation or loss, but also to the condition of the life of service or lack of it when the Lord calls us in either death or the resurrection!

The stone mason may have been very proud of his handiwork; He may have cut some fancy shapes and polished them to a higher gloss than any other workman, yet if it was not according to the required pattern, it was rejected.

I DREAMED OF JUDGMENT DAY

I was all prepared for judgment -
My suit was cleaned and pressed.
My shoes were shined and my hair was combed;
How impeccably, I dressed.

I had the answers all rehearsed
'Till my logic knew no flaw.
I could quote in perfect grammar,
All requirements of the law.

My friends all reassured me
That the outcome of the trial
would favor me completely
And the judge would only smile!

I stood up in the courtroom;
The judge read from the Law.
He fixed His eyes upon me
And told me what He saw.

He never mentioned all my knowledge
Or the fashion of my suit.
He said, instead, "You've fallen short;
You never brought forth fruit!

"You judged yourself by other men,
And now, your works must burn.
I've given you my love and grace,
You've brought nothing in return!"

Then, on my knees, before Him,
With pride at last all gone;
I could only plead for mercy
On the merits of His Son.

fcc

Now for a little side-note on the actual erection of the Temple.
1 Ki 6:37 In the fourth year was the foundation of the house of the LORD laid, in the month Zif:1 Ki 6:38 And in the eleventh year, in the month Bul, which is the eighth month, was the house finished throughout all the parts thereof, and according to all the fashion of it. So was he seven years in building it.
If there is any validity to my entire premise of the Temple being a type of the church in the millenial age, I cannot accept this length of time as meaningless.
While admitting that there are others who disagree with me concerning the time of the rapture; i.e. at the beginning, middle or end of the seven years of tribulation, this is but one of many indications that I believe points to the first or beginning of that week of 7 years.

After the rapture, while chaos reigns on the earth, two major events occur in the air, where we will be with the Lord. These are; the judgment seat of Christ at which the saved learn of their acceptance or rejection as to their fitness to be a part of His millennial government;
Mat 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Mat 25:14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
Mat 25:15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
Mat 25:16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
Mat 25:17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
Mat 25:18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
Mat 25:19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
Mat 25:20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
Mat 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Mat 25:22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
Mat 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Mat 25:24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strowed:
Mat 25:25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
Mat 25:26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strowed:
Mat 25:27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
Mat 25:28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
Mat 25:29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
Mat 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Mat 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

The other will be the marriage supper of the Lamb. These two events will be accomplished in total seclusion as far as this world is concerned. Christ will take the material prepared beforehand, judge its fitness for the job and award positions to the faithful.
2 Tim 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
2 Tim 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
After this, He will fulfill the promise made on the night He was betrayed; Mat 26:29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. This occurs at the marriage supper of the Lamb.
At this point, coinciding with the end of the seven years, He will return with His saints. he will defeat the armies of the anti-christ at Armageddon and begin His earthly reign for one thousand years.

CHAPTER FOUR

A TOUR OF THE COURTYARD

The idea of separation of church and state is right and even scriptural for this age. However, in an effort to exclude God from the education of children, the atheistic humanists have changed things around. Now, instead of government not favoring one church over another, it makes laws hindering the work of the Lord. While the Lord has only one kind of Church and not the many now existing, any law which restricts one, can and will eventually be used against all.

A good example of this is the 'Green River Ordinance'. It was named for the town that passed it. The community had been plagued with the group known as 'Jehovah's Witnesses'. In an attempt to regulate them, they made it illegal to canvass within the city limits without securing a license. It was hailed by many as a proper use of governmental power. However, it soon became apparent that any law which regulates one group could be and was used against any other. Thankfully, it was declared to be unconstitutional.

There are TWO courtyards. The first is called the Great Court and the second it the Court of the Priests. 2 Chr 4:9 Furthermore he made the court of the priests, and the great court, and doors for the court, and overlaid the doors of them with brass. There is a popular idea among those who would like to deny the Lord's Church her rightful place in glory, that "All will be in the glorified bride'. If this were true, then there would be no need for TWO COURTS, for all would be equal and have equal access to the Temple.

There will be those coming to worship at the Temple in the millennial reign who are NEITHER of the Church nor of Israel. They will find that they will be accepted only as far as the great court. There, their offerings will be taken by the priests into the Court of the Priests, washed and made acceptable. The Doors of Brass suggest that even then, they and their offerings must be judged and found to be proper.

It becomes clear when we enter the court of the Temple, that in the time symbolized, the government and worship are NOT separated. THEY ARE THE SAME!
As the priest received the offering and as he and the other priests labored in the Court of the
Priests, they symbolized the role of the Redeemed Nation of Israel in the Millenial reign. While the Church reigns as the Bride of Christ, Israel is His Nation and all who come to worship must honor the Nation which the world has so long detested. Zec 8:21 And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also.
Zec 8:22 Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.
Zec 8:23 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.

The first thing we note is the ALTAR. The small altar of the Tabernacle is no longer in service. This altar was HUGE. 2 Chr 4:1 Moreover he made an altar of brass, twenty cubits the length thereof, and twenty cubits the breadth thereof, and ten cubits the height thereof.

We do not know the precise length of a cubit, nor the other measures but we do know that a cubit was approximately 1 1/2 feet and a span was half that or about nine inches.

These two measures were based on the length of the king's forearm as a cubit. The length of his spread out fingers from the tip of the little finger to the tip of the thumb was a span.

As in the Tabernacle, this place, where the Burnt Offerings were placed, was a type of the Cross upon which Christ died as a sacrifice. The dimensions, 20 X 20 X 10 cubits, were a repetitive use of the number ten. God was telling us that during this time His entire government will be charged with presenting Christ to those who are yet lost. YES! there will be lost people present during the millenial reign! Toward this fact, Isaiah made the following reference; Isa 65:20 There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.
Another proof of the presence of lost people is the fact that at the end of the thousand years, Satan will be loosed from the bottomless pit and in a 'little season' can gather an army! It is impossible that this army will be composed of any but lost souls.

Since there will be those who need salvation, and God is still not willing that any should perish, someone must present the Gospel message. God has decreed that the lost can be saved only after hearing the Gospel. 1 Cor 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

Only two groups have ever been commissioned by God to preach this Gospel. These are Israel, as God's chosen nation, and the New Testament Church, as the Bride of Christ. The location of the Altar signifies that in the millenial age, they will carry out God's intentions for them.

This Altar, with its sacrifices, also pointed to the fact that as long as there remains a lost person on the face of the eaarth, the plan of salvation will remain as it has always been;
Acts 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

The preaching of the cross will never go out of style with God! Even in the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, when there are no sinners present, the saved will glory in the cross and praise the Lamb of God who died there for us. Rev 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

The Brass of the Altar tells us that God's judgment of our sins was met in Jesus Christ. Keep this thought in mind as we tour the Temple. We will find this most important truth illustrated in the last object to be examined, as it is here in the first. Thus, God brings the greatest truth of all eternity before us; 1 Cor 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;1 Pet 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

God would have us never to forget His love for mankind nor His provision for their salvation. The truths of John 3:16 will be as fresh and new after a thousand years as they were when we first heard and marveled at His Love and Amazing Grace!

THE SEA OF BRASS

As one entered the courtyard, the Altar was on his right and on left stood the Sea of Brass.
2 Chr 4:10 And he set the sea on the right side of the east end, over against the south. Lest we become confused, we must remember that the Temple is facing the East. The directions of right and left are given from the aspect of coming from the temple and not as approaching it. Because of this, one found the Sea of Brass on his left as he came to the Temple with his sacrifice.

This Sea of Brass was so-called because of its huge size. 2 Chr 4:2 Also he made a molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass, and five cubits the height thereof; and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about. While it corresponded to the LAVER of the Tabernacle, there were several notable differences. There was no place where the size of the laver or its foot was mentioned, while the description of this Sea of Brass was very specific. The laver was always mentioned in connection with its foot or base. This foot held the water used by the priest in his constant washing as he went in and out of the Tabaernacle. It was also connected with the washing of the priest in the ceremonies of purification as he began his life's work. This typified the place of our cleansing in our dedication to the work of priest in our ministry in His church. Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Pet 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

This foot was not present in the Sea of Brass of the Temple. The Sea was for the priests to wash in. 2 Chr 4:6 He made also ten lavers, and put five on the right hand, and five on the left, to wash in them: such things as they offered for the burnt offering they washed in them; but the sea was for the priests to wash in. It was approximately fifteen feet across and seven and a half feet deep. The use of the foot of the laver, in the Tabernacle, pictured how, in our present ministry, all we can hope for, is to keep our hands and feet free from the contamination of the world. Only through Christ can we accomplish this. 1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

In the millenial reign there will not be a partial, daily cleansing of the hands and feet. Rather, there will be the total cleansing of those who, in their new and glorified bodies, serve Him. These will be granted the privilege of walking with Him in white garments. Rev 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

One might ask, "Why do the glorified saints need this washing?" I think it is to let us know that even in those bodies that shall be fashioned like unto His glorious body, we shall NEVER stand before Him on our own merits. We must then, as now and even later, in the eternal age, stand before God only on the terms of the imputed righteousness of Christ. The song, "Amazing Grace’ will never be out of style for His Saints!

This Sea of Brass rested upon the backs of TWELVE oxen.
2 Chr 4:3 And under it was the similitude of oxen, which did compass it round about: ten in a cubit, compassing the sea round about. Two rows of oxen were cast, when it was cast.
2 Chr 4:4 It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east: and the sea was set above upon them, and all their hinder parts were inward.
Twelve is the number for divine government. It was the number of the tribes of Israel and the number of Apostles first set in the Church. When Peter asked, Mat 19:27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? Jesus replied, Mat 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

The diameter of the Sea is given as TEN cubits, which is the number for human government. From the first to the last, we are reminded that these two are one in this reign of peace.

The Ox is an animal that typifies faithful service, strength and patience. Only those who have exhibited these traits are worthy of the type. They are the ones upon whom a great deal of responsibility will rest.

Around the brim of the Sea were engravings of Oxen. These were small, for there were TEN of them in two rows in each cubit around the circumference. Those who have manifested these traits (typified by oxen) are also those who will be allowed to serve in the human side of His government.

In the place of the foot of the Laver, there were TEN LAVERS of brass on wheels. 1 Ki 7:38 Then made he ten lavers of brass: one laver contained forty baths: and every laver was four cubits: and upon every one of the ten bases one laver.
1 Ki 7:39 And he put five bases on the right side of the house, and five on the left side of the house: and he set the sea on the right side of the house eastward over against the south.
II Chronicles 4:6 informs us that the ten lavers on their bases were for the washing, not of the priests, but the offerings brought by the people.
2 Chr 4:6 He made also ten lavers, and put five on the right hand, and five on the left, to wash in them: such things as they offered for the burnt offering they washed in them; but the sea was for the priests to wash in. Consider the following;
1. During this time God will demand and receive worship from all nations. Zec 14:16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.
Zec 14:17 And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.
Zec 14:18 And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.

God has said that the only way to glorify Him now and in ALL ages, is through a New Testament Church. Eph 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Those who bring their offerings are NOT in the Lord’s church. How then, can their offerings be made acceptable? The Lavers are ten in number, suggesting that the government of the land will be involved in making the offerings acceptable. What is this government?
2 Tim 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
1 Cor 6:2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

It seems perfectly clear that God is NOT violating His own edicts. Yet, He is making it possible during this glorious age of the thousand-year reign, for ALL to worship Him. Though they are not a part of the church, their offerings are made acceptable by presenting them to Him THROUGH the church.

Five of these Lavers were placed at each side of the courtyard. FIVE is the number used to indicate the Grace of God. In this, we see the grace of God extended to all of the subjects of the KING OF KINGS! Though they are unworthy of the privilege, they are allowed to worship Him and in fact, are ordered to do so.

These Lavers were set upon bases with wheels. The details of these are fascinating and revealing. 1 Ki 7:27 And he made ten bases of brass; four cubits was the length of one base, and four cubits the breadth thereof, and three cubits the height of it.
1 Ki 7:28 And the work of the bases was on this manner: they had borders, and the borders were between the ledges:
1 Ki 7:29 And on the borders that were between the ledges were lions, oxen, and cherubims: and upon the ledges there was a base above: and beneath the lions and oxen were certain additions made of thin work.
1 Ki 7:30 And every base had four brazen wheels, and plates of brass: and the four corners thereof had undersetters: under the laver were undersetters molten, at the side of every addition.
1 Ki 7:31 And the mouth of it within the chapiter and above was a cubit: but the mouth thereof was round after the work of the base, a cubit and an half: and also upon the mouth of it were gravings with their borders, foursquare, not round.
1 Ki 7:32 And under the borders were four wheels; and the axletrees of the wheels were joined to the base: and the height of a wheel was a cubit and half a cubit.
1 Ki 7:33 And the work of the wheels was like the work of a chariot wheel: their axletrees, and their naves, and their felloes, and their spokes, were all molten.
1 Ki 7:34 And there were four undersetters to the four corners of one base: and the undersetters were of the very base itself.
1 Ki 7:35 And in the top of the base was there a round compass of half a cubit high: and on the top of the base the ledges thereof and the borders thereof were of the same.
1 Ki 7:36 For on the plates of the ledges thereof, and on the borders thereof, he graved cherubims, lions, and palm trees, according to the proportion of every one, and additions round about.
1 Ki 7:37 After this manner he made the ten bases: all of them had one casting, one measure, and one size.
1 Ki 7:38 Then made he ten lavers of brass: one laver contained forty baths: and every laver was four cubits: and upon every one of the ten bases one laver.
1 Ki 7:39 And he put five bases on the right side of the house, and five on the left side of the house: and he set the sea on the right side of the house eastward over against the south.
In this description of the bases, the number FOUR seems to stand out. Each laver was four cubits square. ‘ Four’ is the number of creation. This being a type of the one thousand year reign of Christ, we are reminded that all creation will then rejoice and praise Him. Psa 150:1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
Psa 150:2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
Psa 150:3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
Psa 150:4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
Psa 150:5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals
. Psa 150:6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.
Psa 148:7 Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:
Psa 148:8 Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
Psa 148:9 Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:
Psa 148:10 Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:
Psa 148:11 Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:
Psa 148:12 Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:
Psa 148:13 Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.

Four things were to be engraved on these bases; Oxen, lions, cherubim, and palm trees. These four things not only stand for things created, they each, manifest a wonderful truth.
The Oxen stand, not only for the domesticated creatures that serve man, they also speak of strength and patience, as we noted earlier.

The angels (cherubim) are created beings. Heb 1:7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. They will be present during the thousand years and not only serve their creator, but will also serve the Bride as she reigns with Him.
1 Cor 6:3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
The Lion pictured the wild beasts, which will then serve mankind and glorify their creator.
Isa 11:6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
Isa 11:7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
Isa 11:8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.

It is also worth noting that the lion is associated with Christ the King. Rev 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

The Palm Tree is a wonderful choice to represent the growing things of the earth as they glorify the King. It was one of the most valuable and versatile plants found in the region. It grew anywhere there was enough water and because of its height, could be seen from far away. This announced to the weary traveler, where he might find the moisture so desperately needed . Its fruit was excellent food and its leaves could be fashioned into shelters to shield one from the heat of the sun.

The Palm Tree has long been used as a symbol for royalty and joy. It was quite common that subjects would greet their kings with palm branches upon their arrival. The greeting of Jesus in this manner was according to the custom of subjects, so greeting their king.
John 12:12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
John 12:13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Rev 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

By using these things on the bases, God is giving us a message; He created man to have the rule over all creation. Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Because of man’s sin, that dominance was lost. Rom 8:20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
Rom 8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Rom 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

At last, through the work of the second Adam, Jesus Christ, man's mastery is restored!

APPROACHING THE HOUSE

What a grand, imposing sight it must have been as one stood in the courtyard with the Great Sea, the Altar and the ten wheeled lavers and the flaying tables arrayed before the Temple of the Lord. Then as one looked westward toward the Temple, his eyes came to rest on the two magnificent columns of brass which stood, one at each side of the entrance to the temple porch. 1 Ki 7:15 For he cast two pillars of brass, of eighteen cubits high apiece: and a line of twelve cubits did compass either of them about.
1 Ki 7:16 And he made two chapiters of molten brass, to set upon the tops of the pillars: the height of the one chapiter was five cubits, and the height of the other chapiter was five cubits:
1 Ki 7:17 And nets of checker work, and wreaths of chain work, for the chapiters which were upon the top of the pillars; seven for the one chapiter, and seven for the other chapiter.
1 Ki 7:18 And he made the pillars, and two rows round about upon the one network, to cover the chapiters that were upon the top, with pomegranates: and so did he for the other chapiter.
1 Ki 7:19 And the chapiters that were upon the top of the pillars were of lily work in the porch, four cubits.
1 Ki 7:20 And the chapiters upon the two pillars had pomegranates also above, over against the belly which was by the network: and the pomegranates were two hundred in rows round about upon the other chapiter.
1 Ki 7:21 And he set up the pillars in the porch of the temple: and he set up the right pillar, and called the name thereof Jachin: and he set up the left pillar, and called the name thereof Boaz.
1 Ki 7:22 And upon the top of the pillars was lily work: so was the work of the pillars finished.

From the earliest of times, pillars, steles and other monuments have been built as witnesses to different events. It was thus, when Laban and Jacob erected the monument of stones at the time of Jacob’s departure to return home. Gen 31:52 This heap be witness, and this pillar be witness, that I will not pass over this heap to thee, and that thou shalt not pass over this heap and this pillar unto me, for harm.

Earlier, Jacob had set up a pillar to mark the spot of his encounter with God and his vision of the ladder to heaven. Gen 28:18 And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.
Gen 28:19 And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.
Gen 28:20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,
Gen 28:21 So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God:
Gen 28:22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

Those pillars had been monuments of man’s dealings with his fellow man and to man’s promises to God. However, these pillars were of God’s design and were monuments of His promise to mankind.

One of the fondest dreams of man has always been for a unified, peaceful universal kingdom in which men might find their dreams and aspirations coming to fruition. It was this desire that caused humanity to begin to build the Tower of Babel. Gen 11:4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.

Since then, it has been the dream of men to establish such a kingdom in defiance of the God of Heaven. The empires of the Bible; Babylonian, Medes, Persian, Grecian and Roman, have all had one thing in common. That is, the idea that theirs would be an everlasting kingdom. Each was presided over by a man upon whom they had bestowed the mantle of deity. However, one after another, these fell and their god-kings were powerless to stop it.
In later history, the world has witnessed the Huns, the Ottoman Turks, the Third Reich of Hitler and the aspirations of Communism toward world domination. Each prospered for a moment of time, but fell. The spread of the British Empire and the colonial ambitions of many European nations have withered and come to naught. There is but one man who shall ever succeed in such an endeavor. His name is Jesus and the facts of His reign are established in the Word of God. Luke 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Rev 2:27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

This is the testimony of the two pillars. They set the tone for all the types and shadows of the Temple of Solomon. 1 Ki 7:21 And he set up the pillars in the porch of the temple: and he set up the right pillar, and called the name thereof Jachin: and he set up the left pillar, and called the name thereof Boaz. Jachin is a name that means, ‘He shall establish it’ while Boaz seems to carry the idea of strength.

The Temple was, on the whole, a prophetic symbol of the millennial reign of Christ. Each part of it signified something of the time when Christ shall reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. These witnesses told us that until Christ shall stand again upon the earth, man will not find the paradise, the Utopia for which he so desperately seeks. Indeed, men so long for such a time of peace that when the anti-christ shall come, promising it, the population of the earth will flock after him. They will even be willing to acclaim him as their god-king. His kingdom will soon fall, however, like all other attempts by men throughout history.
Only after this time shall Christ come and fulfill the promises of Jachin and Boaz. He, and no other, will set up the millennial kingdom. In it will be strength enough to set the world agenda and to carry it out. It will NEVER be overthrown.

The further lessons to be learned from these two pillars are testimony to the beauty and strength of the reign of the King of kings. The material of the pillars being entirely Brass, assures us the they declare nothing except Judgment. Here it is the judgment of the world by Jesus Christ as he reigns supreme. The statement is a simple one; "Christ shall rule."
Adornments of these pillars are also of brass and act as adverbs and adjectives to that basic statement. They tell us what that reign shall be like.

The sheer size of them must have been most imposing. From the base to the top of the top chapiter, was twenty-three cubits or about thirty-four and one half feet. The circumference of each was twelve cubits or about eighteen feet. This the number that represents divine government and from this house shall go forth the laws that the whole world will be bound to follow. The diameter was 3.82 cubits or about 5’ 8". Jer 52:21 And concerning the pillars, the height of one pillar was eighteen cubits; and a fillet of twelve cubits did compass it; and the thickness thereof was four fingers: it was hollow.

Each pillar was topped by a chapiter of five cubits high and four cubits wide. Since five is the number for GRACE and four, the number for creation, we are being told that His judgment over the entire world is to be with GRACE. The POMMELS, being in the shape of a globe, are pictures of the world. The entire earth shall be under His rule.
Jer 52:22 And a chapiter of brass was upon it; and the height of one chapiter was five cubits, with network and pomegranates upon the chapiters round about, all of brass. The second pillar also and the pomegranates were like unto these.
Jer 52:23 And there were ninety and six pomegranates on a side; and all the pomegranates upon the network were an hundred round about.

Each chapiter was composed of three pieces. Immediately above the pillar was a flat plate of brass, one cubit thick and four cubits square. On this was the POMMEL (bowl or globe). 2 Chr 4:12 To wit, the two pillars, and the pommels, and the chapiters which were on the top of the two pillars, and the two wreaths to cover the two pommels of the chapiters which were on the top of the pillars;
2 Chr 4:13 And four hundred pomegranates on the two wreaths; two rows of pomegranates on each wreath, to cover the two pommels of the chapiters which were upon the pillars. This was then capped by another flat plate of the same dimensions as the one below the POMMEL.

Each of these chapiters had on the four sides, lily work. 1 Ki 7:19 And the chapiters that were upon the top of the pillars were of lily work in the porch, four cubits.
1 Ki 7:20 And the chapiters upon the two pillars had pomegranates also above, over against the belly which was by the network: and the pomegranates were two hundred in rows round about upon the other chapiter.
1 Ki 7:21 And he set up the pillars in the porch of the temple: and he set up the right pillar, and called the name thereof Jachin: and he set up the left pillar, and called the name thereof Boaz.
1 Ki 7:22 And upon the top of the pillars was lily work: so was the work of the pillars finished.

These open flowers speak to us of the beauty of the reign of Christ. There will be no hidden scandals or deceit there. All will be open to public view and will be beautiful. (More concerning the lilies in the following chapter.)

The WREATHS were called in other places, nets or chains. Encircling the pommels, they show His complete and total control of the world. All things, political, religious, commercial, and even the weather shall be subject to His command and there shall be no appeal from His decisions.

Lest this sound too harsh to be desirable, He shows us one more aspect of His rule. Upon each wreath or network, were placed one hundred brass pomegranates. Because of its ability to produce under the most adverse conditions, it was used to indicate fruitfulness. The world has never yet, seen such productivity as will be manifested in that day.
Isa 2:4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Micah also looked forward to this time. He spoke in similar terms with an added observation that speaks directly to the hearts of Israel and to the entire world, as men long for peace.
Micah 4:3 And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
Micah 4:4 But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.

There is a special promise of this to the house of Jacob. Isa 27:6 He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.
The very earth will be restored to its edenic fertility and man shall no longer suffer physically as now. Isa 35:1 The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.
Isa 35:2 It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God.
Isa 35:3 Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.
Isa 35:4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will come and save you.
Isa 35:5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
Isa 35:6 Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.
Isa 35:7 And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.

Of all this and more, the two pillars of witness, testify. Just as the Jews of the world have often been homesick for the land of Israel, though many had never laid eyes upon it, so are the hearts of all God’s people, longing for this land, though we have not yet seen it. We can, however, rejoice in the promise made to us through Isaiah. Isa 33:17 Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off.

It is no wonder that John expressed his great longing in the prayer and plea; Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Rev 22:20

THE ALGUM TREES

The approach to the house provided an amazing sight. The steps were made of the wood of the ALGUM (almug) tree. This extremely hard, aromatic wood is still prized for its hardness and beauty and its pulp is boiled to obtain its oil for incense. Its rarity makes it prized for use in chests and small objects. It is sometimes used for the making of fine furniture. Its use in the construction of the Temple is of great interest. What a rare thing it was to have it used in such a way. What a pleasing experience it must have been to enter the Temple with the scent of the steps filling the air! As we shall soon see, these steps are the approach to the place of the throne of the King of kings. Psa 89:15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.
Psa 89:16 In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.
Psa 89:17 For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted.2 Chr 2:8 Send me also cedar trees, fir trees, and algum trees, out of Lebanon: for I know that thy servants can skill to cut timber in Lebanon; and, behold, my servants shall be with thy servants,

2 Chr 9:10 And the servants also of Huram, and the servants of Solomon, which brought gold from Ophir, brought algum trees and precious stones.

1 Ki 10:11 And the navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from Ophir, brought in from Ophir great plenty of almug trees, and precious stones.
This wood was also used inside the sanctuary for pillars to support the roof beams, and for the instruments used by the musicians. 1 Ki 10:12 And the king made of the almug trees pillars for the house of the LORD, and for the king's house, harps also and psalteries for singers: there came no such almug trees, nor were seen unto this day.

It was common then, to construct large buildings, in which there were no partitions to act as bearing walls, using pillars to support the roof. The importance of these to the structural integrity of the building is made clear in the final act of the life of Samson. Judg 16:29 And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left.
Judg 16:30 And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.

These pillars were so important in construction that their use has become a figure of speech. Of an important person, we hear such things as, ‘He is a PILLAR of the community, or ‘PILLARS' of the church. It is not surprising then, that the Lord would use such explicit comparison to describe those upon whom a large responsibility shall rest during the millennial reign. A perfect example of a pillar as a figure of speech is found in the letter to the Church at Philadelphia. To the faithful of that church who overcome, this promise is made. Rev 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

Surely, this is an honor worth standing and fighting for. To be pictured in the stones of the walls, the wood with which the walls were lined and the jewels with which they were adorned, is a huge honor. Far exceeding these in honor, however, are the pillars upon which the roof rests. Their use and function are clearly seen and recognized by all who enter. The honor is enhanced as one considers the wood from which they were made. These were not just any old algum trees; they were specimens which were unique, probably for their size. (there came no such almug trees, nor were seen unto this day)

I am made to think of men like Paul and others who were martyrs or great men of the faith. However the scripture assures us that the glory available to a few is there for any who will strive for it. 2 Tim 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

The wood of the algum or sandalwood tree was either red or white, according to its variety. We are not told which was used here. Since white is the color denoting righteousness and these are examples of the righteous in their strength, I picture them as white. Not only were they hard and strong, but they also exuded a pleasant odor. Even today, those who fit the pattern of these pillars are pleasant to be around. People are drawn to them because of their faith and their consistently strong stands. How much more beauty, strength and pleasantness shall be their’s in that day. In spite of their personal qualities they will still not stand on their own inherent worth, but all will be reminded forever that their glory belongs to God. (and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God.)

The steps and the pillars are made of the same material as that used for the harps, lyres and other instruments upon which the Temple musicians played. This tells me that the pure praise and worship of hymns of praise has the same qualities and is pleasing to both God and man as is a righteous walk and a righteous stand. If only God’s people would always remember to even now, try to emulate the algum trees of the Temple. In so doing we will be pleasing in our walk, our work and in our worship.

THE PORCH AND BEAUTIFUL DOORS
Just beyond the Pillars, everything changed. While brass was the only metal used to this point, there was NONE to be found beyond it.

The length of the porch was the same as the width of the Temple proper; 20 cubits. Its depth was 10 cubits. Both it and the doors were covered with PURE GOLD. 1 Ki 6:3 And the porch before the temple of the house, twenty cubits was the length thereof, according to the breadth of the house; and ten cubits was the breadth thereof before the house.
2 Chr 3:4 And the porch that was in the front of the house, the length of it was according to the breadth of the house, twenty cubits, and the height was an hundred and twenty: and he overlaid it within with pure gold.

Many scholars consider this height to be the result of a transposition of letters by some scribe. In the Alexandrian copy of the Septuagint, this verse reads 20 cubits. However, without any scriptural statement to the contrary, I am inclined to accept the dimension of 120 cubits. It is consistent in what the porch pictures.

The action in the courtyard pictured the activity of the faithful of Israel during the millennial reign. The activity inside the Temple illustrated the work of the Bride. Between the two, tying them together and towering over them is the throne of the King of kings!

This porch is referred to on at least two occasions as the Porch of the Lord. To see its importance, one must ascertain its purpose. Solomon also built himself a grand house in which to dwell. It too, had a porch. 1 Ki 7:7 Then he made a porch for the throne where he might judge, even the porch of judgment: and it was covered with cedar from one side of the floor to the other.

Since this was called the Porch of the Lord, and it shall be from this house that the whole world will be ruled, it is clear that in it, the Throne of the King of kings will be placed. This is fitting, for beyond the doors, in the Temple, is that which pictures the Glorified Church at work. No one can enter except those who are a part of the glorified Bride of Christ.

It is at this point that the true magnificence of the Temple begins to be manifested. On every side, one saw, not the stones of the Temple, but pure gold. The import of this becomes apparent as we consider the stones, themselves.

The Boards of the Tabernacle represented the members of a New Testament Church. They were covered with gold to show that, as part of the structure of God’s house, it is not the carnal and temporal flesh that is to be seen. The GOLD manifests the fact that they are sons of God. They are not to be seen except to manifest the divinity of Jesus Christ.

In the Temple it was the stones that symbolized the members. 1 Pet 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (literal trans; are being built) Even though we shall then, in our new bodies, be likened to stones instead of boards, it will never be US who will be in the forefront, but it will be the Glory of the divine.

The depth of the Porch was 10 cubits. Ten is the number of human government. In the anti-type, it is from here that the Law will go forth, which shall rule the world. The width of the Porch is the same as the Temple proper; 20 cubits or twice TEN. There are two entities that shall be involved in cararying out His orders. They are; the Church as His Bride, and Israel, His Nation.

Just beyond the Porch were the Beautiful Doors. 1 Ki 6:33 So also made he for the door of the temple posts of olive tree, a fourth part of the wall.
1 Ki 6:34 And the two doors were of fir tree: the two leaves of the one door were folding, and the two leaves of the other door were folding.
1 Ki 6:35 And he carved thereon cherubims and palm trees and open flowers: and covered them with gold fitted upon the carved work.

Since the width of the Temple was 20 cubits and the posts of this door a fourth part of it, they were five cubits each. Thus, the DOORS were a total of 10 cubits; each door being 5 cubits divided into 2 leaves. Note how often the number 10 (human government) is used in connection with FIVE (grace) The ‘Utopia’ for which man has so longed, shall be known when the entire world experiences the manifestation of the Grace of God in the reign of His Son.

The DOOR POSTS provide the support by which the doors are made operative. The material, Olive Wood, speaks to us of the Holy Spirit, by WHOM and through WHOM Christ offered Himself and through WHOM He now works and is present in His Church. This use of the Olive Wood tells us that the Holy Spirit shall always have an important place in the service and work of both Christ and His Church. Isa 28:5 In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people,
Isa 28:6 And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.

The doors swung upon HINGES of GOLD. 1 Ki 7:50 And the bowls, and the snuffers, and the basins, and the spoons, and the censers of pure gold; and the hinges of gold, both for the doors of the inner house, the most holy place, and for the doors of the house, to wit, of the temple. Gold denotes that which is divine. It was used here to illustrate to us that between the Doors (Christ) and the Door Posts (Holy Spirit) there is a connection that is totally divine. By this divine connection, the doors are thus made operative. This has been true in all the work of Christ and of the Holy Spirit. Thus, the entire God-Head is pictured at the front of the Temple and there is no room for another entity to be present. Glorified humans shall be present inside, as members of the Bride. They were pictured in the stones of the wall, but at the entrance there was room for none but the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The Doors of the Temple were pictures of Christ as were the curtains and veils of the Tabernacle. John 10:7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
John 10:8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. These doors were made of ‘fir’ or, as given in other translations, juniper or cypress. While we cannot know with certainty, the exact kind, we do know it was a hard, tough conifer. It had to be not only serviceable for doors, but also suitable for carving. As with the wood used elsewhere in both the Tabernacle and the Temple, this represented human flesh. Here it was the flesh of the glorified Son. Each door of five cubits width was divided and hinged in the middle. This seems to signify, as did the rent veil, the broken body of Christ making access possible.

Into this wood, typifying the body of the glorified Christ, were carved cherubim, palm trees and open flowers. Cherubim were spirit beings usually described as winged creatures. They were sometimes winged lions or other animals or the likeness of a man. The first mention of them is in Gen 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

In the literal translation of this verse, it is said that he placed THE cherubim. This would suggest that unlike the angels, of which there are myriads, there are but a limited number of cherubim.

In the first chapter of Ezekiel, there are FOUR living creatures mentioned in connection with Ezekiel’s vision of the throne of Glory. In the tenth chapter, these are called cherubim.
Ezekiel 10:15 And the cherubims were lifted up. This is the living creature that I saw by the river of Chebar.

Likewise, there are four ‘beasts’ mentioned in connection with the glorified throne of the Lord in Rev 4:6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
Rev 4:7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
Rev 4:8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

Whenever these creatures are mentioned, they are involved in the protection of the Glory of God or the lifting up of the Creator and King. Their number is FOUR they, each, are described as having four faces or likenesses. Four is the number of creation and their job seems to be to see that all creation gives Glory and Honor to the One who sits upon the throne. Rev 4:9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
Rev 4:10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
Rev 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Obviously, the Pagan world was aware of these creatures from the most ancient times. The Sphinx of Egypt, the winged bulls of Assyria, the winged lions of Ninevah, are all but a few of the examples. Detractors of the Bible try to say that Israel merely imitated these. The truth is, these were but remnants of the knowledge of God, once known to these pagan peoples. Each of them used their version of these creatures in ways that depicted the protection of those things that they held to be divine. Often the image of the creatures themselves, became objects of worship.

There were FOUR LEAVES of the doors and FOUR CHERUBIM, one upon each door. They stand here between the place of the throne and the type of the glorified church at work. While they protect, they also symbolize that which empowers and aids the Church in her work. Heb 1:13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
Heb 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

There were also, carved into the wood of the doors, PALM TREES. As Jesus rode into Jerusalem, the people hailed Him as king. Palm branches were strewn before Him. John 12:12 On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem,
John 12:13 Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.

This sets the tone for the use of the palm trees in types and symbols. To these people, palm trees were connected with the king, triumph and rejoicing. There is a tall, majestic tree which we know as the royal palm. The tree known to Israel was NOT this type. Rather, it was the date palm, which was known so well to them during their wilderness travels and in their land. It has been said that one tree could supply sustenance for and entire family. The fresh fruit could be eaten and could also be preserved in cakes or various other ways. The fiber from the tree could be woven into cloth and the fronds were often used in booths to provide shelter from the elements or even thatch for a roof for their homes. Each of these uses speaks eloquently of the provision made for us by our victorious King in a dry and barren land.

The OPEN FLOWERS illustrated the beauty of the King and His kingdom in all fullness.

1 Ki 6:35 And he carved thereon cherubims and palm trees and open flowers: and covered them with gold fitted upon the carved work.

Isaiah said that in His first coming, there was no beauty that we should desire Him. Isa 53:2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. The meek, mild, sacrificial lamb pleased the Father, but was despised by men. Men, with their shallow, fleshly minds, are still trying to picture Jesus as a starry-eyed radical who was only a loser. They see only that which Satan and his crowd desire them to see, which is, that all his dreams died with him on the cross. The Bible presents an entirely different picture. He was not a ‘loser’ but was victorious in everything connected with His earthly ministry. Isa 33:17 Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off.

The descriptions of the time of the millenial reign have long caused men to dream of a better world. Praise God, we shall see it! Isa 35:1 The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.
Isa 35:2 It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God.
Isa 35:3 Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.
Isa 35:4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will come and save you.
Isa 35:5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
Isa 35:6 Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.
Isa 35:7 And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.

Solomon calls Him the rose of Sharon and the lily of the valley. Song 2:1 I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.

In every way; politically, economically and ideally, this will be the time of the fulfillment of men’s dreams. Imagine, if you can, such peace that all the vibrant economy of the entire earth is turned toward peaceful goals.
Isa 2:4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. With the Prince of Peace sitting as King of kings, the defense budgets of the nations will not be needed. There will be no need for such institutes as Annapolis, West Point, of any war college anywhere in all the world.

The flowers were open rather than mere buds. This tells us what we are seeing will be present then, not promised.

ENTERING THE SANCTUARY
A LOOK AT THE STRUCTURE FROM THE INSIDE
Though the building is of stone, there is no stone visible as one steps inside. Instead, the gleaming gold and beautiful designs on the walls greet the eye. Under the gold there are the boards of CEDAR that were carved so that the gold overlay will present beauty to the eye.

I Kings 6:18 And the cedar of the house within was carved with knops and open flowers: all was cedar; there was no stone seen.
I Kngs.6:21 So Solomon overlaid the house within with pure gold: and he made a partition by the chains of gold before the oracle; and he overlaid it with gold.
22 And the whole house he overlaid with gold, until he had finished all the house: also the whole altar that was by the oracle he overlaid with gold.

The significance of this becomes clear as we remember the stones are types of the members of the churches, of which the Temple is a type. I Peter2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

As the boards of the Tabernacle were to be covered with gold to picture the membership in today's New Testament Church, so must the individual member be subordinated in the Millenial reign,. The purpose of those who are now, and will then be, members of the Body of Christ, is NOT to magnify self but to be a part of the house of God. It is Christ that is to be manifested.

The size and purpose of the building required that it be constructed of stone. Since these were pictures of the members of the Lord's Glorified church, let us learn their lesson well, for only by learning and preparing today can we hope to be a part of it in that day.

A literal rendering of I Peter 2:5 ( Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.)tells us that these lively [living] stones are being built up. That is, the preparation of the material is NOW being done. Stone is a material that will not warp nor twist nor change shape with the passage of time. Some will never qualify for the job because they are too changeable; Eph.4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the
Head, even Christ.
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. Let us be mindful of Paul's admonition; I Cor.16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

These stones were covered, on the inside of the building, with boards of cedar. As the wood of the Tabernacle typified humanity, so did the cedar. The difference being, this is not the Shittim wood which, being full of knots, gnarls and flaws, signified the frailty and flaws of our present human nature. Instead, these boards were made from the cedars of Lebanon. Straight, clear grained and impervious to insects and rot, this pictures the new body that shall be ours in the resurrection. I Cor.15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

Into these boards were carved KNOPS [semi-globes] and open flowers. These spoke of the beauty and fruitfulness of those found worthy to become a part of this glorious building. Malachi 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.
17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. These carvings also served a practical purpose as we shall soon see.

Next, the entire walls were overlaid with GOLD. Even so, in the Millennial reign, after all rewards have been issued, and all will have been assigned their places in the kingdom of our Lord, the beauty and usefulness that his people project will not be theirs. As gold pictures the divine, we shall NEVER have any glory but that which is from and of God!

THE WINDOWS
When I first began to study the types found in the Temple of Solomon, I was fascinated by the subject. The thoughts came easily and swiftly as I moved from one part of the subject to another. Suddenly I came upon something that stumped me. It was a footnote to IKings 6:4 . And for the house he made windows of narrow lights. This note said, 'or broad within and narrow without.' Now, what could be the significance of such a construction? This is NOT the ordinary way to make windows in a thick masonry wall. The usual method is just the opposite; broad without and narrow within; The purpose being to allow the outer part to gather as much light as possible and reflect it inward. It was only while reading an article on the subject by a rabbi that the purpose became clear. This gentleman, too, wondered about it and made the observation that it was as if they wanted to gather light from the inside and direct it outward.

In the Tabernacle, there were no windows. As the priest ministered in the sanctuary, he had no light other than that shed by the lamps of the Golden Candlestick. This was a picture of our present day work in the Lord's Church. We must conduct all by the light of the Word. There is no other source of information upon which we may draw. Similarly, there was no way for that light to be seen from the outside. The picture being, that while His church is to walk in the light of His Word, there is no demand that the world do so. They can neither see nor understand the spiritual truths found there. I Cor.2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

During the Millennial reign, however it shall be different. Not only will the Church walk and serve by the Light of the Word, but the whole world will be subject to it. Hab.2:14 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
Isa.11:9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

From where will this light come to the world? From His Church which shall reign as his bride! The windows were so constructed that they could collect the light of the lamp-stands within and direct it outward. Psalm 89:15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.
16 In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.
17 For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted.
18 For the LORD is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king.

TEN GOLDEN LAMPSTANDS
Along the walls on each side were ranged the CANDLESTICKS or lampstands of pure gold. I Kings 7:49 And the candlesticks of pure gold, five on the right side, and five on the left, before the oracle, with the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs of gold, .
Five were placed against the North wall and five against the South wall. Keep in mind that the total number of them was TEN. This is the number for Human Government. Here is another great lesson for us about the 1,000 year reign of Christ and his Church. As in the Tabernacle, the lamps of the candlesticks represent the Word of the Lord. While there was but one candlestick in the Tabernacle, however, there were TEN in the Temple. With the walls and the ceiling completely covered with gold over the carvings of the cedar boards, there were thousands of facets of gold to reflect the light from the 70 lamps. What a sight of beauty this must have been!

There being FIVE on each side reminds us again of the continuing Grace of God upon and through his Church.

The light from these seventy lamps would have reflected from the ten Golden Tables of shewbread, from the Golden Altar, from the facets of the carvings on the gold covered walls and finally collected by the broad side of the windows high above and so, reflected outward.

Those who were on the outside would never see the fullness of the glory within, but they WOULD see the light from the candlesticks and be required to walk in it! .

As we labor in this present world we are often frustrated by its demands. Even trying to find or build a meeting place is often an exercise in futility. The world makes demands that are sometimes impossible for us to meet. The situation will be greatly different then. Our King will 'rule with a Rod of Iron.' His expressed will shall be done and the Church will have the executive power to see to it. Rev.2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
Rev.3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

THE TEN TABLES OF SHEWBREAD
II Chron 4:8 He made also ten tables, and placed them in the temple, five on the right side, and five on the left. And he made an hundred basins of gold.

In the Tabernacle there was a single Table of Shewbread. This was as it should have been, for that structure was a type of the Church in the world today. Since the New Testament knows no other church than the Local, Autonomous Body, this is what the Tabernacle pictured. The Temple, however pictures the Bride of Christ as she rules with him and is included in the righteous government for the earth during the millennial reign. This Bride is made up of all the faithful members of all true churches. To picture this completed bride as well as her role in His reign, there are TEN Tables.

For a comprehensive exegesis of the subject of these tables, refer to the remarks in the manuscript on the Tabernacle and then see these on a much grander scale as the prayer, "Thy Kingdom come--" is brought to fruition.
One thought however is clearly manifested; Even then, in the millennial reign, the access to the Table of the Lord is restricted to those who are qualified to serve him in His Temple. The Lord's Table will NEVER be open to all who wish to partake. In the Tabernacle and then in the Temple, the present practice of restricted communion is presented.

ONE GOLDEN ALTAR
At the innermost part of the sanctuary, just before the entrance into the Holiest of All, stood the Golden Altar. While the other items in the room have been increased from one to ten, this altar remains solitary. As in the Tabernacle, it is the place for offering incense. It is not a type of prayer, but it pictures the PLACE of prayer. This place of prayer is none other than Jesus Christ, himself. There is no other way in which man will ever approach the omnipotent God. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. This is true, not only about salvation but also of prayer.

1 Tim 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
John 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

There are no directions given as to the size or shape of this altar. Because of this we can feel sure that it is the same as the Altar of incense in the Tabernacle, since both picture Christ in the very same office. The only difference given is that of the WOOD of which it was made and over which the GOLD was placed. In the Tabernacle, all wood used was that of the desert acacia called shittim wood. As noted earlier, this wood was an accurate depiction of our present human bodies with all their deficiencies. That wood is nowhere to be found in the Temple or in any of its furniture. It is here, as elsewhere, that the wood of the cedar is used. As with those things which picture our own glorified bodies, so it is with the types of the body of our savior. Having been purified by the burial after death and the raising to a new life, it is flesh, but a new kind without the weaknesses to which it was formerly prone.
1 Cor 15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
1 Cor 15:43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
1 Cor 15:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
1 Cor 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

To illustrate the connection of this Altar with prayer, we have at least two New Testament illustrations; The father of John the Baptist was ministering here when visited by the angel and his prayer, as well as the praying of the people is mentioned; Luke 1:8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,
Luke 1:9 According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
Luke 1:10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.
Luke 1:11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
Luke 1:12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
Luke 1:13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

The second mention of note is found in the book of the Revelation. Rev 8:3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
Rev 8:4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.
Rev 8:5 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.
What will be the need of a place of prayer when Christ is personally present and we may speak directly with Him? Two thoughts come to mind; One, is that communion with Christ, which is available INSIDE the church and is denied to those not qualified to serve there.

2 Chr 26:18 And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the LORD God.

The second is, that while we may commune with Christ, as did the disciples in his earthly ministry, prayer is directed to the Father. John 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. There will never be a time when we can approach the Father except through Jesus Christ. It is He who is our Lord and our God and never shall He be bypassed.

Another thought about the need for this special place of prayer is this. If it were possible for us to approach the throne of God and not perish in the doing of it, what benefit would there be? Could we, mere men, even in our glorified bodies, ever hope to converse with The Father on such a level as we would find there?

How many of us, as laymen, have experienced listening to a group of doctors discussing our own condition in medical terms and wondering what it was all about? How much more elevated must be that exchange in this place!
Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Paul is the only one who ever listened in on the speech of heaven and his testimony was sure; It was beyond human comprehension. 2 Cor 12:2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
2 Cor 12:3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
2 Cor 12:4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
Obviously, then, as now, we will need an intercessor.

THE HOLY OF HOLIES
Just beyond the Golden Altar, is the entrance into the Holiest of All. 1 Ki 6:16 And he built twenty cubits on the sides of the house, both the floor and the walls with boards of cedar: he even built them for it within, even for the oracle, even for the most holy place.
1 Ki 6:17 And the house, that is, the temple before it, was forty cubits long.
1 Ki 6:18 And the cedar of the house within was carved with knops and open flowers: all was cedar; there was no stone seen.
1 Ki 6:19 And the oracle he prepared in the house within, to set there the ark of the covenant of the LORD.
1 Ki 6:20 And the oracle in the forepart was twenty cubits in length, and twenty cubits in breadth, and twenty cubits in the height thereof: and he overlaid it with pure gold; and so covered the altar which was of cedar.
As in the Tabernacle, this portion of the building occupied one third of the entire floor space. The height of the Temple was 30 cubits while this part reached only 20 cubits. The Oracle was thus, a cube shaped building within the larger structure.
No one but the High Priest was to be admitted to this part of the Temple. It is a picture of the very throne room of the most- high God and ordinary man cannot tread here. It is true that we can come boldly to the throne of grace [Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.] but only through Christ, our High Priest, as pictured in the engraving in the Onyx stones on the shoulders and in the stones of the breastplate of the Robes of Beauty and Glory.

It is also true that there are some passages which seem to indicate free access is now available to the believer such as, Heb 9:8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:

This is a glorious privilege, but we must remember that we are yet limited in access to the WAY. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

There is threefold barrier to the entering of the ORACLE. There was a chain or network of pure gold placed before it.1 Ki 6:21 So Solomon overlaid the house within with pure gold: and he made a partition by the chains of gold before the oracle; and he overlaid it with gold. These were fashioned like the network that covered the heads of the pillars at the entrance of the temple, with the exception that these were of GOLD instead of brass. 2 Chr 3:16 And he made chains, as in the oracle, and put them on the heads of the pillars; and made an hundred pomegranates, and put them on the chains.

The meaning of this seems clear. As the network on the pillars typified the power of the ruling King over the whole world during the Millennial reign, these show that one cannot enter here against the will of God, without defying the Holy, Omnipotent Jehovah!
Then there was the VEIL. 2 Chr 3:14 And he made the veil of blue, and purple, and crimson, and fine linen, and wrought cherubims thereon.

This veil is a type of the flesh of Christ. Heb 10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
There was a notable difference between this hanging and that in the Tabernacle. This difference between the two shows the difference between the body of Christ during his earthly ministry and the glorified body we shall see when he returns. 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

The FINE LINEN - for the veil of the Tabernacle. The word used for the specified linen was 'sheesh' . This means a bleached white cloth. This was a true picture of the one in whom 'no fault could be found.’ For this linen, however, the word 'butz' is used. This designates a shining white. It was thus, the privileged disciples saw him on the mount of transfiguration and thus shall he appear as he returns in the air. 2 Th 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

While the doors at the entrance to the Sanctuary were of FIR, hung on door posts of OLIVE WOOD, those into the ORACLE were made entirely of the wood of the OLIVE TREE. Thus signifying than the nature of this place is totally spiritual. The same carvings are found here as on those at the front entrance and again, all was covered with pure gold. 1 Ki 6:31 And for the entering of the oracle he made doors of olive tree: the lintel and side posts were a fifth part of the wall.
1 Ki 6:32 The two doors also were of olive tree; and he carved upon them carvings of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, and overlaid them with gold, and spread gold upon the cherubims, and upon the palm trees.

Inside the ORACLE, the sight must have been overwhelming. There is nothing visible except GOLD. Gold covers the walls, the floors and ceiling. Gold covers the two mighty figures of the cherubims and the ARK and the MERCY SEAT. This is the place where GOD meets with the High Priest and from where His will is made known for His people. This is a Divine place and mere man dares not tread here. Only the priest with his feet bare, and his ‘robes of beauty and glory’ laid aside, can enter here.He must enter only with the blood of the sacrificial lamb, sprinkle it according to the Law and retire from the room. This was the Throne Room of Christ, Jehovah God.

At first it might have seemed that the room was entirely occupied by the figures of two huge cherubims.1 Ki 6:23 And within the oracle he made two cherubims of olive tree, each ten cubits high.
1 Ki 6:24 And five cubits was the one wing of the cherub, and five cubits the other wing of the cherub: from the uttermost part of the one wing unto the uttermost part of the other were ten cubits.
1 Ki 6:25 And the other cherub was ten cubits: both the cherubims were of one measure and one size.
1 Ki 6:26 The height of the one cherub was ten cubits, and so was it of the other cherub.
1 Ki 6:27 And he set the cherubims within the inner house: and they stretched forth the wings of the cherubims, so that the wing of the one touched the one wall, and the wing of the other cherub touched the other wall; and their wings touched one another in the midst of the house.

These were made of the wood of the OLIVE TREE. They signified real, solid flesh, but of a different kind. These are spirit beings. 1 Cor 15:40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. Their purpose, as has been stated in a previous chapter, was to protect and to proclaim holiness unto the Lord. Here they stand as sentinels by the Throne of Him whom they worship and serve. During the earthly ministry of Christ they performed their duties and ministered to Him on occasion. A notable occurrence was after the ordeal of the mount of temptation. Mat 4:11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. However, when He was faced with his greatest affliction, they were not allowed to interfere, and although Christ COULD have called on them He did not. Their hands were tied and they had to wait until He rost from the tomb to resume their watching over Him. The Temple pictures the millennial reign and they will never again leave their post of watching over and praising Him.

Each figure was 10 cubits, or at least 15 feet tall. Their wings were outstretched and each spanned 10 cubits. Thus they each,touch one of the walls and their wings met in the center. Under these wings was the place where the Ark of the Covenant was to be placed.

THE ARK OF THE COVENANT
1 Ki 6:19 And the oracle he prepared in the house within, to set there the ark of the covenant of the LORD.
Without the Ark of the Covenant, the Tabernacle would have been just a fancy tent. Without it, the Temple would have been no more than an impressive building. The Oracle within the Temple would have had no purpose at all. This ark was a type of the personal presence of Jesus Christ. Without Him, the church is an empty shell without a purpose. Through Him, it becomes the house of the Living God.
Col 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Col 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
The Ark that was now to be set in the Temple is the same Ark that blessed the Tabernacle and which the priests carried through the wilderness journey. It is the same that led them across the Jordan River. By its power they conquered Jericho and settled the land.

This Ark is not changed nor is a new one built for the Temple. It is the Ark of their wanderings that now is to bless them in the promised Land. Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Yet there IS a difference concerning it.
1 Ki 8:6 And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto his place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubims.
1 Ki 8:7 For the cherubims spread forth their two wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof above.
1 Ki 8:8 And they drew out the staves, that the ends of the staves were seen out in the holy place before the oracle, and they were not seen without: and there they are unto this day.
1 Ki 8:9 There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.

During the years of their wilderness wanderings, the Ark was to be ready to move on a moment’s notice. When the Cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, it was to be the first thing
prepared for the journey. To illustrate this readiness to go on command the Staves were to never be removed. These staves were poles of wood, covered with gold and were fitted into the rings on the Ark. Only as we recall the significance of this can we rejoice in the meaning of the removal of the Staves as the Ark is deposited at last in its permanent resting place. In the wilderness journeys, this was a type of the need for the Lord’s Church to be prepared to move out with Christ at the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Constant readiness for mission work and for witnessing is to be the hallmark of our service. The instructions of the Lord to her were to GO. Until He calls us home there is no resting place provided. My first pastor put it; "Jesus put the light on green and it hasn't changed yet"
For the first time since the Ark was built at the foot of Mt.Sinai, the staves are removed when it is placed under the wings of the huge cherubims in the Oracle of the Temple. The message is clear; The Ark is at home and the days of traveling and mission work is over. The thousand year Sabbath of the Millennial Reign is pictured. What a glorious time of rejoicing that will be for those who have served Him well!

During the wanderings in the wilderness, the Ark contained the Tables of Stone on which God had written the ten commandments; the rod of Aaron which had budded, blossomed,
and bore fruit overnight to prove his Priesthood; and a golden pot filled with manna.
Heb 9:4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;

As noted in the study on the Tabernacle, these served to picture Christ's provision for us. The Tables of Stone represent His perfect keeping of the Law and thus the righteousness which is imputed to us. 2 Cor 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Rom 4:22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
Rom 4:23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
Rom 4:24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
Rom 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Aaron's Rod was a dry, long dead stick that came to life, picturing the new life that is to be found only in Christ and showing forth the resurrection from the dead.
The Pot of manna illustrates the living bread that is ours through Christ. As we trek
through this present barren wilderness, only in Him can we find the spiritual sustenance we need. John 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

When the time comes which is pictured in the Temple, not only are our wanderings over, but the resurrection is past. Thus, the type of it is no longer needed. Aaron's Rod is no longer in the Ark.
We no longer need the spiritual food we must have now for we will be in a new body and will have Christ present in person with us.

The one thing that will never change is that of the imputed righteousness of Christ. He is our righteousness now and will be during the Millennial reign and in eternity. Never will
we stand before God on our own merit, but only in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Thus, the Tables of Stone, God's demand for perfection, remains in the Ark.

THE SIDE CHAMBERS
Along the North, South and West sides of the Temple, Solomon built chambers or rooms. Each tier was three floors high. 1 Ki 6:5 And against the wall of the house he built chambers round about, against the walls of the house round about, both of the temple and of the oracle: and he made chambers round about:
1 Ki 6:6 The nethermost [lower] chamber was five cubits broad, and the middle was six cubits broad, and the third was seven cubits broad: for without in the wall of the house he made narrowed rests round about, that the beams should not be fastened in the walls of the house.
These are commonly pictured as being only on the North and South sides, but a careful reading of the Scripture seems to show them against the entire structure. 1 Ki 6:10 And then he built chambers against all the house, five cubits high: and they rested on the house with timber of cedar.

The Porch on the East side would have made them impossible there. However the construction of the walls on the other sides was ready made for these rooms. A literal reading of these passages treats them as though they were a separate structure from the Temple. They were; and yet were a part of the service and purpose of it.
The walls of the Temple were four cubits thick for the first five cubits high. After this they became four cubits for the next five cubits high and then three, two and one successively. This made the ledges which are described as 'narrowed rests'.
This arrangement also fixed the height of each tier of rooms at five cubits. At one and a half feet per cubit this would have made each seven and a half feet high. The lower floor of rooms were five cubits or seven and a half feet wide, the middle six cubits or nine feet and the upper, seven cubits or ten and a half feet.

In all the sanctuary, and in the Oracle, there was no mention of the use of SILVER. Instead, the metal used all the way through was GOLD, yet there was silver provided and it was used. 1 Chr 28:14 He gave of gold by weight for things of gold, for all instruments of all manner of service; silver also for all instruments of silver by weight, for all instruments of every kind of service:
1 Chr 28:15 Even the weight for the candlesticks of gold, and for their lamps of gold, by weight for every candlestick, and for the lamps thereof: and for the candlesticks of silver by weight, both for the candlestick, and also for the lamps thereof, according to the use of every candlestick.
1 Chr 28:16 And by weight he gave gold for the tables of showbread, for every table; and likewise silver for the tables of silver:
1 Chr 28:17 Also pure gold for the fleshhooks, and the bowls, and the cups: and for the golden basins he gave gold by weight for every basin; and likewise silver by weight for every basin of silver:
Silver, being a type of our redemption, is not need in the sanctuary, which pictures the Church at work in the service of our King as He rules over this earth, for our redemption is past. It is no longer something for which we look forward. Where, then, did Solomon use these articles of SILVER and the silver bullion?

There being an overabundance of all things, the surplus was kept among the treasures in the treasury of the house. 1 Ki 7:51 So was ended all the work that king Solomon made for the house of the LORD. And Solomon brought in the things which David his father had dedicated; even the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, did he put among the treasures of the house of the LORD.

The walls of these chambers were lined with silver; (1 Chr 29:4 Even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses withal) except for the upper chambers which were lined with gold.

2 Chr 3:9 And the weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. And he overlaid the upper chambers with gold.
Silver was also used for the tables, lamps, and basins used by the priests in their course of service. 1 Chr 28:13 Also for the courses of the priests and the Levites, and for all the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and for all the vessels of service in the house of the LORD.
1 Chr 28:14 He gave of gold by weight for things of gold, for all instruments of all manner of service; silver also for all instruments of silver by weight, for all instruments of every kind of service:
1 Chr 28:15 Even the weight for the candlesticks of gold, and for their lamps of gold, by weight for every candlestick, and for the lamps thereof: and for the candlesticks of silver by weight, both for the candlestick, and also for the lamps thereof, according to the use of every candlestick.
1 Chr 28:16 And by weight he gave gold for the tables of showbread, for every table; and likewise silver for the tables of silver:
1 Chr 28:17 Also pure gold for the fleshhooks, and the bowls, and the cups: and for the golden basins he gave gold by weight for every basin; and likewise silver by weight for every basin of silver:

The Levites, who were the porters for the Temple dwelt in the chambers (1 Chr 9:26 For these Levites, the four chief porters, were in their set office, and were over the chambers and treasuries of the house of God.
1 Chr 9:27 And they lodged round about the house of God, because the charge was upon them, and the opening thereof every morning pertained to them.) as did the singers who were the choir for the Temple services. 1 Chr 9:33 And these are the singers, chief of the fathers of the Levites, who remaining in the chambers were free: for they were employed in that work day and night.

It seems clear then, that these chambers had two distinct purposes. The upper chambers were the treasure house of the Temple. These were lined with gold, for these room belonged entirely to the Lord. The other two floors served as dwelling places for the priests and the Levites during their time of service in the Temple. The Porters and the singers had them as their permanent residences while the priests used them as they served in their courses, after which, they returned to their homes and families.

All this provides a beautiful picture for us. While the Temple illustrates the glory of the Church as she reigns with Christ, here are examples of the wonderful provision for us as INDIVIDUALS! The silver serves to remind us that whatever our position at that time, or our glory before the world, our private relationship with Him will always be on the basis of our redemption through His blood. We will always remember that we are there through His grace and not our own merits. Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.