Rose Publishing - The Temple: The Temple throughout Bible History

• An easy-to-understand explanation in just 30 minutes.
• Includes many colorful illustrations of the Temple (both interior and exterior).
• Illustrations of Temple furnishings, including their functions, purposes, and the meanings.
• Explains the Temple's key features: the Ark of the Covenant, the Veil, the Holy Place, and the Most Holy Place (the Holy of Holies), etc.
• Looks at the symbols in the Temple that point to Christ.

The Temple is shown here with the north wall removed. East is at the left; west is to the right. Notice the shaft of morning sunlight, as it hits the solid gold floor and walls, reflecting throughout. 2005 Hugh Claycombe

The High Priest

The Temple in the Bible was built in 960 BC by King Solomon. To understand the Temples purpose, it is important to know that God made the world and established the rules. God told Adam that the result of sin was death, Adam disobeyed, and sin, death, and disease entered the world. In spite of this, God loved his people and had mercy.

Before Jesus death and resurrection, God provided a way to atone for sin so that people could be in His holy presence. God allowed the blood of a perfect animal to temporarily take the place of the sinners life. This blood sacrifice took away sin and made the sinner right with God temporarily.

God loved the world so much that He sent His son Jesus to atone, or take away, a believers sin once and for all. The blood of Jesus Christ was the final sacrifice needed. (Genesis 2:17; 4:3-7; Leviticus 1; 16:1, 2; Isaiah 59:2; Romans 3:23; Hebrews 10:26-31)

Here are steps to peace with God during the time of the temple (Then) and today (Now).

BRAZEN ALTAR (Bronze Altar)

Then God required the people to regularly sacrifice a perfect animal (lambs, goats, doves, bulls) for their sins. The blood of the animal justified the people before God and restored their relationship with Him.

Now Jesus is our perfect sacrifice. He led a sinless life and willingly died for our sins to make us right with God for all time. No more sacrifices are required. (Lev.17:11; Heb. 9:25; John 1:29; Rev. 13:8; Hebrews 10:10; Rom. 4:25)

SACRIFICE

Then The person bringing the offering put his hand on the head of the animal while it was killed, symbolically putting his sins onto the animal. The animal died in his place.

Now Jesus is the Lamb of God, just as bulls or lambs were sacrificed. We are told to present our bodies as a living sacrifice acceptable to God, holy, not conformed to the world, and with a renewed mind. (John 1:29; Romans 12:1, 2)

We are to offer God another kind of sacrifice: praising His name, doing good, and sharing with others. (Hebrews 13:15, 16)

THE SEA (Bronze Basin)

Then Priests washed themselves at the basin, purifying themselves before entering the Temple. It was about 15 ft. (4.6 m) across and held more than 10,000 gallons (38,000 liters) of water. It stood on 12 bronze oxen.

Now Believers in Christ are saved and cleansed by the blood of Jesus.

Even though we have accepted Jesus sacrificial death on our behalf, we too need to be cleansed, spiritually. If we confess our sins, God will forgive and cleanse us. (Exodus 30:18; 38:8; 1 Kings 7:23-26; 1 John 1:7-10)

BRASS PILLARS (Bronze Pillars)

Then The pillars, called Jachin on the right and Boaz on the left, supported the roof of the portico. They were 27 feet (9 m) high.

Now Those who are faithful to Jesus through trials will be made a pillar in the Temple of God. (Revelation 3:12)

HOLY PLACE

Then Only priests were allowed to enter the Holy Place. They did this daily.

Now Believers in Jesus have been made holy through Jesus sacrifice and can go directly to God. (Ex.2930; Heb. 910)

GOLDEN LAMPSTANDS AND TABLES OF SHOWBREAD

Then Ten gold lampstands and ten tables for bread were made for the Temple. (1 Kings 7:49; 2 Chron. 4:7, 8, 19, 20)

Now Christ is the light of the world and the bread of life. (John 9:5; 6:48-51)

GOLDEN INCENSE ALTAR

Then Prayers were offered at the gold Altar of Incense where special sweet incense required by God was burned.

Now The prayers of Gods people are a sweet incense to God. (1 Kings 6:22; 2 Chronicles 4:19; Exodus 30:35-37; Rev. 5:8)

THE VEIL (Curtain, and doors of olive wood)

Then The veil separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place where the Ark of the Covenant rested, separating a holy God from sinful people. Once a year only the High Priest entered here.

Now Believers in Jesus may enter Gods presence through prayer because they are made acceptable to God by the blood of Jesus, the great High Priest. When Jesus died, the Temple veil tore in two from top to bottom. (2 Chronicles 3:14; 1 Kings 6:31-35; Exodus 2526; Matt. 27:51; Heb. 10:19-22)

MOST HOLY PLACE

Then The Most Holy Place was Gods throne room where He would meet and give His commands, between the two cherubim, on the Mercy Seat over the Ark of the Covenant. The high priest sprinkled blood on the Mercy Seat on the Day of Atonement to atone for the sins of the people for that year.

Now Believers can come boldly before Gods throne of grace. (Hebrews 4:16)

CHERUBIM