The Sanctuary Doctrines

Many consider the Sanctuary Doctrines of the Old Testament Sanctuary Service as central to their teachings. As a young Christian, I had difficulty understanding why God would institute such an elaborate ceremony involving sacrifices, sprinkled blood, and all the other minute details of daily temple service. The antiquity of such events and their removal from us only led to lessen their importance. Of course, after becoming a Christian, the significance of such events became clear, but the reasons why God would have to go to such lengths for such a long time to bring to us the ministry of Christ, seemed to be a perplexing thing to my mind. I understood the process intellectually, and by faith I endeavored to "enter within the veil" with the kind of boldness that God appeared to want from us. Needless to say, study of the Sanctuary Service brought a blessing that more fully explained the ministry of Christ for us. I must say, however, that many questions were brought to mind as a result of deep study. These were not spiritual questions so much as they were physical ones. The most obvious questions were: How can God hear our prayers all at the same time? How can Christ minister to each of us personally? What is Heaven really like? Does God really answer my heartfelt prayers or does something "within us" answer our own prayers? Can I ever be perfect or without sin? Can I over come? What IS overcoming?

Ever since I can remember, these questions have plagued me. Being as equally versed in "Science False So Called" as I am in the Bible, I needed answers that met scientific deduction. Even the matters of living the everyday Christian life had a scientific quality to it. In other words, I didn't become a Christian mostly because of unfullfilled needs; I became a Christian because it was the right way of doing things. There was a scientific quality involved with performing Christian duty that explained the phenomenon of "doing good." In other words, I confirmed the laws involved while doing for others--whether they be negative laws (being persecuted) or positive laws (personal enrichment and growth). It was this search for answers that led me to truths we have all overlooked. In this day of confusion and perplexity, there is good news. It is the good news of the Kingdom of God. Up until now, our understanding of the Kingdom of God has been sufficient to enable us to esbablish a religion that has spanned continents and the ages. As it stands, it could go on for millennia. Before long, its purpose will end. It may go on like the Jewish rituals went on after the Crucifixion, but its days are numbered.

What could possibly be so important as to change the situation as I've explained? We have overlooked one major theme of the Sanctuary Service. In studying its properties, we left out the study of the most important property of the sanctuary--the Holy Shekinah. Without God's prescence, it was just another building. The central importance of the entire sacrificial system was the ministry of the High Priest to the Shekinah. where can we go to find out about this Shekinah? There is very little in the Bible about it--or so it seems. In fact, there is a literal mountain of information about it. This information is shocking!. It reveals the nature of God, His Government, His Kingdom,--it reveals Christ, His ninistry, His nature and His purpose. It reveals nature in its true reality and our purpose in it. In fact, it reveals everything about everything. To scientists trying to explain the nature of electricity, nuclear physics, or fire, the answers are given which explain all of science's mysteries. To those trying to understand geology, weather, the mind, the body, the heavens, or the creation itself--the study of God's Kingdom has all the answers. It is not something that has to be accepted by faith. It can be proven, and it will be! It is written that it will be. From Genesis to Revelation, the nature of God is revealed. Until now, we have accepted by faith that God exists. The time is approaching quickly that we will know beyond