The European Union in Prophecy The EU in Prophecy I | Page 329

The European Union in Prophecy
or new-covenant sanctuary, was implied in the words of Paul already quoted: "Then
verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly
sanctuary." And the use of the word "also" intimates that Paul has before made
mention of this sanctuary. Turning back to the beginning of the previous chapter, they
read: "Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an High
Priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a
Minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not
man." Hebrews 8:1, 2.
Here is revealed the sanctuary of the new covenant. The sanctuary of the first
covenant was pitched by man, built by Moses; this is pitched by the Lord, not by man.
In that sanctuary the earthly priests performed their service; in this, Christ, our great
High Priest, ministers at God's right hand. One sanctuary was on earth, the other is
in heaven. Further, the tabernacle built by Moses was made after a pattern. The Lord
directed him: "According to all that I show thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle,
and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it." And again
the charge was given, "Look that thou make them after their pattern, which was
showed thee in the mount." Exodus 25:9, 40. And Paul says that the first tabernacle
"was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and
sacrifices;" that its holy places were "patterns of things in the heavens;" that the
priests who offered gifts according to the law served "unto the example and shadow of
heavenly things," and that "Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands,
which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence
of God for us." Hebrews 9:9, 23; 8:5; 9:24.
The sanctuary in heaven, in which Jesus ministers in our behalf, is the great
original, of which the sanctuary built by Moses was a copy. God placed His Spirit upon
the builders of the earthly sanctuary. The artistic skill displayed in its construction
was a manifestation of divine wisdom. The walls had the appearance of massive gold,
reflecting in every direction the light of the seven lamps of the golden candlestick. The
table of shewbread and the altar of incense glittered like burnished gold. The gorgeous
curtain which formed the ceiling, inwrought with figures of angels in blue and purple
and scarlet, added to the beauty of the scene. And beyond the second veil was the holy
Shekinah, the visible manifestation of God's glory, before which none but the high
priest could enter and live.
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