The Sanctuary
"Ye are the Temple of God".

AN Israelitish member of the encampment (i.e, a member of the typical people of the faces), in approaching this dwelling place of Yahweh would be conscious of the fact that he was nearing the place set apart ("afar off") for that special purpose. It was so distinct from, and so different from, the surrounding encampment.

He would first see surrounding the whole separated area, a curtained wall of white (Exodus 27:9-15), in stark contrast to the sun-darkened tents of the Israelites.

The curtains were supported by 60 brass pillars each capped with a silver chapiter, standing upon a brass socket, and having silver hooks attached. Each pillar was supported by "cords and pins" (Num. 4:32) and was connected to its neighboring pillars by a "fillet" of silver. Strong interprets the original Hebrew as to join; attached as a fence rail. Gesenius has it as, "to join together; poles or rods which were used to join together the tops of the columns of the Court of the Tabernacle from which curtains and hangings were suspended" (Exod. 27:~0,11; 38:10-17)

The enclosure formed by the curtain walls was 100 cubits long by 50 cubits wide, which, on the basis of 18 inches to the cubit, would be 15O feet by 75 feet. The wall stood 5 cubits or 7 feet 6 inches high.

The white curtains represented righteousness upheld and exhibited. It was Yahweh's righteousness (John 17:25; Psa. 119:137; 145:17); a righteousness exhibited to perfection in His own son (Matt. 3:15; Rom. 3:24-26). An example of its extension to Yahweh's saints in Christ is referred to in Rev. 19:8: "To her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints".

As Brother Thomas renders this, and as the Greek has it, "righteousness" should appear as righteous actions of saints, emphasizing that deeds, and not merely words, are required of those who would be among the redeemed.

That righteousness, to be seen, must be upheld and displayed by human nature (Brass pillars) which is of the "earth, earthly" (Brass bases) because of its relationship and contact with the world.

The Lord Jesus Christ was Son of Righteousness because he was Son of God. While in "the flesh" (Heb. 2:14) he displayed His Father's righteousness despite the weakness and propensities of the nature he bore.

In him, Yahweh displayed His righteousness that mankind may be attracted thereto, and desire to become His habitation through the Spirit-Word. By that means, those who respond will also manifest His righteousness. This is a necessary development if we would share His glory (Rom. 5:2), at the coming of the Son.

Each pillar was supported by cords and pins (Numbers 3:37) attached thereto by silver hooks. It is believed that the cords were located both inside and outside of the curtained wall. They could thus represent the Law and the Prophets, coming to us through human (brass) means.

When, in the days of his earthly ministry, the Lord upheld his Father's righteousness, he was helped to do so by the two "witnesses" of the "law and the prophets" (Rom. 3:21). They supported him in the work he did.

The principle applies to all other saints in all ages. For in the Law and the Prophets are found expressed those Divine precepts and principles that affect each one both inwardly in mind and conscience; and outwardly in life and service. Thus, strengthening support and stability is provided for mortal frames that are upholding Divine righteousness.

In distinct contrast to the brazen pillars and bases, silver was employed in the "fillets", or the connecting rods that linked each pillar with its neighbor; and from which the "chapiter" atop each pillar was also made (Exod. 38:27,28).

Silver represented the price of redemption or atonement (Exod. 30:12-15). It pointed forward, in symbol, to redemption in Christ Jesus by which the pillars in Yahweh's Ecclesia, like the apostles of his own day, are joined together with the Lord and each other (Eph. 4:16; Col. 2:19).

The atonement effected by the Lord's sacrifice covers the brazen characteristics of our earthly nature. To teach the lesson, the pillars were topped by silver chapiters, representing the redemption in Christ as helmets of salvation (Eph. 6:17).

The purpose of our call, therefore, is to uphold and display the principles of Divine righteousness. We must build into our characters, the qualities of holiness and beauty as exhibited by the Lord Jesus Christ. He was "God manifest in the flesh", and we, too, must likewise bring God into our lives, if we would live forever.