The Most Holy Place
Exodus 25:10-22; 26:1-6; 37:1-9
"Having therefore, brethren, liberty to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which he hath consecrated for us" (Heb. 10:19-20).

BEYOND the Veil was located the very centre of Yahweh's dwelling place with His Ecclesia in the wilderness: the Most Holy. Our illustration on p.89 depicts the Most Holy Place, its structure and furniture. The structure formed a perfect cube, being 10 cubits wide by 10 cubits long by 10 cubits high (that is, approx. l5 feet x l5 feet x l5 feet). It therefore was only half the area and cubic size of the Holy Place. It was a continuation of the Holy Place structure.

The Holiest of all was constructed of walls on the North, South and West sides consisting of Shittim wood boards, gold covered, as were seen in the walls of the Holy Place. The Eastern Wall and opening was the beautiful Veil which separated it from the Holy Place. Its roof or covering was comprised of the fine-twined linen curtains (earlier studied) skillfully embroidered in blue, purple and scarlet.

Inside the Most Holy was to be seen one article of furniture only: the Ark of the Covenant which was covered by the Mercy Seat and the Cherubim (Exod. 25:10-22; 37:1-9).

There was no provision for the entrance of light from outside, nor by such means as the Lampstand that illuminated the Holy Place. The only light was that which shone from above the Mercy Seat and between the two golden Cherubic figures: a light which indicated the presence of Yahweh for it was here, He said, that He would meet with His people (Exod. 25:21 ,22). This was the Shekinah glory (Psa. 80:1).

Two people only, of all the sons of the tribes of Israel, entered the Most Holy Place. They were Moses and Aaron.

• Moses brought out from thence the commands and instructions which Yahweh communicated to His people via him as His representative (e.g. Exod. 25:22; Numb. 17:4-9)
• Aaron, the High Priest, entered each year on the Day of Atonement, with the blood of the atonement. He was the representative of the members of the Ecclesia in the presence of Yahweh.

Yahweh's plan for this earth and for His chosen creatures, will introduce a condition of perfection. This central place of the Divine dwelling place, being avube, conveyed that idea to Israel. Its ultimate provision still belongs to the future.

The Apostle Paul draws upon the concept, writing:

"Ye being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth and height: and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God" (Eph. 3:17-19).

The Lord Jesus Christ, after his resurrection, entered into the perfect state when he ascended to His Father in His dwelling place in the heavens (Heb. 8:1:9:12; Acts 7:55). He had manifested Divine characteristics, truth and faith during his probation. That manifestation became the basis for the Divine nature now shared with its Giver. There he is continuing the life and work for which, by grace, he was provided.

Having entered as the "forerunner" he has opened the way into the holiest (Heb. 10:2t)) as our High Priest (Heb. 6:20), our "hope" (v.19) and our intercessor (Heb. 7:25). He figuratively took his blood of the Atonement to the Mercy Seat, the Throne of his Father, and now he awaits the set time to he given the Kingdom when he shall return as Ruler (cp. Luke 19:12).

Into this future state comparatively few of the human race will enter; fewer even, than the many who have entered into God's purpose (i.e. the first entrance into the Sanctuary); fewer also than those who have entered the Ecclesia through Christ, the door. Though many served in the Ecclesial Holy Place, two only entered The Most Holy. The Lord's parable (Matt. 25:2,3) of the five wise and five foolish virgins gives a dramatic illustration of this aspect of the matter. The five foolish had it in their power to have sufficient oil of the knowledge of the Word of God but, at the coming of Christ, were found to be without it. Therefore they will not be able to gain an entrance into the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

Those who will obtain an entrance into the future state of perfection will have done so because they will have progressed acceptably through the stages of personal and spiritual development typified by the Tabernacle, after the following pattern:

1. Attracted by God's righteousness, they separated themselves and approached Him through Christ by baptism; figuratively, they entered the Outer Court;
2. Here they submitted to mental changes in their thinking and attitude concerning the things of Yahweh and His truth, by offering themselves as a sacrifice, and by being cleansed in His Word of Truth.
3. Entering into a condition of dedication, they underwent moral changes in life and character to the degree to which they ate of the true Bread of Life; understood the Word of Light and manifested it; offered up pleasing and acceptable service in the Ecclesia; figuratively they progressed through the Holy Place.

The Apostle Paul used this pattern in Romans 5:1-2, where he explains our present progress towards perfection thus: -

1. "Justified by faith" -- The Outer Court.
2. "Access... into this grace" -- Holy Place/Ecclesia (Eph. 1:3; 2:6).
3. "In hope of the Glory of God" -- Most Holy Place/the Perfect glorious future. See also 2 Pet. 1:4-8; 1 Cor. 15:50-54; 1 John 3:1-3; Rev. 3:12.

A Lesson that the Tabernacle teaches is found as a theme that runs through its structure: -

Outer Court	Holy Place	Most Holy Place
Mental preparation then	Moral application before	Physical perfection
Changed minds then	Changed characters before	Changed bodies
Separation then	Dedication before	Glorification
Reconciliation then	Reformation before	Exaltation

That people will be granted an entrance into the perfect state of the future, is one of the lessons of hope and grace associated with the Most Holy Place. Therein will be seen the same kind of "boards" making up the structure of that place as are to be seen in the Holy Place of the Ecclesia. The shittim wood of selected human nature, shaped according to the divine pattern, and clothed upon with the gold of a tried faith. Their Godlike characters and their silver foundation of redemption, make them a fit Dwelling Place of the Deity. In that setting they will be "beyond the veil", each one a "pillar" in the Kingdom (Rev. 3:12). The eventual removal of the veil of the flesh will result in the Holy Place becoming the Most Holy of the Kingdom.

At that time, the saints will have replaced the veil of human nature with Divine glory. The throne of Yahweh's Kingdom will be established in the midst of the encampment of the elect (Rev. 20:9), which will then comprise the Most Holy Place. The multitude of the redeemed will be gathered into One (Christ our mediator), and they will comprise the throne of Yahweh's glory, the Cherubic messengers of His realm, and the King-priests of the age. They will have attained the state of perfection, being sharers of the divine nature (cp. 2 Pet. 1:3,4).

The four-square encampment of the saints (Rev. 7:9-11), will comprise the Temple, Tabernacle, or Dwelling Place of Yahweh (Rev. 11:1915:5-8) from whence will be manifested His presence, glory and truth.