2.  At the center of the center was the Levitical Priesthood.

     Peter declared the Church to "an holy priesthood." (1Peter.2:5-9, Rev.1:6; 5:10) The writer
     of Hebrews interprets Jesus to be "the Apostle and High Priest of our profession,"
     i.e. confession / acknowledgment.3 (Heb.2:17; 3:1; 4:14-16; 7:24-28) and interprets
     the Church to be an "holy priesthood"4 (1Peter.2:5-9)  Just as the Levitical Priesthood 
     functioned under Aaron the high priest in the Tabernacle  of  Moses, the Church is to function in 
     the true Tabernacle in heavenly places, under our High Priest, The Lord Jesus Christ. 
     (1Peter.2:5, Matt.5:17-19, Rom.3:31, Gal.3:24, Rev.1:6; 5:10)  

    This requires a Tabernacle because the Priesthood does not function outside of the 
    Tabernacle pattern.

     Sacrifice is still required! (Rom.12:1-2, Heb.13:15, Phil.4:18 / Eph.5:1-2, 1Peter.2:5-9)   
     The priesthood is still required (1Peter.2:5-9, Rev.1:6; 5:10) in order to offer "spiritual  
     sacrifices" upon the only place of sacrifice, which is, The Lord Jesus Christ. (Heb.13:10,
     1Peter.2:5 "by Him...") This is foreshadowed by the Brazen (Brass) Altar. which points to  
     the only place of sacrifice in the true Tabernacle (Gal.3:24) There is no other place of 
     sacrifice in the shadow or the reality! (Exod.40:6, Lev.17:8-11, John.14:6, 1Tim.2:5) This 
     truth could not be fully realized without understanding of thee Tabernacle of Moses.7 

The Tabernacle had an outer court

The Outer Court was a fenced in area around the Tabernacle consisting of pillars made of brass, with sockets made of silver for the pillars to sit in. It was five cubits high and made of fine twined linen which prevented the people from seeing into the court. (Exod.27:9-19) This fence directed those that wanted to meet with God to the only gate in the fence. The pattern has not changed!

1.  Fine twined linen (Exod.27:9) is interpreted in the New Testament as "the righteousness 
     of the saints," which is the right standing that Christ gives us at Salvation. (2Cor.5:17-21, 
     Rev.19:7-8)  This "righteousness" is not earned or worked for, it is a gift. (Eph.2:1-8,  
     Rom.3:23) There is absolutely nothing we can do to make ourselves righteousness, because
     because our righteousness, is as "filthy rags."8 (Isa.64:6, Rom.3:10)  If we sincerely desire to 
     meet with God, we must acknowledge that our self righteousness is as "filthy rags" and
     accept Christ's righteousness.

2.  The outer court gate (Exod.27:9-19)  There was only one gate to enter in an offer sacrifice.  
     Those that choose not to bring their sacrifice to the gate and to the Brazen (brass) Altar were
     cut off from among the congregation. (Lev.17:8-11, Josh.22:19) Jesus is the gate.
     (Heb.13:10, John.14:6, Matt.7:13-14, 2Cor.2:6)



The Tabernacle had a Brazen (Brass) Altar

The Brazen Altar is the next piece of furniture in our approach to God. This Altar was placed "before the door" (or the gate to the Tabernacle) where sacrifice was made to atone for sin. There is no excuse not the see this piece of furniture. To miss it, is to deliberately ignore it. This was the only place of sacrifice, and was the only true source of "fire" that lit the Candlestick, and it provided the burning coals for the Golden Altar of Incense on the Day of Atonement. (Lev.16:1-34, v.12-13)

1.  The Brazen Altar. 
     The writer of Hebrews says, "we have an altar...Jesus..." (Exod.27:1-6, Heb.13:10-13,
     Lev.17:8-9, John.3:16-18, 36; 14:1,6, 1Tim.2:5)  No one was permitted to make their own 
     Altar other than the Brazen Altar, or else they were cut off.  The pattern has not changed!
     a.  It is possible to " preaching "another Jesus," i.e. build another Altar. (2Cor.11:4, Gal.1:6)   
     b.  There were "certain men"  crept into the 1st. century Church turning the grace of God into 
          lawlessness, deny the only Lord God. (Jude.1:4) They had built their own Altar, that looked   
          " like" the real. (Note: Isa.14:1`3, 2Thes.2:4, v.7)
     c.  The House of Israel had turned the brazen serpent into an idol and was burning 
          incense to it. (2Kings.18:4) 
          It had become "another
          Jesus!" (Num.21:6-9, 
          John.3:14 /  2Cor.5:21)

          Note: Church tradition has
          made "The Altar" the front  
          of the Church. The Altar  is 
          Jesus, not a place in a 
          building. (Jon.2:18-20, 
          Acts.7:47-48, 1Tim.3:15, 
          Matt.18:20) Jesus will 
          meet you where you are at. 10

          The thief that repented. (Luke.23:42) did not have time to go to Church and come down 
          to the altar. Those at the house of Cornelius were not at Church when they were saved. 
          (Acts.10:44-48; 15:15:8) The 3,000 people that were saved on the day of Pentecost were 
          gathered around "the house where they were sitting." (Acts.2:2) 

2.  God lit the fire in the Brazen Altar 
     The Altar was the place of sacrifice ( i.e. deach) and the fire totally consumed (i.e. completely 
     done away with) the sacrifice. God lit the fire upon the Brazen Altar and It was the priesthood's 
     responsibility to keep it lit. (Lev.9:22-24; 6:12) This was the only place of sacrifice (atonement) 
     (Lev.17:8-9, Exod.30:9) and God, The Father, was the only one that could make the Altar 
     functional. (Remember: Aaron's two sons offered "strange fire" before the Lord (fire that was 
     not lit by God / fire from "another" source) and they were judged and rejected by God.
     (Lev.10:1-2)  The pattern has not changed!
     a.  Our atonement (redemption, salvation) is "that not of yourselves: (God lights the fire)  
          it is the gift of God (Eph.2:8) Everything else is rejected, as Cain's offering was. (Gen.4:1-4)
     b.  God is a consuming fire. (Heb.12:29) He wants to "consume" you with His Word.  
          (Jer.23:29, 1Cor.3:13-15) He wants to do away with you completely. That is why we are
          crucified with Christ, (Gal.2:20) and buried with Him (Rom.6:1-6) in Water Baptism.
     c.  The Priesthood was responsible to keep this fire going. It was never to go out. It is our 
          responsibility to proclaim the atonement in Christ blood, thus keeping the fire "ever ...     
          burning." (Lev.6:12)

3.  Brass (Brazen) is a type of Sin and judgment
     a.  Under the curse of the law, the heavens would become as brass in judgment against
          Israel for their disobedience. (Duet.28:15, 23)
     b.  Jesus said, He was to be lifted up as Moses lifted up the brazen (brass) serpent in the 
          wilderness. (John.3:14-16, Num.21:4-9) He was speaking of how God the Father make 
          'Him to be sin for us, (i.e. the brazen serpent) who knew no sin; that we might be made the 
          righteousness of God in Him." (2Cor.5:21)
     c.  Without God's love (Grk."agape") I become "as sounding brass, or a tinkling 
          cymbal." (1Cor.13:1) 

4.  To Summarize the Brazen Altar in it's fulfillment         (Click here for explanation of chart)
     in Christ. In order to draw nigh unto God. (Jam.4:8)
     as His Bride, in the "true Tabernacle," (Heb.8:1-
     5) the righteousness of God (i.e. the outer court   
     fence) directs us to the "gate." (John.10:1-10
     door / gate) After entering the gate everyone is 
     faced with the Brazen Altar. (i.e. The Blood 
     atonement of Christ)

5.  Note: The chart opposite. The pattern of the 
     Brazen Altar and Israel being delivered from Egypt 
     by the Passover Lamb parallel each other. 

     Church history declares God to faithful to this 
     pattern when calling Luther out from the "dark 
     ages" (1517 AD.) with the truth, the "just shall live 
     by faith." (Rom.1:17; 3:24, Eph.2:8-9)
     (Review: The Reformation and Martin Luther (1517 AD.)
     From this restoration of "present truth" came the Lutheran, 
       Episcopal and Presbyterian denominations. (1500's AD.)
       _______________________________________________________

       Note: (Phase 8) will add a third pattern 
     establishing (Deut,19:15,  that Gods always 
     begins with atoning blood)


     God was restoring and preparing the Bride for His "only begotten Son."


The Tabernacle had a Brazen Laver

The Brazen (brass) Laver was the next piece of future in our approach to God. (Exod.30:18) It was similar to a washing bowl (basin) because the purpose was for Aaron and his son's (the priesthood) to wash there hands and their feet before ministering at the Altar. (Exod.30:17-21) The pattern called for the Laver to be placed between the tent (tabernacle) and the Brazen Altar.(Exod.40:7) Each piece of furniture was to be placed exactly where God said, because they were "signifying" (Heb.9:8) truth's in the "true tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not man." (Heb.8:1-5; 9:1-26) 


1.  The Brazen Laver was made of the looking glasses of the women.      
     Looking glasses were the mirrors11 of the women. (Exod.38:8) James says the Word of God 
     (the perfect law of liberty) is like a "glass" i.e. mirror12 (James.1:22-25) Paul, the "wise 
     masterbuilder" (architect - reader of blueprints) also uses "a glass"(mirror12) to describe the 
     Word of God. (1Cor.13:9-12; 2Cor.3:1-18, Note:v18) As the priest looked into the laver, 
     i.e. The Word of God, it reflected back to what needed to be washed. 

     This was daily! (Exod.30:20; 27:21; 29:34, 39, 41; 30:7 "morning, evening, continual") The
     pattern has not changed! The Word of God reflects back daily the "image"14 that God wants us 
     to be conformed to. (Rom.8:28-29, 2Cor.3:18)

2.  The Laver was filled with water. 
     The purpose of having water was to wash. (Exod.30:18) This is why the Ephesians were told 
     there needs to be the "washing (a bath, laver, washing vessel13) of water by the word,   
     (Eph.5:26) that we might be "changed into the same image" (2Cor.3:18) This brings in the 
     thought of holiness and putting off the old life. (Rom.6:1-11, Eph.4:22) David wrote,
     "Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that 
     hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn 
     deceitfully. (Psa. 24:3-5)

     This was daily! (Exod.30:20; 27:21; 29:34, 39, 41; 30:7 "morning, evening, continual") 

3.  The priest had to apply the water.  
     If the Priest did not wash, he died. (Exod.30:20) There were those in the 1st. century Church 
     that did not allow the correction, i.e. the Word to wash them and went into perdition.(Jude.1:4, 
     11-13)  They denied the Lord that bought them. (2Peter.2:1-3) The same can happen to us If 
     we refuse to daily "wash" with the "water of the Word."(James.1:22) Note: 2Thes.2:10-11 
     "because they received not the love of the truth, i.e. refused to wash with the water of the
     Word, they will believe a lie.

4.  The Laver and Water Baptism
     The laver carries the thought of Water Baptism because it is the next step in our approach 
     to God. The Brazen Altar atoned for sin. There was no sacrifice offered in or on the Laver 
     because the Brazen Laver brought separation after atonement. The same is true in the reality 
     of Water Baptism. (Rom.6:1-14)                                        (Click here for explanation of chart)

5.  Note: The chart opposite. 
     The Brazen Laver and Israel going through       
     the Red Sea parallel each other.
     
     Church history declares God to faithful to this 
     pattern. In the (1800's AD.) the truth of Water
     Baptism and holiness was resorted to the Church
     _______________________________
    (Review: Peters message on the day of Pentecost)

      From the restoration of this truth came the Ana-Baptists,(the re baptizers), 
      the Methodist, Evangelicals, Christian Missionary Alliance.

     Note: (Phase 8) will add a third pattern 
     establishing that God is abiding by His patterns.

     Water Baptism is part of the Brides preparation 
    because the blueprint calls for Water Baptism

To summarize the "Outer Court."

"The Holy Ghost this signifying" (Heb.9:1-26, v.8) by the outer court, "that the way into the holiest of all" (i.e. God's very presence) begins by coming in through the gate, and to the Brazen Altar. (The Blood atonement of Christ Jesus)  All other ways are rejected (John.10:1-10; 14:6) by God as Cains was. (Gen.4:1-4, 1John.3:12, Heb.11:4)  After the Gate and Brazen Altar, was the Brazen Laver which foreshadows being "buried with Him in the waters of baptism," (Rom.6:1-11) and separated from this world. (Rom.6:1-11, 1John.2:16) 
Those that would be the Bride of Christ will fulfill this pattern of Holiness and separation.


The Tabernacle building called the "sanctuary."

The Tabernacle building itself was a building that was divided into two rooms by a Vail (veil). One room was called the Holy Place  and the other called the Most Holy Place.(Exod.26:33) The Holy place was ten cubits wide, ten cubits high and twenty cubits long. (cubit=1.824 ft.) In this room was the Candlestick, the Table of Shewbread, and the Golden Altar of Incense. The Most Holy Place was ten cubits wide, ten cubits high, and ten cubits long. This housed the Ark of the Covenant where the very presence of God dwelt. Each piece of furniture had it's assigned place. The Candlestick was set on the south side of the Holy Place. The Table of Shewbread was side on the north side, and the Altar of Incense was set before the Vail. The Ark of the Covenant was the only piece of furniture in the Most Holy Place. Many times we refer to the main auditorium of our Churches, as the "sanctuary."  In the Old Testament "blueprint" the Tabernacle, Temple, House was the sanctuary, however in the New Testament reality, we are the Tabernacle, (2Peter.1:13) House (1Tim.3:15) Temple. (Eph.2:22)


The Golden Candlestick

The word "candlestick" is a chandler ( a branched decorative lighting fixture that holds a number of bulbs or candles) It was made of pure gold with branches, bowls, knops and flowers. The bowls were to have oil in them "to cause the lamps to burn continually."(Lev.24:1-4) Three branches coming out of one side of it and three out of the other with a lamp at the end of each branch at the top of the shaft. (Exod.25:31-40) The purpose of the "Candlestick" was to provide light for the priest to see how to function at the "Candlestick, Table of Shewbread and Table of Shewbread. It was Aaron and His sons that were responsible for lighting the Lamps and to keep them trimmed and burning.

1.  The candlestick is interpreted as the Church
     The apostle John interpreted the candlestick to be the Church and this was confirmed by Jesus 
     when addressing the Church at Ephesus. (Rev.1:20; 2:5)

2.  The oil in the lamps foreshadows the anointing of God in the Church
     The Hebrew word15 for "anointing" is to rub with oil, i.e. to anoint; by application to 
     consecrate. The Greek word16 is to smear or rub with oil, i.e. by implication to consecrate. The 
     writer of Hebrews says that Jesus was "anointed...with the oil of gladness."(Heb.1:9) Peter
     interprets this  oil to be the Holy Ghost. (Acts.10:38) This same anointing, i.e. the Baptism of
     the Holy Spirit, Jesus has given to the Church. (Matt.3:11, Acts.1:5; 2:1-17; 8:17; 9:17  
     [1Cor.14:18]; 10:44-48 [11:15-16]; 19:1-6 18