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Yes, most definitely. Moses was shown the true sanctuary as the pattern for the wilderness tabernacle, the earthly sanctuary. He saw "to the end of that which should be done away", -- he was shown the real Lamb of God and the meaning of all the "shadowy types". After seeing this, he had to "veil" himself to hide the glory that his face reflected.
This demonstrates that the old covenant, the system under Moses, was a "veiled" representation of the real events in the plan of salvation and their exact timing. This system was put in place because no human could withstand the "glory" of God shown in the plan to save us. REALLY IS SOMETHING TO CONTEMPLATE!
Kay
Just one correction. Since this is a big subject, I'll not cover everything. But here is a simple overview.
You said:
"This demonstrates that the old covenant, the system under Moses, was a "veiled" representation of the real events in the plan of salvation and their exact timing."
The term: "Old Covenant" here would better be labeled as: "The Sanctuary System intrduced through Moses." The Old Covenant, as defined in Exodus 19, is this: "All that the Lord has said, we will do." see verse 8. In contrast the New Covenant is defined several places from Genesis 17:7 to Hebrews 8 as, "I will be your God and you will be my people" to "I will place my law in their hearts," or "All that the Lord has said, He will do."
The Old Covenant was indeed in force during the time that the Sanctuary Services, but they were not a central part of that covenant. They were only a teaching mechanism. See, the term "covenant" simply means: "Arrangement." The Santuary services are most certainly an arrangement, therefore, in one sense, they are a covenant. But it is ONLY the Old and New covenants that dealing with the issues of salvation. The Old is man's attempt to make himself good, the New is God's plan for making man holy.
There are many arrangments/covenants found in the Bible. For God is known as a "covenant making and covenant keeping God." However, not all covenants are equal to or part of the Old and New Covenants. These are only named such; since one superceded the other. What we call the New Covenant today was actually known as: "My Covenant" prior to Exodus 19. E.g. see Genesis 17:7, etc.
When Israel wanted to do what God promised that He would do, than He allowed them to give it a try, full well knowing that it could not work. See Deuteronomy 5:27-29. But, since they wanted to try, God let them try to make themselves good. When they failed only a few days after making that covenant, God then took them under the: "My Covenant" or "New Covenant" and that lasted until they killed the Son of God and that ended the "Nation of Israel's" special arrangement as God's people. Now we either do things our way or enter into the New Covenant arrangement. The ONLY covenant that has ever offered the mechanism for Salvation that in fact will work.
Maranatha :)
Ray
Ray, thanks for the comment.
These statements from the Spirit of Prophecy and the Bible really clarify the part that the Sanctuary services had in the Old Covenant arrangement between God and Israel.
"As the Bible presents two laws, one changeless and eternal, the other provisional and temporary, so there are two covenants." The Faith I Live By, p. 77
"Another compact--called in Scripture the "old" covenant--was formed between God and Israel at Sinai, and was then ratified by the blood of a sacrifice. . . . " FLB 78
"THEN VERILY THE FIRST COVENANT HAD ALSO ORDINANCES OF DIVINE SERVICE, AND A WORLDY SANCTUARY. FOR THERE WAS A TABERNACLE MADE; THE FIRST WHEREIN WAS THE CANDLESTICK AND THE TABLE, AND THE SHEWBREAD; WHICH IS CALLED THE SANCTUARY." Hebrews 9:1
"God . . . gave them [Israel] His law, with the promise of great blessings on condition of obedience: "If ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then . . . ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation." Exodus 19:5, 6. The people did not realize the sinfulness of their own hearts, and that without Christ it was impossible for them to keep God's law; and they readily entered into covenant with God. Feeling that they were able to establish their own righteousness, they declared, "All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient." Exodus 24:7. They had witnessed the proclamation of the law in awful majesty, and had trembled with terror before the mount; and yet only a few weeks passed before they broke their covenant with God, and bowed down to worship a graven image. They could not hope for the favor of God through a covenant which they had broken; and now, seeing their sinfulness and their need of pardon, they were brought to feel their need of the Saviour revealed in the Abrahamic covenant, and shadowed forth in the sacrificial offerings. . . . " FLB 78
"The terms of the "old covenant" were, Obey and live: "If a man do, he shall even live in them;" but "cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them." Ezekiel 20:11; Leviticus 18:5; Deuteronomy 27:26. The "new covenant" was established upon "better promises"--the promise of forgiveness of sins, and of the grace of God to renew the heart, and bring it into harmony with the principles of God's law. " FLB 78
"The only means of salvation is provided under the Abrahamic covenant." FLB 78
"Under the old covenant, there were many offenses of a daring, presumptuous character, for which there was no atonement specified by law. In the new and better covenant, Christ has fulfilled the law for the transgressors of law, if they receive Him by faith as a personal Saviour. "As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God." Mercy and forgiveness are the reward of all who come to Christ trusting in His merits to take away their sins. In the better covenant we are cleansed from sin by the blood of Christ." 7BC 931
There was a process that God was working out with Israel. In their breaking the first covenant with God, He brought them to see their need of the Saviour who was shadowed in types and symbols of the old sanctuary service.
"But if the Abrahamic covenant contained the promise of redemption, why was another covenant formed at Sinai?--In their bondage the people had to a great extent lost the knowledge of God and of the principles of the Abrahamic covenant. In delivering them from Egypt, God sought to reveal to them his power and his mercy, that they might be led to love and trust him. He brought them down to the Red Sea--where, pursued by the Egyptians, escape seemed impossible--that they might realize their utter helplessness, their need of divine aid; and then he wrought deliverance for them. Thus they were filled with love and gratitude to God, and with confidence in his power to help them. He had bound them to himself as their deliverer from temporal bondage." RH, October 17, 1907
"But there was a still greater truth to be impressed upon their minds. Living in the midst of idolatry and corruption, they had no true conception of the holiness of God, of the exceeding sinfulness of their own hearts, their utter inability, in themselves, to render obedience to God's law, and their need of a Saviour. All this they must be taught." RH, October 17, 1907
"God brought them to Sinai; he manifested his glory; he gave them his law, with the promise of great blessings on condition of obedience: "If ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then . . . ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation." Exodus 19:5, 6. The people did not realize the sinfulness of their own hearts, and that without Christ it was impossible for them to keep God's law; and they readily entered into covenant with God. Feeling that they were able to establish their own righteousness, they declared, "All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient." Exodus 24:7. They had witnessed the proclamation of the law in awful majesty, and had trembled with terror before the mount; and yet only a few weeks passed before they broke their covenant with God, and bowed down to worship a graven image. They could not hope for the favor of God through a covenant which they had broken; and now, seeing their sinfulness and their need of pardon, they were brought to feel their need of the Saviour revealed in the Abrahamic covenant, and shadowed forth in the sacrificial offerings. Now by faith and love they were bound to God as their deliverer from the bondage of sin. Now they were prepared to appreciate the blessings of the new covenant." RH, October 17, 1907
"Had the Israelites discerned the gospel light that was opened to Moses, had they been able by faith to look steadfastly to the end of that which was abolished they could have endured the light which was reflected from the countenance of Moses." Signs of the Times, August 25, 1887
Can anyone tell me what the Sanctuary services and Sabbath have to do with each other? I'm confused. Or maybe I should ask this question. If the Laws of Moses is all a forshadow of things and no longer apply why do we not eat pork?
The law of Moses was given over 2000 years after creation. The Sabbath was given the week of creation and the distinction between clean and unclean existed before the flood. Hope that helps.
I find it hard to believe that someone who has done as much study as you obviously have done could be confused by this. I wonder if you are playing with words here with us?
Sarrie,
You asked two very loaded questions that could take a whole book to answer each one, but I will try to answer more briefly.
To answer your second question first I would recommend your reading this article from the Review and Herald, May 6, 1875, written by Ellen White, which explains very clearly what parts of the law of Moses were prophetic or typical of EVENTS in the plan of salvation and prophetic of the TIME that these events would occur—and it explains what parts of the law of Moses were given to show man how to keep the ten commandments and to define sin. This portion of the law of Moses did not pass away, because it is not prophetic or a type of anything. It is instruction for the daily life.
I'll give some of the most pertinent quotations from it in this post.
“Christ gave to Moses religious precepts which were to govern the everyday life. These statutes were explicitly given to guard the ten commandments. They were not shadowy types to pass away with the death of Christ. They were to be binding upon man in every age as long as time should last. These commands were enforced by the power of the moral law, and they clearly and definitely explained that law.” RH, May 6, 1875
“The law of types reached forward to Christ. All hope and faith centered in Christ until type reached its antitype in his death. The statutes and judgments specifying the duty of man to his fellow-men, were full of important instruction, defining and simplifying the principles of the moral law, for the purpose of increasing religious knowledge, and of preserving God's chosen people distinct and separate from idolatrous nations.” RH, May 6, 1875
“The statutes concerning marriage, inheritance, and strict justice in deal with one another, were peculiar and contrary to the customs and manners of other nations, and were designed of God to keep his people separate from other nations. The necessity of this to preserve the people of God from becoming like the nations who had not the love and fear of God, is the same in this corrupt age, when the transgression of God's law prevails and idolatry exists to a fearful extent. If ancient Israel needed such security, we need it more, to keep us from being utterly confounded with the transgressors of God's law.” RH, May 6, 1875
“Christians who profess to be Bible students can appreciate more fully than ancient Israel did the full signification of the ceremonial ordinances that they were required to observe. If they are indeed Christians, they are prepared to acknowledge the sacredness and importance of the shadowy types, as they see the accomplishment of the events which they represent. The death of Christ gives the Christian a correct knowledge of the system of ceremonies and explains prophecies which still remain obscure to the Jews. Moses of himself framed no law. Christ, the angel whom God had appointed to go before his chosen people, gave to Moses statutes and requirements necessary to a living religion and to govern the people of God. Christians commit a terrible mistake in calling this law severe and arbitrary, and then contrasting it with the gospel and mission of Christ in his ministry on earth, as though he were in opposition to the just precepts which they call the law of Moses.” RH, May 6, 1875
Sarrie
Now to your first question--
“Can anyone tell me what the Sanctuary services and the Sabbath have to do with each other?”
“We have yet to learn that the whole Jewish economy is a compacted prophecy of the gospel.” Reflecting Christ 112
This statement summarizes the whole old sanctuary system under Moses. Therefore, there was nothing in the whole system that wasn't prophetic. Everything was prophetic of some reality in the plan of salvation. The lamb on Passover (the 14th day) was prophetic, the “shadow” Sabbath (the 15th day) the day just before the Wave Sheaf offering, was prophetic, the Wave Sheaf (the 16th day) “on the morrow after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it” (Lev. 23:11) was prophetic. ETC.
The lamb was prophetic of the Messiah, the “shadow” Sabbath was prophetic of the 7th day Sabbath following the crucifixion, the Wave Sheaf was prophetic of the resurrection when He presented Himself and those who raised with Him, to the Father as “first fruits” of His great sacrifice.
Now, to focus on the connection of the Sabbath to the Sanctuary services, the Sabbath was connected to the Sanctuary through the “shadow” Sabbaths scheduled within the feast days to show, that when these feast days would be fulfilled, these “shadow” Sabbaths (prophetic Sabbaths) would coincide exactly on 7th day Sabbaths. As Colossians 2:16, 17 states, “...or of the Sabbath days which are a shadow of things to come.”
The Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost, is another example of the prophetic aspect of these “shadow” Sabbaths.
Leviticus 23: 15, 16 “And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete: Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days;”
Exodus 34:22 “And thou shalt observe the feast of weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest,...” “And thou shalt keep the feast of weeks unto the LORD thy God...”
Deuteronomy 16:10 “Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles:”
These 7 Sabbaths, or 7 weeks, were in a perfect 7-day sequence, although, since the first month began with the new moon, they did not coincide with the 7th-day Sabbath each year. They fell on different days of the week each year, but, whenever the new moon occurred on the 7th-day Sabbath, then all of those 7 “shadow” Sabbaths, also fell on 7th-day Sabbaths that year.
In the year of the crucifixion, which was the fulfillment of the Passover, the Wave Sheaf, etc. these prophetic weeks all overlaid the actual creation weeks, with the “shadow” Sabbaths falling on the weekly 7th-day Sabbaths.
To repeat, one could say that the 7 weeks in the Feast of weeks were prophetic of the 7 actual creation weeks from the resurrection of the Messiah to the day before the day of Pentecost. The Day of Pentecost came “on the morrow after the 7th Sabbath” (1st day of the week that year). The types fell on their antitypes.
In Leviticus 23 there are “shadow” Sabbaths mentioned in the feast days of the 7th month, as well. The same principles of interpretation apply to these Sabbaths as they do to the Sabbaths scheduled from the 1st month.
If anyone has questions or comments please respond.
Osing
That is a good point. The sun rules a whole galaxie, while moons are unique to each planet. So to govern a universal Sabbath, the sun is the logical mechanism, not the verious moons of each planet.
Happy Sabbath!
Maranatha :)
Ray
Can you show an example in the bible of your ideas Ray ?
I can show many examples of the moon dictating appointed times.
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