“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6.

(Note that “John 14:6” is a reference to the Bible, which is a collection of books. In the Bible, each book consists of one or more chapters, and each chapter has numbered sections called verses. The quotation above referred to as “John 14:6” is taken from the book of John in the Bible, the 14^th chapter, and the 6^th verse.)

Our Bible verse of focus in this post, John 14:6, has deep spiritual meanings which we will explore. We will do so using the “sanctuary” (Exodus 25:8) which God instructed ancient Israel to build. For we can say in truth, “Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary.” Psalm 77:13.

The sanctuary was intended by God to be a visible, tangible, teaching tool for Israel and all humanity regarding the gospel. What is the gospel? It is God’s plan to save the human race from eternal death for their sins, which is evil and wrongdoing.

Two Sanctuaries

When we speak of the sanctuary, we must make a distinction between two sanctuaries. The term “sanctuary” is used interchangeably in the Bible with the terms “tabernacle” (Exodus 25:9) and “the temple of the LORD.” 1 Samuel 1:9.

One sanctuary was “a worldly sanctuary” (Hebrews 9:1), that is, a sanctuary on earth. The other sanctuary is “the temple of God…in heaven” (Revelation 11:19), that is, it is located in heaven. The heavenly sanctuary is “a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with [human] hands, that is to say, not of this [earthly] building.” Hebrews 9:11. This is “the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched [set up], and not man.” Hebrews 8:2.

The Physical Structure of the Earthly Sanctuary

In order to understand the lessons taught by the earthly sanctuary, we must first have a knowledge of its physical structure.

What did the earthly sanctuary look like? It was a two-room structure surrounded by a fence made of linen hangings. It was designed by God to be easily disassembled and carried from place to place. There was a single entrance through the fence on the eastern side into the area surrounding the two-room structure. This interior area surrounded by the fence was known as the outer court.

From the courtyard one could pass through a veil, into the first room of the structure, known as the “holy place.” Exodus 26:33. Opposite the veil into the Holy Place was a second veil  leading into the second room of the structure, known as the “most holy place.” Exodus 26:34.

The sanctuary on earth had seven pieces of furniture. In the Outer Court were “the altar of burnt offering” (Exodus 30:28) and the “laver.” Exodus 30:18. In the Holy Place were the “candlestick” (Exodus 25:31), “the table shewbread” (Exodus 25:30), and “the altar of incense.” Exodus 30:27. In the Most Holy Place were the “ark” (Exodus 25:10) and its cover called the “mercy seat.” Exodus 25:17. Inside the Most Holy Place, the presence of God was manifested as a cloud above the Mercy Seat.

The History of the Sanctuary

“The Israelites” (Exodus 9:7), also known as “the Jews” (2 Kings 16:6), constructed the first earthly sanctuary in the wilderness in the year 1445 B.C. This was approximately 1,445 years before Christ was born into the world as a baby boy named “Jesus.” Matthew 1:21.

The wilderness tabernacle was replaced by a permanent building called Solomon’s Temple in approximately 955 B.C. Solomon’s Temple was destroyed in 586 B.C. when the Israelites were taken into captivity to Babylon. After the Jews returned to the promised from Babylonian captivity, the temple was rebuilt in 515 B.C.

By the time of king Herod in 37 B.C., the Temple being now about 500 years old, needed a thorough overhauling or rebuilding which Herod did. Herod’s Temple was destroyed in 70 A.D. by the Romans. (A.D. is an abbreviation of Anno Domini, the Latin for “in the year of our Lord.” 1 A.D. is the year when Christ was born in human flesh on the earth.)

Today, in the year 2020, actually the year 2020 A.D., the Temple Mount of the Muslims located in Jerusalem in Israel, is believed to be situated on the site of Herod’s Temple.

The Nature of Jesus Christ

Christ was “God with us” (Matthew 1:23), yet simultaneously He was “the man Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 2:5. Jesus Christ was 100% God and 100% man at the same time. This is “the mystery of Christ.” Ephesians 3:4.

As God, Christ could say, “I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16) “for God cannot be tempted with evil.” James 1:13. As a man, Christ “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15. That is, in Christ, humanity’s sinful nature was mysteriously blended with God’s divine nature.

The two natures of Jesus Christ were in constant conflict with each other and it was up to him to decide which nature would have supremacy. We cannot say specifically how Jesus Christ overcame all temptations to sin because God has not revealed it to us. However, the sanctuary gives us an insight into His spiritual life.

Jesus Christ, the Way: The Outer Court

During His life on earth, Christ always practised self-denial in that He submitted Himself to “the will of God.” Mark 3:35. For Christ said, “I do always those things that please him” (John 8:29), the Father. This is represented by the Altar of Burnt Offering which signified Christ’s death to self. Moreover, this Altar signified Christ’s death for “the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2) which was the ultimate self-denial.

Jesus Christ subjected Himself to baptism with water as represented by the Laver of water. Christ Himself had no sins of which to repent but He was baptized as an example to all humanity who need to repent of their sins. Now it was true that “God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him” (John 3:34), Christ. This meant that Christ received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, we may say that the Outer Court of the sanctuary containing the Altar of Burnt Offering and Laver represented Christ’s “justification.” Romans 4:25. For Christ was “justified in the Spirit” (1 Timothy 3:16) in that there never was a time when He was not in right standing before God.

Jesus Christ, the Way: The Candlestick in the Holy Place

Jesus Christ said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12) as represented by the Candlestick with its “seven lamps.” Exodus 25:37. That is, He gave a holy example of love to the world as a Light shining in the darkness of sin and evil.

Jesus Christ, the Way: The Bread in the Holy Place

God’s commandment is, “Study [the Scriptures] to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing [interpreting] the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15. This Christ did for when He was tempted by Satan, He could competently use “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:17.

Jesus Christ said, “I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.” John 12:49, 50.

As He was nourished by the holy words of the Father, so Jesus Christ was as spiritual food, the “bread of life” (John 6:48), to the world. Therefore, He said, “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit [spiritual food], and they are life.” John 6:63.

Jesus Christ, the Way: The Altar of Incense in the Holy Place

The Altar of Incense represented prayer which as burnt incense rises up towards heaven. Similarly, Jesus Christ gave an example of prayer to the world. Christ was He “who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him [the Father] that was able to save him from death…was heard in that he feared.” Hebrews 5:7.

Jesus Christ, the Way: The Holy Place–Summary

“Sanctification” (1 Corinthians 1:30) is the testing of the individual by God, as He says, “That I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law [of love], or no.” Exodus 16:4. That is to say, it is a test of obedience to God’s law of love.

The three items of furniture in the Holy Place then represented three aspects of Christ’s sanctification. For Christ said, “For their [humanity’s] sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.” John 17:19.

Thus, “though he [Christ] were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” Hebrews 5:8, 9.

Jesus Christ, the Way: The Most Holy Place

Jesus Christ “entereth into that within the [second] veil; whither [where] the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever.” Hebrews 6:19, 20. Having been made perfect through justification and sanctification, Jesus “Christ is…entered…into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.” Hebrews 9:24.

The “Son [Christ]…when he had by himself purged our [humanity’s] sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” Hebrews 1:2, 3. “Jesus Christ…is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.” 1 Peter 3:21, 22.

Jesus Christ, the Way: Summary

God says of Himself, “Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary.” Psalm 77:13. So, the life, death, and resurrection which is the rising from the dead to life again, of Jesus Christ, as represented by the sanctuary, demonstrated the way for all humanity to come into “the presence of God.” Hebrews 9:24. This is a high privilege and honour, for God says of humanity, “Your iniquities [sins] have separated between you and your God.” Isaiah 59:2.

The Individual and the Way: The Outer Court

Just like Jesus Christ, the Altar of Burnt Offering represents the individual’s death to self. “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified [put to death] with him [Christ], that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” Romans 6:6.

It represented the individual having put aside their self-esteem and self-righteousness, and humbling themselves, by yielding to the Holy Spirit. Thus, they loath themselves for their sins, they confess their sins to God, and they surrender their will to God, believing in Christ as their only hope for salvation. By this means, the individual had “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 20:21.

The Laver represented the literal baptism of the individual in water and the spiritual baptism of the Holy Spirit. For such individuals, “the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Romans 5:5. From that time, the individual having been “justified by faith” (Romans 5:1) is in right standing before God.

The Individual and the Way: The Candlestick in the Holy Place

God says to the justified, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid… Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16. The Candlestick represented those who have obeyed God’s command to give the world a holy example of love by their lives.

The Individual and the Way: The Bread in the Holy Place

The loaves of bread on the Table of Shewbread represented the justified who have obeyed God’s command regarding His word, the Bible. Such individuals can say in truth, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Psalm 119:11.

Moreover, they have obeyed God’s gospel commission is “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature [person].” Mark 16:15. These are they who “preach the word.” 2 Timothy 4:2.

The Individual and the Way: The Altar of Incense in the Holy Place

The Altar of Incense represented the justified who could say in truth, “The LORD will receive my prayer.” Psalm 6:9. For “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16.

The Individual and the Way: The Holy Place–Summary

Thus, the three items of furniture in the Holy Place represented the justified who “go on unto perfection” (Hebrews 6:1) and are “sanctified.” Acts 26:18. Such are fitted to enter God’s presence for they have become sinless.

The Individual and the Way: The Most Holy Place

The Ark and its cover, the Mercy Seat, represented the throne of God. Christ perfected His character as humanity’s Representative and, therefore, is seated on the throne of God. Likewise, the sanctified among humanity, who are sinless, are welcomed into the throne room of God. For God says of Himself, “They shall see his face.” Revelation 22:4.

The Truth: Jesus Christ and the Individual

Christ is “the faithful witness” (Revelation 1:5) whose life testified that God is “a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.” Deuteronomy 32:4. Similarly, speaking of the sanctified, who are known as the “saints” (Deuteronomy 33:3), God says, “Ye are my witnesses.” Isaiah 43:10. So then, the lives of the sanctified testify of the truth that “God is love.” 1 John 4:8.

The Life: Jesus Christ and the Individual

“For as in Adam” (1 Corinthians 15:22), the first human being that God created, “all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits [first fruits]; afterward they that are Christ’s at his [second] coming.” 1 Corinthians 15:22, 23.

“In him [Christ] we live, and move, and have our being.” Acts 17:28. “For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones… This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the [invisible] church.” Ephesians 5:30-32. The invisible church is made up of all the saints wherever they may be in the world. The saints are not necessarily members of any visible Christian church. Nevertheless, these are they who will receive eternal life from God.

In other words, the physical life of the sanctified, the saints, are dependent on Christ giving them life out of Himself. How? “We cannot now speak particularly” (Hebrews 9:5) how this works.

The Life: Summary

The spiritual life of the saints is dependent on their receiving “the gift of [Christ’s] righteousness.” Romans 5:17. That is, Christ is “called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Jeremiah 23:6.

In addition, the physical life of the saints depends upon their receiving life from Christ. So, we see that the “vile body” (Philippians 3:21), of the saved among humanity will be “fashioned like unto his [Christ’s] glorious body.” Philippians 3:21.

Thus, the saved of humanity will receive the promise “that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son” (1 John 5:11), Christ.

Conclusion

Jesus is the way in that He points the way, through justification and sanctification, to humanity being able to enter into the presence of God.

He is the truth in that what He testified of God by His life was true. Likewise, humanity’s lives are to testify only that which is true of God.

Jesus is the life in that He has given humanity life out of Himself.

In all of what has been said above, we may conclude that there is a sense in which only one human being has been saved, which is Jesus Christ. Those among humanity who receive eternal life from God do so only by receiving Christ’s righteousness and by being members of His body.

How This Blog Teaches Bible Study

My blog posts take one or more Bible verses and unpack what is often the hidden meaning in them, to help you to gain in your understanding of the Bible, and to receive insights into how to study it. For God says, “Study [the Bible] to shew [show] thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing [interpreting] the word of truth [the Bible].” 2 Timothy 2:15. There are new blog posts every two weeks on a Monday at 12:01 a.m. in timezone UTC-5 (GMT-5).

Further Reading

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