Most Holy Place

Read 2 Chronicles 3

Read Isaiah 33

The Most Holy Place (or the "Holy of Holies") was a cube. It's length, width, and height were all 20 cubits long, according to our reading in 2 Chronicles 3:8. We know that that place was where God was pleased to be present. This was the most sacred place in the temple, and therefore, the most sacred place in the land, even in the world. This is where God Almighty, the maker of heaven and earth, Yahweh, covenant God of his people Israel, the One True God was pleased to make his glory and power visible. The fact that this space was a cube just helps drive home the point that this is a holy God who is perfect and who creates order and structure.

This is the place where the sacrifice was offered by the high priest once a year on the Day of Atonement. The smoke of God's glory would fill the temple above the ark of the covenant, the ark where God told his people he would be. And there is no denying that the presence of God in the Old and New Testaments was/is a merciful presence for his people. He was there to forgive, renew, strengthen, help, and provide. What an incredible sight this temple (and even more so - the presence of God) must have been!

Where is this temple today? Well, it has been destroyed. There have been several temples built in Jerusalem and destroyed. But we know that the temple, yes, even Solomon's great and grand temple, was only a foreshadowing of something else. In Revelation 21, John gives us a vision of the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven, beautifully prepared for the Lord. We see in Rev. 21:16 that the city is a cube. Why a cube? Because God is perfect, holy, and orderly, and here in this New Jerusalem would be the very presence of God among his people. Here is what had cast the shadow earlier in time. The temple was the type. The New Jerusalem is the anti-type, that is, the thing that was foreshadowed.

And this cubic city in Rev. 21 is one way that God's Word shows that in heaven we shall be perfect, holy, and righteous. There everything will be in order, not chaos. There God's Will will be done. There will be everything good. This is a perfect paradise for all eternity. And it is for you and for me.

Why? Because of Jesus Christ. The sacrifices in the Most Holy Place of the temple foreshadowed that sacrifice of Jesus Christ. And Rev. 21 assures us that the beauty of our heavenly home, the presence of God, the unending light that awaits us, is all through Jesus, the Lamb of God who was slain for us.

Though our sins are many and chaotic, he gives us perfect forgiveness, and promises us everlasting life! Ponder that today. Thanks be to God!

Pray:

Pray from your heart today concerning everything that is on your heart. Be sure to thank Jesus Christ for the perfection of heaven that is waiting for you through the cross.

Study with me tomorrow,

Pastor Jon

Soli Deo Gloria!