Preparing for Parousia: The Key That Unlocks Revelation

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Preparing for Parousia: The Key that Unlocks Revelation

Preparing for Parousia: The Key that Unlocks Revelation

Of the approximate 404 verses in Revelation, 278 contain

phrases from or allusions to the Old Testament scriptures. That

amounts to almost three-quarters of the material in Revelation.

More specifically, the book of Revelation draws much of its

imagery and forms its guiding theme from the Old Testament

Sanctuary Service.

The sanctuary service of the ancient Hebrew people is the key that

unlocks the message of Revelation and its understanding prepares mankind for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

A Basic Sketch of the Sanctuary

After having delivered the Israelite people from Egyptian slavery

through the leadership of Moses, God brought His chosen nation into

the wilderness of Sinai. Camped at the base of Mt. Sinai, the Lord

communicated to them through the prophet Moses.

God gave them His Ten Commandment law (see Exodus 19-

20). Then, He gave them instructions to build a sanctuary and institute

a system of sacrifice and priesthood (see Exodus 25:8). The entire

sanctuary and its services were designed to be a symbolic lesson book to

illustrate the plan of redemption that would ultimately become reality and be fulfilled by and

through Jesus Christ.

A detailed blueprint of the building was given, along with careful

directions for conducting the ceremonial services.

Following is the basic floor plan of the temple:

1. Courtyard
2. Holy Place
3. Most Holy Place
4. The Gate
5. The Altar of Sacrifice
6. The Laver of Cleansing
7. The Table of Shewbread
8. The Seven-Branched Candlestick
9. The Altar of Incense
10. The Ark of the Covenant/Testimony

Two Phases of Ministry

There were two basic parts to the earthly sanctuary service: first,

there was the daily service, which involved the courtyard and the Holy

Place or the first apartment of the temple. Second, there was the yearly service,

which included the courtyard and Holy Place but centered in the Most

Holy Place or the second apartment.

The Daily Service

The daily service was designed to illustrate the forgiveness of sins

freely given us by virtue of the sacrifice of Christ’s life in our place and

ministered to us by Him as our heavenly High Priest.

The repentant sinner in the Israelite camp would bring his sacrifice to

the temple courtyard. Placing his hands upon the animal’s head, confession

of sins was made, thus in symbol transferring the guilt of the sinner to an

innocent substitute. The lamb was then slain by the repentant sinner, to represent the coming Savior who would “die for our sins” (1 Corinthians 15:3).

When Jesus stepped out of eternity into our world, John the Baptist declared Him “The Lamb of

God which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

The blood of the daily sin offering was applied in one of two ways:

(1) It was taken into the Holy Place and sprinkled before the inner veil and

on the horns of the altar of incense (see Leviticus 4:6-7, 17-18).

Or (2) it was placed on the horns of the altar of burnt offering in the courtyard, in

which case the priest ate part of the flesh of the sacrifice. The

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