ir. THE ONENESS OF THE TABERNACLE. i; 



the mystery in the inner shrine. And the oneness of 

 the tabernacle, which these mutual relations and the 

 clasped curtains of the same common roof betokened, 

 was in due time clearly proclaimed by the rending of 

 the separating veil from the top to the bottom at the 

 death of Christ, which threw the two apartments into 

 one, and gave the worshipper in the holy place en- 

 trance into the immediate presence of God. 



This truth of the oneness of the tabernacle was also 

 taught by the intimate mutual relations that existed 

 between all its objects and services. The first object 

 we behold on entering the court of the tabernacle is 

 the altar of burnt-offering. It stands at the threshold, 

 indicating that only by an avenue of death can God 

 be approached; that without shedding of blood there 

 can be no remission of sins, no acceptable worship in 

 His sight. Around this altar all the services of the 

 tabernacle group themselves ; and from it they derive 

 all their significance and efficacy; a fact strikingly 

 indicated by its very size, which is such that all the 

 other vessels of the sanctuary can be included within 

 it. Between this altar and the door of the tabernacle 

 we see the laver filled with water, at which the priests 

 who minister in the holy place have to wash their 

 hands and feet before going in. The altar of burnt- 

 offering makes atonement for the guilt of their sins, 

 the laver purifies them from the defilement of their 

 sins ; so that while the one legally opens up the way 

 of approach to God, the other morally qualifies for 

 communion with Him. The door of the tabernacle 



