Leviticus 7:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.

Hebrews 9:22...And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

The blood covering the altar is a picture of God covering over the brass nature of Adam man with the Blood of the sacrifice. In Egypt, the people of Israel, suffered four hundred years as slaves to Pharaoh, until Moses, came and proclaimed the word of the Lord. Moses, delivered the people of Israel out of Egyptian slavery and bondage without shedding any man’s blood. Instead he obeyed the revelation of God to shed the blood of a lamb and place its mark upon the door of every Israelite home. Death passed over the people of Israel that night and God brought them out of bondage with a high hand of power.

But the blood that was used to redeem our soul out from death was not the blood of a bull, goat or even of a lamb. All these sacrifices were but a symbol of reality and could never in themselves actually take away our sin. They showed the pattern of heavenly things to come.

Hebrews 9:23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. It was the human and divine blood of Christ that was shed and sacrificed on the altar of the cross.

Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

1Peter 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Just as every Israelite received deliverance from Egypt, forgiveness of their sins and reconciliation with God, so through the Blood of Christ we have redemption and the forgiveness of all our sins.

Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

2Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

The brazen altar teaches us that because of Jesus Christ we have redemption and the forgiveness of sins. His sacrifice was an act of God himself to remove the sense of guilt and shame from the conscience. It was for covering sins and mending our relationship and fellowship with God. Now being reconciled to God, we have peace with God, and the peace of God. We are granted access by faith into the grace wherein we stand and also glory in Christ through whom we have received atonement. The provisions of God’s covenant with Israel are now fulfilled in us by the power of the Holy Spirit.

FOUR HORNS: There were four horns on the four corners of the altar pointing outward. Four is the number of the world and creation meaning the message applies to all the created realm. Horns are a symbol of authority and power. It is also significant that at times the horns of the altar were a place to find refuge and escape from death (1 Kings 1:51).

The horns pointing upward, show the strength and power of this altar. Sprinkled with the blood they declare that this altar restores communion and will bring the love and forgiveness of Jehovah to the entire world.

Psalm 92:10 But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.

THE OFFERINGS:There are additional principles of spiritual life revealed in the instruments used at this altar such as the fire pans for carrying away the burnt ashes. The three prong flesh hook which was used to handle the offering. The fire that consumed the sacrifice. The following is a brief description of the various offerings and their symbolism.

The first five chapters of Leviticus deal with each one. There were five offerings. (# of grace) No one offering could adequately express the accomplishment of Christ’s atonement on the cross. The offering was taken from the herds and flocks a male without blemish.

1Peter3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: The five were divided into two categories. 1-Sweet savor-was a free -will offering voluntarily brought to worship. 2-Non-Sweet Savor- Involuntary dealt with sin and trespass. 3-Other offerings described are, the thank offering, vow, wave, heave and drink offering.

THE BURNT OFFERING - OWLAH Leviticus1:1-17, 1) whole burnt offering 2) ascent, stairway, steps -alah {aw-law'} -1) to go up, ascend, climb to go up, ascend The name of this offering means to ascend up. The sacrifice of Christ will cause our lives to ascend.

Leviticus 6:8 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying....... This is the law of the burnt offering: It is the burnt offering, because of the burning upon the altar all night unto the morning, and the fire of the altar shall be burning in it.

Leviticus 6:13 The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.

Leviticus 1:17... and the priest shall burn it upon the altar, upon the wood that is upon the fire: it is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the LORD.

2Corinthians 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. 15 For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:

THE MEAT OFFERING - MINCHAH: Leviticus 2: 1-16, 04503 minchah {min-khaw'}from an unused root meaning to apportion, i.e.1) gift, tribute, offering, present, oblation, sacrifice, meat offering 1a) gift, present 1b) tribute 1c) offering (to God) 1d) grain offering

Leviticus 6:14 And this is the law of the meat offering: the sons of Aaron shall offer it before the LORD, before the altar. Leviticus 6:15...and shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savior, even the memorial of it, unto the LORD.

This was the only offering of the five that made no use of flesh. Here the flour, oil, frankincense and other ingredients describe the nature of Christ’s humanity. His service, speech, works, life and character are wholly pure and perfect. Only the finest wheat, beaten and sifted into flour could be used to describe the smooth balanced nature of Christ. The oil describes the mingling of the human with the divine. Salt was used as a preservative in foods. Christ is our preserver of life. So does the power of grace work to defeat the corruption of sin. There was no leaven used in this cake because leaven is a type of sin. Honey is not used because there is nothing sweet about the cross. Frankincense was used because when placed upon fire it emits a beautiful fragrance.

THE PEACE OFFERING -SHELEM: Leviticus 3:1-17 08002 shelem {sheh'-lem} 1) peace offering, requital, sacrifice for alliance or friendship 1a) voluntary sacrifice of thanks.

Leviticus 7:11 And this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which he shall offer unto the LORD.

Leviticus 7:15 And the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving shall be eaten the same day that it is offered; he shall not leave any of it until the morning.

This was the most joyous of all the offerings because it reflects the happiness that comes to us when we have peace with God. Christ was our offering of peace. It is significant that this was the one offering that the offerer was given a portion to share in as well as the priest. It represents the end of conflict and the fellowship believers enjoy with God through Christ.

Colossians 1: 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

Leviticus 7:17 But the remainder of the flesh of the sacrifice on the third day shall be burnt with fire.

Hebrews 9:26...but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

2Peter 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

The sacrifice of Christ and the story of his life contained in the gospels are to be eaten today and tomorrow. The third day he will be revealed from heaven in flaming fire and there will be no flesh in his sight.

2Corinthians 5:16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

The last two offerings are related to each other. They are offerings for sin and have similarities as well as some differences. The sin offering is a picture of how Christ has dealt with the nature or power of sin. The trespass offering is for cleansing the acts of sin we commit in ignorance or by omission. The most important and wonderful thing to know is that whether in ignorance or by willingness, Christ, has forgiven and cleansed us from all sin.

1John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

1John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Isaiah 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall.

THE SIN OFFERING -CHATTA’H: Leviticus 4:1-35, 02403 chatta'ah {khat-taw-aw'} or chatta'th {khat- tawth'} 1) sin, sinful 2) sin, sin offering 2a) sin 2b) condition of sin, guilt of sin 2c) punishment for sin 2d) sin-offering 2e) purification from sins of ceremonial uncleanness.

Leviticus 6:25 Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, saying, This is the law of the sin offering: In the place where the burnt offering is killed shall the sin offering be killed before the LORD: it is most holy. 26 The priest that offereth it for sin shall eat it: in the holy place shall it be eaten, in the court of the tabernacle of the congregation.

THE TRESPASS OFFERING - ASHAM:Leviticus 5:1-19 0817 'asham {aw-shawm'} trespass offering 34, trespass 8, offering for sin 1, sin.

Leviticus 7:1 Likewise this is the law of the trespass offering: it is most holy. 2 In the place where they kill the burnt offering shall they kill the trespass offering: and the blood thereof shall he sprinkle round about upon the altar.

Leviticus 7:6 Every male among the priests shall eat thereof: it shall be eaten in the holy place: it is most holy. 7 As the sin offering is, so is the trespass offering: there is one law for them: the priest that maketh atonement therewith shall have it.

2Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

PARTAKERS OF DIVINE GLORY: Israel brought their offerings to be sacrificed unto Jehovah, and the priesthood was given a portion of the flesh of the sacrifice. For the priest, the most important aspect of the sacrifice was to eat part of it.

1Corinthians 9:13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple: and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?

In this way the priest and the people shared in the divine nature of the altar.

1Corinthians 10:18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they, which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

It’s therefore significant how this fact stumbled the Pharisees and people the day Jesus said that unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood you have no life in you. This statement even offended many of his disciples.

John 6:53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. 52 The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? 66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

In the same way the priests of the tabernacle ate the sacrifice and offering of the Lord so we also are being made partakers of Christ’s Holy nature. Having entered Jerusalem, and knowing his time had come and that he was the lamb of sacrifice, Jesus gathered with his disciples for the last time to commemorate the Passover in a solemn supper. With the knowledge of the offerings given to the priests of the temple, Jesus, broke bread and passed it among the disciples with these words.

Matthew 26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

Hebrews 13:10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

St. Paul himself knew by revelation the meaning of this as he wrote to the church at Corinth, concerning the eating of the Lord’s Body.

1Corinthians 11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

To eat the sacrifice of Christ in Holy Communion is to partake of His divine nature and power. Note verse four in second Peter, chapter one.

2Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Hebrews 12: 10 .., that we might be partakers of his holiness.

1Corinthinas 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread...

1Corinthians 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

1Corinthians 11:29 For he that eateth... unworthily, eateth ...damnation (corrective judgment) to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

1Corinthins 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

As we partake of His sacrifice through faith we are made strong spirit, soul and body. Healed of infirmities and weakness and escaping the corruption of death at every possible opportunity keeping our eyes wide open to the truth about life and immortality.

Because Jesus was crucified on a tree Israel was stumbled by the offering of Messiah. They believed in the law of Moses, which made the offering of the Lord a most holy thing. An example of this is Leviticus 6:25

But Jesus, was crucified on a wooden cross, and considered cursed by God.

Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: John the Baptizer was considered a prophet by many in Israel. He attracted a large following of disciples that prompted the priests at Jerusalem to question him as to his identity.

John 1:19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?

John 1:28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.

John said of himself that he was not the Christ but that he came to bear witness of his coming and prepare a people for the Lord.

John 1:23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.

This may have subtly offended the priestly class since they saw themselves as the ones anointed to prepare Israel for God’s purpose. The idea that somehow Jehovah would now be bypassing that old corrupt system never dawned in their thinking. Later on we know that even John was not beyond the grasp of selfish and evil intentions being imprisoned unjustly and decapitated by Herod’s command.

John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world...34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.35 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples;36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

He suffered humiliation and death for us. The Son of God was punished and executed as a criminal. He was made sin for us on the cross. He was rejected and considered unclean.

Isaiah 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

As I write this I am thinking of an old chorus, that sums up the gratitude and love I have towards the Lord Jesus Christ who loved me and gave himself for me! He paid a debt He did not owe, I owed a debt I could not pay I needed someone to wash my sins away. And now I sing a brand new song amazing grace, Christ Jesus paid the debt that I could never pay.

You ask me why He paid the price, why He would make the sacrifice Why He would walk up that hill called Calvary, HE LOVED ME MORE THAN HIS OWN LIFE Oh glorious day! That’s why He paid the debt that I could never pay.

Hebrews 13:11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp 12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

It was for this very reason Messiah Jehoshua, was hidden from the minds of Israel, as Moses, put a veil upon his face, hiding the glory that was fading away.

2Corinthians 3:13 And not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look at the end of that which is abolished: 14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same veil untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which veil is done away in Christ.

1Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: The key to resurrection power and life is baptism into his death.

Romans 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Phillipians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

Hebrews 13:13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

THE LAVER: Exodus 30:18 Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein.

The Laver, placed between the altar and the tent is the second piece of furniture in the outer court. Only the priests had access to it and it was for washing their hands and feet as they moved between the altar and the tabernacle tent.

Exodus 30:19 For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat: The laver contained water for cleansing and it was made from the looking glasses of the women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle.

Exodus 38:8 And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the looking glasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

There are several important points to consider: The laver was made from the mirrors of the women of Israel. The feminine realm or soul is represented in this and sacrificing the vanity of looking at one’s self so that all may be made aware of God’s judgment. The mirror being brass reveals the need of God’s cleansing and the water in the laver provides the element of cleansing. As we look into the mirror, God’s judgment comes upon our own image and is replaced by his image.

2Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

The priests that ministered between the altar and the tabernacle had to wash their hands and feet or there was the penalty of death.

Exodus 30:20 When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD:

21 So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute for ever to them, even to him and to his seed throughout their generations. It is so important to have our daily walk in Christ renewed, cleansed and refreshed by the word, spirit and remembrance of His blood. The consequences of neglecting to wash in the laver must be understood by all who seek to move more deeply into the plan of God. The priesthood was warned that if they did not wash their hands and feet from the dirt of the natural realm they would perish.

It is significant that St. Paul declared by revelation. Romans 8: 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: It is impossible to remain pure in our walk without the daily study of God’s word washing our minds and renewing us.

2Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Today more than ever, the culture has been assaulted with the power of technology expressing every vile thing possible. If we hope to keep our hearts free from worldly pollution, the power of sin and all other distractions of the carnal mind we must wash in the laver.

Jehovah commanded Moses to set apart Aaron and his family with washings, garments, anointing of oil and the blood. All these being symbols of the nature of Christ that washes us in His blood and anoints us with the Spirit. Our habitation is the tabernacle of God and we are given new bodies to dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

THE BOARDS AND BARS OF THE TABERNACLE AND TENT COVERINGS: Exodus 35:11 The tabernacle, his tent, and his covering, his taches, and his boards, his bars, his pillars, and his sockets, Every aspect of the tabernacle was made according to the pattern showed to Moses in the mount. The entire structure reveals the Lord Jesus Christ. The gospel of St. John declares that the Word was made flesh and tabernacled amongst us. Christ’s human nature is revealed in the structure of the tent.

Exodus 26:30 And thou shalt rear up the tabernacle according to the fashion thereof which was shewed thee in the mount.

A tent was constructed with linen curtains on the inside and several different animal skins for symbolism and protection. It was supported by 48 boards made of shittim wood and overlaid with gold, placed in silver sockets. Each board measured ten cubits in length. The boards were held together by five bars made of shittim wood also covered with gold. These were fastened to the boards at the corners on top with rings of gold.

Exodus 26:15 And thou shalt make boards for the tabernacle of shittim wood standing up.

Exodus 26:26 And thou shalt make bars of shittim wood; five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle, 27 And five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the side of the tabernacle, for the two sides westward. 28 And the middle bar in the midst of the boards shall reach from end to end. 29 And thou shalt overlay the boards with gold, and make their rings of gold for places for the bars: and thou shalt overlay the bars with gold.

The boards and bars of the tabernacle provide a beautiful picture of the united priesthood and ministry of the believers.

Ephesians 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

How important it is to know how much our lives are needed to support the work of God and each other.

Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: The manufacture of these boards and bars also tell the story of our calling and salvation. The trees had to be cut down and brought from their original dwelling place to be shaped and formed by Bezaleel. The rough bark and exterior would have to be stripped, and ultimately overlaid with gold, which speaks of divine nature. Each board resting in sockets of silver. Silver is the metal of redemption. Our human life has been redeemed and overlaid with gold to become the tabernacle of God. We are being joined together to become one building of God inhabited by the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 22:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

There are special numbers also revealed in the tent structure that point tothe power of Christ dwelling in us. The entire tent was ten cubits by thirty cubits in a rectangular form. This is three hundred cubits. Three hundred is a number that points to the power of life over death. Previously I mentioned Noah’s ark was 300 cubits long. Noah escaped the flood. Abraham rescued his nephew Lot from being kidnapped by the kings of Babylon using three hundred trained servants from his own house. When Joseph revealed himself to his brothers he gave each of them a change of garment but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of raiment. Joseph is a type of Christ and savior. He was sold into Egyptian bondage by his brothers evil doing. But he redeems them and all the world through his wisdom. Benjamin means Son of the right hand. To the sons of the right hand God is giving the victory over death. Jehovah Christ is giving five changes of garments. Five fold ministry to bring perfection fullness and maturity to the believers. This tent is the secret place of the most High God. He that dwells in the secret place shall abide under the shadow of the almighty!

Forty eight (number of boards) is six times eight. Six is the number of man and eight is the number of the new man. The first man Adam and the second man Christ. In fact the most significant number revealed in the tent is two. The priests were veiled from viewing the Ark of the Covenant by a beautiful curtain separating the holy place and the holy of holies. This actually made the tent two tabernacles.

1Corinthians 15: 46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

Hebrews 9:7,8...the priests went always into the first tabernacle, ... the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: The tabernacle called the holiest of all revealing God’s plan to manifest a second, spiritual, heavenly ministry, through Christ.

Hebrews 10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

The two tabernacles also reveal two creations. Genesis records that God brought forth the universe in two realms. Heaven and earth. Upper and Lower. The first order of creation was natural, soulish and earthy. " And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul..."

1Corinthians 15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy:....First the natural then the spiritual. The second man, ..the last Adam was made a quickening spirit and is the Lord from heaven. (1cor. 15:45)

1Corinthians 15:49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. The new and second covenant in the blood of Christ is the order of the heavenly and spiritual realm and points to the new creation and day of the Lord.

Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

These simple numbers express the intent of God’s plan and purpose, written in Revelation 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2Cor. 5:17)

As in Adam all die, so in Christ, all shall be made alive. Every man in his own order. (1 Cor.15:22,23)