For the moment we should like to proceed on to individual’s 4 and 5 in our examination of the courtyard, and return to 2 and 3 a bit later as 4 and 5 represents those individuals who are making proper progress as antitypical Levites (justified believers) on their way toward the true purpose or intent for faith justification now during the Gospel Age.

Having gain entry into the courtyard through faith in Christ as pictured in the “Entrance Curtain”, the first item of notice to the tentatively justified is the great altar made of copper positioned midway between the entrance and the Tabernacle itself. It was our faith in Christ which allowed us entry, but here now we witness the great sacrifice, the ransom which was paid, which proved necessary for our redemption.

It will be noted that faith in Christ precedes faith in the “ransom” that is because not until one has passed the “Wall of Unbelief” (represented in the lien curtains which surrounded the courtyard) are they yet prepared to understand and truly appreciate the true significance of the “ransom” and what it implies.

“The “Brazen Altar” … represents the perfect humanity (copper) of the Man Christ Jesus, who as the Lamb of God (John 1:29, 36) gave himself as a RANSOM (Greek anti-lurton, a price to correspond or a corresponding price) for ALL (See Matt 20:28; Mark 10:45; 1 Tim 2:5, 6); and thus, this altar in a particular sense represents also the ransom sacrifice itself.” (Tabernacle Shadows, Page 22, Par. 1)

“This ‘Altar’ stood just inside the gate within the court of the tabernacle of the congregation, making it necessary for anyone who would approach the dwelling place of Jehovah first to pass it, thus figuratively setting forth the fact that none can have communion with God except he first recognizes and appreciate the ransom sacrifice of Christ Jesus.” (“Notes on the Tabernacle” page 116)

This is another one of those valuable “keys” to understanding found in the Scriptures, there are several of these keys, but this one is of great prize.

The holding of the ransom (that is a proper understanding of the ransom and its true significance) is the key to every truth; the “hub“ if you will from which all other truths must radiate (in other words if it doesn’t square with the ransom it most likely is error). R1452:5

“Those who leave the Camp to come into the Court of the Tabernacle are feeling after God with the desire to find Him (Acts 17:27).

“The implication is that even in the fallen and depraved condition of the heart there is a dissatisfaction, a lack of ease, a restless feeling, a longing desire to be something better than we are, to have the nobler elements of our being in close touch with our Creator and to render to him the obedience of righteousness which to some extent is instinctively recognized as his due.” (HG2, Page 331)

When such come up to the Tabernacle enclosure (outside the courtyard) they find that there is only one entrance (Faith in Lord Jesus Christ), and that one way is the only way of approaching the Tabernacle itself. They enter, and as they enter, they must pass the Brazen Altar of Sacrifice before they have gone very far within the enclosure, the individual who sees (who grasp the true significance of this altar) sees more than ever before of the matter. But he or she is not yet at the Tabernacle proper. Those who have come thus far must remember that they have still to go on for a bit more yet. At that Altar they have seen the fact that God has provided a way from sin.

Recognizing this, they may stop there for a longer or shorter period. A danger however is that some are so pleased with that portion that they would sit down there content with that. It is good that we thank God for having made that provision for salvation, but there must be a going forward for a distance yet.

What comes next after seeing this Altar and its meaning?

The “Laver”

The next step is to yonder Laver, and towards yonder Laver they go next. What do they find? Water! This surely means Cleansing. Oh! To put away the filth of this flesh and make myself–or rather allow myself to be made–as nearly as possible right with God! Have I wronged anybody? Such questions as that must be asked of ourselves and answered by ourselves. This is the attitude of those who have reached the Laver for cleansing. We may cleanse ourselves at the Laver, but still we have not fully come to God. Is there not something I can do? That is the next question which turns up in the mind of those who have reached the Laver. We remain in a justified condition so long as we keep moving forward in our way, and we become more right with God, more justified, if we might say, every step of the way onward.”

If by chance we have allowed the cares and concerns of this world (jobs, family and etc.) to temporally occupy our time it is a good idea before approaching the LORD’s, dwelling place to once again cleanse both our minds and bodies through a look into the Word, the “water of life”, which tends to have a cleansing affect upon the entire individual.

“After washing at the Laver—putting away the filthiness of the flesh—the believer (the tentatively justified) approaches close up to the door of the Tabernacle and `ties’ (binds) himself there—obligates himself by consecration vows, devoting himself fully to the Lord and his service, whatever that may be.” (R5959:3)

Continued with next post.