It is worthy of note that the Word of God, the Truth (the Bible), is represented in both the Laver in the Courtyard, and in the Golden Lampstand in the Holy, The difference? The Laver was made of polished copper (Exod 30:18; 38:8) and contained water for the cleansing of the priesthood (both the Priest and the Levites) that served the Tabernacle (R2671:5), whereas the Lampstand was made of beaten gold (Exod 25:31; 37:17) and its lamps contained oil for the enlightenment of those (only of the Priesthood) who served within the Tabernacle.

There is however a corresponding difference with regard to the particular aspects of the Truth, reflected in these two pieces of furniture, respectively. The one in the Court—the Laver, made of copper—bespeaks the basic elements of the Truth, never hidden from those of humankind who would “see” (comprehend) the perfections of the man Christ Jesus; and in so doing see their own need of cleansing, ere they would be able to follow in His footsteps into the Sanctuaries of God.

The elementary or basic aspects of the Truth are such as the Apostle Paul designates the “first principles of the oracles of God”—the “milk” of the Word. (Heb 5:12, 13) These involve repentance from dead works, faith toward God, baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, eternal judgment (Heb 6:1,2), all of which center in the ransom sacrifice of the man Christ Jesus; and where there is faith there is a consequent justification. The Laver stood in the Court. It is by or through means of these elementary truths, these first principal doctrines, the “milk of the word” that we as prospective members of the bride of Christ have come to be sanctified, begotten of the Spirit.

“The Laver which stood in the Court full of water, at which the priests washed their hands and feet…, is a symbol of the cleansing effect of the truth upon the outward conduct of believers in general. It symbolizes the putting aside of filthy practices—lying, stealing, etc., and the putting away of filthy communications out of our mouths—slanders, envy, strife, backbiting, etc., a cleansing as proper for the natural man as for the consecrated saints.” (R1543:6)

On the other hand, the Lampstand, made of beaten gold, bespeaks of the deeper, diviner elements of the Truth, to those only who by consecration of their justified all’s unto the Lord have “died” to their human hopes, interests and ambitions, and, as sanctified and anointed “priests,” are now in the light of the Golden Lampstand…”

The deeper aspects of the Truth are such as the Apostle Paul designated “Strong meat” (Heb 5:14), and involve membership in the (royal) priesthood with a recognition of Christ Jesus as the High Priest (Heb 3:1), membership in the “Seed of Abraham” (Heb 6:12–17; Gal 3:29), membership in the “body of Christ” (1 Cor 12:13), the sharing of Jesus’ cup in a communion of saints (1 Cor 10:16), and the hope of glorification with Jesus (Heb 6:12,19) which belongs only to the predestined, foreordained respondents to the high calling (Rom 8:24,29; Phil 3:14; Heb 3:1). Thus does this deeper aspect of the Truth involve sanctification (a setting apart) by God’s Holy Spirit.

Continued with next post.