The Sanctuary

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The beauty of the entire complex was the majestic TEMPLE SANCTUARY itself, which stood at the rear of the Court of Priests. It was built of perfectly tooled and fitted white marble stones, covered with plates of heavy gold. Golden spikes rose from the roof, which soared to a height of about 165 feet. At the back of a large porch were immense gilded doors covered by a Babylonian tapestry of blue, purple, crimson and gold, depicting the heavens. Above was a golden vine, symbol of the nation of Israel. It was said that there was so much gold covering the building that no one could look directly at it in bright sunlight.

THE FIRST ROOM OF THE TEMPLE SANCTUARY

Inside the Temple Sanctuary were two rooms. The first, the HOLY PLACE, was a large hall paneled in cedar. It contained a GOLDEN ALTAR FOR INCENSE, a GOLDEN TABLE FOR THE BREAD OFFERING and a GOLDEN MENORAH, a seven-branched candelabrum lit by seven lamps burning purest olive oil.

THE SECOND ROOM OF THE TEMPLE SANCTUARY

The second room, the HOLY OF HOLIES, was separated from the first by a heavy linen curtain embroidered with spun gold, the veil that was rent in twain at the Crucifixion (Matt. 27:51).
Only the high priest was allowed to enter this sacred spot, and he only on the annual Day of Atonement. Within this mysterious chamber, believed to be the earthly dwelling place of Israel's Lord, there was nothing at all. The very absence of objects symbolized the intangible and invisible presence of God.