ALMOST FINISHED

I am nearly complete with my Sketchup model of the Tabernacle. All that is left to complete is some component organization within the file itself. This will make the file more user friendly and understandable. As soon as it is finished I will make it available to download. Here is a preview of the model with all the colors. Every single detail of the structure has been researched and meticulously documented. I cannot describe the amount of gospel insight "building" this structure has yielded. Upon completion of the model I have decided to create a website specifically for the tabernacle with all of my research and details of the model. I'll let you know when I have it up and running.Here is the sanctuary itself with only the inner covering shown. There are four coverings over the tabernacle as described in the Old Testament. The inner covering shown here had cherubic embroidery.
This is the sanctuary without any of the coverings. The bottom foundation which you can see was made of pure silver. The "boards" or walls were made of wood overlaid with pure gold. You can also see the bars which helped hold the structure together on the side of the wall. The number of pillars, side bars, ect. is the exact number dictated in the Old Testament. It is an exact scale model, based on the recognized theory of one cubit equalling 18".

THE LAYOUT OF THE TABERNACLE

The holy vessels of the tabernacle are described in intricate detail in the Old Testament. The physical placement of the those vessels is at times not as clear. As the ordinances of the tabernacle are based upon the Law of Moses, then the purpose of the tabernacle was to point to Jesus Christ.

"And behold, this is the whole meaning of the law [of Moses], every whit pointing to that great and last sacrifice; and that great and last sacrifice will be the Son of God, yea, infinite and eternal." (Alma 34: 14).

Every single component of the tabernacle was described by the Lord to Moses. It is not presumptuous to believe that the very placement of the holy vessels within the tabernacle had some purpose, meaning, or symbol. It is not presumptuous to believe that the placement or physical layout of the tabernacle was meant to point to Jesus Christ.

There is however, no single consensus among scholars regarding the physical placement of the holy vessels. In regards to physical placement, the following assumptions will be made:

1. The physical arrangement of the tabernacle points to or teaches of Jesus Christ.


2. Since the tabernacle was portable, the physical arrangement would be easy to recreate.


3. The physical arrangement would be functional (i.e. not prohibit human passage).

In attempting to recreate my own scale model of the tabernacle, the physical placement of the altar of sacrifice, laver, table, menorah, altar of incense, and the ark came into question. One theory of arrangement is depicted here in the diagram to the right. Click on the diagram for greater resolution.

The author of the diagram uses scriptural references to determine the arrangement. It should be pointed out that the general placement of the ark, laver, and altar of burnt offerings is generally accepted (the exact placement is debatable.) What is the least clear in terms of placement is the three vessels of the Holy Place. Based on scripture, the author concludes the articles are not specifically stated to be in a straight line, but since it does not state otherwise, the assumption can be made.

The author takes further leeway in using books from the Apocrapha to assert the three vessels should be in a straight line, which happens to fit the notion that the arrangement forms a cross, in reference to the crucifixion of Jesus.

Based on a scale model of the tabernacle and all the vessels therein, the arrangement as asserted by the author will be recreated in the following diagram to the left.

It is apparent that this arrangement would severely hinder any person from passing by these vessels and into the Holy of Holies. Given the sacred nature of these articles, and the fact two of them had burning contents, it would be unwise to have them placed in such a way were they could be bumped and possibly knocked over. The table of shew bread had large jars of wine which if bumped into might cause the contents to spill. This arrangement has a cluttered feel not in keeping with the order, symmetry, simplicity, and harmony apparent in the works of the Lord.

Since the exact location of the holy vessels is not mentioned in scripture, there can be no definitive answer. The aforementioned diagram is the most exhaustive attempt to provide proof for a theory of placement. The author used sound logic and reasoning, however I do not believe any attempt was made to place a scale model of the vessels in the arrangement described as I have done. Based on the inefficient placement this theory suggests, I must reject it.

In researching the placement of the holy vessels, I came across the following diagram here on the right. Unfortunately, the resolution is not very good and the writing is in Hebrew. This is however, the most reasonable and logical method of placement that I have been able to find. As you can see the outer pillars (60 total) were used as guides and reference points. As the first pillar was set, the other 59 could be placed with great accuracy given the physical components. As you can see in the diagram, as one looked across from one pillar to the appropriate pillar on the opposing side of the tabernacle, a line would be formed. This line would be crossed by another lining providing the exact spot upon which a holy vessel would be placed. This method would provide the same results each time. Exactness is a characteristic of the Lord.

You will note in this diagram however, that the placement of the holy vessels within the Holy Place have no reference guides, and hence no exact point upon which to place them. Taking this diagrams methodology one step further, I have created the following diagram.

By adding the guides from 1 to 7 and 5 to 11 (not in the the aforementioned diagram) we find they intersect the 5 to 10 line and the 2 to 7 line inside the holy place. I have also added the lines 3 to 8 and 4 to 9. The intersection of these lines is also within the Holy Place. In this manner the Levites could take down and set up the tabernacle knowing the precise location of each of the vessels. It is interesting to note the placement of the vessels within the Holy Place form a triangle pointing to the Holy of Holies.

So here are the facts. The arrangement I have created is based on scripture. While the precise location is not given, the general arrangement is. The use of guide lines between pillars (similar to surveying) is based on the diagram of which I could not find the source. So this is a theory. The best evidence I can provide to support my theory is based on harmony with other scripture.

If you look at the diagram I created, you will note that only a certain number of the pillars around the courtyard are used as guides. The absolute minimum number of posts a person would need to establish the location of all the holy vessels is 12 of the 60 posts. To me this in not a coincidence and is in fact alluded to in Eph. 2: 19-21 which reads:

"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord..."

I feel it necessary to emphasize the significance of the number 12 in the scale model. Upon creating the tabernacle in Sketchup, I started with the size of the courtyard, 100 x 50 cubits. I then drew in the guides as depicted in the Hebrew diagram based on sub divisions not pillar locations. At that point in time I had not yet created the pillars. In the Sketchup program I created the prototype pillar and placed it at one corner of the courtyard. I then replicated the prototype and placed the replica at another corner. Based on scripture, I inputted the appropriate number of pillars along a single side. The program would then place 19 pillars spaced equally between the prototype and the replica. It was after I had nearly finished the model that I realized the guide lines matched up directly with the posts, and that the minimum number of posts needed to place all vessels was twelve.

Based on the aforementioned scripture in Ephesians, it is clear the Courtyard pillars are not the foundation of the structure in the commonly held definition of the word. However, the 1828 Webster dictionary defines foundation additionally as basis or groundwork of something. In this case the pillars (Apostles) are to serve as the (basis, foundation) upon which the gospel of Jesus Christ would be administered.

There is an incredible amount of symbolism this idea provides. The apostasy came about as a result of the death of the Apostles. The direct revelation between the Lord and His church, and the Priesthood were cutoff from the earth. Without the guides provided by the Apostles (pillars) it would be impossible to determine the leadership, guidance, and authority of the church as a whole. It would be impossible to administer the church under the guidance of the Lord. In relation to the tabernacle, it would be impossible to set up the exact location of the vessels without guides. A person attempting to set up the tabernacle by not looking at the pillars (Apostles) would get close, but it would not be in the precise spot the Lord had dictated.

For example, attempting to set up the Laver without the guides might get you within a couple of inches at best of the precise location. Attempting to perform a baptism without Priesthood keys, witnesses, proper methodology, and preparation might get you close, but it is not the manner which the Lord had prescribed. Hence it would not be a valid baptism.

THE ALTAR OF BURNT OFFERINGS

As previously promised, I will periodically be posting articles about various components of the tabernacle. See the article describing that process here. Below you see a top parallel projection of the tabernacle. You can click on the image for a higher resolution. This article is on the Altar of Burnt Offerings. All of the following pictures were made by me using a program called Sketchup.

The Tabernacle was a portable temple revealed to Moses by the LORD as Israel wandered through the desert. The laws and ordinances associated with this sanctuary were governed by the Law of Moses. It is important to remember the Law of Moses was meant to teach and direct all people to Jesus Christ.

"...This is the whole meaning of the law, every whit pointing to that great and last sacrifice; and that great and last sacrifice will be the Son of God, yea, infinite and eternal." Alma 34: 14

The whole design, layout, and function of the temple is a symbol of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a symbol of the path that leads back to the presence of the LORD. It is a symbol of at-one-ment. It is a symbol of children of God seeking the way back into the Garden of Eden after expulsion. "So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life." (Gen. 3: 24). The entrance to the tabernacle was also placed facing east. For man to regain the presence of the LORD, he first had to become pure by adhering to the pattern the LORD had set forth to return.

Upon entering the outer courtyard of the tabernacle (symbolic of the Telestial Kingdom) the first thing a person would see is the Altar of Burnt Offerings.

The Altar of Burnt Offerings is described in Ex. 27: 1-8 and the ordinances associated with it are detailed principally in Lev. 1-10, and sporadically in other books. The altar itself was five cubits square and three cubits high. This converts to 7'6" square and 4'6" tall. It was made of acacia wood and overlaid with bronze.It was hollow on the inside which allowed air to flow through to feed the fire and made the altar lighter to carry. The network of brass is essentially comparable to a grill upon which the sacrifices were to be burned. The fire that was lit upon the altar was originally lit by the LORD Himself (Lev. 9: 23-24) and was not allowed to be extinguished. The Priests were responsible to make sure there was always enough fuel to keep the fire burning.

This altar was used for various sacrifices as prescribed by the Law of Moses. The Law of Sacrifice under the Law of Moses, which required the shedding of blood of sacrificial animals has been superceded by the LORD's new requirement:

"And ye shall offer up unto me no more the shedding of blood; yea, your sacrifices and your burnt offerings shall be done away, for I will accept none of your sacrifices and burnt offerings. And ye shall offer unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken hear and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost..." 3 Ne. 9: 19-20

Contrite is defined in the 1913 Webster's dictionary to mean: broken down with grief and penitence; deeply sorrowful for sin because it is displeasing to God. So that is the new requirement. This is the point I want to stress, the new required sacrifice appears much easier than the sacrifices required under the Law of Moses. I believe this is why it is important to learn about the animals sacrifices made. As you learn and comprehend the effort that went into them, it might make you stop and think of what a broken heart and a contrite spirit truly means. In other words, does my broken heart and contrite spirit equal and surpass the effort that went into animal sacrifice under the Law of Moses?

So lets learn about the various sacrifices required. I will only touch on a few of them.

The following is my summary of the sacrifices and offerings of the Mosaic Law as detailed in full here. I will summarize the Burnt Offering, and the Trespass Offering. To keep this article shorter, I will touch on the Sin Offering during another article.

The Burnt Offering

This was offered publicly two times a day and four times a day on the Sabbath. The burnt offering is another name for the ordinance of sacrifice practiced by the patriarchs from Adam down to Israel. It had to be a male bull, ram, goat, turtledoves, or pigeons (based on economic conditions of the person offering the sacrifice).

It is interesting to note that the Lord required the applicable sacrifices to come from herds and domesticated flocks (Lev. 1: 2). "In the clean animals, which he had obtained by his own training and care, and which constituted his ordinary live-stock, and in the produce obtained through the labour of his hands in the field and vineyard, from which he derived his ordinary support, the Israelite offered . . . the food which he procured in the exercise of his God-appointed calling, as a symbol of the spiritual food which endureth unto everlasting life [see John 6:27; 4:34], and which nourishes both soul and body for imperishable life in fellowship with God. . . . In this way the sacrificial gifts acquire a representative character, and denote the self-surrender of a man, with all his labour and productions, to God.” (Keil and Delitzsch, Commentary, 1:2:275–76.)

Training a bull, a beast of burden, was a labor intensive venture. It was also an animal that had many functions such as plowing, towing, hauling, and food. To offer such an animal represented a significant sacrifice. Again, how can you fulfill the LORDs required sacrifice of a broken heart and contrite spirit that would be equal to the burnt offering?


The Trespass Offering

This offering was, in part, for violations of the law against other people. It is a principle of repentance, and in my opinion, a more equitable system of justice than we have today. In Leviticus 6, it details that if a man lies to his neighbor, or steals, or swears falsely, he is required to make a trespass offering and restore unto the person that which he had deprived them.

For example, if Jones steals an ox from Smith, and Jones later confesses, he was required to restore the ox (or if the ox had been killed) or the cost of the ox plus an additional 20%. In other words, if Jones steals $100 from Smith, he would be required to restore $120 to Smith. Jones would then offer a Ram without blemish upon the Altar(Lev. 5:15, 18; 6:6, 19:21). Thus justice is met for the Smith.

This is the principle of restitution, which is a component of repentance. This principle does not exist in or current judicial system. Consider the following perversion of justice. Jones steals $1,000 from Smith. The authorities arrest Jones and throw him in prison. Jones' violation is considered a crime against the state and not against Smith. Through taxes that Smith pays, he is now forced to pay for the court costs, food, and shelter in the form of imprisonment for Jones. Where is the justice for Smith?

Repentance is not only necessary for our eternal progression, it also makes things much more pleasant for life here on Earth. Repentance and forgiveness in marriage, and in other family relationships fosters harmony, understanding, and genuine love. Unlike the Law of Moses, the Gospel requires more self initiative. Instead of being prescribed the exact things to do in order to make restitution, the LORD now only requires a broken heart and contrite spirit. It is up to each individual to learn how their own personal sacrifice can be a true sacrifice. Remember the whole purpose of repentance is to change our nature into something better and greater.

THE TABERNACLE

The tabernacle truly is a model of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The physical acts required by the ordinances of the Law of Moses while in the tabernacle pointed to Jesus Christ. Recently I discovered a free 3D rendering program called Google SketchUp. Using the program I created a scaled model of the Tabernacle. I plan to write a lot about the Tabernacle in the coming months using the model created as a pictorial reference. The pictures here are a preview of the creation.


You should be able to click on the picture itself to obtain a higher resolution. The SketchUp program has allowed me (with almost no drafting experience) to create a scale model of the Tabernacle based on the description of the structure found in Exodus 25-28, and 30. I have taken great care to every detail, i.e. the dimensions, the number of pillars, posts, size of the vessels, ect. In creating the model, I have learned a great deal about the principles and ordinances of the gospel.

The picture above is of the Holy Place, the roof or covering having been removed. You can see from the picture the different materials that went into the actual tabernacle. The five pillars in the front had capitals of silver, and were overlaid with gold. Inside the Holy Place you can see my renderings of the Table of Shewbread (with twelve loaves), the Golden Candlestick, and the Altar of incense. The veils of the temple were not white as depicted here, as I am still researching amongst many sources to find the most accurate rendition.

This is a close up of the Table of Shewbread. The finishing touches yet to be applied are the spoons, and vases of wine that were placed on the table along with the twelve loaves. This program is in 3D which allows you to rotate around the object and view it from every conceivable angle. My plan is to discuss all aspects of the Tabernacle and its symbolism of the restored Gospel.

This is a monochrome X-Ray rendering of the exterior of the Tabernacle without the roof or covering. I have tried to be as accurate as possible in the rendering of this sacred structure. The whole purpose of the Tabernacle was to point Israel to the Lord God, and point the way in how they might return to His presence. The symbolisms of the Tabernacle to the Restored Gospel are undeniable. True Liberty can be achieved by adhering to the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. The Tabernacle teaches people the way.