The term "Sanctuary of the LORD" refers to a sacred space set apart for the worship and dwelling of God among His people. Throughout the Bible, the concept of the sanctuary evolves from a portable tent in the wilderness to a permanent temple in Jerusalem, symbolizing God's presence and holiness.

The Tabernacle

The first sanctuary, known as the Tabernacle, was constructed under the leadership of Moses following the Israelites' exodus from Egypt. God provided detailed instructions for its construction in Exodus 25-31. The Tabernacle was a portable tent that served as the dwelling place of God among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness. It was divided into three main areas: the Outer Court, the Holy Place, and the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies), where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. Exodus 25:8-9 states, "Then have them make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them. You must make it according to all that I show you—the pattern of the tabernacle as well as the pattern of all its furnishings."

The Temple of Solomon

King Solomon built the first permanent temple in Jerusalem, known as Solomon's Temple, around 957 BC. This temple replaced the Tabernacle as the central place of worship for the Israelites. The construction of the temple is detailed in 1 Kings 6-8. Like the Tabernacle, the temple was divided into the Outer Court, the Holy Place, and the Most Holy Place. The dedication of the temple is a significant event, marked by Solomon's prayer and the glory of the LORD filling the temple. 1 Kings 8:10-11 records, "And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, the cloud filled the house of the LORD so that the priests could not stand there to minister because of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD."

The Second Temple

After the destruction of Solomon's Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BC, the Second Temple was built upon the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylonian captivity. The construction began under the leadership of Zerubbabel and was completed in 516 BC, as recorded in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. This temple underwent significant renovations and expansions under King Herod the Great, becoming known as Herod's Temple. The Second Temple served as the center of Jewish worship until its destruction by the Romans in AD 70.

The Sanctuary in Prophecy and the New Testament

The concept of the sanctuary extends into prophetic literature and the New Testament. The prophet Ezekiel envisions a future temple in Ezekiel 40-48, symbolizing the restoration of God's presence among His people. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is seen as the ultimate fulfillment of the sanctuary. John 1:14 states, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us." The Greek word for "dwelling" is "σκηνόω" (skenoo), which is related to the word for "tabernacle," indicating that Jesus is the true tabernacle of God among humanity.

Furthermore, the Apostle Paul teaches that believers themselves become the temple of the Holy Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 6:19 , Paul writes, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own." This signifies the indwelling presence of God within each believer, making their lives a living sanctuary.

The Heavenly Sanctuary

The Book of Hebrews presents the idea of a heavenly sanctuary, where Christ serves as the High Priest. Hebrews 8:1-2 states, "The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and who ministers in the sanctuary and true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man." This heavenly sanctuary is the ultimate reality to which the earthly sanctuaries pointed, emphasizing the complete and eternal work of Christ in the redemption of humanity.