As above, so below. Part II

[Average Joe]

 

If the holy of holies was the pattern of the celestial kingdom the holy place with its three pieces of furniture: the menorah, the altar of incense, and the table of Shewbread represents the pattern of the terrestrial kingdom.

 

 

 

According to Clement of Alexandria and Philo Judaeus, the seven lamps of the golden menorah represented the seven classical planets in this order: the Moon, Mercury, Venus, the Sun, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. This is description of the terrestrial kingdom shows greater bodies as opposed to the telestial kingdom which is comparable to that of the stars.

 

The Menorah represented light and knowledge, without which the rest of the holy place would remain in darkness.

 

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” 

(John 8:12)

 

It also symbolized the tree of life with its branches looking like that of an almond tree, containing buds, blossoms and flowers. The tree of life and light of the world are both symbolic of Christ.

 

 

 

Within most temples we follow a level linear progress from room to room. However, in reality it’s a linear progression with one room/kingdom above the next. There was a hole in the roof of the tabernacle’s holy place above altar of incense which would have allowed the smoke of the incense [as described in Revelations 8:3 as “And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.”] to ascend from the terrestrial the celestial kingdom.

 

 

 

 

The table of showbread held 12 loaves of bread representing each of the 12 tribes. Each of the loaves wouldn’t be changed out with fresh bread weekly and the old bread was eaten by the priests.

 

So in this sense, the menorah represented the higher degree within the terrestrial kingdom, giving light to the other two degrees. The altar of incense came next in importance as the incense was offered daily. The showbread being the lowest being eaten weekly.  

 

Members of the terrestrial kingdom will have been baptized having washed at the lavar of the outer court before entering into the terrestrial. The level of degree within the terrestrial apparently has much in common with service and importance of the service.

 

Just some thoughts...