The Tabernacle Inside.

The words Tabernacle and Tent are each applied to the sacred enclosure we are about to enter. The former signifies that it was God’s dwelling; the latter the place where God met His people. Then, as we have seen, the two sets of curtains were respectively denominated the Tabernacle (the innermost curtains) and the Tent (the goats’ hair curtains).
As priests we enter―only as sinners saved by sovereign grace we pass through the Veil into the heavenly sanctuary. None but Aaron, his sons, and Moses the Mediator could minister in the holy place. Silence reigned in the sacred apartment. No prayer was offered, no song was sung. The voice of man was hushed, but the voice of those vessels of gold mutely, yet eloquently, spoke of Christ. Constant daily service―never ceasing, never ending before that unrent Veil for 500 years, told a mournful tale of imperfect service and sin-burdened consciences. God was hid behind the beautiful Veil. When will it be rent or removed? When will a sinful creature be able to stand holly and righteously before the Throne of Jehovah, and have its full blaze of glory search Him through and through? When will sinners be brought face to face with God Himself, and made divinely fit to gaze in love and holy fear on the untreated glory of God in the face of Jesus?
The All-Sufficient Sacrifice.
Not till a sacrifice is offered which will satisfy God in respect to sin, cleanse the guilty conscience, and save the vilest sinner believing on Jesus. That sacrifice has been offered to God, and accepted by Him. The Altar of old was ever and ever demanding fresh sacrifice. The fire was never satisfied. Now we know of a sacrifice of infinite value which has consumed the fire, and it burns no more. Hallelujah! it is done. The Veil was rent, not removed, by the hand of God, “rent in the midst” (Luke 23:4545And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. (Luke 23:45)), and “from the top to the bottom” (Matt. 27:5151And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; (Matthew 27:51)). Now in faith and in the power of the Holy Ghost, we pass through the rent Veil into the innermost sanctuary, the immediate presence of God (Heb. 10:1919Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, (Hebrews 10:19)). It is all God’s presence now.
No temple in heaven, and no dividing Veil separating God from the worshippers. Believers have been brought, not near to God, but to God Himself in all the majesty of His Being, and in all the love of His nature. Who has done this? God. What has done this? THE BLOOD OF JESUS. Let it be written in letters of gold that our only trust in time and eternity, in earth and heaven, is THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST.
“The balm of life, the cure of woe,
The measure and the pledge of love;
The sinner’s refuge here below,
The angels’ theme in heaven above.”
We do not cower or fear, as with unsandalled feet we tread the heavenly Courts. The blood of Jesus imparts “boldness,” yet rebukes presumption. For us, then, the Veil is rent; of old it stood as a barrier to the further approach of the most holy of Israel’s priesthood. None but the High Priest could enter that most sacred spot on earth—only once a year, and then not without incense and blood.1 Our Altar is the Cross. Our place of worship is the heavenly sanctuary. Our Great High Priest is above. The Holy Spirit is our power for worship. Our sacrifices are praise to God and practical benevolence to the needy, and God Himself has become the object of our worship.
Ritualism.
The only ritualistic system of Divine authority was the one set up in the midst of Israel. That morally ceased when the Lord of the temple bowed His head in death―God’s sacrificial Lamb for the sin of the world. Historically, it was closed up in judgment when the Roman plowshare passed over Zion in the year 70 A.D. Ritualism is perpetuation of shadow. It denies in toto the Christianity of the New Testament, and is an affront to the glory of God. Its fate is as sure as that inflicted on apostate Judaism by the sword of the Roman. God Himself set up a system of Ritualism on earth, which after having served its purpose He destroyed. He will set up another in millennial times (Ezek. 40.-48.) ―a commemorative system, as the former was anticipative. But between these — past and present systems―Christianity in its doctrine and history comes in; its living power being the Holy Ghost. In these 2000 years between the past and future of Israel, there is neither need nor room for Ritualism. What a travesty of the elaborate and burdensome system established by God in Israel, in modern altars, candles, crosses, petticoated priests, and all the silly mummery and paraphernalia of modern Ritualism, more fit to be regarded as a show for children than to be termed worship. Contempt for these geegaws is our feeling. Pity for the deluded devotees― Worshippers shall we term them? ―only such in name and form.
“What wonders in my Saviour meet!
His head, His hands, His side, His feet
Present to my astonished view
Eternal glories, ever new.”
“Here all the ancient types agree,
The altar and the Lamb;
And prophets in their vision see
Salvation through His name.”
 
1. The entrance of Moses the Mediator, who, as such, was not under the law, could, in virtue of his office, enter the sanctuary apart from blood (Num. 7:8989And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spake unto him. (Numbers 7:89); Lev. 1:11And the Lord called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying, (Leviticus 1:1)). As a man, he needed the blood as any one else, but not as Mediator. It was Aaron, however, who represented the people before God, hence he must come with blood and by it.