THE COURT, ITS WALL AND ITS GATE

The Court and its Wall The entire Court was 150 feet long and 75 feet wide. It was made of two squares. The first square represents Christs work on earth revolving around the Cross; and the second, His work in heaven revolving around the Throne. It thus engulfs the entire work of salvation on mans behalf.

The picture above does NOT present well the white colour of the wall but the first square extended from the frontal door/veil to the veil of the Holy Place shown here.
Ex 38:16 All the hangings of the court round about were of fine twined linen.

The courts wall was white except for the door/gate and the pillars of the walls. This white represents the righteous character of Christ for while He lived on earth, he maintained a perfectly sinless life.
1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

1 Peter 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 1 Peter 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed. 1 Peter 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

The moment the sinner stepped into the court, he was surrounded by this white wall. The message being driven home was that Christ will clothe the sinner with His robe of righteousness. The sinners sins will be remembered no more and the righteousness of Christ will be imputed to him. Blessed assurance Jesus is mine Oh! What a foretaste of glory divine What a transaction of rags for rich white linen, sin for the righteousness of Christ! What a foretaste of glory divine. In other words, before God has ever asked you to obey the Ten Commandments, He puts the obedience of the Ten Commandments in your life. Hear the invitation Christ makes:
Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Christians ought to live like Christ. It is not legalism to obey God because obedience is the effect of redemption. (Legalism is when obedience is made in order to earn redemption salvation by works). But God expects His people to follow their Master and, by beholding His character, be conformed to the same image
Rev 19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints. 2 Cor 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

The white cloth is a marriage cloth showing that we have now entered into an everlasting relationship with Christ. No Christian can refuse it and remain a Christian. Matthew 22:1-14 is the parable of the Wedding Feast. After the first invitees refused the call, the King ordered His servants to go into the highways and byways and call everybody. They came.

Matt 22:11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: Matt 22:12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Matt 22:13 Then said the king said to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matt 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

If these people came from even the byways, surely many of them had no money to buy the wedding garment. Thus, these guests were given a wedding garment at the door. But this gentleman, addressed in sorrow by the King as friend perhaps thought that his own garment was good enough. Maybe he wanted people to see how well-dressed he was. Maybe he thought it foolishness to accept the robe of the wedding. He is the Christian of today who remains in good standing with the church but retains some sympathy for worldly things. He thinks religion should not be too exacting. A whole dedication to God, wearing His robe of righteousness, is foolishness to him. But the King will do a final inspection of His people and the judgment is sure. For not all that say Lord, Lord will make it. Only a few are chosen as according to how they accepted to be clothed by Christ.
James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore would be a friend of the world is an enemy of God.

Have you put on the wedding garment? The Courts Pillars The linen wall was held up by 60 brass pillars of the same height and overlaid with silver. The connecting bands had hooks of silver and the wall hung from these hooks (Ex. 27:9-10; 38:17, 20). From the top of each pillar a "cord" reached to the ground, where, like a tent rope, it was fastened with "pins," or stakes, also of brass. Ex. 35:18; 27:19.
Rev 3:12 Him that overcometh, will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out.

So the pillars represent the redeemed saints who will serve in Gods temple. As the number of the pillars has been made known, we also know that there

will only be one numbered group among the redeemed that will continually serve in the temple of God the 144, 000
Rev 7:4 And I heard the number of them that were sealed, a hundred and forty and four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the children of Israel: Rev 14:3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders: and no man could learn the song save the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. Rev 14:4 These are they that were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they that follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were purchased from among men, to be the firstfruits unto God and unto the Lamb. Rev 14:5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. Rev 7:15 Therefore are they before the throne of God; and they serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall spread his tabernacle over them.

The 144, 000 are not literal Israel, but a symbolic Israel redeemed from among men at the coming of Jesus. These are the true Christians Christ will redeem alive, the firstfruits from among men. As they will have passed through the greatest tribulation ever known to man they sing a new song. No man can learn or sing that song except the 144, 000 because it is a song of their experience. They stand up for God during tribulation and that experience purifies them as they only rely on the grace and Word of God for help. They reflect the character of Christ not being defiled by strange doctrines (women); but being ennobled by only the pure unadulterated Bible truth (they are virgins). They ultimately reflect Christ because, like Christ in 1 Peter 2:22, they are without guile and without fault before the throne of God. Wouldnt you want friends to be among the 144, 000? Brass signifies strength, stability, endurance, and victory through suffering. The 144, 000 show strength, stability, endurance and victory amidst persecution as they have just had victory over the beast, his image, his mark and the number of his name
Deut 33:25 Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; And as thy days, so shall thy strength be. Rev 15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire; and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having harps of God.

Silver was redemption money. Every man, from twenty years old and upward, when numbered among the tribes, was required to give a half shekel of silver as "a ransom for his soul," Ex. 30:11-16. This was paid out of the money they had brought from Egypt. Each family had it. Poor or rich, each had to pay the same half shekel. Our redemption is priceless and the half shekel was to symbolize the work of redemption in their lives, and not necessarily the value of redemption. It was obligatory, a test of obedience. It is like tithe in todays church. This is an obligation. God requires a 10th of any money we receive. Returning tithe is not an option but an obligation. It is a crime enough to rob man, but to rob God who has redeemed us and given us eternal life is belittling the work He has done for us and a greater crime indeed. Finally on the 144, 000 we re-quote
Rev 14:4 These are they that were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they that follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were purchased from among men, to be the firstfruits unto God and unto the Lamb.

I want us to notice that the 144, 000 are the firstfruits purchased from among men. We will examine more thoroughly the Feast of First Fruits but even without that, English grammar can show that firstfruits means just that: first fruits. The 144 000 are, in other words, the first living people to be redeemed at the Second Coming. Do we now see why a study of the Sanctuary casts off doctrinal error? Arent we taught nowadays that Christ will first come secretly and rapture some saints, then tribulation comes? If that was the case, how come then that the 144,000 are the firstfruits? In addition, arent we taught that a good Christian needs not suffer persecution? Then why are the 144000 being honored beyond the rest of the redeemed for being persecuted?
2 Tim 3:12 Yea, and all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Indeed of Christ, John writes

Rev 1:15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace

Yes, from the manger to the cross, Christ suffered. He trod the winepress alone and walked upon this earth without appreciation from those He came to save. But He gained the victory over self and sin such that it befits for His

feet to look like fine brass burning in a furnace, victory amidst persecution. And He calls on us to carry our cross too. The first living people to be raptured from the earth, the Bible says, are the 144, 000 after persecution. No rapture prior to this, much less secret.
1Th 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (precede) them which are asleep. 1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words

To the wicked, this Day will come upon them as a thief. Note the expression as a thief shows the suddenness of the event and not the secrecy
2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 2Pe 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

This will be the noisiest, hottest, bloodiest and most catastrophic Day in the lives of the people. Nobody alive will miss it. And it cannot be secret. Hence we are directed to the Word of God in all matters
2 Tim 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them. 2 Tim 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Tim 3:16 All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 2 Tim 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

The Gate of the Court There was only one entrance into the Sanctuary, and that was through the gate which was in the middle of the eastern wall of the court. The instruction concerning the gate was as follows:

Ex 27:16 And for the gate of the court shall be a hanging of twenty cubits, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework; and their pillars four, and their sockets four.

The picture attempts to show these hangings. This cloth was not white as is shown here but as explained in Ex 27, of a mixture of blue, purple, scarlet and fine twined linen. The cloth hung on 4 pillars and there were 4 sockets that attached the hanging to the pillars. It was fitting for this cloth to be called a hanging. Due to the long distance between the four pillars, hence between the four sockets, it was not possible for the cloth to go straight as it was also thick and heavy. The cloth, therefore, would always droop down between the sockets as indeed hanging. Christ the only Way to God Why was there only one entrance into the Sanctuary? It is because this door stood for Jesus who is the only way to God
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Notice that Jesus does not say, I am a way or I am one of the ways, NO; Jesus is making a very bold claim He says I am the way. Some of us believe that all people serve the same God, we only differ in the ways a kind of zungulira uko tikumane philosophy. This is not true.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Perhaps this will show why we ought to be careful with even the so-called safe Malawian music. Do you remember this song by Luscious Banda? Mkhristu pamaso kumbali nkumapha Kuli bwino kukhala ndi msilamu wachikondi Mavuto athu ndindale simipingo. Musachedwe anzanga nkukumbana mitundu Munthu aliyense ali ndimphaso zake Ndale zanu musamapangire paguwa Poti tchalitchi ndi Ambuye Mulungu Achisilamu amamutchula Allah Akatolika amamutchula Yahve A Dutch nawo amamutchula Yehova Koma Mbuye ndimmodzi Osabisala kuseli kwamipingo There are a lot of disturbing messages in this excerpt but I will concentrate on the highlighted. First, it is only when a nation truly obeys God that it prospers. I put it that contrary to the singers analysis that our problems are political and not religious, they are religious and not political. If the people turn back to God, there will be no political problems. Second, notice that the singer does not say poti tchalitchi ndi cha Ambuye Mulungu but tchalitchi ndi Ambuye Mulungu. He says the church is the Lord God. This is Catholic theology. In Ephesians, we are told that the church is the body of all faithful followers of God, hence the body of Christ. But the Catholics believe that their church is as good as God. It cannot commit error and has power to change the laws of God! Luscious is no fool, he knows what hes singing about. Finally, we notice that he claims that the god of the Moslems, who obviously is an idol, is the same as that of the Catholics (who again is an idol) and the Presbyterians (a Dutch). He implies that one can be saved in any way he chooses and not in the way God chooses for His people. But Paul had a better analysis, saying
1 Cor 10:20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 1 Cor 10:21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lords table, and of the table of devils. 1 Cor 10:22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

Nor can we hold common prayers. Question will be: to which God? Whether it is due to a calamity of rain, hunger or political turmoil, it is simply impossible to hold prayers with a person of another faith. You see, the only way to God is through Christ and it does not matter whether the entire world is ignorant of this or not, or whether the entire world rejects this theology or accepts it. In heaven, even the moslem who will be saved, having had not a single knowledge of the written law of God in his life, will praise Jesus for that salvation, and not Mohammed.
Rom 2:14 For when the Gentiles which have not the law do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are the law unto themselves; Rom 2:15 Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;

It is possible indeed to have good Hindus that have never seen a Bible before. But they act on their conscience rejecting evil wherever they discern it. God will judge them without the law or as people who did not have the full knowledge of the law through the Bible. Most of them will be lost but the few that might be saved will in heaven ask Jesus the question:
Zech 13:6 And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine arms? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.

Yes, some will be saved without a full knowledge of the cost of that salvation and Christ will tell them about it. But our main point is that Christ is the only Way to God
Matt 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Matt 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Think about it. It will be unfair for some of us to enter unto life through the strait gate while others take a broader gate. Christ was clear about. Thus, all those that will find life will have passed through the strait gate, whether they knew it or not.
John 10:7 Then Jesus said unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. John 10:9 I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved

The Hanging

The heavy cloth was pierced four times by sockets of brass onto a top wooden post going across the four pillars. So was Christ pierced four times at the wooden Cross with nails of metal (we can be excused to think the metal was brass): His two hands and His two feet were pierced, making four. What about the soldier who pierced Him the fifth time? Where is it in the Sanctuary type? We shall look at that later in the series. As Christ was too heavy to be ably supported by the two hand nails, His body drooped like the hanging such that breathing was painful and difficult. Yet He did not die from the physical pain exerted by the cross, but from a broken heart for His separation with the Father due to the sins He was bearing for the entire race of Adam. Dallas Holm in his album Rise Again has a song entitled A Broken Heart. Heres an excerpt: And He died of a broken heart It broke for you and me Yes He died of a broken heart More than you could see His death was not from pain He felt For hanging on a tree No, He died of a broken heart For you and me Now it was when the sinner saw this hanging that he was compelled by faith to ask the question: Why should my Lord hang on a tree? As he continues to contemplate, he realizes it is because of his sin and this realization of Gods love for paying the price for his sin leads him to push through the veil and enter into the Courtyard. God does not force.
John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me. 2 Cor 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead; 2 Cor 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should no longer live unto themselves, but unto him who died for them and rose again.

It is only by a discernment of the goodness of God that leads men to repentance; not the hope of reward or the fear of punishment. In the Cross are the very riches of Gods goodness, forbearance and longsuffering. And pushing through the first veil is equivalent to making the decision to repent.

Rom 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

The repentance was total. As the door was at the middle of the eastern wall, the sinner would now be facing the West as he enters the Courtyard, now facing the Shekinah glory of God. The surrounding nations were worshippers of the Sun-god, Baal, in his different forms. As the repentant sinner goes in, his back is turned against the sun, the idol of sun worship. He symbolically declares that he will no longer have anything to do with sun worship in all its forms and will now follow God. Well have more on this later in the series. Blue, Purple and Scarlet Why was the hanging of the gate made of blue, purple and scarlet colours? We are not left without an answer. First, let us look at the blue and notice what Moses commanded the children of Israel to do.
Num 15:38 Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribbon of blue: Num 15:39 And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring; Num 15:40 That ye may remember and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God.

The blue symbolizes the commandments of God. Not only that but also that Israel must look upon the law and do it. This is an uncompromising injunction. For the hanging, it primarily represents Christ who kept His Fathers commandments to the letter.
John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

Christ refuted Satans claim that the commandments cannot be kept by man. He kept the law throughout His earthly life through prayer and supplication before the Father something that is open to any Christian
1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

In summary, blue shows that Christ came to reinstate the downtrodden and broken law, lifting the law up by showing that He would rather die than sin! Today, we have the claim that Christ nailed the Ten Commandments to the

cross. Now this is disturbing because it is the same people that encourage the congregation not to steal, not to commit adultery, murder, etc. Even governments have agreed that the law is good and holy and just because they put in prison those that break it. Without the law there would be chaos.
Rom 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

This is why the woman who had an issue for 12 years touched the hem (border) of Christs garment. The hem had blue and showed the perfection of Christs character. The woman knew that if she would touch that blue she would get perfectly well. Thus, we understand better Christs exclamation I perceive that virtue (perfection, righteousness, blue) has gone out of me. Scarlet is blood-red colour symbolizing sin. From Isaiah, we read
Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Scarlet demonstrates Christ as the sin-bearer, the perfect Sacrifice. Further, it shows a life of service to others.
2 Cor 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead; 2 Cor 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should no longer live unto themselves, but unto him who died for them and rose again.

Christ imparts His life of sacrificial service to the penitent child of God. He moulds the person so that he experiences a paradigm shift. Where at first the person was selfish, Christ supplants humility. People recognize a remarkable change, a nobility that was absent before then. This is because the Holy Spirit is imbuing him with a Christ-like character.
Luke 22:23 And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing. Luke 22:24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. Luke 22:25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. Luke 22:26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him become as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. Luke 22:27 For which is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.

Christ showed His disciples that true discipleship encapsulates service. If Christ, who was indeed the greatest among them was serving them, why should they argue for who should be greater? We notice that when the Bible mentions these colours the sequencing is the same and purple is always in the middle. Heres a lesson in science. Purple is not a true colour. It is formed by mixing blue and red! You cannot have purple unless you have the blue and the scarlet. What does it represent?
John 19:2 And the soldiers plaited a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and put on him a purple robe; John 19:3 And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.

To get a purple robe was laborious and expensive because they got the colour from secretions of small sea creatures. Only the rich and kings could afford this robe. They put on Christ this type of robe to mock Him as King of the Jews (which of course was true). Thus purple is a colour of glorification and triumph. Christ, upon finishing His work on this earth, that of living the Fathers law fully and serving unto death, returned triumphantly to heaven where He was crowned.
Phil 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name; Phil 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things in earth and things under the earth, Phil 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The robe and crown of glory could only be given to Christ after He had lived out a holy, sacrificial life. This power He gives to His true followers who, by grace, obey and love His law. They dont turn to the left or to the right when circumstances are bad but always look to Jesus, the ever-present Helper.
Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The last promise Christ makes to him that overcometh in Revelations letters to the 7 churches, is to share His throne with the overcomer
Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne...

The crown and robe of glory is ours for the taking my friends. And such was the powerful message on the gate into the Courtyard. God bless.