We all recognize the difference between a symbol and its reality. Think about the nature of music. Is a written or typed note on a page the real music? No, that shape on paper is just a symbol that stands for the real thing. The real thing is the sound—the actual musical note—that passes as a wave through the air. That particular sound exists quite apart from anything recorded on paper. A person may hear and recognize the musical note, then represent it by making a mark on paper. But that symbolic mark on a page is far, far less than the splendid musical reality that rings in our ears. A symbol is always inferior to the reality it represents. Keep that in mind as we discuss another kind of symbol called a “shadow” that has its corresponding reality.
Revelation introduces us to musical instruments as symbols, among many other symbols. Much of Revelation’s imagery relates to the temple. Why is that? What is it about worship at the old temple that lends itself so well to symbolism? That is part of God’s careful planning. When God gives detailed plans—which He calls “the pattern”—for the earthly tabernacle and temple, He is giving a model of heavenly realities. The Book of Hebrews makes this clear by using the words “copy” and “shadow”—a replica or sketch of what is in heaven.
[Aaronic priests] offer gifts according to the law. They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to he pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” (Hebrews 8:4-5 quoting Exodus 25:40; cf. the similar plan for building the temple, 2 Chronicles 28:11-19)
Models are often tiny compared to the things they represent. (Think of a child playing with a toy car that looks like the real car driven by the child’s parents.) Solomon has the joy and privilege of building the first temple, which to human eyes looks so large. But Solomon is wise enough to recognize the futility of ‘housing’ God in any building on earth. At the dedication of the temple, Solomon prays,
I have indeed built You an exalted house, a place for You to dwell in forever…. But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You; how much less this house that I have built! (1 Kings 8:13, 27)
How strange, to think of a microscopic building (called the temple) on a speck of a Here is another mystery: Inside Solomon’s temple is a small, square room made of wood, known as the Holy Place, the Most Holy Place, or the Holy of Holies (Exodus 26:33-34; Leviticus 16:2; 1 Kings 6:16). Do you sense the absurdity of the infinite God residing in a box-like room inside a microscopic house? He accepts no visitors there, except the high priest who brings animal blood once a year. A mystery indeed! What does all that mean?
Hebrews 9:9 explains this Holy of Holies arrangement as “symbolic” or figurative. (The Greek term in Hebrews 9:9 is parabole from which we get our word “parable.” Parabole literally means a “throwing alongside”—hence one thing laid beside another for purposes of comparison or illustration.) Within the temple, the square room symbolizes God’s throne room. Its golden ark represents God’s throne. The earthly high priest dimly pictures Jesus Christ, the true Mediator who enters heaven on our behalf. The animal blood prefigures Christ’s blood that saves us. Thus, we learn that the temple and its things serve as a miniature model of far greater spiritual realities.
For a deeper study of the Old Covenant and New Covenant, see the courses Covenant Promises and Covenant Considerations.