The Sanctuary Study

[honorthesabbath]

The sanctuary doctrine is unique to Adventism and is critical to understand the prophecies and the whole bible. Much of the bible was written in sanctuary language. For example when Jesus said 'this cup is the new testament of my blood which is shed for many', it is 'impossible' to fully understand it without knowing it's application in the sanctuary services.

The sanctuary was a vivid illustration of God's plan of salvation. Understanding the sanctuary will give us the knowledge to discern truth from error. Unfortunately it has been under enemy's attack and it is no longer taught in our schools. And our ministers don't even know it.

I don't claim to be an expert on this myself. But I've had the privillage to have been exposed to the studies of some of the foremost experts on this subject. I have made some images and notes on the study. I want to start a thread/discussion in the traditional section to share them with all of us. And get feedbacks, corrections, inputs... eventually get them into a more comprehansive study...all for one goal that we are ready for the second coming of Jesus.

As the progessives as bashing the santuary service--other non-SDA ministries are actually starting to teach it in various forms--even Rod Parsley!! Just as with our health message-God will give those messages He gave to us to give the world to others if we fail to do so--can you say George Malkmus?

 

[Jimlarmore]

those messages He gave to us to give the world to others if we fail to do so--can you say George Malkmus?

Hallelujah brother Hallelujah acres that is.

God Bless
Jim Larmore

 

[OntheDL]

As the progessives as bashing the santuary service--other non-SDA ministries are actually starting to teach it in various forms--even Rod Parsley!! Just as with our health message-God will give those messages He gave to us to give the world to others if we fail to do so--can you say George Malkmus?

That's true. Just ask the jews.

BTW, how's Hallelujah Acres? I heard some people died from eat raw food.

 

[honorthesabbath]

That's true. Just ask the jews.

BTW, how's Hallelujah Acres? I heard some people died from eat raw food.

I'm not involved with Hallelujah acres or Malkmus--I was just making the point of 'use it or lose it'!! lol

I can't imagine anyone dying from eating the raw food diet unless--like so many horror stories we hear--the party involved was doing it incorrectly. This is probably the case here.

 

[honorthesabbath]

Ps 77:13 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?

What way? The way that God deals with sin and sinners to restore them back to Himself.

 

[TrustAndObey]

This is such a great study, and I don't want to post until I've had time to truly absorb it.

 

[OntheDL]

I'm not involved with Hallelujah acres or Malkmus--I was just making the point of 'use it or lose it'!! lol

I can't imagine anyone dying from eating the raw food diet unless--like so many horror stories we hear--the party involved was doing it incorrectly. This is probably the case here.

use it or lose it: some people's digestive systems are so used to cooked, junk, processed food that when they switch to all raw food abruptly they can not absorb any nutrients from the raw food.

 

[OntheDL]

Sanctuary trivia questions:

A bit of review before we go on...

1. what do numbers 4 & 5 represent?

2. what were the four main tribes on each side of the encampment of Israel? What flag did each tribe carry and what do they represent and corresponds to which book of the Gospel?

3. what are the coverings that covered the 1st and 2nd apartments in the order from inside to out side layer? Why the color black was the outer most covering?

4. what does each color (white, blue, red, purple, black) of the coverings represent?

5. what do gold, silver, brass, wood represent?

6. How many posts that guarded the entrance to the court? How many posts to the entrance to HP? How many posts to the MHP?

7. How many posts formed the outer court? What does the number of the posts represent? What were the dimensions of the outer court?

8. what does the horns represent? what were the dimensions of the brazen altar?

9. What did the flattened brass plates fitted on the sides of the altar represent?

10. What was the first altar ever built?

11. What's dimension of the laver? Is baptism a heavenly thing or an earthly thing?

12. What furniture represented the center of salvation on the earthly side? What furniture on the heavenly side?

13. By bringing what could a sinner be allowed to approach the sanctuary?

14. What offering must accompany every other offerings?

15. What was burnt on the altar from the daily offerings?

16. When was the offering burnt entirely on the altar?

17. why must the (animal) offerings be taken out side of the camp to finish burning? What does this act represent?

18. what side of the altar were the animals tied to the horns? why?

19. Where did the water in the laver come from?

20. when did the priest(s) completely emersed in the water drawn from the laver?

21. when Roman soldier pieced into the side of Jesus, water and blood came out, what do they represent?

22. where is the throne of God in sanctuary? what furniture in the holy place has a 'triple crown'?

23. What are the dimensions of the Table of Shewbread?

24. What was sprinkled on top of the bread and why?

25. what day was the bread baked and put on display? When was it eaten?

25. what did Jesus mean 'this is the new covenant of my blood' in the light of the santuary study?

26. What's dimension of altar of incense? Why is it higher?

27. what does the incense represent? How the incense made into shape? Why did it stand at the center of the holy place?

28. What was the dimension of the golden lampstand? Weight? How was the lampstand made into shape?

29. What are the ornaments on the lampstand? How many? What does that number represent?

30. These ornaments are from almond trees. What does this almond tree made of solid gold represent?

31. Did the High Priest participate in the daily service? If so what did he do? What kind of clothes did he wear during the daily service?

32. what objects did the blood of animal sacrifice stain?

33. How many cuts on the outer veil? On the inner veil?

34. how was the veil cleansed once a year on Yom Kippur literally?

35. Where is the throne of God during judgment?

36. What's dimension of the Ark? What furniture also featured a triple crown besides the Table of Shewbread?

37. What does the word shekinah mean? Where did this word first appear in the bible?

38. In Genesis, God drove men out of the garden. What does the word 'drive' literally mean?

39. Who was one of the covering cherub? Who replaced him temporarily? Who will be the permenant replacement?

40. how tall were cherubs in Solomon's temple?

41. What did mana represent?

42. What specific stone were the tablets of the 10 commandments?

43. what did the Rod of Aaron that budded represent?

44. After 1844, how could Jesus be the judge and the mediator at the same time: where did He mediate? How do we know from the study of the MHP?

45. What clothes did the High Priest wear?

46. Only the high priest could enter into the MHP once a year on Yom Kippur. Then how did the priest enter when they had to move the camp?

47. What's the dimension of the Holy Place? Dimension of the Most Holy Place? What other building mentioned in the bible will have the same shape as the MHP?



I think that's enough for now. I'll post more questions if I missed any important ones...

Consider this the mid-term exam. See if you answer them without looking back from the studies we've had in the past.

 

[Jon0388g]

Just a quick note: question 20 doesn't make sense!!

Jon

 

[OntheDL]

Just a quick note: question 20 doesn't make sense!!

Jon

The priests didn't wash in the laver directly. They drew water out with vessels to wash their hands and feet. There were times where the priest(s) bathed the whole body in the water.

 

[OntheDL]

Two more trivia questions...

48. Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.
In the light the sanctuary, what did Jesus mean? Hint: consider how the shewbread was made.

49. Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: ...

What's your understanding of this with the connection to the sanctuary? Hint: consider the golden embroidery on the veils.

 

[OntheDL]

Sanctuary trivia questions:

A bit of review before we go on...

1. what do numbers 4 & 5 represent?

4: world, also connected to the creation and salvation of the world.
5. grace.

2. what were the four main tribes on each side of the encampment of Israel? What flag did each tribe carry and what do they represent and corresponds to which book of the Gospel?

east: Judah, lion (Christ the king), Matthew
south: Reuben, man (Christ the man), Luke
west: Ephram, ox (Christ the servant), Mark
North: Dan, eagle (Christ the divine), John

3. what are the coverings that covered the 1st and 2nd apartments in the order from inside to out side layer? Why the color black was the outer most covering?

Inner -> outer

four coloured veil (blue, white, red, purple)--->goat's hair (white)-->ram skin dyed red-->black sea seal skin.

Black represents Christ's humanity (unattractiveness) that veiled the glory inside.

4. what does each color (white, blue, red, purple, black) of the coverings represent?

white: righteousness
blue: law (ten commandments)
red: life
purple: royal priesthood

5. what do gold, silver, brass, wood represent?

gold: faith
silver: obedience
brass: strength, endurance
wood: (perishable) humanity

6. How many posts that guarded the entrance to the court? How many posts to the entrance to HP? How many posts to the MHP?

4 posts guarded the entrance of the court
5 posts to the Holy Place
4 posts to the Most Holy Place

4 represents salvation of the world, 5 represents grace.

7. How many posts formed the outer court? What does the number of the posts represent? What were the dimensions of the outer court?

10+20+10+20=60 posts,
dimension of the court: 100 cubits long, 50 wide, 5 cubit high

8. what does the horns represent? what were the dimensions of the brazen altar?

horn: deliverance. David sang 'The Lord is the horn of my salvation'.
altar: 5 cubit wide, 5 cubit long, 3 cubit high.

9. What did the flattened brass plates fitted on the sides of the altar represent?

The brazen censers of the 250 rebellious princes in Numbers 16. It reminds us the Lamb was slained for our rebellion.

10. What was the first altar ever built?

The altar Adam and Eve built at the gate of Eden after they were driven out.

11. What's dimension of the laver? Is baptism a heavenly thing or an earthly thing?

No dimension ever recorded in the bible. Baptism is a earthly thing.

The 'foot' of the laver rests on the desert floor. Jesus told Nicodemus born-again was an earthly thing.

12. What furniture represented the center of salvation on the earthly side? What furniture on the heavenly side?

The altar of burnt offering was the center of the earthly side of plan of salvation.

The ark of covenant was the center of the heavenly side of plan of salvation.

13. By bringing what could a sinner be allowed to approach the sanctuary?

A sinner must bring an animal sacrifice to be able to approach the sanctuary: the path to the throne of God is blood marked.

14. What offering must accompany every other offerings?

A non-blood offering: meal offering, drink offering must be accompanied by a blood offering. God was displeased with Cain for the same reason. Abel offered both.

 

[OntheDL]

15. What was burnt on the altar from the daily offerings?

4 parts: the head, legs, fat & inwards. Salt was added to every offerings.

16. When was the offering burnt entirely on the altar?

On the Day of Atonement.

17. why must the (animal) offerings be taken out side of the camp to finish burning? What does this act represent?

Jesus died outside of the city. It pointed to Jesus. He didn't die for the jews alone but the whole world. It also pointed out the fact that temple/sanctuary was NOT the exclusive place of the sacrifice.

18. what side of the altar were the animals tied to the horns? why?

North side. South side is sanctified.

19. Where did the water in the laver come from?

The rock that followed them in the wilderness. Then from the pool of Siloh.

20. when did the priest(s) completely emersed in the water drawn from the laver?

During the detication of high priest and the sanctuary and on the Day of Atonement.

21. when Roman soldier pieced into the side of Jesus, water and blood came out, what do they represent?

Two sources of cleansing: the cross and the baptism: blood and water.

22. where is the throne of God in sanctuary? what furniture in the holy place has a 'triple crown'?

The Table of Shewbread. The Table of Shewbread features a triple crown.

23. What are the dimensions of the Table of Shewbread?

2 cubit wide x 1 cubit deep x 1 cubit high.

24. What was sprinkled on top of the bread and why?

Frankincense. It represents the prayers of the saints. Prayers must be lifted up to the Lord before we feast on the Word of God.

25. what day was the bread baked and put on display? When was it eaten?

Prepared on the afternoon of the Day of Preparation. Consumed the next sabbath, one week later.

25. what did Jesus mean 'this is the new covenant of my blood' in the light of the santuary study?

The Lord's supper was represented on the Table of Shewbread. The grapejuice libation was poured out/shed onto the Altar of Burnt Offering.

26. What's dimension of altar of incense? Why is it higher?

1cubit wide x 1cubit deep x 1.5cubit high

It's higher because prayer is the central element of worship. The height of the Altar of Incense equals the heath of the Altar of Sacrifice.

27. what does the incense represent? How the incense made into shape? Why did it stand at the center of the holy place?

Incense represents the prayer of the saints. It was 'beaten small'. It stood at the center again testifying the fact that prayer is the breath of the believers.

28. What was the dimension of the golden lampstand? Weight? How was the lampstand made into shape?

As it's the case with the Laver, no measurements were given in the bible about the Menorah. However it was made of 1 talent of gold. The gold lampstand was pounded into shape by hammer blows.

29. What are the ornaments on the lampstand? How many? What does that number represent?

Bud, flower and fruit. 70. 70 gospel heralds.

30. These ornaments are from almond trees. What does this almond tree made of solid gold represent?

Almond in Hebrew is 'shaqad', meaning hasten. Jesus said you are the light of the world. When the church/the collection of the true believers are fully transformed, they reflect Christ's character and thus hasting the return of Jesus.

 

[OntheDL]

31. Did the High Priest participate in the daily service? If so what did he do? What kind of clothes did he wear during the daily service?

Yes. The high priest wearing the breast plate of judgment came into the presence of the Lord in the Holy Place daily. He wore the high priest priest garment.

32. what objects did the blood of animal sacrifice stain?

Every object in the sanctuary was stained with blood. For the daily service, the bible explicitly mentioned the horns of the altar of sacrifice and the altar of incense had prints of blood and the rest of the blood was poured out at the base of the atar.

33. How many cuts on the outer veil? On the inner veil?

5 cuts on the outer veil from the 5 posts. 4 posts hanged the inner veil and then it received a rent when Jesus died on the cross.

34. how was the veil cleansed once a year on Yom Kippur literally?

The veil was taken out and burnt.

35. Where is the throne of God during judgment?

The mercy seat on the Ark.

36. What's dimension of the Ark? What furniture also featured a triple crown besides the Table of Shewbread?

The ark was a three layered concentric box.

37. What does the word shekinah mean? Where did this word first appear in the bible?

Shekan means dwell. Genesis 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed (shekan) at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

38. In Genesis 3:24, God drove men out of the garden. What does the word 'drive' literally mean?

Drive means divorce literally. We see here Jesus divoiced His new bride.

39. Who was one of the covering cherub? Who replaced him temporarily? Who will be the permenant replacement?

Lucifer was one of the covering cherubs, Isa 14. Gabriel. The redeemed 144000 will be the permenant replacement.

40. how tall were cherubs in Solomon's temple?

10 cubits, 18 feet tall.

41. What did mana represent?

Bread and holy spirit.

42. What specific stone were the tablets of the 10 commandments?

Sapphire stone, hence the color blue represents the law.

43. what did the Rod of Aaron that budded represent?

With power of the Lord, the dead wood resurrected, budded, blossomed and bore fruit. It represented Jesus and the believers.

44. After 1844, how could Jesus be the judge and the mediator at the same time: where did He mediate? How do we know from the study of the MHP?

The MHP was a miniature HP. It has the bread in manna, the lampstand (almond tree) in Aaron's rod and the Day of Atonement, the high priest brought a golden censer into the MHP.

45. What clothes did the High Priest wear?

White garment. The garment of righteousness.

46. Only the high priest could enter into the MHP once a year on Yom Kippur. Then how did the priests enter when they had to move the camp?

They walked into the MHP backward and removed the veil first to cover the ark then in order the camp was moved.

47. What's the dimension of the Holy Place? Dimension of the Most Holy Place? What other building mentioned in the bible will have the same shape as the MHP?

HP: 10x10x20 cubits
MHP: 10x10x10 cubits.

MHP is a perfect cube. Same as the new Jerusalem.

48. Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.
In the light the sanctuary, what did Jesus mean? Hint: consider how the shewbread was made.

We saw how the shewbread was sifted to remove impurities. Jesus said to Peter that Satan will accuse him of his faults and tempt him.

49. Luke 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: ...

What's your understanding of this with the connection to the sanctuary? Hint: consider the golden embroidery on the veils.

The gold has an unbreakable physical property. If I remembered correctly 1 gram of gold can be stretched out into a thread for miles without breaking. The inner veil was embroidered in a single continuous gold thread.

Gold is a symbol of faith. Jesus said to Peter that He prayed that Peter's faith may be stretched but not broken.

 

[OntheDL]

In case I haven't post this, here is a video of the sanctuary...lacking some fine details because of the complexity of animation.

http://cherrypicker.tripod.com/sanctuary_low_res.avi

I have a hi-res version. I'll probably give out upon request along with all the study materials at the end of the study.

 

[inmercysgrasp]

Thank you for posting this. It may seemed like you didn't get many responses, but truly,thank you

 

[TrustAndObey]

OTD, I actually had some time tonight to go over this a little and I'm very impressed!

When all the voting and rule-making is over, I am going to participate more I promise!

 

[OntheDL]

OTD, I actually had some time tonight to go over this a little and I'm very impressed!

When all the voting and rule-making is over, I am going to participate more I promise!

Sorry I've been slacking off. Blame it on the lazy summers. I haven't posted on CF in awhile.

And thanks for the pm's I received from many people on this study. I'll make updates on the second half of the study shortly. God bless!

 

[OntheDL]

FOUNDATIONS OF JEWELS​

All My Growth Is Christ's​

The Lord required Bezaleel to engrave the names of the twelve patriarchs on two precious onyx stones on the high priest's shoulders. Here the good Shepherd carries His lost-found sheep into His heavenly fold. This was the position of power, and here they were arranged "according to their birth" (Ex 28:10).
These twelve tribes are numbered some twenty-two times in the Scriptures in various contexts. Because of this the sequence differs somewhat in each list. The phrase "according to their tribes" seems to point to their organizational placement around the Tabernacle (Num 2:1). The word "row" (tur, Ex 28:17-20) describes the course of building-stones in Solomon's house (1 Kings 6:36; 7:12), and suggests that the stones were fixed in four horizontal rows of three each.
As we have noticed, Judah, Issachar and Zebulun were located on the east of the plaza surrounding the Tabernacle; on the south were, Reuben, Simeon and Gad; on the west, Ephraim, Manasseh and Benjamin; and on the north Dan, Asher and Naphtali. In each of these four triads the leader is mentioned first. The jewels with the tribal names were arranged with the chieftains in a column on the high priest's right (Ex 28:17-21).
Where His People Should Live
Ellen White has provided us with the insight that "the border [within the edges of the breastplate] was formed of a variety of precious stones, the same that form the twelve foundations of the city of God" (PP 351, Rev 21:19, 20).

Right Shoulder----------------------------------Left Shoulder
Carnelian------------Peridot------------Emerald
JUDAH----------------ISSACHAR-----------ZEBULUN
Thomas-----------------John---------------James
---------------------------------------the Less

Ruby------------------Sapphire----------Sardony
REUBEN-----------------SIMEON---------------GAD
Jude------------------Simon Z-----------Matthew

Zircon-----------------Agate-----------Amethyst
EPHRAIM--------------MANASSEH----------BENJAMIN
Andrew-----------------James--------------Peter

Chrysolite-------------Onyx--------------Jasper
DAN-------------------ASHER------------NAPHTALI
Judas-----------------Philip--------Bartholomew

Arrangement of the Tribes and Apostles​

While this grouping was the divine ideal, history shows that among the tribes Dan was eventually lost, and Ephraim sank into oblivion, and others eventually took their places. This is indicated by the roster of the tribes symbolizing the sealed remnant just prior to the Second Advent (Rev 7:5-8). The same sad truth is pictured by the history of the apostles. Judas apostatized and an alternate took his position (Acts 1:15-26). On the city gates Joseph's name is found in the place which Ephraim should have occupied, and Levi's is posted where Dan might have been. Among the apostles Matthias fills the office of Judas. The Lord thus displayed the truth that while He has His plans, He never forces the human will, and allows every one to make personal choices. Jesus warns His sons and daughters in all ages that "many [are] the-ones-being-called; few [are] the-ones- choosing-for-themselves" (Matt 20:16; 22:14).

The Number Twelve is Significant
The twelve patriarchs formed the skeletal organization of the Old Testament church "in the wilderness," while the twelve apostles were the pioneers of the New Testament church in the world today. Twelve appears to be the number on which God's government is based throughout history. For example, Solomon appointed twelve "officers over all Israel" (1 Kings 4:7; cf. 1 Kings 11:30; Ezra 8:24).
On one occasion Christ thrilled the twelve with His promise that "in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel" (Matt 19:28).

The Twelve Tribes of Humanity

On the city's pearly gates the names of the twelve tribes assure all people that it is possible for every one to be saved. The only condition is that they must sell all they possess in order to buy the Pearl of great price (Matt 13:45, 46). ​

The names of the twelve tribal patriarchs eventually inscribed on the pearly portals of the New Jerusalem are a paradigm of natural-born humanity finally transformed by grace.
These names, engraved on the two stones on the shoulders as well as on the twelve stones on the heart, tell another chapter of the same story. Because they have been daily carried by the High Priest in the holy place of God's presence, the power of His shoulders, and the never-ending concern of His heart, have combined to alter their earthiness into "the divine nature." The ministry of His grace has enabled them to "escape the corruption that is the world through lust" (2 Pet 1:4).
As we have often noticed, the twelve tribes were arranged in four groups of three around the tabernacle. God's purpose was that they should help and support those who lived near them. The strengths of one clan were to offset the weaknesses of the other. The twelve apostles were also gathered by Christ into well balanced clusters,--three teams of four. "At the head of one of the groups into which the Apostles are divided stands the name of Philip" (DA 292). Peter, James and John are mentioned together many times. Peter was the leader of this band, which included Andrew. "The apostles differed widely in habits and disposition. There were the publican Levi-Matthew, and the fiery zealot Simon, the uncompromising hater of the authority of Rome; the generous, impulsive Peter, and the mean-spirited Judas; Thomas, true-hearted, yet timid and fearful, Philip, slow of heart, and inclined to doubt, and the ambitious, outspoken sons of Zebedee, with their brethren. These were brought together, with their different faults, all with inherited and cultivated tendencies to evil; but in and through Christ they were to dwell in the family of God, learning to become one in faith, in doctrine, in spirit" (DA 296). As "iron sharpeneth iron; so a man the countenance of his friend" (Prov 27:17).

 

[OntheDL]

The Identification of the Precious Stones an Tribes
I. CARNELIAN, Sard
The name of Judah (Praising) was engraved upon the carnelian. His character might be encapsulated in the phrase. The color of his stone, the martyr's stone, is red. His ensign was a lion (Gen 49:8-12).
Judah was the son of Leah whom Jacob did not love. Judah was jealous of Joseph and devised the plan to sell him as a slave. Judah also had incest with his daughter in-law that bored a son that was the blood line of Jesus.
The crimson light of the carnelian constantly bathed the name of Judah as he rested upon the heart of the high priest, reminding him of the transforming power of the cleansing blood of the Lamb of God. His spiritual counterpart in the foundation of the golden city is Thomas, his doubts dispelled by adoring trust.
II. PERIDOT, Topaz
The second breastplate stone is the topaz (Heb pitdah, probably from Sanskrit, pita, possible meaning pale yellow, or yellow-green). The Greek term for it was topazion (Rev 21:20). The Targum translated it by a word meaning green. Pliny confirms that the "the finest topazes are green," adding, "the topaz is softer than a file, and was brought from the Red Sea" (Natural History, Vol 37, p9). John Hill, who translated Theophrastus, remarked: "The topaz of the ancients, now called the chrysolite, has always an admixture of green with the yellow."
The name of Issachar (Gazelle) was inscribed upon the green-gold peridot. He might well have been described as the plodder. His was a life of service. His standard depicted a strong donkey (Gen 49:14, 15) ready to work.
Issachar was Leah's fifth and Jacob's ninth son (Gen 30:18). Jacob perceived him as "a strong ass, crouching between the sheep-folds; he saw that a resting place was good, and that the land was pleasant; so he bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a slave at forced labor" (Gen 49:1, 15, RSV).
Issachar was slow and steady. He toiled like a beast of burden in field and vineyard. He saw what needed to be done, and got on with the job. His descendants were simple and practical, and were commended by Deborah for their part against Jabin (Jud 5:15). The Chronicler remarked that "the children of Issachar . . . were men that had understanding of times, to know what Israel ought to do" (1 Chron 12:32). They were among the earliest to rally to David's standard when he was proclaimed king at Hebron. "The sons of Issachar . . . were valiant men of might," not generals, but effective foot soldiers (1 Chron 7:1, 2). The judge Tola (Jud 10:1, 2), as well as the assassin and usurper Baasha were from this tribe (1 Kings 15:27, 28; 16:7), and proved to be indifferent rulers of God's people.
Quiet, faithful, retiring and pragmatic, Issachar gained understanding and discipline, and thence greatness and success. Many of the sealed (Rev 7:7) and saved will march under the banner inscribed Issachar, and enter the golden city through the gate emblazoned with his name.
On the heart of the high priest the golden glow of faith and love shining through the green of hope pervaded the peridot upon which Issachar's name was inscribed, and directed his eyes to the "many colored grace of God" (1 Pet 4:10). His New Testament counterpart was the transformed John Thunderson, the gentle writer on love and trust and revelation.

III. EMERALD, Smaragd (The Emphasized Bible)
Josephus believed that the third breastplate stone was the emerald (Hebrew bareqet from barak. The word meant a lightening-flash or thunder-flash, and indicated something glittering or shining; Ex 28:17; 39:11; the Greek is smaragdos, Rev 21:19; cf. 4:3). Gesenius suggested that bareqet was connected with the Sanskrit marakata or marakta, the name for emerald. The Parkrit derivative was maragda. From this came the Greek maragdos and smaragdos. When borrowed by the Persians and Arabs this Indian term assumed the form jabarjad or samarrud, and then zummurud. Herodotus rendered the Sanskrit asma marakata as sma marakata, and then as lithos smaragdos, or stone, an emerald. The Greek and Latin smaragdos and smaragdus became the Romanic smeralda and smaraldo, and the Spanish esmeralda, and then the Old French esmeralde, and thence the Middle French esmeraude and the Middle English emeraude and now our emerald. What an interesting journey the name of this stone has taken along the twisted tongues of it's devotees separated by half a world!
Pliny remarked that "the most highly esteemed of these [smaragdoi] are those that reproduce the pure green of the sea." Concerning their sparkle he said, "compared with them, there is nothing whatsoever that is more intensely green." Theophrastus added, they "are very scarce and small."
Zebulun (Dwelling), registered on the emerald on the breastplate. He might well be characterized as a wanderer. As a result of his travels he developed into a writer and artist, and wielded an influence that spread far beyond his local horizon. Zebulun's sign consisted of a ship (Gen 49:13) sailing out into the sunset.
Leah gave her sixth son a name meaning to dwell, because she believed that her husband would reward her by living with her with more love and appreciation (Gen 30:20). Like his other brothers Zebulun eyed Joseph with resentment, and then steeled himself against the heart-rending agony of their father when informed of Joseph's supposed demise. With them he remained silent for twenty-two years of pain.
Zebulun was included with his brother Issachar in the prophetic blessing pronounced by Moses. While the latter would prosper saying at home, Zebulun was to rejoice in "going out" (Deut 33:18, 19), but instead he became a vagabond. When the tribal land should be distributed, Jacob had predicted that "Zebulun shall dwell at the shore of the sea; he shall become a haven for ships, and his border shall be at Sidon" (Gen 49:13, RSV). And so it turned out that Zebulun did become a voyager whose cargo vessels "sucked the abundance of the seas, and of the treasures hid in the sand" and brought him wealth.
Not only did this tribe grow rich and prosperous, it was also missionary minded. On their trips abroad the mariners of Zebulun called "the people unto the mountain" of Zion, where they "offered sacrifices of righteousness." Wealthy and of a good character, an excellent if uncommon combination, the people of Zebulun also became "an haven of ships," offering shelter to the tempest-tossed.
The soldiers of Zebulun acquitted themselves well during the battle led by Deborah, for they "jeoparded [or exposed] their lives unto the death in the high places of the field" (Jud 5:18). The prophetess noted that "out of Zebulun they handle the pen of the writer" (Jud 5:14). Fearless and helpful, literary and generous, "they took no gain of money." And when David was preparing for his coronation, he was backed by eager supporters from "Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: they were not of double heart" (1 Chron 12:33). What a wonderful testimony Inspiration has left of them!
In the worship of God they were just as enthusiastic. During Hezekiah's reformation "diverse . . . of Zebulun [from the northern kingdom] humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem . . . to keep the feast of Unleavened Bread" (2 Chron 30:11-13). Rich, prosperous and enterprising, gifted, artistic and literary, brave, organized and masters of themselves, Zebulun played his part in the cause of God without striving for financial gain. Many of this rare and useful group will be sealed (Rev 7:8), and eventually enter the city of God.
Upon the pulsing heart of the high priest Zebulun's name shone in the green of the polished emerald, and his tribesmen thrilled in the hope which their position gave them. Zebulun's New Testament counterpart was the unobtrusive disciple James the Less, the Lord's half brother.