#14 Tabernacle: The Veils Between Realms

In this study we will look at the three areas of the Tabernacle of Moses to try to show different dimensions or spiritual realms that may become more common to experience in the future. In these past studies we have shared my theory that the church must someday experience a transition from the Outer Court to this next and higher dimension or realm of the Holy Place life and ministry. My theory is this; It is because the Lampstand church is NOT in the Outer Court but in the Holy Place that there must be a corporate transition from natural light to the supernatural light of the seven Spirits of God in the Holy Place.

All Christians have passed through the first veil to come to the Brass Altar for forgiveness of sins. There was a definite division between the areas outside the Tabernacle and the Outer Court. While there is not so much contrast between the two dimensions, and natural light prevailed in both dimensions, we are aware that we have passed from one realm to another.

However, even though we passed from one realm to another we didn’t have to go anyplace. Our body stayed the same and we didn’t change physical positions but we still moved from one realm to another. One moment we were on one side of the “gate” and following repentance we were on the other side of the gate even though we hadn’t physically moved. My opinion is that the transition from the Outer Court to the Holy Place life and ministry will be similar to this even though much more dramatic.

First let us look at some different dimensions of the Spirit that we may be familiar.

In another study we examined how the Christian life is “living by the Life of another.” This is Paul’s testimony in the Book of Galatians. GAL 2:20] “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.

Other translations say “I live by the faith of the Son of God.” This indicates that in this other realm we may live by His faith and not try to work up our faith. Paul said he no longer lived by his former life but now he lived by the Life of Christ that was in him. His revelation was that he had been crucified with Christ and he, himself, had died. It is no longer “I” who lives. If we try to interpret this eternal truth from an intellectual and logical viewpoint we will end up in confusion. Those who interacted with Paul as he said that would say it appeared that the person they were talking to was the same life of the same Paul.

Paul had changed the realms in which he lived. He no longer lived in the former realm but had made the transition to this other dimension where He no longer lived but where Christ lived His life in Paul. Was this something incredible or weird? Not at all! If this was really true why did he still look the same?

In another study we were trying to interpret Colossians 3:1-4 which is another enigma.

COL 3:1 If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. [3] For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. [4] When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

Pure logic and intellectual comprehension are no help in understanding what this scripture says. Many things that Jesus taught fall into this same intellectual strain and logical confusion. Never the less those who have a little insight will know this reveals eternal truth that goes beyond pure logic and natural understanding. In other words there is another realm that is available to us in which we may understand these eternal truths. We may generically define this other realm as “spiritual” which doesn’t help us much to experience this other dimension in which we “see” the unseen.

If we can clearly see that we are here on earth, how is it that we can say that we have been raised up and seated with Christ in heavenly places. Do we have disappear from here in order to be there? Certainly not! Why? Because the only thing that separates us from that other realm is a thin veil. Both realms are in the same location

My thesis is this: There is a realm in which we now live, just beyond the physical, in which we may “see” eternal things. This is not a matter of God “taking us some other place” to show us this realm but this “realm” is all around us now. For example; If we were with Paul when he was caught up to the Third Heaven when He “saw” unspeakable things, would we be aware that he left and went some other place? No! His body was on earth. In fact Paul couldn’t even tell if he was in the body or not.

2COR 12:1 Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. [2] I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago--whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows--such a man was caught up to the third heaven. [3] And I know how such a man--whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows-- [4] was caught up into Paradise, and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.

Another example is the angels that are watching over us. They are with us all the time so why don’t we see them? Even though they are here they are in this other realm or dimension where natural vision cannot see them. This fact should not be considered “too mystical for us.”

How is it possible for these different realms to inhabit the same space and we not be aware of them? I will attempt to show this from the Tabernacle of Moses.

The Tabernacle was laid out in three “dimensions or realms.” The most common was the Outer court in which the Priests, the Levites and the people who were circumcised and had a sacrifice could enter. Seven Outer Court experiences are depicted here under natural light of the sun, moon and stars.

The next realm or dimension that was within the same space of the outer fence was called the Holy Place. This realm was much more restricted and was the exclusive realm for the sanctified and consecrated priests to minister to the Lord. Here they maintained the Lampstand, set out the Showbread (and ate the Showbread) and maintained and burned Incense before God day and night.

The next realm or dimension that was within the same space of the outer fence was called the Most Holy Place and was the place of the Ark of the Covenant and habitation of God. It was from over the Ark of the Covenant, above the Mercy Seat and from between the two Cherubim that God spoke. No one had access to the Most Holy Place except the High Priest and that was only once a year on the Day of Atonement. Only the New Testament Priest after the order of Melchizedec has access to these other dimensions and of course there are many qualifications. One of the qualifications is to be fully consecrated.

The point I am making is this: Within this small space of about 150 X 50 feet there were three dimensions or realms of life, Spirit and ministry going on at the same time but out of sight of the others. A veil separated each realm. If we could step through that veil we would immediately be standing in another dimension. We wouldn’t have to be “taken up”someplace to “see” that dimension but rather just step through the veil. Maybe more accurately we could say “If God just pulled the veil back a little we would be in that other realm.”

REV 1:10] I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet, [11] saying, “Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.” [12] And I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands; [13] and in the middle of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His breast with a golden girdle.

This demonstrates my point. John was “in the Spirit” and heard a voice speaking and turned (without going any place) and saw into this other realm. Within that dimension many things were unfolding that were totally invisible to John a few seconds before. This is not called “a vision” but a “revelation of Jesus Christ.”

EZE 1:1 Now it came about in the thirtieth year, on the fifth day of the fourth month, while I was by the river Chebar among the exiles, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. EZE 1:4 And as I looked, behold, a storm wind was coming from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing forth continually and a bright light around it, and in its midst something like glowing metal in the midst of the fire. [5] And within it there were figures resembling four living beings.

Ezekiel’s body was by the river Chebar but around him was another dimension that was invisible until the heavens were opened and then he saw. Not with his natural eyes but with inner eyes that could “see” into this realm. There was only a “veil” between these two realms. Both realms were real but one is always visible while the other is invisible until we step into it “in the Spirit.” Of course this is not a matter of our will but of the “Spirit” who pulls back the veil and opens this other realm to us as He pleases.

In this realm of eternity there is no time. Therefore, eternity is the past, present and the future. What Paul, John and Ezekiel saw was eternity in the eternal present. John could see many future events as though they were happening today. Ezekiel also could see future events as though they were just happening. We don’t know exactly what Paul saw but we know it was the Third Heaven that corresponds with the Most Holy Place.

If that veil was pulled back today we could all see what Paul and John and Ezekiel saw because it is all there in the eternal present. Is this rational and intellectually satisfying? Not at all! But is it possible for us to step over into that realm without going anywhere? Of course, we could also “see”, if we were in the Spirit on the Lord”s day and God decided to show us these things. Of course if God desired to show us these things but we were not in the Spirit on the Lord’s day we would “see” nothing. Even if others were in the Spirit and “saw” something we could see nothing unusual. Then we could testify that I was there at exactly the same time but I saw nothing. Therefore, what they saw was some fantasy or they just pretended to “see” something.

Several of us were confronted by a confusing experience when we were in the Toronto Fellowship Church a few years ago when all kinds of strange things were going on. We understood that these people were having some kind of supernatural experience but we were feeling nothing. It would have been easy to reject the whole thing because we weren’t in the same dimension with them. It was very real to them but we were not in the same realm to experience the same thing they were experiencing. We were in the same building but not in the same realm. This then became the source of much criticism when others went there to observe.

It appeared that they were just normal as they walked to the platform but as they stepped on the platform they stepped into another dimension and began all kinds of strange manifestations. The veil into this other realm was quite thin and invisible and very confusing. The “veil” was not visible to us but the change could be seen even if it could not be understood.

This is a big problem with Spiritual Vision and the reason for so much controversy. God may give some spiritual understanding to one person in an assembly because He wants to make it known. Then the carnal or uninformed will mock and make fun of the revelation because “it is too strange for our people.” “After all, I pray and study more than them and I didn’t see anything.”

What if God’s purpose is to make known through the church these mysteries that have been hidden from all past generations? How would we respond if we were not seeing the same things? Our vision perspective must be in an elevated and progressing dimension or we may be among the mockers who reject anything other than what is natural and something we can also see.

Aaron Harley’s revelation of the Seven Spirits of God and the wheels within the wheels that He preached on Aug 17,2002 in the Washington Convention is an example of this other dimension. He said that God “showed him” that scene and how it was formed. He said he saw it in the various colors that were demonstrated by about 60 people from the congregation. The “vision” began with different viewpoints of the Lampstand with the seven flames of fire. Then he saw the Lampstand in three dimensional relief with 49 flames of fire. God then began to bring many scriptures to mind that confirmed his “vision.” This was so awesome to see unfolding before our natural eyes as it was demonstrated by many in the congregation.

It is easy to respond with “So what, what has that got to do with the price of eggs?” My excitement is that God is revealing these things in my lifetime and I believe we can expect much more revelation soon. The Holy Place life and ministry has been hidden too long! Is this prophetically speaking of the Lampstand Church experiencing the seven manifold manifestation of the Spirit of God? If it is, then we can expect much more revelation from the Showbread and an “eating” from the Holy Bread of God. in another dimension There should also be another dimension of burning Incense that we have not experienced before. The torn veil then can release much more of the Glory of God into the Holy Place Life and ministry! This is essential if “the Glorious Church” fulfills her glorious destiny before she is taken out to meet the Bridegroom.

HEB 12:1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, [2] fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

This “great cloud of witnesses” are watching us run this race but why can’t we see them? Because they are in another realm. They can see us but we can’t see them. However, if this “veil” was pulled back we could see them but we might also see what they see. The writer of Hebrews must have seen something to know about this group of witnesses. If Paul wrote Hebrews then this must have been one of the things he saw when this other realm was revealed to him. My theory is that when Paul was caught up to the third heaven all that had to happen was that God pulled back two veils and he was there.

So what is the purpose of these examples? The 2nd veil in the Tabernacle is the only thing that separates us from the revelations within the Holy Place. From where we are standing it looks impossible for us to step through into this higher revelation, higher life and higher ministry. Still, this was not a hinged gate of solid wood overlaid with Gold and secured with giant locks but just a veil that could be pulled back for entrance. That realm is here in this realm but is just invisible at the moment.

For that reason it seems clear that we are much closer to this next restoration than we might suspect. In fact the next dimension is here and now but we can’t see it. That doesn’t mean the requirements have been set aside but that soon after we meet the requirements the veil will be pulled back. We are not waiting for God, He is waiting for us! What God is probably waiting for is a corporate group that have completed their full Consecration Offering.