But amid the tempest of divine judgment, the children of God will have no cause for fear. “The Lord will be the hope of His people, and the strength of the children of Israel.” Joel 3:16. {EP 238.2} The great plan of redemption results in fully bringing back the world into God’s favor. All that was lost by sin is restored. Not only man but the earth is redeemed, to be the eternal abode of the obedient. Now God’s original purpose in its creation is accomplished. “The saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.” Daniel 7:18. {EP 238.3} The sacred statutes which Satan has hated and sought to destroy will be honored throughout a sinless universe. “The Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.” Isaiah 61:11. {EP 238.4}
Chapter 30—The Sanctuary: God’s Dwelling Place in Israel This chapter is based on Exodus 25 to 40; Leviticus 4 and 16. The command was communicated to Moses while in the mount with God, “Let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.” Exodus 25:8. Full directions were given for the construction of the tabernacle. By their apostasy, the Israelites forfeited the divine Presence, but after they were again taken into favor with Heaven, the great leader proceeded to execute the divine command. {EP 239.1} God Himself gave Moses the plan of that structure, its size and form, the materials to be employed, and every article of furniture it was to contain. The holy places made with hands were “figures of the true,” “patterns of things in the heavens” (Hebrews 9:24, 23), a miniature representation of the heavenly temple where Christ, our great High Priest, was to minister in the sinner’s behalf. God presented before Moses a view of the heavenly sanctuary and commanded him to make all things according to the pattern shown him. {EP 239.2} For building the sanctuary, a large amount of the most costly material was required, yet the Lord accepted only freewill offerings. {EP 239.3} All the people responded, “every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the Lord’s offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation... . And they came, both men and women, as many as were willinghearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold.” {EP 239.4} While the building of the sanctuary was in progress, men, women, and children continued to bring their offerings, until those in charge of the work found that they had more than could be used. And Moses caused to be proclaimed throughout the camp, “Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing.” The Israelites’ devotion, zeal, and liberality are an example worthy of imitation. All who love the worship of God will manifest the same spirit of sacrifice in preparing a house where He may meet with them. An amount sufficient to accomplish the work should be freely given, that the workmen may be able to say, as did the builders of the tabernacle, “Bring no more offerings.” {EP 239.5} 137
