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    圣幕是遵照上帝的命令而制成的。主兴起了一些人,并赋予他们特别的才能来进行那最精巧的工作。无论摩西或那些工人,都不容自行设计那建筑的形式和工程。上帝亲自拟出了计划,将它交给摩西,连同详细的指示,例如圣幕的尺寸、形状,和所需用的材料等,并且指定了其中的每一件器具。祂将天上圣所的一个小模型摆在摩西面前,吩咐他依照山上所指示他的样式、制造一切的物件。摩西将所有的指示都写在书中,并将它念给民中最有名望的人听。{4aSG 5.1}

    主随后吩咐民众送来乐意的奉献,为祂建造圣所,使祂可以住在他们中间。“以色列全会众从摩西面前退去。凡心里受感,和甘心乐意的,都拿耶和华的礼物来,用以作会幕和其中一切的使用,又用以作圣衣。凡心里乐意献礼物的,连男带女,各将金器,就是胸前针、耳环(或作鼻环)、打印的戒指,和手钏,带来献给耶和华”(出35:20-22)。{4aSG 5.2}

    所必须进行的准备乃是繁重而且费用巨大的。必须收集珍贵和重价的材料。但主却只悦纳乐意的奉献。为上帝预备住所的先决条件,乃是对圣工的忠诚和出自心甘情愿的牺牲。建造圣所的工作正在进行中,民众都将他们的奉献拿来交给摩西,而由他交与工匠们,所有参加工作的智慧人检查了这些礼物,断定众人所拿来的不但已经够用了,而且还绰绰有余。于是摩西在全营中宣告说:“无论男女,不必再为圣所拿什么礼物来;这样才拦住百姓不再拿礼物来”(出36:6)。{4aSG 5.3}

    以色列民屡次所发的怨言,以及上帝因他们犯罪发怒而降的刑罚,都已记载在圣史中,加惠于后代住在地上的上帝子民,更是特别作为凡生存在末期之人的警戒。同时,以色列人的忠诚,和他们将乐意奉献交给摩西时所表现的积极与慷慨,也都为上帝子民的益处而记录下来了。他们如此欣喜地为圣幕预备材料的榜样,乃是一切真正热爱敬拜上帝之人的模范。凡重视上帝神圣临格之恩惠的人,在建造殿宇以备上帝与他们相会时,理应在这圣工上表现更大的关怀与热忱,与他们重视属天福惠过于属世安乐的心相称。他们应该认明他们乃是为上帝预备居所。{4aSG 6.1}

    许多人会花费巨资为自己建造舒适有品味的楼宇;然而他们要预备一个地方能接待崇高尊贵的主临格时,却表现出一种令人惊奇的冷漠,对于便利、布局和工艺都不特别感兴趣。他们的奉献不是甘心乐意的,而是勉强为之。他们还在不断考虑如何使这神圣的建筑成本最少,只要能用作敬拜场就行了。有些人表现出对自己的畜棚比对敬拜上帝的地方更感兴趣。这种人对神圣特权的重视程度与他们的行为所表现的相称。他们的兴旺和属灵的力量也必与他们的行为相符。上帝不会使祂的福气停留在那么低估神圣事物的人身上。不甘心的吝啬的奉献是不蒙上帝悦纳的。那些表现出热心,乐愿把自己最好的东西献给主,象以色列人把他们的礼物带到摩西面前一样的人,会按照他们对神圣事物的估价蒙福。{4aSG 6.2}

    一个专供上帝与祂百姓相会的建筑物,应当用心准备布置得舒适,整洁,而方便;这原是相当重要的,因为它乃是要献与祂的,而且也当求祂住在那居所中,使之因祂的临格而成圣。奉献给主的应当充足乐意,以便充分地完成工作,使工人们能说:不必再奉献了。为上帝建的房子绝不应负债,因为会使上帝蒙羞。祂熟悉每一个人的心,也必赏赐每一个在祂需要时把祂所赐给他们的东西慷慨归还给祂的人。他们若是扣留属于上帝的东西,祂就会使他们在他们自己的家中受苦,按照他们所抢夺祂的使他们拥有的东西减少。{4aSG 7.1}

    摩西在圣幕建造完成之后,检验了各部工作,拿它和原来的样式,以及他从上帝所领受的指示相比,他看出各部工程都与样式相符,于是便为百姓祝福。上帝将约柜的图样,连同制造的详细说明,都交给摩西。约柜是专为存放那两块法版而做的;在法版上,上帝亲手刻写了十条诫命。约柜的形式好象箱子,里外都包上纯金。四围镶有金牙边。这神圣箱柜的顶盖乃是施恩座,是用精金制作的。施恩座的两头,安置着两个用精金锤出来的基路伯。基路伯,脸对着脸,恭敬地朝着施恩座,表明众天使关怀而恭敬的心情注视那存放在天上圣所约柜中的上帝的律法。基路伯各有两个翅膀。每个天使向上伸出一个翅膀,另一个翅膀则遮盖着自己的身体。地上圣所中的约柜乃是天上真约柜的模型。在那里,约柜的两侧有活的天使侍立,各用一个翅膀向上伸出遮掩施恩座,其它的翅膀则用来遮盖自己的身体,以示恭敬与谦卑。{4aSG 7.2}

    摩西受命将那两块石版放在地上约柜中。这两块石版又称为见证的版,约柜则称为见证的柜,因为其内存放着有上帝十诫的见证。圣幕分为前后两层,用幔子或帘幕隔开。{4aSG 8.1}

    圣幕的一切器具都是用纯金锤出来的,或用金包裹了的。圣幕的幔子色彩鲜明,非常美丽,其上用金丝和银线绣上基路伯,这代表那参与天上圣所的工作、并为地上圣徒服役的众天使。{4aSG 8.2}

    在第二层幔子里面有那见证的约柜,这神圣约柜的前面由那富丽堂皇的幔子悬隔着。这幔子并不是一直挂到顶上的。那停留在施恩座上的上帝的荣耀,可从前后两层见到,但从第一层所见到的却非常之少。在约柜的正前面有金香坛,但却由幔子隔开。坛上的火是上帝所亲自点燃的,经常由人加上圣香而恭敬地保持燃着,这香使圣幕日夜都充满芬芳的烟云。它的香气一直传到圣幕周围数里之外。每当祭司在主面前献香时,他面向施恩座。他虽然看不见施恩座,但确知它就在那里,而且当烟云上升的时候,耶和华的荣光就停在施恩座上,充满了至圣所,这也是在圣所中能看得到的,而且这荣光往往将两层都充满了,以致连祭司也无法进行工作,而只得立在会幕门外。那在圣所凭信心将祷告献到他所看不见之施恩座前的祭司,代表上帝的子民将他们的祷告奉献给在天上圣所中施恩座前的基督。他们不能以肉眼看见他们的中保,但他们可凭信心的眼睛看见基督在施恩座前而向祂祈祷,并以确切的信念要求祂作中保代求的惠助。{4aSG 8.3}

    这两层神圣的所在都没有窗户采光。有那用精金锤出来的灯台日夜点燃着,使两层都有亮光。灯台上的灯光反映在圣幕四面包金的幕板上,以及神圣的器具和那用金线银线绣着基路伯的鲜艳美丽的幔子上,所显出的辉煌灿烂实在是无法形容的。言语也难以描写这两层圣幕中的堂皇富丽和神圣的辉煌。其中的纯金反映了幔子的色彩,看上去好象是彩虹的七色缤纷一般。{4aSG 9.1}

    大祭司只能每年一次,经过最慎重而严肃的准备之后,进入至圣所。除了大祭司之外,任何肉眼都不可以观看至圣所的神圣庄严情景,因为它是上帝看得见之荣光的特别居所。大祭司每次进去总是战战兢兢的,而民众则在肃静地等待他出来。他们所渴望的乃是上帝的赐福。上帝在施恩座前与大祭司讲话。如果他在至圣所逗留过久,民众往往便要惧怕起来,惟恐因为他们的罪或大祭司的罪,耶和华的荣光把他击杀了。及至他们听到了他衣袍上的铃铛响声,他们才大放宽心。随后他便出来为百姓祝福。  {4aSG 9.2}

    圣幕的工程完竣之后,“云彩遮盖会幕,耶和华的荣光就充满了帐幕。摩西不能进会幕,因为云彩停在其上,并且耶和华的荣光充满了帐幕。每逢云彩从帐幕收上去,以色列人就起程前往;云彩若不收上去,他们就不起程,直等到云彩收上去。日间耶和华的云彩,是在帐幕以上;夜间云中有火,在以色列全家的眼前,在他们所行的路上都是这样”(出40:34-38)。圣幕的结构是可以拆卸的,以便他们在旅行时携带。{4aSG 10.1}

    主在以色列人行经旷野的全部旅程中引领他们。何时为了民众的利益和上帝的荣耀,需要他们在某一地点安营居留,上帝便使云柱停降在圣幕上面,借此向他们启示祂的旨意。于是他们便停留在那里,直到上帝要他们再启程前行。那时云彩便要收上去升到帐幕以上,他们便再度启程前行。以色列人在他们一切的行程中,全都遵守完善的秩序,每一支派备有旗帜,上面带有各家族的标记,每一支派也奉命在自己的旗帜之下安营。他们在行路时,各支派也在各自的旗帜下依次行走。当他们沿途休息时,便先支搭圣幕,然后各支派遵照上帝所命定的位置,在圣幕周围相隔一定的距离,依次支搭自己的帐棚。{4aSG 10.2}

    每当民众行路时,约柜总是被扛抬着行在前面。“他们拔营往前行,日间有耶和华的云彩在他们以上。约柜往前行的时候,摩西就说:耶和华啊,求祢兴起,愿祢的仇敌四散,愿恨祢的人从祢面前逃跑。约柜停住的时候,他就说:耶和华啊,求祢回到以色列的千万人中”(民10:34-36)。{4aSG 11.1}

   The tabernacle was made according to the commandment of God. The Lord raised up men, and qualified them with more than natural abilities to perform the most ingenious work. Neither those workmen nor Moses were left to plan the form, and workmanship of the building. God himself devised the plan, and gave it to Moses, with particular directions as to its size and form, and the materials to be used, and specified every article of furniture which was to be in it. He presented before Moses a miniature model of the heavenly sanctuary, and commanded him to make all things according to the pattern showed him in the mount. Moses wrote all the directions in a book, and read them to the most influential of the people. {4aSG 5.1}

   Then the Lord required the people to bring a freewill offering to make him a sanctuary that he might dwell among them. "And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. And they came, 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 for all his service, and for the holy garments. And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted, and brought bracelets, and ear-rings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold, and every man that offered, offered an offering of gold unto the Lord." {4aSG 5.2}

   Great and expensive preparations were necessary. Precious and costly materials must be collected. But the Lord accepted only the free-will offerings. Devotion to the work of God, and sacrifice from the heart, were first required in preparing a place for God. And while the building of the sanctuary was going on, and the people were bringing their offerings unto Moses, and he presenting them to the workmen, all the wise men who wrought in the work examined the gifts, and decided that the people had brought enough, and even more than they could use. And Moses proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, "Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing." {4aSG 5.3}

   The repeated murmurings of the Israelites, and the visitations of God's wrath because of their transgressions, are recorded in sacred history for the benefit of God's people who should afterward live upon the earth; but more especially to prove a warning to those who should live near the close of time. Also their acts of devotion, their energy, and liberality, in bringing their free-will offerings to Moses, are recorded for the benefit of the people of God. Their example in preparing material for the tabernacle so cheerfully, is an example for all who truly love the worship of God. Those who prize the blessing of God's sacred presence, when preparing a building that he may meet with them, should manifest greater interest and zeal in the sacred work in proportion as they value their heavenly blessings higher than their earthly comforts. They should realize that they are preparing a house for God. {4aSG 6.1}

   Many will expend much to erect comfortable and tasty buildings for themselves; but when they would prepare a place that they may receive the presence of the high and exalted One, they manifest a wonderful indifference, and have no particular interest as to the convenience, arrangement and workmanship. Their offerings are not given cheerfully from the heart; but are bestowed grudgingly, and they are continually studying in what manner the sacred building can be made to cost the least, and answer the purpose as a house of worship. Some manifest more interest in building their barns, wherein to keep their cattle, than they do in building a place for the worship of God. Such value sacred privileges just in that proportion which their works show. And their prosperity and spiritual strength will be just according to their works. God will not cause his blessing to rest upon those who have so little estimate of the value of divine things. Unwilling and stinted offerings are not accepted of God. Those who manifest that earnestness to bring to the Lord acceptable offerings, of the very best they have, willingly, as the children of Israel brought their presents to Moses, will be blessed in that proportion that they have estimated the value of divine things. {4aSG 6.2}

   It is of some consequence that a building prepared expressly for God to meet with his people, should be arranged with care, made comfortable, neat and convenient; for it is to be dedicated to God, and presented to him, and he is to be entreated to abide in that house, and make it sacred by his holy presence. Enough should be willingly given to the Lord, to liberally accomplish the work, and then the workmen be able to say, Bring no more offerings. A house built for God never should be left in debt, for God would be dishonored. He is acquainted with every heart, and he will reward every one who freely gives back to him, when he requires, that which he has given them. If they withhold that which belongs to God, he will afflict them in their families, and cause decrease in their possessions, just according to their disposition to rob him. {4aSG 7.1}

   After the building of the tabernacle was completed, Moses examined all the work, and compared it with the pattern, and directions he had received of God, and he saw that every part of it agreed with the pattern, and he blessed the people. God gave a pattern of the ark to Moses with special directions how to make it. The ark was made to contain the tables of stone, on which God engraved, with his own finger, the ten commandments. It was in form like a chest, and was overlaid and inlaid with pure gold. It was ornamented with crowns of gold round about the top. The cover of this sacred chest was the mercy-seat made of solid gold. On each end of the mercy-seat was fixed a cherub of pure solid gold. Their faces were turned toward each other, and were looking reverentially downward toward the mercy-seat, which represents all the heavenly angels looking with interest and reverence to the law of God deposited in the ark in the heavenly sanctuary. These cherubs had wings. One wing of each angel was stretched forth on high, while the other wing of each angel covered their forms. The ark of the earthly sanctuary was the pattern of the true ark in Heaven. There, beside the heavenly ark, stand living angels, at either end of the ark, with each, one wing overshadowing the mercy-seat, and stretching forth on high, while the other wings are folded over their forms in token of reverence and humility. {4aSG 7.2}

   In the earthly ark Moses was required to place the tables of stone. These were called the tables of the testimony, and the ark was called the ark of the testimony, because they contained God's testimony in the ten commandments. The tabernacle was composed of two apartments, separated by a curtain, or vail. {4aSG 8.1}

   All the furniture of the tabernacle was made of solid gold, or plated with gold. The curtains of the tabernacle were of a variety of colors, most beautifully arranged, and in these curtains were wrought, with threads of gold and silver, cherubims, which were to represent the angelic host, who are connected with the work of the heavenly sanctuary, and who are ministering angels to the saints upon the earth. {4aSG 8.2}

   Within the second vail was placed the ark of the testimony, and the beautiful and rich curtain was drawn before the sacred ark. This curtain did not reach to the top of the building. The glory of God, which was above the mercy-seat, could be seen from both apartments, but in a much less degree from the first apartment. Directly before the ark, but separated by the curtain, was the golden altar of incense. The fire upon this altar was kindled by the Lord himself, and was sacredly cherished by feeding it with holy incense, which filled the sanctuary with its fragrant cloud, day and night. Its fragrance extended for miles around the tabernacle. When the priest offered the incense before the Lord, he looked to the mercy-seat. Although he could not see it, he knew it was there, and as the incense arose like a cloud, the glory of the Lord descended upon the mercy-seat, and filled the most holy place, and was visible in the holy place, and the glory often so filled both apartments that the priest was unable to officiate, and was obliged to stand at the door of the tabernacle. The priest in the holy place, directing his prayer by faith to the mercy-seat, which he could not see, represents the people of God directing their prayers to Christ before the mercy-seat in the heavenly sanctuary. They cannot behold their Mediator with the natural eye, but with the eye of faith they see Christ before the mercy-seat, and direct their prayers to him, and with assurance claim the benefits of his mediation. {4aSG 8.3}

   These sacred apartments had no windows to give light. The candlestick was made of purest gold, and was kept burning night and day, and gave light to both apartments. The light of the lamps upon the candlestick reflected upon the boards plated with gold, at the sides of the building, and upon the sacred furniture, and upon the curtains of beautiful colors with cherubims wrought with threads of gold and silver, which appearance was glorious beyond description. No language can describe the beauty and loveliness, and sacred glory, which these apartments presented. The gold in the sanctuary reflected the colors of the curtains, which appeared like the different colors of the rainbow. {4aSG 9.1}

   Only once a year could the high priest enter into the most holy place, after the most careful and solemn preparation. No mortal eye but that of the high priest could look upon the sacred grandeur of that apartment, because it was the especial dwelling-place of God's visible glory. The high priest always entered it with trembling, while the people waited his return with solemn silence. Their earnest desires were to God for his blessing. Before the mercy-seat God conversed with the high priest. If he remained an unusual time in the most holy, the people were often terrified, fearing that because of their sins, or some sin of the priest, the glory of the Lord had slain him. But when the sound of the tinkling of the bells upon his garments was heard, they were greatly relieved. He then came forth and blessed the people. {4aSG 9.2}

   After the work of the tabernacle was finished, "a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys. But if the cloud was not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of the Lord was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys." The tabernacle was constructed so as to be taken to pieces, and borne with them in all their journeyings. {4aSG 10.1}

   The Lord directed the Israelites in all their travels through the wilderness. When it was for the good of the people, and the glory of God, that they should pitch their tents in a certain place, and there abide, God signified his will to them by the pillar of cloud resting low directly over the tabernacle. And there it remained until God would have them journey again. Then the cloud of glory was lifted up high above the tabernacle, and then they journeyed again. In all their journeyings they observed perfect order. Every tribe bore a standard, with the sign of their father's house upon it, and every tribe was commanded to pitch by their own standard. And when they traveled, the different tribes marched in order, every tribe under their own standard. When they rested from their journeyings, the tabernacle was erected, and then the different tribes pitched their tents in order, in just such a position as God commanded, around the tabernacle, at a distance from it. {4aSG 10.2}

   When the people journeyed, the ark of the covenant was borne before them. "And the cloud of the Lord was upon them by day, when they went out of the camp. And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, Lord, and let thine enemies be scattered, and let them that hate thee flee before thee. And when it rested, he said, Return, O Lord, unto the many thousands of Israel." {4aSG 11.1}

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