The idea that we are redeemed by separating spirit from flesh is supported repeatedly in the design of the temple.
In the outer courtyard of the Temple there is an altar and a laver. On the altar the sacrificed animal’s flesh is destroyed. The animal is killed, but after being killed, the animal’s flesh is destroyed. This represents Christ laying down His flesh.
The laver is not the “living water”, as it is not water that a person drinks. The water in the laver is used for cleaning, so it could be compared to baptism. It could also be compared to the water of the Red Sea that was used to deliver or rescue the children of Israel. In that instance water was separated.
The Holy Place in the Temple
So, what we see in the outer courtyard is separation and the destruction of flesh. This is how we enter the Holy Place of the Temple. In the Holy Place there is the shewbread, which is the Boby of Christ. The bread is the fully human part of Christ. There is also the light of the Menorah, which is the fully Divine part of Christ.
The bread and the Menorah are separated as we are redeemed by Christ separating Himself from His flesh. This separation is clear as a person must walk between the bread and the Menorah to get to the Holy of Holies.
Before the Holy of Holies is the altar of incense. Incense is a physical material that is burned or destroyed. As it is destroyed it releases pleasing smoke or vapor. This represents our spirit that is released as our flesh is destroyed. So, the incense is our liberated spirit.
The Holy of Holies
On the Day of Atonement, much incense is released into the Holy of Holies. Also brought into the Holy of Holies is the blood of a bull and a goat.
In Psalm 22, bulls are used to represent Satan and other demonic spirits.
Psalm 22:12-14 Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round. They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
In the gospel of Matthew, sheep are used to represent the spirit while goats are used to represent the flesh.
Matthew 25:32-34 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
This means on the Day of Atonement, the demons are destroyed, the flesh is destroyed, and Holy of Holies is filled with the spirits of the children of God.
Interesting that the blood of the goat is also put on the altar of incense and the altar of burnt offerings. Both altars represent the destruction of the flesh. The altar of burnt offerings is the destruction of the flesh of Christ. The altar of incense is the destruction of the flesh of the children of God.
Two of the sons of Aaron were struck death because they burned incense with fire that didn’t come from the altar of burnt offerings. Our redemption can only be justified by Christ. Jesus lays down His flesh (Altar of burnt offering). That justifies our laying down our flesh (Altar of incense). So, the incense must be burned with fire from the altar of burnt offerings.
