Introduction

King David wrote, “He built His sanctuary like the heights, like the earth which He has established forever” (Ps. 78:69). A careful examination of this Scripture will reveal that it identifies three sanctuaries, which are all types of one another: 1. the “sanctuary” is a reference to the Tabernacle in the Wilderness (Ex. 25–31 and 35–40); 2. the “earth” is a reference to planet earth, which is also a sanctuary; and 3. the “heights”, which is a reference to the original, the heavenly sanctuary (Heb. 8:5; Ex. 25:40). Of course, it serves as the pattern for the other two sanctuaries.

The purpose of a sanctuary is to sustain life. Specifically, Elohim[1] designed the earth to sustain physical life, and the Tabernacle to sustain spiritual life. The life-sustaining qualities of the earth are contained in the seven days of creation, while the life-sustaining qualities of the Tabernacle are contained in the six pieces of furniture and the High Priest. Amazingly, when these equivalent, life-sustaining qualities are placed in a list, they prove to comprise a seven-stage code that, if applied, will culminate in salvation! So, let’s get started!

Yeshua's Spiritual Temple

The account of the first day of creation reads, “Elohim said, ‘Light be.’[2] And there was light. Elohim saw the light, that it was good! Then Elohim separated between the light and the darkness. Elohim called the light ‘day,’ and the darkness He called ‘night.’ So there was an evening and there was a morning, day one” (Gen. 1:3-5).

Thus, on the first day of creation, Elohim created light, which is necessary to see. In spiritual terms, though, light symbolizes TRUTH. John wrote, “This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light, for their works were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works would be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done in Elohim” (John 3:19-21; cf. Ps. 119:105, 160; Isa. 8:20; 1 John 1:5-8).

The account of the second day of creation reads, “Then Elohim said, ‘Let there be an expanse in the midst of the water, and let it separate between the water and the water.’ And it became so. Elohim appointed the expanse and separated between the water which was under the expanse and the water which was over the expanse. Elohim called the expanse ‘air.’ And Elohim saw that it was good! So there was an evening and there was a morning, the second day” (Gen. 1:6-8).

Thus, on the second day of creation, Elohim created air, which is necessary to breathe. In spiritual terms, though, air symbolizes FAITH. Paul states, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1; cf. Rom. 8:24-25; Job 26:7). The expression, “a leap of faith” illustrates this point, as it accurately pictures a person leaping through the air from one cliff to another in faith.

The account of the third day of creation reads, “Then Elohim said, ‘Let the water under the air be gathered unto its places, and let the dry land appear.’ And it became so. The water which was under the air was gathered unto its places, and the dry land appeared. Elohim called the dry land ‘earth,’ and the gathering of the waters He called ‘seas.’ And Elohim saw that it was good! Elohim said, ‘Let the earth bring forth vegetation: herbs yielding seed and fruit trees bearing fruit, with their seed in them after their kinds on the earth.’ And it became so. The earth brought forth vegetation, herbs yielding seed after their kinds, and trees bearing fruit, with their seed in them, after their kinds. And Elohim saw that it was good! So there was an evening and there was a morning, the third day” (Gen. 1:9-13; cf. Deut. 8:3; Luke 4:4).

Thus, on the third day of creation, Elohim created grass, herbs, and fruit trees, which are necessary for food. In spiritual terms, though, food symbolizes the WORD OF ELOHIM. Yeshua[3] states, “…It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of יהוה,[4] our Elohim’” (Matt. 4:4, cf. Deut. 8:3; Luke 4:4).

The account of the fourth day of creation reads, “Then Elohim said, ‘Let there be luminaries in the expanse of the heavens to give light to the earth and to separate between the day and the night. They shall serve as signs for seasons, for days and for years. And let them serve as luminaries in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth.’ And it became so. Elohim appointed two great luminaries: the greater luminary to rule the day, and the lesser luminary to rule the night, among the stars. Elohim set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light to the earth, to rule over the day and the night, and to separate between the light and the darkness. Elohim saw that it was good! So there was an evening and there was a morning, the fourth day” (Gen. 1:14-19).

Thus, on the fourth day of creation, Elohim created seasons, days, and years, which are necessary to measure time. In spiritual terms, though, time symbolizes REPENTANCE. Revelation 2:21 reads, “I gave her time to repent of her fornication, but she refuses to repent” (cf. Acts 17:30-31; 2 Cor. 2:10).

The account of the fifth day of creation reads, “Then Elohim said, ‘Let the waters increase abundantly with moving things, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the air.’ And it became so. Elohim created large sea creatures, and all living creatures that move, with which the waters increased abundantly after their kinds, and all winged birds after their kinds. And Elohim saw that it was good! Elohim blessed them, saying, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, fill the waters of the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.’ So there was an evening and there was a morning, the fifth day” (Gen. 1:20-23).

Thus, on the fifth day of creation, Elohim created life from the waters. In spiritual terms, though, water symbolizes REBIRTH. Paul wrote, “We were buried therefore with Him through immersion to death, that just like Messiah was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4, cf. Titus 3:4-5).

The account of the sixth day of creation reads, “Then Elohim said, ‘Let the earth produce living creatures after their kinds: beasts, moving things, the living creatures of the earth, after their kinds.’ And it became so. Elohim appointed the living creatures of the earth after their kinds: the beasts after their kinds, all the creatures that move on the land after their kinds. Elohim saw that it was good! Then Elohim said, ‘Let Us appoint man to Our image, according to Our likeness. And let them rule over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the beasts of the earth, over all moving things that move on the earth.’ So Elohim created man in His own image. In the image of Elohim He created him; male and female He created them. Elohim blessed them saying, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth, subdue it, and rule over the fish of the seas, the birds of the air, and the beasts of the earth, over all living creatures that move on the earth.’ Elohim said, ‘Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed, which is on the surface of the entire earth, and every tree, which bears fruit yielding seed. It will be your food. To all the living creatures of the earth, all the birds of the air, and to all that move on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green plant for food.’ And it became so. Elohim saw everything that He had appointed, and behold, they were very good! So there was an evening and there was a morning, the sixth day” (Gen. 1:24-31).

Thus, on the sixth day of creation, Elohim created man, blessed him with unmerited dominion over His creation, and commanded him to “Be fruitful and multiply” (Gen. 1:24-31) and, in effect, extend his blessing of dominion to all mankind. In spiritual terms, though, blessings symbolize GRACE. Elohim creates each Believer a “new man” (Eph. 4:20-24; 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:14-15; Col. 3:9-11). He blesses him with unmerited dominion over the Kingdom of Elohim (Matt. 6:33; 25:34). He commands him to “Be fruitful and multiply” by proclaiming the good news[5] of the Kingdom of Elohim (1 Cor. 16:8-9; 2 Cor. 2:12; Col. 4:3-4) “…in the whole world for a testimony to all the nations” (Matt. 24:14). As a result, He extends His gift of grace to all mankind. In Ephesians 2:8-9, Paul states, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of Elohim, not of works, that no one may boast.”

The account of the seventh day of creation reads, “Thus, the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts. On the sixth day Elohim completed His work which He had appointed, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had appointed. Elohim blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it, because on it He rested from all His work which He had appointed and created” (Gen. 2:1-3).

Thus, on the seventh day of creation, Elohim rested. In spiritual terms, though, rest symbolizes SALVATION! Paul states, “For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken afterward of another day. Therefore, Sabbath-keeping remains for the people of Elohim. For He who has entered into His rest has himself also rested from His works, as Elohim did from His. Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience” (Heb. 4:8-11).

Amazingly, when we compile the spiritual equivalents of the life-sustaining qualities of the earth in a list, they prove to comprise a code that contains seven stages of spiritual progression: TRUTH; FAITH; the WORD OF ELOHIM; REPENTANCE; REBIRTH; GRACE; and SALVATION. It is important to understand that the first theme of the code, truth, acts as a trigger, setting into motion a chain reaction that starts with truth and culminates in salvation. The process starts when the Believer hears truth. Then, the Believer comes to faith, studies the Word of Elohim, repents, experiences spiritual rebirth, receives grace, and receives salvation through trials.

The Genesis Code Applied to the Tabernacle

The Ark of the Covenant was in the Holy of Holies (Ex. 25:10-22). It contained the mercy seat where the glory of Elohim came to rest (Ex. 35:40). The glory of Elohim provided light for the High Priest. In spiritual terms, though, the Ark of the Covenant symbolizes TRUTH.

The Altar of Incense (Ex. 30:1-10) was in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle. It provided a sweet aroma, which ascended into the air as an offering to Elohim (Heb. 13:15; Rev 8:3-4). In spiritual terms, though, the Altar of Incense symbolizes FAITH.

The Table of Presence Bread (Ex. 25:23-30), which consisted of twelve loaves of bread, was in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle, opposite the Golden Menorah. It provided bread for the priests. In spiritual terms, though, the Table of Presence Bread symbolizes the WORD OF ELOHIM, as it applies to the Twelve Tribes of Israel (Rom. 3:1-2).

The Golden Menorah (Ex. 25:31-40), which consisted of seven lamps, was in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle. It provided time for the priests to minister. In spiritual terms, though, the seven-lamp Golden Menorah symbolizes REPENTANCE, as it applies to the seven eras of the Body of Messiah (Rev. 1:20; chapters 2-3), which represents the time Elohim has given them to repent (Rev. 2:21).

The Brass Basin (Ex. 30:17-21, 38:8) was outside the Tabernacle, between the Tabernacle door and the Altar of Burnt Offerings. It provided water for the priests to wash their hands and feet before offering sacrifices or entering the Tabernacle. In spiritual terms, though, the Brass Basin symbolizes REBIRTH.

The Altar of Burnt Offerings (Ex. 27:1-8; 30:28), also called the Brazen Altar (Ex. 39:30) was on the far side of the brass basin (Ex. 40:6). At this altar, priests made animal sacrifices on behalf of the people for their sins for the purpose of receiving mercy from Elohim. In spiritual terms. though, the Altar of Burnt Offerings symbolizes GRACE.

Once the priests sacrificed sin offerings on behalf of the people they were forgiven and were able to approach Elohim. In spiritual terms, though, the forgiveness of sin symbolizes SALVATION.

Just as the spirit of Elohim initiated the creation of the earth (Gen. 1:2), it also initiated the creation of the Tabernacle (Ex. 35:31). Also, just as each day of creation ended with the statement, "And it was so,” each phase of the building of Tabernacle ended with the phrase, “…as יהוה had commanded Moses” (Ex. 39-40). Finally, just as Elohim looked over all His work and blessed it (Gen. 1:31), Moses looked over all his work and blessed it (Ex. 40:33; 39:32, 43). 

Comparison of Sanctuaries

A careful comparison of the physical life-sustaining qualities of the earth with the spiritual life-sustaining qualities of the Tabernacle will reveal that they parallel one another perfectly. The light of the first day of the creation of the earth is the equivalent of the glory of Elohim that rested on the Ark of the Covenant in the Tabernacle. Both symbolize TRUTH. The air of the second day of the creation of the earth is the equivalent of the Altar of Incense in the Tabernacle. Both symbolize FAITH. The grass, herbs, and fruit trees of the third day of the creation of the earth are the equivalents of the Table of Presence Bread in the Tabernacle. Both symbolize the WORD OF ELOHIM. The seasons, days, and years of the fourth day of the creation of the earth are the equivalent of the Seven-Lamp Menorah in the Tabernacle. Both symbolize REPENTANCE. The water abounding of the fifth day of the creation of the earth is the equivalent of the Brass Basin in the Tabernacle. Both symbolize REBIRTH. The creation of man who was given dominion over the animals on the sixth day of the creation of the earth is the equivalent of the people who sacrificed animals through the priests on the Altar of Burnt Offerings. Both symbolize GRACE. The Sabbath-rest of the seventh day of the creation of the earth is the equivalent of the people being forgiven of their sins and being able to approach Elohim in the Tabernacle. Both symbolize SALVATION. Thus, just as there is a hidden code in the sanctuary of the earth, that same code is also hidden in the Tabernacle sanctuary. Again, the seven stages of spiritual progression are TRUTH; FAITH; the WORD OF ELOHIM; REPENTANCE; REBIRTH; GRACE; and SALVATION.

Conclusion

In Isaiah 46:9-10, Elohim tells us that He declares, “…the end from the beginning….” This means that those who desire to know what is prophesied to happen at the end of the age must first “search out” what happened in the beginning.

In this publication, I have revealed a biblical code in the book of Genesis, which is based on the seven days of creation. Now, the next step is to apply the code to the current, spiritual sanctuary, Yeshua’s congregation (Matt. 16:18), the Body of Messiah (1 Cor. 3:16-17; 6:15-20; 2 Cor. 6:14-18; Eph. 2:19-22; 1 Pet. 2:5), in order to reveal the truth regarding the prophecies related to the end of the age. Amazingly, these prophecies include the truth regarding the "great tribulation;” the "abomination that makes desolate;” and the identity of the people who number one-third of the earth, and the people on whom the trumpet plagues are brought to bear at the end of the age, etc.

When Daniel asked Elohim about the prophecies related to the end of the age, Elohim replied, “…Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end” (Dan. 12:9). So, the fact that Elohim has provided us with the key to understanding “…the end from the beginning…,” proves that we are living at the end of the age. If you count yourself among those of us who have ears to hear, and who want to be prepared for the uncertain times that lie ahead, read the article:  The Genesis Code, Part 2: The Body of Messiah and Salvation.

May יהוה bless you!

Stephen P. Otto

[1] Hebrew title for God.

[2] The Scriptures quoted in this document are quoted from the Holy Bible: Ancient Paths Version, which presents the words of יהוה in the Old Testament and the words of Yeshua in the New Testament in blue type, based on the principle of Numbers 15:37-41. 

[3] Hebrew, personal name of Jesus. 

[4] Hebrew, personal name of Elohim.

[5] The Greek word “gospel,” which has been retained in many English translations, means "good news."

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