The concept of a sanctuary is an important one in the Bible. A sanctuary is a sacred, holy place set apart for God. It is a place where God’s presence dwells and where people can connect with Him. The Bible describes several key features that make a space a true sanctuary.
Set Apart and Dedicated to God
A sanctuary is first and foremost a place that has been specifically set apart and dedicated to God. In the Old Testament, God commanded the Israelites to build a tabernacle as a sanctuary where He would meet with them (Exodus 25:8). This tabernacle and the subsequent temples built in Jerusalem were sanctified holy places, dedicated solely to the worship and service of God. The sanctity of these spaces was carefully maintained – only priests could enter certain areas, and rules for cleanliness and purity had to be followed. Even the furnishings and instruments used in the sanctuary were set apart and consecrated to the Lord (Numbers 7:1). God’s presence and glory filled these Old Testament sanctuaries (Exodus 40:34-38). Likewise, Christian places of worship are to be sanctified and set apart for God’s purposes and glory.
A Place of God’s Presence
A key characteristic of a sanctuary is that it is a place where God makes His presence known. As noted above, in the Old Testament tabernacle and temples, God’s glory and presence were tangibly manifested. The sanctuary was where the people of God could meet with Him and experience His presence. King Solomon, at the dedication of the first temple, prayed, “Even heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, much less this house I have built! Yet give attention to your servant’s prayer and his plea for mercy, Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day.” (1 Kings 8:27-28). Solomon knew that while the temple building itself could not contain God, it was nonetheless a place where God chose to make His presence known to His people as they sought Him. Christian places of worship, though they do not contain God either, are sanctuaries where believers can meet with God’s presence through his Holy Spirit.
A Place of Worship and Sacrifice
Old Testament sanctuaries were places of worship, prayer, and sacrifice. Sacrifices and offerings to God were presented at the temple on a regular basis. The singers and musicians led worship songs and prayers (1 Chronicles 6:31-33). The sanctuary was the center of Israel’s national worship. Individuals also came to pray and offer sacrifices for personal atonement. Similarly, Christian sanctuaries are places where God’s people come together for corporate worship, prayer, teaching, and community. The early Christians “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). Our sanctuaries provide a sacred space for these activities that are vital to our spiritual growth and connection to God and one another.
A Place of Revelation
God spoke to His people in the Old Testament sanctuaries through prophets, priests, His glory cloud, and other means. It was a place of divine revelation. Likewise, Christian sanctuaries facilitate revelation as we hear the Word of God proclaimed in preaching and teaching. We learn God’s truth through instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). This equips us for ministry and trains us for godly living. God also speaks through the inward witness of the Holy Spirit as we worship and pray. Christian sanctuaries are places where God reveals His truth to transform lives.
A Place of Forgiveness and Cleansing
Through the Old Testament sanctuary system, people could find cleansing from sin and forgiveness through sacrifices. When Christ came, He replaced that system by becoming the perfect and final sacrifice for sin once for all (Hebrews 10:1-18). Now, because of what Jesus did on the cross, our sanctuaries are places where we can enter God’s presence with boldness to “receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). It is in our sanctuaries that we corporately celebrate and proclaim the Lord’s death through communion until He returns (1 Corinthians 11:26). Here we receive God’s mercy and grace.
A Place of Rest and Refuge
The sanctuary is meant to provide a place of rest and refuge from the chaos and trials of this world. The Old Testament sanctuaries had chambers where the priests could rest between duties (1 Kings 6:5-10). Psalm 73:17 declares, “till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.” God’s sanctuary gives us heavenly perspective when we face injustice and suffering. Jesus invites all who are weary to find rest in Him (Matthew 11:28-30). Our sanctuaries remind us of His promise of eternal rest for His people. They provide a haven of peace in a turbulent world.
A Place of Healing and Restoration
In the Old Testament, people could find healing and restoration at the sanctuary. The Psalms describe those crying out to God for healing and deliverance from affliction in the context of the temple (Psalm 6:2, 9:13). Our sanctuaries point us to Christ, by whose wounds we are healed (Isaiah 53:5, 1 Peter 2:24). Through the support and prayers of God’s people in our sanctuaries, we can find strength, comfort and restoration in difficult times. God also heals and restores us through the teaching of His Word and the work of the Holy Spirit.
A Place of Community
The sanctuary provides a place for God’s people to come together in worship, service and fellowship. Though we can commune with God privately, something powerful happens when believers gather together in God’s presence. The early Christians “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). We encourage one another, bear one another’s burdens, and stir up “love and good works” in community (Hebrews 10:24-25). Our sanctuaries provide sacred space for this vital communal aspect of our faith.
A Place of Order and Reverence
Though magnificent, Old Testament sanctuaries were marked by order and reverence for God’s holiness. Detailed plans ensured proper construction (Exodus 26). Priests had to ritually purify themselves and wear special garments (Leviticus 8:1-13, Exodus 28). Reverence for God meant approaching Him carefully and according to His instructions. In the New Testament era, Paul instructs that “everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way” in places of worship (1 Corinthians 14:40). Our sanctuaries call for an attitude of awe and respect as we enter God’s presence.
A Place of Spiritual Nourishment
The Old Testament faithful made pilgrimages to the sanctuary for annual feasts and sacrifices. These were times of spiritual nourishment, as they remembered God’s goodness and experienced His presence in corporate worship. King David longed for the spiritual nourishment of God’s sanctuary during exile (Psalm 63:1-2). For Christians today, our sanctuaries provide regular spiritual nourishment through hearing God’s Word, receiving the sacraments, worshiping together, and fellowshiping. God uses these means to feed our souls and nurture our spiritual growth and vitality.
A Place of Discipleship and Equipping
The priests and Levites were consecrated and equipped for service at the sanctuary (Exodus 28:41, 29:44). Christian sanctuaries likewise serve as places of discipleship, mentoring and equipping God’s people for ministry. Paul describes the church as the place where “the saints are equipped for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-12). Through sound preaching and teaching, opportunities to serve, and godly examples set by leaders, our sanctuaries prepare us for works of ministry and service.
A Place to Encounter God’s Glory
In the Old Testament, the sanctuary was where God’s glory was revealed, from Moses’ shining face after meeting with God (Exodus 34:29-35) to the cloud that filled Solomon’s temple (1 Kings 8:10-11). Though Christ’s glory surpasses these limited manifestations (Hebrews 1:3), our sanctuaries provide sacred spaces where we can still taste the glory of God as we commune with Him. We behold God’s glory in creation (Psalm 19:1) and sense His majesty in corporate worship. And we ourselves are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory (2 Corinthians 3:18).
A Place to Remember God’s Faithfulness
The Passover celebration reminded Israelites of God’s mighty acts in history on their behalf (Exodus 12). Singing Psalms at the temple recalled God’s faithfulness (Psalm 77:11-14). Sanctuaries help us remember the proofs of God’s steadfast love and mercy throughout history and in our lives. As we worship and hear testimonies, our sanctuaries connect us to God’s ongoing story of faithfulness to His people. This strengthens our resolve to trust and follow Him.
A Place to Participate in Christ’s Redemption
Ultimately, Christian sanctuaries point us to what Christ accomplished through His death and resurrection. As already noted, we proclaim the Lord’s death through Communion, which represents Christ’s body broken for us and blood poured out for the forgiveness of sins (Luke 22:19-20). Our baptisms identify us with His death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4). We gather to celebrate His victory over sin and death. Our sanctuaries enable us to participate communally in the redemptive work of Jesus, which is the very heart of our faith.
In summary, the biblical concept of a sanctuary is rich and multidimensional. At its core, it is a sacred space set apart and dedicated to God, where His presence dwells. Our sanctuaries are places to encounter God, worship Him, pray, find healing and spiritual nourishment, celebrate Christ’s redemption, and grow together in discipleship. The sanctuary provides order, beauty, transcendence and a sense of God’s glory and majesty. It is a holy habitation where mortal humans can commune with the immortal, all-holy God.
