The concept of the temple in heaven is taught in several Old Testament passages (see, for example, Ps. 11:1–7; 102:19; 150:1; Isa. 6:1–8; 1 Kgs. 22:19; Ezek. 1, 10)295 as well as throughout the book of Revelation.296 In fact, John the Revelator explicitly refers to the heavenly temple with such expressions as, “Another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven” (Rev. 14:17), and, “There came a great voice out of the temple of heaven” (Rev. 16:17; see also 7:15; 14:15; 15:5–8). And in our own dispensation, President Wilford Woodruff once saw and spoke with Joseph Smith and other deceased individuals “at the door of the temple in heaven.”297
Ancient Israelite temples have a particular relationship with the temple in heaven; for example, (1) Jesus Christ and His Atonement are the focus of both ancient temples and the temple in heaven; (2) various aspects of ancient Israelite temples are symbolic representations of things in the heavenly temple; and (3) John touched on several ancient temple rituals as he wrote regarding the temple of heaven (see the following chart). The chart sets forth relationships, similarities, and differences between ancient temples and the temple in heaven.
|
Temple on Earth |
Temple in Heaven |
||
|
Description |
References |
Description |
References |
|
Called “worldly sanctuary” |
Heb. 9:1–2 |
Called “true tabernacle” or “temple in heaven” |
Heb. 8:2; Rev. 7:15; 14:17; 15:5; 16:17 |
|
Seven-branched lamp stand |
Ex. 26:35 |
Seven-branched lamp stand |
Rev. 1:12 |
|
Altar of sacrifice |
Ex. 27:1–2; 39:39 |
Altar of sacrifice |
Rev. 6:9 |
|
Sacred vestments |
Ex. 29; 39 |
Sacred vestments |
Rev. 4:4; 6:11; 15:6 |
|
Altar of incense |
Ex. 30:1–6; 39:38 |
Altar of incense |
Rev. 8:3, 5 |
|
Four horns of the altar |
Ex. 30:10 |
Four horns of the altar |
Rev. 9:13 |
|
Ark of the covenant |
Ex. 25 |
Ark of the covenant |
Rev. 11:19 |
|
Golden censer |
1 Kgs. 7:50 |
Golden censer |
Rev. 8:3–5 |
|
Incense |
Ex. 30:34–36 |
Incense |
Rev. 5:8; 8:4 |
|
Throne |
Ex. 25:22; Lev. 16:2 |
Throne |
Ps. 11:4; Rev. 7:9; 16:17 |
|
Holy place |
1 Kgs. 7:50 |
Holy place |
Heb. 9:11–12, 24 |
|
Holy of Holies |
Ex. 26:25–33 |
Holy of Holies |
Rev. 4:1–10 |
|
Priestly officiants |
Ps. 110:4; Heb. 7:17 |
Priestly officiants |
Rev. 8:2–5 |
|
Rituals |
Throughout |
Rituals |
Rev. 4:8–11; 8:2–5; 15:1–8 |
|
24 priestly courses |
1 Chr. 23:3–6 |
24 elders |
Rev. 4:4, 10 |
|
Cherubim |
Ex. 25:18, 22; 1 Kgs. 6:23–28 |
Four living |
Rev. 4:6–8 (cf. Ezek. 1, 10) |
|
Worshippers |
Throughout |
Worshippers |
Rev. 5:11; 7:9; 19:6 |
|
Sacrifice of lambs |
Ex. 29:39 |
Lamb of God |
Rev. 5:6 |