I. Gold

This symbolizes the following:

A. Deity, Divinity, The Glory of God

Exodus 25:17 – 18; Exodus 37:6 – 7 and compare this with John 20:12. Exodus 25:10 – 13; Joshua 6:19; 2 Samuel 8:10 – 11; Proverbs 25:11 – 12; Haggai 2:8; Matthew 2:11

B. A Christian who has been tested and tried and passed the test.

Job 23:10; 1 Peter 1:7; Revelation 3:18; 2 Timothy 2:20 – 21; Zechariah 13:9; Lamentations 4:2; Psalm 105:37; Proverbs 27:21

II. Silver

This symbolizes the following:

A. Redemption

“The red coin of Calvary”

The Atonement Money

Exodus 30:11 – 16 (shekels were generally made out of silver); Exodus 38:25 – 28; 1 Peter 1:17 – 21 – Note: you were not redeemed with these things but you were redeemed with what they represent; the blood of Jesus Christ! Zechariah 11:12 – 13 and compare this with Matthew 26:14 – 16; 27:3 – 10.

B. The redemption work of Christ (7 parts)

1. It starts with His birth

Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:21 – 23

2. We must come alike to God through Jesus Christ our Mediator.

Romans 3:22 – 26; John 14:6; 1 Timothy 2:5 – 6

3. There is one standard for all

2 Corinthians 5:21; John 3:7

4. It speaks of 2 opposing parties brought together in the Atonement of the blood of Christ.

Hebrews 9:11 – 15; Ephesians 2:12 – 22

5. It proclaims our Redemption

Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:20 – 22

6. As part of our Redemption we are counted and added into the Church His body.

Acts 2:47; Psalm 87:5 – 6; John 10:1 – 4; Psalm 44:22

7. In Redemption we are lifted up with Christ as part of His Church.

Acts 5:31; Ephesians 2:4 – 8

In one piece of silver Christ unites us with Himself. “For me and thee” – Matthew 17:24 – 27

III. Brass

Symbolizes the following:

A. Suffering/Sacrifice

The Altar and all the items on the Altar symbolize sacrifice and suffering. The sacrifice itself is produced through suffering.

Exodus 27:1 – 8; Exodus 38:1 – 7; Revelation 1:5; Acts 3:18; Luke 24:26; Acts 17:3; Hebrews 2:18; Hebrews 9:26; Hebrews 13:12; 1 Peter 2:21 – 23; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 Peter 4:1, 13, 16; 1 Peter 5: 10; Philippians 3:10; 1 Peter 1:11; Acts 5:41; Acts 9:16; Acts 26:23; Romans 8:17 – 18; Philippians 1:29 – 30; 2 Timothy 2:12; 2 Timothy 3:12

Christ Jesus had 2 distinct things he suffered for:

1. Jesus suffered for our sins (1 Peter 3:18; 1 Corinthians 15:3) and because He took our place and became sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21) when we come to Him and are saved we no longer have to suffer condemnation for our sins that are under the blood of Christ (John 3:18; Romans 5:9)

2. Jesus also suffered for righteousness. (John 15:18 – 25) We are to follow His example and suffer with Him in this! (Matthew 5:10 – 12; Philippians 1:29)

Hebrews 5:8 – 9 Note: In this passage when referring to Jesus “learning obedience” and “being made perfect” it is dealing with Christ in His sinless human nature as the Son of Man. As God incarnate Jesus knew all things and as such did not have to learn anything. (John 16:30; John 21:17; John 2:24 – 25) as God Christ is perfect (2 Samuel 22:31; Psalm 18:30. Compare this with John 14:4 – 6) He was without sin (Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:22) and because we abide in him who is perfect we to have no sin (Colossians 1:28; 1 John 3:6, 9). Satan before the incarnation contended that the Lord could not understand His creation because He had never gone through and experienced what men went through so as a result Christ not only came to partake in our humanity  and experience what we experience but also He came to reconcile us back to Himself by becoming the “Sin Offering”. (Hebrews 4:15; 2 Corinthians 5:19, 21; This is the reason Christ was tempted in Matthew 4:1 – 11 because it covered every aspect of man’s own temptations that he faces daily. Zechariah 3:2; Isaiah 50:3 – 9 – notice verse 7 and compare with Luke 9:51)

B. Divine Judgment

Deuteronomy 28:15 – 23; numbers 21:5 – 9; 1 Peter 4:17 – Note: It begins in the House of God which is why the brass is placed in “the house”.