THREE LEVELS TO THE INNER SANCTUM OF SOLOMON'S TEMPLE

One reason I like our older temples in this final dispensation is that it is clear as you move through the progression of states (from telestial to celestial), that you are made aware of the differences as you "upward" move. In the Salt Lake Temple, that is quite apparent - and even in the celestial room, you have distinct differences showing there are greater realms within that state of being with the sealing rooms above that level indicating the greatness of the crowning ordinances of being sealed to your eternal sweetheart throughout all time and eternity. I LOVE symbolism - the mind soars when you are able to see a 3D interpretation of God's plan for His children - and to see what He wants to place the most emphasis on.

In Solomon's Temple, apparently there were three levels within the holiest area (of which there were three areas). Three levels - which I can only guess represent the three levels within the celestial kingdom. It appears that there is enough oral tradition left of how the original temple was built that this important detail may make it into the final design of the third temple. I am VERY excited to see this - and will sell plasma (if I have to) to make sure my wife and I get to go and visit it - and give a gift (of poison, or something) to the anti-Christ...... And I firmly believe that I will live to see the day! Exciting times we live in!

TWO WINDING STAIRCASES

The First Temple as drawn by Ezekiel had a winding staircase built within the thick wall which accessed the higher chambers. Josephus confirms that a large winding staircase existed in the First Temple. He claims it was built in its thick wall. The Bible states it was built in the thick southern wall. The Second Temple did not have a winding staircase.

“The door for the middle chamber was in the right side of the house and they went up with winding stairs into the middle chamber, and out of the middle into the third.” MELAKHIM 6:8 JB

“The door for the middle chamber was in the right side of the house: and they went up with winding stairs into the middle chamber, and out of the middle into the third.” 1 KINGS 6:8 KJV

There are clearly two winding staircases. In order to use two winding staircases you would need 3 chambers stacked on top of each other and such is the case in this model of Solomon’s Temple when you incorporate Ezekiel’s measurements. The winding staircase is attached to “the right side of the house” I Kings 6:8 and goes up through the arch in the ceiling.
At the North Gate the blood from the sacrifice was drained into a goblet which was brought up the stairs by the High Priest once a year. In the ritual it took blood to approach the throne room. Once the High Priest passed through the curtain and entered into the Holy Throne Room the blood was then sprinkled on God who was resting in the Ark. He was always pleased. There is no record of Him striking to death any High Priest who brought the blood. The first set of winding stairs for house chamber (60 x 20) start there and connect up into the 40 x 20 chamber (I Kings 6:33)

In a horizontal Temple model the 60 x 20 chamber has a ceiling of 30, but the Holy of Holies has a ceiling of 20. If the Holy Chamber was elevated this would allow one winding staircase to enter it but where would the second winding staircase go? I Kings 6:2 & 8

Historian Josephus states this is how the winding staircases was constructed in Solomon’s Temple.

“The king (Solomon) also had a fine contrivance for an ascent to the upper room over the temple, and that was by steps in the thickness of its wall.”
Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, B-VIII, C-3, V-2.

At the time that Josephus was told about the construction of Solomon’s Temple it had been destroyed 500 years prior. So the memory of perhaps the Holy of Holies chamber being ascended by stairs might have been lost in the oral tradition, but if this model is correct it was sealed in the written tradition of the Hebrew Bible.

In the first winding staircase it incorporates one-fifth (1/5) of the thickness of the wall to stabilize the staircase. In the second chamber the winding staircase is constructed of and tied into one-forth (1/4) of the thickness of the wall. Probably because the walls are pylon shaped it uses less of the stone wall in the middle chamber. I Kings 6:31-33

Solomon’s Temple is the only building on record which incorporated an arched ceiling which spanned 20 cubits (35′). Keep in mind this Temple predates the Roman Empire by nearly 1,000 years. Additionally there were three gigantic arches in Solomon’s Temple for the 3 chambers of the main structure.

Question: Which type of temple could best utilize two winding staircases: A horizontal temple or a vertical Temple? The TWO winding staircases is more evidence that the main tower structure might have had three stories and built vertically.