Being inside or outside often makes little difference, but if heaven’s involved, it’s crucial!
Remember, the Bible says the tabernacle was a scale model of heaven. Approaching the courtyard from the north, west, or south, you would see nothing but white linen. On the north and south, it was “one hundred cubits long…with its twenty pillars and their twenty sockets of bronze, and the hooks of the pillars and their bands of silver” (Ex 27:9-11). On the west, it was fifty cubits wide “with their ten pillars and their ten sockets” (v 12). On the east or sunrise side, it was different. In the middle of that linen wall was an entrance. “For the gate of the court there shall be a screen twenty cubits long, woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen…It shall have four pillars and four sockets” (v 16). Thus, “the hangings on [each] side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and their three sockets” (v 14). The height, we are told in verse 18, was 5 cubits, or about 7.5 feet. What a picture of the fact that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23)! No one measures up. We can’t even come up to our own standards, let alone God’s. Note, the pillars’ sockets aren’t redemption silver, but judgment bronze. The hooks that hold it all up, however, are silver! Both God’s righteous judgment and His gracious redemption are directly connected to Christ: “For He made Him, [Christ] who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor 5:21). Yes, God offers salvation to those whose way seems barred by His judgment against sin, but His salvation in Christ doesn’t ignore our sins. He won’t sneak us in the back! There is a Way in—and only one. How beautiful it is! Jesus said, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved” (Jn 10:9). Come on in!