And scarlet.—Truths respecting the Ransom-sacrifice of our Lord. (1 Tim. 2:6; Rom. 14:9; Rom. 5:18, 19; John 1:29; 1 John 2:2.) All these truths have passed away from Babylon, but the errors must go, too.
And all thyine wood.—Errors respecting man's inherent immortality. Thyine wood is a sweet-smelling wood; wood is a symbol of human traditions. The sweetest of all human theories is the declaration that when a man dies he is not dead at all. (1 Cor. 3:12.) Very shortly men will begin to come back from the dead, “the last first” (Matt. 19:30; 20:16); and stories that they have been in some fabulous hell or in Heaven will be at a considerable discount.
And all manner vessels of ivory.—Stories of death-bed repentance and dreams, used to decorate unscriptural doctrines. Ivory was and is used in the harness of horses. It was also used to decorate beds. (Amos 6:4.) Horses symbolize teachings, and beds symbolize creed-beds. The application fits, whichever way the symbol is applied.—Jer. 23:28.
And all manner vessels of most precious wood.—Errors that appeal to the heart of the natural man.—1 Cor. 3:12.
And of brass.—Copper; errors respecting the nature of man, created perfect and to be re-created in the same likeness.—Gen. 1:31; Rev. 21:5.
And Iron, [And marble].—Errors respecting the “iron rule” and when it is to be exercised.—Dan. 2:40; Rev. 2:27.
18:13. And cinnamon, and spice, and odours, and ointments.—Errors respecting the nature and work of the Holy Spirit. These principal spices represent things which go to make up the anointing which we receive to become priests and kings with Christ.
| EXODUS 30:23 | EXODUS 31:3 | ISAIAH 11:2 |
| Holy Anointing Oil | Bezaleel | Christ |
| Olive oil, an hin | Filled with the Spirit of God. | Spirit of Lord resting upon Him. |
| Myrrh, 500 | Wisdom | Wisdom |
| Cinnamon, 250 | Understanding | Understanding |
| Calamus, 250 | Knowledge | Knowledge |
| Cassia, 500 | Workmanship | Counsel and might |
“In the above parallel we find knowledge parallel with calamus and understanding with cinnamon, and of each a like quantity is prescribed. We have the understanding of all the knowledge received of God.”—Z. '07-349.
And frankincense.—Errors respecting the kind of praise proper to offer. Much of the hymn-book theology is bad.