A Tour
      of the
TEMPLE
"Son of Man, show the House of Israel the Temple, and let them be ashamed of their iniquities, and let them measure the pattern..."
(Ezekiel 43:10)

The Temple is a major element in the House of Israel (the Northern Kingdom)'s return
to the Covenant of Yahweh.

The temple was actually never commanded by YHWH as such.  The tabernacle that it replaced, however, was. 
The actual size of the altar 
in the Tabernacle courtyard >

Notice that it was much smaller than the one at the Temple (far left). In the background you can see the screen that served as the entryway to the Tabernacle court in the wilderness. It is woven from purple (argamon), blue (tehelet), scarlet-crimson (tola'at shani), and white linen (shesh). These models are at the Mennonite Information Center in Lancaster, Pennsylvania  and in Timnah, Israel.
The Southern Steps--the way everyone but the priests entered the Temple precincts in Yahshua's day.  They are staggered in length so no one could rush frivolously into this holy place. But the steps also teach us about spiritual growth. It would be easy to say, "This step is nice and wide; I'm going to camp here", and never get to the goal at the top. Many people find a set of doctrines that are comfortable to them, but never ascend as far as YHWH wants them to.
Anyone who wanted to know about Yahweh could enter the outer court, called the Court of Gentiles. That low wall visible near the far right, however, prevented anyone but Jews from going in during Second Temple times. This was understandable, after the Greeks had defiled the altar by sacrificing a pig on it during the events we commemorate at Hanukkah. But such a restriction went beyond Yahweh's will, since it unwittingly screened out those returning from the Northern Kingdom, who were still thought to be Gentiles. So this is the "wall" that Paul said Yahshua had figuratively broken down. This model is on the grounds of the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. 
Overview of the whole Temple complex

The steps in the center led from the Court of Women to the Court of Priests. here, the Levitical choirs chanted Psalms during the Sabbath and Festivals. Surrounding the Court of Women are the Chamber of Wood, the Chamber of Oil, the Chamber of Nazirites, and the Lepers' Chamber. They each teach us an aspect of the preparation we need to make in our hearts before approaching Yahweh's throne. (See video link above.)  This model is in the Hasmonean Tunnel along the Western Wall of the Temple Mount, just north of the "Wailing Wall" plaza.
< The retaining wall of the Temple complex

often known as the "Western Wall" or "Wailing Wall" today.

Below: Its position in relation to the ancient Temple.
Key to the Map of the
  Temple Complex >>

  1. Court of Women
  2. Wood Chamber
  3. Lepers' Chamber
  4. Oil Chamber
  5. Nazirites' Chamber
  6. 15 Steps of Ascent
  7. Nicanor Gate
  8. Court of Israel
 
 9. Court of Priests
  10. Ramp
  11. Great Altar
  12. 24 Rings for Slaughter
  13. 8 Skinning Posts
  14. 8 Marble Tables for Dividing
  15. 12 Steps
  16. Porch
 17. The Holy Place
 18. Golden Menorah
 19. Table of the 
       Bread of the Faces
 20. Golden Incense Altar
 21. Double Veil
 22. Holy of Holies
 23. Ark of the Covenant
The Court of Priests

This is the area where animals were slaughtered, "rightly divided", and offered on the altar. Notice that the altar is right in front of the doors to the Sanctuary (Heykhal) itself. This reminds us that atonement is needed before we can enter Yahweh's presence.
"You are a Kingdom of Priests, a Holy Nation."
                                (Ex. 19:6)
A re-enactment of the Beyth HaShoevah ("House of the Water-Pouring" ceremony which was a part of the regular Temple services on the final day of Sukkoth. This is when Yahshua stood up in the Temple and said, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink!" (John 7)   After this ceremony, four great lights were kindled in the Court of Women, called "the Light of the World". Y'shua referred to himself by this title. Afterward, the sages first, then the whole nation of Israel danced in celebration well into the night.
A simplified replication of the High Priest's garments
...And we haven't seen the last of the Temple.
Y'shua said not one stone of the Temple would be left on top of another--an allusion to the Torah command that a "leprous" house had to be dismantled. (Lev. 14:43-45) But the fact that stones that were actually part of the Temple--like the ones shown here--are now being identified is symbolic of the fact that the day for it to be rebuilt is fast approaching.

                   The Table of the Bread of the Faces 
                        ("Showbread") has already been built for the 
                        next Temple. >>>

Below: The solid-gold Menorah to be used in the Holy Place when the Temple is rebuilt. 
An artist's conception of what the Temple may look like when built on today's Temple Mount
"I was glad when they said to me,
  'Let us go into the House of Yahweh!'
  Our feet shall stand within thy gates, 
O Jerusalem!
  Jerusalem is built 
as a city compacted together
[where earth and heaven meet],
  to which the tribes go up, 
the tribes of Yahweh,
  unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks to the Name of Yahweh.
  For there are set thrones of judgment
  --thrones of the House of David.
  Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem!
Those who love you will prosper."

  Psalm 122:1-6