The Temple and the Old Covenant were both spoken of by Jews as “heaven and earth.” The Holy of Holies was heaven where God dwelt, and the spaces beyond it were spoken of as land and sea, where man was allowed to be. Thank goodness no one has to keep up with 613 commandments anymore! The ultimate sacrifice to end all sacrifices forever was made for us. Jesus said His 1st coming was not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. His 2nd coming, however, was a different story. He said so, and He showed it, just as He said, and just when He said.
“Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law” – Matthew 5:18
So did a “heaven and earth” pass away? You better believe it! (Go read 2 Corinthians 3 and Hebrews 8 after this)
Here’s a famous Jew telling how his people spoke of the Temple, within the century Jesus spoke, the same century it was destroyed: “signifies the earth and the sea, since these two are accessible to all; but the third portion he reserved for God alone because heaven is inaccessible to men” – Josephus speaking on the temple layout, Ant. 3:181, cf. 3:123
The veil was composed of four materials representing the four elements: earth, water, air, and fire – Josephus, War 5:212-213; Ant. 3:138-144
More from more Jews: “The court surrounds the temple just as the sea surrounds the world.” – Numbers Rabbah 13:19
The inner walls of the Temple are described as waves of the sea – Rabbis describing it, b. Sukk. 51b, b.B.Bat. 4a
From more books: “Navel of the earth” – Jub 8:19
(the lifeline to God!)
“Gateway to Heaven” – Enoch 26:1
Finally, here’s the Biblical description of the covenant between God and people: And I have put my words in your mouth and covered you in the shadow of my hand, establishing the heavens and laying the foundations of the earth, and saying to Zion, ‘You are my people!” – Isaiah 51:16
One more association for good measure: “He built his sanctuary like the high heavens, like the earth, which he has founded forever.” – Psalm 78:69