9478. Verses 8-9 And they are to make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst. In accordance with all that I show you, the pattern of the dwelling-place and the pattern of all its vessels, just so you shall make it.

'And they are to make Me a sanctuary' means a representative of the Lord, and so of heaven. 'That I may dwell in their midst' means the Lord's presence as a result in the representative Church. 'In accordance with all that I show you, the pattern of the dwelling-place' means a representative of heaven where the Lord is. 'And the pattern of all its vessels' means a representative of all the celestial and spiritual realities that He is the source of. 'Just so you shall make it' means a definite and true representative.

Oil -- typically olive oil -- symbolizes the good that comes from celestial love. Celestial love is love of the Lord, the highest and purest love we can have. The good of celestial love is the desire to be good springing from celestial love: Wanting to do the Lord's will because you love Him. That's not a state many reach, even in heaven, but it's a beautiful goal. This representation makes sense based on the idea that the sun -- the source of all natural light and heat, and thus all natural life -- represents the Lord, the source of all spiritual light, heat and life. Burning oil was the most pure fire available in Biblical times, thus the closest representation of the sun people could create.