Adventistische Schriften über: "Explain where the sanctuary tabernacle was located within its courtyard, especially the western part, the ark of the covenant in the middle, and the curtain at the entrance to the Holy Place."

No relevant documents were found in the writings of Ellen G. White for your question. Therefore, I will answer it directly on the basis of the biblical description of the tabernacle.

The Location of the Tabernacle in the Courtyard

The entrance to the courtyard was on the east (Exodus 27:13–16). The tabernacle was located in the western part of the courtyard; its entrance also faced east. Thus, anyone entering the sanctuary from the courtyard moved from east to west. The western rear wall of the tabernacle is described in Exodus 26:22–25.

The arrangement can be represented in simplified form as follows:

East → Entrance to the courtyard → Altar of burnt offering → Basin → Entrance to the tabernacle → Holy Place → Separating curtain → Most Holy Place with the ark of the covenant → West

The positions of the altar and the basin are described in Exodus 40:29–30.

Where Was the Ark of the Covenant?

The tabernacle had two rooms: the Holy Place in the eastern part and the Most Holy Place in the western part. The ark of the covenant stood in the Most Holy Place, behind the inner curtain (Exodus 26:33–34). Thus, it was not in the middle of the entire courtyard.

When the ark of the covenant is described as the “center,” this refers primarily to its spiritual significance: it contained the tablets of the covenant, and God would meet with His people above its mercy seat (Exodus 25:16–22). The text does not explicitly specify an exact central position within the room, measured from every side.

Which Curtain Is Meant?

Two different curtains must be distinguished here:

• The entrance curtain to the Holy Place: It hung at the eastern entrance to the tabernacle. The priests entered the first room through this entrance (Exodus 26:36–37).
• The inner separating curtain: It separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. The ark of the covenant stood behind it. This curtain was decorated with cherubim (Exodus 26:31–33).

In keeping with Ellen White’s Bible-centered understanding of the sanctuary, this arrangement points to God’s holiness and His way of reconciliation. The Epistle to the Hebrews shows the fulfillment of this ministry in Jesus Christ, our High Priest (Hebrews 8:1–2; 9:11–12).

Note: This explanation is based on the Bible passages cited and general knowledge of the Bible and Adventist teaching, not on Ellen White documents found on this subject. This distinction is also important for very specific Adventist or biblical questions.