christ and the tabernacle. the tabernacle tabernacle defined: - “tent”, “place of dwelling”...

Christ and the Tabernacle

THE TABERNACLE

Tabernacle

Defined:

- “tent”, “place of dwelling” or “sanctuary”

- a sacred place where God chose to meet with His people

THE SEPARATION FROM GOD’S PRESENCE

GARDEN OF EDEN

God created the garden and man served God in it.

God met with man “in the cool of the day.” Probably in the evening since “cool” means “wind” and in the East the

wind generally rises in the evening

Adam and Eve hid from God (because of the guilt and shame of their sin) and God sought them out.

It is God that has initiated the search for lost mankind attempting to reconcile man to God and reestablish unbroken relationship between us.

TOWER OF BABEL

Man’s attempt to come into the presence of God man’s own way

Made of brick for stone and slime for mortar – no mention of any precious metals or anything about the structure of it except that it was a “tower.”

Intent was to “make us a name” so that they would not be scattered abroad (man was supposed to replenish the whole earth and subdue and exercise dominion over it)

Because of the unique power of the tongue and man’s misuse of this power by his wicked imagination man would have

contaminated the whole earth.

THE TABERNACLE

Psalms 127:1a.

“Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it:”

THE TABERNACLE

The Wilderness Tabernacle

Design of the Tabernacle proper given to Moses by God.

Exodus 25 thru Exodus 27

The Tabernacle design included not only the building but also

- its furnishings

- its attendants (priesthood)

- the attendant’s apparel

- the pattern of service of the attendants

- the identity and purpose of feast days

Jesus in the Old Testament: Mt. Sinai & The Temple

Exodus 15:11-13 “Who among the gods is like Exodus 15:11-13 “Who among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is like you— you, O LORD? Who is like you— majestic in majestic in holinessholiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? , awesome in glory, working wonders? In your In your unfailing loveunfailing love you will lead the people you will lead the people you have redeemed.” you have redeemed.”

The Tabernacle


The TabernacleThe Tabernacle

The Most HolyPlace

“The Veil”

The HolyPlace

Heb. 9: 2 There were two rooms in that Tabernacle. In the first room were a lampstand, a table, and sacred loaves of bread on the table. This room was called the Holy Place. 3 Then there was a curtain [veil], and behind the curtain was the second room called the Most Holy Place.

God’s God’s WordWord

PrayerPrayer Holy Holy SpiritSpirit

The Tabernacle with God’s Shekhina glory

Picture with permission of the Temple Institute, Jerusalem

The Tabernacle or ‘Mishkan’ means ‘tent of meeting’. It represents the ‘Shekhina’ or indwelling presence of God.

God’s glory filled the tabernacle. A cloud covered it by day and a fire by night. (Exodus 40:34, 38; Numbers 9:15)

Camp of Israel

Levites Levites

Numbers 24 1 Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not resort to sorcery as at other times, but turned his face toward the desert.

2 When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him

3 and he uttered his oracle: "The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of one whose eye sees clearly, 4 the oracle of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened:5 “How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel!”

WMoses

Tabernacle

S N

E

It is God’s Intention to save a people unto Himself

Exodus 14 demonstrates the redeemed being saved from the power of slavery through the Red Sea. What was the goal or point of redemption? - to bring the people into the land of milk and honey? - or to bring His people unto himself ?

The goal of redemption was for God to dwell among His people!

• Exodus 25:8-9; And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.

The journey from outside the tabernacle into the Holy of Holies is a journey where Christ, our perfect High Priest, leads each step of the way.

• The Bronze Altar is a type of Christ our Substitute and Sacrifice.

• The Laver is a type of Christ our cleansing and regeneration.

• The Candlestick is a type of Christ the Light of the World.

• The Table of Shewbread is a type of Christ the Bread of Life.

• The Incense Altar is a type of Christ our Intercessor and Advocate.

• The Mercy Seat (Ark Cover) is a type of Christ our Propitiation.

Process represented by the Elements

The Brass Altar

The Brass Laver

The Golden Table

The Golden

Lampstand

The Golden Altar

Blood - Redemption

Water - Sanctification

Bread - The Word

The Oil - Ministry of the

Holy Spirit Incense – Prayer/Worship

The Court Fence begins the JourneyThe Court Fence begins the Journey

(Exodus 27:9-18; 38:9-17; 40:33)(Exodus 27:9-18; 38:9-17; 40:33)

The court fence was the outer border of the The court fence was the outer border of the Tabernacle site. It consisted of the following:Tabernacle site. It consisted of the following:

Linen curtains (probably white) Linen curtains (probably white) (Exodus 27:9-18)(Exodus 27:9-18)

Pillars, sockets, hooks, and fillets Pillars, sockets, hooks, and fillets (tops and rods) (tops and rods) (Exodus 27:10-18)(Exodus 27:10-18)

Pins of bronze (brass) Pins of bronze (brass) (Ex. 27:19; 38:20)(Ex. 27:19; 38:20)

Wooden PostsCopper Sockets

Gold PostsCopper Sockets

Gold PostsSilver Sockets

WhiteCurtain

POSTS THROUGHOUT TABERNACLECOURT HOLY

MOST HOLY

Wood

Copper

Gold

Copper

Gold

Silver

Entrance

The GateThe Gate

The gate separated people from the The gate separated people from the magnificent and holy God. magnificent and holy God.

God could only be approached with God could only be approached with repentance and sacrifice when the repentance and sacrifice when the people came inside the gate. people came inside the gate. (Psalm 15:1, 2)(Psalm 15:1, 2)

The GateThe Gate

Jesus referred to Jesus referred to himself as the gate himself as the gate (door). Anyone who (door). Anyone who enters through Jesus enters through Jesus will receive eternal will receive eternal life. life. (John 10:9)(John 10:9)

• Sacrifices

• Fire never went out

• Fire for altar of incense

Burnt Offering Altar

The Bronze AltarThe Bronze Altar

7.5 ft long 7.5 ft long 7.5 ft wide 7.5 ft wide 4.5 ft high4.5 ft high

The measurements of the bronze altar:The measurements of the bronze altar:


The bronze altar was made of The bronze altar was made of (acacia) wood. (acacia) wood. The altar was square and covered with The altar was square and covered with

bronze (brass). bronze (brass). The four corners of the altar had The four corners of the altar had hornshorns

overlaid with bronze. overlaid with bronze.


Several kinds of offerings were made on the Several kinds of offerings were made on the bronze altar: bronze altar: Burnt offering (bull, sheep, goats without Burnt offering (bull, sheep, goats without

blemish, or birds) (Leviticus 1:1-17)blemish, or birds) (Leviticus 1:1-17) Grain offering (Leviticus 2:1-16)Grain offering (Leviticus 2:1-16) Peace offering (goat or lamb) (Lev. 3:1-17)Peace offering (goat or lamb) (Lev. 3:1-17) Sin offering (bull, goat, or lamb) (Lev. 4:1-35)Sin offering (bull, goat, or lamb) (Lev. 4:1-35) Trespass offering (female of the flock, lamb, Trespass offering (female of the flock, lamb,

goat kid, bird or grain) (Lev. 5 & 6)goat kid, bird or grain) (Lev. 5 & 6)


The Sacrifice was necessary for forgiveness. The Sacrifice was necessary for forgiveness. The blood of the animal was important to The blood of the animal was important to justify the people before God.justify the people before God. A proper sacrifice was an animal that A proper sacrifice was an animal that

was valuable and perfect, not flawed.was valuable and perfect, not flawed. Sin was serious. Only shed blood which Sin was serious. Only shed blood which

stands for life, could pay for sin.stands for life, could pay for sin. By laying his hand on it, the person By laying his hand on it, the person

identified with the animal sacrificed.identified with the animal sacrificed.


When John the When John the Baptist saw Jesus Baptist saw Jesus approaching he approaching he informed the people informed the people that Jesus is the that Jesus is the “Lamb of God” who “Lamb of God” who will take away the will take away the sin of the world.sin of the world.(John 1:29)(John 1:29)

• Polish Brass

• Cleansing

• Reflective

Laver

The Bronze LaverThe Bronze Laver

The bronze laver was used for ceremonial The bronze laver was used for ceremonial washing: washing:

Priests bathed their entire body when Priests bathed their entire body when they were ordained. they were ordained. (Exodus 29:4)(Exodus 29:4)

Following ordination, the priests had to Following ordination, the priests had to wash their hands and feet every time they wash their hands and feet every time they entered the Tabernacle or approached the entered the Tabernacle or approached the bronze altar to minister, or they would bronze altar to minister, or they would die. die. (Exodus 30:19-21)(Exodus 30:19-21)

Eph 5:25-26: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church andgave Himself for her, thatHe might sanctifyand cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,” NKJV

Aaron had to be washed in order fitly to represent the purity of the antitype, Jesus, who knew no sin.

• 7 pieces of furniture

• 3 courts of worship

Tent of Meeting

• Curtains of fine linen

• Goat hair

• Ram’s skins dyed red

• Badger skin

Coverings

The actual tent that God would dwell in, was separated into two compartments, the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. In the Most Holy Place was the Ark & the Mercy Seat. The Glory cloud which represented the very presence of God hovered over the Mercy Seat and remained there whenever the Tabernacle stood still. What a comfort it was for His people to know God was so near. As He protected His people from the heat of the sun by day and provided a fire by night to assure them He was there.

“The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us...” Notice the word “dwelt”. The word in the original Greek, skenoo, meaning to dwell, is connected to the idea of living in a tent. The word tent in Greek is skenos, and we are told that St. Paul was a tentmaker by trade, a skenopoios. Some, therefore, have translated the passage, “...and tabernacled (or tented) among us.” Now, in that a tent or tabernacle is a temporary dwelling, the word is used in our passage to denote the temporariness of Christ’s earthly stay. But it is doing more. John is, by the Holy Spirit, drawing a connection between Christ and the Tabernacle of the OT.

God’s God’s WordWord

PrayerPrayer Holy Holy SpiritSpirit

The Two Chambers

OT vs. NT

• 3 stages of the almond plant

• Oil of the lamp rests on the fruit

• 7 branches• One shaft• 3 shoots on

each side

Holy Place

The Golden LampstandThe Golden Lampstand

(Exodus 25:31-40)(Exodus 25:31-40)

The lampstand was made of The lampstand was made of one talent of pure hammered one talent of pure hammered gold, one solid piece.gold, one solid piece.

It had a central shaft with six It had a central shaft with six branches, three on each side, making branches, three on each side, making it a seven-branched lampstand.it a seven-branched lampstand.

Each branch had knobs, flowers, Each branch had knobs, flowers, and an almond-shaped bowl to and an almond-shaped bowl to hold pure olive oil.hold pure olive oil.


The priest’s duty was to trim the The priest’s duty was to trim the wicks and keep the lamps lit.wicks and keep the lamps lit.

The lampstand was designed to The lampstand was designed to provide light for the Tabernacle.provide light for the Tabernacle.

The lampstand was the first item seen The lampstand was the first item seen upon entering the Tabernacle as a upon entering the Tabernacle as a reminder to his people that God is light.reminder to his people that God is light.


The Word of God is a light for believers. It The Word of God is a light for believers. It guides them through life, and protects them guides them through life, and protects them from evil and darkness. (Psalm 119:105)from evil and darkness. (Psalm 119:105)

The Bible says that Jesus is God’s Word in The Bible says that Jesus is God’s Word in human form. (John 1:1, 14)human form. (John 1:1, 14)

Jesus referred to himself as the light of the Jesus referred to himself as the light of the world and those who follow him will never world and those who follow him will never walk in darkness (John 8:12; 9:5; 12:46)walk in darkness (John 8:12; 9:5; 12:46)


Followers of Jesus are Followers of Jesus are called to be called to be lights in dark lights in dark places.places. Phil 2:15-16 Phil 2:15-16

In In teaching the saintsteaching the saints and and evangelizing the lost,evangelizing the lost, through words and through words and actions, the light of Christ actions, the light of Christ is projected from is projected from believers.believers.(Matthew 5:14-16)(Matthew 5:14-16)

The 7 branched Lampstand ‘Menorah’

Stood on the left (South). Hammered out of one piece of gold.

The Hebrew word for ‘watch’ sounds like the word for ‘almond’. (Jeremiah 1:11-12)

It was decorated with almond buds which

mean ‘watch’/ ‘be ready’

Golden Candlestick

Rev 1:20 – “…the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.” NKJV

• Gold plated

• 12 loaves

• New each week

• Old eaten by priest

Table of Shew Bread

The measurements of the Table of Showbread: The measurements of the Table of Showbread:

The Table of ShowbreadThe Table of Showbread

3 ft3 ft long long 1.5 ft wide 1.5 ft wide 2.25 ft. high2.25 ft. high

Table of Shew-breadTable of Shew-bread


On the table of showbread, the On the table of showbread, the priests placed twelve loaves of bread priests placed twelve loaves of bread (six loaves in two stacks) made from (six loaves in two stacks) made from fine flour. fine flour. (Leviticus 24:5-9)(Leviticus 24:5-9)

Wine was placed on the altar with Wine was placed on the altar with the bread. the bread.

These loaves represented the twelve These loaves represented the twelve tribes of Israel.tribes of Israel.


The Table with the loaves was a The Table with the loaves was a continual reminder of the everlasting continual reminder of the everlasting covenant between God and the children covenant between God and the children of Israel.of Israel.

Fresh bread was placed there Fresh bread was placed there every every SabbathSabbath as a as a memorialmemorial of God’s of God’s provision for them. provision for them.

The bread was eaten by the The bread was eaten by the priests.priests.

• All the furniture in the tabernacle on the way to God speaks of Christ because He is the only way to God. The spiritual level must be established when studying the tabernacle. To the ancient Israelites it was a means of approach to God, a pattern of heavenly things, and a shadow of coming things. The bread of life is offered to satisfy the hunger for life. The table is the basis of fellowship with God. A picture of our Lord as our basis of fellowship with God.

• The table symbolizes fellowship. It shows a gesture of friendship, as inviting a friend to share a meal. The table in the tabernacle shows God’s desire for fellowship with us. Jesus was a friend of publicans and sinners because He sat and ate with them at the table. God wishes to satisfy our hunger. God’s salvation is likened to a banquet with the table spread for royalty.

A Fellowship Meal

• The apostle John may have had this in mind as he penned, in 1st John 1:5-7. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (KJV)

• Gold

• Fire from bronze altar

• Incense taken off altar and placed in priest’s censer

Altar of Incense

The Altar of IncenseThe Altar of Incense


The High Priest burned incense upon it The High Priest burned incense upon it every morning and evening.every morning and evening.

The fire for the incense came from the The fire for the incense came from the Bronze Altar in the outer court.Bronze Altar in the outer court.

The Lord required a special sweet The Lord required a special sweet incense, a mixture of spices, used only incense, a mixture of spices, used only for the Tabernacle (Exodus 30:35-37), for the Tabernacle (Exodus 30:35-37), to be burned on the altar of incense.to be burned on the altar of incense.

The priest was in danger of death if any The priest was in danger of death if any other incense was burned. (Lev. 10:1-2)other incense was burned. (Lev. 10:1-2)

Incense AlterIncense Alter

Rev 8:3 – “Then another Rev 8:3 – “Then another angel, having a golden angel, having a golden censer, came and stood censer, came and stood at the altar. He was at the altar. He was given much incense, that given much incense, that he should offer it with he should offer it with the the prayers of all the prayers of all the saintssaints upon the golden upon the golden altar which was before altar which was before the throne.” NKJVthe throne.” NKJV

Rev 5:8 – Rev 5:8 – “… “… golden golden bowls full of bowls full of incense, which incense, which are the prayers are the prayers of the saints.” of the saints.” NKJVNKJV


Jesus went away frequently to pray. Jesus went away frequently to pray. (Matthew 14:23;(Matthew 14:23;Luke 5:16)Luke 5:16)

Jesus taught his disciples how to pray. Jesus taught his disciples how to pray. (Matthew 6:5-15)(Matthew 6:5-15)

Believers in Jesus are told to pray Believers in Jesus are told to pray constantly. constantly. (Acts 1:14; Romans 8:26)(Acts 1:14; Romans 8:26)

• Exod 26:31-33 And thou shalt make a veil of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made: And thou shalt hang it upon four pillars of shittim wood overlaid with gold: their hooks shall be of gold, upon the four sockets of silver. And thou shalt hang up the veil under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the veil the ark of the testimony: and the veil shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy. (KJV)

The VeilThe Veil

The veil was a divider between the The veil was a divider between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place.Holy Place and the Most Holy Place.

The veil was a barrier between God The veil was a barrier between God and man.and man.

Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest would enter the Most the high priest would enter the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies) through Holy Place (Holy of Holies) through this veil. this veil. (Leviticus 23:26-32)(Leviticus 23:26-32)

The VeilThe Veil

When Jesus died on the cross, the veil When Jesus died on the cross, the veil in the Temple was torn from top to in the Temple was torn from top to bottom. (Matthew 27:51)bottom. (Matthew 27:51)

The torn veil symbolizes the ability of The torn veil symbolizes the ability of every believer, not just a high priest, to every believer, not just a high priest, to approach God through the death of Jesus.approach God through the death of Jesus.

Because of Jesus, sin no longer Because of Jesus, sin no longer separates believers from God.separates believers from God.

• Heb 10:19-22 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

•

• The Veil is the last entrance that the priest had to go through to enter before he was in the Presence of God. The last enemy of God’s people was death. Christ has burst through the portals of death removing its sting. How good to know when we depart this scene we shall enter through the Veil and be accepted before God in love.

• Overlaid with gold

• Manna

• Aaron’s rod

• Stones with 10 Commandments

• Mercy Seat

Holy of Holies

Tables of the Law Aaron’s Rod

Golden Pot of Manna

Contents of the Ark of the Covenant

Contents of the ArkContents of the Ark

Aaron’s Rod = Acceptableness of the Aaron’s Rod = Acceptableness of the “Royal Priesthood” to Jehovah “Royal Priesthood” to Jehovah (Numbers 17)(Numbers 17)

Golden Pot of Manna (incorruptible Golden Pot of Manna (incorruptible Ex 16:32) = Immortality of Christ & Ex 16:32) = Immortality of Christ & the Church (Rev 2:17)the Church (Rev 2:17)

Tables of the Law = Christ met the Tables of the Law = Christ met the full requirements of God’s perfect full requirements of God’s perfect law.law.

The Ark … and all of its contents are covered by “Mercy!”

Intercession1. Intercession strengthens the

believers in daily life as they face temptation. How?

• Heb 4:15-16 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

That which the Levitical priests did day by day, year by year, exactly in the way prescribed by God,

foreshadowed that which Jesus would do perfectly, by virtue of His perfect life and righteousness, thus

providing a perfect, eternal way of entrance into the presence of God the Father.

Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

(Hebrews 9:23)


Jesus & the TabernacleJesus & the Tabernacle

Hebrews 9:11,12 But when Hebrews 9:11,12 But when Christ appeared as a high Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to priest of the good things to come, He entered through come, He entered through the the greater and more perfect greater and more perfect tabernacletabernacle, not made with , not made with hands, that is to say, not of hands, that is to say, not of this creation…this creation…

Heb 9:24-25 – “For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another” NKJV

This is, dare we say it.....?

.....Eschatological !!!

“The whole point of the tabernacle system of worship was on the one hand to show God’s intent to have fellowship with his people, while on the other hand showing that the way for this was not yet open. The key phrase is “not yet.” Therein is summed up the entire Old Testament religion. No, the way was not open to God; it was barred. But it was not simply not open, but not yet open – not yet, that is, until the time of Christ. “

- Richard D. Phillips

Hebrews (Reformed Expository Commentary)

• John 10:9, “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.”

Entrance

Burnt Offering Altar

• John 14:6, “Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Tent of Meeting

• Righteousness (Linen)• 1 Cor 1:30, “It is

because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-- that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.”

Coverings•Sin Offering (Goat Hair) •Rom 8:3 ,”For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man,

•Covering (Red Rams skins) •I Jn 2:2, “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

•Protection (Badger Skin)•II Th 3:3-4, “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command.”

Holy Place

John 8:12, “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.“”

Table of Shew Bread

Altar of Incense

• Heb 10:20, “by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,”

• Matt 27:50-51, “ And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split.”

Holy of Holies- Veil

Holy of Holies-Ark

Holy of Holies- Mercy-Seat

Rom 3:25, “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—”

‘…now God’s dwelling place is with men..’ ( Revelation 21:3)‘God Almighty and the Lamb are its Temple’

(Revelation 21:22)

The New JerusalemWill come down from heaven

christ and the tabernacle. the tabernacle tabernacle defined: - “tent”, “place of dwelling”...

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