THE TABERNACLE/TEMPLE MODEL

OF WORSHIP, PRAYER, AND INTERCESSION

a. Jesus, Who intercedes for us in Heaven

(defends us against Satan’s accusations,

represents us before the Heavenly Father and

the Divine Council)

b. The Holy Spirit, who intercedes for us here on

Earth, in our hearts, in our bodies, revealing

God’s heart and mind to us, and helping us

“craft” our prayers to Heaven

In lessons 2, we learned HOW TO PRAY WITH THE

HOLY SPIRIT, and the helps that the Holy Spirit

uses to help us to pray and interceded (stillness,

music, Word, etc.)

In this 3rd Series, we will look at THE

TABERNACLE/TEMPLE MODEL OF PRAYER AND

INTERCESSION

*

*

1. The Outer Court:

a. The brazen altar

b. The wash laver

2. The Inner Court:

2.a. The Holy Place:

2.a.1. The table of showbread

2.a.2. The golden lampstand

2.a.3. The altar of incense

2.b. The Holy of Holies

The ARK OF THE COVENANT

Which contains 3 things:

a. the jar containing the manna

in the wilderness that

does not rot

b. the rod of Aaron that

continues to bud

c. the tablets of stone (the ten

commandments)

1 The LORD said to Moses, 2 “Tell the Israelites to bring

me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me

from everyone whose heart prompts them to give. 3

These are the offerings you are to receive from them:

gold, silver and bronze; 4 blue, purple and scarlet yarn

and fine linen; goat hair; 5 ram skins dyed red and

another type of durable leather ; acacia wood; 6 olive oil

for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the

fragrant incense; 7 and onyx stones and other gems to be

mounted on the ephod and breastpiece. 8 “Then have

them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among

them. 9 Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings

exactly like the pattern I will show you.

*1. God DESIRES AND WANTS to dwell with and be

accessible to His people (v. 8).

GOD DOES NOT WANT TO BE FAR FROM US; EVEN IN THE

OLD TESTAMENT (before the death and resurrection

of Jesus, before the indwelling work of the Holy

Spirit), HE ALREADY WANTED TO DWELL WITH US.

First, He dwelt with us IN SPIRIT (sharing His Shekinah

Glory with His people.) Then, HE HIMSELF BECAME

FLESH AND DWELT AMONG US.

*Therefore, access and prayer to God IN CLOSE

INTIMACY is NOT IMPOSSIBLE OR HARD. We MUST in

fact even EXPECT IT! ESPECIALLY NOW, IN THESE LAST

DAYS, WHEN HEAVEN IS CLOSING DOWN ON EARTH!

a. YET, EVEN IF GOD WANTS TO DWELL WITH HIS

PEOPLE, PLEASE NOTICE THAT IT IS PEOPLE WHO

MAKE THE TABERNACLE FOR HIM WITH WHAT THEY

BRING and BUILD. (v. 2 to 7)

Point: IN A VERY REAL SENSE, it us who CREATE THE

KIND OF ATMOSPHERE WHEREIN GOD WOULD BE

PLEASED TO MANIFEST HIS PRESENCE AND GLORY.

*Take note of the word WILLINGLY (v. 2.)

b. The KIND OF MATERIALS THAT WE BRING, and the

MANNER BY WHICH WE BUILD OR MAKE THEM, MUST BE

ACCORDING TO THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE LORD

(“according to all that I will show you” v. 9). WE CANNOT

MEET OR BE INTIMATE WITH GOD IN OUR OWN TERMS! It

has to be ON HIS TERMS!

c. VERY INTERESTING AND VERY IMPORTANT POINT:

The tabernacle that God instructed to build WAS AN

EARTHLY COPY OF THE HEAVENLY REALITY!! Take note in

verse 9: THE PATTERN (or model or copy) was SHOWN to

Moses.

*A recent revelation made clear in our day

and age is that the worship we do on earth

has a COUNTERPART REALITY IN HEAVEN,

and that worship, prayer and intercession

is most powerful when the two coincide or

operate in tandem, or parallel.

*

* Initial observations: (on Exodus 25)

1. Men, when they construct buildings, they begin

from the outside

2. God, when He gave instructions about the

tabernacle, BEGAN WITH THE ARK OF THE

TESTIMONY (also called THE ARK OF THE

COVENANT) v. 10

3. God specified the materials He needed:

*v. 3 gold, silver, bronze

*v. 4 blue purple and scarlet yarn, fine linen thread,

goat’s hair

*v. 5 ram’s skin dyed red, badger skin, acacia wood

*v. 6 oil for light, spices for anointing oil and sweet

incense

*v. 7 onyx stones and stones to be set in the ephod and

breastplate (of the high priest)

THE MATERIALS ALREADY GIVE US AN IDEA WHAT THE LORD

WANTS US FROM US WHEN WE WANT TO MEET HIM:

* v. 3 gold, silver, bronze – OUR BEST

*v. 4 blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, fine linen thread, goat’s hair –

AN UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF THE UNION AND

WORKS OF THE FATHER, SPIRIT AND SON, and the fact that WE

ARE JUST A REDEEMED PEOPLE (we do not come in our own merit

or holiness; someone else died for us; goat is set free when the

lamb is killed)

*v. 5 ram’s skin dyed red, badger skin, acacia wood – AN

UNDERSTANDING OF THE PERSON, WORKS AND SACRIFICE OF

JESUS (ram’s skin dyed red – ram in Moriah, Gen. 22; lamb that was

slain), BADGER SKIN is water proof – INSULATED FROM SIN

(sinlessnessness of Christ), ACACIA WOOD – acacia was common

wood (humanity of Christ); also that Jesus was to be crucified on a

wooden cross

*v. 6 oil for light, spices for anointing oil and

sweet incense – PRAYER , PRAISE AND WORSHIP

*v. 7 onyx stones and stones to be set in the ephod

and breastplate (of the high priest) –

PRECIOUSNESS OF GOD’S WILL AND KNOWING IT

AND LOOKING FOR IT (this is the whole of

Exodus chap. 28)

*NOTE: WE WILL LOOK AT THESE THINGS IN

GREATER DETAIL LATER, but right now, LET US

LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE FIRST:

*FOR OUR PURPOSES, we will look at the

tabernacle/temple from the POINT OF VIEW OF MAN

AS HE TRIES TO COME IN TO THE

TABERNACLE/TEMPLE:

*

*

* EXO: 26 1 “Make the tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue,

purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim woven into them by a skilled worker. 2 All the

curtains are to be the same size —twenty-eight cubits long and four cubits wide. 3

Join five of the curtains together, and do the same with the other five. 4 Make loops

of blue material along the edge of the end curtain in one set, and do the same with

the end curtain in the other set. 5 Make fifty loops on one curtain and fifty loops on

the end curtain of the other set, with the loops opposite each other. 6 Then make

fifty gold clasps and use them to fasten the curtains together so that the tabernacle

is a unit. 7 “Make curtains of goat hair for the tent over the tabernacle—eleven

altogether. 8 All eleven curtains are to be the same size —thirty cubits long and four

cubits wide. 9 Join five of the curtains together into one set and the other six into

another set. Fold the sixth curtain double at the front of the tent. 10 Make fifty loops

along the edge of the end curtain in one set and also along the edge of the end

curtain in the other set. 11 Then make fifty bronze clasps and put them in the loops

to fasten the tent together as a unit. 12 As for the additional length of the tent

curtains, the half curtain that is left over is to hang down at the rear of the

tabernacle. 13 The tent curtains will be a cubit longer on both sides; what is left will

hang over the sides of the tabernacle so as to cover it. 14 Make for the tent a

covering of ram skins dyed red, and over that a covering of the other durable leather.

*

* EXO: 26 15 “Make upright frames of acacia wood for the tabernacle. 16 Each frame is

to be ten cubits long and a cubit and a half wide, 17 with two projections set parallel

to each other. Make all the frames of the tabernacle in this way. 18 Make twenty

frames for the south side of the tabernacle 19 and make forty silver bases to go

under them—two bases for each frame, one under each projection. 20 For the other

side, the north side of the tabernacle, make twenty frames 21 and forty silver bases

—two under each frame. 22 Make six frames for the far end, that is, the west end of

the tabernacle, 23 and make two frames for the corners at the far end. 24 At these

two corners they must be double from the bottom all the way to the top and fitted

into a single ring; both shall be like that. 25 So there will be eight frames and sixteen

silver bases—two under each frame. 26 “Also make crossbars of acacia wood: five for

the frames on one side of the tabernacle, 27 five for those on the other side, and five

for the frames on the west, at the far end of the tabernacle. 28 The center crossbar

is to extend from end to end at the middle of the frames. 29 Overlay the frames with

gold and make gold rings to hold the crossbars. Also overlay the crossbars with gold.

*

* EXO: 26 30 “Set up the tabernacle according to the plan shown you on the mountain.

31 “Make a curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, with

cherubim woven into it by a skilled worker. 32 Hang it with gold hooks on four posts

of acacia wood overlaid with gold and standing on four silver bases. 33 Hang the

curtain from the clasps and place the ark of the covenant law behind the curtain. The

curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. 34 Put the atonement

cover on the ark of the covenant law in the Most Holy Place. 35 Place the table

outside the curtain on the north side of the tabernacle and put the lampstand

opposite it on the south side. 36 “For the entrance to the tent make a curtain of

blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen—the work of an embroiderer. 37

Make gold hooks for this curtain and five posts of acacia wood overlaid with gold. And

cast five bronze bases for them.

The curtain and the gate are VERY HIGHLY

SYMBOLIC. We will point out a just a few of the

interesting observations:

1. See verse 1: the curtain of fine linen has three

colors:

BLUE – color of heaven, sky, symbolizing DIVINITY

PURPLE – color of royalty, KING

SCARLET (RED) – color of BLOOD, sacrifice

THE HOLINESS AND DIVINITY OF GOD KEEPS MAN OUT OF

THE TABERNACLE. THE BLOOD, IF NOT RECEIVED, KEEPS

MAN OUT OF THE TABERNACLE.

2. THE GATE (verse 36)

- 30 feet wide

- Directly facing the CENTER of the outer

court

- Made of TWISTED linen of blue, purple and

scarlet

- Facing the EAST

- THERE IS ONLY ONE GATE, THERE IS NO

OTHER GATE!

This is a PERFECT PICTURE OF JESUS CHRIST:

*He became the gate to God when He was sold by Judas

for 30 pieces of silver; he was 30 years old when he

started his public ministry; you have to be 30 years old

to be qualified to serve in the temple

*Jesus is the CENTRAL QUESTION that people outside

must resolve: do we accept Him or not?

*Jesus on earth was a “TWISTED LINEN” of divinity,

royalty, and sacrifice

*The EAST represents RISING, RESURRECTION, NEW LIFE,

NEW HOPE

JESUS IS THE ONLY GATE: (THERE IS NO OTHER GATE!)

John 14:6

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one

comes to the Father except through me.

John 10:9

9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They

will come in and go out, and find pasture.

Matt. 7:13-14

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is

the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14

But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and

only a few find it.

*EXO: 30 “Set up the tabernacle according to the plan shown you on the mountain. 31 “Make a curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, with cherubim woven into it by a skilled worker. 32 Hang it with gold hooks on four posts of acacia wood overlaid with gold and standing on four silver bases. 33 Hang the curtain from the clasps and place the ark of the covenant law behind the curtain. The curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. 34 Put the atonement cover on the ark of the covenant law in the Most Holy Place. 35 Place the table outside the curtain on the north side of the tabernacle and put the lampstand opposite it on the south side. 36 “For the entrance to the tent make a curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen—the work of an embroiderer. 37 Make gold hooks for this curtain and five posts of acacia wood overlaid with gold. And cast five bronze bases for them.

1. Altar in Hebrew means “slay”, “slaughter” (not really

“kill”: “slay” is for animals, sacrificial animals, kill is

murder for men)

Altar in Latin is the word “alta” – meaning HIGH,

ELEVATED

Bronze stands for judgment (weighing scales are made of

bronze).

BRAZEN ALTAR means a HIGH OR ELEVATED PLACE FOR

SLAUGHTER OF JUDGED SACRIFICES.

2. It has four corners with four horns; the

priest lays his hand on the head of the

sacrificial animal Lev. 1:4;

3. The brazen altar FIRST OF ALL POINTS US

TO JESUS:

Leviticus 1:4, You are to lay your hand on the head of the

burnt offering, and it will be accepted on your behalf to make

atonement for you.

17:11 For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have

given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar;

it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.

Hebrews 12:2

For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to

you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the

blood that makes atonement for one’s life.

Mark 14:24

“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for

many,” he said to them.

I Pet. 1:18-19

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

Heb. 9:13-14

The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

Hebrews. 10:10

And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Hebrews 10:14

For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

Hebrews 10:18

18 And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.

2 Cor. 5:21

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him

we might become the righteousness of God.

“Horn of salvation” –

Psalm 18:2

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is

my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my

salvation, my stronghold.

Luke 1:69

He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his

servant David

Sacrifice was eaten. We have to “eat his flesh and drink his blood”

Matt. 26:26

26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

John 6:53-56

Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.