The tabernacle is one of the most important topics in the Bible. Several chapters in the Old Testament describe the tabernacle and the things inside the tabernacle (Exodus 25-40).
The tabernacle is important for Christians because itcontains symbols that represents truths aboutJesus Christ. The Old Testament is full of symbols about Christ (Hebrews 10:1). Everythingthat happened to the Israelites in the Old Testament happened them to symbolize spiritual truths for Christians (1 Corinthians 10:11).
The tabernacle contains a “copy of heavenly things” (Hebrews 8:5).
The tabernacle contains “copies of the things in the heavens” (Hebrews 9:23).
The tabernacle itself is a copy of heaven (Hebrews 9:24).
God gave us the pattern of the tabernacle in order to reveal heaven and the spiritual realities of heaven.
When we study the symbols of the tabernacle, we can learn important things about heaven as well as about own spiritual life and growth.
The Bible reveals that there are three heavens. The third heaven is the place of God’s throne. Paul was caught up into the third heaven and saw amazing visions (2 Corinthians 12:2).To represent these three heavens, God designed three parts of the tabernacle: the Outer Court, the Holy Place, and the Holy of Holies. The Holy of Holies is the place where God dwelt. The Holy of Holies represents the third heaven which is the place of God’s throne.
The entire tabernacle itself is a copy of heaven, the true dwelling place of God.Everything in the tabernacle represents spiritual realities. In order to understand these realities, we must interpret the symbolism of the tabernacle. We can accurately interpret Bible symbols through the word of God and the Holy Spirit.
The Tabernacle was entered on the eastern side.
Brass Altar
The Brass Altar is the first thing a person encountered when he entered the Tabernacle (Exodus 27:1-8). At the Brass Altar, in the Outer Court, sacrifices for sin were made.The Brass Altar represents the sacrifice of Christ on the cross for our sins. Jesus was the true lamb of God slain to take away our sins. When we trust in Christ, we are cleansed from our sins and are made new. Through faith in his sacrifice we become born again. Becoming born again is the first step we must take if we want to know God.
Brass Basin
The Brass Basin is the second thing that a person encountered in the tabernacle (Exodus 30:18-21). This basin was full of water. People washed at the Brass Basin in the Outer Court after sacrificing at the Brass Altar.
The Brass Basin represents water baptism. After we are born again, we should be baptized in water. Water baptism represents our sins being washed away. This is the next step we need to take to grow spiritually after being born again.
Screen
After this there was a Screen (Exodus 26:36-37). This Screen separated between the Outer Court and the Holy Place.
Passing through this screen represents being baptized in the Holy Spirit. After being baptized in the Holy Spirit, we can see and move into deeper spiritual realities. After being born again, we should be both baptized in water and baptized in the Holy Spirit in order to continue our growth in God.
Table of Bread
The Table of Bread was inside the Holy Place (Exodus 25:23-30). Fresh loaves of bread were always sitting on this table. God’s servants ate this bread.
The Table of Bread represents Christ and his word. Jesus is the bread of life. He is the word of God. We don’t live by natural bread, but by the spiritual bread of God’s word (Matthew 4:4). When we partake of the word of God, then we grow spiritually. This table also represents the Lord’s Supper, which is to be a time of special intimacy with the Lord as we partake symbolically of Christ’s body and blood.
Golden Lampstand
The Golden Lampstand is within the Holy Place (Exodus 25:31-40). This Lampstand gave light inside the Tabernacle.
The Golden Lampstand represents a church (Revelation 1:20). If we want to grow in the Lord, we must be part of a Biblical church. We need fellowship with other Christians. It is impossible to fulfill our potential in God apart from a Biblical church. Jesus said if a lamp is lit, it is not to be put under a bed or under a bushel, but on a lampstand (Matthew 5:15). In order to shine effectively for God, we need the fellowship and blessing that comes from being part of a Biblical church.
Altar of Incense
The Golden Altar of Incense is within the Holy Place, right before the Holy of Holies (Exodus 30:1-10). Priests offered incense on this altar before the presence of God.Incense represents prayer (Revelation 5:8). The Altar of Incense represents the prevailing prayers of God’s people. When God’s people come together under his authority and agree together in his name, yielding their lives to him, they can ask for anything and it will be done (Matthew 18:19). At the end of the age, the prayers of God’s people will become particularly powerful. These prayers will effect cataclysmic changes upon the earth (Revelation 8:3-6). The church will pray these powerful prayers as she grows into maturity.
Veil
There was a Veil between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies (Exodus 26:31-33). Only one priest could go through this veil once a year into the Holy of Holies and meet directly with God.
When Christ went to the cross, this veil was torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51). This represents that Jesus made a way for us to be completely reconciled to God. He made a way for us to enter into God’s presence directly because of his blood. Through him we have direct access to Almighty God, and the veil is gone.
Ark of Covenant
The Ark of the Covenant was a golden box within the Holy of Holies (Exodus 25:10-16). This box contained the two stone tablets of the 10 Commandments.The Ark of the Covenant represents the holiness, justice, and truth of God. Our God is holy. He is perfect. He cannot tolerate sin or uncleanness. Angels cry out that God is Holy all the time around his throne. If we want to dwell with God, we need to partake of his holiness. This is possible by the blood of Christ and the Holy Spirit.
Mercy Seat
The Mercy Seat rested on top of the Ark of the Covenant. God’s presence dwelt on top of the Mercy Seat.
The Mercy Seat represents the mercy and kindness of God shown to us through Jesus Christ. His mercy covers over his justice. His kindness is extended to us through Christ and enables us to relate to our perfect and holy God.
Within the Holy of Holies, the truth and mercy of God meet together, as the Mercy Seat sits on top of the Ark of the Covenant. There, God’s righteousness and his peace are joined. God dwells at this conjunction of perfect truth and perfect mercy.
Cherubim
Two golden Cherubim were on the sides of the Mercy Seat (Exodus 25:17-22). Between these cherubim the glory of God dwelt.
The cherubim represent the glory that surrounds God. They symbolize the powerful angels around his throne. They also symbolize maturity for the church and the individual Christian.
Conclusion
The Tabernacle is an important summation of the entire Christian life. It is a copy of heaven. It reveals spiritual realities. It also reveals the goal of the mature Christian and the entire body of Christ, which is to dwell continually in the full presence of God and be “transformed into his image” (2 Corinthians 3:18). The tabernacle is a well-spring of amazing spiritual information, which might take an eternity to fully understand.
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