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

Exodus 15:11-13 “Who among the gods is like you, O LORD Exodus 15:11-13 “Who among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is like you— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed.” He is separate in purity and in power. Holiness is compatible with love. NT says he dwells in unapproachable light. Moses glowed when he came down the Mt. YHWH’s holiness is alongside love. God is speaking… He gives the law

The Tabernacle

The Tabernacle 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. The Most Holy Place “The Veil” At the mountain ONLY Moses could go to the innermost place. Now the Priest can go once a year to the Most HP. The Holy Place

Prayer Holy Spirit God’s Word All Furnishings were overlaid with Gold and all three represent different aspects of the Church needed for Growth of New Creature. God’s Word

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 Tribe of Levi = Believers in Jesus (T26) justified believers T27, as was Abraham Rm 4:2,3 T27

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!”

W Moses 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 Journey (Exodus 27:9-18; 38:9-17; 40:33) The court fence was the outer border of the Tabernacle site. It consisted of the following: Linen curtains (probably white) (Exodus 27:9-18) Pillars, sockets, hooks, and fillets (tops and rods) (Exodus 27:10-18) Pins of bronze (brass) (Ex. 27:19; 38:20)

Wooden Posts Copper Sockets Gold Posts Silver Sockets Gold Posts Copper Sockets White Curtain

POSTS THROUGHOUT TABERNACLE MOST HOLY COURT HOLY Wood Gold Gold Copper Copper Silver Why the change? Let’s apply what we learned about wood and metals

Entrance

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

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

Burnt Offering Altar Sacrifices Fire never went out Fire for altar of incense

The Bronze Altar The measurements of the bronze altar: 7.5 ft long 7.5 ft wide 4.5 ft high

The Bronze Altar The bronze altar was made of (acacia) wood. The altar was square and covered with bronze (brass). The four corners of the altar had horns overlaid with bronze.

The Bronze Altar Several kinds of offerings were made on the bronze altar: Burnt offering (bull, sheep, goats without blemish, or birds) (Leviticus 1:1-17) Grain offering (Leviticus 2:1-16) Peace offering (goat or lamb) (Lev. 3:1-17) Sin offering (bull, goat, or lamb) (Lev. 4:1-35) Trespass offering (female of the flock, lamb, goat kid, bird or grain) (Lev. 5 & 6)

The Bronze Altar The Sacrifice was necessary for forgiveness. The blood of the animal was important to justify the people before God. A proper sacrifice was an animal that was valuable and perfect, not flawed. Sin was serious. Only shed blood which stands for life, could pay for sin. By laying his hand on it, the person identified with the animal sacrificed.

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

Laver Polish Brass Cleansing Reflective

The Bronze Laver The bronze laver was used for ceremonial washing: Priests bathed their entire body when they were ordained. (Exodus 29:4) Following ordination, the priests had to wash their hands and feet every time they entered the Tabernacle or approached the bronze altar to minister, or they would die. (Exodus 30:19-21)

Eph 5:25-26: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and 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. Before the Priest could enter the Holy, he had to wash at the Laver Made of highly polished copper.(Ex 38:8) Priest saw reflection = By looking into God’s Word = We see the sin that needs to be washed away, And we clean up our act just prior to the decision of consecration, going under the veil into the Holy.

Tent of Meeting 7 pieces of furniture 3 courts of worship

Coverings Curtains of fine linen Goat hair Ram’s skins dyed red Badger skin

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 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.

Prayer Holy Spirit God’s Word All Furnishings were overlaid with Gold and all three represent different aspects of the Church needed for Growth of New Creature. God’s Word

The Two Chambers OT vs. NT

Holy Place 3 stages of the almond plant Oil of the lamp rests on the fruit 7 branches One shaft 3 shoots on each side

The Golden Lampstand (Exodus 25:31-40) The lampstand was made of one talent of pure hammered gold, one solid piece. It had a central shaft with six branches, three on each side, making it a seven-branched lampstand. Each branch had knobs, flowers, and an almond-shaped bowl to hold pure olive oil.

The Golden Lampstand The priest’s duty was to trim the wicks and keep the lamps lit. The lampstand was designed to provide light for the Tabernacle. The lampstand was the first item seen upon entering the Tabernacle as a reminder to his people that God is light.

The Golden Lampstand The Word of God is a light for believers. It guides them through life, and protects them from evil and darkness. (Psalm 119:105) The Bible says that Jesus is God’s Word in human form. (John 1:1, 14) Jesus referred to himself as the light of the world and those who follow him will never walk in darkness (John 8:12; 9:5; 12:46)

The Golden Lampstand Followers of Jesus are called to be lights in dark places. Phil 2:15-16 In teaching the saints and evangelizing the lost, through words and actions, the light of Christ is projected from believers. (Matthew 5:14-16)

The 7 branched Lampstand ‘Menorah’ It was decorated with almond buds which mean ‘watch’/ ‘be ready’ 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)

Rev 1:20 – “…the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.” NKJV Golden Candlestick Golden Candlestick = complete church throughout Gospel Age.

Table of Shew Bread Gold plated 12 loaves New each week Old eaten by priest

The Table of Showbread The measurements of the Table of Showbread: 3 ft long 1.5 ft wide 2.25 ft. high

Table of Shew-bread Lev 24:6 – 12 cakes / 2 in each row = Double meaning accomplished by stacking in two rows of 6. 66 books of the bible & 12 tribes or spiritual Israel of Rev 7.

The Table of Showbread On the table of showbread, the priests placed twelve loaves of bread (six loaves in two stacks) made from fine flour. (Leviticus 24:5-9) Wine was placed on the altar with the bread. These loaves represented the twelve tribes of Israel.

The Table of Showbread The Table with the loaves was a continual reminder of the everlasting covenant between God and the children of Israel. Fresh bread was placed there every Sabbath as a memorial of God’s provision for them. The bread was eaten by the 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 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)

Altar of Incense Gold Fire from bronze altar Incense taken off altar and placed in priest’s censer

The Altar of Incense

The Altar of Incense The High Priest burned incense upon it every morning and evening. The fire for the incense came from the Bronze Altar in the outer court. The Lord required a special sweet incense, a mixture of spices, used only for the Tabernacle (Exodus 30:35-37), to be burned on the altar of incense. The priest was in danger of death if any other incense was burned. (Lev. 10:1-2)

Incense Alter Rev 8:3 – “Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.” NKJV Rev 5:8 – “… golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” NKJV Angel = High Priest = Christ Incense = His prayers & ours (also the praise and obedience of Christ & Church T120)

The Altar of Incense Jesus went away frequently to pray. (Matthew 14:23; Luke 5:16) Jesus taught his disciples how to pray. (Matthew 6:5-15) Believers in Jesus are told to pray constantly. (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 Veil The veil was a divider between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. The veil was a barrier between God and man. Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest would enter the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies) through this veil. (Leviticus 23:26-32)

The Veil When Jesus died on the cross, the veil in the Temple was torn from top to bottom. (Matthew 27:51) The torn veil symbolizes the ability of every believer, not just a high priest, to approach God through the death of Jesus. Because of Jesus, sin no longer 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.

Holy of Holies Overlaid with gold Manna Aaron’s rod Stones with 10 Commandments Mercy Seat

Contents of the Ark of the Covenant Tables of the Law Aaron’s Rod Golden Pot of Manna Contents of the Ark of the Covenant

Contents of the Ark Aaron’s Rod = Acceptableness of the “Royal Priesthood” to Jehovah (Numbers 17) Golden Pot of Manna (incorruptible Ex 16:32) = Immortality of Christ & the Church (Rev 2:17) Tables of the Law = Christ met the full requirements of God’s perfect law.

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

 Intercession 1. 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.

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) 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.

Jesus & the Tabernacle Hebrews 9:11,12 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation… JC went into a tabernacle not made with hands (not of this creation). JC only needed to do it once.

.....Eschatological !!! This is, dare we say it.....? 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 After 40 days Christ ascended to Heaven as our High Priest to sprinkle the blood of the bullock on the Mercy Seat to satisfy justice for us. 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)

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

Burnt Offering Altar

Laver

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

Coverings 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.” 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.” 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, 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.”

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

Holy of Holies- Veil 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-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—”

Will come down from heaven The New Jerusalem Will come down from heaven ‘…now God’s dwelling place is with men..’ ( Revelation 21:3) ‘God Almighty and the Lamb are its Temple’ (Revelation 21:22)