The Tabernacle

Raise the tabernacle according to its pattern…Exodus 26:26

While on Mt. Sinai Moses was shown a tabernacle in heaven. He was given instructions to build another tabernacle on earth according to what he saw in heaven: according to its pattern. Not only was Moses shown what the tabernacle was to look like, he was given specific instructions on its materials and construction. Not only the tabernacle but all its furnishings. Not only all its furniture, but its priests and their duties. Everything was to be done according to God’s word.

It was David who wanted to build God a temple. God said no. Instead, God told David that He would build David a house. More than a home, a heritage. God never asked for a temple. The temple was David’s idea. David’s son, Solomon built the temple and God blessed it with His presence. 

When you study the tabernacle, you see some of the wonders of God’s creation. The tabernacle had three parts: the courtyard, the holy place and the holy of holies. When you compare that to God’s creation, we also see three parts: the land, the sea, and the sky. When you compare that to God’s creation of mankind, we also see parts: body, soul, and spirit.

The Jews are preparing to build another temple in Jerusalem. Which will become a place of the abomination of desolation, again. That temple will probably be destroyed during the great tribulation. During the millennium another temple will be built. This temple will be unlike all those before it. In it, Jesus will be High Priest.  

Eventually, in the new heaven and new earth, there will no longer be a temple. Revelation 21:22: But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. Meanwhile, we are the living temple, being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For we are the temple of the Spirit, the church of God, the body of Christ. The new living portable tabernacle.