Tabernacle

Just as the Tabernacle in the Old Testament had three parts, the Outer Court, Holy Place and Holy of Holies, so do we as Christians. Our bodies are temples of His Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 6)  And we are body, soul and spirit. The Tabernacle was a type and shadow of what is in heaven. (Romans 8) There is much symbolism. God was very detailed. This is why he instructed Moses to construct the Tabernacle exactly as He said. It is a great study that repeatedly points to JESUS! Today’s blog is a brief synopsis!

OUTER COURT — (Our body)
There was one door to the Tabernacle, just as JESUS is the one door to salvation. Inside the door was the Outer Court. This part had no covering, it is symbolic of our public life. This place contained the alter where sacrifices were performed. Now, we are to be the living sacrifice (Romans 12) once we come through the door of JESUS blood. Here we die to our wants and surrender to His will and way. It is readily evident to others when we choose this life. It is not something you have to say as much as it is something you do and people see. True Christians don’t have to advertise who they are— people know by the life they live.
It is on the alter that we become willing to let go of everything displeasing to God. It is here that we forgive others the offenses against us, just as we have been forgiven (Matthew 6:14-15). It is here that we choose the Fear of the LORD as we let burn up our pride and rebellion. This is where we submit to the fire of His will and not our own.
The laver (basin) for washing before entering the Holy Place. We wash with the water of His Word (Ephesians 5, John 1). The priest washed their hands and feet signifying cleansing of what they did and where they went. So too, our hearts must be sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscious and our bodies washed with pure water (Hebrews 10).

Holy Place (aka Inner Court)— (our soul)
The Holy Place was covered because this is a more intimate place in our relationship with the LORD. In the Old Testament model we find three things inside the Holy Place, candlestick, bread and a golden alter of incense. No one is in this place except us and Him. In this place our relationship begins to mature. We seek Him ( at alter of incense)and He illuminates (candlestick) His Word so that it becomes Bread (shew bread) for us— that which sustains and nourishes us. The alter of incense was to burn continually just as we are to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5). This is a place of deep communication with God. Here we go from glory to glory as more and more of His Word becomes alive in us.

Holy of Holies (aka Most Holy Place) (our spirit)
This was the place where God’s presence dwelt. Just as when we come to Christ His Holy Spirit makes alive our spirit.(Ephesians 2) Before coming into His presence in the Holy Place, the Outer Court and Holy Place had to be navigated. The Holy of Holies in the Old Testament could be entered once a year. Since we are now the temple we can at any time spend time with God’s presence. But the Outer court and Holy Place remain places of preparation. We can come boldly to God, but the more prepared we are before we arrive the stronger His presence will be. This is not because God doesn’t desire to have us come— He sent His Son as proof He does. The problem is He is Holy and anything we haven’t crucified will stand as a barrier between us and God. The more barriers we allow to be burned away the stronger His presence will be. Some people think that God is more favorable to others than He is to them. The Bible refutes that, it says God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10, Romans 2). God wants to be close with all of us— again He sent His Son as proof. The problem is, not everyone is willing to stay on the alter while pride, rebellion and anything that keeps us from Him is burned away. Nor are they willing to spend time allowing Holy Spirit to illuminate His Word so it comes alive within them. 

All Christians come into the Outer Court, some come into the Holy Place and a few venture into the Holy of Holies, the most glorious of all three places. Where have you been camping out? He’s beckoning you to the Holy of Holies! 


Exodus and Hebrews are good passages to study the tabernacle.