Today, we explored the profound significance of the Tabernacle of Moses, not just as an ancient structure, but as a living revelation of God’s desire to dwell among His people. From the very beginning, God’s heart has been to be present with us, and the tabernacle is a powerful type and shadow that points forward to Christ and, ultimately, to the work He accomplishes in us. Every detail, from the outer court to the Holy of Holies, is intentionally designed to reveal deeper spiritual truths about our relationship with God.
The journey through the tabernacle begins at the brazen altar, where sacrifices were made. This altar points directly to Jesus, the perfect and sinless sacrifice, who laid down His life for us. The inspection was never on the person bringing the offering, but on the sacrifice itself—a beautiful picture of how our acceptance before God is based on Christ’s perfection, not our own. The next step, the bronze laver, was a place of washing and reflection. Just as the priests would see themselves cleansed in the water, we are cleansed by the washing of the Word and the blood of Jesus, moving us closer to God.
Entering the inner court, we encounter the golden lampstand, the table of showbread, and the altar of incense. The lampstand represents Jesus as the light of the world and the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit. The showbread, unleavened and pierced, is a clear foreshadowing of Christ as the bread of life, broken for us. The altar of incense, with its sweet aroma, symbolizes the prayers of the saints and Christ’s ongoing intercession for us.
Passing through the final veil, we reach the Holy of Holies, where the Ark of the Covenant and the mercy seat reside. Here, the blood was sprinkled, signifying that only through Christ’s sacrifice can we boldly enter God’s presence. The contents of the Ark—Aaron’s rod, manna, and the Ten Commandments—speak of God’s authority, provision, and law, all fulfilled in Jesus and now written on our hearts.
Ultimately, the tabernacle is not just a historical artifact but a living reality for every believer. We are now the dwelling place of God’s Spirit, called to present ourselves as living sacrifices, washed by the Word, illuminated by the Spirit, nourished by Christ, and welcomed into the very presence of God. The journey from the outer court to the Holy of Holies mirrors our own spiritual journey: justification, sanctification, and glorification—body, soul, and spirit—brought into perfect fellowship with our Creator.
Key Takeaways
- 1. God’s Desire to Dwell Among Us From Eden to Revelation, God’s heart has always been to dwell with His people. The tabernacle was not just a temporary tent in the wilderness, but a prophetic declaration that God wants to be intimately present in our lives. Even when sin complicated the relationship, God made a way through sacrifice and ultimately through Christ to restore that closeness. [06:08]
- 2. The Sacrifice is the Standard, Not the Sinner At the brazen altar, the focus was never on the worthiness of the person bringing the offering, but on the perfection of the sacrifice itself. This is a profound truth for us: our acceptance before God is not based on our own merit, but on the flawless sacrifice of Jesus. When we understand this, we are freed from striving and can rest in the finished work of Christ. [10:02]
- 3. The Word and the Spirit Cleanse and Illuminate The bronze laver was a place of washing and reflection, symbolizing how the Word of God cleanses us and reveals our true selves. The lampstand, fueled by oil, represents the Holy Spirit bringing the Word to life, illuminating our path and empowering us to live in God’s presence. Without the continual work of the Word and Spirit, our spiritual lives remain dim and stagnant. [32:16]
- 4. Christ Fulfills Every Element—And Now Lives in Us Every article in the tabernacle—altar, laver, lampstand, showbread, incense, ark—finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus. He is the sacrifice, the cleanser, the light, the bread, the intercessor, and the mercy seat. Now, as believers, we are called to embody these realities: to be living sacrifices, to be washed by the Word, to shine with the Spirit, and to carry God’s presence into the world. [25:55]
- 5. The Tabernacle Reveals Our Spiritual Journey The progression from the outer court (justification), to the inner court (sanctification), to the Holy of Holies (glorification) mirrors our own walk with God—body, soul, and spirit being brought into alignment with Him. We are not just saved from something, but saved for a purpose: to become the very dwelling place of God, reflecting His authority, power, and provision to the world. [35:30]
Youtube Chapters
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:10] - Introduction to Concealed to Revealed Series
- [03:00] - The Importance of the Tabernacle of Moses
- [05:30] - God’s Desire to Dwell Among His People
- [06:08] - Three Lessons from the Tabernacle
- [08:12] - The Structure: Outer Court, Inner Court, Holy of Holies
- [10:02] - The Brazen Altar and the Sacrifice
- [11:54] - The Bronze Laver: Washing and Reflection
- [13:42] - The Showbread and the Sabbath
- [15:11] - The Altar of Incense and the Presence of God
- [17:15] - The Holy of Holies and the Mercy Seat
- [18:53] - The Tabernacle in Prophecy and the Millennial Reign
- [20:44] - Jesus as Our High Priest
- [22:02] - The Gate, Door, and Veil: Access to God
- [23:37] - Jesus as the Only Way
- [25:55] - Christ Fulfills the Tabernacle
- [32:16] - The Word, the Spirit, and the Laver
- [35:30] - The Bread, the Cup, and Communion
- [42:05] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
