Revelation 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them… The Feast of Tabernacles is fulfilled by the Incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ. His body — tent-like — was set up in the manger. 1. The tabernacle in the desert was in the first instance the pledge of God's constant presence with His people. Christ said, "I am with you alway." But in the tabernacle of the Jews there was a special token of the Divine presence in the Shechinah. So the presence of Christ is at times made more manifest by the Holy Ghost. 2. The tabernacle was also a witness. It was a witness to God's faithfulness, love, and care. What a witness was the Incarnation. 3. The tabernacle was the appointed place and means for all intercourse with God. By Jesus we have communion with God. He is God brought near. 4. The tabernacle was for sacrifice. No sacrifice could be offered in any other place. The incarnate Christ is the sacrifice for the sins of the world. He is our burnt offering — He is also the altar of incense, and it is only through Him that any of our offerings, praise, money, service, bodies, can rise acceptable to God. 5. This tabernacle, altar, sacrifice, incense are always at hand — "with men" we can obtain forgiveness at any moment. (J. Vaughan, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. |
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