Topical Encyclopedia The Tabernacle, as described in the Old Testament, serves as a profound type of Christ, embodying various aspects of His person and work. The Tabernacle was the portable dwelling place for the presence of God among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness, as detailed in the book of Exodus. It was meticulously designed according to divine specifications given to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 25:8-9).The Dwelling Place of God The Tabernacle is first and foremost a symbol of God's desire to dwell among His people. In Exodus 25:8, God commands, "And they are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them." This foreshadows the incarnation of Christ, who is described in John 1:14 as the Word who "became flesh and made His dwelling among us." The Greek term used for "dwelling" (σκηνόω, skēnoō) is directly related to the concept of "tabernacling," indicating that Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of God's presence among humanity. The Structure and Materials The materials and structure of the Tabernacle also point to Christ. The use of gold, silver, and bronze, along with fine linens and precious stones, signifies the glory and purity of Christ. The acacia wood, overlaid with gold, represents His incorruptible humanity united with divine nature. Hebrews 9:11 refers to Christ as "a high priest of the good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is, not of this creation." The Outer Court The outer court of the Tabernacle contained the bronze altar and the bronze basin. The altar, where sacrifices were made, prefigures Christ's sacrificial death on the cross. Hebrews 9:12 states, "He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption." The bronze basin, used for ceremonial washing, symbolizes the cleansing from sin that Christ provides (Ephesians 5:26). The Holy Place Inside the Holy Place, the table of showbread, the golden lampstand, and the altar of incense each typify aspects of Christ's ministry. The showbread, or "bread of the Presence," points to Christ as the Bread of Life (John 6:35). The lampstand, providing light, signifies Christ as the Light of the World (John 8:12). The altar of incense, with its fragrant smoke ascending to heaven, represents the intercessory work of Christ, who "always lives to intercede" for believers (Hebrews 7:25). The Most Holy Place The Most Holy Place, or Holy of Holies, housed the Ark of the Covenant, which contained the tablets of the Law, Aaron's rod, and a jar of manna. The Ark, covered by the mercy seat, is a powerful type of Christ as the propitiation for our sins (Romans 3:25). The veil separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place was torn at Christ's crucifixion (Matthew 27:51), symbolizing the new and living way opened through His flesh (Hebrews 10:20). The High Priest The role of the high priest in the Tabernacle system is a direct type of Christ's priestly ministry. The high priest entered the Most Holy Place once a year on the Day of Atonement to make atonement for the sins of the people. This prefigures Christ's once-for-all sacrifice and His ongoing intercession as our great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16). In summary, the Tabernacle, in its entirety, serves as a rich and multifaceted type of Christ, illustrating His divine presence, sacrificial work, and mediating role between God and humanity. Through the Tabernacle, believers gain a deeper understanding of the person and work of Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 40:2,34On the first day of the first month shall you set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation. Torrey's Topical Textbook Hebrews 9:11 Colossians 2:9 Library The Fact of the Redeemer's Return was Typified in the Lives of ... The Typical Significance of the Scriptures Declare their Divine ... Scriptural Types. Faustus is Willing to Admit that Christ May have Said that He came ... Christ the End of the Law The True Tabernacle, and Its Glory of Grace and Peace An Index to Find any Hymn by the Title or Contents of It. Were Christ and the Apostles Mistaken? Christ Our Passover The First Sermon in the Tabernacle Resources Why does the Bible speak against wearing clothing made of different types of fabric? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the different types of psalms? | GotQuestions.org What are the different types of prayer? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Types of Christ: Ark of the Covenant Types of Christ: Atonement, Sacrifices offered on the Day of Types of Christ: Brazen Serpent Types of Christ: Burnt offering Types of Christ: Cities of Refuge Types of Christ: Golden Candlestick Types of Christ: Jacob's Ladder Types of Christ: Laver of Brass Types of Christ: Leper's offering Types of Christ: Morning and Evening Sacrifices Types of Christ: Peace offerings Types of Christ: Rock of Horeb Types of Christ: Table and Show Bread Types of Christ: Trespass offering Types of Christ: Vail of the Tabernacle and Temple Types of the Saviour: High Priest, Typical of the Mediatorship Types of the Saviour: Melchizedek Types of the Saviour: The Bronze Altar Types of the Saviour: The Bronze Laver Types of the Saviour: The Bronze Serpent Types of the Saviour: The Cities of Refuge Types of the Saviour: The Curtain Types of the Saviour: The Institutions Ordained by Moses Types of the Saviour: The Mercy-Seat Types of the Saviour: The Morning and Evening Sacrifice Types of the Saviour: The Paschal Lamb Types of the Saviour: The Red Heifer Types of the Saviour: The Sacrifices Types of the Saviour: The Tree of Life Types: Miscellaneous: Bride, a Type of the Body of Christ Types: Miscellaneous: The Sanctuary a Type of the Heavenly Sanctuary Types: Miscellaneous: The Saving of Noah and his Family, of the Salvation Through the Gospel Related Terms |
    |