The Tabernacle (Part V)

Lesson Content

Metals and Wood used in the Tabernacle: Most of the vessels in the tabernacle were made of wood and overlaid with metals like gold, pure gold and brass. The ark of the covenant, the table of shewbread and the incense altar were made of wood and overlaid with pure gold. The altar was made of wood and overlaid with brass. The mercy seat and the candlestick were made of pure gold and the cherubims of gold. The laver was made of brass. Gold signifies faith and brass stands for grace. The wood that was used in the tabernacle was shittim wood. Wood speaks of human weakness. The vessels made of shittim wood being covered with gold or brass shows how God chooses a man with all his weaknesses and shortcomings, saves him and fills him with His grace and faith so that his human weakness is not seen anymore. The Tabernacle and the New Testament: The tabernacle is a shadow of the New Testament experience of God dwelling amidst His people. The eternal God dwelt in the tabernacle made by Moses. However, a tabernacle made of perishable things cannot be the eternal habitation of God. In the New Testament, God dwells in His people who are separated and sanctified. By sowing the incorruptible Word into man (I Pet.1:23) and thereby leading them to the born again experience (Jn.3:3) and by separating him, God makes him an eternal being. The Lord fills such a person with the Holy Spirit, sanctifies him and makes him His dwelling place (I Cor.3:16; 6:19).

The Tabernacle and Eternity: The three parts of the tabernacle — the outer court, holy place and the most holy place signify, respectively, New Earth, New Heaven and New Jerusalem, the three places in Eternity (Rev.21:1-3). New Earth: Those who are saved will dwell in New Earth. New Heaven: The Old Testament saints, general martyrs (excludin g the martyrs among the perfected saints, constituting the Bride of Christ) and the Tribulation martyrs will dwell here. New Jerusalem: This is the place where Christ and His Bride (the Church that has overcome) will dwell eternally.

Moral

God chooses us who are weak, foolish and despised, and does this great work so that no flesh may glory in His presence. Let us therefore learn to be humble giving all the glory to God.