The Tabernacle

A Bible Study by Jessica Winblad

The tabernacle was a portable structure used for worship and meeting with God.
The word tabernacle (in Hebrew: mishkan or משׁכּן) means tent, or dwelling place.
God dwelt in the tabernacle among his chosen people (the Israelites)

The Tabernacle is:

A sanctuary built for God according to the pattern of His throne in Heaven
Where God chose to dwell among His people
The focal point of Israel’s national life from the exodus from Egypt to settlement in the promised land

The Tabernacle is one of three sanctuaries:

- The Tabernacle was used for more than 400 years until Solomon’s temple was constructed.
- Solomon’s Temple was used for more than 350 years until the Babylonians destroyed it.
- Herod’s Temple: After the fall of Babylon, in the 500s BC the temple was reconstructed. This is the temple Jesus frequented. It stood for over 600 years.

Q. Is it true that there is a prophesy in the Bible that the temple be rebuilt in the last days?
A. Maybe, maybe not. There is mention of a temple in the last days but no concrete evidence one way or the other whether it is a physical temple on earth or a heavenly temple. Judge for yourself, read: 2 Thess. 2:4, Rev 13:15, Matt. 24:15. Do these refer to a physical temple? Does 1 Cor. 6:19 influence your opinion?

Keys to Interpreting the Tabernacle

Heb 9:11 “But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands…” (NASB)
Rev 13:6 “…His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven.”
Rev 21:3 “…Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them…”

Implication: The tabernacle in the Exodus is symbolic of similar but greater things in heaven

The Tabernacle is Divided into 3 Sections

The Outer Courtyard
The Holy Place
The Most Holy Place

Each area has specific furnishings that are spelled out in detail in Exodus.

The Metals Used Are Symbolic

Gold – symbolic of heaven (eg: The streets of Heaven are paved with gold)
Silver – symbolic of redemption (eg: Jesus was sold for 30 pieces of silver)
Bronze – symbolic of judgment (eg: the outward altar where sacrifices were burned was bronze)