Using the tabernacle as of Moses as a way to Approach God.
The Tabernacle of Moses was divided into three sections 1) The Outer Court, 2) The Holy Place; and 3) the Holy of Holies.
1.
The Outer Court
The Outer Court represents our bodies. The Outer Court was lighted by natural light. This represents knowledge gained through senses. The Outer Court has to pieces of furniture:
(a) The Brazen Altar: The brazen altar was directly in front of the Gate, at this alter, offerings were given to atone for the sins of the people. It was impossible to precede any further without offering a sacrifice. This represents the Cross, directly inside the Gate of Salvation. It speaks of our initial coming to the Cross-and receiving the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins. It als speaks of the crucified life. We must die to self and live for Christ. If we want to have intimate fellowship with Jesus, we must recognize His Lordship and pick up our crosses daily to follow him.
(b) The Laver: The Laver was a circular bowl with two levels. It was given so that the priests could was their hands and feet after offering the sacrifices, It should be noted that it was made of highly polished brass. It is the same material women used for mirrors. The Logos has a cleansing effect upon our lives. Defilements of the flesh are washed away when we act in obedience to the clear commands of scripture. It does not take any special revelation to understand and obey God’s commandments.
2.
The Holy Place
Inside the Outer Court stood a woven tent that housed the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. The walls were several layers thick. There was no natural light on the inside of the tent. The Holy Place represents our souls. Inside the Holy Place, we find three pieces of furniture. They are:
(a) The Table of Shewbread: The table was two and a half foot high and was completely covered in gold. Twelve small cakes of unleavened bread and utensils of pure gold were placed on it. The cakes remained on the table for one week. When the week was over Aaron and his sons ate them. There were two things we see from the Table of Shewbread. (1) The cakes were made of finely ground flour. Our wills must be finely ground as we totally coming ourselves to the Lord. The cakes were also unleavened. Our minds should not be influenced by sin and the ways of the world. They should be influenced by the Word of God and the Spirit of God. (2) The priests eating together represent our fellowship and communion within the Body of Christ. In our relationships, we are committed together to the Lord and to one another. These relationships aid us in laying down self-will and placing others before us. As this is done, we can hear the Lord clearly with purity of heart.
(b) The Lamp Stand: The Holy Place was illuminated by the light of the lamp stands. It was formed by beaten gold and fueled by pure oil. The Lamp stand represented our minds, which are illuminated by the Holy Spirit as we study the word of God. The Holy Spirit also illuminates our thought process and gives us insights in our day-to-day lives.
(c) The Altar of Incense: The Altar of Incense was placed directly in front of the entrance to the Holy of Holies. Incense was offered twice daily on the altar so that the fragrant smoke was constantly rising into the nostrils of God. In Rev. 5:8, we are told about a bowl of incense in Heaven that represents the prayers of the saints. The Altar of Incense shows us that the only way into God’s presence is through praise, thanksgiving and worship. As we move from praise and thanksgiving to worship, worship lifts us up into the Holy of Holies to commune with God. It is also interesting to note the four- square aspect of the altar indicates an emotional life that is perfectly balanced. Heartfelt praise, thanksgiving and worship in all situations of life brings a dynamic balance to our emotional being.
We should also note that the horns on the altar are the exact same height as the furniture in the Holy of holies. This further illustrates how praise, thanksgiving and worship elevates us into the presence of God.
One last interesting note about the Altar of incense. In the Old Testament, this altar was outside the veil that separated the Holy place from the Holy of Holies. The writer in the book of Hebrews [after Jesus’ work at Calvary] moved the altar inside the Holy of Holies. [Heb 9:4]
3.
The Holy of Holies
IN the Tabernacle of Moses, only one piece of furniture was in the Holy of Holies. It was the Arc of the Covenant. There was no provision for light in the Holy of Holies except for the Glory of God. The same is true for our spirits. Our spirit man is in total darkness. Only the Light of God’s presence can illuminate our spirits.
On top of the Arc was the mercy seat. It was upon this mercy seat that blood was sprinkled on the Day of Atonement. It causes us to realize that our standing with God and all that we have and are rely upon the mercy of God. It is nothing that we have done ourselves.
Within the Arc there were three things, they were:
a. The tables on which the Ten Commandments were writer by God. The Ten Commandments represent the Law of God. When we come to God, we must come imperfect holiness. God placed His mercy (the mercy seat) above the Law. Thus though God’s mercy, Jesus paid the price for us and we can come to God with perfect holiness of Jesus and not in ourselves. The Blood of Jesus cleanses us from All unrighteousness.
b. Aaron’s Rod that Budded. When God caused the rod of Aaron to bud, it showed that Aaron had been given divine authority from God. When we come into the presence of God and God shares a “word” with us, divine authority comes with that word. Remember that the people marveled at Jesus because He did not speak as the religious leaders of His day, but He spoke as one with authority.
c. Jar of Manna. The manna in the Ark was a reminder of God’s supernatural provision. As we wait in the Presence of the Lord and receive direct revelation from Him within our hearts, supernatural life and strength flow up from deep within us, strengthening us to face victoriously the trials of Life. His divine life flows through us and out from us to meet the needs of a hurting world.
We need to try and live our lives in line with what the Tabernacle and its furniture represent
The checklist below is meant to help you when you have trouble hearing from God.
1. Altar – Am I a living sacrifice?
2. Laver – Have I washed myself by applying the word.?
3. Shewbread – Is my will ground fine before God? Am I waling in love and fellowship?
4. Lamp stand – Is God illuminating my mind and granting me revelation as I study the Word?
5. Incense – Am I offering a continual sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving before the Lord?
6. Ark – Do I stand quietly before His immediate presence and receive His words quietly into my heart?
Assignment:
1. How does the Tabernacle of Moses illustrate the tri-partness of man?
2. How does the Brazen Altar represent the crucified life for the Christian?
3. What does Shewbread show us?
4. As represented by the Altar of Incense, what does praise and worship do?
5. What
does the Arc of the Covenant teach us?
Mark and Patti Virkler have granted permission to draw this information from
their book, “Communion With God Study Guide”.
You can get more information at their website www.cwgministries.org