Hebrews 8:1-2 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: we have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.
The tabernacle of Moses is a symbolic representation of heaven. There are three heavens (2 Cor. 12:2), and these three heavens (Deut. 10:14) are represented by the three parts of the tabernacle. The Holy of Holies represents the third heaven, the place of God’s throne. The Holy Place represents the second heaven, the place of the spiritual thrones that dominate the earth. The first heaven, the air, is represented by the Outer Court. The temple of Solomon is built according to the same pattern as the tabernacle of Moses, and it also reflects the pattern of the heavenly tabernacle.
Psalm 46:4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
The city of God is heavenly Jerusalem, the Holy Place of God’s tabernacle. The city of God (the second heaven) surrounds God’s throne (the third heaven). The second heaven has thrones and dominions, seats of spiritual authority that rule the earth which are currently occupied by fallen angels who dominate the nations. At the end of the age, God’s people will occupy these thrones, and the principalities and powers will fall. Christ will reign over his people, and through them he will reign over the earth.
Hebrews 8:4-5 For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”
When God told Moses to make the tabernacle, God showed him a pattern of heavenly things. The earthly tabernacle is a representation of heaven. It’s like a diorama of heaven. By looking at the tabernacle, we can understand the invisible things of heaven in a clearer way.
Hebrews 8:6-9 Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance; the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. It was symbolic for the present time.
In the Old Testament, priests went regularly into the Holy Place, but the high priest went once a year into the Holy of Holies. This represented that during the Old Covenant era there was not yet a way for humanity to enter the heavenly Holy of Holies – the throne of God. But after Christ came, the way was made.
Hebrews 8:23-24 Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us
The tabernacle of Moses is a copy of heaven, an earthly representation of spiritual reality. The things in the tabernacle are material copies of spiritual things.
In addition, the tabernacle represents our path of spiritual growth. Each Christian is called to progress through the heavenly tabernacle unto full maturity.
Hebrews 8:11-12 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
The tabernacle of heaven was perfect, for it was made by God. Christ entered into the third heaven (the heavenly Holy of Holies) through his own blood, making a way for all who believe in him to come before God’s throne (Heb. 10:19).
OUTER COURT: First Heaven
Exodus 27:9 “You shall also make the court of the tabernacle. For the south side there shall be hangings for the court made of fine woven linen, one hundred cubits long for one side.
The Outer Court of the tabernacle encircled the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. Open to the sky, it contained the entrance gate to the Tabernacle complex. Representing the first heaven, also known as the “air,” the Outer Court was the initial meeting place for individuals with God. It contained the brass altar and brass basin, representing our first steps in God.
BRASS ALTAR: Born Again
Exodus 27:1-2 You shall make an altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits wide – the altar shall be square – and its height shall be three cubits. You shall make its horns on its four corners; its horns shall be of one piece with it. And you shall overlay it with bronze.
The brass altar, situated near the entrance gate of the Outer Court, served as a place for animal sacrifices to atone for the sins of the people. It represents the sacrifice of Christ on the cross for our sins. As the first item within the tabernacle, the brass altar signifies our initial spiritual step: trusting in Christ and becoming born again.
BRASS BASIN: Water Baptism
Exodus 30:17-19 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “You shall also make a laver of bronze, with its base also of bronze, for washing. You shall put it between the tabernacle of meeting and the altar. And you shall put water in it, for Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet in water from it.
After the brass altar in the Outer Court, there was a brass basin. The priests washed themselves at this basin before entering the Holy Place. The brass basin symbolizes water baptism. We are to be baptized in water after being born again to wash away our sins and progress further in God’s purposes.
SCREEN: Holy Spirit Baptism
Exodus 26:36-37 You shall make a screen for the door of the tabernacle, woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, made by a weaver. And you shall make for the screen five pillars of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold; their hooks shall be gold, and you shall cast five sockets of bronze for them.
A screen separated between the Outer Court and the Holy Place, and in order to enter the Holy Place one had to go through this screen. This screen represents Holy Spirit baptism. This screen hung on five pillars to represent that people are often baptized in the Holy Spirit as a result of encountering true ministry. When we are baptized in the Holy Spirit, our eyes are opened to see the spiritual realm in a new way, and we can abide in the Holy Place of God’s heavenly tabernacle. We understand the word of God in a deeper way and operate in spiritual gifts.
HOLY PLACE: Second Heaven
The Holy Place is a covered section of the tabernacle which symbolizes the second heaven. It is the realm where the full word of God is experienced, and we become active members of Biblical church. Here, effective prayer wields power upon the earth, and spiritual warfare against the principalities and powers takes place.
BOARDS: Christians
Ex 26:15-19 And for the tabernacle you shall make the boards of acacia wood, standing upright. Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and a cubit and a half shall be the width of each board. Two tenons shall be in each board for binding one to another. Thus you shall make for all the boards of the tabernacle. And you shall make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards for the south side. You shall make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards: two sockets under each of the boards for its two tenons.
The boards of the tabernacle represent the people of God. We are like boards that are being built into a house for the Lord. Each board is 10 feet tall, which represents that we come into full stature by passing spiritual tests. Each board is 1.5 cubits, which represents that we need each other, for two boards equal a width of 3 cubits, which represents God’s presence. The two tenons in each board are similar to the cloven hoof of the clean animal, representing that each believer must be in union with God and with each other. The tenons are placed in sockets of silver, which represents that we are bought from the earth by the redemption of Christ.
Exodus 26:26-29 And you shall make bars of acacia wood: five for the boards on one side of the tabernacle, five bars for the boards on the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the side of the tabernacle, for the far side westward. The middle bar shall pass through the midst of the boards from end to end. You shall overlay the boards with gold, make their rings of gold as holders for the bars, and overlay the bars with gold.
The tabernacle boards are held together by five perpendicular rods that go through the boards on each side of the tabernacle. These five rods represent the 5 primary ministry positions. The center rod, which goes through all the boards, represents the apostolic ministry. These rods are attached to the boards by golden rings, which represent hearing from God. True ministry must be heard and received by God’s people in order for the body of Christ to be built.
TABLE OF BREAD: Word of God
Exodus 25:23-30 You shall also make a table of acacia wood; two cubits shall be its length, a cubit its width, and a cubit and a half its height. And you shall overlay it with pure gold, and make a molding of gold all around…. And you shall set the showbread on the table before Me always.
The table of showbread was inside the Holy Place, and on this table sat twelve loaves of bread. Bread represents Christ and his word. Twelve loaves represents the fullness of apostolic teaching. God’s people need to partake of the fullness of the apostolic teaching in order to be spiritually healthy. The word of God is eaten as we meditate on it and obey it. In the Old Testament only priests could eat of the shewbread, whereas in the New Covenant all God’s children are priests, and we all need to eat of the bread of God’s word in order to fulfill our priestly duties.
Each week, new loaves were baked to replace old ones. This symbolizes that there is to be a weekly meeting of the church on the first day of the week (Sunday) (Acts 20:7), at which there is a fuller supply of the word of God. Some churches may meet daily in order to break bread (Acts 2:46), but once a week there is to be larger gatherings of the body of Christ in larger homes. The Lord’s Supper (the Lord’s table, 1 Cor. 10:21) is the backdrop of a Biblical church meeting. To partake of the Lord’s Supper means to partake of the Lord’s table. During church meetings believers are to share spiritual and natural food.
The table of shewbread was made out of gold-covered wood. This table represents the ministry that brings forth the word of God. The people (wood) that bring forth the word of God are to be covered over by God’s presence (gold), and under his authority (gold crown molding) in order to minister effectively (1 Peter 4:11).
LAMPSTAND: Church
Revelation 1:20 the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
A church represents a lampstand. A lampstand provides light, and the church is the light of the world (Matt. 5:14).
Exodus 25:31-32 You shall also make a lampstand of pure gold; the lampstand shall be of hammered work. Its shaft, its branches, its bowls, its ornamental knobs, and flowers shall be of one piece. And six branches shall come out of its sides: three branches of the lampstand out of one side, and three branches of the lampstand out of the other side.
God commanded Moses to make a lampstand for the Holy Place of the tabernacle. A lampstand transforms oil into light through the means of fire. Oil represents the Holy Spirit. The wick, made of carbon-based material, represents humanity, and it draws up the oil. When the Holy Spirit saturates our souls and the fire of God ignites us, his light shines forth through us, illuminating the world (Matt. 5:14). The lampstand, crafted from pure gold, signifies that the church is to be filled with God’s presence and built according to His Word.
The lampstand is one piece, representing unity. Jesus prayed for his church to be one in John 17:22, and someday this prayer will be answered. True Christian unity is based on each Christian’s unity with God and his word.
The lampstand is shaped through hammering, symbolizing that the church’s unity is forged through challenges. By facing these trials in submission to God, the church is molded according to His Word. The lampstand features seven lamps of fire, representing God’s perfection. As the church matures, it radiates God’s glory into the world, fulfilling its role as the glorious bride of Christ (Eph. 5:27).
Mark 4:21 Also He said to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand?
Believers are to be lights in this world, and they must be part of a Biblical church (lampstand) so their lights can shine. A bed represents laziness, and a bushel represents trading and pursuing money. Both of these can hinder a believer from being positioned rightly within a church, blocking his light.
Zechariah 4:2-7 So I said, “I am looking, and there is a lampstand of solid gold with a bowl on top of it, and on the stand seven lamps with seven pipes to the seven lamps. Two olive trees are by it, one at the right of the bowl and the other at its left.” So I answered and spoke to the angel who talked with me, saying, “What are these, my lord?” Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” And I said, “No, my lord.” So he answered and said to me “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!’”
Men like Zerubbabel and Joshua played pivotal roles in rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. During this time, the prophet Zechariah received a vision of two olive trees pouring oil into a golden lampstand. This was God’s message to Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel was like one of the olive trees, and the lampstand represented the temple which was being rebuilt through Zerubbabel’s ministry. This vision also applies to the church today, for the golden lampstand symbolizes the church. Just as the temple needed to be reconstructed after its destruction by Babylon, the church must also be restored in our time. The church will be built to completion by servants of God who are committed to following his word. The two olive trees represent these servants, who spearhead the rebuilding of the church. These servants are the two witnesses mentioned in Revelation 11:4. They pour out gold into the lampstand, symbolizing the revelation of God to the church. As they speak God’s words and perform his works, they manifest his glory within the church, causing the church to be built.
INCENSE ALTAR: Prayer
Exodus 30:1-3 You shall make an altar to burn incense on; you shall make it of acacia wood. A cubit shall be its length and a cubit its width – it shall be square – and two cubits shall be its height. Its horns shall be of one piece with it. And you shall overlay its top, its sides all around, and its horns with pure gold; and you shall make for it a molding of gold all around.
The altar of incense is located in the Holy Place, right before the entrance to the Holy of Holies. Incense was offered at this altar to God. Incense represents prayer. The golden altar represents the corporate, powerful prayer of a holy church. At the end of the age, powerful prayers from God’s people will shake the heavens and the earth. The altar of incense was covered with gold, signifying that true prayer is inspired by God and invokes his presence. This altar had a crown molding of gold, representing that effective prayer must be led by God. This altar has horns, representing that God’s authority is manifested through the prayers of his people.
VEIL: Flesh of Christ
Exodus 26:31-33 You shall make a veil woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen. It shall be woven with an artistic design of cherubim. You shall hang it upon the four pillars of acacia wood overlaid with gold. Their hooks shall be gold, upon four sockets of silver. And you shall hang the veil from the clasps. Then you shall bring the ark of the Testimony in there, behind the veil. The veil shall be a divider for you between the holy place and the Most Holy.
A veil separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. This veil had cherubim on it, distinguishing it from the screen at the entrance of the Holy Place which did not have cherubim on it. This unique characteristic shows that the glory of God and his mature saints are in the Holy of Holies. This veil represents the flesh of Jesus Christ; therefore it was torn when Christ died on the cross (Matt. 27:51). Although we all have access to the Holy of Holies by the blood of Jesus, in order to dwell in the Holy of Holies we need to come to spiritual maturity. Paul was caught up momentarily to the third heaven (the Holy of Holies in heaven), but the mature saints will abide in the third heaven before God’s throne.
HOLY OF HOLIES: Third Heaven
Hebrews 9:2-5 For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat.
The Holy of Holies represents the third heaven, the place of God’s throne. When God’s people grow into maturity, they will no longer merely access the Holy of Holies, but they will abide in the Holy of Holies. They will become the bride of Christ and be filled with the fullness of God. In a sense, they will become the Holy of Holies because God will dwell inside of them.
Leviticus 16:2 Tell Aaron your brother not to come at just any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark, lest he die; for I will appear in the cloud above the mercy seat.
The priests could not enter regularly into the Holy of Holies, for Christ had not yet made a way for his people into the third heaven.
ARK: God’s Presence in Judgment
Exodus 25:10-11 And they shall make an ark of acacia wood; two and a half cubits shall be its length, a cubit and a half its width, and a cubit and a half its height. And you shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and out you shall overlay it, and shall make on it a molding of gold all around.
The ark was within the Holy of Holies. The ark was a wooden box covered with gold that contained the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments. The ark represents the holiness and justice of God. It has a crown molding of gold, representing God’s authority.
MERCY SEAT: God’s Presence in Mercy
Exodus 25:17-22 You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold; two and a half cubits shall be its length and a cubit and a half its width…. You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the Testimony that I will give you. And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony, about everything which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel.
The mercy seat, crafted from solid gold, rested upon the ark within the Holy of Holies. It symbolized Jesus (1 John 4:10), and God’s presence dwelled directly above it. The mercy seat embodied God’s mercy through Jesus Christ, covering our sins. God’s mercy allows us to have a relationship with him. It was the place where righteousness and peace met (Ps. 85:10), and here God revealed Himself to His people.
CHERUBIM: Mature Saints
Exodus 25:18 And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of hammered work you shall make them at the two ends of the mercy seat
Two cherubim were attached to the two ends of the mercy seat. They represent the fully mature saints at the end of the age. They are made of gold, showing that they are full of God’s presence. They are hammered into shape, showing that they reach spiritual maturity by going through challenges. They are attached to the mercy seat, showing that they have a deep understanding of God’s mercy, and they are perfectly united to Christ.
The cherubim carry the glory and throne of God in the Old Testament (Ezekiel 10:1). In the New Testament, God intends for mature saints to carry his glory and release it into the world.
1 Kings 6:23-28 Inside the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim of olive wood, each ten cubits high. One wing of the cherub was five cubits, and the other wing of the cherub five cubits: ten cubits from the tip of one wing to the tip of the other. And the other cherub was ten cubits; both cherubim were of the same size and shape. The height of one cherub was ten cubits, and so was the other cherub. Then he set the cherubim inside the inner room; and they stretched out the wings of the cherubim so that the wing of the one touched one wall, and the wing of the other cherub touched the other wall. And their wings touched each other in the middle of the room. Also he overlaid the cherubim with gold.
The cherubim are the two olive trees, or the two witnesses (Rev 11:4), and they represent the mature saints of God. Two represents that these mature saints will be in perfect unity with God and with each other. Their wings stretch from one end of the Most Holy Place to the other end, representing that they will fully occupy the third heaven. God will dwell within them in fullness, and they will sit with him in his throne (Rev. 3:21).
Bethel Cornerstone 