The Tabernacle

An Introduction to the Understanding of God’s Way of Salvation

Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary (Psalms 77:13)

By Amos Momanyi; & compiled by Sidney P. Achia (sidneyachia@yahoo.com)

“And let them

make me
a sanctuary;
that I may
dwell among them.”
Ex. 25:8

The tabernacle as pitched in the

wilderness was a beautiful
structure. It was a court enclosed
with linen curtains (Ex.26:15-30;
Rev.4:2-4; 5:11). The Earthly
Sanctuary was a shadow of the
Heavenly Sanctuary (Heb.8:1-5;
9:1-3; Rev.11:9).

History of the Sanctuary

The history of the typical service of which the Earthly Tabernacle was a visible representation began
at the gate of Eden, where our first parents brought their offerings and presented them before the
Lord.
Before the people of God went into Egypt, their worship was simple. The patriarchs lived near the
Lord, and did not need many forms or ceremonies to teach them the one grand truth that sin could
only be atoned for by the death of one who was sinless. They needed only a rough altar and an
innocent lamb to connect their faith with the Infinite Sin-bearer.
The Sanctuary was complete while the children of Israel were encamped at Sinai and during their
forty years of wandering in the wilderness where they carried it with them. When they reached the
Promised Land, it was set up in Gilgal for a few years (Josh.5:11, 12), then at Shiloh (Josh.18:1;
19:51; 1 Sam.21:1-6; 1 Chron.16:39; 21:29).
God’s presence abode with the people in the dwelling places they prepared for Him: from the time the
Tabernacle was erected in the wilderness all the way down through the history of their spiritual
wandering, until that memorable day when the Types celebrated for four thousand (4,000) years met
their Anti-Type on the Cross of Calvary. Then, with a great noise the glorious veil of Herod’s
magnificent building was rent from the top to the bottom as the Lord departed forever from His
temple (Matt.27:50,51).
Previous to this, the services were directed of God: henceforth they were but hollow mockery, for
God had left the Sanctuary (Matt.23:37, 38).
The temple remained standing until 70A.D. when it was destroyed by the Romans.
 “And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” Ex. 25:8

Furniture of the Sanctuary

The Ark
The Ark was the central figure of the entire Sanctuary. The broken
Law – as contained in the Ark – was the only reason for all the
sacrificial services (both typical and anti-typical). Ex.25:10; 31:18

The cover of the Ark was called the Mercy Seat and was of pure gold on either end of the Mercy Seat
were Cherubim of beaten gold, with their wings stretched forth, covering the Ark and their faces,
looking reverently toward the Law of God contained therein.

“The wages of sin is death; (Rom 6:23) and the broken Law
demands the death of every sinner. In the Typical service,
the blood was sprinkled above the Law (Lev.16:15) to show
faith in the blood of Christ, which would free the righteous
from the demands or curse of the Law (Gal.3:13).
God communed with His people from the cloud of glory
(shekinah) which rested above the Mercy Seat between the
Cherubim. Ex.25:21-22
There was nothing in the Ark save the two (2) tablets of stone (1Kings 8:9) is the divine record. The
Pot of Manna was laid up “before the Lord” (Ex.16:33-34) and Aaron’s Staff that had budded was
laid up before the Testimony (Num.17:10).
The Ark was seen in the Heavenly Sanctuary (Ex.34:5-7). The Ark was placed in the Most Holy
Place (Ex.26:33).

The Golden Candlestick

The Golden Candlestick with its seven golden lamps was on the South Side of the First Apartment
of the Sanctuary.

“The seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the

seven churches” (Rev 1:20).
Before the throne of God in Heaven Apostle John
saw the Seven Spirits of God (Rev.4:2-5). The
Church of Christ is the Candlestick to hold the light
in the midst of moral darkness.

The lamps in the earthly sanctuary were to burn continually (Lev.24:2). So, too,
the Christian is ever to let the Spirit of God rule in his life, and thus shed its light
abroad.

The lamps in the earthly sanctuary were to burn continually (Lev.24:2). So, too, the Christian is ever
to let the Spirit of God rule in his life, and thus shed its light abroad.

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 “And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” Ex. 25:8

None but the High Priest could perform the sacred work of lighting the lamps in the earthly
sanctuary. He trimmed and lighted them each morning and evening (Ex.30:7, 8). John saw Christ, our
High Priest in the midst of the candlesticks in Heaven (Rev.1:12-18).
The Holy Spirit lightens ever soul that comes into the world, whether he accepts or rejects it (Jn.1:9).

The Table of Shewbread

This table was made of Acacia wood overlaid with
gold. It was placed n the North Side of the First
Apartment.
On the Sabbath day the Levites made twelve (12)
loaves or cakes of unleavened bread (1Chron.9:32;
Lev.24:5).
The bread was placed on the table hot each Sabbath
day (Lev.24:8; 1Sam.21:3-6; Matt.12:3-4), arranged in two rows (or piles) of six, with pure
frankincense on each row (Lev.24:6,7).

At the end of the week it was removed and

eaten by the priests (Lev.24:9).
The Lord directed that the Levites should
prepare the showbread every Sabbath
(1Chron.9:23).
The priests were not only to set the hot bread
upon the table on the Sabbath day, but later
that same day, the removed bread was to be
eaten and became a part of their very being.
God designed that on each Sabbath day His
people should gain a fresh experience in the

divine things which would make them better fitted to meet the temptations of the week. The soul that
never gains a deeper experience on the Sabbath than on any other day fails to keep the Sabbath as God
would have him (Ezek.20:12).

Altar of Incense and Its Service

The Golden Altar or Altar of Incense was
before the veil in the First Apartment of the
sanctuary. Within the crown of gold encircling
the top of the altar was a holy fire kept
constantly burning (Ex.30:8) from which
ascended the fragrant smoke of incense placed
upon it every morning and evening.
“We know not what we should pray for as we
ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession
for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what
is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh
intercession for the saints according to the will
of God.” (Rom 8:26,27).

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 “And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” Ex. 25:8

The name of Jesus is often added to prayers in a meaningless way. Many prayers are often spoken as
a mere form of worship and rise no higher than the head of the one whom offers them; but every
prayer of faith reaches the ear of the God of the universe.

A lamb was burned upon the Brazen Altar in the Court each morning and evening at the time the
incense was renewed upon the altar (Ex.29:38-42). The Golden Altar was an altar of continual
intercession, representing the putting away, the end and destruction of sin (which is the only thing that
separates us from God, and prevents our prayers from being answered).

In the typical (Israelite) work, the one who attempted to use the fragrant
perfume of the incense for his own use was cut off from among the
people of God. There was to be no imitation of the incense
(Ex.30:37,38).

No fire was to be used for burning the incense except that taken from
the altar before the Lord. The fate of Nadab and Abihu (Lev.10:1-10) is
an object lesson for all who fail to appreciate the perfect righteousness
of |Christ and appear before the Lord clothed in the filthy rags of their
own righteousness (Is.64:6).

The Horns of the Golden Altar were often touched with the blood of
the sin-offering, thus typifying that it was Christ’s death that made it
possible for our prayers to be answered and for us to be clothed in His
righteousness. As the fragrance of the incense was not confined to the
sanctuary but was carried in the air into the surrounding neighborhood,
so in like manner, when one is clothed with Christ’s righteousness, an
influence will get out from him which those that come into contact with
him will recognize by its fragrance as of heavenly origin.

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 “And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” Ex. 25:8

The Court and Its Services

The Tabernacle was surrounded by a Court, hundred (100) cubits long by fifty (50) cubits wide.

There were two (2) principal articles

of the furniture in the court: the
Laver and the Altar of Burnt
Offering (or Brazen Altar). The
altar was overlaid with Brass, and the
Laver and all the vessels of the court
that were used in the services
connected with it were of Brass. The
great Brazen Altar was placed
between the sanctuary and the gate,
but nearer the gate than the sanctuary
(Exodus 40:6, 7).
It was “an altar most holy: whatsoever
toucheth the altar shall be holy” was the
divine decree (Exodus 29:37).
All burnt offerings of the sanctuary were
burned upon the Brazen Altar.
The fire which destroys all sin from the
earth like the fire on the Brazen Altar will
come down from God out of Heaven, and
will not be quenched as long as there is any
sin to be consumed. (See Revelation 20:9
and Mark 9:43-48.)

With only a few exceptions, all the sacrifices were slain in the Court, at the Door of the Tabernacle
of the Congregation (as the entrance of the First Apartment was often called); for the whole
congregation of Israel could assemble in the court and at the Door. None but priests could enter within
the sacred precincts of the tabernacle itself, for it typified the heavenly sanctuary, where God and
Christ abide surrounded by shining Cherubim and Seraphim. All the work performed in the sanctuary
was typical of work done in the earth, while the work in the first and second apartments of the
sanctuary was typical of work done in Heaven.

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 “And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” Ex. 25:8

No sacrifice was ever slain within the sanctuary, but

the offerings were slain in the Court, and the blood
and flesh were carried within the Sanctuary by the
Priest. Christ the great Antitype Sacrifice was slain in
the antitypical Court, the Earth; and He then entered
the Antitypical Sanctuary in the heavens, with His
own blood and the same body in which he bore our
sins at Calvary.

Sins are forgiven and are blotted out from the

heavenly Sanctuary, but they are not destroyed there.
Just as in the type, the fires of the Brazen Altar in the Court consumed that which represented Sin, so
in the Antitype, the wicked will be on the breadth of the earth.

No sacrifice was ever slain within the sanctuary, but the offerings were slain in the Court, and the
blood and flesh were carried within the Sanctuary by the Priest. Christ the great Antitype Sacrifice
was slain in the antitypical Court, the Earth; and He then entered the Antitypical Sanctuary in the
heavens, with His own blood and the same body in which he bore our sins at Calvary.

Sins are forgiven and are blotted out from the heavenly Sanctuary, but they are not destroyed there.
Just as in the type, the fires of the Brazen Altar in the Court consumed that which represented Sin, so
in the Antitype, the wicked will be on the breadth of the earth.

The Earth is the great Antitypical Court, where all the typified services in the Court of the earthly
Sanctuary will meet their fulfillment.
The Priest was to be clothed in the Pure White Linen garments,
when he removed the Ashes from the Altar. The Ashes were first
taken up by the Priest and places beside the Altar on the East Side
(Lev.6:10; 1:16).

When the time came to remove them from beside the Altar, the
Priest laid aside his priestly robes, and put on other garments; then,
he carried the Ashes forth without the Camp and poured them out in
a clean place (Lev.6:11).

Ashes are all that will remain of Sin, Sinners and the Devil after the
fires of the last day have finished their work (Mal.4:1-3;
Ezek.28:18, 19).

When the purifying fires of the Lord have removed the last trace of sin, there will appear a New Earth,
a clean place without a taint of Sin upon it.

The Laver was between the Brazen Altar and the Door of the
Sanctuary. Water was kept in them for the Priests to wash both
their hands and their feet before they entered the Sanctuary to
perform any service.

They were also required to “wash both hands and feet before
they went near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made
by fire unto the LORD.” Death was the penalty for performing
service at the Altar or within the Tabernacle without first
washing in the Laver (Ex.30:17-21).

As the people in the Court beheld the Priests wash in the water
before they performed the work of the holy office, may it not
have taught them the truth that Christ gave to Nicodemus of
the preparatory work of cleansing the soul-temple when
accepting Jesus into one’s life? (Jn.3:5; Titus 3:5; Eph.5:26)

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