NORTHSIDE CHURCH OF CHRIST

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA

THE TABERNACLE, VALUABLE LESSONS                                         1/9/11

The are many wonderful things to learn from the Old Testament for everyone who wishes to serve the Lord in the Christian age.  Romans 15:4.  There are many types and shadows that are fulfilled in the New Testament. Heb: 10:1.  Today we are going to examine types of things from the tabernacle that point to antitypes in the New Testament.  Time will not permit us to examine all of them, but hopefully this lesson will be beneficial.

A) 
MOSES WAS TO DO ALL THINGS ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN - EXODUS 25:40
1.  The tabernacle was to be a representative dwelling place for God  Exodus 25:8, Acts 17:24
2.  The church is the place where God meets with men today; He dwells in it indirectly 2 Cor 6: 16-18,
 Eph 2: 21-22

B)
  WHAT DOES THE OUTER COURT REPRESENT?  THE WORLD
1.  The average Israelite could enter the court, but not the Holy Place. 
2.  Those who enter the true tabernacle today must be converted from the world Isa 59: 1-2; Acts 22:16.  Christians are a royal priesthood 1 Pet 2:9
a.  No one could enter the Holy Place without meeting the qualifications and no one can enter the True Tabernacle without meeting the qualifications of gospel obedience and receiving the purification provided by the blood of Christ in baptism Rev 1:5

C)  OTHER TYPES FROM THE TABERNACLE
1.  The Altar of Burnt Offerings Heb 9:22/The sacrifice of Christ Heb 7:27
2.  The Laver - a basis containing water - Exo 30:18 - God specified it's location - the priests had to be ceremonially pure / God specified the location of baptism: between Christ's sacrifice and salvation -
 Acts 2:36-38.  We must lay aside our practices of sin (by repenting) before we can be washed Luke 13:3.  The impurities (guilt) of sin are removed in baptism Acts 22:16. After the washing we put on our spiritual garments. Gal 3: 26-27.  We are now spiritually pure and our worship can be offered successfully.
3.  The Holy Place/The Church  1Corinthians 3: 16-17.  There's only one entrance, qualifications had to be met to enter, only the washed could enter, those who entered served. 
4.  The Candlestick depicts the Word of God - The thick tenting material closed out all the natural light, dust, and rain.  The candlestick of the Tabernacle was to burn continually, and furnished the only light for the Holy Place (Lev 24: 1-4).  the Word of God is the only light needed in the Antitype.  We must be insulated from all error, Mark 7: 7-13.  God's word gives light, Psa 119:105.  We are to draw strength from the word and be reflectors of the light of the Word.  Phil 2: 15-16
5.  The Altar of Incense/Prayer  Exodus 30: 1-9; Prayer - Mt 6: 6-15; 1 Thess 5: 17
6.  The Table of Showbread/The Lord's Supper  Lev 24: 3-9; Acts 20:7
7.  The Veil separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place - Exodus 26: 31-37. A very costly and beautiful curtain.  The veil concealed the items in the Most Holy Place: the Ark of the Covenant and the mercy seat.  The Veil, and it's being rent at the Lord's death, depicts several significant things.  First, it symbolizes the mysteries of God's eternal plan which were not revealed until the New Testament was given.  Romans 16: 25-26.  It also symbolizes for us death by which we leave this world and enter eternity.  It's having been rent depicts the great truth that Christ, by his death, burial, resurrection, and ascension into heaven, has won victory for us over death.  1 Cor 15: 20-22, 55-57.  The rending of the veil at the death of Christ symbolizes the ending of the Old Covenant.  Mt 27: 50-51; 2 Cor 3: 14-16.  It's rending symbolizes the fact that Christ, our High Priest, is in heaven, and has offered the atoning sacrifice for us -Heb 9: 6-17.  
8.  The Most Holy Place/Heaven - The most holy place itself is heaven Heb 6: 19-20.  The is no need for the sun, moon, or other light: the glory of God the Father and of the son is sufficient (Rev 21:23)

Conclusion:  What are some of things we learned: We learn the importance of service, the importance of following the plan that's been revealed.  Also, the importance of the worship of God John 4: 23-24, to live pure lives , spread the gospel Mark 16:15, to defend the faith Jude 3.