The Tabernacle Now

In Exodus, the Tabernacle, was initiated, as the place for God among His people. God gave meticulous instructions as to its construction, function and services. As they wandered through the wilderness, the tabernacle went with them. Once their traveling days were done, a more permanent structure, the temple, was designed and built to worship God.

God has always desire to be with His people. Jesus Christ became the replacement for the temple. God's spirit rested on him. Since no man could actually see God at any time (John 1:18), Jesus Christ as God's son, could make Him known through the way he taught and lived:

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt (tabernacled) among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:14

18 No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. John 1:18 

His life was the sacrificial lamb to make the ultimate atonement for the weaknesses of human existence. Previously sacrifices were made over and over to continually atone for mens sins. As a result of the once and for all sacrifice of Jesus Christ , the gift of holy spirit is poured forth to anyone who confesses Jesus as Lord and believes that God raised him from the dead.

19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple (tabernacle) of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. I Corinthians 6:19-20

The tabernacle was a tent literally.   It was usually made out of woven goat hair or skins. It is interesting that Paul's occupation was that of a tent-maker to support himself.

Paul's revelation of the new covenant unfolds the truth regarding our new spiritual natures tenting in our own hearts.  It was Paul who revealed the spirit's purpose in our lives in Romans through Thessalonians. He revealed our spiritual inner nature, its benefits and the closeness of God.

Skia of the Skene! (Shadow of the Tabernacle)

1 And the Lord called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the

congregation (tent of meeting NIV) saying, 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the Lord, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock. 3 If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord. 4 And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. Leviticus1:1-4

These opening verses of Leviticus contain several gems ('and', tabernacle of the congregation, burnt offering, voluntary and atonement). Wrapped up in these words are the promises of fellowship, free-will and salvation wholeness (physically, mentally and spiritually - body, soul and spirit wholeness)

Leviticus 1:1 opens with the word 'And'! This tells you something right away. Leviticus is connected to Exodus. In Exodus chapter 40, the tabernacle (Link - skene-tabernacle) was set up and ready for business. In verse 33, it says Moses finished the work and guess who stops by?

32 When they went into the tent of the congregation, and when they came near unto the altar, they washed; as the Lord commanded Moses. 33 And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work. 34 Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Exodus 40:32-33

The desire of God's heart is to have a relationship with each of His sons. Moving from the mountain to the tent of meeting was a starting place. Eventually He would move from the tabernacle to the temple; then to Jesus Christ (John 1:14 - tenting among us); then on the day of Pentecost into the hearts of men and women who believe.

The book of Leviticus is  an inspiration as well full of information about God's heart. It is a curious book to many but very necessary for our learning as it contains shadows (Link -skia), symbols and patterns of things to come.