Introduction to the Tabernacle

(Lesson 1 of 6)

After over 400 years of bondage in Egypt, walking across the Red Sea on dry land, drinking water from a rock and eating manna from heaven, God had a request for Moses and his people.

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

God has always desired a close relationship with his creation, and after 400+ years of separation, God was ready to rebuild that relationship that he once had with the Israelites.  God asked them to build a tabernacle so that he “may dwell among them.”  Although the tabernacle only found in the Old Testament, it still has some great truths that we can use in our lives today!

The tabernacle had one purpose… for God to be able to dwell with his people!  Which in return, gave the Israelites a good opportunity to grow close to Him!  The tabernacle had two distinct sections, the outer court and the inner court.  Within these two courts, there were special pieces of furniture, each having a specific purpose.  Every part of the tabernacle is symbolic and has a purpose.  The last place in the tabernacle is the Holy of Holies (direct presence of God) and in order to get there we must follow the steps of the tabernacle in order on a daily basis.

So, let’s take a look at how we can use the tabernacle to grow close to God, just as Moses and the Hebrew people did….

#1 – The Door

The first step in growing closer to God is salvation!  There is only one door to the tabernacle, just like there is only one way to heaven!  Jesus Christ is the way!

“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” – John 10:9

The Christian life is full of some amazing benefits!  Once you are saved, you can pray directly to God!  You have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of you to help you understand the Bible and convict you of areas in your life that need help!  But these benefits are only available once you are saved!  Just like the benefits of the tabernacle are only available after you make the decision to enter in through the door!

If you died today, do you know if you would go to heaven or hell?

Are you 100% sure that you are saved?

If not, here is what the Bible says about salvation…

1. We are sinners and don’t deserve heaven
   1. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23)
2. There is a price to pay for our sin… that price is hell
   1. “For the wages of sin is death;” (Romans 6:23a)
   2. “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” (Revelation 20:14)
3. We can’t do anything good enough on our own to earn Heaven
   1. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us” (Titus 3:5)
4. Jesus paid that price for your sins
   1. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
5. Jesus not only died, but also rose from the dead!
   1. “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” (I Corinthians 15:3-4)
6. Jesus freely offers salvation to you with no strings attached
   1. “but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23b)
7. You accept the gift by believing in Jesus Christ and by confessing Him with your mouth
   1. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
8. You are 100% assured simply by believing the promise of God
   1. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

Getting saved is the greatest thing you can ever do!  It’s simple to understand and once it’s done, you never have to worry about hell again!

Once you are saved, you can enjoy all that the Christian life has to offer!  Salvation is a pre-requisite to growing close to God, but it alone does not mean that you have a good relationship with you Him.  Let’s continue into the tabernacle and see what we can do to get closer to God!

To be continued…

The next lesson will be about the Brazen Altar and how we can benefit from it today!