Read Exodus 40:17-33
Count how many times “As the L-RD commanded” occurs throughout this passage. Everything that Moshe did was in accordance to the pattern he saw on the mountain just like Ex. 25:9 states.
Read 1 Corinthians 3:16-18 & 2 Cor. 6:14-18
If we are the Temple of G-d, then how is that so? The Mishkan (Tabernacle) & Temple included the following components:
- Outer Courtyard with Fence and Gate
- Altar of Burnt Offerings
- Lavar for washing
Inside the Holy Place there was the:
- Table of Showbread
- Seven Branched Menorah
- Altar of Incense
And in the Most Holy Place was the:
- Ark of the Covenant
THE GATE
Going item by item we will see that EVERY component of the Mishkan applies to Messiah directly. To start with: we see that Yeshua is the Gate.
Read Exodus 38: 18-19 & John 10:7-9 & John 14:6
THE ALTAR OF BURNT OFFERING
From Matthew 23:18-19 we see Yeshua showing that we cannot separate the Altar of Burnt Offering from the offerings that were offered upon it. There are several scriptures that show that the Messiah would be the offering upon that altar.
Read Isaiah 53:9-12, Ephesians 5:1-7, 1 Cor. 5:6-8 & 2 Cor. 5:20-21
From these scriptures we see that Yeshua fulfills three (3) specific sacrifices all having to do with the covering (propitiation/kapparah) of our sin.
Read 1 John 2:2, 1 John 4:10 and Romans 3:25
THE LAVAR
Washing in the Lavar was a daily routine for the priests as is shown in Exodus 30:17-21. We still need a daily cleansing today to approach the Throne of G-d. We just see that Yeshua is the one who does the washing of our souls. We each decide how closely we want to walk with Yeshua through our humbling ourselves and submitting to the working of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit).
Read 1 Cor. 6:9-11, Eph. 5:25-27 & Titus 3:3-6
THE TABLE OF SHOWBREAD
In the Holy Place were three items, the Table of Showbread, The Menorah, and the Altar of Incense. In Exodus 25:30 we see that bread was to be continually kept before the L-rd. It is not coincidence that Yeshua is the Bread of Life.
Read John 6:48-51 & Matt. 4:4 (Also Matt. 12:3-5, Matt. 16:10-12 & Mark 14:22)
THE MENORAH
The Menorah was to be a continual light in the Holy Place, and we see that the Messiah is known as the Light off the World.
Read John 8:12, Matt. 5:13-16, 2 Cor. 4:3-4, & Eph. 5:8-11 (Also John 9:5 & John 12:46)
THE ALTAR OF INCENSE
Interestingly the altar of incense is one item that is not directly stated as being the Messiah. However, Aaron must burn incense on the altar every day according to Exodus 30:6-10. Once a year, on Yom Kippur, he would take blood and anoint the horns of the altar, then take incense and coals from the altar into the Holy of Holies (Leviticus 16). In this role we see Yeshua, our Heavenly High Priest, taking his own blood before the heavenly altar in Hebrews 9. The daily incense refers to the Prayers of G-d’s people, whereas the atonement on Yom Kippur was fulfilled by our Cohen HaGadol (High Priest) Yeshua.
Read Hebrews 9:11-15, Revelation 5:8, 8:3-5
THE ARK OF THE TESTIMONY
The Ark of the Testimony has always been known as the throne of G-d. We see this is the case for both the earthly Mishkan and the Heavenly One.
Read Isaiah 37:16, Ps 80:1 & Ezekiel 9:11 -10:4
THE PRESENCE OF THE L-RD
Of course the entire purpose of the Mishkan is the host the presence of the L-RD! This is what we long for and continually submit to the working of the Ruach HaKodesh, that we might host His presence!
Read Exodus 40:34-38, 1 John 4:12-16, John 15:1-8