Tabernacle, in NT

The NT sees the tabernacle and its ceremonies as symbolising the saving work of Jesus Christ in his incarnation and death and in the experience of believers.

Jesus Christ as the tabernacle where God dwells

John 1:14, John 2:19–21

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.” “This temple took forty-six years to build,” the Jews replied, “and You are going to raise it up in three days?” But Jesus was speaking about the temple of His body.

The tabernacle showed that God was not limited to one place

See also Acts 7:44–47

The spiritual significance of the tabernacle

Hebrews 9:1–5

The earthly tabernacle as a copy of the heavenly one

Hebrews 8:5 See also Hebrews 8:1–2

The place where they serve is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”

The altar

Revelation 6:9–10, Revelation 8:3–5

The ark of the covenant

Revelation 11:19

The atonement cover

Exodus 25:22; Hebrews 4:16

The curtain preventing access to the holiest place

Matthew 27:51; Hebrews 6:19–20, Hebrews 9:8, Hebrews 10:19–20

Jesus Christ as high priest

Cleansing the earthly tabernacle

Hebrews 9:21 See also Hebrews 9:6–8 on the Day of Atonement; Hebrews 9:25

In the same way, he sprinkled with blood the tabernacle and all the vessels used in worship.

Through the blood of the cross, Jesus Christ enters the heavenly sanctuary

Hebrews 9:24 See also Hebrews 9:28

For Christ did not enter a man-made copy of the true sanctuary, but He entered heaven itself, now to appear on our behalf in the presence of God.