2 Corinthians 5:1
For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
#Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 4636 & 886
Tabernacle: a tent, for the body
From the Greek word 'skénos' (pronounced skay'-nos): used metaphorically, of the human body, in which the soul dwells as in a tent, and which is taken down at death.
Not Made With Hands: unmanufactured, inartificial
From the Greek word 'acheiropoiétos' (pronounced akh-i-rop-oy'-ay-tos).
JESUS OUR TABERNACLE
In the Book of Mark, 14:58, false witnesses rose up and against Jesus and misquoted what He had said in order to accuse Him: "We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands."
John 2:19-22 tells us exactly what He said and to what He was referring when He said it: Himself.
Hebrews 9:11 speaks of the transformative power of God regarding our dwellingplace not made with hands: ❝But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands and is not a part of this creation."
INSIDE THE HOLY OF HOLIES
The most holy place beyond the veil to which we gained access upon Christ's death is the holy of holies, the most holy place into which only the high priest ever had access. Everything about the holy of holies is representative of Jesus Christ.
Now, we have more than a view: we have access. All who come to Christ for their salvation, must come to the cross and be washed in the blood which He has shed for us. Whereas only the high priest could enter before and bring the blood of the sacrifice which atoned for the sins of the people, now Christ being our High Priest we are able to enter into the very most inner presence of God.
>The golden censor and its incense. Christ interceding for His followers.
>The ark of the covenant. The perfection of Christ in His obedience to the law and becoming our righteousness.
>>In the ark: (A) The golden pot which contained the manna: God's provision on a daily basis to care for His people. Heavenly Bread which came down from heaven to feed them.
(B) Aarons' rod that budded: proof that God had chosen him and His tribe to be priests of God. The shadow of the Branch to come, this rod represented God's Divine Justice both for His people against His enemies.
(C) The tablets of the covenant: the written moral law which signifies the importance of God's holy law. Both of which can only be kept when Christ is in us and we are in Christ, for He is our Strength (Exodus 15:2; 1 Samuel 2:1; Psalm 28:7; Habakkuk 3:19; Ephesians 3:16; Philippians 4:13).
>>Over the ark: (A) Cherubim fully covering the Mercy Seat, as Christ would fully cover us with Himself [see 1 John 2:2].
(B) Cherubim overshadowing the Mercy Seat, representing the holy angels of God who look on with joy at the redeeming aspects of God's plan of salvation for mankind [Luke 15:10]. God's angels are ministering spirits, ministering to not only God's people [Hebrews 1:14], but to our Christ as well: after He was tempted by Satan in the wilderness [Mark 1:13]; after He prayed in the garden [Luke 22:43] before His arrest.
The Lord is my Tabernacle. Wherever He is, I am with Him, for I am in Him and He is in me [John 17:23]. For "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God." Revelation 21:3.
