Topical Encyclopedia The term "Tabernacle of the Church" is not explicitly found in the Bible, but it draws its significance from the rich biblical tradition of the tabernacle as a dwelling place of God among His people. The concept is deeply rooted in the Old Testament and finds its fulfillment and spiritual application in the New Testament Church.Old Testament Background The tabernacle, as described in the Old Testament, was a portable sanctuary constructed by the Israelites under the guidance of Moses, following the divine instructions given on Mount Sinai. It served as the dwelling place of God among His people during their wilderness journey. The tabernacle was a place of worship, sacrifice, and divine revelation. Exodus 25:8-9 states, "Then have them make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them. You must make the tabernacle and design all its furnishings according to the pattern I will show you." The tabernacle was meticulously designed with three main sections: the Outer Court, the Holy Place, and the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies). Each section had specific furnishings and purposes, symbolizing various aspects of God's relationship with His people. The Most Holy Place housed the Ark of the Covenant, representing God's throne and His covenant with Israel. New Testament Fulfillment In the New Testament, the concept of the tabernacle is transformed and fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the Church. John 1:14 declares, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us." The Greek word for "dwelling" (σκηνόω, skēnoō) is related to the word for "tabernacle," indicating that Jesus Himself became the living tabernacle, the presence of God among humanity. The Church, as the body of Christ, is often seen as the spiritual continuation of the tabernacle. Believers are described as the temple of the Holy Spirit, with God dwelling within them. 1 Corinthians 3:16 affirms, "Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?" This indwelling presence of God signifies that the Church collectively serves as the tabernacle of God on earth. Symbolism and Spiritual Application The tabernacle's design and function hold profound spiritual symbolism for the Church. The Outer Court, with its altar of sacrifice, points to the necessity of atonement and cleansing through Christ's sacrifice. The Holy Place, with the lampstand, table of showbread, and altar of incense, symbolizes the light of Christ, the sustenance of His Word, and the prayers of the saints. The Most Holy Place, accessible only through the high priest, foreshadows the believer's direct access to God through Jesus, our High Priest. Hebrews 9:11-12 explains, "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, that is, not of this creation. He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption." The Church as a Living Tabernacle The Church, as the living tabernacle, is called to embody the presence of God in the world. It is a community of believers who worship, serve, and bear witness to the transformative power of the Gospel. Ephesians 2:21-22 describes this reality: "In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in His Spirit." The tabernacle of the Church is not confined to a physical structure but is manifested in the lives of believers who are united in Christ. As the Church lives out its calling, it reflects the glory and holiness of God, drawing others into His presence and advancing His kingdom on earth. Torrey's Topical Textbook Psalm 15:1Lord, who shall abide in your tabernacle? who shall dwell in your holy hill? Torrey's Topical Textbook Isaiah 16:5 Isaiah 54:2 Hebrews 8:2 Revelation 21:2,3 Library The Church Intermediate Between the Shadows of the Law and the ... The Tabernacle of the Most High The First Sermon in the Tabernacle Of the Fact That, as the Prophecies have Been Fulfilled, the God ... Early Plymouth That the Church which Before had Been Barren Should have More ... Psalm XLIII. The Temple Spoken of by Christ is the Church. Application to the ... Eldad and Medad The Church Tested Resources What was the significance of the bronze laver? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the tent of meeting? | GotQuestions.org Who were Bezalel and Oholiab in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Tabernacle: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Tabernacle of Testimony Witness Tabernacle was a Moveable Tent Suited to the Unsettled Condition of Tabernacle was Set up by Moses at Mount Sinai Tabernacle was Set up in Shiloh Tabernacle was Set Up: At Gilgal Tabernacle was Set Up: Finally at Gibeon Tabernacle: (The Holy of Holies) Heaven Tabernacle: (The Vail) Christ's Body Tabernacle: (The Vail) the Obscurity of the Mosaic Age Tabernacle: A Permanent House Substituted For, when the Kingdom Was Tabernacle: All Males Required to Appear Before, Three Times Each Year Tabernacle: All offerings to be Made At Tabernacle: Anointed and Consecrated With Oil Tabernacle: Anointed With Holy Oil Tabernacle: Brought to the Temple by Solomon Tabernacle: Called The: House of the Lord Tabernacle: Called The: Tabernacle of Joseph Tabernacle: Called The: Tabernacle of Shiloh Tabernacle: Called The: Tabernacle of Testimony or Witness Tabernacle: Called The: Tabernacle of the Congregation Tabernacle: Called The: Tabernacle of the Lord Tabernacle: Called The: Temple of the Lord Tabernacle: Carried in Front of the People of Israel in the Line of March Tabernacle: Court of all the Pillars of, Filleted With Silver Tabernacle: Court of all the Vessels of, Made of Brass Tabernacle: Court of Contained the Brazen Altar and Laver of Brass Tabernacle: Court of One Hundred Cubits Long and Fifty Cubits Wide Tabernacle: Court of Surrounded by Curtains of Fine Line Suspended from Pillars Tabernacle: Court of The Gate of, a Hanging of Blue, Purple Twenty Cubits Tabernacle: Coverings of The First or Inner, Ten Curtains of Blue, Purple Joined Tabernacle: Coverings of The Fourth or Outward of Badgers' Skins Tabernacle: Coverings of The Second, Eleven Curtains of Goats' Hair Tabernacle: Coverings of The Third of Rams' Skins Dyed Red Tabernacle: Defilement of, Punished Tabernacle: Description of The Frame Tabernacle: Designed for Manifestation of God's Presence and for His Tabernacle: Divided by a Vail of Blue, Purple, Suspended from Four Tabernacle: Divided Into: The Holy Place Tabernacle: Divided Into: The Most Holy Place Tabernacle: Divine Wisdom Given to Bezaleel to Make Tabernacle: Filled With the Cloud of Glory Tabernacle: First Reared, on the First Day of the Second Year After The Tabernacle: Free-Will offerings Made at the Dedication of the Altar of Tabernacle: Free-Will offerings Made at the First Rearing of Tabernacle: had a Court Round About Tabernacle: How and by Whom Carried Tabernacle: How Prepared for Removal During the Travels of the Israelites Tabernacle: Israelites Worship At Tabernacle: Made of the Free-Will offerings of the People Tabernacle: Materials For, Voluntarily offered Tabernacle: Moses Was Commanded to Make After a Divine Pattern Tabernacle: Offerings Brought To Tabernacle: One Existed Before Moses Received the Pattern Authorized on Mount Sinai Tabernacle: Pattern of, Revealed to Moses Tabernacle: Pitched: At Gibeon Tabernacle: Pitched: At Gilgal Tabernacle: Pitched: At Shiloh Tabernacle: Punishment for Defiling Tabernacle: Renewed by David, and Pitched Upon Mount Zion Tabernacle: Sanctified by the Glory of the Lord Tabernacle: Solomon offers Sacrifice At Tabernacle: Sprinkled and Purified With Blood Tabernacle: Sprinkled With Blood Tabernacle: Strangers (Foreigners) Forbidden to Enter Tabernacle: Symbol of Spiritual Things Tabernacle: The Ark and Mercy-Seat Put in the Most Holy Place Tabernacle: The Boards of had Each Two Tenons Fitted Into Sockets of Silver Tabernacle: The Boards of Made of Shittim Wood Tabernacle: The Boards of Six, and Two Corner Boards for West Side Tabernacle: The Boards of Supported by Bars of Shittim Wood Resting in Rings of Gold Tabernacle: The Boards of Ten Cubits High by One and a Half Broad Tabernacle: The Boards of Twenty on North Side Tabernacle: The Boards of Twenty on South Side Tabernacle: The Boards of With the Bars, Covered With Gold Tabernacle: The Cloud of Glory Rested On, by Night and Day During Its Tabernacle: The Door of, a Curtain of Blue and Purple Suspended by Gold Tabernacle: The Journeys of Israel Regulated by the Cloud On Tabernacle: The Levites: Appointed Over, and had Charge of Tabernacle: The Levites: Carried Tabernacle: The Levites: did the Inferior Service of Tabernacle: The Levites: Pitched Their Tents Around Tabernacle: The Levites: Took Down, and Put Up Tabernacle: The Lord Appeared In, Over the Mercy-Seat Tabernacle: The Lord Reveals Himself At Tabernacle: The Most Holy Place Tabernacle: The One Instituted by Moses Was Called of Testimony Tabernacle: The One Instituted by Moses Was Called: House of the Lord Tabernacle: The One Instituted by Moses Was Called: Sanctuary Tabernacle: The One Instituted by Moses Was Called: Tabernacle (A. V.), Tent (R. V.) Tabernacle: The One Instituted by Moses Was Called: Tabernacle (A. V.), Tent of Meeting (R. V.) Tabernacle: The One Instituted by Moses Was Called: Temple of the Lord Tabernacle: The One Instituted by Moses Was Called: Tent of Testimony (R. V.) Tabernacle: The Outer Covering Tabernacle: The Priests were the Ministers of Tabernacle: The Priests: Alone Could Enter Tabernacle: The Priests: Performed all Services In Tabernacle: The Second Covering Tabernacle: The Table of Show-Bread, the Golden Candlestick, and The Tabernacle: Tribes Encamped Around, While in the Wilderness Tabernacle: Value of the Substance Contributed For Tabernacle: Workmen Who Constructed It Were Inspired Related Terms |
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