GOSPEL NUGGET # 98

Exodus 25-30

These chapters describe the Tabernacle of the Old Testament days. It is a place where God and sinful man meet. The Tabernacle and everything in it is a picture of Christ.

1. It is a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ's Incarnation. God came down and lived with sinful men and women in the OT days. He tabernacled with man. He camped with them as it were. He lived among them.

Just as the Lord Jesus Christ "became flesh and dwelt (literally "tabernacled" in the Greek) among us." (see John 1:14)

2. Its bronze altar is a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ's Substitutionary death. As you enter its gate, you will first see a bronze altar. It is there where the animals were killed and sacrificed. The animal sacrifices point toward the coming ultimate and real sacrifice for sin.

3. Its bronze laver is a picture of the Lord Jesus as Cleanser. As you move forward, you will see a bronze laver with water in it. It is there where the priests wash their hands and feet before offering a sacrifice.

4. Its table of showbread is a picture of Christ as the Bread from heaven. As you enter the Holy Place of the tabernacle, on the right side, you will see a table of showbread. It is a table containing twelve loaves of bread, representing the twelve tribes of Israel. It is called "show"bread because they were constantly exhibited before God. It symbolized God's constant awareness and provision for their need.

5. Its golden lampstand is a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ as the Light. On the left side, you will see a golden lampstand with seven branches. It illuminated the Holy Place.

6. Its altar of incense is a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ as Intercessor. Incense is a symbol of prayer.

7. Its mercy seat is a picture of Christ as our Propitiation. As you enter the Most Holy Place, you will see supernatural light illuminating the place. It is the Shekinah glory of God. In front of you is the Ark of the Covenant. Its golden lid is called the Mercy Seat. It is the place where the High Priest sprinkle the blood of the sacrifice. And it is there where God is satisfied or propitiated against man's sins.


You can view the Tabernacle as Heaven and Earth. The Golden Altar where the sacrifice was made speaks of Calvary where Jesus died and made His sacrifice for sin. The Most Holy Place speaks of the third heaven where God dwells. Christ died here on earth and rose again from the dead. And He ascended to heaven to offer Himself to God as a Propitiation for man's sins.