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CHAPTER 1------ THE TYPICAL TABERNACLE

 

(1) What was the Divine purpose in establishing the Tabernacle in the wilderness with its services and ceremonies? Heb. 10:1; 8:5; Col. 2:16, 17; par. 1

Because it was a "shadow" of "good things to come." And also because it is a "key" to the great Divine Plan.

(2) What is a "type"? and how should types be used?

A type is a figure, and is also a picture, designed to bring out certain important matters and details as Divinely appointed. A type must not be used to teach a doctrine, but merely to illustrate one that is already taught in plain terms.

(3) What should be our object in studying the Tabernacle "shadows"? Par. 2-4

Our object should not be simply to gain an historical knowledge of the "shadows"; but realizing how carefully God guided and directed all the details of these types, we should examine them closely and search for the meaning of these shadows.

The Tabernacle's Construction

(4) Briefly stated, what was the Tabernacle, and where do we find the directions for its construction? Par. 1; Ex. 25 to 27; 35 to 40

The tabernacle was a house constructed of a series of boards of shittim (acacia) wood, "overlaid" or plated with gold, set on end into sockets of silver, and firmly fastened together by bars of the same wood, also covered with gold.

(5) What were the dimensions of the Tabernacle, the names and sizes of its two apartments? Par. 2

Tabernacle: 10 cubits wide (15 ft.), 10 cu. high (15 ft.), and 30 cu. long (45 ft.). Holy: 10 cubits wide (15 ft.), 20 cu. long (30 ft.). Most Holy: 10 cubits wide (15 ft.), 10 cu. long (15 ft.) A cubit is 1-1/2 feet or 18 inches.

(6) How may we avoid the confusion arising from improper translations of the "Holy" and "Most Holy"? Par. 3

To avoid confusion they are called in Tabernacle Shadows "Court," "Holy," and "Most Holy."

The Holy Court or Holy Place

(7) Describe the Court, with its dimensions. Par. 1

The Tabernacle stood in a court which was surrounded by a white linen curtain, 50 cubits (75 ft.) by 100 cubits (150 ft.)-hung on wooden posts, 5 cubits (7-1/2 ft.) high (by silver hooks).

Its opening, which was toward the east, was called the "Gate"-made of white linen, interwoven with blue, purple, and scarlet. "Gate"-5 cubits by 20 cubits.

(8) What were the names of the three entrance passages into the "Court", the "Holy," and the "Most Holy," respectively? Par. 2

"Gate"---"Door"---"Vail."

9) What and where was the "Camp"? Par. 2

Outside the Tabernacle and its court was the Camp of Israel surrounding it on all sides at a respectful distance. Camped nearest the Tabernacle and on all 4 sides were the Levites.

The Furnishments

(10) What were the furnishments of the "Court" and how situated? Par. 1-3

Just inside of the gate, and immediately in front of it, stood the "Brazen Altar," made of wood and covered with copper. Between the "Brazen Altar" and the door of the Tabernacle, was the "Laver," made of polished copper.

 

(11) What were the furnishments of the "Holy" and where were they placed? Par. 4 to 7

The Table of "Shewbread", a wooden table overlaid with gold, stood on the right (north) side of the Holy. Opposite it stood the "Golden Candlestick," made of pure gold. Further on, close up to the "Veil," stood a small altar called the "Golden Altar" or "Incense Altar," of wood covered with gold.

 

(12) What furniture did the "Most Holy" contain? Par. 8

The Most Holy contained only one piece of furniture: The "Ark of the Testimony," which was a rectangular box made of wood overlaid with gold, having a lid or cover of pure gold called the Propitiatory or "Mercy Seat."

 

(13) What difference was there in the material of which the furniture in the Tabernacle and the "Court" was made, and what did this signify? Par. 9

Gold and copper-which are much alike in appearance. Gold representing the Divine nature, and copper representing the perfect human nature-man created in God's image.

(14) What did the "Camp" typify? Par. 10

In this general picture the camp represented the condition of the world of mankind in sin-needing atonement.

The white linen curtains represented a wall of faith to those within and a wall of unbelief hindering the view of those without.

 

(15) What did the "Court" represent, and who alone might enter into it? Par. 11

It represents the earthly condition of those who are approaching God, but have not yet made a full consecration. Those who have turned from sin and are seeking God and righteousness and have accepted Jesus as their Redeemer may enter the Court. They are considered "tentatively justified."

 

(16) Briefly, what did the two apartments of "the Tabernacle" proper represent? Par. 12

These two apartments represent the condition of all who undergo a change of nature from human to spiritual-that is the spirit-begotten and spirit-born conditions.

 

(17) Who only of the Israelites might enter the Tabernacle, and what is the antitype? Par. 13

Only the Priests, consecrated to sacrifice, might enter the Tabernacle, so now only those who consecrate to sacrifice, even unto death, enter the condition represented in the Tabernacle.

 

(18) In the antitype, do all who enter the "Court" experience a change of nature? Par. 14

NO-Christ's merit is not yet imputed to those in the Court; they can go out of the Court and not forfeit their rights as a member of Adam's family. They must go on and consecrate in order to enter the Holy and experience a change of nature.

 

(19) What does entering the antitypical "Holy" imply, and how is Christ the "Gate" and the "Door"? Par. 14

It implies a full consecration to the Lord's service-the begetting of the Holy Spirit-a start in the race for the prize of the Divine nature-which requires faithfulness in presenting our bodies and all human interests as living sacrifices.

Christ opens the "Gate" through faith in His blood and he is the "Door" which we enter through by faith and consecration.

 

(20) What parts of the Tabernacle represented the two stages of our new life? Par. 15

The "Holy" and the "Most Holy" represented the spirit-begotten and the spirit-born conditions.

 

(21) Who are those begotten of God through the Word of Truth (Jas. 1:18), and how represented in the "Holy"? Par. 16

These are Heavenly minded "new creatures" as represented in the Priesthood.

 

(22) Did the "Most Holy" represent the present or future condition of the "overcomers"? Par. 17

It represents the condition of those who are faithful unto death and have a share in the first resurrection.

 

(23) What is the hope, which "as an anchor entereth into that within the [second] veil"? Heb. 6:19; 10:20; par. 18

It is the hope of the Divine nature-glory, honor, and immortality beyond the flesh.

 

(24) How do consecrated believers follow in the footsteps of their Leader and High Priest, Jesus? Par. 10 (previous heading), and par. 19-21

We follow Jesus by having faith in his ransom-sacrifice and by renouncing our justified human wills, and all our human aspirations and hopes-counting the human will as dead and consulting the will of God only.

 

(25) How do we pass the "veil of sin and unbelief," and why was it not necessary for Jesus to take this step? Par. 20

We enter the "Gate, " or pass this wall of unbelief by exercising faith in Christ's ransom-sacrifice, represented in the Brazen Altar in the Court.

Jesus did not take this step because he was not of Adamic stock, but holy, harmless, separate from sinners, he never was outside the Court condition. "For such an high priest became us, who is holy harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens." Heb. 7:26

 

(26) How do we pass the first veil, and into what does it lead us? Par. 21, 22

We pass the First Vail by consecration-renouncing our human wills and all human hopes and aims-counting the human will dead. We are then "new creatures" and begin to be enlightened and fed by the truth (the shew-bread and candlestick).

 

(27) What does the passing of the second veil typify? Par. 22

The passing of the second vail represents the death of the human body. We are then partakers of the divine nature and its spirit conditions.

 

(28) Why must we leave our human bodies behind when we pass the second veil? I Cor. 15:50; John 3:5, 8, 13; par. 22

Because "Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God."

 

(29) By way of recapitulation, what did the "Camp," "Court," and "Tabernacle" typify? Par. 23

The Camp-The unbelieving world. The Court-Tentatively justified believers. The Tabernacle-Consecrated ones, spirit-begotten new creatures, and those eventually born of the Spirit.