The Tabernacle

Hebrews 8:1–2 “Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord set up, not man. (NASB 2020)

The Bible was written by many different people over at least 1,400 years. Each human author wrote in their own style and from their own cultural context. One of the most compelling arguments for the veracity of the Bible is the consistency of details across the writings. This passage provides a wonderful example of this.

Jesus Christ is our high priest. He is seated at the right hand of God the Father because His work is finished. There He remains, as we read above, a minister in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle.

The Greek word translated “sanctuary” here is hagios. This word means “holy.” It is also translated “saint” and “sanctified.” In this passage we are being told that Jesus is ministering in the holy place. Moreover, this is the holy place in the tabernacle set up by God, not by mankind.

This should evoke thoughts of the holy of holies in the Old Testament tabernacle. In that hallowed place we are told, God lived. There was found the mercy seat atop the Ark of the Covenant. There the high priest went once each year, but only after an extensive cleansing ritual that ensured he was ceremonially clean.

Jesus is represented in the holy of holies. He is the Ark, He is the Mercy Seat, He is the High Priest.

This sanctuary in which Jesus is ministering is in the tabernacle set up by the Lord. The words “set up” are important. The King James renders this, “which the Lord pitched”, and with good reason.

The Greek word translated “tabernacle” is skene, which means “a tent, or cloth hut habitation.” It is interesting that the word used here is not “temple,” but instead “tabernacle,” which denotes a tent. Again, we are reminded of the tent of the tabernacle set up (or pitched) by Moses. However, this tabernacle is set up (or pitched) by God.

One distinctive thing about tents is that they are moveable.

Paul speaks of our bodies using a tent as a metaphor. In 2 Corinthians 5:1–4 we read this: “For we know that if our earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made by hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed, in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, since in fact after putting it on, we will not be found naked. For indeed, we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life. (NASB 2020)

He also has this to say about our earthly tents in 1 Corinthians 6:19. “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?” (NASB 2020)

We are moveable temples, tents, or tabernacles if you will, of God. Revelation 21:3 puts it this way, “And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among the people, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them.” (NASB 2020)

This is the desire and plan of God, that He would live in us and we in Him. Jesus made it clear in John 17:20–21 where He said, “I am not asking on behalf of these alone, but also for those who believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one; just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (NASB 2020)

Saint, YOU are the holy sanctuary. YOU are the moveable tent, the tabernacle, in which Jesus dwells by His Spirit. It is in YOU that He ministers as high priest. He has made His dwelling among His people. You are His, and He is yours.