Figures of the True
"The Sanctuary... the true Tabernacle, which the Lord pitched" (Heb. 8:2).

THERE are a number of features connected with the Tabernacle structure and its coverings which illustrate to us the character and work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

They become evident as we approach and view it as an Israelite would have done as he entered the Outer Court.

He would first look upon the entrance curtains (Exod. 26:36,37).

They typified Christ thus:

1. The curtains comprised an entrance. In John 10:9 the Lord declared that he is "the door" i.e. into the holiness of the Ecclesial "sanctuary". As such he displayed his Father's righteousness (white) of character and truth (e.g. John 1:14). He put complete trust in his Father, and was in constant communion with Him (blue). Reconquered despite the weakness of the human nature (scarlet), which he shared with us all. In him the "blue" and the "scarlet" met and mixed (purple) proclaiming that Yahweh was manifest in and through His son.
2. The curtains were supported by five pillars of Shittim wood, gold covered, standing upon brass sockets. Can we believe it was mere coincidence that there were five writers of the New Testament Epistles - Paul, Peter, James, Jude and John? Their writings were designed by the Spirit to expound the principles upon which Yahweh manifested Himself in His son, and would do so also in the minds and lives of those who believe and practise the teachings of the Epistles. Five is the number of "grace", which is proclaimed in the writings of these five "pillars", as well as through the Gospel. Grace enables us to enter the Ecclesia! "By grace are ye saved" (Eph. 2:5).
3. The curtains were a constant reminder to the priests, who laboured in the Outer Court on behalf of those who approached Yahweh in sacrifice, that those who would progress into the Holy Place of the Sanctuary, must reveal the characteristics represented by the Tabernacle curtains.

Thus the curtains marked an important development in the progress of Yahweh's chosen priests, the true Israelites in faith. Through Christ they are called to enter into a closer dedication to the Name and Service of Yahweh so that He can dwell richly in them. Thus there will be displayed in them the same characteristics that were symbolized by the curtains, that were actually seen by Israelites in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Christ manifested the qualities shown in the Tabernacle curtains, and believers, constituting the multitudinous Christ, must do likewise. Upon the basis of Divine righteousness only (white), is it possible for Yahweh to manifest Himself (blue), through His chosen human (scarlet) servants, thereby also showing His own royal supremacy (purple) and, at the same time, that such are "a royal priesthood".

At this stage of development as Yahweh's "dwelling place", saints have developed beyond the stage of experience denoted by the brass of the Altar and Laver. The carnal mind, with its fleshly-inclined thinking and ideas, has been subjected to mental changes as the Word of Yahweh exercises its influence. And this mental change will have its outworking in the moral application of the Truth that will follow, and which was symbolized by the Holy Place which we are soon to enter. That stage in turn, will ultimately give place to a physical change of nature, denoted by the Most Holy Place which typified the ultimate development.

Meanwhile, in the same way as Christ's virtues and character have attracted us to him, so it is possible for us to influence others, drawing them into a closer relationship to the Lord by encouraging their similar development, mentally and morally.

(1) The first covering formed the Tabernacle, or the Dwelling. Here Yahweh dwelt. He also "dwelt" in Christ His Only Begotten Son and manifested Himself in the way typified in the entrance curtains. But Christ also was the bearer of the Divine glory, denoted by the faces of the Cherubim that were intricately and cleverly embroidered.

This beautifully foreshadowed the character of the Lord. His character mirrored the glory of Yahweh (John 1:14). And ultimately, his nature likewise reflected the same glory. In character and nature, he was "curiously wrought" by the Divine Craftsman into the "glory as of the only begotten of the Father" (Psa. 139:15; John 1:14), so that the perfected Son of God could proclaim, "1 am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well" (Psa. 139:14). Even in his mortality, Christ revealed the character of his Father.

As such, he became the covering for all those who have entered the Ecclesial Holy Place in him (Eph. 1:3; 2:6). He has surrounded, covered and embraced all who form, by Divine calling, the "Temple of God". Notice how frequently the Psalmist refers to the curtains as a covering (e.g. Psa. 17:8; 36:7; 59:1; 61:4; 63:7; 91:4).

(2) Over the Tabernacle including its curtains there was placed the Tent or Ohel. It was made of Goats' hair, recalling the sin offering. As such it pointed forward to Christ. His sacrifice provides us with our covering for sin (Rom. 4:7), without which we could not enter Yahweh's dwelling place, thc Ecclesia. The remaining skins indicated the nature he bore; a nature that was subject to the propensities and inclinations of sin and death - the man Christ Jesus, yet in whom is seen the character of the Deity in manifestation.