I recently caught a glimpse of the symbolical meaning of the famous Ark of the Covenant which God commanded Moses to build. It was Israel’s greatest treasure, the place where they knew God resided.
It wasn’t intended as just a religious shrine but an object lesson of God’s presence in the life of those in Christ.
The Bible says the tabernacle, altar, and priesthood were all really
“only a hint of what goes on in the true sanctuary of heaven, which Moses caught a glimpse of as he was about to set up the tent-shrine. It was then that God said, “Be careful to do it exactly as you saw it on the Mountain.” – Hebrews 8:5b (Message Bible)
Moses saw the real sanctuary in heaven and the way God designed every human being — both are the true sanctuary. When a person gives his/her life to Christ, his/her body becomes the temple of God on earth:
“You realize, don’t you, that you are the temple of God, and God himself is present in you?” – 1st Corinthians 3:16
While the meanings of all these are not spelled out, we can learn from them.
So what are some of these object lessons? The tabernacle, itself, for one.
Comprised of three parts (Outer Court where anyone could visit; Inner Court for only the priests, and the Holy-Of-Hollies separated by a vail and only available once a year for the high priest alone) the Tabernacle is comparable to how God made every person; Body, Soul, and Spirit — the body where we interact with everyone; our inner soul where our mind, will, and emotions work; the human spirit where the subconscious rules (that mysterious inner place even we don’t fully understand).
It was in that inner sanctum, the Holy-of-Hollies, where the ark of the covenant was housed. That’s where God’s Spirit goes when a man or woman asks Jesus to come into their “heart” and be their savior.
“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive” — John 7:38-39a
— fritz

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