But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ. -Eph. 2:13 (NLT)

Recently, in our Friday night Bible study, a friend has embarked on a study of the Temple, beginning of with the Tabernacle and Ark of the Covenant. I must admit, at first I wasn’t sure what level of interest I would develop in this, but as time as advanced, I have come to realize that I have a great deal of interest in it –and in finding the many ways in the Old Testament writings that Christ is talked about, either prophetically or by illustrating types and shadows.

So, first of all, the novice reader is probably asking themselves what “types and shadows” are. Here is an excerpt from a Web site containing some useful information and resources about the tabernacle (www.abideinchrist.com): Dr. John R. Sampey said, “A type may properly be defined as a person, institution, or event in the old dispensation which was designed to prefigure a corresponding person, institution, or event in the New.”

We know that only the High Priest could make atonement. Jesus is our High Priest. What He has done for us is not something that must be repeated constantly. He did it once and for all: He has no need to do every day what those priests do, to offer sacrifices first for their own sins and then for the sins of the people, since he did this in offering himself once for all. -Heb. 7:27 (NET)

The Tabernacle, as a type of Christ, symbolized a place where God and man could meet. Jesus, in becoming a man and being the atonement for our sins, has bridged that gap between us and God. For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with hands—the representation of the true sanctuary—but into heaven itself, and he appears now in God’s presence for us. -Heb. 9:24 (NET)

The gate to the entrance of the tabernacle was the only entrance, much as Christ is our only gate into the presence of God. Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. – John 10:9 (NLT)

Please take the time to visit a well-done page at www.abideinchrist.com/messages/tabernacletype.html for much more useful information. May God continue to bless you as you strive to know Him better!