The Old Testament (Tanakh) refers to two types of dwellings where man could meet with God. The first structure was known as the Tabernacle. The second structure was known as the Temple. The New Testament equates both of these holy structures with man, specifically with Christian believers. What is the connection?

The Tabernacle was a mobile, temporary structure constructed during the wandering years of Israel in the wilderness. Scripture indicates that it was designed according to the pattern God showed Moses upon Mount Sinai and that it was to be an earthly shadow of heavenly things. Hebrews 8:5 "Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount."

The Temple, on the other hand, was designed to be a permanent structure and was situated in Jerusalem (Yerushalayim). In Hebrew, it is clear that Jerusalem is a plural word. The Bible makes repeated reference to the earthly city, which we are all aware of, and the heavenly Jerusalem which we have not yet seen. Scripture calls for the future uniting of these two cities as the eternal capitol of the Kingdom of God. To pray for the peace (shalom) of Jerusalem as in Psalm 122:6 is to pray for the "wholeness" or "completion" of these two cities. That is, Heaven and earth joined together under the millennial rule of Messiah.

In the meantime, we are told that WE as Christian believers are both Tabernacle and Temple. These dual terms clearly indicate dual meanings. As Tabernacle, we realize that the body in which we currently dwell is temporary. As believers, God has taken up residence within us and thus we meet together within this temporary structure as we wander through the wilderness of this present fallen world. We should realize that this body is only a temporary representation of a much grander scale to come. Peter recognized this fact and looked forward to the transition: 2 Peter 1:13-16 "Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty." Clearly, this present body is a decaying tabernacle. It will soon pass away, either in death or in the blessed hope of the rapture (Titus 2:13).

Yet, we are also a Temple in which God has promised to permanently indwell. 1 Corinthians 3:16 "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). He said He would be with us always (Matthew 28:20). He will remain with us permanently and eternally! Glory to God!

We only await the transition. The Tabernacle was "fitly framed together" for mobility, but later, grew into the glorious Temple seated in the very capitol of the Kingdom of God. Ephesians 2:19-21 "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:"

The Exhorter's Call author, RIck Wagnon (second from left) and friends with

Pastor John Hagee at Kenneth Hagin Jr.'s "Call to Arms" Men's Conference

 held November 2-4, 2006 at Rhema Bible Training Center in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. 

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