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being especially associated with one distinctive aspect of the finished work of Calvary.
In Luke 9: 31 where the A.V. reads `decease' the original has the Greek word exodus;
in Heb. 10: 19 where the A.V. reads `boldness to enter' the Greek has eisodus. The first
leads out, the second leads in. Eph. 1: 7 gives the exodus aspect, the word translated
forgiveness being aphesis `set at liberty' (Luke 4: 18). Eph. 2: 13 gives the eisodus
aspect, `made nigh'. The Tabernacle and its service is mainly occupied with this second
aspect of redeeming love, access into the presence of the Lord, and acceptance by reason
of the offering made upon the altar.
The present creation is described in Gen. 1: and 2:, and the record of that mighty
work comprises 34 verses. The Tabernacle is described in Exodus chapters 25:-31:
and 35:-40:, and the record comprises 457 verses. This disproportion can be explained
only in the light of their relative importance, the understanding of the way into the
presence of God being far more important than the understanding of the way in which He
created heaven and earth. The new creation is so much greater than the present one, as is
the finished temple compared with the scaffolding erected for its building.
The shadow of heavenly things.
In Exod. 25: 8, 9; 26: 30; 27: 8 and Numb. 8: 4 Moses is commanded to
see that all things in the Tabernacle are made after the pattern that was shown him in the
mount, and this is repeated in Heb. 8: 5. In the latter passage the reason for this
exactness is given:
"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."
Again, in Heb. 9: 23 the Tabernacle is spoken of as `the pattern of things in the
heavens'. The holiest of all in the Tabernacle was evidently a symbol of heaven, for we
read:
"We have an High Priest . . . . . in the heavens, a Minister of . . . . . the true tabernacle,
which the Lord pitched, and not man" (Heb. 8: 1, 2).
It is called `a greater and more perfect tabernacle' in 9: 11, and the holy places made
with hands are called `figures of the true' and the true is further defined as `heaven itself'
in 9: 24. It is therefore a matter beyond controversy that the Tabernacle and its
offerings, its priests and its furniture, are intensely typical, and speak of heaven itself
where Christ as the great High Priest has for us entered.
"Of Thine own have we given Thee."
The whole of the material necessary for the construction of the Tabernacle and its
furniture was given willingly by the people of Israel.
"Every man that giveth it willingly with his heart" (Exod. 25: 2).
"And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit
made willing" (Exod. 35: 21, 29).