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The Lights Of The Tabernacle
 
Exodus  25:1-8
Introduction:  In these lessons we have learned many significant truths concerning the typology of the Tabernacle.  In this lesson we conclude with the Tabernacle’s application to the individual Christian’s life.  The Tabernacle illustrates three things to the student of God’s word.
1.  The Lord Jesus Christ – Every detail of the Tabernacle points to the person and work of Christ.  John 1:14
    states, “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.”  The word “dwelt” means He “tabernacled” among   
    men.  The Tabernacle was the actual, visual dwelling place of God.  Colossians 2:9 reads, “For in him dwelleth
    all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”
2.  The Church – The Tabernacle was the habitation of God.  Of the Church, Ephesians 2:21-22 states the
    following: “In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:  In whom ye
    also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
3.  The Christian – The believer is now the dwelling place of God.  I Corinthians 3:16 tells us, “Know ye not that ye
    are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”  The Tabernacle and the Believer are also  
    constructed in the same manner.
    a.  The Tabernacle – Outer Court, Holy Place, and Most Holy Place
    b.  The Believer – Body, Soul, and Spirit
 
I.  A Public Light – The Sun in the Outer Court – This light speaks of our testimony to the world.  The outer court was visible to all and represents our public life as Christians.  The public light of the sun reveals two Testimonies in our lives.
    A.  The Light of Salvation – The Brazen Altar – Ex. 27:1
             1.  The Altar was the biggest piece of furniture which reveals its importance to the rest of the furniture of 
                 the Tabernacle.  It is symbolic of the believer’s salvation which is of utmost importance.
             2.  The Brazen Altar stands in the light of the sun as a testimony to the salvation the Christian has
                 experienced.  Salvation is the most important aspect of our testimony.  The world needs to see the death 
                 of Christ in our lives and the difference His salvation has made.
             3.  The Altar portrays two things the world sees in our body, which is a type of the outer court.
                 a.  Forgiveness – The Altar was a place where blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins.  The sin and
                     trespass offering of the Brazen Altar were sacrifices that made atonement for the ones who presented
                     them.  In our lives the sinner needs to see the effects of forgiveness.
                 b.  Dedication – The animals brought to the Brazen Altar died there.  This symbolizes the death of our
                     self to the desires of the world and our total devotion to the purposes of God.  The animals were burnt
                     until nothing remained but ashes.  This should be the testimony of our lives, nothing reserved for
                     ourselves, but all given for the glory of God.      
    B.  The Testimony of Separation – The Brazen Laver
             1.  The Laver represents the fact of cleanliness among the people of God.  I Thessalonians 4:7 – “For God
                 hath not called us unto uncleaness, but unto holiness.”  We are made clean by “the washing of water by
                 the Word.”  Every believer has the responsibility of remaining clean after he passes the Brazen Altar.
             2.  Separation is vital in our testimony.  The world needs to see people who practice what they say they
                 believe.  The initial cleansing of the water takes care of our standing before God, but the daily cleansing
                 prepares us for our service in the world.
             3.  The Priests washed both their hands and feet.
                 a.  Hands – Symbolic of the work God has commissioned us to do
                 b.  The Feet – Symbolic of our daily walk and conversation
                 The World is looking upon our bodies.  Do they see salvation and separation?
 
II.  A Private Light – The Candlestick in the Holy Place – This light reveals our testimony among other believers.  No one but the priests was allowed in the Holy Place.  The Holy Place is symbolic of the family relationship of the church.
    A.  The Importance of the Candlestick
             1.  The candlestick was vital for the ministry of the priests around the Table of Shewbread and the Golden
                 Altar of Incense.  The light of the Candlestick represents the ministry of the Holy Spirit through the 
                 Word of God in the church.
             2.  The Composition of the Candlestick
                 a.  One Shaft – Speaks of Christ who is the body of the church and to whom all believers are connected
                 b.  Many Branches – The six branches of the candlestick represent the individual Christians.
             3.  The Decorations of the Candlestick – Flowers = Christ’s Purity; Pomegranates = Christ’s Fruitfulness;
                 The Almonds = Christ’s Power and Resurrection
    B.  The Illumination of the Candlestick
             1.  The light of the Candlestick could not be seen by the world.  It exclusively shone in the Holy Place.  In
                 the same manner, the world does not understand the importance of the Word of God or the church.  The
                 light of the Spirit is for the family and by His light the members of the church enjoy two things.
                 a.  Table of Shewbread – We have fellowship with our fellow brethren.
                 b.  Golden Altar of Incense – We offer up intercessory prayers for the family.
             2.  According to I John 1, you cannot fellowship or pray in the darkness.  The light of the Candlestick allows
                 the members of the church to operate.  Without the illumination of it, we will fail in our efforts.
             3.  Any time there is division and lack of love in a church family, the light of the Spirit has been
                 extinguished.
 
III.  The Personal Light – The Shekinah Glory of God in the Most Holy Place
    A.  Light of Personal Relationship
             1.  The fellowship of God is represented by the Shekinah Glory.  Only one Priest entered into the Holy of
                 Holies to commune with God. 
             2.  Notice how the lights of the Tabernacle have been narrowed down from the entire camp of Israel in the
                 outer court to only one man in the Most Holy Place.  This is exactly the progression of fellowship every
                 believer shares.  We begin with public testimony to the world, private fellowship with the church, and
                 finally personal communion with God.
             3.  You can’t have fellowship with the church until you pass by the Brazen Altar and Laver.  After salvation
                 and separation has been dealt with, you enter a new level of spirituality which is fellowship with the
                 brethren.  However, if do not have a right relationship with the church, you can not enjoy personal
                 fellowship with God.  This is the intended goal of every believer, but before you can have a right
                 relationship with God you must pass by the Brazen Altar, Laver, Candlestick, Table, and Golden Altar.
    B.  Light of Personal Satisfaction
             1.  The problem with most Christians is that they have halted somewhere between Calvary and Pentecost. 
                 They know they are saved, but live defeated lives, empty of joy and void of close fellowship with God.
             2.  You can’t enjoy God’s communion until you are right with Him in your body (outer court) and mind 
                 (the Holy Place).  Then and only then can you truly worship Him in Spirit (Most Holy Place).
             3.  The Mercy Seat is a picture of God’s Throne.  After you are saved, if you approach it without going by 
                 the Brazen Altar,  Laver, Candlestick, Table of Shewbread, and Golden Altar, it is a Throne of Judgment
                 and God chastises.  However if you follow the correct steps His throne becomes one of fellowship and
                 mercy.
Conclusion:  This is the message of the lights of the Tabernacle.  There are three levels in Christian growth.  Some people pass by the Altar of salvation, but never become separated.  Therefore they never enjoy the fellowship of the church.  Others fellowship with the church, but never enter into close fellowship with God because they will not feed of the Word of God (Table of Shewbread) and pray (Golden Altar).  You must employ all aspects of Christian devotion in order to enjoy full satisfaction, from the Brazen Altar to the Mercy Seat!