TABERNACLE

The Greek word skene (rendered "tabernacle") means a "tent." (a) The tabernacle of Moses' day was a tent of worship, designed by God, and provided for the children of Israel as they wandered in the wilderness of Sinai. It was the appointed place where Jehovah would "meet" with his people (Ex. 25-28; 35-40). The tabernacle was a prototype of the temple, which would be built in the time of Solomon. (b) The tabernacle/temple arrangement was a "type" (pictorial, prophetic preview) of things to come later. The "holy place" within the tabernacle prefigured the church (cf. Heb. 9:1-10), and the "holy of holies" foreshadowed heaven (Heb. 9:11ff). Under the new covenant regime, the temple of God is the body of Christ (1 Cor. 3:16; Eph. 2:19-22; 1 Pet. 2:5). The prophecy of Amos 9:11-12, regarding the rebuilding of the "tabernacle of David," is fulfilled in the church (Acts 15:14ff), and not in an alleged "millennial reign" of Christ upon the earth. (c) The incarnation of Christ, i.e., deity dwelling in a human body, is referred to as a tabernacle dwelling (cf. "dwelt," skenoo, in John 1:14). (d) Our current physical body is called "the earthly house of our tabernacle" (2 Cor. 5:1; cf. v. 4). This implies two things: there is an entity, the "spirit," that lives within our "tabernacle" (Jas. 2:26); and, this physical dwelling place is temporary, to be replaced by a permanent, immortal dwelling (1 Cor. 15).