“put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Eph 4:24)
The tabernacle was for people who wished to approach God, to be reconciled with Him. It is interesting to note that God, of all the gods in the pantheon (which includes Buddha, Krishna, Mohammed, etc), is the only one who extends a personal invitation to man – “Come to Me” (Isa 55:3; Matt 11:28). In the Old Testament the tabernacle was not only accessible to the Israelites; even a Gentile could approach the tabernacle if he desired a meeting with God (Lev 17:8; 22:18; Num 15:14-16). Here already we find a pointer to Christ, who will later state that there is “no distinction between Jew and Greek … For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” (Rom 10:11 & 13; see also Gal 3:28).
In the light of previous portions of manna it would appear as if the tabernacle is also a pointer to the Body of Christ, and that the sixty poles and the white linen speaks of the Bride of Christ. Every wooden pole was specifically positioned according to its purpose within the structure, and between one pole and the next would be a distance of five cubits. We know that five is the number of grace, but also of the five-fold ministry, both meanings which strengthen its prototypical significance. From this the “righteous acts of the saints” (Rev 19:8) were hung. These linen cloths were 100 cubits long on the northern and southern sides, and fifty cubits long on the western and eastern sides (Ex 9:14-15). The “gate” was thus 20 cubits in length, and made from blue, purple and scarlet (Ex 27:16)
The white linen clothes thus totaled 180 cubits in length, a number factorized as 7 x 4 x 10, which according to Arthur Pink speaks of “perfection on earth, seen in human responsibility fully discharged”, a beautiful definition of the Bride, who, according to Rev 19:8, is the one who wears white! What is so astoundingly beautiful is that the PRECISE same amount of white linen of the same length used outside the tabernacle was also used in the Holy Place and in the Holy of Holies. The essence of Christ is the encampment which also embodies His Bride. The linen was attached to the poles with silver staples and rings (verse 11). Within Scripture silver always speaks of salvation. The white linen (“righteous deeds”) only have meaning within the context of salvation, outside of it is nothing more than “dead works” (Heb 6:1; 9:14). Indeed what Isa 61:10 states, is true – “ For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness.”
The gate of the outer court bears great resemblance to the curtained gate that leads to the Holy place, as well as to the shroud which leads to the Holy of Holies. All were made from the same material, in the same colours. Although they were different, they were all different manifestations of the same door in three different dimensions, the door which is Jesus Christ (John 10:7 and 9).
- Sela: Pray about Isa 61:10.
- Read: 2 Sam 2; Prov 5; Gal 5
- Memorise: Gal 5:4
- For a deeper understanding: Read http://www.thebiblestudypage.com/taber_fence.shtml for detailed research and other information regarding the curtains of the outer court of the tabernacle.
