AMIABLE TABERNACLES

The tabernacle which the LORD instructed Moses to build was not a thing of great beauty to the casual passerby. It was simply a tent like structure which was surrounded by an outer court that was enclosed by a linen curtain. In this we see a picture of CHRIST as the prophet said, “For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.” (Isa 53:2-4)

Yet to those who were given an understanding of what was to take place in the innermost part of the tabernacle, this was a place most revered and considered the holiest and most desired spot upon the face of the earth. The tabernacle was divided into two rooms and only once each year did the high priest enter into that place which was known as the HOLY of HOLIES to make an atonement for the sins of the children of GOD. “But into the second went the high priest, alone, once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:” (Heb 9:7)

The actual activity of the high priest was not seen because the veil (or curtain) which divided its midst prevented the eye of man from beholding the glory of the sin sacrifice. Yet those gathered in the outer court could rejoice since they believed that the actions of the high priest were sufficient to expiate their sins even though the actual transaction was hidden from their view. “But Christ being come a high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Heb 9:11-14)

It is here as we behold HIM who is our TABERNACLE, our GREAT HIGH PRIEST, and our SACRIFICE that we can identify with the words of the Psalmist, “How amiable (beautiful to behold) are THY tabernacles.” It is a glorious thing to be able to gaze upon the glories of that ONE who has forever satisfied our sin debt and cleansed us from all guilt attached to it. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Rom 8:1)

This is the central theme of the gospel. Without the definite atonement of CHRIST in actually purchasing that possession which HE came to redeem we have no message of hope to declare to the mourning sons of GOD. Now that veil is rent asunder and those who have been given eyes to see can behold the redemption which is obtained (secured) and delivered unto those for which it is intended. Not one of those whose salvation was purchased there can possibly ever be lost. They are forever justified by the activity of their HIGH PRIEST who arose, not of the Aaronic priesthood (which could not continue because of death), but rather of the order of Melchizedek (which is eternal). “As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Called of God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.” (Heb 5:6-10)

The gospel is in no wise or sense a message which requires a cooperative effort on the part of men and the LORD. Rather it is the clear declaration that HE has accomplished the redemption and salvation of every one of those for whom HE entered into that holy place and does ever live to make intercession for. “But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such a high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated forevermore.” (Heb 7:24-28)

This number for which HE makes intercession cannot be increased in any wise by the activity or efforts of men, but thanks be unto GOD it most certainly cannot be diminished by the failings of men either. “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore, will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” (Isa 53:10-12)

“Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.” (Psa 144:15) Though we cannot even yet enter into that HOLY of HOLIES yet now that the veil is rent, we can see into it and behold the MERCYSEAT and HIM who sits upon the everlasting throne. Well did the Psalmist say, “For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand (elsewhere), I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.” (Psa 84:10) What a privilege it is to be led inside the court of the TABERNACLE, enclosed with the fine white linen of CHRIST’s righteousness. Those who pass by on the outside see no beauty but those who have, by the grace of GOD, been taken behind that linen wall desire no other dwelling because the glory of this TABERNACLE cannot be seen from without. “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” (1Cor 1:18)

“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” (Psa 100:1-5)