After entering the tabernacle, the next thing a person would see was the altar, the place of sacrifice. The journey of the Israelites out of Egypt to the Promised Land began with a sacrifice: the Passover lamb (Exodus 12:3–11). Likewise, our journey to heaven begins by accepting Jesus as the sacrificed Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world Learn More
After the altar was the laver, where priests would wash. After departing Egypt, the Hebrews passed through the Red Sea. The apostle Paul said this was a symbol of baptism: “All our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea” (1 Corinthians 10:1, 2). Likewise, we must be born of the Water and Spirit of Christ if we would enter into the heavenly Promised Land (John 3:5). Learn More
The showbread on the table of showbread was consumed by the priests and represents the Word of God. Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). It is vital for our spiritual growth to read the Bible every day. See Matthew 6:11. Learn More
The smoke of the altar of incense floated over into the Most Holy Place and represents the prayers of believers (Revelation 8:3). Prayer is communion with God, a process by which a Christian grows in faith. Learn More
The seven-lamp candlestick lit the Holy Place. Christ said, “I am the light of the world He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12). Likewise, believers must let their light shine as a witness for Christ to the world by being good examples and by sharing the gospel. See Matthew 5:14–16. Learn More
Finally, within the Most Holy Place was the ark of the covenant, also called the ark of the testimony. This contained the Ten Commandment tablets, the Hebrews’ sacred national treasure—their divine Magna Carta. The stone tables and the words inscribed on them were a symbol of Christ, who is our Rock (Ephesians 2:20) and the Word incarnate (John 1:1). “That Rock was Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:4). Learn More