Austin Bible Church
In the Old Testament, the tabernacle was a tent in the desert. Exodus 25:8-9.
““Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them. “According to all that I am going to show you, as the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furniture, just so you shall construct it.” (Exodus 25:8-9, NASB)
The Nation of Israel didn’t earn or deserve the honor of having the presence of God in their midst. The tabernacle was an object lesson teaching the person and work of Jesus Christ. They had a special priesthood where only one priest went into the sanctuary. There was just one tabernacle.
In the New Testament or the Church Age, the tabernacle is the body of every believer. 1 Cor. 3:16; 1 Cor. 6:19.
“Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16, NASB)
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19, NASB)
Believers in the Church Age do not deserve to be a dwelling place of God either for we too have sinned. Rom. 3:23-24.
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;” (Romans 3:23-24, NASB)
The believer glorifies Christ by being filled with the Holy Spirit and growing spiritually thereby reflecting His character. Every believer is a priest and represents themselves before God. Every Church Age believer’s body is a tabernacle.