This Tabernacle

In the Old Testament, we find the building of a special tabernacle, comprising tents and hangings and other things that went with it, all representing different aspects that foretold the Person and coming of Christ. It is itself a fascinating study.

Solomon’s Temple

As time went on, David desired that a “house” be built for the Lord, and God allowed him to accumulate the materials for the temple that Solomon would eventually build.

2 Sam

2 Samuel 7:1–6 KJV 1900

And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the Lord had given him rest round about from all his enemies; That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains. And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the Lord is with thee. And it came to pass that night, that the word of the Lord came unto Nathan, saying, Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the Lord, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in? Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle.

The Temple of God in the New Testament

1Cor

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 KJV 1900

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

2 Peter 1:13–14 KJV 1900

Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.

Peter’s acknowledgement of his coming death...

Peter was aware that he would soon pass away, that his body would soon be deceased and he would be with the Lord. With that in mind, he had some things he desired to earnestly and even urgently present to his audience:

Grow your faith! Add unto it (virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity).

These things will give you confidence and strength.

We have the written Word of God, better than his own eye witness of the transfiguration, inspired into holy men by the Holy Spirit of God!

Peter’s attitude and outlook was affected by this knowledge.

However, Paul’s understanding of this same fact is expanded particularly with additional information, and we will see that this likewise had an effect on how he lived.

Our Earthly House

Synonyms:

“earthen vessels” - 4:7

“the body” - 4:10

“our mortal flesh” - 4:11

“our outward man” - 4:16

“the things which are seen” - 4:18

We have “this treasure” in earthen vessels.

What “treasure” is this that we have?

Our Treasure

The Gospel!

Our Heavenly House

Synonyms:

“our body” - 4:10

“weight of glory” - 4:17

“the things which are not seen” - 4:18

“a building of God” - 5:1

“an eternal house not made with hands” - 5:1

Our Toil

2 Corinthians 5:9 KJV 1900

Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

Our Task

2 Corinthians 5:18 KJV 1900

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;