Was the Tabernacle and its furniture a copy of things in heaven?

The Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary described in the Hebrew Bible, played a central role in the spiritual life of ancient Israel. Crafted under divine instruction, it was the place where God would dwell among His people and where the Israelites would offer sacrifices, seek forgiveness, and celebrate their relationship with the Divine.

In this blog post, we will explore the arguments for and against the idea that the Tabernacle and its furniture were copies of things in heaven, examining biblical evidence and considering the implications of this perspective for faith and worship.

The Tabernacle: An Overview

The Tabernacle, as described in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, was a tent-like structure at the heart of Israel’s camp during their wilderness journey. It was meticulously constructed according to the detailed instructions given to Moses on Mount Sinai. The Tabernacle consisted of the outer court, the Holy Place, and the Most Holy Place—or Holy of Holies—where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. Its furniture included the altar of burnt offering, the laver, the table of showbread, the golden lampstand (menorah), the altar of incense, and the Ark itself. Each item, material, and dimension was specified by God, underscoring the sanctity and importance of the structure.

Biblical Evidence: The Book of Hebrews

Perhaps the most direct biblical evidence for the Tabernacle and its furniture being copies of heavenly realities comes from the New Testament book of Hebrews. In Hebrews 8:5, the author writes, “They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: ‘See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.’” (NIV)

This passage explicitly states that the earthly sanctuary was a “copy and shadow” of a heavenly one. The author of Hebrews goes further in chapter 9, stating that Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was “only a copy of the true one” but entered heaven itself (Hebrews 9:24). These verses suggest a typological relationship between the Tabernacle and a higher, heavenly reality.

The Significance of the Heavenly Pattern

The instructions given to Moses on Mount Sinai emphasize the importance of following a divinely revealed pattern. Exodus 25:9 says, “Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.” The Hebrew word for pattern, “tabnit,” can mean a model, form, or structure—implying that Moses was shown a blueprint of something real, perhaps even something already existing in heaven. This notion is reinforced by Exodus 25:40: “See that you make them according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”

The insistence on exactness in construction reflects more than just a concern for aesthetics or ritual purity. It points to a deeper reality: the Tabernacle was meant to reflect, in some mysterious way, the dwelling of God in the heavens. The earthly sanctuary was not an end in itself but a symbolic representation of a greater, unseen reality.

The Tabernacle as a Shadow: Typology and Symbolism

In biblical theology, the concept of typology is crucial. Types are foreshadowings or prefigurations of spiritual truths or future realities. The Tabernacle, with its rituals and furnishings, is often seen as a type of Christ and the work of redemption. The book of Hebrews, in particular, develops this idea, arguing that the sacrifices and ceremonies of the Tabernacle pointed forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.

The term “shadow,” used in Hebrews, is significant. A shadow is cast by a real object; it is not the object itself, but it reflects its form. The Tabernacle, then, was not the ultimate reality, but a shadow cast by the true heavenly sanctuary. Its furniture—such as the Ark, the altar, and the lampstand—had spiritual counterparts or meanings, serving as reminders of God’s presence, provision, and holiness.

Jewish Tradition and the Heavenly Sanctuary

Jewish tradition also contains references to a heavenly sanctuary. The Talmud, as well as other rabbinic writings, describe celestial counterparts to the earthly Temple. In some mystical traditions, the idea of a heavenly Temple is developed in great detail, with each aspect of the earthly sanctuary corresponding to a spiritual reality above.

The Dead Sea Scrolls and apocalyptic literature from the Second Temple period also speak of visions in which prophets or seers are shown a heavenly Temple, further supporting the idea that the earthly Tabernacle was modeled after a divine archetype. These traditions, while not canonical for all readers, demonstrate that the concept of a heavenly sanctuary was not foreign to ancient Jewish thought.

The Tabernacle and the Presence of God

Central to the Tabernacle’s purpose was housing the presence of God—the Shekinah glory. The cloud that descended upon the Tabernacle was a visible sign of God’s dwelling among His people. If the Tabernacle was a copy of a heavenly reality, then it was more than just a place of ritual; it was a tangible point of contact between heaven and earth. Every aspect of its design, from the colors of the curtains to the arrangement of the furniture, was intended to communicate something about the nature of God and His relationship with humanity.

The Furniture: Earthly Copies of Heavenly Realities?

Each piece of furniture in the Tabernacle had a specific function and symbolic meaning. The Ark of the Covenant, for example, was the throne of God, topped with the mercy seat and flanked by cherubim. In the book of Revelation, John describes seeing the “temple of God in heaven” and the “ark of His covenant” (Revelation 11:19), suggesting a celestial counterpart to the earthly Ark.

Similarly, the menorah, or lampstand, provided light within the sanctuary. Revelation 4:5 refers to “seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God.” The altar of incense, representing the prayers of the saints, finds its echo in Revelation 8:3-4, where an angel offers incense at the heavenly altar.

These parallels between the Tabernacle’s furnishings and imagery in prophetic visions strengthen the argument that the earthly items were designed as copies or symbols of heavenly realities.

Counterarguments: Mere Symbolism or Divine Accommodation?

Not all scholars agree that the Tabernacle was a literal copy of a heavenly sanctuary. Some argue that the language of “copy and shadow” is metaphorical, intended to highlight the provisional and preparatory nature of the Tabernacle in contrast to the finality of Christ’s work.

In this view, the Tabernacle was a way for God to accommodate His infinite presence to the limitations of human understanding and culture. The detailed instructions served to set Israel apart and focus their worship, but they did not necessarily correspond to actual objects in heaven.

Others suggest that the Tabernacle’s design drew on common features of ancient Near Eastern sanctuaries. The similarities between the Tabernacle and other ancient temples may reflect a shared cultural context rather than a direct correspondence with a heavenly temple.

The Tabernacle in Christian Theology

For many Christian theologians, the Tabernacle’s heavenly pattern is essential for understanding the person and work of Jesus Christ. The book of Hebrews identifies Jesus as the great high priest who enters the true sanctuary in heaven, offering a perfect sacrifice for sin.

This typology extends to the furniture as well: Jesus is seen as the bread of life (table of showbread), the light of the world (lampstand), and the atoning sacrifice (altar of burnt offering and the mercy seat). The Tabernacle thus becomes a living parable, pointing to the realities fulfilled in Christ.

Implications for Worship and Spiritual Life

If the Tabernacle and its furniture were modeled after things in heaven, this has profound implications for worship. It suggests that earthly worship is a participation in a greater, cosmic reality. The rituals and symbols are not merely human inventions, but divinely appointed means of entering into communion with God.

For believers, this perspective can transform the way they approach worship, prayer, and the sacraments. It invites a sense of awe and reverence, as well as a recognition of the continuity between the present and the eternal.