Jesus Unmasked: The Truth Will Shock You by Todd Friel Page A

incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden jar holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod which budded, and the tables of the covenant; and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat (Heb. 9:1–5).
    Let’s see how the tabernacle furniture was a shadowy Old Testament picture of Jesus in the New Testament.

    Holy of Holies
    Ark of the Covenant

    Veil

    Altar of Incense
    Holy Place

    Golden Lampstand

    Table of Showbread

    Door

    Laver

    Sacrifice
    (Altar of Burnt Offerings)

    Entrance to the Outer Courtyard
    Entrance to the Outer Courtyard
    The Children of Israel entered the tabernacle through the door, which always faced east, into the outer courtyard.
    Christ Is the Door
    Jesus said. . . . “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved” (John 10:7–9).
    Laver
    The laver was a water basin in which the priests washed their hands and feet daily. They could not enter the Holy Place without washing themselves in an act of ceremonial purification.
    Christ Is the Laver
    Peter said to Him, “Never shall You wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part of Me” (John 13:8).
    Golden Lampstand or Candlestand with Menorrah
    A seven-branched candlestick made of pure gold burned olive oil night and day, serving as the only light in the tabernacle. Without this light, they could not see God in His Holy Place. In darkness, the other articles would have been impossible to see.
    Christ Is the Lampstand
    Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the Light of life” (John 8:12).
    Table of Showbread
    The table with showbread was to the right as one entered the Holy Place. On it were 12 loaves of bread representing God’s covenant people, Israel. The table was a place of communion and fellowship between God and people.
    Christ Is the Showbread
    Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger” (John 6:35).
    Golden Altar (Altar of Incense)
    The golden altar was used to burn incense. Its fragrance wafted across the mercy seat and above the other furniture. The incense burned on the altar continuously. The incense on the altar represented prayer and speaks to us on intercession. Coals to heat this altar came from the altar of sacrifice after the blood of the sacrifice dripped on them. This was God’s supremely holy altar.
    Christ Is the Altar of Incense
    He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them (Hebrews 7:25).
    Veil
    The veil was a very thick curtain made of blue, purple, and scarlet fine and twined linen. No priest could enter the Holy of Holies to approach the ark of the covenant except through the veil. If a high priest passed through the veil without being sacrificially clean, God would strike him dead. God cannot have sin in His presence.
    Christ Is the Veil
    We have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh (Heb. 10:19–20).
    Ark of the Covenant
    This special trunk-like box was the centerpiece of the Holy of Holies. On top of the ark was a lid called the mercy seat. Hovering above the mercy seat were two cherubim with outstretched wings. The ark contained the two tablets of the Ten Commandments, a pot of manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded.
    One time a year, on the Day of Atonement, the blood of a goat was placed on the mercy seat to cover the sins of the people. It was there above the mercy seat that God hovered in the pillar of cloud and offered propitiation for the people.
    Christ Is the Mercy Seat
    Jesus Christ, whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith (Romans 3:24–25).
    Priests
    The priests were