• Cherish Your Privilege to Worship in Jehovah’s Spiritual Temple
    The Watchtower (Study)—2023 | October

    • THE TABERNACLE

      The chart “The Ancient Pattern​—The Christian Reality,” showing features of worship at the tabernacle. 1. High priest; see paragraph 9. 2. Altar of burnt offering; see paragraph 11. 3. Copper basin; see paragraph 16. 4. Inner courtyard; see paragraph 16. 5. Tabernacle; see paragraph 7. 6. Holy; see paragraph 13. 7. Curtain; see paragraph 13. 8. Most Holy; see paragraphs 13-14.

      6. How was the tabernacle used?

      6 The ancient pattern. Paul based his discussion on the tabernacle that was set up by Moses in 1512 B.C.E. (See the chart “The Ancient Pattern​—The Christian Reality.”) The tabernacle was a tentlike structure that the Israelites initially carried with them as they moved from place to place. They used it for nearly 500 years until a permanent temple was built in Jerusalem. (Ex. 25:8, 9; Num. 9:22) This “tent of meeting” was the central place for the Israelites to approach God and offer their sacrifices and their worship. (Ex. 29:43-46) However, the tabernacle also represented something much greater that was to come for Christians.

      7. When did the spiritual temple become a reality?

      7 The Christian reality. The ancient tabernacle was “a shadow of the heavenly things,” and it pictured Jehovah’s great spiritual temple. Paul said that “this tent [or, tabernacle] is an illustration for the present time.” (Heb. 8:5; 9:9) So by the time he wrote to the Hebrews, the spiritual temple had already become a reality for Christians. It came into existence in 29 C.E. That year, Jesus got baptized, was anointed with holy spirit, and began serving as Jehovah’s “great high priest” in the spiritual temple.c​—Heb. 4:14; Acts 10:37, 38.