A Heavenly Pattern

Exodus 26:1-37

Wednesday, 11 February 2026

“And you shall raise up the tabernacle according to its pattern which you were shown on the mountain.” -Exodus 26:30

The Tabernacle was the display of exquisite artistry – but it was also a visible sign of God’s eternal plan. Moses was shown the detailed design of each of the items of the Tabernacle on Mount Sinai. It could be that he actually “saw” in some manner a heavenly pattern for them. 

Exodus 25:40 “And see to it that you make them according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.”

Acts 7:44 “… just as He who spoke to Moses directed him to make it according to the pattern which he had seen.”

Hebrews 8:5 “..who serve a copy  and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was warned by God when he was about to erect the tabernacle; for, “See,” He says, “that you make all things according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.””

The reference in Heb.8:5 points to a solemn warning served to Moses to make everything exactly as per the pattern shown to him on the mountain. God gave much importance for this one aspect that all items connected with the tabernacle and even the general layout of the whole building and its setting among the tents of the people, should be made according to the precise plan of God Himself and NOT according to the will of man. Why was such stress given for the pattern aspect?

From the above references, we note that what was asked to be made was a copy of the original's in heaven. We can see them in the book of Revelation in the following references:

• Rev.6:9 – Altar

• Rev.4:6 – Sea of Glass

• Rev.1:12 – Golden Candle stick

• Rev.8:6 – Golden Altar

• Rev.2:17 Hidden Manna

• Rev11:19 – Ark of His Testament

Definitely, the tabernacle is a type of Christ. Jesus took time to explain how the Scriptures had spoken about Him—“Then beginning with Moses and with all prophets He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the scriptures.” (Luke 24:27) But when we consider the tabernacle as a place where people gathered to worship God, it is a Temple. God’s purpose in building a tabernacle was stated in Exodus 25:8: ”Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them.” It was a place where God dwelt, that carried the presence of God all the time. 

Coming to the New Testament Paul writes to the Church—“Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you.?” (1Cor.3:16). And to the individual in1 Cor. 6:19: ”… your body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God and that you are not your own.” And he says, we are not ours, because we have been bought with a price! Further 2 Cor.5:19 states, “God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself.” And Colossians 1:27 says “…Christ in you, the hope of Glory.” Capturing all these concepts together – the Holy Spirit in us, Christ is us and God in Christ- each disciple of Jesus Christ becomes a very special temple, where the triune GOD dwells in!!  

So, the Temple in the Old Testament, constructed by the people, is a type of the Disciple in the New Testament— no wonder God insisted that it should be made according to His Pattern! A true disciple is made according to the divine pattern of God. Therefore like Moses, each disciple needs a close walk with God building his life according to the pattern provided by God in His word.

1John 3:3: “ and everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself as He is pure.” To be Jesus’ disciples, we must walk as He walked, exhibiting the fruit of Christ-likeness. Christ in you, makes you the sanctuary of God – let us ensure that it is made according to the exact pattern of God!

Only the Holy Spirit can help us perceive the divine pattern of each of us! Will you cooperate with the Spirit of God?