Heaven5

Buildings

The Tabernacle

1. By what name does Yahweh call His people (Exodus 19:5,6)? To what or who will their service be oriented?

2. What is the essence of the event in Exodus 24? What does Yahweh promise His people in Exodus 25:8? How would that be accomplished? What, then, might you anticipate will be the connection between chapters 24 and 25? In what way does your response show up in Exodus 25:9?

3. If God is spirit (John 4:24), what of Heaven, as immaterial, can be depicted in a physical construction / pattern? Read Leviticus 19:1,2 for assistance. How might this be accomplished? Consider what happened to Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 after disobeying God's Word.

4. In general, what is the purpose of the courtyard in Exodus 27:9-19? In specific, what happens in the courtyard, at the opposite end from the Tabernacle?

5. What two rooms are within the dwelling place (Exodus 26:31-35)? What was to occur in the Holy Place (Exodus 25:23-40)? What was in the Most Holy Place (Exodus 25:10-22)? What similarities to Genesis 3 do you see here? What was to happen in that place? How does Romans 3:25 describe it?

6. Therefore, why the strict requirements for the priests and others in Exodus (30:20, 33,38)? What metal is used within the Tabernacle (e.g., Exodus 25:11)? What metal is used outside of the Tabernacle (e.g., Exodus 26:36)? What might this indicate?

7. Read Hebrews 8:5-6; 9:11-12,23-26; 10:1,19-22. What do you think is the essence of the pattern? Why is Exodus 40:34,35 a fitting climax? How was the Tabernacle meant to express Heaven?

8. By what name are we called? To what or who is our service oriented? What is the essence of the Divine Service?

9. Reflect upon the issues of Hebrews 8:5-6; 9:11-12,23-26 and 10:1,19-22 again. If Christ has fulfilled the purposes of the Old Testament Tabernacle, should a place of worship incorporate any of those intentions? Why or why not? What would have to be the essence of that construction?

10. How would you rephrase Exodus 40:34,35 as a fitting climax for Trinity? How can the building of Trinity express Heaven? In other words, if you were to describe Heaven for somebody today using (or modifying) the images of the Tabernacle (or the building of Trinity), what would you say?

Buildings

Since the Tabernacle theology goes into the construction of the Temple, this section is less detailed.

The Temple

1. Glancing over the construction projects that Solomon undertakes in 1 Kings 6-7, what priority is there for Israel?

2. Read 1 Kings 6:12. The Temple was built for what purpose? If Yahweh does not dwell on earth, as Solomon confesses, what is the purpose of the Temple (1 Kings 8:27-28,33-34)? Why would God dwell in a dark cloud (Exodus 19:9; 24:15,18; 33:9-10; 34:5; etc.)? How does Yahweh react to the construction and dedication of the Temple (1 Kings 9:3)?

3. What purpose does the gold overlay serve? What purpose do the cherubim serve (1 Kings 6:23ff; compare Genesis 3:24)? What is the purpose of the palm trees and the open flowers (1 Kings 6:29,35)?

4. What connection is there between the construction of the Temple and the rest given to His people (1 Kings 8:56)?

5. In what way does the construction of the Temple move us beyond the erection of the Tabernacle (Deuteronomy 12:5-7)?

6. Read Hebrews 8:5-6; 9:11-12,23-26; 10:1,19-22. What do you think is the essence of the pattern? Why is 1 Kings 9:3 a fitting climax? How was the Temple meant to express Heaven?

7. Reflect upon the issues of Hebrews 8:5-6; 9:11-12,23-26 and 10:1,19-22 again. If Christ has fulfilled the purposes of the Temple, should a place of worship incorporate any of the original intentions? Why or why not? What would have to be the essence of that construction?

8. How would you rephrase 1 Kings 9:3 as a fitting climax for Trinity? How can the edifice of Trinity express Heaven? In other words, if you were to describe Heaven for somebody today using (or modifying) the images of the Temple (or the building of Trinity), what would you say?

Ezekiel 40-43

1. When Ezekiel receives this vision, the people of Israel are where? Why would a vision of the Temple be encouraging for them? At this time, how is Yahweh with His people? As you consider your replies, think about what happens in Ezekiel 8-10 and Yahweh's word to Ezekiel in 11:16.

2. As we encountered in the Tabernacle and Temple construction, the measurements of this Temple are provided. Since this is a vision, for what reason might Yahweh provide a detailed description?

3. The Temple's description is given in 40:5-42:20. What happens after the completion of the Temple tour in 43:1-12? Why, then, would the description of the altar follow?

4. In the new division of the land of Israel in Ezekiel 47-48, where would you expect the Temple to be located? How does this reflect the Temple's purpose? Why, then, is it fitting that the prophecies of Ezekiel end with "Yahweh is there"?

5. In what ways does the book of Revelation unite all of Ezekiel's visions in God and the Lamb?

The Lord's Ministry

1. What was the purpose of the Tabernacle and Temple? The opening verses of John 1 deliberately imitate the beginning of what book? How might that intent of John be connected with John 1:14-18?

2. Read 1 Kings 5:3. With what kind of rest did Yahweh intend to bless His people? How does your answer fit with your response to #1? Why, then, in John 1:51 does Jesus use the content of the dream of Jacob to unfold His ministry?

3. In this next question the golden thread from questions #1 and #2 is present. Many Christians find comfort in the words of Jesus recorded in John 14:1-10. What is the hope promised to the believer? How does this relate to the previous questions? How might you connect John 17:24 to your response? Why, then, do the disciples recognize the significance of John 2:20-22 only after the resurrection?

4. How does Jesus fulfill the purpose of the Tabernacle and Temple according to Hebrews 9:23-10:1? Is there a need any longer for an earthly Temple? What has taken the place of an earthly structure? Or, in other words, when Christians gather, what is the purpose? Read Ephesians 2:19-22; Hebrews 10:19-25; 1 Peter 2:4-10.

5. How are Christians brought into this Temple? Consider Romans 6:3ff; Colossians 2:9-3:4 in your response. Therefore, if no earthly structure is needed, to where would you direct someone if he or she wanted a picture of Heaven?

6. Once more, consider this question. Since Christ has fulfilled the purpose of the Old Testament worship structures, should a place of worship incorporate any of those intentions? Why or why not? What would have to be the essence of that construction?