The Lord told Moses to build a Tabernacle for a place of worship for the Children of Israel. There were three parts of the Tabernacle. The holiest part, the Holy of Holies, contained a very special wooden chest overlaid with gold. It was called the Ark of the Covenant because it was where the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments were kept. We too can have the Ark in a special place within us if we will take the Lord's commandments into our heart. And, just as the Tabernacle with the Commandments was placed in the center of the camp of the Children of Israel, so we try to center our lives on the Lord and His spiritual laws.

This month we are focusing on the spiritual concept of the church as we learn about the Tabernacle of the Lord. If we compare our church buildings and worship services to the design and use of the Tabernacle, we may note some interesting similarities and differences. The Tabernacle of the Lord also has a special relevance for individuals, as it pictures both heaven and the church - heaven on earth. It is our love and understanding of the Word that make a true church, and the Tabernacle and its use illustrate this idea beautifully. Every detail relates to the levels of the human mind and also to the angelic heavens. Each part of the Tabernacle can show us something about making ourselves and our churches a place where the Lord can be present with us.