To know Gods Eternal Plan requires an understanding of who God is. It isn’t just about the future—it shapes how we live today.

God Dwelling

Jesus showed two heartbroken followers how He fulfilled Old Testament prophecy. He did not start with Abraham, the father of faith, Isaac and Jacob, but with Moses.

Moses was given the law, a sacrificial system and how to worship God. It was the shadow of heavenly things, Hebrews 8:5, and showed God dwelling with His people, Exodus 25:8. That was the purpose of creation and Gods eternal plan.

God With Us

Isaiah prophesied that a child would be born and His name would be Immanual, ‘God with us’, Isaiah 7:54. It pointed to the virgin birth of the Man-God child, Jesus.

In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, John1:1,14. That word dwelt is tabernacle, or abide, among us.

That leads directly back to the feminine noun of Tabernacle as in Moses Tabernacle. The Old Testament theme of God’s eternal plan is carried firmly into the New Testament.

Temple

In Jesus’ day they had Herod’s temple to worship in. However, Jesus used the word temple in a totally different context. Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up, John 2:19. That word temple also means ‘to dwell’.

When Jesus was crucified the earth quaked, rocks were split and the veil of Herod’s temple was torn in two from top to bottom revealing the Most Holy Place, Matthew 27:51. It was symbolic of where God’s presence dwelt in Moses’ Tabernacle.

The veil symbolized God’s separation from man through sin, Isaiah 59:1,2. Christ paid the debt so man could once more have true fellowship with God.

The Way

The Way to personal fellowship with God was now open. The torn curtain symbolizes Christ’s broken body for us, Matthew 26:26. There is no other way to that fellowship God, John 14:6, except through our Great High Priest, Hebrews 4:14-16. It always was Gods eternal plan.

No true follower of Christ is content to ‘dwell’ in the Holy Place, but presses on past the four pillars into the Most Holy Place. There the Shekinah glory of God dwells. However, conditions apply.

Accepting the Way

The Outer Court of Moses’ Tabernacle represents salvation through Calvary. The Holy Place could only be entered by the priests and in Christ we are priests and royalty in God’s kingdom, 1 Peter 2:9. Once a year on the Day of Atonement the High Priest only would enter the Most Holy Place with the blood sacrifice.

Christ is our Way, the Truth and the Life, John 14:6. We can only enter the intense presence of God because through faith, our life is hid in Christ, Colossians 3:3.

The four pillars to the entrance of the Holy of Holies represents everything that has to do with pride, ego, self-ambition, and self-glory. God is a Jealous God and will not share His glory with another, Isaiah 42:8.

Today’s Temple

Jesus prayed that the Father would give His followers another Helper, that He may abide with believers forever, John 14:16. If anyone loves Me he will keep My Word and my Father will love him. We will come to him and make our abode with him, John 14:23.

That abode is a feminine noun, meaning dwelling or mansion. Once again it is God abiding with His people not just while on earth, but forever.

God no longer dwells in temples made with hands, Acts 7:48. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God and that you are not your own. For you have been bought with a price, 1 Corinthians 6:19,20.

Bridegroom

At the Last Supper Jesus instituted what we now call Communion. Jesus used the words a Jewish bridegroom used in the betrothal ceremony with his bride. I will not drink again of the cup of the vine until I drink it with you in my father’s house, Matthew 26:29.

The groom would then go back to his father’s house to prepare a place for his bride. Only when the father gave his permission, could the son go and collect his bride for the wedding celebrations.

Jesus said In my Father’s house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you I will come and take you unto Myself. That where I am there you may be also, John 14:3.

Catching Away

Christ’s followers are waiting the events of 1 Thessalonians 4:17, when the Groom calls His Bride away. The exact time of this event is unknown for only the Father knows the day and the hour, Matthew 24:36.

It is God’s eternal plan that we live as the betrothed bride waiting to be called away. We will then sit with our Lord on His throne even as He rose and is seated on His Father’s throne, Revelation 3:21.

Fellowship

We were created in the image of God, Genesis 1:27, to fellowship God. How far fallen man has gone.

We live in a society that has no time for God. It’s as if God is an absentee landlord, for every man does what is right in his own eyes, Judges 21:25.

God’s Plan

David wrote, The Lord is my Shepherd……And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever, Psalm 23:6. That is Gods Eternal Plan.

The promise to overcomers is that I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God and he will not go out from it anymore. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem…..and My new name, Revelation 3:12.

Gods Eternal Plan for You

The only thing we take to heaven is our relationship with God. If it has been lukewarm here, it will be in the Outer Court of Heaven. Maybe you walked on into the Tabernacle and became a true follower. However, only when you are totally sold out to Christ, will you dare to enter the Most Holy Place.

The heart of God and His eternal plan is to fellowship His own people. That is not about knowledge or an emotional experience. It is choosing to live in alignment with the great I Am Who I Am, Exodus 3:14.

By His Spirit He ever calls, for He would that none should perish, 2 Peter 3:9. However, He gave you a free will. The choice is always yours.

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Dr. Wendy Stenberg-Tendys is a servant of the Lord who enjoys researching Biblical topics and sharing words of encouragement from the Word of God. She asks the hard questions.

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