As I was reading through Exodus 40, I stumbled across a striking pattern that fits everything I already knew about the plan of God, but adds several details and makes them clear in a way I hadn’t understood it before. What triggered me thinking about it was that the tabernacle was set up in the first day of the first month. Exodus 40:2.

Since the first day of the first month, like the first day of the seventh month, pictures the creation of the universe, I naturally concluded that this setting up of the tabernacle pictured the creation of the heavens and “all that in them is”. So let’s see how nicely that fits.

The story is told in dual, once quoting God’s command, and then once relating the actual doing of it. The order is the same in both cases, but each story has a few minor details the other doesn’t. I’ll harmonize the accounts here:

To start with, the tent itself was set up. Then (verse 20), the ten commandments were placed in the ark, the poles were placed in the ark, the lid (mercy seat) was placed on the ark, and then (verse 21) the ark was placed in the tabernacle, and then the veil was set up closing off the holy of holies.

Next the showbread table was set up (verse 22), on the north side of the tabernacle. The bread was placed on it (verse 23). Then the candlestick (unlit) was placed on the south side, directly opposite the showbread. (verse 24). Then the lamps were lit (verse 25), then the altar of incense was set up (verse 26), then incense was burnt on it (verse 27), then the door was hung (verse 28), closing off the entire tabernacle.

Then the altar of burnt offering was set up outside the tabernacle; then the washbasin between it and the tent. Then he set up the outer court and hung the gate on it. Then the things were finished (verses 29-33) – and now they were to be anointed as the first version tells us (verse 9). It is interesting that everything IN the tabernacle was anointed first, then the things outside (verse 10), and finally Aaron and his sons were first washed (verse 12), then Aaron alone was dressed in holy garb and anointed (verse 13) and then his sons were dressed and anointed (verse 14). “thus did Moses” (verse 16).

Now to apply the plan of the holy days and what we know of the plan of God to that; we know there is an ark in heaven (Revelation 11:19). The temple is useless without physical beings (Revelation 21:22). Hence, the temple in heaven needn’t exist until there were beings who could conceivably die. We are talking about the beginning of the creation, before even the angels were created.

Since the angels were created approximately 50,000 B.C., in the “evening” portion of the 100,000 year “day”, that means that sometime before that – probably at the very beginning of this “day”, this temple was set up in heaven.

The setting up of the throne room/temple in heaven must have been the very first step of the creation of the universe. Then the ark was placed in it, along with the commandments, and the mercy seat (the throne itself). This would correspond with God entering that temple for the first time. Then, before the creation of anything else, the veil was installed to prevent anyone from looking inside and seeing Him in His glory.

Next, the showbread table – the book of life. Because before you can create any life, it must be written in that book! Then the candlestick – the seven spirits of God were created. Then the candlestick was lit, which was when the angels were actually created. This was the moment when God “maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.” (Hebrews 1:7).

Next, the altar of incense was installed. The altar represents a sentry blocking the way to the throne room, an angelic sentry at that – something which could not have come before the angels were created! The order here is very important! First the book of life, then the angels, then the sentry angel! Then the incense was burned and the throne room clouded up.

Finally the door to the tabernacle was installed closing off the entire tabernacle from the rest of the world. This would signify the completion of the creation in heaven.

Then God set up the tabernacle for everyone else – the tabernacle of the congregation. This was made of fine linens. This must correspond to, much later, the actual creation of the universe. The place where the rest of us live. It’s interesting that when the tabernacle was moved, this court and the linen hangings were folded up and carted away, then when it was reinstalled it was stretched out again – which sparks a thought about these verses:

Hebrews 1:12 And as a vesture [made of linen!] shalt thou FOLD THEM UP, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

Isaiah 40:22 It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens AS A CURTAIN, and spreadeth them out AS A TENT TO DWELL IN:

God compares the heavens to a CURTAIN, something which can be folded up and changed – and something that He SPREADS OUT as a TENT to dwell in! Making the universe a direct symbol of the tabernacle!

Finally, after all that is done Moses (a type of the Father) anoints Aaron (A type of Jesus), dressing Him in fine garments first. Corresponding to the resurrection and anointing of Jesus as High Priest,

Hebrews 1:9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

And then his sons, as priests forever with Him, were also washed and anointed, and dressed in fine linen.

Ezekiel 16:9 Then washed I thee [Jerusalem, a type of the Church] with water; yea, I throughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed thee with oil.

Revelation 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

And finally, the last step in the plan – when the temple was finished, and all was anointed and washed and made holy, the glory of God – the spiritual presence of God Himself – came down and filled the tabernacle. Exodus 40:34-35. And what is the final end of this plan? When all have been washed and made holy?

1 Corinthians 15:24,28 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. … And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

And at that point, God will finally be able to personally, literally, dwell with man – dwell in that temple He worked for 100,000 years to create:

Revelation 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the TABERNACLE of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and GOD HIMSELF SHALL BE WITH THEM, and be their God.

And that, in one chapter or less, is the plan of God.