A model can help illustrate the theological journey embodied in the sanctuary’s geography. Place north at the top, east at the right, south at the bottom, and west at the left. The courtyard’s long axis runs east–west, and its gate is centred in the eastern boundary. Movement therefore proceeds westward towards the sanctuary and the Most Holy Place.

Suggested Scale

Using 1 centimetre for 2 cubits, construct the following:

• Courtyard: 50 cm east–west by 25 cm north–south, representing 100 by 50 cubits (Exodus 27:9–18).
• Sanctuary tent: 15 cm east–west by 5 cm north–south, representing approximately 30 by 10 cubits, as derived from the boards and curtains in Exodus 26.
• Holy Place: 10 cm by 5 cm, representing approximately 20 by 10 cubits.
• Most Holy Place: 5 cm by 5 cm, representing 10 by 10 cubits (compare Exodus 26:15–25, 33–34).

Position of the Furnishings

1. At the east gate, mark the entrance into the Court.
2. Place the bronze altar just west of the gate, on the central east–west line.
3. Place the bronze basin west of the altar and between it and the sanctuary entrance (Exodus 30:18).
4. Position the sanctuary in the western part of the Court, with its entrance facing east.
5. In the Holy Place, put the table on the north side and the lampstand on the south side (Exodus 26:35).
6. Place the altar of incense near the western veil, centrally before the Ark (Exodus 30:6; 40:26).
7. Place the Ark centrally in the Most Holy Place at the western end (Exodus 26:33–34; 40:20–21).

Exodus supplies exact dimensions for the enclosure and many structural components, but it does not give measured coordinates for every furnishing. A responsible model should therefore preserve the stated compass relationships and sequence without presenting estimated spacing as an inspired measurement.

Top-Down Orientation

Area	Location and orientation	Furnishings
Court	Outer enclosure; gate on the east	Bronze altar, then bronze basin, moving west
Holy Place	Eastern two-thirds of the tent	Table north; lampstand south; incense altar west, before the veil
Most Holy Place	Western one-third of the tent	Ark of the Covenant beneath the cherubim

Entering the Reality to Which the Sanctuary Points

The sanctuary’s message is intensely practical. At the altar, believers rest in Christ’s finished sacrifice. At the basin, they receive cleansing and yield to the Spirit’s transforming work. In the Holy Place, they live by the Word, walk in the Spirit’s light, and approach God through prayer. In the Most Holy Place, they behold a God whose throne unites justice and mercy, whose law is written upon surrendered hearts, and whose judgement is good news for all who abide in Christ.

The same God who dwelt among Israel now dwells in His church through the Holy Spirit and calls each believer His temple (1 Corinthians 3:16–17; 6:19–20; Ephesians 2:19–22). Yet the sanctuary directs hope beyond the present age. Christ will return, sin will be removed forever, and God will dwell openly with the redeemed in the new creation (John 14:1–3; Revelation 21:1–4, 22–23). The journey that began at an eastern gate in the wilderness ends in a city where no temple building is needed, “for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it” (Revelation 21:22).

Key Scripture Guide

• Purpose and construction: Exodus 25–31; 35–40.
• Priesthood and sacrifices: Leviticus 1–10; 16–17.
• Messianic sacrifice: Isaiah 53; John 1:29; Romans 3:23–26; 1 Peter 1:18–19.
• Christ’s heavenly priesthood: Hebrews 4:14–16; 7:25; 8:1–5; 9:11–28; 10:1–22.
• Covenant law and mercy: Exodus 25:16–22; Jeremiah 31:31–34; Hebrews 8:10–12.
• Judgement and cleansing: Leviticus 16; Daniel 7:9–14; 8:14; Revelation 14:6–7.
• God dwelling with His people: John 1:14; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 2:19–22; Revelation 21:1–4, 22.

Below is an imperfect, 3-dimensional labelled view of the tabernacle in the wilderness.