The Goal is Whole: Hope Unshakeable H6: The Tabernacle of David

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We have seen that "burst open" worship is the appropriate response to us grasping the vastness of the salvation and life we have in the new creation. He is worthy of it all!

Yesterday, we saw how King David expressed such passionate worship to the Lord, as they brought the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. The ark is representative of both the presence and the covenant of God. David had erected a tabernacle for the ark to rest in, before they built the temple. He had such a passion for God, and such a strong desire for His presence, that he had made a vow about this:

“Remember, O Lord, on David’s behalf, All his affliction; 2 How he swore to the Lord and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob, 3 “Surely I will not enter my house, Nor lie on my bed; 4 I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, 5 until I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.” (Psalm 132:1-5)

In this great desire, David was prophetically carrying the purpose of God in the new creation, which we have seen includes becoming a living temple that hosts His presence:

“Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:20-22)

David was so excited about this!

“One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple.” (Psalm 27:4).

As David established the tabernacle for the ark, He was moved to replicate the scene of worship in the heavens, which God had shown him by divine revelation. Through this, he established a huge company of musicians and singers, who were employed full time to keep praise and worship going before the Lord, day and night

“Now these are the singers, heads of fathers’ households of the Levites, who lived in the chambers of the temple free from other service; for they were engaged in their work day and night.” (1 Chronicles 9:33).

“The Levites were numbered from thirty years old and upward, and their number by census of men was 38,000. 4 Of these, 24,000 were to oversee the work of the house of the Lord; and 6,000 were officers and judges, 5 and 4,000 were gatekeepers, and 4,000 were praising the Lord with the instruments which David made for giving praise.” (1 Chronicles 23:3-5)

“Their number who were trained in singing to the Lord, with their relatives, all who were skillful, was 288.” (1 Chronicles 25:7).

4,000 musicians, and 288 trained singers! Wow! Through this huge undertaking, David instituted a form of temple worship that had never existed before, but became the standard for future generations, especially in seasons of revival. For example, this can be seen in the lives of all these leaders who inspired worship-focused revivals and victories in their lifetime:

• Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20)
• Hezekiah, (2 Chronicles 29:25)
• Josiah, (2 Chronicles 35:15),
• Ezra (Ezra 3:10)
• (Nehemiah 12:45).

Scripture references temple worship “according to the ordinance of David” in all these ministries. Passionate, exuberant, extravagant worship is the primary characteristic of what became known as the tabernacle of David.

This is all very interesting as a lesson of history from the Old Testament, but what does it have to do with us now? Here’s the point. David is a type and forerunner of Christ, and was carrying a prophetic expression of what was to come. He outworked it almost as a shadow, but now the fullness is a reality in the new creation. This reference is about Jesus:

“The crowds going ahead of Him, and those who followed, were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9)

Jesus is the "Son of David", but He reigns over a Kingdom much more vast than physical Israel, or the literal “throne of David”. In Christ, the mystery has been revealed that God’s heart is for all nations, and His desire is to build a people of His own from every tribe, tongue, nation and people:

“After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; 10 and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:9-10).

The tabernacle of David was a physical structure to host God’s presence, but in the new creation the temple of God is now a living temple, built from living stones, and within it the ordinance for day and night worship is being established, just as David ordained. David’s actions were simply an expression of the heart of Christ, just like so many of his psalms that carried prophetic revelation of Jesus. This is a central purpose of God that was prophesied even before Jesus came:

“In that day I will raise up the fallen booth [tabernacle] of David, And wall up its breaches; I will also raise up its ruins And rebuild it as in the days of old; 12 That they may possess the remnant of Edom And all the nations who are called by My name, declares the Lord who does this.” (Amos 9:11-12)

Amos speaks of a day when the tabernacle of David will be raised up again, but this time not just for Israel, but “all the nations who are called by My name”. Amos was foreseeing the emergence of the new creation temple, made up of all nations, calling it the booth or tabernacle of David. As we have seen, the most revolutionary characteristic of David’s tabernacle and the temple that followed, was the extravagant worship he instituted. Fulfillment of Amos’s prophecy is happening right now. How can we be sure of this? The Apostle James connected this as he considered how God was already moving among the gentiles to include them in His plan of salvation in Christ. James quotes that exact passage from Amos:

“After they had stopped speaking, James answered, saying, “Brethren, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name. 15 With this the words of the Prophets agree, just as it is written, 16 ‘After these things I will return, and I will rebuild the tabernacle of David which has fallen, and I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, 17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, And all the Gentiles who are called by My name, 18 Says the Lord, who makes these things known from long ago.” (Acts 15:13-18)

The rebuilding of the tabernacle is the establishment of the Church, the Body of Christ! There can be little doubt that this is finding fulfillment in our day. Prophetic, passionate worship movements are springing up all around the world, and some ministries are now pursuing David’s passion for non-stop day and night worship and prayer (e.g. check the International House of Prayer, Kansas City). So much fresh growth in the Kingdom seems to be ignited by multitudes of musicians, singers, and passionate worshipers, especially from among the younger generations. This is a strong emphasis and move of the Holy Spirit and a clear fulfillment of bible prophecy. It is part of our eternal destiny to embrace this!

In response, let us adopt both a worshipful attitude in our own lives, and a lifestyle of engaging in whatever gatherings we can, that are pursuing this fervent worship culture.

Although the “INN” vision is focused mostly on networks of smaller groups, and meaningful expressions of worship are definitely valid on a small scale, we also realize the enormous importance and privilege of participating in wider Kingdom expressions that incorporate a strong worship emphasis, with musicians, singers and whatever modern technologies assist, often on a huge scale (and increasingly so). It costs lots of money to do this, but again David sets a bold example for us. He invested the equivalent of billions of dollars to build the temple and still more to fund the employed ministry of worship leaders on an ongoing basis. When it comes to worship, really there is no expense that is too great, because He is worthy.

“Now behold, with great pains I have prepared for the house of the Lord 100,000 talents of gold and 1,000,000 talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond weight, for they are in great quantity; also timber and stone I have prepared, and you may add to them.” (1 Chronicles 22:14)

As Jesus continues to build and complete His church, it is awesome that we can participate in His great unfolding prophetic plan. This is eternal destiny right now! Let us acknowledge what Jesus is doing in our generation, and enthusiastically pursue the restoration of the tabernacle of David in our midst. Praise Jesus!