When God instructed Moses to build the tabernacle, He revealed it as a pattern of heavenly reality (Hebrews 8:5). Everything had significance, including the way we enter His presence. Every detail was ordained and described by God. Every aspect pointed to a greater spiritual reality that would come later.
The first thing we see when looking at the complex as a whole is that the tabernacle had three entrances—each one leading deeper into the presence of God. Each entrance points prophetically to Jesus Christ and His finished work. And each one declares: there is one God-ordained way to draw near.
The Outer Gate
The first entrance led into the outer court. This wide gate was welcoming and accessible to all who would come near to God. It was made of blue, purple, and scarlet thread woven into fine linen and hung on four pillars (Exodus 27:16). It signaled God’s invitation to the whole world.
Jesus declared Himself to be the one true entrance. He said, “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” (John 10:9, ESV)
Anyone may come, but only through Jesus. This gate was wide enough to accommodate all who wanted to come and was decorated brightly, but there was only a single way in. The colours on the gate reveal who He is: blue represents His heavenly origin, purple His royal kingship, and scarlet His sacrificial blood.
Furthermore, four pillars were supporting this entrance. The number four is used symbolically throughout Scripture to represent creation (for example, the four winds, the four corners of the earth, four living creatures, among others). The outer gate represents the first step of salvation: responding to Christ’s call—and this invitation is open to all.
The Door to the Holy Place
The second entrance led from the courtyard into the Holy Place. It was also beautifully embroidered, but this curtain was hung upon five pillars, symbolising grace (Exodus 26:36–37). Only consecrated priests could enter through this door. Requirements included having washed in the bronze basin, having been clothed in holy garments, and having been anointed and set apart for God.
This speaks to us today as priests who:
Have been anointed:
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him …” – 1 Peter 2:9, ESV
“The anointing that you received from him abides in you …” – 1 John 2:27, ESVHave been clothed in holy garments:
“…to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling.” – 2 Corinthians 5:2, ESV
“They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” – Revelation 7:14, ESVAnd who are washed:
“Let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” – 2 Corinthians 7:1, ESV
The Veil
The final barrier was the veil that led into the Most Holy Place, where God’s glory dwelt above the mercy seat. This veil was uniquely embroidered with cherubim (Exodus 26:31), reminding Israel that the Holy God is guarded and separate from sin, just as cherubim guarded the entrance to Eden after the fall. Only the high priest, and only once a year, could enter behind the veil—and only by blood (Leviticus 16:2, 14-15). The word veil can be misleading to modern readers, as we think of a veil as something flimsy, but this curtain or veil was not flimsy or see-through; tradition holds that it was the thickness of a man’s hand.
Then came the cross:
“And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.” – Matthew 27:51, ESV
God tore the veil, not man. Jesus Himself has become the means of entry into God’s presence and eternal life.
“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus … through the curtain, that is, through his flesh.” – Hebrews 10:19-20, ESV
Ancient Jewish tradition referred to the three entrances by names that should sound familiar:
The outer gate was called ‘The Way’
The door was called ‘The Truth’
The veil was called ‘The Life’
When Jesus made this statement: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6, ESV), He was proclaiming that He alone is the means of entry into God’s presence, into the Holy of Holies. He wasn’t giving a theological formula; He was revealing Himself as the tabernacle in human form. Every entrance is Christ. Every step toward God is through Him.
