Abraham dwelt in tabernacles
with Isaac and Jacob ... Heb. 11 ...
Tabernacle means "temporary dwelling" / tents ...
A tent would really present a temporary dwelling on this earth. And our place on this earth is certainly very temporary. We are here a very short time. And before we know it, we are old and some of us experience the situation where almost everyone we knew in past is already dead. And we have taken the place of our parent's generation before we know it. We thought them old and now we realize we have taken their place in age.
James 4:14 ... For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
When we realize this, we hopefully see how temporary things are on this earth, setting our desires and thoughts not so much on this present earth but on those things we cannot see.
Heb. 11 ... These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
II Peter 3 ... we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
I thought of how temporary these houses we live in are and how often we make a big to do about these physical houses. A tent concept would be more in keeping with the understanding that these things we see with our natural eye are only temporary while the things we cannot see are eternal.
Thus Paul urged us to focus on that which we cannot see ...
Col. 3 ... If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
And all those plans, often made for tomorrow, really need to be kept in check remembering the instruction given us by Jesus ... Mt. 6 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: ...
25Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
The only thing important to each of us is our soul which lasts for all eternity.
A few days ago, Elizabeth Taylor was called to my mind. I wondered if she was still living. I looked her up on computer and found she is dead. On this listing on computer, it told of her many "achievements" on this earth. It showed her picture and spoke of her great beauty. It listed her many husbands obtained through her physical beauty. It praised her for her support of homosexuals and her fight against aids and her support of Jewish projects.
What now, I wondered ... since she is dead. What now for all eternity? (I often think this about famous and rich people ... and even about poor people.) When we die there is no more investment for future. All we have is the judgment seat of Christ where we receive for that which we have done on this earth, whether good or bad. And that "good" will be measured by God and not by man. And both good and evil will last for all eternity where there is no time any more and no end.
And some of the works man thinks are good will end up being shown to be evil by Jesus and many will be turned away by Christ in judgment. Mt. 7 ... Jesus says ... Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
For the remainder of our time on this earth, we who are wise should make investment which will be accepted by God and last for all eternity. When we hear from the Spirit of God and do what God instructs through HIS Spirit we are making a safe investment for future. The focus on serving God and pleasing God is a wise investment. And if we have the Spirit of God we have that which is needed to learn the will of God in the issues we face on this earth for the Spirit of God searches the heart of God to reveal to us God's thinking on the various things we do on this earth so we can choose the will of God and please God. (I Cor. 2) A good investment for us for future.
II Cor. 5 ... Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of HIM (of God). 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 11Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men