Pitching His Tent

In the Old Testament God made His dwelling among His people. He literally “pitched His tent/tabernacle” among them as a pillar of cloud and fire hovering over the tabernacle, their tent of worship.

In the New Testament, Jesus made His dwelling among us (John 1:14). He pitched His tent as God in human flesh. These were temporary stays of God among His people.

Because of our sin our outlook on God is imperfect and because of our tears of sorrow our concept of God is cloudy. “Now we see a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see [God] face to face.” (1 Corinthians 13:12)

It may often seem like God has abandoned us to our enemies. But in heaven this unclarity will be gone. We will no longer walk by faith but by sight. We shall see Him as He is. (1 John 3:2)

In heaven, God will no longer dwell with us temporarily for 40 years as a pillar of cloud and fire. Nor will He dwell with us temporarily for 33 years as God in human flesh. When we are in the presence of God in heaven, it will not be interrupted or intermittent as it is on earth. Rather in heaven, God will dwell with us continually, constantly, permanently.

God will “pitch His tent” over us for an eternity. “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.” (Revelation 21:3)

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