A Model of the Tabernacle of God

□          The rear of the Tabernacle is to the West (Ex. 26:22).

□          The Mercy Seat, which is placed on top of the Ark (Ex. 25:21) is placed inside the Holy of Holies (Ex. 26:34).

□          The Table of Showbread is placed outside of the Veil on the North side; the Golden Lampstand is placed on the South side (Ex. 26:35).

□          The North and South sides of the Tabernacle will be the length of the Tabernacle; the East and West sides will be the width (Ex. 27:9–13).

□          Inside the Tent of Meeting, but right outside of the veil, is the where the Golden Lampstand is kept (Ex. 27:21).

□          The Altar of Incense is in front of the veil, near the Ark of Testimony (Ex. 30:6).

□          The Bronze Laver is to be placed between the Tent of Meeting (the Tabernacle) and the Altar (Ex. 30:18).

Taken from http://www.path-light.com/Messiah03b.htm

As you can see, the furniture is in the shape of a cross, even though this was not clearly observed by anyone, as the Ark was in the Holy of Holies and three pieces of furniture were inside the Tabernacle, entry into which does not appear to be granted to the general public (the door to the Tabernacle was open, however—1Sam. 3:15). However, like many of the things which we find in the Old Testament, this was symbolic: the cross was revealed, but in shadow form.

The other images were taken from: http://www.bibleplaces.com/tabernacle.htm, http://www.glencairn.org/tabernacle/hp.htm and http://www.bible-history.com/art/blaver.htm

In studying this, what I have found to be the most interesting is, more than half of the sites which arrange the articles of furniture in and around the Tabernacle do so incorrectly. Even though the Bronze Laver is said to be directly between the Altar of burnt offerings and the opening to the Tabernacle (Ex. 30:18), I’ve have seen it placed sort of between, but off to the side. Furthermore, even though the Table of Showbread and the Golden Lampstand are to be on opposite sides of the Tabernacle, one to the South and the other to the North (Ex. 26:35), I often find them misplaced as well. By the way, this is not confined to websites—my NIV Study Bible also has the furniture place in a cutaway picture of the Tabernacle and the outer court, and the Bronze Laver and the Altar are not in line with the Tabernacle opening, so that the result is, the placement of furniture does not look like a cross.

Although I have covered this before, let me insert one additional graphic taken from http://www.neverthirsty.org/pp/series/HEB/H017/H0173.html :

Disclaimer: When I list a website, this does not indicate that the doctrine found at that website is accurate. There have been websites which have very good information on some things, but are completely wrong when it comes to salvation (the most commonly misunderstood doctrine). Rule of thumb: if the website does not clearly state the salvation is faith alone in Christ alone (and does not add in living a good/okay/mediocre life as part of the spiritual requirement), then take whatever other information is found at that site with a grain of salt.