The tabernacle pictured the earthly ministry of Christ, while the temple pictures His heavenly glory. The tabernacle was a moveable tent; the temple a permanent building. The only wood used in the building of the tabernacle was shittim wood (probably the same as what is now called acacia wood). This is a common tree of the desert and pictures the humanity of Christ. The Ark of the Covenant, which is made of shittim wood (Exodus 25:10), is the only piece of furniture that was taken from the tabernacle and put into the temple. "This fact signifies that the One who walked on earth is the very same Man who is not in the glory."
