The Maranatha Christian Church Sunday Bible School held on December 14, 2025, was broadcast live from Mahanaim in Domingos Martins, Espírito Santo, with Pastors Alexandre Gueiros, Gilson Sousa, and Marcelo Ferreira participating. The lesson continued the general theme “Knowing Jesus More and Thus Loving Him More,” focusing exclusively on the Lord Jesus’ revelation in the Tabernacle.
Christ in You, the Hope of Glory
Pastor Gilson Sousa emphasized that the Tabernacle reveals everything that was prophesied concerning Christ. The study highlighted the mystery revealed in the New Testament: “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27), showing that every element of the Tabernacle points prophetically to the person and work of the Lord Jesus.
Pastor Alexandre Gueiros recalled previous lessons, explaining that the Tabernacle was built so that God might dwell in the midst of His people, Israel. The Hebrew meaning of “Tabernacle” as a dwelling place points to the New Testament revelation of Emmanuel — God with us. The message encouraged the church to know Jesus more deeply, experiencing His glory, power, and work through the Holy Spirit.
The Door: Jesus, the Way of Salvation
The lesson addressed the door of the Tabernacle as a clear figure of the Lord Jesus, the Door of Salvation. By responding to Christ’s invitation, “Come to Me,” believers leave their former life of sin and enter a life of separation, represented by the courtyard surrounded by delicate linen curtains, symbolizing sanctification through Jesus.
The Altar of Burnt Offerings: The Perfect and Eternal Sacrifice
The central focus of the lesson was the altar of burnt offerings. The sacrifices offered there foreshadowed the Lord Jesus’ death on the Cross. As described in Leviticus, the worshiper laid hands on the sacrifice, symbolizing substitution. The perfect, unblemished animal represented Christ, who died in our place as our representative.
The altar, meaning “that which is lifted up,” pointed to the words of Jesus: “If I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all peoples to Myself” (John 12:32). The altar revealed both the judgment of God against sin and His immeasurable love and grace toward the sinner.
The study emphasized that all Old Testament sacrifices pointed to the one perfect sacrifice of Jesus, offered once and for all, as taught in Hebrews. His sacrifice resolved the problem of sin for believers of both the Old and New Covenants, from the foundation of the Church until His glorious return.
Wood and Bronze: Jesus as Man and God
The materials of the altar — wood and bronze — were explained as symbols of Jesus’ humanity and divinity. Human fragility and divine justice met at the Cross, revealing the power and authority of Christ, the Son of God.
The Burnt Offering: Total Consecration to God
Pastor Marcelo Ferreira explained that the burnt offering, entirely consumed by fire, represented total consecration. Jesus was the perfect burnt offering who thoroughly pleased the Father, offering Himself completely to do God’s will. Through Him, the Church is called to present itself as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.
The continual fire on the altar, kindled by God Himself, was highlighted as a figure of the Holy Spirit. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, the fire never goes out. The flame of the Spirit burns continually in the Church, sustaining a life of worship, surrender, and service to God.
Everything Begins at the Altar
The lesson concluded by affirming that all worship begins at the altar. Just as in the Old Testament, the Church begins at the Cross of Calvary. Through the blood of Jesus, believers are reconciled to God, and the work of the Holy Spirit continues powerfully in the life of the Church.
To Continue the Study
If you would like to go further in this study, click here to access the full Bible School Bulletin.
Watch the Maranatha Christian Church Sunday Bible School broadcast:
