Here is Pastor David Yonggi Cho talking about the method of prayer called “The Tabernacle or Temple Prayer.” Based on how God taught Israelites in the Old Testament to approach Him through the tabernacle, priesthood, and the sacrificial system, Pastor Cho explains how we can use its symbolic references to draw near to the true tabernacle of God in heaven based on the new covenant and through its mediator, Jesus Christ. If we believe that the Old Testament sacraments pointed to what Jesus would do, and that He is the eternal Great High Priest, we can draw near to God in heaven with great authority and power. Here is what the New Testament says about these Old Testament sacraments:

“Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day—things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.” (Col.2:16-17)

“Now even the first covenant had regulations of divine worship and the earthly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle prepared, the outer one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the sacred bread; this is called the holy place. And behind the second veil, there was a tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies, having a golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden jar holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod which budded, and the tables of the covenant. And above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat; but of these things we cannot now speak in detail. Now when these things have been thus prepared, the priests are continually entering the outer tabernacle, performing the divine worship, but into the second only the high priest enters, once a year, not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance. The Holy Spirit is signifying this, that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed, while the outer tabernacle is still standing, which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, since they relate only to food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until a time of reformation. But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, in order that since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance” (Heb.9:1-15)

Pastor David Yonggi Cho (1936-2021) was a famous South Korean Pentecostal pastor and evangelist, widely known as the founder of the Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, which grew to become the world’s largest congregation. He was originally born into a Buddhist family, but converted to Christiantiy at the age of 17 when he experienced a miraculous healing from his tuberculosis sickness. His ministry emphasized spiritual and numerical growth, utilizing “cell groups” and “cell ministries.” He also founded Church Growth International and was involved in various social programs. Prayer was central and foundational aspect of Pastor Cho’s life and ministry, which he considered the key factor in the growth of his church. He strongly advocated for fervent and continuous prayer, believing it to be as essential as sleeping, eating, and breathing. The church even has a dedicated “Prayer Mountain” where thousands of believers would come to fast and pray. He also emphasizes the partnership with the Holy Spirit in life and ministry, as it is the key to receiving power for Christian life such as fruits, gifts, power, and anointing for ministry. His book entitled, “The Holy Spirit, My Senior Partner” lays this out carefully. Out of his deep prayer life and sensitivity to the Spirit, Pastor Cho developed the Tabernacle or Temple Prayer. This method guides believers through various “stations” of the Old Testament Tabernacle (or Temple), each representing a step in approaching God and experiencing His presence.