The Presence-Centered Kingdom, Part 6 — A People, A Presence, A Dwelling.
The Tabernacle of David, The Church and God’s desire for habitation
“In that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen and repair its breaches and raise up its ruins and rebuild it as in the days of old, that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that are called by my name….” — Amos 9:11-12
Few prophecies capture the heart of God’s end-time purposes as powerfully as this one. Spoken through Amos to a complacent, backslidden, nation, it pointed to a restoration that will take place in Israel culminating with God’s habitation once again in her midst. God was clear that He will again dwell among them in glory and this habitation will lead to a global expansion of the Kingdom.
Centuries later, at the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15, James quoted this prophecy to describe what was happening in the early Church: the restoration of the fallen tent of David was beginning to be fulfilled.
David’s Tent: The Prototype of Unceasing Worship
To understand this restoration, we must remember what David’s tabernacle was.
When David brought the ark of the covenant back to Jerusalem, he did something unprecedented: he did not place it behind a veil as in Moses’ tabernacle, but in an open tent and surrounded it with continual worship and prayer.
“They brought in the ark of the LORD and set it inside the tent that David had pitched for it.” — 2 Samuel 6:17
For the first time since Moses, the ark, the visible symbol of God’s throne on the earth, rested in the heart of the nation. And instead of priests offering sacrifices in silence, David appointed singers and musicians to minister to the Lord continually (1 Chron. 16:4–6).
There were no barriers. No veil. No blood of animals. No distance between the people and the Presence. Worship, thanksgiving, and prophetic song rose day and night before the Lord. It was a prophetic preview of the access that Christ would one day secure for all.
The tabernacle of David created a culture of access to God’s presence. It was a foreshadowing of what Paul described:
“Through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.” – Eph 2:18
The Restoration Interpreted in Acts 15
When the early Church faced a difficult conflict over how could be included in the Church, James stood up and said:
“After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by My name.” — Acts 15:16–17
James quoted Amos intentionally. He could have picked from dozens of prophetic passages that foretold the Gentiles’ inclusion, yet he chose Amos’ prophecy because He recognized the practices of the early church were a beginning of its fulfilment. The ministry to the Lord (Acts 13:1-2), the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and the salvation of the Gentiles - these were the very things David’s tabernacle foreshadowed and Amos foretold.
In David’s day, Israel gathered around the ark; in the first church, the nations were welcomed to gather to the person and presence of Christ. In David’s day, worship never ceased in Jerusalem; in the new church, worship and prayer was encouraged “without ceasing” (1 Thes 5:17-18).
It was as Malachi prophesied: “For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be great among the Gentiles; In every place incense shall be offered to My name, and a pure offering; For My name shall be great among the nations…” – Mal 1:11
The practices of the early Church were the beginnings of the restored tent of David. This restoration has continued to this day as the church has now become a global fellowship of worshipers where God dwells by His Spirit and there is no time zone where worship and praise doesn’t ascend.
Presence, Unity, and Mission
David’s tabernacle was more than worship; it was also a prophetic image of unity.
The ark sat in the center of twelve tribes gathered as one around God’s throne. Likewise, the Church, in the likeness of the restored tent, is a united family of Jew and Gentile gathered around the glory of Christ. This unity is not organizational, but presence centered.
In Acts 15, James declared that the inclusion of Gentiles was not an innovation but a restoration — the true meaning of David’s tent was that it was always to be a dwelling for all nations. In fact, the first words ever sung in David’s tabernacle were Psalm 105:1, “Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples (nations)!”
The Church fulfills that vision when she refuses to make culture or ethnicity a dividing point, but gathers as family, regardless of our background, around one Person, one Name, one Lord: Jesus.
A Prophetic Invitation
The restoration of David’s tabernacle is not merely historical or prophetic; it’s unfolding even now. Right now, God is raising up communities all over the earth that minister to Him first, just as David’s priests and singers did, just as the church at Antioch did. He’s calling churches to build altars of worship and prayer, where Jesus’ presence is central and everything else flows from Him.
What began in a small tent on Mount Zion has truly become a global movement.
From Jerusalem to Antioch, from Rome to Asia, and now to every corner of the earth, God is raising up communities that echo the pattern of David’s tabernacle — Churches that are houses of prayer, where worship and prayer exist for His glory and propel the Great Commission. I believe He’s calling every believer to be a part of this reformation, this restoration.
Conclusion: Until the Glory Fills the Earth
The story has come full circle.
What began in Moses’ tent was revived through Samuel and restored by David.
What was embodied in Christ is now imparted to His Church.
What is being restored in this age will come to fullness in the age to come.
“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man… and the glory of God gives it light.” — Revelation 21:3, 23
End of Series:
The Presence-Centered Kingdom — A People, A Presence, A Dwelling.
From Moses to Samuel, from David to Christ, and from Christ to His Church, the story of Scripture is the story of a God who refuses to dwell apart from His people.