Ordained by God to be the very center of the Israeli camp it was an ever present manifestation that God was in their midst. It was the way God ordained for them to approach and come to know God. It was the central focus of their everyday lives.
Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount. (Heb 8:1-5)
With the tabernacle we have what scripture describes as a shadow or type of something that is established in heaven. His word is forever settled in heaven and no man can tamper with it. But through these types God allowes us to peek into heavenly things so we can understand absolute truth. The Tabernacle shows us a complete path from being outside all the way to the very mercy seat itself. The first thing was going to the door of the outer court to gain entrance. Jesus said I am the door. So first we must go to Him and accept His Lordship over us. Second in the path was the altar of sacrifice a place of death corresponding to our need to repent of our sins. Then the priest was commanded to wash at the laver which corresponds to our need to be baptized so our sins can be washed away. Then finally we are then allowed entrance to the Holy place, corresponding to the infilling of the Holy Ghost, where we are "In Christ" and He in us.