copies of things in heaven

Today in the One Year Bible, we read from Hebrews 9:11-28. Paul tells us that the tabernacle in the OT was a "copy of things in heaven." And that's really interesting, because it kind of confirms what Plato called the essence of things.

Plato's philosophy was partially observable scientific fact, and partially really plausible conjecture. His idea of forms and essence and accidents (which was further developed by Aristotle) may or may not be entirely true, but it's very useful. However, we know from this verse in Hebrews that there IS a sense in which the essence of a thing (the tabernacle in heaven) and the accidents of that thing (the physical tabernacle that Moses built in the OT) really do exist.

It makes us wonder what OTHER things on earth might be dim shadows of the reality in heaven? One prospect that comes immediately to mind is us. People. We are just dim reflections in this life of the glorified selves that we will be (and entirely without the possibility of narcissism or pride) in heaven. So we have that going for us, which is nice.

God, thanks for teaching us about the shadows down here that point to amazing realities when we're with You.