What was the pattern for the earthly tabernacle based on?
The earthly tabernacle was patterned after the original in heaven. God instructed Moses to make the sanctuary and all its instruments according to the pattern shown to him, a blueprint based on that heavenly original, which Hebrews calls the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands.
Les explains that Exodus 25 comes after Moses brought the children of Israel out of Egypt, while they were gathered around Mount Sinai, and God was giving instructions for building the tabernacle, their little place of worship. In Exodus 25:8-9, the Lord tells Moses that the people are to make Him a sanctuary so He may dwell among them, according to all that He shows Moses, according to the pattern of the tabernacle and all its instruments. Les points out that a pattern is an original, and this original has to be in heaven. The blueprint God gave to Moses and Aaron was simply a pattern or blueprint patterned after the original in heaven. He connects this to Hebrews 9:11, where Christ has come as a high priest of good things to come by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.
According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.