The Temple of God is a central theme throughout the Bible. Throughout the ages, in the past, present and future, the ‘Temple of God’ may refer to a number of different places of worship.
- The Tabernacle (assembled at Sinai after the exodus from Egypt)
- Solomon’s Temple (constructed in Jerusalem after David’s death)
- Zerubbabel’s Temple (built on the site where Solomon’s Temple had been destroyed by Babylon)
- The Millennial Temple (described by in Ezekiel’s visions pertaining to the period of Christ’s thousand-year reign)
- The Eternal Temple (located in the capitol city of heaven (the New Jerusalem))
- Once everything has been remade and we enter the eternal state in Heaven – the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple
The Temple of God is where Israel seeks God’s face, gathers for corporate and private worship, offers sacrifices, and embraces/embodies the realities of being the chosen people of God.
Being in the Temple of God
In the Bible we find that for the Nation of Israel to be in the Temple of God meant to be close to God.
- Psalm 27:4 One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple.
- Being close to God was a goal for those Israelites who truly loved Him.
- Psalm 84:4 Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; They will still be praising You. Selah
- Being close to God was a tremendous blessing.
- Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.
- Being close to God was viewed as a way to experience the eternal goodness and mercy of God.
Yet, for all the blessings and benefits associated with seeking God’s presence in a particular place, God has promised something much greater for those who are reconciled to Him through faith in Jesus.
Being the Temple of God
Followers of Jesus Christ experience an everlasting intimacy with God – He has drawn close to us! Being close to God is not about our physical location, it is about His actual presence living in us!
- John 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
- Being close to God in a new way was promised by Jesus to those who love Him.
- 1 Corinthians 3:16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
- Being close to God now means we have become the temple of God.
- Ephesians 1:13-14 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
- Being close to God means that He is always with us and guarantees our eternal destination is with Him in Heaven.
Under the Old Covenant,
being in the Temple of God meant
consolation and blessings!
Under the New Covenant,
being the Temple of God means
transformation and eternal life!!
Prayer
Father God, lover of my soul, thank You for the incredible blessing of Your indwelling Spirit. To know that You are always with me, and will never leave me, brings peace, humility, and confidence that has radically and permanently changed who I am. I am Your child. I am Your temple. I am Yours!! I praise You and pray to You in the name of my Savior, Jesus. Amen.
