The Temple(s)

2 Chronicles 5:11-
‘When the priests came out from the holy place (for all the priests who were present had sanctified themselves, without regard to divisions), and all the Levitical singers, Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and kinsmen, clothed in fine linen, with cymbals, harps, and lyres, standing east of the altar, and with them 120 priests blowing trumpets in unison when the trumpeters and the singers were to make themselves heard with one voice to praise and to glorify the LORD, and when they raised their voices accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other musical instruments, and when they praised the LORD saying, “He indeed is good for His kindness is everlasting,” then the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not rise to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.’
The temple took seven years to construct. David spent a long time gathering the contents. It’s done now. The priests set up all aspects of the Holy of Holies. The service for consecration begins. The singing, the trumpets along with many in the nation in attendance. They are singing of God’s goodness and lovingkindness, how that it’s from everlasting to everlasting. Then God’s glory enters; the temple is filled with a cloud. So much so that the priests could not rise to minister. Amazing.
What went into it was all of the construction, all of the attention to detail and all of the hard work. Then the dedication. The service to consecrate the temple finally starts and the most glorious happens, God shows up. This was quite a site. One in which few humans will ever see, on earth that is. Tales were told that spread throughout the earth. Tales of this service became the lore of the nation that got passed down through history.
An application of this can be made. I Corinthians 6:19 says, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.” The temple is the place where God dwells. If we are in Christ, then the Holy Spirit resides in us. What a privilege this is.
The temple is no longer necessary. We are His temples now. There is no longer a need for sacrifices; Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice that last for all of time. The cleansing, the incense we do all that. Church buildings are necessary, but not to house God, but for the gathering of His people.
What happens to us when God makes us His temple? Many things. He becomes lord. He is now the boss. That concerned me and that concept scares many. However, He is love and all that He does and wants us to do is good.
Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” He rewards us. That’s stating it mildly. But that begins to sink in. He greatly loves us and wants the best for us. He altars circumstances for us. With them He grows our character.
I Peter 2:5 says, “you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” We also fit together with all christians to become a temple for God. He works in us with other people to become something great. Other portions of scripture call the church His bride. Husband and wife are the famed relationship that catches all hearts. Stories are rarely complete without a reference to it. Jesus taps into that image. He is the Husband and all believer consist of the bride. A great love.
The angels don’t comprehend how many avoid Him. He is all good, all wise and all powerful. He seeks to involve Himself in each of our lives for the overwhelming good. Most of us pity the homeless. We don’t understand how many choose the streets and the cold, fearful nights. It’s how the angels don’t get why we avoid Him. He has so much to give. Blessings on blessings on blessings.
He offers much more. The biggest blessing is that He enters our hearts and brings peace and hope. He loves us. He wants to fill us. The scenes in eternity have times of praise. Believers get that but just barely. He is worthy to be praised. Creation is amazing. He keeps us going and all else is sustained by Him. If He backs off it all implodes. His amazing love and how He seeks to help and bless. The eternity praise sessions will be a highlight. I know an unbeliever doesn’t get it. It’s at least being at a banquet in which a beloved person is recognized.
Pivoting and talking about how we are all together the body of Christ. We are blessed by our togetherness. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” God wants us in relationship with others, particularly other believers. We sharpen each other, we make each other better. Yes, at times it’s difficult, but we learn from others and we learn to put them first. Matthew 16:24 says, “Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.”‘ We learn to be blessed by denying ourselves and allowing them to go first. It’s His way and we learn that it’s the best. Our selfish pursuits are hollow.
The great temple was completed. A great symbol of the Old Testament. In the New Testament, each believer is a temple. He fills us and heals us. His Spirit bears witness with our spirits that we His children. What peace and blessing. Together the church is a temple, but also called the bride of Christ. The great love story. The hero dies for His bride. In a plot twist He rises from the grave to live happily ever after.