Thoughts on Christian Living Book #2 by Dr. W. A. Dillard - HTML preview

THE TEMPLE OF GOD: PHYSICAL, SPIRITUAL, ETERNAL

REALITY

John 2:19, “Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

Much is said by the purveyors of religion for filthy lucre about a temple being built in Jerusalem, and such construction being the great precursor of Jesus’ return and of the end of the age. Perhaps students of the Word would do well to re-assess thoughts on that subject. Of course, none are gifted prophets these days, certainly including this writer, but another viewpoint is often stimulating to the mind, and may lead to a deeper and more consistent understanding of truth. So, think with me for a minute.

For the first 2500 years of man’s history there was no building that might be alluded to as a temple. Then in the exodus of the Hebrews from Egypt, God gave detailed and unalterable plans for the first building as His dwelling place among them. It was a portable building called the Tabernacle. That plan was constructed into a magnificent, permanent structure under the direction of King Solomon. Later, it was built again under Herod which was the standing temple in Jesus’ ministry.

Prior to His crucifixion when it was plain that He was rejected by official Israel, Jesus said to them, “Your house is left unto you desolate.” At His resurrection, the temple veil was torn asunder. From that time onward, the term temple references the spiritual temple of God: the hearts of obedient believers constituting a New Testament Church, rather than a physical building. The church is also referred to as “the Israel of God.” Thus, the temple passed from a physical building to its spiritual embodiment as the Spirit of God descended upon, and in, its constitution on Pentecost, as it did on the Tabernacle and later Temple.

It is believed a physical temple may not be erected.The once-for-all-time sacrifice of God’s Lamb will not allow for that degree of mockery, the dome of the rock on the site will prevent it, and the Ark of the Covenant can never be properly duplicated. Such would be of no value, particularly to a nation that is largely Christ-rejecting and atheistic.

At the end of this age, Jesus, the object of the Temple will be present. Moreover, in the dissolving of the cosmos, there will be new heavens and a new earth on which is New Jerusalem. There the meaning of a temple; the dwelling place of God, will be fulfilled in the eternal presence of Christ Jesus the Lord, He is the reality and total purpose of

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