Temple

[Ben12]

If God is building a Temple or as some believe going to build a temple in Jersalem; is it natural or Spirtual.

 

[armothe]

God's temple is within us. It is just as much as part of our physical bodies as it is our spirits. All those God-endorsed buildings have been long destroyed - no need for any more.

 

[Ben12]

Why God would want an earthy temple in New Jerusalem; does that mean the old Levitical Priest would return and kill sheep, goats and doves. Is not Jesus our High Priest; the Tribe of Levy has been scattered; it just does not make a lot of spiritual sense.

 

[vanshan]

If you want to see a spiritual temple in Jerusalem look here. This is the Orthodox Christian temple built at the place of the Skull and encompassing the empty tomb of Christ. This is both a physical building and a holy/spiritual site.

Any temple built by those who reject Christ is just a building.

 

[Ben12]

If you want to see a spiritual temple in Jerusalem look here. This is the Orthodox Christian temple built at the place of the Skull and encompassing the empty tomb of Christ. This is both a physical building and a holy/spiritual site.

Any temple built by those who reject Christ is just a building.

No way; just a man made building made by man. The only temple God even cares about is the temple with in us. God is a spirit and His temple is spiritual; old earthy temples made by religious men mean nothing to God but pointed to the spiritual temple; but were never more then a type or shallow of the true temple with in.

 

[Sleaker]

my body is quite natural and scripture states that my body is the temple of the holy spirit. What I'm not sure about is if the question means natural as in built by man, or not.

Could someone tell me what exactly a spiritual temple is?

 

[pehkay]

THE CHURCH AS THE MINGLING OF GOD AND MAN

The principle of the Lord being a building is that God mingles Himself with humanity, and this is the principle of God's building in general. Therefore, the church also is the divine mingling of God Himself with humanity. The church is not something of the old creation. It is God's building composed of God Himself as the divine material mingled with man as the human material. In this sense, the church is a hybrid. A hybrid is a mingling of two lives and natures into one entity. The mingling of a plum and a peach, for example, is a plant hybrid. The church is a divine hybrid as the mingling of God with man.

We may speak much concerning the building of the church, but we must realize that the building is the mingling of God with man. The more we are mingled with God, the more we are built up together. It is impossible for us to be built up together without God. Even if we could be built in this way, that would not be the building of God; it would merely be a building of people. The church as the building of God is not a combination or composition of humans. Rather, it is a mingling of God with humanity.

THE NEW JERUSALEM AS THE ULTIMATE CONSUMMATION OF THE MINGLING OF DIVINITY WITH HUMANITY

After the church, God's building becomes the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:2). Noah's ark, the tabernacle, the temple, Christ, the church, and the New Jerusalem are all God's building. However, these are all different aspects of one building, not many buildings. In the New Jerusalem we can find items related to Noah's ark, to the tabernacle of Moses, and to Solomon's temple with the old Jerusalem. We can certainly see Christ as the house and temple of God, and we can also see the church. Therefore, the New Jerusalem is the ultimate expression and consummation of God's building.

The New Jerusalem contains the names of the twelve tribes of Israel and the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb (vv. 12, 14). The twelve tribes of Israel are the representatives of the Old Testament saints, while the twelve apostles are the representatives of the New Testament saints. This shows us that the New Jerusalem is a living composition of all the saints in the Old and New Testament times.
Moreover, God is the light of the New Jerusalem, and Christ is the lamp (v. 23). God is in Christ, and out of God in Christ flows the Spirit as the river of water of life (22:1). God the Father is the light, God the Son is the lamp, and God the Spirit is the river of living water. From the throne of God and the Redeemer at the center, the Triune God flows throughout the entire city for the mingling of God with His creatures. This is the real meaning of the building of God. Therefore, the New Jerusalem is a living composition of all the redeemed ones throughout the generations with God in Christ through the Holy Spirit as the center. It is a universally great corporate man mingled with God to be a living Body and a built-up city.

The New Jerusalem is a full picture of the mingling of the Triune God with His redeemed creatures, the mingling of divinity with humanity. Now God is no longer merely a God outside of man. He is a God within man.

Besides this one building, there is not another building of God. God has only one building in the universe. Why then did the Lord speak of "many abodes" in John 14:2? In 2:16 the Lord clearly indicated that the Father's house is the temple. What then is the Father's house in 14:2? This verse says, "In My Father's house are many abodes; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you." How can we fit this verse into God's building? When some preach the gospel, they tell people that if they do not believe in Jesus, they will go to hell, and if they do believe, they will go to a heavenly mansion, or a heavenly hall. Should we believe that today, while God is building His church, He is also building "mansions" in heaven? Many times I have been condemned for preaching that there are no "heavenly mansions." My intention, however, is not to preach away the heavenly mansions but to help the children of God know what the real building of God is. The real building of God is not a heavenly hall but the mingling of Himself with man, His creature.
Certain hymns contain the thought that God is a God in heaven and that someday we will go to heaven. Do not think that I do not believe that there is a heaven. I certainly believe that there is a heaven and that God is in the heavens, but heaven where God is now is not the eternal habitation of God. We can prove this with Revelation 21:2, which says, "And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." In eternity God will dwell in the New Jerusalem, which comes down from heaven. We may have the thought to go to heaven, but God has the thought to come down from heaven. The habitation of God in eternity is His divine building, the New Jerusalem, the mingling of divinity with humanity.

 

[Sleaker]

THE CHURCH AS THE MINGLING OF GOD AND MAN

The principle of the Lord being a building is that God mingles Himself with humanity, and this is the principle of God's building in general.

After the church, God's building becomes the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:2). Noah's ark, the tabernacle, the temple, Christ, the church, and the New Jerusalem are all God's building. However, these are all different aspects of one building, not many buildings.

I don't think Building is the proper term for this, just as we do not refer to Eden as the original building..

 

[R.J.S]

scripture states that my body is the temple of the holy spirit

It doesn't mate, the Church is the temple.

 

[mont974x4]

It doesn't mate, the Church is the temple.

1 Cor 3 would indicate that both is true. We as individuals are temples, being indwelt by the Holy Spirit as well as the Church collectively being the temple.


Still, I think there is evidence of a physical temple being rebuilt in Jerusalem in the last days.

 

[k2svpete]

The promises made to Abraham have not yet been fulfilled. There will be a physical kingdom on the earth (The meek shall inherit the earth - sound familiar). There are very specific measurements given concerning the temple, why would this be if it were not to be built?

 

[Ben12]

The promises made to Abraham have not yet been fulfilled. There will be a physical kingdom on the earth (The meek shall inherit the earth - sound familiar). There are very specific measurements given concerning the temple, why would this be if it were not to be built?

Physical temple; do you mean carnal, earthy temple; Jewish Temple? Why”. No the promises to Abraham have not been fulfilled; but to say they are natural and not spiritual I do not see it. Yes the meek shall inherit the earth; and I will add his will, will be done on earth as it is in heaven; but we are his temple.

If this temple would be built would they do sacrifices of sheep and goats; I thought Jesus blood took care of that issue. God has the stones for that temple already He is shaping not with the hands of some human craftsman; You are the stone in that spiritual temple; and so am I; but Jesus Christ is the chief corner stone.

"This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it." (Zechariah 4:6-7).

Not only was there a literal fulfillment of this Scripture, in Zerubbabel's day, but it also holds within it a PROPHETIC WORD, of the greater temple being built, and the establishment of the NEW COVENANT, of which Jesus Christ is both the Chief Cornerstone, and the Capstone. He is both Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, and without Him there would be no LIVINGTEMPLE established. He is THE ALL!
The Dictionary defines a headstone as: the principle stone in a foundation, the cornerstone. JESUS CHRIST IS THAT STONE! Peter writes this very clearly, "To Whom we come, as unto a Living Stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious."
(1 Peter 2:4). Without this Stone, the next verse would never have been written. "You also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." (v. 5). All that we are, all that we shall ever become to His praise, is BY JESUS CHRIST. We are His workmanship, and we are to be conformed to His image. "Wherefore also it is contained in the Scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a CHIEF CORNERSTONE, elect, precious: and he that believes on Him shall not be confounded." (v. 6).

 

[k2svpete]

Indeed we have a new covenant and there is no need for further sacrifices. This does not exculde the construction of the temple, outlined in scripture, and Christ as our King and High Priest.

At the time the scripture was written the temple of Soloman was still standing, it represented the old covenant and the separation of God and mankind. The new covenant being built with Christ as the chief cornerstone is representative of the change in our relationship with God.

 

[Ben12]

Is God so small He needs to dwell in a building with four wall; there was a reason for this in the past; but their is a much more deeper and awesome message here. God’s Word is spiritual especially when it comes to something that shows such a strong example over and over again in scripture; there were at least four or five examples of temple in the OT pointing to the true temple with in us. Here are a few verse that express God’s intention of His dwelling place.

1 Corin 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world (age) are come.

1 Corinthians 3

16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?​

1 Corinthians 6
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?​

Revelation 11
2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.​

Hebrews 9
11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;​

Hebrews 9
24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:​

2 Corinthians 5
1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.​

Acts 15:14
Declares that he will return again and restore the Tabernacle of David and then he will save the remainder of mankind​

What is the Tabernacle of David??????​

 

[Ben12]

The priest and Levite would then take the sacrifice to the brazen altar which was situated just inside the gate, sacrifice it unto the Lord, and the sinning Israelite could go away free--until he sinned again. Nor could he go into the sanctuary itself, for that was reserved for the priests. This was no arbitrary arrangement on God's part. His heart longed for a whole nation of kings and priests, and in the fullness of time He would create such a nation. God had promised them: "Ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation" (Ex. 19:6). Because of their disobedience they could not attain to it then, and the promise remained unfulfilled. When the true Sacrifice was made, and an unchanging priesthood was established in Christ, the promise was once again brought forward from God's heart: "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people" (1 Pet. 2:9). George Warnock

 

[Ben12]

Jer.31 ​

“The time is coming," declares the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant ​

With the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them," declares the LORD . ​

33 "This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time," declares the LORD. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. ​

I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD ,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the LORD . "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." ​

Back to the Tabernacle of David.

Take the Tabernacle of David; here was a small tent where the Ark of God was brought to Mount Zion/Sion; how many times is this name mentioned in the NT. Zion was mentioned 152 times in OT; where Sion was mention 7 times in NT; Sure Zion was David’s home Solomon etc; but is also a symbolism.

Zion was the natural home of King David who is a type of Christ in Natural Jerusalem. Mt Zion was the head of natural Kingdom; just as Spiritual Mt Zion is the Spiritual high place of Christ in the book of Revelation. David did not need to go to a priest; let alone a high priest to visit the Ark (or the glory of God) it was in a tent or tabernacle on his back porch at Mt Zion. This is a beautiful type which tells us myriads of what God is tying to tell us in the Spirit of the Word.

David was king; He was God’s anointed King; not like Saul who was also anointed by God; but chosen by the people; like many ministries in the church (little c) realm today. David was one of those special people God called, anointed and was one after God’s own heart. David lived in Jerusalem and Mount Zion (Sion); That is where the earthly anointed King lived and all His court; what a wonderful type of the ruler ship of the spiritual Mount Zion.

When David brought the Ark back to Mount Zion he wore an linen ephod, (In other word’s a priestly garment) David also offered burnt offerings to God as the High priest would on the Feast of Tabernacles. There was no high Priest, there was no Feast of Tabernacles once a year; but David was an example of both King and Priest in that the Ark was not at Shiloh but Zion. No outer court, no holy place, no Levitical order. It is no wonder the Bible is full of pages written by David because of the influence of God’s Ark at Zion.

2 Samuel 6:​

14And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.​

17And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD​

​

There is so much more on this subject; using all the different examples and Temples/Tabernacles that point to the reality of God’s Spiritual Church today.

 

[k2svpete]

The distinction needed to be made to the people at the time as they had grown up with a physical temple and the Levites being the intermediaries between them and God. As we know, all this changed and the curtain in the holy of holies was wrent from top to bottom when Christ died.

We are told that Christ will return and that his kingdom will be established on the earth with Jerusalem as the seat of power. Ezekiel 40 gives very specific dimensions concerning the temple and these have not been realised. From this I conclude that there will be an actual temple in the new Jerusalem.

 

[Ben12]

So many naturalizing God’s Word; when it should be spirit and life; the temple is a prime example. Many of God’s people carnalize the truth because they cannot comprehend what is spiritual. God’s Temple referred to in the above verses are speaking of the true temple and a truly spiritual called out people of God (God’s spiritual is the real, the natural is the unreal or temporal).

Jesus is the corner stone of the temple (He is not a natural rock carved out by human craftsman); but instead he is the spiritual stone that holds the whole spiritual temple together); all the temples furnishings, location, feast of the old temple order point to a spiritual reality; a reality beyond what is made with human hands; made by God. God uses all theses types and shadows in scripture because we cannot see His reality as well as because of religious corrupt men have altered the truth. But the picture language of the Bible has unchangeableness where religious men did not understand what God’s Spirit was saying; so they cannot not altar God’s Word.

Look at the lamp stand: Isaiah 11:2

The lampstand was a piece of furniture that was in the Tabernacle in the wilderness as well as both temples. Like all the furniture in the temple there was always a much deeper and awesome meaning. I am just going to touch on a few thought I thought were interesting. So often God hides his glory from carnal man by types, shadows, parables, mysteries and hidden manna.

Lamp stand was made by beaten gold; that is the craftsman would literally beat the gold to desired shape. Gold is symbolic of divine life which takes trials and tribulations to accomplish.

The lamp had seven staffs attached to one staff; symbolic of seven spirits of God in Isaiah 11:2; but one God.

Fire is symbolic of the purging power of Holy Spirit. Everyday the priest would have to immerse the lamp in olive oil (symbolic of God’s anointing) and light the lamp with fire.

Then the light was placed in the Holy Place for light. The first court or the outer court had no lamp but was lit by the sun by day; but at night there was no lamp. The Holy of Holies also had no lamp for God’s Glory would be all the light it needed on the day of atonement.


When I look at the temple of God; it is far then just a building; the scriptures reveal God as the seeking, searching God. the God Who will not and cannot rest until He finds rest in His people. In olden times He found it necessary to move "from tent to tent" because the God of eternal purpose cannot linger long in a place or realm that falls short of reality. The eternal longings of His heart must be realized in the creation which He brought into being for His own praise and glory. And yet, in and through all His dealings with mankind, He must be patient and long-suffering; for it is only in the outflow of His own heart of love, and mercy, and long-suffering that He might reproduce these same qualities in His creatures. He begets His sons... they proceed from Himself. They are not created in the same way as other beings, by wisdom and power alone. God must have a people like Himself if He is to find a true resting place, a true place of delight.

David’s Threshing Floor
Then David said, This is the house of the LORD God, and this is the altar of the burnt offering for Israel" (1 Chron. 22:1).
It was the threshing floor of Oman the Jebusite, where David had offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings to eliminate the plague that had come upon Israel through David's folly. We do not know how Satan had gained this foothold in David. At any rate the ransom money had not been collected from the people when David took the census, and God had already warned that a plague might fall if this was not done. (See Ex. 30:12-16.) But God in mercy revealed to David his sin, and also the solution. David obeyed and set up an altar on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite which he purchased from Ornan for 600 shekels of gold. Now it was this plot of ground that was to become the site of the exceedingly magnificent Temple of Solomon. David said, "This is the house of the LORD God, and this is the altar of burnt offering." It was a proclamation of faith--God had declared this to be His plan, and therefore it was so. It had yet to become manifest.
The preparation of the site was extremely important. It was the place of the burnt offering. It is believed to have been the very spot upon which Abraham had offered up Isaac as a burnt offering many centuries earlier. But now in David's time it had become a threshing floor. The Temple of Solomon was to be erected on a harvest floor. It would also be dedicated on the occasion of the Feast of Tabernacles, when the nation had gathered in their wines and oils, and had reaped their harvest. The early Church was really the seed Church. True it was inaugurated at Pentecost, which was the Feast of Harvest, but it was really a "firstfruits" harvest. The final harvest would be in the seventh month on the occasion of the Feast of Tabernacles, which was the Feast of Ingathering. The "glorious Church"--not having spot, or wrinkle, or blemish, or any such thing--is the harvest Church. The great winnowing fan of the Harvester is in the hands of the Husbandman, Who has patiently waited for "the precious fruit of the earth." The fire has been kindled to destroy the chaff of the threshing floor. Then He will gather the grain into His garner--grain that has come to full maturity and perfection, just like the good seed that was planted in the earth almost 2,000 years ago, when our Lord Jesus was faithful as the "corn of wheat" to "fall into the ground and die."

 

[k2svpete]

Ben, if you're going to 'cut and paste' responses can you at least give the appropriate acknowledgements. To present someone else's work/ideas as your own without acknowledgement is plaigarism.

 

[Ben12]

Ben, if you're going to 'cut and paste' responses can you at least give the appropriate acknowledgements. To present someone else's work/ideas as your own without acknowledgement is plaigarism.

Yes I cut and paste sometimes; if you are concerned about a natural dimension of the temple to prove your point there has much been written about spiritual numbers. God’s Temple is with in.