The Bible offers tremendous details given to us by Moses about the construction of the tabernacle in the wilderness. Much detail is offered about God’s Temple built by King Solomon and Ezekiel was inspired to record a detailed vision about the temple Christ will inhabit after He returns as King of Kings.
Though there is no physical temple built prior to Christ’s return, there is a spiritual temple being constructed right now.
This spiritual temple is built on the foundation of the prophets and Christ is the chief cornerstone. Through Christ, this spiritual temple is joined together “to become a holy temple in the Lord” in which “God lives by his Spirit” (Ephesians 2:18-22). Unlike its physical predecessors, it will last for all eternity.
Let’s look at three points to be gleaned from the building of God’s temple.
First, you cannot build a permanent structure without a durable foundation. Huge foundation stones were placed on bedrock when Solomon built God’s temple. They were very deep and strong, and united to the earth to become a sure foundation for the superstructure above.
Likewise, Jesus Christ is the foundation of the spiritual temple and through the indwelling of God’s Spirit we are a part of that temple, and it is sacred to God (1 Corinthians 3:10-17).
Secondly, God’s temple will always be highly visible. The tabernacle in the wilderness was at the center of the encamped Israelites. Solomon’s temple was built on a raised platform, so that it would stand out above the walls around it. Likewise, Herod’s temple rose from the bottom of the valley more than forty stories. It wasn’t hard to find.
The temple that God is building in the church needs to be highly visible as well. God has raised us up, so that we can be seen from a great distance as the light of the world (Matthew 5:14-16). Holy, righteous, godly character should contrast with worldly standards. We are being prepared, daily, to stand out.
Finally, the temple is God’s workmanship. When we look at the exquisite beauty of the temple, the workmanship was unequaled anywhere in the world. Solomon selected craftsmen who had knowledge and experience in creating everything that was designed to be placed inside and outside. Precious stones were set, silver and gold vessels created, and expert musicians appointed. The historian Josephus recounts that Solomon made all these things to honor God and did so with great variety.
There is also a wide variety among the people of God. God is not skimping on us. Paul called us “God’s workmanship” in Ephesians. We would be astonished if we could see all the effort that God is putting into us. We are “living stones” (1 Peter 2:5), and “holy priests” offering “spiritual sacrifices.” Think about all the spiritual sacrifices that have been made for us by the thousands of individuals in the past. A great multitude of people called by God to become living stones, who have lived their lives working on God’s spiritual temple.
And the work goes on. Are we prepared to do our part?
John Hinds