Welcome. We have been expecting you!
Destroy this temple, and three days I will raise it up…John 2:19
John records what the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days? John 2:21. John also records what Jesus meant, “But He was speaking of the temple of His body.” John 2:22. Peter writes of this truth: And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4-5.
This was God’s plan from the beginning. That His people would return to Him as it was in Eden before the fall: in perfect communion. According to Revelation 21 this is our future, Verse 22: But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And so, it shall be.
Meanwhile, we serve as living stones being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ, 1 Peter 2:5. The followers of Jesus become the real temple. God’s presence dwells in and among His disciples. We are temples of the Holy Spirit. We are the light in the holy place directing people to the Holy Place, where God sits on the Mercy Seat.
As Adam and Eve were supposed to serve as priests in the Garden of Eden, we serve as a royal priesthood in a fallen world. In the new Eden there is only one tree: the tree of life. In this cursed world, we the temple, not made of stone, but of living stones.
The temple in Jerusalem in the days of Jesus was destroyed. Not one stone was left upon another. The grand temple refurbished by Herod, and evil ruler, has been replaced by Jesus, the righteous king. In the end, heaven and earth will be reunited. God will walk among His people as He did in Eden. The temple of God will return to what He created it to be: on the highest place on earth: Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills. And all nations shall flow to it, Isaiah 2:2. God is expecting you in His House.
