The Temple of God

From Physical Temple to Living Temples - The Evolution of God's Presence with his People

Introduction

As Christians, we are part of an incredible journey that reflects the unfolding narrative of God's desire to dwell among His people. This journey has seen the concept of the temple evolve from a physical structure to the profound reality that we are now the temple of God. This transformation underscores the shift from a distant, inaccessible presence of God to an intimate, indwelling relationship. In this essay, we will explore key biblical moments that mark this transition, helping us understand how God's presence moved from the confines of a physical temple to reside within each believer, making us living temples of the Holy Spirit.

David's Desire for a Temple

Let's begin with King David, a pivotal figure in Israel's history and a man after God's own heart. David had established his kingdom and achieved a period of peace, and he felt a deep desire to build a house for God. In 2 Samuel 7:1-16, David's intention to construct a permanent dwelling for the Ark of the Covenant was met with a divine response through the prophet Nathan. God revealed that it would not be David, but his son Solomon, who would build the temple. Moreover, God made a profound promise to David: He would establish David's dynasty forever. This covenant, known as the Davidic Covenant, pointed beyond the physical temple to a future eternal kingdom established through David's lineage, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. This promise set the stage for a greater fulfillment that would transcend a mere physical structure.

Let’s take a closer look at 2 Samuel 7:5-16.

“Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in?  I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling.  Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites, did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”’

 “Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel.  I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth.  And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning  and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also give you rest from all your enemies.

“‘The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with a rod wielded by men, with floggings inflicted by human hands.  But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me^[; your throne will be established forever.’”

In verses 5 through 9, God seems to be telling David two things. First, that David will not be the man to build God’s temple. This can be construed to mean that Solomon will be the man, but secondly that God has no need for a temple because “ I have been with you wherever you have gone”. This seems to imply that God’s temple will not be a temple of Stone.

In verses 11 through 12, there is a messianic prophesy of the one to come, David’s “seed”. This is an allusion to the coming Messiah not to Solomon. So, it appears that God has no desire to build a temple of stone for himself to live in. This desire is the human desire of David and the Israelites so that they can act like the neighboring kingdoms and have a place to worship their God like the pagans did.

In 1 Chronicles 22 and 1 Kings 5, we learn that David had assumed that God meant David’s royal successor would be the one to build a physical temple. In either case, the Lord eventually relents to the request and allows Solomon to build the temple.

The New Eden

The construction of Solomon's Temple was not just an architectural feat; it was a deeply symbolic endeavor designed to represent the Garden of Eden. This connection between the temple and Eden underscores the overarching biblical narrative of creation, fall, and redemption. Understanding the temple as a microcosm of Eden helps us grasp the theological significance of the temple as a place where heaven and earth meet, where God's presence dwells among His people, and where humanity can once again experience communion with God.

The Symbolism of Eden in the Temple

The Garden of Eden is depicted in Genesis as the original sanctuary where God walked with Adam and Eve in perfect harmony (Genesis 2-3). This intimate relationship was marred by sin, leading to humanity's expulsion from Eden and the severing of direct communion with God. The construction of the temple was a divine initiative to restore this broken relationship, providing a designated place where God's presence could once again dwell among His people.

Solomon's Temple incorporated several elements that mirrored the features of the Garden of Eden, serving as reminders of humanity's original state of fellowship with God and the hope of restoration.

Architectural and Ornamental Parallels

1. Floral and Arboreal Imagery: The interior of Solomon's Temple was adorned with carvings of flowers, palm trees, and open flowers (1 Kings 6:18, 29). These decorative elements evoke the lush and fertile environment of Eden, filled with trees and vegetation. The presence of such imagery within the temple's sacred space was a deliberate choice to remind worshippers of the paradise that was lost and the paradise that is to come.

2. Cherubim: Just as cherubim were placed to guard the entrance to Eden after Adam and Eve's expulsion (Genesis 3:24), they also featured prominently in the temple's design. Two massive cherubim made of olive wood and overlaid with gold stood in the inner sanctuary, their wings stretching from wall to wall over the Ark of the Covenant (1 Kings 6:23-28). Additionally, cherubim were embroidered on the temple curtains and carved into the walls and doors (1 Kings 6:29, 32). These angelic beings symbolized the guardianship of God's holy presence and the sacredness of the temple.

3. The Tree of Life and the Menorah: The menorah, or golden lampstand, within the temple, is often interpreted as a symbol of the Tree of Life in Eden (Exodus 25:31-40). Its design, featuring branches, buds, and blossoms, resembles a stylized tree, serving as a perpetual reminder of God's light and life-giving presence. The Tree of Life represented eternal life and divine wisdom, both central to the temple's purpose as a place of divine encounter and revelation.

4. The Source of Living Water: In Ezekiel's vision of the future temple, he sees a river flowing from the temple, bringing life and healing wherever it goes (Ezekiel 47:1-12). This imagery recalls the river that flowed out of Eden, watering the garden and dividing into four headwaters (Genesis 2:10-14). The idea of living water emanating from the temple points to the life-giving presence of God, which nourishes and sustains all creation.

The Temple as a Place of Restoration

The meticulous design of Solomon's Temple to reflect the Garden of Eden was not merely aesthetic; it had profound theological implications. It signified God's intention to restore what was lost through sin. The temple was a tangible expression of God's desire to dwell among His people, offering them a place to experience His presence and receive His blessings.

By entering the temple, worshippers were symbolically entering a renewed Eden, a sacred space where they could encounter God and participate in His redemptive work. The rituals and sacrifices performed in the temple were means of atonement and purification, addressing the separation caused by sin and facilitating reconciliation with God.

This went even as far as not allowing anything that did not exist in the original pre-fall Eden into the inner sanctum of the Holy of Holies. No disease or sin could get close to the presence of God. Furthermore, the Israelites erected every restrictive barriers to keep these aspects of the fall out of the temple grounds which we will explore later in this essay.

The Glory of God Fills the Temple

When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. The priests could not enter the temple of the Lord because the glory of the Lord filled it. When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the Lord above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying,

“He is good; his love endures forever.”

2 Chronicles 7:1-3

When Solomon completed and dedicated the temple, it marked a significant moment in Israel's history. According to 2 Chronicles 7:1-3, as Solomon concluded his prayer of dedication, fire descended from heaven, consuming the offerings and sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. Imagine the awe and reverence the people must have felt as they witnessed this divine manifestation. The temple was not just a magnificent building; it was a powerful symbol of God's presence among His people. This event confirmed that God had accepted the temple as His dwelling place, making it the central focus of Israel's worship and a tangible representation of His covenant with them. The filling of the temple with God's glory was a vivid reminder of His holiness, power, and desire to be near His people.

The Departure of God's Glory

However, the relationship between God and His people faced significant challenges. Centuries later, during a period of rampant idolatry and moral decline in Judah, the prophet Ezekiel witnessed a heartbreaking vision of the glory of the Lord departing from the temple.

Then the glory of the Lord departed from over the threshold of the temple and stopped above the cherubim. While I watched, the cherubim spread their wings and rose from the ground, and as they went, the wheels went with them. They stopped at the entrance of the east gate of the Lord’s house, and the glory of the God of Israel was above them.

Ezekiel 10

This vision symbolized God's judgment and the impending destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. The departure of God's glory was not just a physical event but also a profound spiritual statement. It represented the severance of the intimate relationship between God and His people due to their persistent unfaithfulness and idolatry. The temple, once filled with God's glorious presence, became an empty shell, foreshadowing the physical destruction that would soon follow.

The Destruction and Rebuilding of the Temple

In 586 BCE, the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem and destroyed Solomon's Temple, a devastating event that signified the loss of the central place of worship and the physical manifestation of God's presence. This destruction was a turning point for the Jewish people, as they were exiled and separated from their sacred space. However, hope was not lost. After 70 years of exile, the Jews returned to Jerusalem and, under the leadership of Zerubbabel, rebuilt the temple.

‘Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing? But now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ declares the Lord. ‘Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the Lord, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the Lord Almighty. ‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’

“This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the Lord Almighty. ‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the Lord Almighty.”

Haggai 2:3-9

Completed in 516 BCE, this Second Temple did not experience the same divine manifestation of God's glory as the First Temple had. The absence of the Shekinah glory led to a sense of incompletion and longing among the Jewish people, as prophesied by Haggai, who spoke of a future glory that would surpass that of the former temple (Haggai 2:9). This sense of anticipation and yearning pointed towards a greater fulfillment that was yet to come.

The Structure and Exclusivity of the Temple

As we discussed earlier, The hierarchical structure of the Temple in Jerusalem was meticulously designed to reflect varying degrees of holiness and restricted access to God's presence. This arrangement was not arbitrary but deeply rooted in the theological understanding of the fall of man and the resulting separation between humanity and God. It underscored the reality that, to be in the presence of God—akin to the original fellowship in Eden—there could be no sin, disease, or death.

The Hierarchical Design of the Temple

The Temple's layout comprised several concentric areas, each progressively holier and more exclusive:

1. Court of the Gentiles: This outermost court was the only place where non-Jews could come to pray and worship. It symbolized the initial step towards God's presence but was still far removed from the innermost sanctuary.

2. Court of Women: The next inner court was accessible to Jewish women. It represented a closer proximity to the sacred space but was still separated from the areas reserved for men and priests.

3. Court of Israel: This court was for Jewish men, symbolizing a further step towards holiness and access to the presence of God.

4. Court of Priests: Only the Levitical priests, those consecrated for temple service, could enter this court. It was closer to the Holy of Holies and involved in the direct performance of sacrifices and rituals.

5. Holy Place: Reserved for priests who conducted daily rituals, including burning incense and maintaining the menorah, the Holy Place was a prelude to the most sacred area.

6. Holy of Holies: The innermost and most sacred part of the temple, accessible only to the High Priest once a year on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). It housed the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing God's throne on earth. The Holy of Holies was separated by a thick veil, emphasizing the profound separation between God and humanity due to sin.

Theological Significance of the Hierarchical Structure

The hierarchical design of the temple was a direct consequence of the fall of man as described in Genesis 3. When Adam and Eve sinned, they were expelled from the Garden of Eden, losing their direct and unmediated fellowship with God. This act of disobedience introduced sin, disease, and death into the world, fundamentally altering the relationship between humanity and God.

1. Sin and Separation: Sin created a chasm between humanity and a holy God. The increasing exclusivity of access within the temple illustrated this separation. Only those who were ritually pure and consecrated could approach closer to God's presence, highlighting the need for atonement and purification.

2. Purity and Holiness: The various courts and levels of access emphasized the concept of holiness. The closer one got to the Holy of Holies, the more stringent the requirements for purity became. This reinforced the idea that God's presence is holy and that sin, disease, and death could not coexist with His holiness.

3. Atonement and Mediation: The temple rituals and sacrifices served as a means to address the issue of sin. The Day of Atonement, when the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies, symbolized the mediation between God and His people. The blood of the sacrificial animals was offered to atone for the sins of the people, illustrating the severity of sin and the necessity of a mediator.

4. Disease and Death: Under the Mosaic Law, those with diseases or who had come into contact with death were considered ritually impure and had to undergo purification before entering the temple precincts. This reflected the belief that physical manifestations of imperfection and mortality were incompatible with the holiness of God's presence.

This hierarchical structure underscored the separation between God and humanity and highlighted the barriers to accessing the divine presence. The intricate design of the temple served as a constant reminder of the holiness of God and the distance that sin had created between Him and His people. Each court represented a step closer to God's presence but also a barrier that had to be crossed.

However, by the time of Jesus, this hierarchical structure had become a source of abuse and corruption among the Jewish leadership. The Temple authorities, including the chief priests and Sadducees, wielded significant power and often exploited their positions for personal gain. They abused the purity laws of the temple to control who had access to God.

Jesus' Ministry and the Temple

In His ministry, Jesus directly challenged this corrupt system and provided an alternative pathway to God. Through His healing of the sick, raising of the dead, and forgiving of sins, Jesus bypassed the temple's hierarchical barriers and offered direct access to God's grace and mercy.

1. Healing the Sick: By healing lepers, the blind, and other marginalized individuals, Jesus restored those considered unclean and excluded from temple worship. These acts demonstrated that God's compassion and power were accessible to all, irrespective of their status or purity according to temple regulations (Matthew 8:1-4; John 9:1-12).

2. Raising the Dead: In raising the dead, Jesus showcased His authority over death and impurity. Such miracles highlighted that life and restoration came directly from Him, not through the temple's sacrificial system (John 11:38-44).

3. Forgiving Sins: Jesus' authority to forgive sins was a direct affront to the temple's sacrificial system. By forgiving sins outright (Mark 2:1-12), He provided immediate reconciliation with God, bypassing the need for temple rituals and offerings. This demonstrated that true atonement and access to God were found in Him.

These actions culminated in Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. As He entered the city, He was greeted by crowds including those He had healed, a powerful testimony to His ministry's impact. The people recognized Him as the Messiah, crying out, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" (Matthew 21:9). This public acclamation underscored that Jesus, not the corrupt temple system, was the true pathway to God's presence.

In a dramatic act of cleansing the temple, He overturned the tables of the money changers and drove out those selling animals (Matthew 21:12-13). He declared, "My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers." This bold action was a direct challenge to the religious leaders' misuse of power and their obstruction of genuine worship. Jesus' cleansing of the temple was not only an act of justice but also a prophetic symbol of the coming transformation in how God's presence would be accessed. It foreshadowed the end of the old covenant system with its hierarchical barriers and the establishment of a new covenant in which all believers have direct access to God through Him.

This abuse of power by the Jewish leadership highlighted the failure of the temple system to reflect God's true intention for His dwelling place. Jesus' ministry and His actions in the temple underscored the need for a new, inclusive approach to worship, one that would culminate in the understanding that each believer is a temple of the Holy Spirit, free from the corruption and barriers of the old system.

Through His ministry and His actions during the Triumphal Entry, Jesus circumvented the abuse of power by the Jewish leadership and opened a direct pathway to God. He made it clear that access to God was no longer confined to the temple's hierarchical structure but was available to all through faith in Him.

What a revolutionary man Jesus was! It is no wonder that those in power wanted him dead.

The Crucifixion and the Rending of the Temple Curtain

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split  and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”

Matthew 27:50-54

The climax of Jesus' mission was His crucifixion. As He breathed His last, He exclaimed, "It is finished!" (John 19:30), signifying the completion of His redemptive work. At that moment, the curtain of the temple was torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51). This supernatural event symbolized the removal of the barriers between God and humanity. The curtain, which separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple, represented the division between God's holiness and human sinfulness. Its tearing indicated that through Jesus' sacrifice, direct access to God was now available to all believers. This was a monumental shift, signifying that the old system of separation was abolished and that a new way had been opened through Christ.

The Day of Pentecost and the New Temple

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Acts 2:1-4

The day of Pentecost, described in Acts 2, marked the birth of the Christian Church and the fulfillment of Jesus' promise to send the Holy Spirit. On this day, the disciples were gathered to celebrate Shavout, a festival commemorating the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. Suddenly, they experienced a mighty rushing wind and saw what appeared to be tongues of fire resting on each of them. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in various languages, enabling them to proclaim the gospel to the diverse crowds in Jerusalem. This outpouring of the Holy Spirit mirrored the filling of Solomon's Temple with God's glory (2 Chronicles 7:1-3). It signified that we, the believers, had become the new temple of God, where His presence dwells.

This theological shift is affirmed in 1 Corinthians 3:17, where Paul tells us that we are the temple of God and that His Spirit dwells within us. This new understanding means that God's presence is accessible to all of us, removing the need for intermediaries or gatekeepers.

Paul reiterates this concept again in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, when he implores the Corinthian believers to abstain from sexual immorality because their “bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God”.

Conclusion

The narrative of the temple in the Bible is a beautiful journey of God's desire to be with us. From David's initial desire to build a temple, through the glory filling Solomon's Temple, the departure of that glory in Ezekiel's vision, and the rebuilding of the temple, we see a persistent theme: God wants to dwell among His people. Through Jesus' ministry, His sacrificial death, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, we are now the living temples of God, with direct access to His presence. This reality underscores the inclusivity and grace of the New Covenant.

As you reflect on this journey, remember that you are a temple of God. His presence dwells within you, empowering you to live out His love and grace. You have direct access to Him, free from barriers. Let this truth inspire you to draw near to God, knowing that He is always with you.

Have you not treated your body as a temple of God? If so, say this prayer:

Merciful and gracious Father, thank you for the divine act of wresting your presence from the powerful who aim to control access to you and giving it to us directly. I realize now that I am a temple of the living God but I have not treated your temple with the respect and reverence that you deserve. Help me now with your Holy Spirit to reveal the ways in my life where I am apart from you and give me the strength to choose to be a sacred space for your presence to reside. In the mighty name of Jesus. Amen!

For further reading and a deeper understanding of these themes, consider exploring:

1. John H. Walton, "The NIV Application Commentary: 1 & 2 Samuel" (Zondervan, 2002).

2. J. Gordon McConville, "1 & 2 Chronicles" (New International Biblical Commentary) (Hendrickson, 2001).

3. Daniel I. Block, "The Book of Ezekiel, Chapters 1–24" (The New International Commentary on the Old Testament) (Eerdmans, 1997).

4. Joseph Blenkinsopp, "Ezra-Nehemiah: A Commentary" (The Old Testament Library) (Westminster John Knox Press, 1988).

5. N.T. Wright, "Jesus and the Victory of God" (Fortress Press, 1996).

6. F.F. Bruce, "The Book of the Acts" (New International Commentary on the New Testament) (Eerdmans, 1988).

7. Gordon D. Fee, "The First Epistle to the Corinthians" (The New International Commentary on the New Testament) (Eerdmans, 1987).