Temples

My family and I recently took a trip to England. One of my favorite things was seeing all the old churches and cathedrals. Even in small, rural towns there are spectacular cathedrals, then in larger cities, the size and detail were often even grander.

They all had donation boxes to help with the upkeep of the building, and many would list their operating expenses – the “average” sized cathedrals spend about 2,000,000 pounds ($2,560,000 dollars) per year on routine maintenance and utilities. The largest ones likely have expenses that are double that amount.

It got me asking myself, “do we build and maintain these great structures for our benefit or God’s?” I was leaning toward us doing it for primarily selfish reasons – we like the way we feel within the buildings, we are proud that we can create such places, and they create a sense of place for each town.

But then I remembered that God designed or approved of temples built for His purpose. In fact, God has always used temples as a way of providing a representation of Him. Temples are a symbol of God’s presence and a place to meet with Him. Here are the “temples” God has established – this may not be an exhaustive list, but what came to my memory without further research:

Temple one – Garden of Eden. The whole garden was a place where God was, and met with people. Then people sinned so the temple was destroyed.

Temple two – the tent tabernacle used before entering the Promise Land. God gave specific designs and instructions for it and it was ornate and impressive. An artist’s rendition is below. This temporary temple was needed because people’s sin made them wander the desert before entering the Promise Land where they could establish a more permanent temple.

Temple three – often called the first, or Solomon’s, temple. God didn’t seem to give the blueprints for this temple, but did approve of its construction and use. People sinned, God let the temple be destroyed. It was even more elaborate – another artist’s rendering below.

Temple four – often called the second temple. It was the temple that was around in Jesus’ lifetime. And again, due to human sin, God allowed this temple to be destroyed not too long after Jesus returned to heaven. One wall of this temple remains today – the wailing wall. Rendition of second temple below.

Temple five – Jesus. In John 2: 19-21 Jesus said “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”  The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you
raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body.

Jesus was God’s presence and a way of meeting with God (a temple), people once again sinned and “destroyed” this temple.

Temple six – us. 1 Corinthians 3:16 challenges us with this question, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” The temple that God prefers now, is us. We are the symbol of God’s presence and the place to meet with Him. That’s quite an honor – and responsibility. And just like the other temples, due to sin our bodies will be destroyed when we die.

Temple seven – heaven. Revelation 21 gives some descriptions about heaven and verse 22 states “And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.” Just like in the garden of Eden, no “symbol” or “representation” of God is necessary
because God is there in His fullness. There is no sin separating God from people – so no temple is necessary.

This review of temples reinforced to me how relational God is. He designed us to be in relationship with Him – directly. Since we began sinning, we can’t have that direct connection, so He has provided various, temporary substitutes. Currently that’s us – with the Holy Spirit’s help. Ultimately, we’ll return to direct contact / relationship with God.

God is always pursuing us.  He is always giving us ways to be in relationship with Him – one of those ways is through temples. Temples are always impressive. That means you are too – God has chosen to “wow” people through you. His work in you, and for you, is as impressive as any of the other temples ever built. Share and show God’s impressive work – you – with others.