Posted on 06/22/2010 10:30:44 AM PDT by Ken4TA
Shortly after the Six Day War Jewish zealots paraded the streets of Jerusalem with the motto, “Rebuild the Temple now.” Protestant leaders jumped on the bandwagon, preaching the temple as fulfillment of prophecy. Soon there were reports that stone was being shipped from Indiana to Jerusalem for rebuilding the temple, but this proved to be a hoax.
Newspapers have added to the false concepts by reporting that construction of the proposed “Jerusalem Great Synagogue” has something to do with a so-called “longed-for dream” and “Messianic Sign.” They conveniently overlook the difference between a synagogue and the temple with its priesthood and animal sacrifices.
Instead of a future temple in Jerusalem fulfilling prophecy, as dispensational and Premillennial doctrine holds there is already a temple in existence in fulfillment of prophecy.
Zechariah prophesied that the man whose name is the Branch “shall build the temple of the Lord; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and shall be a priest on his throne” (Zech. 6:12–113). The temple was built when Christ established His church (Matt. 16:18). Paul, in pointing out that all Christians make up the true Israel, wrote, “So then you are no more strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone; in whom every building, fitly framed together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together for a habitation of God in the spirit” (Eph. 2:19–22). Again he writes, “know you not that you are the temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwells in you?” (I Cor. 3:16).
Christ now sits and rules on his throne. “…as I also overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne” (Rev. 3:21). This throne is also David’s throne: “Solomon sat on the throne of David his father” (I Kings 2:12). But, “Solomon sat on the throne of Jehovah as King instead of David his father, and prospered” (I Chron. 29:23). Solomon was sitting on one throne, which was both the throne of David and of the Father. So, when Christ sat down on the throne of the Father after his ascension, he was also sitting on David’s throne.
This is Peter’s argument on the day of Pentecost, showing that Jesus was the longed-for Messiah and King, as David had predicted (Psa. 89:3, 132:11).
“Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins he would set one upon his throne, he fore-seeing this spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he left unto Hades (the grave), nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus did God raise up, whereof we all are witnesses. Being therefore by the right hand of God exalted and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured forth this, which you see and hear” (Acts 2:30–33).
According to Zechariah Jesus was to be a priest on his throne at the same time he ruled. However, Jesus could not be a priest on earth. The Bible says, “Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all…” (Heb. 8:4).
Jesus was not of the tribe of Levi, from whence the priest must come under the law. But since the law is abolished, and since the temple was a “copy and shadow of the heavenly things” (Heb. 8:5), Jesus has become “A high priest who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heaven, a minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man” (Heb. 8:1–2).
The Greek word translated “temple” is naos (I Cor. 3:16 & 6:19). It is the same word used for Solomon’s temple and other structures used for the worship of God. The temple represented the dwelling place of God. In heathen worship various temples were dedicated to particular gods and each god was believed to dwell in his temple. In the temple of Jehovah, His presence was to be manifested in the temple which He had built for that purpose. Of course, God in the fullness of His nature cannot be contained or localized (Acts 17:24, Isa. 66:1–2, I Kings 8:27). Nevertheless God was manifested by His own power in the Holy of Holies within the temple, and the people were to pray toward the temple, knowing that God was hearing them in heaven. “When they shall pray toward this place: yes, hear thou in heaven thy dwelling-place; and when thou hear, forgive” (Solomon’s prayer of dedication of the Temple, I Kings 8:30).
Christ promised to dwell in the Christian. “I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God” (II Cor. 6:16). This is the work of the holy spirit, which is given to every one upon baptism (Acts 2:38). Thus Paul writes, “Know you not that you are the temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwells in you?” The temple at Jerusalem had been abandoned by God when Christ died, as evidenced by the rending of the temple veil separating the holy place from the Holy of Holies, the actual mercy seat where God manifested His glory. With this veil gone, there was no more a special place where the priest might sprinkle the sacrificial blood for atonement for sin. The reason is simple:. “But Christ having become a high priest of the good things to come, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption” (Heb. 9:11–12). Christ’s sacrifice ended all blood sacrifice and need of a temple “made with hands.”
The New Testament used two Greek words to refer to the temple in Jerusalem: naos and hieron, both translated “temple” in English. However there is a difference. Hieron included the whole structure, the courts, porches and other building surrounding the temple proper. Naos was the actual habitation of God, the heart and center, the Holy of Holies (Acts 7:48, 17:24, I Cor. 6:19). When Christ “taught in the temple” He was in the hieron, the outer court (Matt. 26:55, Luke 21:37, John 8:20). It would have been a violation of God’s law for Him to have entered the naos, the Holy of Holies, as this was reserved for the priest alone.
In I Cor. 3:16–17 naos means God’s habitation, the place where God is manifest on earth. Christ makes His abode with the Christian who becomes a “new creature,” whose life is consecrated to the service of God, who offers himself a living sacrifice, is transformed and made holy, more precious than the gold and silver of Solomon’s temple, (I Pet. 1:18–19), universal and eternal. “You also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” (I Pet. 2:5). The dead stones are rejected and replaced by living souls. This is the temple “built up” by Christ for it is Christ who transforms and gives life to the new creature; it is He who “adds” to the church living stone upon living stone. And in each stone Christ dwells. The Christian thus becomes sacrifice, priest and temple all in one.
The ancient tabernacle was built of the people’s most precious possessions. Later they gloried in the temple, its beauty, majesty and richness. But no more. “You are God’s building,” Paul said (I Cor. 3:9). “Know you not that you are the temple of God” — filled with the presence of Christ Himself, enriched with every spiritual blessing, empowered with the very holy spirit of God and adorned with the beauty of the righteousness given by Christ?
The present temple (the Church) is not dependent upon material embellishments, cathedrals, forms, prestigious dignitaries of the world, nor upon the favors and works from the hands of men. The true glory of the temple is the beauty of holiness seen in the lives of Christians.
In Scripture the temple took the place of the tabernacle, but the two terms are often used interchangeably. When Peter sought to show the brethren at Jerusalem that God was accepting both Jew and Gentile through grace, James concluded that this was fulfillment of the prophet Amos. “After these things I will return, and I will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up; that the residue of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles upon whom my name is called” (Acts 15:11–17, Amos 9:11). Many had thought that Amos was speaking of rebuilding the material tabernacle, but James and the apostles considered this prophecy to be fulfilled in the establishment of the church. The Church indeed is the tabernacle and temple of the living God. Christ abolished the law which was the “middle wall of partition” between Jew and Gentile (Eph. 2:11–22), so that the “Israel of God” now consists of those who obey the gospel of faith thereby becoming “Abraham’s seed” (Gal 3:16, 26–29). Christians are strongly warned against ever reverting to the Old Testament system (Gal 3:23–25, 4:3–9, 5:1, Col. 2:16–17, Heb. 10:11–14).
God destroyed the temple in Jerusalem but raised up Christ to live forever as the High Priest of His people. He also “raised us up with Him and made us to sit with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:6). God’s people are never again to be held together by a political, economic or racial power. Men of “every tribe and tongue, and people, and nation” flow into the Kingdom of Christ, for His Kingdom is not national or racial, but spiritual, based upon faith in Him and not upon fleshly descent.
Rather than speculate on what might or might not happen in the nation that calls itself Israel, it is better for Christians to concentrate on keeping the present and true temple of God holy and fit for His spiritual service, remembering that “If any man destroys the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy which temple you are” (I Cor. 3:17). The temple was to be kept from pollution and reserved strictly for those things ordained for the service of God. It was not to be employed in any activity that was low, vulgar or apart from God, but only in that which was pure and divine. So the Christian. His life is not to be a mixture of serving the world with service to God added on. Rather it is to be fully consecrated for God’s presence and work, “for it is God who works in you both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13).
When John saw the New Jerusalem, the city of the temple, coming down out of heaven from God, it did not appear as a building at all, but as the redeemed people, the bride of Christ (Rev. 21:2). This is the true temple, the spiritual house of God.
(For the updated article, CLICK HERE to read it - Part Two.
1. The Promise to Abraham
2. The Millennial Syndrome
3. Daniel’s Prophecy
4. What About The Rapture?
5. The Abomination of Desolation
6. ARMAGEDDON
7. Building the Temple (Part One)
------ Building the Temple (Part Two)
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http://www.showroom411.com/Media/DirectoryEntries/indiana%20cut.jpg
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Should be an interesting read — albeit completely wrong if it denies that Israel was to be restored to their promised land, or that there would be a Temple rebuilt in the end times :-) Scripture is quite clear on those counts, no matter how hard men try to allegorize and spiritualize God’s promises away...
I cannot find anything on Ken’s or Curtis Dickinson’s web sites that says what church they belong to or any profession of faith that lets us know exactly what they believe concerning Christianity. There are many twists, it seems, on beliefs among those calling themselves Christian, and they sometimes radically differ...... and I can’t take either of these men seriously unless I can see a profession of faith that shows me they are real evangelical (believe the Bible is literally the WORD of God and is a living “word”) Christians.
For instance, Mormans call themselves “Christians” though they do not believe that Jesus Christ, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit are one and the same. That is so antithetical to my own beliefs that I immediately question the writings of Mormons.
So, I would be interested in knowing what church these two writers belong to. It would help greatly in my attitude about their very interesting articles.
As an "aside", fine; but that is immaterial to the argument :-)
I hope it's interesting to some. But as for being wrong, well, that a matter of a personal opinion: that's where all the conversation (arguments) comes in.
Look a little closer. Read Curtis' "I Believe" article: it give a general outline of his beliefs, but not all.
As for "church" affiliation, well, does that actually mean anything? As far as I know, Curtis preached in Baptist, Church of Christ, Christian, Pentecostal, Evangelical, and other churches. I guess I could put a little history of him on the site, but that wouldn't make any difference in what he says in his articles. His articles were read by thousands of people all over the world. I would love to be able to have all his writings on my website, but a couple of his books are copywrite by publishers who are still selling them as far as I know: so that will not be done.
As far as my affiliation is concerned, I attend various "churches" of the Evangelical persuation. The last "church" I attended last Saturday night was a "Cowboy Church" - excellent message, and a lot of very Biblical songs. The fellowship was terrific. Of course, the smell of the barn was permiating; horses were just outside of the arena. This coming Thursday I have to attend a Christian "Church" for a memorial service for a very close friend of my wife - a sad time for her, but also happy for she knows her friend will be resurrected on the last day and receive her reward - see I Cor. 15:35-58.
Hope that help you.
That last sentence is a lie. James and the Apostles did not think that.
This verse says that Jesus is sitting on THE RIGHT HAND of the throne of His Father -- not on the throne itself. The throne of majesty is His Father's throne not His.
And He is only sitting there temporarily until His enemies are turned into footstools [Acts 2:34-35].
"And at that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord". [Jeremiah 3:17]
ken you 7th day type?
*save*
That last sentence is a lie. James and the Apostles did not think that.
Then why did James refer to what Amos said? Why did he apply it to what was happening at that time? Your argument is not with Curtis or me, but with James and the others at that meeting back in Acts 15. After all, it was the body of believers, the church, that they were addressing.
What did the apostles say ... "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" If the kingdom was a kingdom that covenant theologians depict then Jesus' response would have been ... "why yes, since the kingdom is now in your heart, go and partake and enjoy it forever." He didnt say that ... he said "it is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority." God has already laid out when that kingdom restoration will be, and He will bring it to pass in His time. That restoration has not happened in human history as of yet, therefore it is still future.
Romans 11 also warns the church not to be arrogant toward the branches ... as we who make up the church have been grafted in to the olive plant. We are to say "Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in."
Paul then goes on to say that this is a mystery ... that a partial hardening has happened to Israel "until the fullness of the Gentiles" has come in.
When the fullness of the Gentiles come in, that will set in motion the final fulfillment of Gods plan to restore that kingdom.
Maranatha
Absolutely not. Neither am I of the Adventist Church. Both of those groups are of the "Keep Holy the Sabbath Day". I keep all days holy - for the Lord!
True, however it is not so "crystal clear" that that was what Jesus had in mind. His Kingdom was not of the earth, but heavenly - and his subject were to be members of it spiritually while living on this earth. This is why the Holy Spirit was given to those who believed and obeyed the Gospel. (A short explanation that needs expounding upon to do it justice.)
I think the apostles thought that the Kingdom of Israel would be restored - to answer your question.
That restoration has not happened in human history as of yet, therefore it is still future.
Only if the Kingdom Jesus had in mind was an earthly Kingdom - which He explicity said was not.
Romans 11 also warns the church not to be arrogant toward the branches ... as we who make up the church have been grafted in to the olive plant. We are to say "Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in."
Absolutely! Maybe not arrogant, but truthful.
Paul then goes on to say that this is a mystery ... that a partial hardening has happened to Israel "until the fullness of the Gentiles" has come in.
That is a big mystery - and I think too much speculation has been made of it. Whatever Paul meant about the "fullnes of the Gentiles" is anyone's guess. He never explained anything further about it, that I can find. Many have guessed that when that fullness is accomplished, the end of the age follows and reward/judgment takes place depending on one being righteous or unrighteous - a life or death senario (and I think there is something to that thought).
When the fullness of the Gentiles come in, that will set in motion the final fulfillment of Gods plan to restore that kingdom.
Yep, that another guess; and as some say, of a materialist viewpoint (which has some truth in saying that).
Excellent questions! Keep it up. It may open the eyes of those reading and cause them to study the Bible more.
Because they were dealing with the question of the Gentiles coming into the Church, why it was happening, and what it meant as regards the return of Christ. James says that God was going to first "visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name."[14] This began with Simeon's visit to the house of Cornelius.
He then says that this is verified by the prophets and Jesus will not return until after this takes place. The key words are "After this" [which are not in Hosea but are added by James for clarification] "After what??? After He visits the Gentiles to take out a people for His name.
Here read it for yourself:
"And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men [and] brethren, hearken unto me: "14Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 15And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, 16After this, I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: 17That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things."
Your argument is with the clear meaning of the words of Scripture -- Peter, James, Hosea, Amos, and the Lord who will return to build again the tabernacle of David, but not until after He takes out of the Gentiles a people for His name.
And Jesus is not sitting on either throne right now. He is on the right hand of His Father's throne waiting until his enemies are made into his footstool. Then He will return to sit on the throne of David in Jerusalem as the prophets say:
"And at that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord". [Jeremiah 3:17]
"And the Lord shall inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and shall choose Jerusalem again." [Zech 2:12]
"Thus saith the Lord:'I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth, and the mountain of the Lord of hosts, the holy mountain". [Zechariah 8:3]
"Yes, many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem and to pray before the Lord." [Zech 8:22]
You need to read and believe the prophets --
That is a huge jump that will require lots of Biblical evidence.
Only if you stop reading Rev 21 at verse 2.
2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband ...
10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,
11 having the glory of God Her brilliance was like a very costly stone, as a stone of crystal-clear jasper.
12 It had a great and high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names were written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel.
13 There were three gates on the east and three gates on the north and three gates on the south and three gates on the west.
14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
The passage goes on to list physical dimensions. ... Seems pretty descriptive of a physical building to me.
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