The Temple of The Lord, The Temple of The Lord, The Temple of The Lord
Why is God looking for His House?
Isaiah 66:1-6.
1 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven [is] my throne, and the earth [is] my footstool: where [is] the house that ye build unto me? and where [is] the place of my rest?
2 For all those [things] hath mine hand made, and all those [things] have been, saith the LORD: but to this [man] will I look, [even] to [him that is] poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
3 He that killeth an ox [is as if] he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, [as if] he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, [as if he offered] swine's blood; he that burneth incense, [as if] he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.
4 I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose [that] in which I delighted not.
5 Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.
6 A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompense to his enemies.
God wants our attention, We have come to the time when:
- God wants to dwell not just among us but in us – will I open?
- God desires that we live what He teach – will I live the walk?
- God is speaking to his people in clear tones – Thus sayeth The Lord – will I harken?
- God has made it possible to have complete victory over sin – will I claim it?
God IS NOT mocked
Jeremiah 26:1-16.
1 In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah came this word from the LORD, saying,
2 Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD'S house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD'S house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word:
3 If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings.
4 And thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD; If ye will not hearken to me, to walk in my law, which I have set before you,
5 To hearken to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I sent unto you, both rising up early, and sending them, but ye have not hearkened;.
6 Then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth.
7 So the priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the LORD.
8 Now it came to pass, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the LORD had commanded [him] to speak unto all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people took him, saying, Thou shalt surely die.
9 Why hast thou prophesied in the name of the LORD, saying, This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate without an inhabitant? And all the people were gathered against Jeremiah in the house of the LORD.
10 When the princes of Judah heard these things, then they came up from the king's house unto the house of the LORD, and sat down in the entry of the new gate of the LORD'S [house].
11 Then spake the priests and the prophets unto the princes and to all the people, saying, This man [is] worthy to die; for he hath prophesied against this city, as ye have heard with your ears.
12 Then spake Jeremiah unto all the princes and to all the people, saying, The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard.
13 Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you.
14 As for me, behold, I [am] in your hand: do with me as seemeth good and meet unto you.
15 But know ye for certain, that if ye put me to death, ye shall surely bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof: for of a truth the LORD hath sent me unto you to speak all these words in your ears.
16 Then said the princes and all the people unto the priests and to the prophets; This man [is] not worthy to die: for he hath spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God.
Consider this...
- OLD Testament TEMPLE – Place of Worship
- NEW Testament TEMPLE – Life of Worship
- OLD Testament TEMPLE – Journey to the destination
- NEW Testament TEMPLE – Destination Is the Journey
- OLD Testament TEMPLE – Faith in Jesus
- NEW Testament TEMPLE – Faith of Jesus – Christ In You
- SAME REQUIREMENT - HOLINESS
TEMPLE – Old Testament – Strong’s Concordance (2 different words).
H1964 heykel – Palace, Sanctuary, Hall (Spacious) – (Palace of God as King).
H1965 heykel - Palace H1004 bayith - Dwelling habitation - House.
TEMPLE – New Testament – Strong’s Concordance (2 different words)
G2411 – hieron – A Sacred Place.
G3485 – naos – Holy of Holies – where the image of the god was placed – Where God Dwells.
Bibles Out.
Old Testament.
H1964 & H1965.
- 1Sam 1:9, Jer 7:4,
- 1Kings 6:3
- 1Kings 6:17,
- Ez 8:16,
- Hab 2:20,
- Mal 3:1
H1004.
- 1Kings 6:17,
- 2Kings 11:10,11.
New Testament.
G2411.
- Mat 12:6,
- Mat, 24:1,
- Mark 15:38,
- John 2:14-15,
- Acts 3:1-3.
G3485.
- John 2:19-21,
- 1Cor 3:16-17,
- 2Cor 6:16,
- Eph 2:20-22,
- 2Tim 2:4,
- Rev 7:15,
- Rev 11:9,
- Rev 21:22
The Issue God has with the temple – Sacred Place?
Jerimiah 7:1-11.
1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
2 Stand in the gate of the LORD's house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD, all [ye of] Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the LORD.
3 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place.
4 Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, [are] these.
5 For if ye thoroughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye thoroughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbour;
6 [If] ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt:
7 Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever.
8 Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit.
9 Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not;
10 And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations?
11 Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen [it], saith the LORD.
God wants a pure heart, pure worship to Him
ULTIMATUM
- God wants a pure heart,
- Pure motives
- Pure love
- Pure humility
- Pure worship to Him.
THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST IS HERE NOW TO ENUSRE HE GETS IT
Quotes.
Separation Led to Presumptuous, Foolhardy Madness.
The professed people of God had separated from God, and had lost their wisdom and perverted their understanding. They could not see afar off; for they had forgotten that they had been purged from their old sins.
They moved restlessly and uncertainly under darkness, seeking to obliterate from their minds the memory of the freedom, assurance, and happiness of their former estate. They plunged into all kinds of presumptuous, foolhardy madness, placed themselves in opposition to the providences of God, and deepened the guilt that was already upon them.
They listened to the charges of Satan against the divine character, and represented God as devoid of mercy and forgiveness. The prophet writes of them, saying: {4BC 1137.4}.
"Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evil-doers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward" (RH Aug. 6, 1895). {4BC 1137.5}.
PARADOXICAL
- Connection or togetherness in the temple does NOT necessarily mean connection or togetherness with Christ
- Just as separation from the temple dos NOT necessarily mean separation from God
- One may very well be connected to the temple and disconnected from God.
ONE SHOULD PERSUE PREACH TEACH AND LIVE THAT WHICH GOD ALONE REQUIRES
Obedience Leads to Perfection.--We cannot overestimate the value of simple faith and unquestioning obedience. It is by following in the path of obedience in simple faith that the character obtains perfection (Lt 119, 1895). {4BC 1137.6}.
Review and Herald.
A message from the Lord has been given me for the churches that claim to believe the truth for these days. I am bidden to say to you, Study carefully the parable of the talents. This parable, spoken by the lips of the greatest of teachers, was given us as an object-lesson. {RH, April 2, 1908 par. 1}.
The light of present truth is a precious talent lent to God's people by him who is truth. It is not to be hoarded, but constantly imparted. The Lord desires that his professed people shall themselves profit by the truths received. It is given, first for their own development--of heart and mind and affections; then for the help and enlightenment of those in the darkness of unbelief. {RH, April 2, 1908 par. 2}.
In this age the Lord is sending his servants with no ordinary message, but with special truths that must come before believers of every rank and tongue. Many of our church-members have never studied fully into the more sure word of prophecy, and do not understand the facts that have made us what we are. All should bring into exercise the powers of the intellect, that they may clearly understand the different phases of present truth, and especially the subjects of prophecy which were opened to us when the message of Christ's soon coming was first heralded. {RH, April 2, 1908 par. 3}.
We are living in a time when, the Word of God declares, Satan will come down with great power, to work with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish. He will work with such subtilty and power that, if it were possible, he would deceive the very elect. God's professed people need to heed the danger signals, and ever be on the watch. {RH, April 2, 1908 par. 4}.
A great danger threatens us in the influence of some who have not followed on step by step to know the Lord. False doctrines have come into our ranks in some places, doctrines that are creating a careless neglect to keep the way of the Lord. There are among us men who in the past God has used to his name's glory, but who are now being ensnared by Satan's deceptions. Many who once prized the truth, because they have refused to heed the instruction God has sent, have become independent and full of self-justification. These men are not to be entrusted as guides for us or for our youth. {RH, April 2, 1908 par. 5}.
"The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, Stand in the gate of the Lord's house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the Lord, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the Lord. Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the Lord, The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, are these." {RH, April 2, 1908 par. 6}.
The Jews flattered themselves that in spite of departure from him, the Lord would protect from injury their temple and those who worshiped in it. They put their trust in outward advantages, and overlooked the necessity of purity of character, which alone God could bless. "Trust ye not in lying words," the prophet declared, "saying, The temple of the Lord, The temple of the Lord, The temple of the Lord, are these. For if ye thoroughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye thoroughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbor; if ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt: then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, forever and ever." {RH, April 2, 1908 par. 7}.
"Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Put your burnt-offerings unto your sacrifices, and eat flesh. For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt-offerings or sacrifices: but this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.
And they harkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward. Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day I have even sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them: yet they harkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse than their fathers." {RH, April 2, 1908 par. 8}.
When men's hearts are softened and subdued by the working of the Holy Spirit, they will give heed to counsel; but when they turn away from the admonitions of the Lord, their hearts gradually become hardened until all their religious service is tainted with self. When men thus turn away from reproofs and warnings because they do not want to hear or receive truth that condemns their course of action, the Lord leaves them to be led by other influences. Because they refuse the truth, he allows them to accept falsehoods which become snares to their own destruction. They are given over to blindness of eyes and hardness of heart. {RH, April 2, 1908 par. 9}.
I call upon our churches to heed the warnings that have been coming to us for years. Let us remember that God lives and reigns, and let this thought lead us to walk humbly and trustingly before him. Our chief study should be how we can best glorify God. The servant of God whose life and character reflect most of the likeness of Christ is the one who will bring to God the greatest honor. {RH, April 2, 1908 par. 10}.
The Temple of The Lord, The Temple of The Lord, The Temple of The Lord
Is more than just a building.
1Cor 3:16-17.
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which [temple] ye are.
2 Cor 6:14-18.
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God;
as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you,
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Ephesians 2:19-22.
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone];
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
We have come to the time when:
- God wants to dwell not just among us but in us – will I open?
- God desires that we live what He teaches – will I live the walk?
- God has made it possible to have complete victory over sin – will I claim it?
