But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him." Habakuk 2 v20
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The Temple and the Tabernacle
David's Tabernacle
An understanding of Temple and Tabernacle is most worthwhile.
(There is another Tabernacle or Tent; David's Tabernacle.)
Perhaps the best place to start is by reading 1 Chronicles chapter 22 and 2 Chronicles chapters 1-8.
Note in 1 Chron 22 v7, 8 and 10, references to the house being for YHVH's name - remembering that Name=Nature. The suggestion is not that God needs a house to live in; it is a place for his glory to dwell near mankind.
In 2 Chron 2 v5/6 we see Solomon (Shlomo) pondering why the house is to be built. Chapter 3 shows the link to the Threshing floor of Ornan that David purchased and further back to Mount Moriah. The end of chapter 5 and the beginning of chapter 7 speak about the glory of God.
Solomon's prayers at the dedication are wonderfu. Notice the idea of praying towards the house; including the foreigner - ch6 v32
Ezra, concerned with rebuilding the Temple, recounts the decree of the gentile king that the Temple should be rebuilt. This gentile could perceive the benefit to the world of having the Jews in Jerusalem ministering to God for all the nations. (Remember Genesis 26 v4). If only today's rulers could see this!
Ezekiel had visions of a Temple yet to be built (Chapter 40-42) and the ministry and the Glory of the God of Israel in Chapter 43 and beyond. This is the good news following all the terrible prophecies that Ezekiel had to bring against the nations, and the prophecies of returning Israel (Dry Bones - Ch 36 and 37) It is not obvious of which Temple this speaks and when it will be built; is this the Third Temple?
Two books are particularly helpful and provide useful reference material to help understand what went on in the Temple.
Seeing Christ in the Tabernacle - Ervin N Hershberger
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This book seeks to examine the details of all the components of the Tabernacle and to draw the pictures of Messiah contained in them. In order to achieve this he explains the symbolism of numbers, materials and colours in Jewish tradition. In Hebrew the Tabernacle is the Mishkan. Once Israel entered the promised land, the Tabernacle was erected at Shiloh; ( see The significance of Names in the Bible) A replica of the Tabernacle, complete with furnishings, has been built in Israel. It may be visited between Jericho and the Dead Sea. Alternatively you can visit its website at www.wildernesstabernacle.com |
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The Coming End Times Temple. by Dr Randall Price
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This comprehensive book examines, apparently, everything that is known about past Temples and prophecy about future Temple(s). In addition to studying the Temples from Solomon's time until 70 AD (CE) he looks back beyond the Tabernacle to the Garden of Eden. From there he looks forwards to Revelation and reveals a remarkable, continuing pattern. The parallel existence of the earthly and heavenly Temples is also discussed. The history of the Temple area and the ongoing political / religious arguments centred around Temple Mount are studied with inputs from parties on all sides. The book also studies the words of Jesus, John and Paul concerning the Temple and refutes Replacement Theology conclusions that the Temple is a thing of the past, rejected by God. It then goes on to discuss the problems of finding the proper location of the Temple, Purity and the Red Heifer, and Preparing a Priesthood. It then considers what must yet come to pass. (see also End TimesProphecy page) |
Many further reference sources are listed in this book, including models of the Temples and a "virtual Temple" on a CD ROM.
Why would we believe that the Temple will be rebuilt?
Jesus' discourse on the Mount of Olives, and Paul's letter to the Thessalonians suggest that the Temple will be rebuilt and standing at the time just before Jesus return. The antichrist will set up the "abomination" in the Temple.
( Matthew 24)
3As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us, " they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" ........................ 15"So when you see standing in the holy place `the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel--let the reader understand-- 16then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. .................If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.
2 Thessalonians 2 v4 says of the "man of Lawlessness" in the context of Jesus' return
He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God.
Otherwise, the references to the future Temple in the New Testament appear to refer to the believer (eg 1 Corinthians 6 v19) and the Temple in Heaven. (eg Revelation 14 v15) It might be wise to handle this topic with caution.
(Solomon's Temple is the known as the First
Temple, and
the term "Second Temple", refers to the one built in the time of
Zerubabel which
was subsequently rebuilt by Herod, and destroyed in 70AD (CE).
( The Temple in Hebrew is Biet HaMikdash.)
Studying the Tabernacle and Temple appears to be essential if we hope to understand current events in the light of God's unfolding plan.
Temple and Tabernacle Sacrifices
Have you ever read the book of Leviticus and wondered why God gave so many instructions about killing animals, applying blood and burning flesh? Have you wondered what relevance all this death has for us in the new covenant?
Obviously it is concerned with reconciling sinful man with a holy God, but sacrifice is still a difficult and little covered subject. Tommy Tenney throws some valuable light on the matter in chapter 3 of The God Chasers, entitled, "Dead men see His Face". In this chapter he discusses the importance of death.
Then Moses said, "Now show me your glory." And the LORD said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live." (Exodus 33 v18,20)Moses wanted to see God’s glory, but God had to tell him that it would kill him. While we are alive in our flesh God dare not come too close or His glory will destroy us. "Only dead men can see God. There is a connection between His Glory and our death.". The thrust of God Chasers is that there is a way to God’s face, but it involves our death. The substituted animal was not just taking the punishment due to us, it was providing the death and the destruction of fallen flesh that man needs if he wants to draw closer to a holy God. This explains how what we would find an unpleasant odour of burning flesh could be "an offering made by fire, a fragrant aroma for Adonai." (Leviticus 1 v13 and others) The more our flesh is burned up, the closer we can come to God's face. In New Covenant terms we are talking true and deep repentance of the corrupt ways of the flesh. In Romans 8 v13 Paul said, "For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live." And Peter said in 1Peter 2 v24, "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness." ; Does this add something to your understanding of Jesus words in Matthew 1 v38-39? "and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." Jesus not only provided life for us but death for our old selves: Romans 6 v3, "Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?". We may share in his death which we celebrate in the Lord's Supper.
In this light we can see that the procedure for Yom Kippur make a lot of sense. (see The Day of Atonement) The blood which the High priest applied to himself before going through the veil was all about death, going in as a dead man and not taking sinful life into the presence of the glory of God.
The Shekienah - Glory of God
(See the above books.)
The God and creator of the Universe did not require a house to live in, and could not be contained in such a way. However he chose to have a place where his Glory could dwell and people could approach him. Due to his holiness the people had to be protected by the surrounding cloud. The Shekienah dwelt in the Tabernacle and the first Temple, and Ezekiel records a vision of its departure due to the sin of the nation. It seems that it returned to the Promised Land briefly, living in Jesus and veiled in his mortal flesh. It was allowed to shine through just once, on the Mount of Transfiguration. (Matt 17 V2)
It is also interesting to ponder on the fact that the priests were ministering in Herod's Temple, in front of a veil which had no Ark and no Shekienah behind it, whilst the one in whom the Shekienah dwelt was riding down from the Mount of Olives on an asses colt. Could a similar situation prevail in our churches?
Where is the Ark of the Covenant ?
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There have been many people who have
sought the Ark of the Covenant (in reality as well as in the Steven Spielberg
movie "The Raiders of the Lost Ark")
There are theories that place it in various locations in Jerusalem and elsewhere in the world, but does it still exist and if so where is it and will it be found? Randall Price has explored all the available evidence and arguments and weighed them with Bible records. The unfolding investigation makes a gripping detective story, while explaining many things about the Ark and its purpose. Highly recommended. |
Current events
The Israel and Temple Mount Faithful group is pressing hard towards rebuilding the Temple and re-establishing Temple worship. Other Jews have different beliefs about rebuilding, and secular Jews fear disturbing the status quo and provoking political conflict. Opposition from the Muslims is strong, as is to be expected. While denying that Temple Mount is actually the site of the Temple they are carrying out building work which is destroying archaeological evidence of the Temple. Important finds are turning up where the contractors are dumping the spoil. The spoil is now mixed with other rubbish to make this work more difficult and unpleasant. A large stone saw was installed on site to cut up the ancient stones. These works have now caused a worrying bulge to appear in the southern wall. The agencies that should prevent such acts appear unwilling to risk confrontation. If you are willing to register your opposition, please go to www.thegalileeexperience.com/DECLARATION/background.html
Ariel Sharon has been blamed for starting the October 2000 conflict by visiting Temple Mount, but this is hardly fair. The conflict had already started with the murder of two Israelis and Palestinian radio had been inciting violence for several days. Temple Mount belongs to Israel but the government handed control to the Wakf ( Muslim authorities). While Israel's constitution protects freedom of religion and access to holy sites, the Muslim authorities deny Jews access to their most holy place. Why did Yasser Arafat seek control of all Jewish and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem ? It could hardly have been to improve freedom of access or worship !
(See also David's Tabernacle and Musical Instruments.)
Had you noticed the number of times David mentions the Temple in his Psalms, even though the Jerusalem Temple was not built until the time of Solomon? For example Psalm 18 v6
In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.
See also Psalm 11 v4. Psalm 27 v4, Psalm 29 v9 - - - - - David appears to be referring to the Temple in Heaven.
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Learn about Moses' Tabernacle and Solomon's Temple using 3D virtual reality technology. www3.telus.net/public/kstam/en/models/models.htm |
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The Tabernacle Place is devoted to making available to Christian teachers, all the teaching value in the Tabernacle. The site has Sunday school teaching material etc and supplies construction kits to make your own model. www.the-tabernacle-place.com |
Updated 7/11/07
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