God’s Temple for the Nation of Israel Scripture Reading: Ezekiel 10:4, 18-19, 11:23 John 2:1,14; 2:13-21

Introduction The second NT metaphor of the Church is that of a (living) “temple in the Lord” Eph 2:19-22 There is a definite distinction between God’s Temple for Israel and God’s temple today, which is the Church

Definition of Temple according to Unger’s Bible Dictionary: A building set apart for the worship of a deity

Man-made Tents and Buildings The Tabernacle (Ex 40:33-38 Shekinah Glory was present (weighty residence) 3 levels of God’s presence: Omnipresence Indwelling residence

Solomon’s Temple Filled with God’s Glory I Kings 8:10-11 The Glory departs Ezek 10:4,19,11:23 The Temple destroyed by Babylon in 586 BC

Herodian Temple “Remodeling of Zerubbabel’s Temple began in 20 BC and was fully completed by Herod’s son in 64 AD. About a 35 acre platform No Shekinah Glory

Tribulation Temple No Shekinah Glory Matt 24:15 II Thess 2:4 Rev 13:14-15 Temple Mount will be devastated during and after the 7-yr Tribulation period Rev 11:13, 16:17-19 Zech 14:4 Isa 40:4

Millennial Temple The Shekinah Glory returns Ezek 44:4 “Then brought he me the way of the north gate before the house: and I looked, and, behold, the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord: and I fell upon my face.”

Conclusion During the existence of the Herodian Temple, Israel was blind to the true Temple of God and His Glory in the person of Jesus Christ. Jn 1:14, 2:19, 21 No one will be blind to Christ’s glory at His second coming! Rev 1:7