Temple means (hay-kawl) a palace or a large public building; but, in a spiritual sense, it is a place of worship where the presence of God dwells. There are four temples mentioned in the bible: 1) Temple in heaven; 2) Temple in Jerusalem (old covenant); 3) The church of God (new covenant); 4) Our human body.
- Temple in Heaven
In the Bible, four times the throne of God was revealed to four different prophets. Each one records an important event taking place first. These four prophets are: Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and John the Revelator. When the first two prophets were in vision they only saw a throne and they see One sitting on the throne and four Seraphims or Cherubim standing next to the Father. But when Prophet Daniel and John had a vision of the throne of God, they saw a change taking place. Twenty-four elders were sitting round about the throne and the judgment was taking place.
“In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet and with twain he did fly.” Isaiah 6:1–2. Then let us go to Ezekiel: “Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims [If you look at the word cherubims and seraphim, they point to the throne. They are the four Angels who are in the presence of the Father.] there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne. Ezekiel 10:1. And in verse 14 he mentions “And every one had four faces: the first face was the face of a cherub, and the second face was the face of a man, and the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of eagle.” Then in the book of Daniel: “I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool: His throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him.” Daniel 7:9–10
In Revelation we read: “And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. And He that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to Him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever.” Revelation 4:2–9
These angels sing such sweet music that when Sister White came from her vision she thought the music she heard here on earth was like a lifeless music. Let us look at the character of these Angels: many eyes means perfect in wisdom; 1) Lion: courage; 2) Ox : great labour, diligence; 3) Man: prudence, discretion; 4) Eagle: sublime, affection. They mount up with wings, eyes, meditations and ministrations.
- Temple in Jerusalem (old covenant)
The Lord chose the exact spot for the offering of Isaac. He said to Abraham, “Get thee into the land of Moriah”. Genesis 22:2. The spot where such loyalty to God was shown was ever afterward honored by the Lord. But the devil, as well as the Lord, watched over this place. Satan knew it was sacred to Jehovah, because there God had tested the faith of the man He honored by calling him His friend (James 2:23). For more than 400 years after the children of Israel entered the Promised Land, Satan held this place. It was a stronghold of the enemy in the midst of Israel. But it was finally captured by David, who made it the capital of his kingdom; afterward Jerusalem (foundation of peace) was called the “city of David” (2 Samuel 5:6–9). The threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, where the angel of the Lord appeared to David, was on this same spot. The prophet told David to erect an altar on the threshing-floor, and there David made a special consecration to the Lord. A few years later the temple, which was erected without sound of hammer, occupied this same plot of land (2 Chronicles 3:1). Satan is guarding this spot vigilantly at the present time, intending never again to relinquish his hold upon it.
- The Church of God (new covenant)
“The church is God’s appointed agency for the salvation of men. It was organized for service, and its mission is to carry the gospel to the world. From the beginning it has been God’s plan that through His church shall be reflected to the World His fullness and His sufficiency. The members of the church, those whom He has called out of darkness into His marvelous light, are to show forth His glory. The church is the repository of the riches of the grace of Christ; and through the church will eventually be made manifest, even to ‘the principalities and powers in heavenly places,’ the final and full display of the love of God. Ephesians 3:10” –Acts of the Apostles, p. 9. Then the Spirit of Prophesy says, “I then saw the third angel. Said my accompanying angel, ‘Fearful is his work, and awful is his mission. He is the angel that is to select the wheat from the tares, and seal, or bind, the wheat for the heavenly garner.’” –Early Writings, p. 118
- Our Human Body
“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God. . .” 1 Corinthians 3:16. The Spirit of God abides in us (John 14:16–17). Jesus spoke, “Destroy this temple” (John 2:19), referring to His body. Both Father and Son will live in us (John 14:23). The Spirit of God works in our mind, not as an intruder but a helper. The human mind is free to take His counsel and He directs its action.
I hope this will richly bless your understanding as to how we are part of God’s temple. Amen.
Augustus Ratneiya