There is no more need for temple buildings, but for you to understand this we need to first look at what took place on the cross. Jesus not only fulfilled the need for animal sacrifices while being the Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world, but something amazing happened in the holy of holies. While temple priests were performing their sacrificial offerings, the temple veil was rent in half. “Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent.” (Matthew 27:50,51) What does this mean? It means that the presence of God is no longer found in a building made with hands, but in us. We are now the temple of the living God. “But Solomon built him an house. Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet” (Acts 7:47,48) This is a new teaching that came from Jesus’s sacrifice for sins on the cross. Stephen was even stoned for sharing this truth.
It is true that we are the temple of the living God. His presence dwells in us through the Holy Spirit. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” (1 Corinthians 3:16,17) There are dire consequences when people voluntarily do things to their body that is sinful in nature. Just as priests were killed by God if they entered the holy of holies while in sin, we will also pay the consequences come death. Our faith in Jesus saves us, but this does not give us a right to sin. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” (Galatians 6:7,8) So as believers, the Holy Spirit abounds in our lives, not sin. We treat our temples as God treated His temple buildings of old. May the Lord Jesus reign in us. Amen.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that people will learn to treat their temple bodies as the people of Israel treated temple buildings. Thank You for tearing the veil on the day that You died for our sins, Jesus. I am so grateful that we now have the Holy Spirit in our lives to lead and guide us. It is wonderful to visit Jerusalem, but the need for temple buildings has ended. Thank You for this teaching, although some cults have not understood this fact. And so we have people erecting temple buildings in order to do their own man-made works. God, It would be wonderful if people that believe in You would read the Bible. However, people trust in the wrong things instead of what You have said in scripture. There are so many false prophets in our mix, which teach things that sound good on paper, but is so evil on the inside. How can I reach these lost people? Only through the Holy Spirit leading me. You can do all things, God. I love You, Jesus. Amen.
