The children of Israel were told to construct a Tabernacle whereby they could worship God in the wilderness and bring their sacrifices. God was very specific on how it should be built. It was portable and lasted all the way until the time of Solomon. (Exodus 25-40)
Now let’s review the facts of Solomon’s temple. It was twice the size of the Tabernacle. It measured approximately 90 ft. long, 30 ft. broad, and 45 ft. high. It was not only larger, but more elaborate than the previous Tabernacle. It had windows and floors that the Tabernacle didn’t have. It had more lampstands and tables. The walls were of cedar and the whole Temple was overlaid with gold. The cherubim above the ark were larger and so was the bronze altar in the inner courtyard. It had side rooms and movable carts. Before the entrance to the Holy place were two giant and ornate pillars with attached capitals. Solomon hired a master craftsman named Hiram. He was the best of the best and he knew his trade. Altogether it took Solomon seven years to finish the Temple. (1 Kings 5-9)
Whatever happened to the Temple? Solomon’s temple (sometimes called the First Temple) would be destroyed in 586 B.C. by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. It would be rebuilt by Zerubbabel in c. 536–515 B.C. when the Jews would return from their captivity. This Second Temple wouldn’t be as elaborate as the First Temple. But later this rebuilt Temple would be enhanced by Herod the Great, starting in 20 B.C., making it more glorious than ever. It would be called “Herod’s Temple” and it would be utterly destroyed in A.D. 70 by Roman soldiers under Titus. It says in the Bible that the Temple will be rebuilt by the Antichrist during the Tribulation (Dan 9:27, Rev 11:1-2). After the Tribulation and during Christ’s thousand-year rule, there will be a special Messianic Temple (Eze 40-48). But when everything is over and we all get to heaven, there will be no Temple. Why? (Rev 21:22) But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
Did you notice how that presently there is no Temple in Jerusalem and there hasn’t been for almost two millenniums? What does that mean? I believe it means that there is another emphasis that God wants to make in regards to the Temple. Today THE TEMPLE IS YOU! (1 Cor 6:19-20) Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.
So let’s keep it holy and not defile it! (1 Cor 3:17) If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. Like Solomon, let’s dedicate our temple to Him. (Rom 12:1) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
Today the Temple is also US. (1 Pet 2:5-6) you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame." The church is constructed not of bricks, but of believers! (Mat 18:20) "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." So let’s get together and praise the Lord. And may God be pleased to dwell with us and may the glory of the Lord rise among us!
Solomon built a Temple. God builds a temple. And THE TEMPLE IS YOU!
Louie