Steven A. Bush - July 31, 2022
Ye Really Are God's Temple
Mark 13:1-2 says: "As Jesus was leaving the Temple that day, one of His disciples said, 'Teacher, look at these magnificent buildings! Look at the impressive stones in the walls.' Jesus replied, 'Yes, look at these great buildings. But they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!'” (NLT) Jesus' words would come true when Jerusalem and it's Temple were destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. King Solomon's first Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians centuries before that. While some maintain expectations of yet another Jewish temple to be built in Jerusalem, the Scriptures tell us of another Temple. Where might that one be? 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 gives the answer: "Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple." (NLT) Ephesians 2:19-22 puts it this way: "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of His household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit." (NIV) So God dwells in His people by His Holy Spirit and this is wherever His regenerated, born again, adopted children are found. Ye really are God's Temple!
Scripture References: Mark 13:1-2, John 1:14, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, Ephesians 2:19-22, 1 Peter 2:4-5, Revelation 21:1-7