Celebrating
Love of JESUS, Hope of Heaven, and Faith in the Word of God.

lhetrick@localnet.com
717-582-4555
PO Box 555
New Blmfld, PA 17068

CITY IN THE SKY - Chapter Twenty Two

GOD'S GLORY IN EARTH TEMPLES

The appearance of God's Glory is a cloud or fire or both.  The first appearance was to Moses in a burning bush on Mt. Horeb (Exo.3:2).  The second was a cloud by day and fire by night to lead the Israelites from Egypt to Canaan (Exo.13:21).

1/  CLOUD AND FIRE OVER MOSES' TABERNACLE

A cloud covered the tent of the congregation,
and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle
so that Moses was not able to enter.
Exo. 40:34-35

The cloud of the Lord was upon the tabernacle by day
and fire was on it by night
in sight of all Israel in their journeys.
Exo.40:38

2/  THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON  (first temple)

Trumpets, singers and instruments offered praise saying
the Lord is good, His mercy endures forever,
and a cloud of the glory of the Lord
filled the house of God.
2 Chr. 5:13-14

Then said Solomon,
The Lord said He would dwell in thick darkness.
But I have built a house of habitation for Thee,
a place for You to dwell forever.
2 Chr. 6:1-2

But will God in very deed
dwell with men on earth?
Behold heaven, even the heaven of heavens
cannot contain Thee;
how much less this house which I have built!
2 Chr.6:18

NOTE:  God dwelt with men on earth when Jesus came in a humble physical body.

NOTE:  Israel departed from God (Ezk.8:17) and God's glory departed from Solomon's temple (Ezk.9:13; 10:18; 11:23).  The temple was destroyed and Israel went into captivity in Babylon for 70 years.  God's glory has never returned to a Jewish temple, and the Jews are still mostly scattered among the nations even though they have their own nation.

3/  ZERUBBABEL'S TEMPLE  (second temple)  was built after the 70-year captivity.  No ention is made of God's glory in this temple.

4/  THE LAST PROPHETS, BEFORE JESUS CAME TO EARTH IN A BODY OF HUMILITY, TOLD OF HIS COMING

Out of Bethlehem, Judah,
will come a ruler of Israel
Who is everlasting.
Mic.5:2

I will dwell among you
and you will know
that the Lord of Hosts
has sent Me unto you.
Zec.2:11
(Zec.4:9; 6:15)

Rejoice Jerusalem,
your King comes to you with salvation,
He is just and humble,
riding upon a donkey.
Zec.9:9

The Lord whom you seek
will suddenly come to His temple.
Mal.3:1

5/  JESUS APPEARED ON EARTH IN A HUMBLE PHYSICAL MORTAL BODY OF FLESH AS A VISIBLE AND AUDIBLE MANIFESTATION OF GOD'S PRESENCE

I Am from Him,
and He has sent Me.
John 7:29

Who is the Son of God?
Jesus said,  you have seen Him
and He is talking with you.
John 9:35-38

Jesus went into the Temple of God.
Mat.21:12

NOTE:  The temple of Jesus' day may have been Zerubbabel's temple restored by Herod.  It was completely destroyed by Titus in 70 AD and has never been rebuilt.  The Dome of the Rock now stands on the temple site.

6/  JESUS RETURNED TO THE TRUE TEMPLE IN THE SKY.  THE PRESENCE OF GOD NOW ABIDES IN HUMAN BODIES AS TEMPLES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.  FIRE APPEARED OVER THOSE WHO FIRST RECEIVED THE SPIRIT, AND THEIR TONGUES PRAISED GOD.  (Acts 2:1-4)

7/  EZEKIELS'S TEMPLE  (third temple)  to be built when the Jews return to Israel after the GREAT tribulation.  It is called Ezekiel's temple because it is described in Ezk.40:1 -- 42:20.  Ezk.43:1-7 describes the return of the glory of the Lord to the inner court of this temple on earth.  Ezk.43:19 -- 46:24 describes the order of offerings and sacrifices to be reinstituted, and how the ruling prince will go in and out by the eastern gate to offer sacrifices for himself and the people.

On every home and synagogue in Zion
a cloud by day and a fire by night.
Isa.4:5

Home  top   Contents   Next Chapter