The Temple of God
"While the Masonic Lodge may call it 'The Temple of Solomon,' if
their story about its building is false, then Freemasonry is presenting
another temple. They can argue symbology all they want, but if the story
is false, then what it symbolizes is also false, for there is nothing of
any real substance for the symbol to represent."
William D. Rice, an Ex-Mason for Jesus and a proud member of the
Order of Former Freemasons
Satan always hides behind a facade; and he does not need a password
or dues card to enter the lodge in order to grip the hearts and minds of
Masons. Since this is true, it is of utmost importance for us to discern
how the devil has used Freemasonry to distort the Biblical record. Satan
is not interested in destroying other faiths; he already knows that they
are counterfeit. He only cares about deceiving Christians, hence the use
of Bible "scripture twisting" in Freemasonry, which is one of
Satan's craftiest works of art. Rather than using the bogus
"Volumes of Sacred Law" of other religions, Freemasonry uses
the real thing — the true inspired Word of God — the Holy Bible.
Freemasonry takes the actual biblical account of the building of
God's Temple and twists the facts in order to fabricate its Masonic
Legend used in its ritual. Masons say it is just a fable or allegory to
teach a deeper truth. Certainly figures of speech, parables and
metaphors are part of human communication and help to illustrate a point
in the context of a real issue. However, the Legend in Freemasonry is
not the same thing. It is not a fable in the purest sense of the word
that is, standing alone in and of itself in order to convey its deeper
meaning.
It would be purely fable if it were separated from Scripture, and did
not include any biblical characters. But because it integrates God's
pure Word (which is fact) with fiction, it distorts the truth contained
therein. As a result, since most Masons don't even read the Bible, many
think that the Legend is true, even though they may be told that it is
not. This is why many Masons think that King Solomon was really
Freemasonry's first Worshipful Master and that the Temple he built was
indeed the first Masonic Lodge and that the inner sanctum was for the
"Masons" of that time, rather than the Levitical Priests as
the Bible teaches.
By the same token, there are some Masons who have postulated that,
John the Baptist was a Mason, since he wore an animal skin
"apron." And, believe it or not, other Masons have even
confused Jesus' operative profession as a carpenter into wrongly
concluding that he too may have been a member of their speculative
craft. Please, give me a break!
You see, this is the danger of the Masonic Legend. Because it
integrates the real historic events found in God's Word with the fairy
tale of Masonic ritual, it ultimately distorts the truth of God and
causes men to think the nonsense just described.
However, for your benefit and theirs, the following article explains
the true meaning of King Solomon's Temple:
Introduction: Solomon Dedicates the Temple
Welcome
to our study on the Temple of God. We will be looking closer at the
Temple and its symbolism, and what it means for Christians today. Let's
introduce our study by reading the account of the Temple's Dedication by
Solomon:
"Thus all the work that Solomon made for the house of the LORD
was finished: and Solomon brought in all the things that David his
father had dedicated; and the silver, and the gold, and all the
instruments, put he among the treasures of the house of God. Then
Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes,
the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto Jerusalem, to
bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David,
which is Zion. Wherefore all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto
the king in the feast which was in the seventh month. And all the elders
of Israel came; and the Levites took up the ark. And they brought up the
ark, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels
that were in the tabernacle, these did the priests and the Levites bring
up. Also king Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel that were
assembled unto him before the ark, sacrificed sheep and oxen, which
could not be told nor numbered for multitude. And the priests brought in
the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto his place, to the oracle of the
house, into the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubim:
for the cherubim spread forth their wings over the place of the ark, and
the cherubim covered the ark and the staves thereof above."
Solomon continues, "And they drew out the staves of the ark,
that the ends of the staves were seen from the ark before the oracle;
but they were not seen without. And there it is unto this day. There was
nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses put therein at Horeb,
when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they
came out of Egypt. And it came to pass, when the priests were come out
of the holy place: (for all the priests that were present were
sanctified, and did not then wait by course: also the Levites which were
the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their
sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals
and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with
them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:) it came even
to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to
be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up
their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and
praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for
ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the
LORD; so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the
cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God."
"Then said Solomon, The LORD hath said that he would dwell in
the thick darkness. But I have built a house of habitation for thee, and
a place for thy dwelling for ever. And the king turned his face, and
blessed the whole congregation of Israel: and all the congregation of
Israel stood. And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who hath
with his hands fulfilled that which he spake with his mouth to my father
David, saying, since the day that I brought forth my people out of the
land of Egypt I chose no city among all the tribes of Israel to build an
house in, that my name might be there; neither chose I any man to be a
ruler over my people Israel: but I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name
might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel. Now
it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of
the LORD God of Israel. But the LORD said to David my father, Forasmuch
as it was in thine heart to build an house for my name, thou didst well
in that it was in thine heart: notwithstanding thou shalt not build the
house; but thy son which shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall
build the house for my name. The LORD therefore hath performed his word
that he hath spoken: for I am risen up in the room of David my father
and am set on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built
the house for the name of the LORD God of Israel. And in it have I put
the ark, wherein is the covenant of the LORD, that he made with the
children of Israel." (2
Chronicles 5:1-6:11)
Brief History of the Temple
The forerunner to Solomon's temple was the tabernacle, a tent which
God instructed Moses and the Israelites to build while they were at
Mount Sinai in the wilderness. God gave specific instructions as to how
the tabernacle should be constructed, and how each of the vessels and
furnishings should be fashioned and ornamented (Exodus
25-40). The tabernacle was designed to be taken down quickly, and
each of the furnishings was equipped with rings through which poles
could be placed for transporting. This "portable" sanctuary
was used by the people of Israel as they traveled through the wilderness
until they finally reached the promised land of Canaan, after which the
tabernacle was set up permanently. It was used until the time of Solomon
who built a glorious temple for God to dwell in, fulfilling the dream of
his father David.
During the era of the kings, the temple went through several periods
of defilement and restoration. It was ransacked by Shishak of Egypt
during King Rehoboam's reign, and was later restored by King Asa (2
Chronicles 12:9, 2
Chronicles 15:8, 2
Chronicles 15:18). After another period of spiritual decline and
idolatry, King Joash repaired and restored the temple (2
Chronicles 24:4-14). King Ahaz gave several of the temple
furnishings to the King of Assyria as a gift and closed the temple. His
son Hezekiah reopened the temple and repaired and cleansed it. However,
Hezekiah's son Manasseh would defile the temple again with idolatrous
practices. These practices continued through Manasseh's successors until
the temple was destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzer of Babylon (2
Chronicles 28:21-24, 2
Chronicles 29:1-19, 2
Chronicles 33:1-7, 2
Chronicles 34:1-13, 2
Chronicles 36:18-19). Fifty years after Nebuchadnezzer destroyed the
temple, King Cyrus allowed the Israelites to return from exile in
Babylon to Palestine and rebuild the temple under the leadership of
Zerubbabel (Ezra
1:1-4; Ezra
3:8).
There was opposition to the rebuilding of the temple from other
inhabitants in the area. This caused a delay of around 10-15 years.
Under the stirring of the prophets Zechariah and Haggai, temple
restoration continued till completion and dedication around 516 B.C.
This second temple was smaller and less ornate than its predecessor.
Much expansion and restoration, spanning 46 years, was done to the
temple by King Herod during the time of Jesus, which is referenced in John
2:20. It is this temple which Jesus visited as a child with Mary and
Joseph to celebrate the annual Passover feast. And it is this temple
from which He would expel the moneychangers. The early Church gathered
at this temple to worship, God used Peter to heal a man at the temple's
gate, and Paul was physically accosted and accused of defiling the
temple by bring Gentiles into the inner court. Jesus prophesied the
temple's destruction, "There shall not be left here one stone upon
another that shall not be thrown down." (Matthew
25:1-2). This was fulfilled by the Roman military under the
leadership of Titus in 70 A.D. who destroyed, not only the temple, but
most of Jerusalem as well.
Biblical prophecies mention a time in the future when the Antichrist
will desolate the temple and stop the sacrifices offered. Because of
these prophecies, Israel must sometime in the future rebuild the temple
and start offering sacrifices once again. Plans are already being drawn
up to rebuild the temple and to fashion its furnishings.
The Tabernacle Pointed to Jesus
(As we continue in this study, the words tabernacle
and temple will be used interchangeably.)
The tabernacle and temple in the Old Testament was rich in symbolism
of the person and ministry of Jesus Christ, the future Messiah who would
be a once and final offering and sacrifice for our sins. This would
explain God's attention to detail in His instructions concerning the
tabernacle's construction and the fashioning of the vessels and
furnishings. The tabernacle was built with money or items willingly
given from the heart (Exodus
25:2). Matthew Henry penned in his commentary, "God chose the
people of Israel to be a peculiar people to himself, above all people,
and he himself would be their King. He ordered a royal palace to be set
up among them for himself, called a sanctuary, or holy place, or
habitation. There he showed his presence among them. And because in the
wilderness they dwelt in tents, this royal palace was ordered to be a
tabernacle, that it might move with them. The people were to furnish
Moses with the materials, by their own free will. The best use we can
make of our worldly wealth, is to honor God with it in works of piety
and charity. We should ask, not only, what must we do? But, what may we
do for God? Whatever they gave, they must give it cheerfully, not
grudgingly, for God loves a cheerful giver, (2
Corinthians 9:7). What is laid out in the service of God, we must
reckon well bestowed; and whatsoever is done in God's service, must be
done by his direction."
The
tabernacle and its furnishings have great symbolic and theological
significance. The tabernacle showed God's willingness and desire to meet
with mankind, and ultimately foreshadow the coming of Jesus, who
"became flesh and dwelt among us." (John
1:14). The symbolism is expressed in the Old Testament references to
the tabernacle as the "tent of meeting". The very first tent
of meeting was a small tent erected outside of the camp of Israel where
Moses would go to meet with God. The pillar of fire and cloud, which was
a visual sign of God's Presence, hung over the tent. The people of
Israel were invited to come to the tent to inquire of the Lord, but only
Moses could enter. When the tabernacle was constructed, the pillar of
fire and cloud moved from Moses' tent to the tabernacle, signaling it as
God's new place of dwelling and meeting with man. Though the tabernacle
itself is symbolic of God's desire to meet with man, each of the
furnishings and rituals also has great symbolism. God gave specific
instructions to Moses to construct everything "according to the
pattern shown you on the mountain." (Exodus
25:40). The writer of Hebrews expressed the tabernacle's symbolism,
calling it "a copy and shadow of what is in heaven." (Hebrews
8:5).
There was only one entrance into the tabernacle (on the east side),
which symbolized Jesus as being the only way to God. "I am the way,
the truth, and the life," Jesus said, "no man cometh unto the
Father, but by me." (John
14:6). Jesus also referred to Himself as the door: "I am the
door: by me if any shall enter in, he shall be saved" (John
10:9). Once through the door and into the outer court, one came upon
the altar of burnt offering, which symbolized not only God's judgment of
sin, but also His willingness to accept a substitutional sacrifice. Also
in the outer court was the brazen laver or basin where the priests would
wash themselves before and after offering the sacrifice. The purely New
Testament doctrine of water baptism may have originated in the
ceremonial washing of the priests: one was not ready for service until
he had been washed.
Beyond the laver and the altar was the Most Holy Place, a separate
tent divided into two rooms, where only the priests could enter. Walking
into the inner court, one would see the altar of incense. Its fragrance
and smoke, which filled the room, represents the prayers of the people
always going up before God. It reminds us of Paul's words to the
Thessalonians, "Pray without ceasing." One would also see the
table of shewbread, which symbolized Jesus who said, "I am the
bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that
believeth on me shall never thirst." (John
6:35). It also symbolized fellowship, and God's desire to satisfy
our spiritual hunger. The bread was to be replaced every Sabbath by the
priests. Also in the inner court was the golden lamp stand. The lamp
stand was made of one solid piece of gold. This is a clear
representation of Christ, whose bones were not broken during His
crucifixion. "I am the light of the world," Jesus spake
concerning Himself, "he that followeth me shall not walk in
darkness, but shall have the light of life." (John
8:12). The lamp stand was to always be lit, and it was the priests'
responsibility to make sure the light never went out.
A veil separated the Most Holy Place from the other room, the Holy of
Holies, where God did symbolically dwell. Only the High Priest could
enter this room, and only on the Day of Atonement. Inside was the Ark of
the Covenant where the High Priest would sprinkle blood upon the mercy
seat. Inside of the ark were representations of God's dealing with man:
the stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments (God's law), a pot of
manna (God's provision of daily bread), and Aaron's rod which budded and
brought forth almonds (God's choosing Aaron and his lineage for the
priesthood). The veil reminded us of our sinful state, and that
"all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." (Romans
3:23). But the veil which separated the two rooms was miraculously
torn in half from top to bottom when Jesus died, opening the way for all
to "come boldly before the throne of grace." (Matthew
27:51, Hebrews
4:16, Hebrews
7:25). The veil of the temple was about 80 feet or 25 meters in
height, and such a large piece of material was probably quite heavy. No
human could have torn it, especially from top to bottom. Thus, God tore
down the barrier between us and Himself, allowing mankind full access to
Himself. The writer of Hebrews tells us, "Having therefore,
brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a
new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil,
that is to say, his flesh; and having an high priest over the house of
God; let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,
having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies
washed with pure water." (Hebrews
10:19-22).
The Ark of the Covenant, the only furnishing in the Holy of Holies,
was covered with the mercy seat upon which the High Priest would
sprinkle the blood. On each end of the ark were two golden cherubim,
facing each other, and looking down upon the mercy seat where the blood
would be applied. It is between the two cherubim that God would manifest
His presence. It is interesting indeed, when reading the account of
Jesus' resurrection in the book of John, that Mary Magdalene looked into
the tomb to see two cherubim sitting where Jesus' body had lain, one at
the HEAD and one at the FEET (John
20:12). Between the two cherubim was where the supreme sacrifice,
once and for all, was laid. The ark and the veil together spoke to
mankind, "You are welcome, but you can only come so far, and no
farther." Instead of a flaming sword to keep men out, now the
cherubim proclaim, "He is not here, He is risen." And now all
who will may come and take the water of life freely!
The sacrifices made daily in the temple could not take away our sins,
but only cover them. The writer of Hebrews said of Christ, "For the
law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of
the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by
year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they
not have ceased to be offered? ...And every priest standeth daily
ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never
take away sins: but (Jesus), after he had offered one sacrifice for sins
forever, sat down on the right hand of God." (Hebrews
10:1-2, 11-12).
Matthew Henry voiced in his commentary, "The apostle having
shown that the tabernacle, and ordinances of the covenant of Sinai, were
only emblems and types of the gospel, concludes that the sacrifices the
high priests offered continually, could not make the worshippers
perfect, with respect to pardon, and the purifying of their consciences.
But when "God manifested in the flesh," became the sacrifice,
and his death upon the accursed tree the ransom, then the Sufferer being
of infinite worth, his free-will sufferings were of infinite value. The
atoning sacrifice must be one capable of consenting, and must of his own
will place himself in the sinner's stead: Christ did so. The fountain of
all that Christ has done for his people, is the sovereign will and grace
of God. The righteousness brought in, and the sacrifice once offered by
Christ, are of eternal power, and his salvation shall never be done
away. They are of power to make all the comers thereunto perfect; they
derive from the atoning blood, strength and motives for obedience, and
inward comfort."
Five General Concepts Regarding the Tabernacle and
Its Symbolic Meaning
- The tabernacle was a sanctuary, a place sanctified and set apart
for God to dwell among His people and to meet with them. The glory
of God, like a cloud, was over the tabernacle night and day. When
the glory of God moved, the people of Israel would pack their
belongings and move also, following God as He led them.
- The tabernacle was a testimony, for contained within the Ark were
the Ten Commandments, a constant reminder of God's holiness and His
laws for living. Following God could not be separated from following
His laws. Also within the Ark was a pot of manna, representing God's
supernatural provision for His children. God's lesson for the
children of Israel, as well as us, is that He will provide our needs
daily, and not to worry about tomorrow. Jesus echoed this thought in
His teaching, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these
things will be added unto you."
- The tabernacle was a place of forgiveness, for the sins of the
people were atoned for through the sacrifices of spotless lambs and
bullocks. While the blood of lambs covered their sin, it symbolized
Jesus, the Lamb of God, who would take away their sin, and our sin.
The writer of Hebrews penned, "But Christ being come an high
priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect
tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this
building; neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own
blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained
eternal redemption for us." (Hebrews
9:11-12).
- The tabernacle pointed toward New Testament believers, who would
become the dwelling place of the Spirit of God. Paul expressed this
to the church at Corinth, "Know ye not that your body is the
temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you, which ye have of God, and
ye are not your own?" (1
Corinthians 6:19). As God dwelt in the Holy of Holies, so each
Christian as the temple of the Spirit is instructed to walk in
holiness, "without which no man shall see the Lord." The
veil of the temple, which visually separated God from man, would be
torn in half from top to bottom when Christ, opening the way for men
to "come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain
mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews
4:16).
- The tabernacle pointed toward heaven and man's final redemption,
"for Christ is not entered into the holy places made with
hands, which are the figures of the true," the writer of
Hebrews said, "but unto heaven itself, now to appear in the
presence of God for us." (Hebrews
9:24). The apostle John, during the great Revelation of Jesus,
saw a new heaven and earth, and a New Jerusalem coming down from God
out of heaven. Then he heard a great voice proclaim, "Behold,
the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and
they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be
their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and
their shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither
shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things
news. And he said unto me, Write: for these things are true and
faithful." (Revelation
21:1-5).
Conclusion
The Temple was a foreshadow of Christ and His redemptive and
sacrificial work for mankind, as well as symbolic of God's presence
among men. As Christians, our own bodies are now the temple of the Holy
Spirit, for which reason the apostle Paul warns us so strongly against
immorality and impurity. Jesus came as "The Word made flesh and
dwelt among us", and has promised that He would never leave us nor
forsake us. The New Jerusalem which God is preparing for us will contain
no temple. John the Apostle said in the book of Revelation, "And I
saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the
temple of it."
This article was acquired from Tel-A-Care
Ministry, © 2002
Art of Tabernacle by Pat Marvenko Smith, © 1992
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