Temples (Not) Made With Hands (1)

by George Bell

"But Solomon built Him an house. Howbeit, the Most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool: what house will ye build Me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of My rest? Hath not My hand made all these things?" (Acts 7:47-50).

In this fifth article on the subject, "Without hands," the contrast is between what is ornate and attractive to the eye, and what is spiritual.

In the course of his solemn indictment of Israel, Stephen drew attention to that nation's long history of unfaithfulness and disobedience, which had culminated in the betrayal and murder of the Just One. The words of Solomon at the dedication of the temple he had built, were quoted (1 Kings 8:27; 2 Chron. 6:18). Never had there been an edifice so imposing and magnificent. David had a great desire to build a house for Jehovah, and while he was still on the throne he made great preparations for this: "... and the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries..." (1 Chron. 22:5). His son Solomon put David's plans into effect. When the Queen of Sheba came to see the house and to hear the wisdom of the king, "There was no more spirit in her" (1 Kings 10:5). Yet at the same time that Israel was boasting in the outward glory of the temple, it was carrying on in idolatrous ways.

At the dedication of the temple, in spite of its magnificence, the wealth expended on its construction and the labour put into it, Solomon saw how insignificant it was when compared with the greatness of the God who deigned to dwell there. Could the omnipresent God possibly be confined to a temple made with hands? Yet such was His love for His earthly people that He made His dwelling place among them in the temple prepared for Him. "So. the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD" (1 Kings 8:11). It was a wonderful occasion and Solomon the king shines in this part of the story. "And he stood, and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying, Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto His people Israel, according to all that He promised: there hath not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised by the hand of Moses His servant" (1 Kings 8:55-56). How blessed it would have been if God's people had returned His love to Him in obedience. But it wasn't to be so. Solomon himself loved many strange women who "turned away his heart after other gods" (1 Kings 11:4). We are even told that "Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD" (ch. 11:6).

The sad story is very well known. As the years went by the nation transgressed more and more until eventually the ten tribes were taken away by the Assyrians. Judah did not take heed, but was likewise guilty of idolatry. There were some exceptions, like Josiah, the last godly king, but the kings who came after him did evil in the sight of the Lord, and provoked Him to anger. God could no longer go on with His people, and He used the Chaldeans under Nebuchadnezzar to punish Judah. The temple was destroyed and the people taken into captivity to Babylon.

The Times Of Isaiah The Prophet

In the closing chapter of Isaiah reference is made to the prayer of Solomon at the consecration of the temple, already referred to in 2 Chronicles 6:18: "Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool: where is the house that ye build unto Me? and where is the place of My rest? For all those things hath Mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My word" (Isa. 66:1-2). The prophet Isaiah wrote his book during the reign of four kings, the last being Hezekiah. It is obvious that there had been a continual downward trend away from God's mind for His people. The sin of idolatry seemed to have a grip on them. God raised up His people to be a witness against the idolatry of the surrounding nations, but alas, in many instances Israel was worse than they were. The temple still stood, but what rest could God find in such deplorable conditions?

It is in these verses that the stark contrast comes out between that which is ornate and attractive to the eye and that which is spiritual. There was always a remnant preserved for God and even in those times there were some to whom He could look. Let us take note of their features: "... even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My word." The reference to, "him that is poor," does not refer to financial circumstances, but rather to humility of spirit. It speaks of deep need along with sorrow at the surrounding conditions. We remember that this is the first beatitude in Matthew 5:3, "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for their's is the kingdom of heaven."

The second characteristic here is, "of a contrite spirit." There is no desire to assert oneself or to seek any prominence. It is the exact opposite of man's way of thinking. The world gives way to those who exalt themselves. The Scripture says, "Men will praise thee when thou doest well to thyself" (Psalm 49:18).

The third feature is, ". trembleth at My word." If the first two characteristics mark us, the next will certainly follow. There will be a desire to hear what God has to say and we will look to Him for guidance. To tremble at God's Word means that our consciences are exercised by it, and we are careful to acknowledge its authority over us. The trembling does not mean that we are terror-stricken, but that we give His Word the godly reverence due to it.

These features are so foreign to us naturally that we hesitate even to speak of them. If they were so badly needed in the prophet's day, how much more in our times. Let us not forget that these things are what the Lord looks for, ". to this man will I look."

Brief History Of The Temple

We have already noticed that the temple built by Solomon was destroyed by the Chaldeans. Thereafter no more reference is made to the existence of the Ark. This was a great sorrow to the godly in Israel and is lamented in many of the Psalms. "A man was famous according as he had lifted up axes upon the thick trees. But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and hammers. They have cast fire into Thy sanctuary; they have defiled by casting down the dwelling place of Thy name to the ground" (Psalm 74:5-7). This was the beginning of the ". times of the Gentiles" (Luke 21:24). The glory had departed from the temple. The sentence passed was, "Lo-ammi. not My people." Nevertheless, when the seventy years captivity in Babylon was over, the proclamation was made by Cyrus king of Persia, and a remnant returned to Jerusalem and built the temple from the ruins that were left. Under the leadership of Zerubbabel and others with him, the work was finished and dedicated. "And the children of Israel, the priests and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy" (Ezra 6:16).

In spite of the sentence lying on the nation, God was with the godly in Israel at that time. However, the original character of the temple was never regained. The Ark, which was an indication of the presence of God, was missing, and there was no thought of the glory returning again to this temple. In Nehemiah's day the city and walls were restored through his energy and zeal. However, through all of these times there was a moral deterioration with the people which gave great sorrow to Ezra and Nehemiah.

Herod's Temple

Little needs to be said about this temple. It was larger than Solomon's temple and very ornate. Even the disciples were impressed by the great stones in the buildings (See Matt. 24:1; Mark 13:1). But again it was without the presence of the glory that filled the Holy place in the first temple. It may be of interest to quote from, "The Temple and it's Ministry at the time of Jesus Christ," by Dr. Edersheim:

"The Most Holy was now quite empty, a large stone, on which the high priest sprinkled the blood on the Day of Atonement, occupying the place where the mercy-seat had stood."

This great stone was indicative of the lifelessness of it all. Referring again to the passages in the Gospels noted above, the Lord Jesus must have taken the disciples by surprise when He said, "There shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down" (Mark 13:2). And so it was, as we learn later on. While the nation was very proud of this magnificent edifice, there was little evidence of the moral features in which God delighted. The leaders of the nation were at this time plotting to take the life of the One who had come down from heaven, the long promised Deliverer. There were a few, like the godly remnant found in the early part of Luke's gospel, Simeon and Anna and others, in whom were seen that poor and contrite spirit and who trembled at His Word.

The Temple Of His Body (John 2:21)

There are many occasions, particularly in John's Gospel, when the Lord Jesus made statements which were not understood by those who heard them. Here in John 2 is a case in point. Following the incident of the cleansing of the temple, the Jews enquired of Him, "What sign shewest Thou unto us, seeing that Thou doest these things." They failed to grasp the meaning of the answer given by the Lord, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" (John 2:19). They only thought of Herod's temple. "Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt Thou rear it up in three days?" (v. 20). How enlightening is John's comment, "But He spake of the temple of His body" (v. 21).

It has been said that the tabernacle conveys the truth of "God dwelling with His people." This is borne out by the verse, "And let them make Me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them" (Ex. 25:8). With regard to the temple the thought is rather, "God being displayed." As well as being the centre of Israel's worship, the temple was to be a witness of the true God to the Gentile nations, as it is written, "Mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people" (Isa. 56:7). We have already referred to the Queen of the South who heard of the fame of Solomon in her far-off land.

The figures of both the tabernacle and the temple are applied to the Lord Jesus Himself:

The Tabernacle

"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt (tabernacled) among us,... full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). Again, "... but the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works" (John 14:10).

The Temple

"No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him" (John 1:18). "He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?" (John 14:9).

The character and the nature of God were seen clearly in Him when here on earth. The moral features referred to already in Isaiah 66:2, for which God looks in His people, were also seen in Him. "But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My word."

There was nothing in our blessed Lord that called for contrition, but in lowly grace He did identify Himself with those who acknowledged their sins and were baptised by John the Baptist. He was poor in spirit, never asserting Himself as the Pharisees did. The Word of God was His daily food, "Thy word have I hid in Mine heart" (Psa. 119:11). All was in perfect consistency, for as the Son He was able to make God known perfectly. At the same time, as the meek and lowly Man, He did always those things which pleased the Father.

In John 2 the Lord Jesus said, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" (v. I9). Men thought they had destroyed it when they put Him to death, but He Himself, in His own divine power, was to raise it up on the third day. This fits in with the theme of John's Gospel, which is His greatness as the Son of God. Not only raised bodily, but also glorified bodily in heaven, the knowledge of God is still displayed in Him. It is the apostle Paul who takes up this aspect of the subject: "Because it is the God who spoke that out of darkness light should shine who has shone in our hearts for the shining forth of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Cor. 4:6, J.N.D. Trans.). This knowledge of God that shines in the face of Christ, has shone in our hearts that it might shine forth through us. What a wonderful concept this is, that God is displayed before a world living in darkness, through those attached to Christ by the Spirit.

Bringing to mind again the words of Jehovah in Isaiah 66:2, there was a full answer seen in the apostle in the same chapter in Second Corinthians. There was no self-assertiveness in him, but an acceptance of his bodily weakness as a servant (2 Cor. 4:7). He was ready to suffer in his labours, and he gives the reason for those sufferings in this chapter: "For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you" (vv. 11-12). The apostle's motives were clear. All his sufferings were for Jesus' sake, and for the profit of the saints that life might work in them. How very far short we come in these things. Nevertheless, we can make it our aim to follow in the same steps even in our day.

Stephen's Address In Acts Chapter Seven

We return here to the point where we started, the quotation from 2 Chronicles 6:18. Judging by his reference to this Scripture (see the beginning of this article on page 48), it is obvious that in Stephen's day the leaders in Israel put great emphasis on the temple and its magnificence. Under them the nation had added to its long history of rebellion the crowning sin of putting to death by crucifixion the Messiah. What terrible guilt lay upon them. As his address came to its close, Stephen charged them with this dreadful act, and this prompted them to further violence, "... they gnashed on him with their teeth." What value did their reverence for the ornate temple really have? The words of Stephen at this point were: "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God" (Acts 7:56). This was intolerable to his hearers and they stoned Stephen, who became the first Christian martyr. His last words were similar to those of his Master upon the cross, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." The Lord's words referred to, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34), emphasise man's part in the cross, but we must remember that it was upon the cross that the great work of redemption was done and sin put away. A sacrifice was offered which rendered the temple and all the sacrifices connected with it obsolete. We remember that when the Lord Jesus had cried with a loud voice, and yielded up the ghost, it is written, "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." (Matt. 27:51).

God was finished with all that spoke of distance. He was no longer to be hidden behind the curtains. He had come out so as to be known in His grace. Never before had there been such a display of God as at the cross. How significant then are the words of Stephen. He states what he saw, "The glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God" (Acts 7:55). At the cross God has come out and in the resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus, Man has gone in. His place as Man marks out the place of the believer today.

Not many years passed by before the temple was destroyed by the Romans, as the Lord Jesus had said. We must now be concerned with a temple not made with hands.

The Temple In The New Testament Epistles

There are three main passages in the New Testament Epistles referring to the temple. Turning to these it will be seen that they refer to:

1) The local assembly in Corinth.

2) The body of the individual believer.

3) The assembly as being complete at a future time.

1) "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 Cor. 3:16-17).

It was the apostle Paul who had been the means of the conversion of the Corinthians, and the setting up of an assembly there. It was with this in mind that he refers to himself as a "wise masterbuilder" (1 Cor. 3:10). As such he had laid a good foundation. There was a need for correction among the Corinthian saints, so he writes, "But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon."

The importance is stressed of the kind of materials built upon the foundation. Were they building with durable materials which would stand the test of the fire, such as gold, silver and precious stones, or with wood, hay and stubble which would be burned up? The apostle speaks of a day when all will be assessed at its true value. "Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is" (1 Cor. 3:13).

There is the encouragement of a reward given for that which abides, while as to that which is burned up there is loss. Nevertheless it does say of such, "but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire" (1 Cor. 3:15). Paul is writing to believers here. It is a solemn consideration for us in our day, in our local gatherings, as to what sort of work we are doing for the building up of the saints.

In verse 16 of our chapter there was that which the Corinthians were to know. "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" It is the local assembly which is addressed here, and the Corinthians are reminded of the solemn responsibility involved in being such. How severe the apostle is upon any who would defile the temple of God. This could only be said of one who is not a true believer at all, but we surely need to search our hearts with regard to the matter of building.

2) "What! 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 Cor. 6:19).

In this second Scripture the apostle refers to the body of the individual believer and speaks about very practical matters: "Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body" (1 Cor. 6:13). There is both a responsibility and an encouragement in these words. We are to acknowledge the Lordship of Christ and use our bodies in His service. In doing so we may be sure of His grace and support, as Paul says, "And the Lord for the body." The believer's body is indwelt by the Holy Spirit so how grave it is to use it for unholy practices. The apostle goes on to say, "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" (v. 20). We are all well aware that the great price referred to is the precious blood of Christ. What a claim this has upon our lives! In addition, when he says, "Glorify God in your body," we may well revert to the thought that display is connected with the truth of the temple.

3) "In whom all the building, fitly framed together, groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit" (Eph. 2:21-22).

In this chapter in Ephesians the apostle has been writing about the formation on earth of the one body of Christ. It is composed of believers from amongst Jews and Gentiles, the middle wall of partition between them having been removed. Both are reconciled to God in one body by the cross, the enmity having been slain thereby. As he closes the chapter he moves from the truth of the body of Christ to that of the building. "And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone" (v. 20). These are New Testament apostles and prophets. The truth of the mystery was made known to them by revelation from Christ in heaven, and passed on to the saints in the power of the Holy Spirit. All is held firmly together by the chief corner stone, Jesus Christ Himself. This building, because it is vital and living, is growing, "unto an holy temple in the Lord." This looks on to the future when the church is complete and the day of display will have arrived, perhaps as described in Revelation 21. It will then be the city of administration, "Having the glory of God." In the present time the assembly abides as the habitation of God through the Spirit.

The Temple Built By The Jews When In The Land In Unbelief

There is clear evidence in the Scriptures that after the rapture of the church the temple will be built again in Jerusalem. It will be the scene of Satanic power and the most fearful idolatry. Instead of displaying God's glory, it will be used for the exaltation of man. Indeed, in it man will claim divine honours. Of the "man of sin" it is said, "Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he, as God, sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God" (2 Thess. 2:4).

This is apostasy on a terrible scale. The suggestion of Satan to the woman in Genesis 3:5, "ye shall be as gods," will be arrived at, only to meet with the judgment of God. Another Scripture contains the words of the Lord Himself, "When ye, therefore, shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whosoever readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains." (Matt. 24:15). It is the man of sin who commands that an image should be made of the first beast of Revelation 13 and that all men should worship it. These will be fearful days for this world, and we should be deeply thankful that we who are believers during the present dispensation of grace will not be on earth at that time.

The Temple And The Ark Of His Covenant

There are a number of references to the temple in the Book of Revelation. In the main they are symbolic as to their meaning. Chapter 11:19 is one of these, "And the temple of God in the heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunders, and an earthquake, and great hail" (J.N.D. Trans.). The trumpet judgments have come to their conclusion here and the period of the great tribulation is nearing its end. The symbols of the temple and of the ark of the covenant call our minds back to God's dealings with Israel in Old Testament times. The mention made of the covenant in the Scripture above is adequate assurance that God is about to accomplish all the promises He made to His earthly people. God is displaying His faithfulness to His Word. The awesome character of this Scripture speaks of God's judgments about to fall upon their enemies.

No Temple Therein

The last reference to the temple in the Scriptures is in Revelation 21:22. It forms part of the description of the holy city, Jerusalem. "And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it." In this heavenly city God is not shut in behind curtains. The whole city is the dwelling place of God and the Lamb. From this vessel of administration God will be displayed in all His glory.

"And the city has no need of the sun nor of the moon, that they should shine for it; for the gloryof God has enlightened it, and the lamp thereof is the Lamb. And the nations shall walk by its light; and the kings of the earth bring their glory to it" (Rev. 21:23-24, J.N.D. Trans.). We are told in this passage that the glory of God enlightens the city, but it is diffused through the Lamb. It is always the case that God is made known in Christ. When He was here it was so. It is the Son who says, "He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father." Here, "The lamp thereof is the Lamb," telling us that all is founded upon that one completed sacrifice. The light of the city is reflected earthwards, perhaps through the many precious stones in the foundation. Something of Christ is seen shining out of the city. The nations walk by its light. There will then be a glorious administration here on earth, as it says in the Old Testament, "And blessed be His glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen, and Amen" (Psa. 72:19).

The city is the church, "the bride, the Lamb's wife" (Rev. 21:9), in the day of display. This and the other verses quoted mayhelp in the understanding of Paul's words, "When He shall come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them that believe" (2 Thess. 1:10).

In bringing this meditation to a close it should be said that throughout the world to come there will be a literal temple on earth. This is described by the prophet Ezekiel in the closing chapters of his book. Of this structure it is said, "Behold, the glory of the Lord filled the house" (Ezek. 43:5). The name of the city is also given, Jehovah Shammah, meaning, "The Lord is there" (See marginal note to Ezek. 48:35). May it be that in our day we know the presence of the Lord in our individual lives and local gatherings, maintaining the lowly spirit of Isaiah 66:2: "But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembleth at My word."