The Temple As a Theme in Scripture

Bible Study:

Images of God's Presence Among Men

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. (Rev 21:3 NIV)

God desired to walk with man in an intimate unbroken relationship from the very beginning. From Eden forward, Scripture trumpets God's redemptive plan to restore a vital union between the Creator and his creation.

Searching both the Old Testament and the New, I've discovered ten images where we can see the Spirit of God descending, indwelling, and remaining with man—first with his beloved Israel, and later with his Bride the Church. Akin to the completeness of sexual union, believers are promised deep relations with God through Christ now, plus an unending life of glory in the future.

Can You Connect-the-Dots?

• God's Presence in the Garden of Eden - Key Verses: Gen 2:8-10;
Gen 3:8; Gen 3:24.

Themes include a beautiful garden planted in the east, God's Presence, man (Adam and Eve), fruit trees for food, the Tree of Life, the origin of a mighty river (probably on a mountain), cherubim.

• God's Presence on Mt. Sinai - Key Verse: Ex 24:16-18.

Dominant themes include a mountain, God's glory as an all-consuming fire, a cloud, a man (Moses).

• God's Presence in the Tabernacle - Key Verse: Exodus 40:34-35.

Themes are the sacred Tent of Meeting (Tabernacle), God's glory, a cloud, a man (Moses).

• God's Presence in the Temple in Jerusalem - Key Verse:
1 Kings 6:29-30.

Dominant themes are the sacred Temple building, beautiful decorations of palm trees and open flowers, floors of gold, and cherubim.

• God's Presence Departs from the Temple Before Destruction - Key Verse: Ezek 10:4-5.

Themes include the sacred Temple building, God's glory, a cloud, cherubim's wings that sound like God's voice.

• God's Presence in a Future Temple - Key Verses:
Ezek 41:17-18; Ezek 43:2; Ezek 47:1, 12.

Dominant themes are a sacred Temple building facing toward the east, beautiful carved palm trees and cherubim, God's glory, God's voice like the roar of rushing waters, a river of water, imperishable fruit trees for food and leaves for healing.

• God's Presence through Jesus Christ - Key Verse: John 2:19-22.

Themes are Jesus' human body as the Temple, Jesus' Resurrection: the Temple is destroyed, the Temple is restored.

• God's Presence in Each Christian Believer - Key Verses: 1 Cor 3:16-17; John 7:38-39.

Themes include believers' collective bodies as the Temple, believers' bodies are sacred, God will destroy those who destroy their body, the Spirit flows from believers like a river of living water.

• God's Presence at Jesus' Transfiguration - Key Verse: Matt 17:2-5.

Dominant themes include a mountain, Jesus' face and clothes shining with glory, men (Peter, James, and John), tabernacles, a bright cloud, God's voice affirming Jesus is his Son.

• God and the Lamb (Jesus) are Present in the New Jerusalem - Key Verses: Rev 21:2-3; Rev 21:22-23; Rev 22:1-2.

Themes are the New Jerusalem is composed of Christian believers, the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the Temple, a loud voice, the glory of the Lord gives light to the city, a river of water flows from the throne of God and the Lamb, the Tree of Life bears fruit and has leaves for the healing of the nations.

Related: The Jewish Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot)

Update: Join Amydeanne at The 160 Acre Woods for a rockin' Word-Filled Wednesday (WFW).

Up Next—Random Pinch of Salt: Bible Abbreviations

Based on these passages, can you describe the heavenly throne room of God?


Photos: Bob Fornal, rexb, heather, swisscan (Flickr)