9-7-2024             The Church, the Tabernacle and the Temple                                        

The Church

Webster’s        Building for public (Christian) worship, clergy or official religious body, a body or organization of religious believers (congregation), public divine worship.                       

OT                   not used

NT                    Ekklesia (G1577) [fom kaleo G2564) bid, call forth] church, meeting place for a religious congregation especially for religious purposes.

The Tabernacle

Webster’s        Tent or sanctuary used by Israel in Exodus, receptacle for the consecrated elements of the Eucharist, a locked box reserved for he ‘host’, house of worship, a building or shelter used for worship.

OT                   ohel (H168) [from ahal H166 to shine] a covering or tent

                        Mishkan (H 4908) [from shakan H7931 habitation, lodging, rest, remain] habitation, dwelling, tent, tabernacle.

NT                    Akene (G4633) [from G4639 akia a shadow] tent, habitation, tabernacle

                        Akenos (G4636) [from G4633], temporary residence, human body.

                        Akenoma (G4638) God’s residence as a housing a body for the soul.          

The Temple

Webster’s        Edifice for worshipping a deity, one of three successive national sanctuaries for Israel, a building for Mormon sacred ordinances, reform or conservative synagogue, building to house a ‘local lodge’ for a fraternal order (Elks, Shriner’s etc.), place devoted to a special or exalted purpose.  

OT                   Bayith H1004) [from banah H1129 build, make or repair] contain hangings, home one is born in, prison, tablet, place, temple

                        Heykkal (H1964) [from yakol H3201 might, endure, overcome, prevail, suffer] public building, palace, temple.

NT

Heiron (G2411) Sacred place, sanctuary, temple

Naos (G3485) Shrine, temple

So, when looking at the words used, we also need to note the context or usage to derive the correct reference. 

As we read through the definitions, we clearly see that a church, tabernacle or temple is a place to gather and honor ‘something’ greater than ourselves whether a deity, a concept or whatever. 

As we look at the definitions, we also note some specific qualities mentioned. We note that, for the tabernacle especially, we see the word ‘shine’ and we note that Israel observed the glory (presence) of God whenever He ‘came down’ upon the tabernacle (Exod. 40:34-37).  Also take note that the Holy Ghost came upon the apostles ins the upper like ‘tongues of fire’ (Acts 2:1-4).  As Christians, we note that the Holy Spirit of God seals us for that last day (Eph. 4:30) because He rests upon us (1 Peter 4:14) and more so because Jesus promises us that the Holy Ghost will be “in” us (John 14:14-17, Acts 1:8).  Jesus tells the disciples that the Holy Ghost will come upon us (Acts1:8).  AND His abiding in us is shown when the apostles received Him in the upper room (Acts 2:1-16).  How often do we look at someone (notably Christian) and we say “there’s just something about him!”?

As Christians, the Holy Ghost, who is the presence of the Lord, our God, whether upon the tabernacle as with Israel or in the tabernacle - us!

Understand, for the Jews, the Holy of Holies is where God came to earth and visited with Israel (2 Chron. 7:1-7).  It was unique for the Holy of Holies housed the Ark of the Covenant, which contained Aaron’s rod, the manna and the tablets of the Law, which represent the presence of the Almighty God, and was separated by a veil within the Holy place which housed the items of worship, which was within the Priest’s courtyard which is where all the sacrifices were performed which was separated from the women’s courtyard which is where the buying and selling of sacrifices were exercised and the people, in general, could gather.  In case you missed it, the women’s courtyard, the priest’s courtyard, the Holy Place, and the Holy of Holies.  This is the veil, separating the Holy of Holies from the Holy place, the veil which was torn at the moment of Jesus’ death on the cross.  Understand, the general populace had access to the ‘women’s courtyard.  The head of the household and the priests had access to the ‘priest’s courtyard’.  The priests had access to the Holy Place but only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies.  We are a royal priesthood before God (1 Peter 2:9)!  This means that we (Christians) now have direct access to the Father, through the Holy Ghost (thank you Jesus) in us.  For Israel, only the high priest had direct access to the presence of God.   Through Jesus, we now have that direct access to the presence of Father.  Think about it!  Israel knew God at a distance (if you will), but we now have access up close and personal.  It’s like talking with a friend on the telephone then being able to talk with Him as a friend face to face!  Job made an amazing discovery.  He realized that he knew all about God, but by the time his ordeal was completed Job said “… but now I have seen you with my own eye.” (Job 42:5). 

Have we experienced Father?  Do we quench Him (1 Thess. 5:19) or is the Holy Ghost alive and well within our heart giving us that connection? 

In the book of Acts, we have several occasions where the Holy Ghost comes upon us.  When Jesus was baptized by John in the river, the Holy Ghost came upon Him as a dove (Matt. 3:16-17).  When the apostles were baptized, what appeared to be tongues of fire alit upon each of them (Acts 2:1-4).  Cornelius and his family received the Holt Ghost while Peter was still preaching, then they were baptized with water (Acts 10:44-47).  On the road to Ephesus, Paul encountered twelve men who had been baptized by John.  As they talked Paul asked if they had received the Holy Ghost yet and they responded that they hadn’t even heard that there was a Holy Ghost.  Paul baptized the in the name of the Lord Jesus, laid hands upon them and they received the Holy Ghost (Acts 19:1-7).  In each of these instances, one thing was true, they all knew Jesus when they received the Holy Ghost and yes, water baptism was still a part of the event.

Whether we are called the ‘church’, the tabernacle or the temple, as Christians, by the grace of God, our hearts are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-17).  And for us to be successful in our walk with the Lord, the Holy Ghost needs to be an active part of our life.

The Spirit of God rested upon the tabernacle in the wilderness with Israel.  We ae the tabernacle (temple) of God!

Do we live like it?

Amen