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In Genesis 1:27 God made man in His own image and in Revelation 21:22 in the new Jerusalem God is the temple and in 1 Corinthians 3:16, we are the temple of God and the Holy Spirit dwells in us, It was God’s plan all along to have a living temple. As the temple of God we are carriers of His presence and everywhere we go we take God’s presence with us, be it to the workplace, schools, council meetings, the gym and everywhere. When we know that we take the presence and spirit of God with us and we are sensitive to His voice, He can move through us to accomplish His will. The presence of the Spirit of God in a place can change the atmosphere even if we do not speak a word because where light is darkness has to flee.
To understand the new temple of God we need to look at the original temple.
The first dwelling of God in a building was the Tabernacle in Exodus 26, it consisted of 3 main parts the court where the sacrifices were offered the people were allowed in this area, the Holy place where the priests ministered daily to God and then the Most Holy Place where the Ark of the covenant was kept (with the tablets of the law inside) and where God’s physical presence was manifest amongst His people, here only the high priest could enter once a year to make atonement for the people. The Tabernacle was a tent structure and moved with the people when they moved.
Solomon then got to build the Temple of God, a building lined with gold and the finest craftsmanship every detail made with purpose and precision. The sanctuary was the main meeting place and the inner sanctuary housed the Ark of the Covenant separated by a heavy curtain, once again only the high priest could enter once a year. When the building was opened the priests sanctified themselves and multiple sacrifices was made.
2 Chronicles 5:13b-14 NKJV “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever,” that the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, 14 so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.
This building was destroyed and another temple built in which Jesus ministered, this building was also brought to ruins years later. But when Jesus died on the cross the veil separating the Inner Sanctuary form the people tore in two from top to bottom making the most holy place available to every person.
• The temple was a place for God’s presence
• People brought sacrifices to offer to God
• Priests ministered to God
• Offer worship and prayer
• The laws of the old temple were written on stone tablets kept in the most Holy place, as His new temple He has written His laws on our hearts.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. The word ‘creation’ in the original Greek can also be translated ‘building’, so we become the temple of God and housing the Holy Spirit in us.
We are designed to be 'smart' temples, here are some of our powerful design features which enable us to do His work.
We are Mobile Buildings: Temples used to be in one place, but now we can take the temple of God anywhere and meet people at their place of need – Mark 16:15 go into all the world.
We are designed for Undercover Operations: His temple, Holy of Holies and His presence can infiltrate behind enemy lines and ignite Holy Spirit fires.
We have built in Voice Recognition & Activation: We are wired to hear His voice and the voice of another we will not follow – John 10:4-5 and we can speak forth the purposes of God.
Secure Communications: Internal communications are direct from spirit to spirit, no networks required and no delays, we can approach the throne of God with boldness, get direct word from the Holy Spirit and pray and declare His word into fulfilment.
We have a Pre-warning system: Dreams, visions and prophecies Joel 2:28 and in Isaiah 42:9 “Behold, the former things have come to pass, And new things I declare; Before they spring forth I tell you of them.” We do not have to be in the dark about what is happening in our families, lives and nations, God warns His people in advance so we are not caught off guard.
We have an Encoded Language that is heavenly, our minds can't understand and the devil cannot decode it: Speaking in tongues we pray the perfect will of God and we do not need to understand it – 1Cor 14:14
Supernatural Security system and armor: A purpose built armor (Eph 6:11-18) which does not weigh us down but is defensive and offensive at the same time combined with the blood of Jesus and the ability to dwell in the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91), we can render ineffective any long or short range attack from the enemy it even acts as a deterrent.
God gave us the most powerful spiritual Weapon that can effect the natural: The Word of God spoken in faith can move mountains, change history, and cause mass destruction to the enemy. It is sharper than any two edged sword and has the power to bring into existence its fulfillment, it is living and everlasting and will produce what it was sent for.
We even have a Technical Manual and User Guide: The Bible is our user manual, guidance system and technical guide, encoded to be understood only when the author is present – 2 Tim 3:16. If all else fails… read the manual.
Regular Upgrades are Available: We need constant upgrades to stay connected, be plugged in to a local church, renewing your mind by feeding on the Word of God (Rom 12:2) for up to date revelations & being filled with the Holy Spirit.
We have specialised Gadgets for those special moments: The gifts of the Spirit is available to us: Speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, prophecy, Gifts of faith, healings, and miracles, words of knowledge and wisdom and discerning of spirits – 1 Cor 12:4-11. All of these can be downloaded at any time for specific purpose to reach out to the lost and bring glory to God - John 14:12.
We are designed to be a Life Source: Rivers of living waters flow from His temple – John 7:38
The buzz word Energy Efficient, He even thought of that:
a. The temple functions better and with more power when we fast and pray.
b. The temple is spirit so it lives forever.
c. The temple operates and wages war from a place of rest.
Solomon’s temple was built with hired labour.
Its replacement was built with volunteer labour.
His new temple is built with sacrificial labour.
We are called to lay down our lives, our desires and our agendas and seek first the kingdom of God so His temple is strong and will bring glory and honour to His Name. To usher in Habakkuk 2:14 “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” He designed His temple to be a living building able to carry His presence and love to the ends of the earth that His desire that none should perish could be a possibility.