From the very beginning of creation our Father has been giving us clues in His Word of Him and His Lamb being the temple in His new heaven and earth:
Revelation 21:1 & 10 & 22-23 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth are passed away; and the sea is no more…(10) And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,…(22) And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God the Almighty, and the Lamb, are the temple thereof. (23) And the city hath no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine upon it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the lamp thereof is the Lamb.
Psalms 46:4 There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High.
Our Father expects us to be diligent in our understanding His Word to see what is required of us to be approved to dwell in His city eternally:
2 Timothy 2:15 Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.
Revelation 21:24-27 And the nations shall walk amidst the light thereof: and the kings of the earth bring their glory into it. (25) And the gates thereof shall in no wise be shut by day (for there shall be no night there): (26) and they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it: (27) and there shall in no wise enter into it anything unclean, or he that maketh an abomination and a lie: but only they that are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
We are to diligently seek for the many concealed truths in our Father’s Word proving our love, as kings, for and under our King Jesus:
Proverbs 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
Revelation 17:14 These shall war against the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them, for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they also shall overcome that are with him, called and chosen and faithful.
So let’s search through the scriptures to build a glimpse of what our Father promises to those who forsake the pleasures of this life for His Word who is His Son Jesus:
1 Corinthians 2:9 but as it is written, Things which eye saw not, and ear heard not, And which entered not into the heart of man, Whatsoever things God prepared for them that love him.
Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony; and they loved not their life even unto death.
John 12:25 He that loveth his life loseth it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
Father with His Word made man in their image and after their likeness:
Genesis 1:26-27 And God said, Let us make man in our image(spirit and soul), after our likeness(body): and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. (27) And God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
The Father and His Word have an image and likeness of a spirit within a soul within a body as they also made us:
Genesis 2:7 And Jehovah God formed man(adam) of the dust of the ground(body), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life(spirit); and man became a living soul.
So, man has a spirit within him that gives life to him as a living soul within his body:
1 Thessalonians 5:23 And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
So, “our spirit” is “how we are” for it is the breath of life controlled within our mind, “our soul” is “who we are” for it encompasses our spiritual, mental, emotional, and psychological aspects as an individual, and “our body” is “what we are” being humans.
After Christ ascended, the Christian became the temple of God:
1 Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
The Spirit of God dwelling in us as a temple of God was made possible after Jesus ascended to the right hand of our Father but for the 4000 years before His ascension, our Father gave us copies and shadows of what He has in store for those who love Him!:
Hebrews 8:4-6 Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, seeing there are those who offer the gifts according to the law; (5) who serve that which is a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, even as Moses is warned of God when he is about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern that was showed thee in the mount. (6) But now hath he obtained a ministry the more excellent, by so much as he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which hath been enacted upon better promises.
Ezekiel 37:27 My tabernacle also shall be with them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Luke 17:21 neither shall they say, Lo, here! or, There! for lo, the kingdom of God is within you.
1 Corinthians 2:9 but as it is written, Things which eye saw not, and ear heard not, And which entered not into the heart of man, Whatsoever things God prepared for them that love him.
The first shadow of the heavenly temple that God made was the earthly sanctuary called the garden of Eden where the “voice of Jehovah” would fellowship with man:
Genesis 2:8 & 15 And Jehovah God planted a garden eastward, in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed…..(15) And Jehovah God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
Genesis 3:8 And they heard the voice of Jehovah God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of Jehovah God amongst the trees of the garden.
Proverbs 8:30-31 Then I (Wisdom~Word~Jesus) was by him(Father), as a master workman; And I was daily his delight, Rejoicing always before him, (31) Rejoicing in his habitable earth; And my(voice of Jehovah’s) delight was with the sons of men.
For more understanding of the Father and His Word who is the “voice” of the Father please read this link:
In the midst of this garden was a hill from which a river formed and flowed downward to water the garden. On this hill stood the tree of life with the tree of the knowledge of good and evil:
Genesis 2:8-10 And Jehovah God planted a garden eastward, in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. (9) And out of the ground made Jehovah God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (10) And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became four heads.
The “garden of Eden” was the first earthly pattern of “Paradise” where the river of the water of life flows out from the throne of God and the Lamb watering the tree of life that bridges this river:
Revelation 22:1-2 And he showed me a river of water of life, bright as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, (2) in the midst of the street thereof. And on this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve manner of fruits, yielding its fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
Luke 23:42-43 And he said, Jesus, remember me when thou comest in thy kingdom. (43) And he said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise.
The word “Eden” and “Paradise” both mean “place of pleasure”:
So, the garden of Eden was the first picture of “Paradise” which is the third heaven where Jesus will take the overcomers to partake of the tree of life:
2 Corinthians 12:2-4 I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not; or whether out of the body, I know not; God knoweth), such a one caught up even to the third heaven. (3) And I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I know not; God knoweth), (4) how that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
Revelation 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. To him that overcometh, to him will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.
Adam and Eve were free to eat of every tree of the garden, including the tree of life. The only tree they were commanded not to eat of was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil:
Genesis 2:16-17 And Jehovah God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: (17) but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
The serpent tempted Eve with the lust of her flesh, the lust of her eyes, and the pride of life to which she yielded in disobedience with Adam and ate:
1 John 2:16-17 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vainglory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (17) And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
Genesis 3:1-6 Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which Jehovah God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of any tree of the garden? (2) And the woman said unto the serpent, Of the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat: (3) but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. (4) And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: (5) for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as God, knowing good and evil. (6) And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food(lust of the flesh), and that it was a delight to the eyes(lust of the eyes), and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise(pride of life), she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat; and she gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat.
This disobedience brought immediate spiritual death for mankind, the death of our flesh in time, as well as an awareness of the nakedness of our flesh that they attempted to cover themselves:
Genesis 3:7-11 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig-leaves together, and made themselves aprons. (8) And they heard the voice of Jehovah God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of Jehovah God amongst the trees of the garden. (9) And Jehovah God called unto the man, and said unto him, Where art thou? (10) And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. (11) And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
Ezekiel 18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
But God demonstrated the need for Him to provide a covering for the nakedness of our flesh through the shedding of blood and taking their skins as a temporary covering pointing to the permanent cover of Jesus Christ:
Genesis 3:21 And Jehovah God made for Adam and for his wife coats of skins, and clothed them.
Romans 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
After man gained the knowledge of good and evil his soul died so he lost the right to the tree of life and was driven out of the garden of Eden by God:
Genesis 3:23 therefore Jehovah God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. (24) So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden the Cherubim, and the flame of a sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
The sin nature that developed in Adam and Eve due to disobeying God was then passed down to all men:
Romans 5:12 & 19 Therefore, as through one man(Adam) sin entered into the world, and death through sin; and so death passed unto all men, for that all sinned:–…(19) For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one(Jesus) shall the many be made righteous.
Abel’s death by the hand of his brother for offering the respectable sacrifice of a firstborn of his flock was another prophecy of God’s firstborn Lamb shedding His blood for our sin and our final covering:
Genesis 4:2-8 And again she bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. (3) And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto Jehovah. (4) And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And Jehovah had respect unto Abel and to his offering: (5) but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. (6) And Jehovah said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? (7) If thou doest well, shall it not be lifted up? and if thou doest not well, sin coucheth at the door; and unto thee shall be its desire; but do thou rule over it. (8) And Cain told Abel his brother. And it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had witness borne to him that he was righteous, God bearing witness in respect of his gifts: and through it he being dead yet speaketh.
Hebrews 12:24 and to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better than that of Abel.
God used the flood of water to destroy every living thing that He made which included the earthly “tree of life” and the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil”:
Genesis 7:1 & 4 And Jehovah said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation. (4) For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living thing that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the ground.
But those who act out their faith by entering into our Father’s “ark” who is Jesus, are preserved through the washing of the water with the Word which brings sanctification spirit, soul, and body:
Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God concerning things not seen as yet, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
1 Peter 3:20-22 that aforetime were disobedient, when the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water: (21) which also after a true likeness doth now save you, even baptism, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the interrogation of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ; (22) who is on the right hand of God, having gone into heaven; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it; (26) that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word, (27) that he might present the church to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
After the flood, God showed Moses the next pattern of His temple which was a mobile tabernacle:
Exodus 25:8-9 & 40 And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. (9) According to all that I show thee, the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the furniture thereof, even so shall ye make it…….(40) And see that thou make them after their pattern, which hath been showed thee in the mount.
This pattern manifested when on the first day of the first month, they reared up the inner tabernacle. Then they placed the ark of the covenant with two cherubim in the most holy place facing east with a veil before it:
Exodus 40:2-3 On the first day of the first month shalt thou rear up the tabernacle of the tent of meeting. (3) And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and thou shalt screen the ark with the veil.
The holy place was then furnished with the table of showbread to the north, the candlestick to the south, the golden alter of incense before the veil to the most holy place, and a door facing east for the entrance to the holy place:
Exodus 40:4-5 And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof. (5) And thou shalt set the golden altar for incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the screen of the door to the tabernacle.
The outer court had the laver with water just before the veil to the holy place then the altar of burnt-offering with a screen for a gate of the outer court facing east:
Exodus 40:6-8 And thou shalt set the altar of burnt-offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting. (7) And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of meeting and the altar, and shalt put water therein. (8) And thou shalt set up the court round about, and hang up the screen of the gate of the court.
Once Moses and the rest of the Levites finished the work the glory of Jehovah filled the tabernacle:
Exodus 40:33-35 And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the screen of the gate of the court. So Moses finished the work. (34) Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of Jehovah filled the tabernacle. (35) And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of meeting, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of Jehovah filled the tabernacle.
Here is a simple layout of Moses’ tabernacle and Solomon’s temple:
Hebrews 9:1-3 Now even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service, and its sanctuary, a sanctuary of this world. (2) For there was a tabernacle prepared, the first, wherein were the candlestick, and the table, and the showbread; which is called the Holy place. (3) And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holy of holies;
On the day of atonement the OT sacrifice was brought through the east gate and slain for the sin offering. Its blood was taken into the most holy place by the high priest to be sprinkled on the mercy seat, before the mercy seat, and in the holy place for all the sins of Israel:
Leviticus 16:15-17 Then shall he kill the goat of the sin-offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the veil, and do with his blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy-seat, and before the mercy-seat: (16) and he shall make atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleannesses of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions, even all their sins: and so shall he do for the tent of meeting, that dwelleth with them in the midst of their uncleannesses. (17) And there shall be no man in the tent of meeting when he goeth in to make atonement in the holy place, until he come out, and have made atonement for himself, and for his household, and for all the assembly of Israel.
This tent of meeting that housed the ark of the covenant was a mobile tabernacle in the wilderness, built around 1450 BC, that moved with Israel for 40 years toward the promised land. Once Israel settled in the promised land the ark of the covenant moved from tent to tent:
1 Chronicles 17:1-5 And it came to pass, when David dwelt in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of Jehovah dwelleth under curtains. (2) And Nathan said unto David, Do all that is in thy heart; for God is with thee. (3) And it came to pass the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying, (4) Go and tell David my servant, Thus saith Jehovah, Thou shalt not build me a house to dwell in: (5) for I have not dwelt in a house since the day that I brought up Israel, unto this day, but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle to another.
That tabernacle was replaced by Solomon’s temple around 950 B.C. but it was destroyed by Babylon around 585 BC because this prophecy was speaking about the seed that came through David who is Jesus:
1 Chronicles 17:11-14 And it shall come to pass, when thy days are fulfilled that thou(David) must go to be with thy fathers, that I will set up thy seed after thee(Jesus), who shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom. (12) He(Jesus) shall build me a (spiritual)house, and I will establish his throne for ever. (13) I will be his father, and he shall be my son: and I will not take my lovingkindness away from him, as I took it from him(king Saul) that was before thee; (14) but I will settle him in my house and in my kingdom for ever; and his throne shall be established for ever.
We as NT believers are the tabernacle/temple prophesied by types and shadows since the garden of Eden:
Acts 15:14-18 Symeon hath rehearsed how first God visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people(Abraham and his seed) for his name. (15) And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, (16) After these things I will return, And I will build again the tabernacle of David(spiritual house who is the NT believer as the temple), which is fallen; And I will build again the ruins thereof, And I will set it up: (17) That the residue of men may seek after the Lord, And all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, (18) Saith the Lord, who maketh these things known from of old(thru the OT prophets).
A second temple was finished by the Jews after their release from Babylon around 515 BC through the decrees of Cyrus and Darius:
Ezra 6:3 & 5 & 15 In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king made a decree: Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house be builded, the place where they offer sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits;…..(5) And also let the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to its place; and thou shalt put them in the house of God….. (15) And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.
This temple stood and was used for the required sacrifice on the day of atonement until Jesus came and used the temple to declare it would be destroyed and He would raise up His body:
Matthew 24:1-2 And Jesus went out from the temple, and was going on his way; and his disciples came to him to show him the buildings of the temple. (2) But he answered and said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
John 2:19-21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. (20) The Jews therefore said, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou raise it up in three days? (21) But he spake of the temple of his body.
Now let’s consider how the garden of Eden, Moses’ tabernacle, and Solomon’s temple are a type and shadow of our temple as spirit, soul, and body:
1 Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1 Thessalonians 5:23 And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The “tree of life” in the midst of the garden represents our “spirit” which gives our body life:
James 2:26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead.
Our “spirit” of life dwells in our mind which unconsciously commands our lungs to beath and our heart to pump which gives life to our bodies:
Ephesians 4:23 and that ye be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
Genesis 2:7 And Jehovah God formed man(adam) of the dust of the ground(body), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life(spirit); and man became a living soul.
Genesis 7:22 all in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, of all that was on the dry land, died.
Once Adam and Eve fell, they were sent out of the garden so they would not eat the tree of life and live forever:
Genesis 3:22 And Jehovah God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil; and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever—
The “holy of holies”, in the inner most part of Moses’ and Solomon’s temples, is where the ark of the covenant rested. This ark was a box which contained the tablets of the law which represents our skull where our mind rests and is to be filled with the mind of Christ which is the Word of life:
Luke 24:45 Then opened he their mind, that they might understand the scriptures;
Romans 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then I of myself with the mind, indeed, serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Romans 8:6 For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace:
Romans 12:2 And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
1 Corinthians 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
Philippians 2:5 Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Colossians 3:2-3 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth. (3) For ye died, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
The “tree of the knowledge of good and evil” also in the midst of the garden represents our heart:
Matthew 7:17-20 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but the corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. (18) A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. (19) Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. (20) Therefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Luke 6:45 The good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth that which is evil: for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
Our heart with our soul must diligently work together at laying up the Word of God within us as a temple:
Deuteronomy 4:29 But from thence ye shall seek Jehovah thy God, and thou shalt find him, when thou searchest after him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
Deuteronomy 11:18 Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul; and ye shall bind them for a sign upon your hand, and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes.
The “holy place” in the OT temple held the Table of show bread which represents the manna that came down from heaven which Jesus replaced with Himself who is the Word of life:
John 6:48-50 I am the bread of life. (49) Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. (50) This is the bread which cometh down out of heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
The “holy place” also contained the Menorah which is 7 light lampstand that represents the light that is to shine out of our soul:
Matthew 5:15-16 Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house. (16) Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
The 7 lights represent the 7 natures that make up the divine nature of our Father. He grants unto us to partake of His nature through His promises in His Word which are virtue; knowledge; self-control; patience; godliness; brotherly kindness; and love:
2 Peter 1:2-11 Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; (3) seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue; (4) whereby he hath granted unto us his precious and exceeding great promises; that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust. (5) Yea, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply virtue; and in your virtue knowledge; (6) and in your knowledge self-control; and in your self-control patience; and in your patience godliness; (7) and in your godliness brotherly kindness; and in your brotherly kindness love. (8) For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful unto the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (9) For he that lacketh these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins. (10) Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never stumble: (11) for thus shall be richly supplied unto you the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
The “altar of incense” is located in the Holy place, just before the veil separating it from the Holy of Holies, symbolizing the prayers of God’s people rising to Him. The mouth of our body sits directly between our mind and heart and used to utter all that is on our mind and heart:
Luke 6:43-45 For there is no good tree that bringeth forth corrupt fruit; nor again a corrupt tree that bringeth forth good fruit. (44) For each tree is known by its own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. (45) The good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth that which is evil: for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
Deuteronomy 30:14-15 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. (15) See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;
Matthew 12:36 And I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
Colossians 4:2-4 Continue stedfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving; (3) withal praying for us also, that God may open unto us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds; (4) that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always; (17) pray without ceasing; (18) in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-ward.
So now let’s look at the ground of the garden of Eden which represents the “body” which is the “outer court” of the temple:
Genesis 2:9 And out of the ground(outer court ~ the body of man) made Jehovah God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life in the midst(most holy ~ the spirit of man) of the garden, with the tree of the knowledge of good and evil(the holy place ~ the soul of man).
We know that God made man out of the ground and breathed(spirit) life into him creating a living soul within the body of flesh:
Genesis 2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground(body), and breathed into his nostrils the breath(spirit) of life; and man became a living soul.
Our body is the earthly house for the tabernacle of our spirit and soul:
2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if the earthly house of our tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens.
The good ground represents the bodies of Christians who hear the Word taking it into the spirit of our minds, processing the Word into heartfelt desires, that then manifest out of our bodies as the fruits of the Spirit:
Luke 8:15 And that in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it fast, and bring forth fruit with patience.
Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) meekness, self-control; against such there is no law. (24) And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof. (25) If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk.
For more understanding on manifesting the fruits of the Spirit please read this link!:
The belly of our body represents the lust of the flesh which is contrary to the Holy Spirit and those who serve their flesh will become enemies of the cross of Christ and will not inherit the kingdom of God:
Galatians 5:16-21 But I say, Walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (17) For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary the one to the other; that ye may not do the things that ye would. (18) But if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law. (19) Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, (20) idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties, (21) envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practise such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Phillppians 3:18-19 For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: (19) whose end is perdition, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.
Romans 16:17-18 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned: and turn away from them. (18) For they that are such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and fair speech they beguile the hearts of the innocent.
John 6:63 It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life.
And below our belly is the lowest parts of our earthly body where our reproductive organs are used to reproduce the body that covers the spirit and soul of a newborn:
Psalms 139:13-15 For thou didst form my inward parts: Thou didst cover me in my mother’s womb. (14) I will give thanks unto thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: Wonderful are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well. (15) My frame was not hidden from thee, When I was made in secret, And curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Here is the simple layout of Moses’ tabernacle and Solomon’s temple with more spiritual detail which we have discussed so far:
So now we have some understanding that the Old Testament Garden of Eden, Moses’ tabernacle, and Solomon’s temple were copies and shadows of the New Testament believer’s temple:
Hebrews 8:3-5 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is necessary that this high priest also have somewhat to offer. (4) Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, seeing there are those who offer the gifts according to the law; (5) who serve that which is a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, even as Moses is warned of God when he is about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern that was showed thee in the mount.
Hebrews 10:1 For the law having a shadow of the good things to come, not the very image of the things, can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect them that draw nigh.
Let’s examine how Jesus offered up Himself as the perfect Lamb of God who can sanctify us wholly spirit, soul, and body:
1 Thessalonians 5:23 And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus became the Lamb slain in 30 AD who redeems us with His precious blood:
John 1:29 On the morrow he seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world!
1 Peter 1:18-19 knowing that ye were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers; (19) but with precious blood, as of a lamb without spot, even the blood of Christ:
Once Jesus yielded up His Spirit and soul in death on the cross the veil to the Most Holy place of the temple was torn from the top to the bottom:
Matthew 27:50-51 And Jesus cried again with a loud voice, and yielded up his spirit. (51) And behold, the veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake; and the rocks were rent;
Luke 23:46 And Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said this, he gave up the ghost(soul).
From that moment forward, our Most High God would never inhabit any temple made by man’s hands again:
Acts 7:48 Howbeit the Most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,
Acts 17:24 The God that made the world and all things therein, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
The OT required the high priest to enter the most holy place on the day of atonement for the sins of the people:
Hebrews 9:6-7 Now these things having been thus prepared, the priests go in continually into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the services; (7) but into the second the high priest alone, once in the year, not without blood, which he offereth for himself, and for the errors of the people:
Jesus Christ is now our high priest of the perfect tabernacle in heaven:
Hebrews 9:11-12 & 24 But Christ having come a high priest of the good things to come, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, (12) nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption……(24) For Christ entered not into a holy place made with hands, like in pattern to the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear before the face of God for us:
The true temple of God, as shown to Moses for a pattern, is in heaven where the ark of His covenant rests:
Revelation 11:19 And there was opened the temple of God that is in heaven; and there was seen in his temple the ark of his covenant; and there followed lightnings, and voices, and thunders, and an earthquake, and great hail.
As we learned above, God made us with a spirit, a soul, and a body that needs to be fully sanctified:
1 Thessalonians 5:23 And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We also have another element to our body called “flesh” made from the dust of the ground that is both mortal and corruptible which our Father and His Word do not have:
Genesis 6:3 And Jehovah said, My Spirit shall not strive with man for ever, for that he also is flesh: yet shall his days be a hundred and twenty years.
1 Corinthians 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
The Father sent His Word to become flesh as His perfect Lamb named Jesus who finished the final sacrifice for sin when He died on the cross:
John 1:14 & 29 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth……….(29) On the morrow he seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold, the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world!
John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up his spirit.
Jesus now sits on the right hand of His Father as our High Priest!:
Hebrews 8:1-2 Now in the things which we are saying the chief point is this: We have such a high priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, (2) a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man.
Before the veil was torn, the sacrifice was brought thru the east gate, killed and the blood caried thru the veil and placed on the mercy seat by an Old Testament High Priest but now that Jesus entered the veil into the third heaven, we can also boldly enter into the throne of grace!:
Hebrews 4:14-16 Having then a great high priest, who hath passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. (15) For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (16) Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need.
Hebrews 6:19-20 which we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and stedfast and entering into that which is within the veil; (20) whither as a forerunner Jesus entered for us, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
Once Jesus as our High Priest and Shepherd buys us with His blood, we become His temple that must begin to glorify God with our body:
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Or know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have from God? and ye are not your own; (20) for ye were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body.
1 Peter 2:25 For ye were going astray like sheep; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Our spirit represents the “holy of holies” which is the innermost part of the temple where the mercy seat sits behind the veil which was removed by the testament of Jesus’ torn flesh and death:
Hebrews 10:19-20 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus, (20) by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
We inherited spiritual death thru the sin of Adam and Eve, but the moment we believe Jesus is our Messiah in our minds, He applies His blood to the mercy seat in our spirit. We instantly become spiritually alive as born anew Christians who begin to see the kingdom of God:
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Ephesians 2:1 And you did he make alive, when ye were dead through your trespasses and sins,
Jesus becomes the new man in us when the spirit of our mind believes:
Ephesians 4:23-24 and that ye be renewed in the spirit of your mind, (24) and put on the new man, that after God hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.
Jesus’ blood cleanses our mind’s conscience from the dead works of our flesh to serve our living God:
Hebrews 9:13-14 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling them that have been defiled, sanctify unto the cleanness of the flesh: (14) how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish unto God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
2 Corinthians 1:12 For our glorying is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
But that is only the first baby step in the sanctification that starts in the spirit of our mind as newborn babes for we must then begin to grow spiritually by feasting on the milk of the Word:
1 Peter 2:1-2 Putting away therefore all wickedness, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, (2) as newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation;
Hebrews 5:13 For every one that partaketh of milk is without experience of the word of righteousness; for he is a babe.
2 Timothy 3:14-15 But abide thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; (15) and that from a babe thou hast known the sacred writings which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
The born anew Christian first sees the kingdom of God but those Christians who actively seek to be washed by the washing of the Word and being led of the Spirit will begin entering the kingdom of God:
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it; (26) that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word, (27) that he might present the church to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
This feasting on the Word begins the renewing of our minds from thoughts of sin to thoughts of righteousness:
Romans 12:2 And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Though Jesus never sinned, He learned obedience through suffering on His cross so that He can now be the author of salvation first in our mind and then in our heart as we also learn obedience:
Hebrews 5:7-10 Who in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear, (8) though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered; (9) and having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation; (10) named of God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel After those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, And on their heart also will I write them: And I will be to them a God, And they shall be to me a people:
2 Corinthians 3:3 being made manifest that ye are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in tables that are hearts of flesh.
Our Father expects His children to grow up spiritually first on the milk but eventually into the meat of the Word which brings the wisdom to choose the good over the evil:
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Hebrews 5:14 But solid food is for fullgrown men, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil.
We must begin to purge out youthful lusts in pursuit of holiness:
2 Timothy 2:20-22 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some unto honor, and some unto dishonor. (21) If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, meet for the master’s use, prepared unto every good work. (22) But flee youthful lusts, and follow after righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Paul called this the putting to death our old carnal man and putting on the new man who is Christ:
Ephesians 4:20-24 But ye did not so learn Christ; (21) if so be that ye heard him, and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus: (22) that ye put away, as concerning your former manner of life, the old man, that waxeth corrupt after the lusts of deceit; (23) and that ye be renewed in the spirit of your mind, (24) and put on the new man, that after God hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.
While salvation in the spirit of our mind instantly creates a newborn babe, the salvation of our soul is a day-by-day process of renewing our inward new man as our old man begins decaying day by day:
2 Corinthians 4:16 Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day.
This renewing of the spirit of our mind is done by daily feasting on the promises that help us cleanse and purify ourselves of sin:
2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
1 John 3:2-3 Beloved, now are we children of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be. We know that, if he shall be manifested, we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is. (3) And every one that hath this hope set on him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
The promises help us to put off the old man’s fleshly desires as we put on the new man’s heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering, and love which is the bond of perfectness:
Colossians 3:5-14 Put to death therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; (6) for which things’ sake cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience: (7) wherein ye also once walked, when ye lived in these things; (8) but now do ye also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, railing, shameful speaking out of your mouth: (9) lie not one to another; seeing that ye have put off the old man with his doings, (10) and have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him: (11) where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all. (12) Put on therefore, as God’s elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering; (13) forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye: (14) and above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness.
This daily purifying of our soul manifests in a heart that fervently loves one another:
1 Peter 1:22-23 Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently: (23) having been begotten again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which liveth and abideth.
Jesus says we enter violently into the kingdom of God because our old man does not want to die easily therefore, we must resist sin to the point of being willing to spill our own blood rather than sin:
Luke 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: from that time the gospel of the kingdom of God is preached, and every man entereth violently into it.
Hebrews 12:4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin:
Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony; and they loved not their life even unto death.
This “violence” is the war that we must now wage against the wiles of the devil for our soul:
Ephesians 6:10-17 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. (11) Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12) For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (13) Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. (14) Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (15) and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (16) withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. (17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
We put on the armor of God by laying our Father’s Word in our heart:
Psalms 119:11 Thy word have I laid up in my heart, That I might not sin against thee.
This empowers us to cast down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God in our soul:
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh (4) (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds), (5) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ;
Jesus demonstrated humble obedience to His Father even unto death on the cross so that His blood could cleanse us of sin:
Philippians 2:5-8 Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (6) who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, (7) but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; (8) and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross.
This payment for our sin makes us debtors to God to put to death our carnal nature and take on the life of Christ in our mortal flesh which is our life on earth:
Romans 8:12-14 So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh: (13) for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
2 Corinthians 4:10-11 always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body. (11) For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
Paul knew as a Christian he could be rejected if he served his flesh therefore he buffeted his body to bring into bondage to the Holy Spirit:
1 Corinthians 9:27 but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.
Those Christians who do not put to death their flesh are destroying their temple:
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 Know ye not that ye are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? (17) If any man destroyeth the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, and such are ye.
Sin begins in the mind given to its flesh as seeds of evil thoughts planted by the devil that then conceive in the heart as a continuous lust that eventually manifests outward from the body as full grown sin:
James 1:13-15 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempteth no man: (14) but each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed(evil thoughts continuing in the mind). (15) Then the lust, when it hath conceived(thoughts become spoken from the heart), beareth sin(outward actions of the body): and the sin, when it is fullgrown, bringeth forth death(spiritual death of the soul).
Romans 8:5-8 For they that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. (6) For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace: (7) because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be: (8) and they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
For more understanding on putting to death our flesh please read this link:
We are to cleanse our temple through diligent study of our Father’s Word maturing through faith unto the purifying of our soul:
James 1:21 Wherefore putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
Once we are bought with the blood we are to become pilgrims on this earth and are to spend the rest of our lives purifying our heart and soul as we begin seeking ways to manifest good works out of our body:
1 Peter 2:11-12 Beloved, I beseech you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; (12) having your behavior seemly among the Gentiles; that, wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Our heavenly Father helps us mature by bringing fiery trials to prove what flesh we need to put to death:
1 Peter 4:1-2 Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm ye yourselves also with the same mind; for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; (2) that ye no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
1 Peter 4:12-19 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which cometh upon you to prove you, as though a strange thing happened unto you: (13) but insomuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also ye may rejoice with exceeding joy. (14) If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are ye; because the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God resteth upon you. (15) For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or as a meddler in other men’s matters: (16) but if a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name. (17) For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if it begin first at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God? (18) And if the righteous is scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear? (19) Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing unto a faithful Creator.
Jesus is the foundation already laid and we become the temple laid thereon:
1 Corinthians 3:9-11 For we are God’s fellow-workers: ye are God’s husbandry, God’s building. (10) According to the grace of God which was given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder I laid a foundation; and another buildeth thereon. But let each man take heed how he buildeth thereon. (11) For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
As babes in Christ, we first try building our temples out of wood, hay, stubble which is burnt off thru the fiery trials in this life but over time we begin to build out of the spiritually lasting materials of gold, silver, costly stones:
1 Corinthians 3:12-15 But if any man buildeth on the foundation gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, stubble; (13) each man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself shall prove each man’s work of what sort it is. (14) If any man’s work shall abide which he built thereon, he shall receive a reward. (15) If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as through fire.
John the Baptist knew what Jesus came to do, which is to burn off our flesh thru fiery trials so that we could shine like gold, silver, and precious stones which are refined through fire:
Luke 3:16-17 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but there cometh he that is mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he(Jesus) shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire: (17) whose fan is in his hand, thoroughly to cleanse his threshing-floor, and to gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn up with unquenchable fire.
Jesus as our High Priest is the first Comforter to enter our temple and He promises us another Comforter being the Holy Spirit that He would give to us who obey Him:
John 14:16 & 26 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may be with you for ever,..(26) But the Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you.
Acts 5:30-32 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew, hanging him on a tree. (31) Him did God exalt with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins. (32) And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God hath given to them that obey him(Jesus~Word).
Judas Iscariot was removed from the midst before the promise from Jesus of the Holy Spirit was made because he was an apostle who fell away due to his lust for money which is a betrayal of imitating Jesus:
Acts 1:24-25 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show of these two the one whom thou hast chosen, (25) to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place.
Judas Iscariot became the first example of many “sons of perdition” who will be falling away from the faith in these last days due to cares of this life rather than manifesting the required fruit of the Spirit:
John 17:12 While I (Jesus) was with them(apostles), I kept them in thy name which thou hast given me: and I guarded them, and not one of them perished, but the son of perdition(Judas Iscariot); that the scripture might be fulfilled.
Luke 8:14 And that which fell among the thorns, these are they that have heard(the Word), and as they go on their way they are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
All it took was a lust for money to cause Judas Iscariot to demonstrate his old carnal man continued to rule his temple exalting his fleshly desires and opposing Jesus as His Master and High Priest:
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 let no man beguile you in any wise: for it will not be, except the falling away come first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition, (4) he that opposeth and exalteth himself against all that is called God or that is worshipped; so that he sitteth in the temple of God, setting himself forth as God.
For more understanding on what Judas Iscariot represented as an apostle of Jesus who fell away please read this link:
Paul gave us very stark warnings about the types of men who would begin to pollute the church from the days he planted them until these very grievous last days:
Acts 20:27-30 For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God. (28) Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood. (29) I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock; (30) and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
These men were bought by our Master Jesus’ blood, but they become false teachers who become autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots:
2 Peter 2:1 But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.
Jude 1:12 These are they who are hidden rocks in your love-feasts when they feast with you, shepherds that without fear feed themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
For more understanding on autumn tree twice dead please read this link:
Today there are thousands of denominations of Christianity with many leavened doctrines as hirelings are teaching most flocks, who jump from church to church for more pay and larger congregations to pollute:
2 Timothy 3:1-7 But know this, that in the last days grievous times shall come. (2) For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, railers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (3) without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good, (4) traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; (5) holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof: from these also turn away. (6) For of these are they that creep into houses(church buildings), and take captive silly women(the church who is supposed to look like a bride adorned for her husband Jesus but no oil of the Holy Spirit) laden with sins, led away by divers lusts, (7) ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
John 10:12-13 He that is a hireling, and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, beholdeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth, and the wolf snatcheth them, and scattereth them: (13) he fleeth because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
These apostate teachers have watered down the truth to the point that most Christians believe it is perfectly ok to sit in a pew drinking some milk and then rise up to play in the world’s idols just as Paul warned us it would happen again:
1 Corinthians 10:1-7 For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; (2) and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; (3) and did all eat the same spiritual food; (4) and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them: and the rock was Christ. (5) Howbeit with most of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. (6) Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. (7) Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
The Holy Spirit thru Paul summed up the purpose for our life after becoming a Chistian which is to become a living sacrifice whose spiritual purpose is to be transformed into sons who imitates Jesus in our spirit, soul, and body:
Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. (2) And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ.
Ephesians 5:1 Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children;
Jesus gave us many new commandments that we must endeavor to keep that will help us learn to walk as He walked on this earth:
John 14:15 If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments.
John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
1 John 2:3-6 And hereby we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. (4) He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; (5) but whoso keepeth his word, in him verily hath the love of God been perfected. Hereby we know that we are in him: (6) he that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked.
The proof of our faith thru the fiery trials of life are for the refining of our soul as a temple of God:
1 Peter 1:6-9 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in manifold trials, (7) that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ: (8) whom not having seen ye love; on whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory: (9) receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
And in these last days Jesus warned us the fiery trials will be very trying:
Luke 21:16-19 But ye shall be delivered up even by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolk, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. (17) And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. (18) And not a hair of your head shall perish. (19) In your patience ye shall win your souls.
The Word teaches us that upon death our spirit goes back to the Father that gave it, our soul goes to its eternal home, and our body returns to the dust:
Ecclesiastes 12:5-7 yea, they shall be afraid of that which is high, and terrors shall be in the way; and the almond-tree shall blossom, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail; because man(soul) goeth to his everlasting home(heaven or hell), and the mourners go about the streets: (6) before the silver cord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern, (7) and the dust(body)returneth to the earth as it was, and the spirit returneth unto God who gave it.
We have no power over our spirit for it is the Word of God that can and will divide some people’s spirit from their soul upon death:
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Ecclesiastes 8:8 There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power over the day of death; and there is no discharge in war: neither shall wickedness deliver him that is given to it.
It is our Father with His Word that will separate the spirit from the soul and body that He then destroys in hell:
Matthew 10:28 And be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Please notice that in both the Old Testament and New Testament there is a serious admonition for brethren to warn any fellow brethren living in sin to turn from their sin and repent so as to save their soul from spiritual death:
Ezekiel 3:20-21 Again, when a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteous deeds which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thy hand. (21) Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he took warning; and thou hast delivered thy soul.
James 5:19-20 My brethren, if any among you err from the truth, and one convert him; (20) let him know, that he who converteth a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins.
So, if our spirit goes back to God and our body returns to the earth then our soul is the part of us that inherits an eternal destiny:
Matthew 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
This is proven by the souls underneath the altar in heaven who were given white robes to wear proving our souls exist with the same form outside of our physical bodies:
Revelation 6:9-11 And when he opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of them that had been slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: (10) and they cried with a great voice, saying, How long, O Master, the holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? (11) And there was given them to each one a white robe; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little time, until their fellow-servants also and their brethren, who should be killed even as they were, should have fulfilled their course.
True Christians long for their eternal tabernacle in heaven:
2 Corinthians 5:1-4 For we know that if the earthly house of our tabernacle(body of flesh) be dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens. (2) For verily in this we groan, longing to be clothed upon with our habitation which is from heaven: (3) if so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. (4) For indeed we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened; not for that we would be unclothed, but that we would be clothed upon, that what is mortal may be swallowed up of life.
While each believer is a personal temple, we are also fashioned by our Father on His chief cornerstone who is Christ as spiritual living stones in our Father’s spiritual house!:
1 Peter 2:3-10 if ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious: (4) unto whom coming, a living stone, rejected indeed of men, but with God elect, precious, (5) ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (6) Because it is contained in scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: And he that believeth on him shall not be put to shame. (7) For you therefore that believe is the preciousness: but for such as disbelieve, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner; (8) and, A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence; for they stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. (9) But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (10) who in time past were no people, but now are the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Ephesians 2:19-22 So then ye are no more strangers and sojourners, but ye are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, (20) being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone; (21) in whom each several building, fitly framed together, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord; (22) in whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.
Zechariah prophesied 800 years before Paul that believing Gentiles who were “afar off” were going to become fellow-citizens with the believing Jews of the commonwealth of Israel and help build the temple of God:
Zechariah 6:9 & 15 And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying,….(15) And they that are far off(believing Gentiles) shall come and build in the temple of Jehovah; and ye shall know that Jehovah of hosts hath sent me(the Word made flesh who is Jesus) unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of Jehovah your God.
During the building of Solomon’s temple there was no sound of any tools in Jerusalem for all materials were fashioned in the quarry:
1 Kings 6:7 And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready at the quarry; and there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.
The quarry is the earth where we are fashioned into living stones in the temple of God in heavenly Jerusalem:
Hebrews 12:22-24 but ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable hosts of angels, (23) to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, (24) and to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better than that of Abel.
We already proved above that the OT temples were types and shadows of the NT believer being the final temple on earth so this passage is clearly speaking of us and NOT some physical temple that may or may not built over in physical Jerusalem:
Revelation 11:1-2 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and one said, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. (2) And the court(body of flesh) which is without the temple(spirit and soul) leave without, and measure it not; for it hath been given unto the nations: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
As proven above our bodies of flesh are the outer court of our temple that will be given over to the beast to be killed and our spirit and soul are the sanctuary that is released to heaven upon death:
Revelation 13:7 And it was given unto him(the beast) to make war with the saints, and to overcome them(put their flesh to death): and there was given to him authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.
Revelation 12:10-11 And I heard a great voice in heaven, saying, Now is come the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, who accuseth them before our God day and night. (11) And they(saints) overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony; and they loved not their life even unto death.
Jesus told Peter he would be crucified as the manner of death in which he would glorify God and so we must not love our life even unto death:
John 21:17-19 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. (18) Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. (19) Now this he spake, signifying by what manner of death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
Those who overcome their flesh are promised by Jesus to become spiritual pillars in the temple of our Father:
Revelation 3:12 He that overcometh, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out thence no more: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God, and mine own new name.
For much more understanding on overcoming our flesh please read this link:
Tags: bible, christianity, faith, god, jesus
Sum Of Thy Word 