The Temple in Biblical Times and Its Significance

Overview of the Temple

• Design and Construction:
  • Designed by King David.
  • Built by King Solomon.
• Purpose:
  • Believed to be the home of God on Earth.
  • Symbolizes the overlap of God's heavenly home with Earth.

The Symbolism of the Temple

• God's Dwelling Place:
  • Even Solomon acknowledged that the temple couldn't contain God.
  • The building is symbolic, representing all of creation as God's temple.

Creation as God's Temple

• Genesis as a Temple Story:
  • Creation is depicted as God's temple.
  • Seven-day creation story parallels the building and dedication of the temple.
• Sabbath:
  • On the seventh day, God rests and rules, similar to the temple's dedication.

The Garden of Eden

• Eden:
  • Described in Genesis 2.
  • Means "delight" in Hebrew.
  • Modeled in the temple with imagery like gold, flowers, and the Menorah as the tree of life.

Humans as Priests

• Role in the Garden:
  • Humanity's role was "to work and to keep" in God's presence.
  • Parallel to priests in the temple.
• Exile:
  • Adam and Eve's exile from Eden due to wanting to rule independently.
  • Similar fate for Israel's leaders leading to the temple's destruction.

Prophetic Hope for a New Creation

• New Temple and Priesthood:
  • Biblical prophets anticipated a new temple where God's presence would fill creation.
• Rebuilding of the Temple:
  • Israel did rebuild, but prophets later labeled it corrupt.

Jesus and the New Temple

• Jesus' Claims:
  • God's presence and rule are realized through his life, death, and resurrection.
  • Jesus as the true temple.
• Expansion of the Temple Concept:
  • Jesus' resurrection implies God's presence in his followers as mini-temples.
  • This concept extends to the church as living stones.

The Ultimate Fulfillment

• No New Physical Temple:
  • The end of the biblical story depicts a renewed cosmic temple.
  • All creation becomes the place of God's rest and rule.