God the Temple

Revelation 21 VERSE 22. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

(Excerpt taken from Daniel and Revelation by Uriah Smith 1897-1911 Editions)

The Living Temple. - With the temple is connected the idea of sacrifices and a mediatorial work; but when the city is located upon the earth, there will be no such work to be performed. Sacrifices and offerings, and all mediatorial work based thereon, will be forever past; hence there will be no need of the outward symbol of such work. But the temple in old Jerusalem, besides being a place for sacrificial worship, was the beauty and glory of the place; and as if to anticipate the question that might arise as to what would constitute the ornament and glory of the new city if there was to be no temple therein, the prophet answers, "The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it." It appears that there is now a temple in the city. Chapter 16:17. What becomes of that temple when the city comes down, revelation does not inform us. Possibly it is removed from the city, or it may be put to such a different use as to cease to be the temple of God.

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No temple in the New Jerusalem- why?

Why was the earthly temple created? Who dwelt in the temple in example?

Heb 8:1  Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;

Heb 8:2  A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.

Heb 8:3  For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer.

Heb 8:4  For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:

Heb 8:5  Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

Heb 8:6  But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

The tabernacle served as an example- a pattern of the heavenly was shown to Moses for the earthly. 

There between the angels on the mercy seat …

Exo_25:22  And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.

GOD was meeting with MOSES.  God was there in the temple.

1Ki 8:26  And now, O God of Israel, let thy word, I pray thee, be verified, which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father.

1Ki 8:27  But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?

1Ki 8:28  Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day:

1Ki 8:29  That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place.

God doesn't dwell on earth, heaven, and the heaven and heavens cannot contain God.

However, God WILL dwell on the NEW earth, God and our Savior, His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ will BE the temple of the New Jerusalem!

The TEMPLE.  How important IS the TEMPLE that God and Jesus will be the TEMPLE of the New City?

The Temple represents GOD WITH US!

No wonder when GOD is with us, He is the TEMPLE.

By the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, may we be in the New Jerusalem with our God, with our Savior!

All in His love! Now and forever!

AMEN!