God the Temple.

In heaven right now there is a heavenly temple.  This temple was created before man was created- it had to be. How can I say that? Because the plan of salvation was in place BEFORE man sinned. It was a contingency plan. Seriously. We, very sinful people even know that it's good to have contingency plans in place for many things. The angels sinned. They had no contingency plan. Once an angel chose to sin and leave God's love there was no going back.  When God created mankind a contingency plan was needed especially because this new creation was being made on a whole new level, a different level from the angels. Man would be created with free will- the power to choose and not be created an automaton unable to choose anything other than what God wanted. God did NOT create puppets! With the possibility of sin in play a way to redeem those who would fall victim to sin was also created. No, mankind was NOT guaranteed life everlasting just for being born. A choice would be made, a free will choice. Ask any of those who have ever had their free will stripped from them just how important it is. We may take it for granted more often than not. God did not want to create mankind and then wipe them out completely if they sinned. God wanted them to have a chance through the greatest sacrifice ever- the sacrifice of the One who would chose to become God's only begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, our Savior. God with us, God who took on flesh, God became a slave-

Php 2:5  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Php 2:6  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

Php 2:7  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Php 2:8  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

He took upon Him the form of a slave! He humbled Himself! Jesus became our all in all and this plan was made before mankind was formed. The temple- the place where that plan could be made was created and this same temple shown to Moses to made a replica of upon earth and usher in the Sacrificial system that would be ended upon the death of our Savior.  Our Savior then went to the heavenly temple where He remains until He it is all finished- all sin is erased, all sinners gone into nothingness. That temple remains until our God and our Savior Jesus Christ come down to earth in the new Jerusalem, the new city and then they are the TEMPLE of that city!  They are forever the knowledge of the love that was given to mankind, and mankind will never forget the love, the amazing, unfathomable love shown towards them.

All through HIS grace and mercy!

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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!