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of June 1996
Next up-date: 5th July 1996 (God willing).
Query:
What did Jesus mean when He said, "Destroy
this temple and in three
days I will raise it up"? John 2:19.
Response:
In verse 21 of the same chapter "He spoke of the temple of
His body". And in
another place, "Know you not (don't you know) that you are
the temple of God,
and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" 1 Corinthians
3:16.
Conclusion:
The word " temple" in this context refers to the
physical body of the believer,
particularly Jesus. The listeners thought that Jesus meant the
temple in
Jerusalem and objected that it had taken 46 years to build. This
was their
"opinion" based on their understanding of words. But
the building at
Jerusalem was erected as an object lesson (what the Bible calls
"a shadow")
for Israel and the world. From eternal ages it was God's purpose
that every
created being should be a temple for the indwelling of the
Creator, and this
takes three "days" or stages, to complete. Because of
sin, humanity ceased to
be a temple for God, but by the incarnation of the Son of God the
purpose of
heaven is fulfilled. Through saving grace God dwells in Christian
humanity
and thus the hearts of men and women become again His temple. God
designed that the temple at Jerusalem should be a continual
witness to the
high destiny open to every soul, but its destruction by the Roman
army in
70AD because of the Jewish rejection of God's protection spoilt
this plan.
Spiritual Dictionary.
Temple:
1. A Christian saved by grace.
2. The stone building Solomon built to replace the Tabernacle.
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shall be away until July 5th. 'Bye till then