Temples, Altars & Sacrifices
A Pastors Ponderings
Introduction:
Many things can be said about biblical temples, altars and sacrifices. Books have been written and thousands of lessons taught. Today however, I would like to share with you what the Lord has laid upon my heart and will make no attempt to do an exhaustive study of any one of these things. This will be more of a spirit lead time of sharing with you about what the Lord has been sharing with me.
1. The Temples – Old and New
- Moses Temple – The ancient traveling temple. Elaborate in every way. Portable and movable at a moments notice.
- Solomon’s Temple – Prepared for by King David and built as a permanent structure by Solomon. Vary likely one of the wonders of the known world in its day, and yet destroyed.
- The Temple of Jesus day, destroyed also by invading enemies.
Each of these temples where actual structures that existed in real time at one point of history or another, and Yet, I have believed for many years that there is an additional glorious temple on the earth even now, and that there will also be an ultimate temple in the new heavens and the new earth spoken of in the book of Revelations.
The ultimate temple I am referring to is referenced in the bible in:
Revelations 21:22
“And I saw no temple therein; for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.”
This temple is found upon the new earth:
Revelations 21: 1
“a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and first earth were passed away.”
Specifically, this temple is found in “the holy city, New Jerusalem” (Revelation 21:2), which descended down to the new earth from the new heaven and becomes the dwelling place of God on earth; God dwelling on earth with man. God becomes the sanctuary that we dwell in. This is the ultimate temple for ever – The final temple.
Yet, as God becomes the sanctuary that we dwell in ultimately, in the mean time there is another earthly temple that God indwells as He did in the other ancient temples.
1Corinthains 3:16
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1Corinthains 3:16 Commentary:
Ye are a temple of God (naos theou este). Literally, a sanctuary (naos, not hieron, the sacred enclosure, but the holy place and the most holy place) of God. The same picture of building as in 1Co_3:9 (oikodomē), only here the sanctuary itself.
Dwelleth in you (en humin oikei). The Spirit of God makes his home (oikei) in us, not in temples made with hands as mentioned in Acts 7:48 or Acts 17:24.
My friends, this scripture points out one of the most staggering statements in the entire bible: “We are a sanctuary that God dwells in.” I have often times seen scholars use exact word studies in an effort to promote specific teaching consistent with a specific school of thought even when the context of their teaching does not fit the context of the scripture. Here, these words are the context.
Based upon this blunt and glorious assertion, those who advocate sinful saints are just missing the point. God loves you, warts and all, if you are truly serving Him the best you know how to do. We can walk in holiness and perfection as we walk to the best of our knowledge. As we continue to worship His glory, Jesus, by the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth one step at a time.
We cannot turn God into some kind of cosmic tyrant that is watching over us trying to catch us doing something wrong so He can rightfully beat us into the image of Christ. Christ has already been beaten and bruised for our iniquities. Now God the Father, as we stay our minds on Him, moves us along carefully and caringly as we are able to understand.
God’s eternal presence is the Shekinah Glory of God and that presence dwelt in all of the previous temples including the “spirtitual temple” which we are now and will do so until such time that we dwell in Him in the ultimate temple of the “New Jerusalem” where God Himself is the sanctuary.
2. The Altars – OT altar of stone, the NT altar of faith.
As in all temples on earth, there have been alters, in fact there where many altars built unto God throughout history.
In 1 Kings there is particularly good illustration of this. Elijah repaired an old broken down alter – not the altar of Baal, but an ancient alter of Jehovah that was probably built during the time of the Judges on Mt. Carmel. But it had become broken down and in a state of disrepair.
Because the altar was broken down, to rebuild it was to bring the broken altar to a place of reformation and even more so a place of transformation. He repaired the altar in very specific ways.
It was built with 12 stones according to the twelve tribes of Israel (1 Kings 18:31). He honored the ancient covenant; He built his alter in the name of the Lord (1 Kings 18:32).
Some scholars believe he built the altar hollow so that it could hold the forthcoming impressive sacrifice
In a New Testament since, I believe God wants the New Testament temple – which we are – to have within it an altar.
2Peter 1: 5 – 9
Vs. 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
Vs. 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
Vs. 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
Also consider this:
Vs. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Vs. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
These things are to my way of thinking illustrative of a New Testament altar being built in a New Testament temple- which we are.
3. The Sacrifice – Old & New
Elijah put on the altar an acceptable sacrifice and then ordered abundant water to be poured on it. The water poured on this altar filled the altar to overflowing until trenches that had dug around it where also filled.
When it came time to offer the sacrifice, Elijah prayed over the altar. He did not pray long, or with vain repetitions. Secondly, he believed God was going to except the sacrifice by fire, yet he came close to the altar with boldness and feared not the forth coming fire of God. We to should not fear the fire of God.
Then he spoke with great plainness of speech. In his sacrifice prayer he prayed for two things:
1 Kings 18:36 – 37
- First – The Glory of God
Vs. 36 “Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God (in Israel), and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.”
- Secondly – The Edification of the People
Vs. “hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that hast turned their heart back again.”
As Elijah glorified God and edified the people – we to should put something before God when we call upon Him.
Rom 12:1
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Heb 13:15
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
As you build your New Testament altar, put all your cares upon it as well as your lives. Put upon this altar your worries, your troubles, and your needs. Let your troubles be like those barrels of water that prove God.
If we, in sincerity, offer our hearts and lives to God he will by His grace, kindle a Holy Fire in them (Matthew Henry).
4. The Fire – The transition
While Elijah was yet speaking, the fire of the Lord fell. Not only, as at other times consuming the sacrifice and the wood as a token of God’s acceptance of the offering, but licked up all the water clear into the trenches, exhaling it if you will, and drawing it up as a sweet smelling vapor. This fire even consumed the stones of the altar, and the very dust, to show that it was no ordinary fire.
The complete consumption of the altar is reminiscent to me of the New Testament temple, altar and sacrifice which we are now and looks forward to the Ultimate temple, altar and fire of the New Jerusalem.
In that Holy City that comes down from God, we the saints of God will cease to be the temple and altar that we are now, and God Himself becomes the temple, altar and fire.
We dwell in Him as our temple, living in the fire of His presence as a sacrifice before Him always as opposed to Him indwelling us always as He desires to do now.
But now we are the Temple, alter and sacrifice. And as we become the sacrifice, in the temple which we are, upon the altar we have built by faith He will send His fire now! Wow!
My friends:
- Have you built an altar in your temple by faith?
2Peter 1: 5 – 9
“And beside this, giving all diligence, add…”
- your faith
- add to your faith virtue;
- to virtue knowledge;
- to knowledge temperance;
- to temperance patience;
- to patience godliness;
- to godliness brotherly kindness; and
- to brotherly kindness charity.
- Do you have a sacrifice of praise for the Lord today?
Will you put the troubles of this life upon that altar like the barrels of water on the altar at Mt. Carmel, and having done so will you praise Him and see His fire fall.
Let’s pray!