Zeal for God’s House

 By Rabbi Mike Murphy

In this study I would like to point out that the Temple and it’s system is of great importance and significance in all ages and even throughout eternity.  I would like to point out 7 important truths concerning the Temple which need to carefully be considered.  We as believers need to understand the overall purpose of the Temple of God and Messiah Yeshua’s (Jesus) love for His Fathers house. 

The first truth I would like to point out, which should be kept in mind all through this lesson is that all of God’s Word is in effect and is eternal.  In 2 Timothy 3:16 it says:  “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”  Looking further we can take a look at Isaiah 40:8:  “The grass withers, the flower fades, But the Word of our God stands forever.”  Consider the genealogies in the Scriptures, numerology, history, science, and then consider the red letters in the New Testament.  We must keep in mind that all of God’s Word is equally inspired by God and is absolutely inerrant.  With this in mind lets consider the truth that God is the one who established the Temple system.  Since it is clear from the Scriptures that Yeshua is God then we can conclude that He is the one who established the Temple system.  God has an order.  The Levites were the tribe in Israel who had the inheritance of God.  They received no inheritance of the Promise Land because they were the one’s who ministered in the Tabernacle and were priests before the people of Israel.  The tithes were to be given to the Levites.  Freewill offerings as well were given for the service of the Tabernacle in the wilderness and to aid in the service of the priesthood.  There were sin offerings, guilt offerings, peace offerings, burnt offerings and meal offerings.  Leviticus chapters 1-7 outline this more clearly.  What is interesting is that there are many spiritual principles one can apply to these institutions.  Concerning blood sacrifices we see that these all pointed to Yeshua who would be the ultimate sacrifice once and for all.  We can see the Temple system as a physical sign of a spiritual truth.  The whole purpose of the Temple and it’s system was to worship God.  With this in mind I would like to point out that The Temple and its system were not replaced by the Coming of the Messiah.  Just because the Temple system of worship pointed to Yeshua who was greater than the Temple, doesn’t mean He replaced it by His coming.  Yeshua came in the context of the Old Testament Law.  In Luke 2:21-24 it reads:  “And when eight days were completed before His circumcision, His name was then called Yeshua, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.  And when the days for their purification according to the Law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (at the Temple).  As it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every first-born male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord.”  And to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”  We see that Yeshua was presented at the Temple.  He was also found in the Temple worshiping the Father at the age of twelve (Luke 2:41-52).  After Yeshua began His ministry, at Passover He cleansed the Temple of the money changers (John 2:13-17).  Of coarse the people were being robbed and blemished sacrifices were being offered.  Yeshua loved His Fathers house, He loved the Temple.  Sure the Scriptures teach that Yeshua is greater than the Temple, of coarse, He’s God, but that doesn’t do away with it.  In John chapter 10 during the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah), while in the Temple area Yeshua claimed equality with the Father.  Well what about after Messiahs death, burial and resurrection.  Is the Temple and it’s system now insignificant?   Acts 2:43-47 records that after the coming of the Holy Spirit at Shavuot (Pentecost) the disciples were worshiping in the Temple.  Lets go further to speak of the Apostle Paul when he went up to Jerusalem and later was seized in the Temple (Acts 21:15-26). 

            The next truth I would like to point out is that The Temple system of worship is not insignificant under Gentile rule.  After the Babylonian captivity when the Jews returned to the Land, there was a second Temple built under Zerubabbel.  It was significant and legitamate even though Persia ruled over Israel at that time.  Later under the Romans King Herod refurvished the Temple.  The problem was not the Temple at all.  The problem was that the religious leaders in Israel turned the worship of God into ritual or religion instead of having a heart for God.  Blemished sacrifices were offered and they also had an outward beauty along with an inward depravity.  They also rejected the Messiah.  We must remember that the Temple was destroyed in 70 AD not because of Yeshua’s acceptance but because of His rejection.  Lets now consider the Tribulation Temple.  Many have concluded that this Temple is insignificant and that it is the Temple of the anti-christ.  Lets look at this more carefully.  In Revelation chapter 11:1-2 it reads:  “And there was given me a measuring rod like a staff; and someone said, Rise and measure the Temple of GOD, and the alter, and those who worship in it.”  We see here that the Tribulation Temple is the Temple of God, not the anti-christ.  Many however say that the Temple has to be commanded by ordained holy men.  What’s interesting is that Zechariah 4 speaks of two olive branches which I believe were Zerubabbel the governer who began the second Temple project and Joshua the high priest.  Who’s to say that the two witnesses in Revelation 11 cannot command the building of the Tribulation Temple?  Sure the anti-christ may “allow” it to be built, but his soul purpose would be so he could eventually be worshiped in it along with his image.  We must remember that Herod allowed worship to take place in the second Temple.  Another important truth to realize is that when the anti-christ sets up his image in the Temple it is considered an “abomination,” and it teaches in Scripture that it is set up in the “holy place.”  If the Tribulation Temple is going to be an illegitimate Temple, then the actions of the anti-christ wouldn’t be an abomination in regards to the Temple.  Here is something that might twist some screws.  There might even be Messianic Jews who will worship in this Temple and even offer sacrifices.  Remember, the Temple has always been and always will be for the worship of God. 

The next truth I would like to point out is that the Temple system after Yeshua points back to Him.  We can learn from Ezekiel chapters 40-48 that there will be without denial, a Temple system of worship in the Kingdom Age after Messiah returns.  This will of coarse be the greatest of all earthly Temples ever established.  Ezekiel teaches that there will be a priesthood and even blood sacrifices at this time.  These blood sacrifices will of coarse be a memorial unto Yeshua and His finished work at Golgotha.  It will kind of have the same significance as communion in celebration of Him and out of respect for Him.  The sacrifices in the millennium will also be object lessons for the youth in the kingdom to always teach the seriousness of sin. 

Next it is interesting to point out that in the eternal order there will be no earthly Temple.  Revelation 21:22 teaches that the eternal order will bring in a completely perfected state.  The Father of all creation and the Lamb Himself will be the Temple.  We can learn from this that the earthly Temple was only a picture of Heaven and what it contains.  In Revelation 21 it speaks of a New Heaven and New Earth and it says, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He (God) shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them.” 

The last truth I would like to bring forth concerning the Temple of God is that the earthly Temple will forever be a memorial to God and man.  The lesson of the Temple will forever show how God so wanted to teach His people Israel and all mankind that He is a holy God and desires worship.  This lesson will also forever show that God is a God of redemption and He revealed Himself to sinful man and gave him an institution of worship and order so that man might have a greater understanding of his Creator and His love for them. 

            In looking at the love Yeshua had for His Father’s house, we should also have in view the love He has for His Assembly.  In 1 Peter 2:4-5 the Scriptures teach that we are living stones being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God the Father through Messiah Yeshua.  In reference to the earthly Temple we can say that the Assembly of Messiah is a “spiritual sign of a physical truth.”  The spiritual of coarse having even greater significance.  So we can say that we as the body of Messiah are a spiritual Temple.  Since there should be great zeal for the earthly Temple of God, how much more for the spiritual Temple of God.  We as the body of believers, especially when we come together, need to be excited about what God is doing with us.  We want the world to see a glorious Temple not a lifeless one.  Just as the Menorah lit the earthly Temple, so Yeshua lights our Temple.  In His Sermon on the Mount, Yeshua said, “You are the light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”  The Scriptures also teach that your body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit.  We have the Holy Spirit dwelling within our hearts.  So in this way we need to be zealous for our Temple and not let sin reign in our mortal bodies. 

“Church” Is Our Understanding Biblical?

What is the first thing you think of when you hear the word “church.”  What is interesting is that one might picture a glorious building. This seems to be common in thought when the word church is thought of. On the other hand one might think of the body of Christ.  Well, lets look at this term from the Greek translation in the New Testament.  The Greek word for church in the New Testament is “ekklesia” meaning “assembly.”  What many seem to not realize is that this term has also been used in the Bible in reference to a secular assembly.  The latter part of Acts chapter 19 makes this very clear if the Greek is studied in context of what is being said. 

So what is the point I am trying to make in all this?  Throughout the ages the word "church" seems to have been exalted to almost a point of deification.  All the word means is assembly.  Whenever the writers of the New Testament pointed out the term “ekklesia” when it was concerning  the body of believers, the context is always clear that it represents the assembly of Messiah or the Christ.  I myself have gotten into the habit of saying assembly more often when referring to a body of believers in Messiah.  Christians have seem to put the word “church” in big lights and have exalted it way beyond its meaning.  Instead of exalting it we should be exalting “Messiah” or “Christ,” Amen!  By having a right understanding of this term it will first of all keep us from envisioning a mere building.  And second of all it will keep us believers from exalting who we are, but rather exalt the name above every name, Yeshua Ha Mashiach or Jesus the Christ!

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