February 15, 2003(14)
WHERE IS THE HOUSE OF THE LORD? There are a great variety of physical buildings to which men have applied the title, < the house of the Lord >. Yet it is necessary for Him to ask the question, < where is the house that ye build unto me >? Isa. 66:1 He is seeking a place that is everlasting, a habitation where he may cease from His labors and find rest, (Hebrew, Menuwchah, a resting place, a place of peace or marriage). That which pleases Him has not yet been constructed. It is currently in the process of creation. Rather than the material things of this earth He is searching for the spiritual, the eternal. He plainly declared His choice to be Zion. She is the desire and longing of His heart for His eternal dwelling place. The Lord has proclaimed Her to be that place of His habitation and dwelling place. Ps. 132:13-14
IS IT NATURAL SION OR SPIRITUAL SION? Our God is a Spirit and those who worship Him must do so in Spirit and in Truth. The natural buildings, the tabernacle and the temple were but types and shadows of that which is the original and eternal. Heb. 8:5 What shall we choose? The shadow or the real thing? By the Spirit, we today, are privileged to enter into and to worship in that which is heavenly and everlasting. The only city that the Lord will and may accept as His dwelling place, is the true, the spiritual. That which is built on the chief corner stone, the Lord Jesus, and is composed of lively stones. 1 Pet. 2:5-6 There are two simple, yet of vital necessity, requirements expressed by Isaiah for acceptance in this company. The first is, a Christ like spirit of humility, tenderness and broken before the Lord. The second is a profound respect and appreciation for the Word of the Lord. These are they whom the Lord will use to build a habitation for Himself. Isa. 66:2 Very emphatically the Word states that the Lord is not the least bit interested in temples made by the hands of men. Acts 7:48
THE TRUE TEMPLE PROCLAIMED BY THE LORD. You are the temple of the living God. A straightforward and positive statement made by the Lord. The Lord is developing a lively, active, consecrated and dedicated temple composed of the redeemed, the blood washed and Spirit filled. The invitation to participate in that temple is as personal as it can possibly be. His determination is to personally live IN His church and to walk IN His church. To be their God, with all His abilities and manifestation of power and exceeding great glory. He is looking for them to be His people, totally and unequivocally dedicated and surrendered to Him. A people who are in love with Him and Him alone. Their thoughts and desires are all directed towards Him. Their undivided attention is always focused on Him. Their whole being is committed to the Lord Jesus and their absolute devotion is centered on Him and Him alone. He is their God and they are His people. It cannot be any other way. 2 Cor. 6:16