In I Kings 8:1-11 and II Chronicles 5:1-14 we have a wonderful testimony to the care of God over His people and over His Temple. We are told that Solomon gathered all of the elders of Israel, and all of the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel unto Jerusalem. In addition since it was the time of the Feast of Tabernacles then all of the males of the land were in attendance as well. In addition in Prophets and Kings 38 Ellen White also states "At the appointed time the hosts of Israel, with richly clad representatives from many foreign nations, assembled in the temple courts." So all of God’s people, and many visitors from many nations, were in attendance to participate in the dedicatory events.
When all things were settled the Levites picked up the ark to carry it upon their shoulders and started the procession to bring the ark to the newly built Temple. In the process of moving the Ark they stopped and offered sacrifices to God, as did David when he brought the Ark to Jerusalem. Prophets and Kings 38.
When they arrived at the Temple the Priests took the Ark into the Most Holy Place and placed the Ark, with the Ten Commandments given at Mt. Sinai safely in the Ark, into the place between the two Cherubim. When all was completed the Priests came out of the Holy Places and began to sing unto the Lord for His grace and mercy. Then the Priests and the Levites, and 120 Priests sounding with trumpets, began to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord. Then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord; So that the Priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God. II Chronicles 5:13-14
This cloud filling the Temple was a testimony to the acceptance of the building by God and to state that the God of Heaven presence had come to the Temple to be as close to His people as possible. This was also a visible testimony to the presence of the Shekinah in the Most Holy Place.
This event was very similar to that experienced by Moses and Israel upon the completion of the mobile Temple in Exodus 40:33-35. It is also similar to the times when Jesus cleansed the Temple in John 2:13-16 and Matthew 21:10-17. He came in such a manner to drive out the evil and the poor and humble of spirit were left. This same issue was displayed in Pentecost when the fire of God came upon the newly dedicated the Temple of God – the disciples. They were anointed with the presence of the Shekinah, and was of such a witness that 3000 souls joined this Temple.
A final display of the filling of the Temple with God’s presence is presented in Revelation 15:8. In this presentation God fills the Temple because of His last great work in preparing the earth for the coming of the glories of God at the Second Coming of Christ. At that time His Presence, and all of His glory, will be so intense that it will destroy all the wicked. II Thessalonians 2:8
One final observation regarding the glory of God filling the Temple at the dedication by Solomon. Can you imagine the impact on all of the people when they saw the presence of God? Can you imagine the impact on the people from foreign nations? What kind of stories would they take back to their kingdoms? Do you think there were any souls saved on that day? What would you think and feel if you had been there to see this glorious display of God? Today, you can see this story fulfilled if you allow Jesus to reveal these things in your mind by faith. This story was written just for you and I pray that God will reveal Himself to you and fill the Most Holy Place of your mind with His Presence.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment