The Necessity of the Temple

May 28, 2009

Today's Review: 1 Kings 7-8 and Psalm 23-24

I think I have mentioned this before when we were discussing the Tabernacle, but why is it that we need a Tabernacle, much less a Temple. The Tabernacle was nothing more than some U-haul truck full of stuff set up for portable worship services. Considering that we can all pray and experience God’s sacraments privately, the Tabernacle seems nigh useless in today’s world.

However, you have to admire the idea of a Temple. It’s a building that works as a God headquarters. I am certain that the Capitol Building, the White House, and other major City Halls are inspired by the Temple.

Who doesn’t like the idea of a place where all the action happens. I mean, at one time the presence of God was so thick that no one could (or dared) enter in the Temple.

Even Psalm 24 is supposed to be some sort of declaration of getting into the Temple. That is why there is that great hail before the Ark entered in: “Who is this King of Glory”.

And yet, just before this Psalm is the famed Psalm 23. It declares that we really have all that we need with the Lord on our side. We really don’t need a big Temple made of gold to let God know that He is number one. Sadly, we have a bunch of people who think we need some central place of God.

Even Solomon acknowledged this, that no house can house God. God is just too big to be put under four walls, but this is how we treat churches. Come on, don’t tell me that most people don’t act differently when the arrive at church. Granted, people do this for the wrong reasons.

I can’t help but wonder if we couldn’t use some sort of Temple today. In today’s society, I think we need some place where we can believe in. Government establishments just aren’t good enough anymore. I’m not certain how we became this type of world, but we now must live in it.

Man, what I wouldn’t give to see that Temple in front of me now. I would just be the tourist thing all over it. I would be the guy that the security guard would have to smack because I would be all over touching the gold.

Is it any wonder why God promises that he will restore the Temple of David in the last days. Perhaps other things will be restored as well.