Something is stirring in my heart. I’m seeing something in the scriptures, yet I can’t quite see it. Do you understand what I mean?
I read this yesterday:
“So Solomon finished building the Temple.” (1 Kings 6:14 NLT)
Then, as I meditated on that passage, I remembered what happened after Solomon had finished building. As the priests brought the Ark of the Covenant and other items into the Temple (kind of like moving God’s furniture into his house), then:
“…At that moment a thick cloud filled the Temple of the Lord. The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud, for the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple of God.” (2 Chronicles 5:13-14 NLT)
In other words, God moved inside; he took up residence there.
Okay, with that thought I started looking at Moses’ ministry, and the building of the Tabernacle of Meeting.
“So at last Moses finished the work.” (Exodus 40:33 NLT)
Again, just like in Solomon’s example, when the place was finished and every part was in place…
“…So at last Moses finished the work. Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. Moses could no longer enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle.” (Exodus 40:33-35 NLT)
Yes. God moved inside, and his glory became evident to all.
So now I read the passage in Ephesians.
“Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:20-22 NLT)
I know what I’m thinking and sensing; but I’m not certain I can articulate it.
God is in each individual. Right. But is there something the Church is missing?
So I ask you…what comes next?
If God established a pattern, first with Moses and then with Solomon, what can we expect when the Body of Christ finally grows up? What is on the horizon for the church?
What will it take for us to get “there”? Or, “are we there yet?”
I look forward to your thoughts…
Jan Grace 
One response to “What’s next? Please think with me.”
The first thought to enter my mind was that we would become unapproachable, but the two examples you provided for the completion of the Temple and the Tabernacle were previous to God becoming flesh. I’m not sure I can articulate it either, but once I separated the first two and thought about God in the flesh, the veil ripping in half came to mind.
I guess it illustrates what we already know in that we can have an intimate relationship with God through Jesus Christ, when before, only the priest’ could even enter the Holy of Holy’s on our behalf. What does that signify? I’m not sure, but I know there is something more.
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