His Glory Fills the Temple

We are investigating God coming to live inside of believers. This is what Jesus said was going to happen in John 14: 16-18. After His death, burial, resurrection and ascension, something magnificent happens in Acts 2:1-4. ₁

“When the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

God the Holy Spirit fills His temple! He has come to take make His home amongst His people – just as He promised. A number of Old Testament images come instantly to mind₂ but, we will only focus on two:

·         The dedication of the tabernacle of Moses (Leviticus 9:22-24)

·         The dedication of Solomon’s temple (I Kings 8:10-13; 2 Chronicles 5:11-14; 2 Chron. 7:1-3)

At the dedication of the tabernacle of Moses, God consumed the sacrifice with fire from heaven. Then He filled the tabernacle with a cloud of His glory (we will research His glory a little later). He filled the tabernacle so completely that Moses and Aaron could not enter.

At the dedication of the temple of Solomon the priests had sanctified themselves and assembled before the LORD as one. They did not assemble according to their assigned divisions. The Levites were all clothed in white and sang in unison. And 120 more priests were there sounding trumpets. As they were all praising as one. God consumed the sacrifice with fire from heaven. Then He filled the temple with His glory so that the priests could not continue ministering (making offerings and liturgical prayers).

There is powerful symbolism here. Symbolism lived out in real lives and real events.

·         Unity among God’s people

·         Acceptable sacrifice

·         Sanctification

·         These three combine to create an atmosphere so congruent with God’s nature that an extraordinary response is granted. God reveals Himself and “takes up residence”.

This is what happened in acts chapter two. This is what happens every time someone comes to faith in Jesus.

Have you put your faith in Christ, yet? Have you received the Holy Spirit? Have you been filled as His temple?

 Wouldn’t you say that today is a great day to be filled with His glory?

 Wouldn’t you say that, right now, is the perfect time to be filled with His glory? 

All you have to do is ask...

Footnotes

1.      John 20:19-23     Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Received the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

I am not skipping over this passage of scripture. There simply wasn’t room for ample explanation. I do believe that the ten Apostles present did receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit at this time. Also, it is not entirely out of the realm of possibility that Thomas received the indwelling of the Holy Spirit at this time – wherever he was. This is what happened to Eldad and Medad in Numbers 11:24-30.

The difference between what transpired here and Acts chapter two is at least two fold:

a.      Jesus was transferring His own earthly authority specifically to the apostles.

b.      While the apostles received the indwelling of the Holy Spirit at this time, in Acts chapter two God filled His new temple – the entire church.

2.      See also Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3), Elijah’s challenge to the prophets of Baal (I Kings 18:20-40) ;Elijah in the cave (I Kings 19:1-18)