7 June 2025
We are privy to prophetic fulfillment, and are capable of putting into our context so much of what was written. Yet, unless we see witness to Jesus’ life and sacrifice, often fail to pursue the prophetic witness toward us. Much of what is written toward Israel can be translated into the Church born of following Jesus, and that which speaks of the Temple of God whispers to us as believers. If, as Paul wrote, we are temples of the Holy Spirit, the prophetic voices speaking of the Temple are of value to us to look to their implications for our lives.
Ezekiel wrote of the whole plan of the Temple, its laws and ordinances, that Israel might follow them. The caveat given to establish their obedience was that they were ashamed, i.e., repentant. This is the state we receive Jesus into our lives. From that point on, because of the work of the cross, we become a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit. This is profound in that whereas before, the Most Holy place was only allowed to be entered once a year by the High Priest, and that only after having performed the proper sacrifice, we now ARE that most holy place. The required sacrifice was completely fulfilled for eternity through Jesus Christ. While we now are that most holy place, the veil to that place has been torn. Ezekiel spoke of this essence when he wrote, “the whole territory on top of the mountain all around shall be most holy.” (Ezek 43:12) No longer was there a suggestion of that holiness being contained behind a veil, but all the ground surrounding it was made holy by the Lord’s presence.
This speaks to us of further prophecy, that given by the Lord himself to both Abraham and Moses. With the former, the Lord said that Abraham would possess all the land that his feet would trod. To Moses, he called him to take off his sandals, for the ground he was standing on was holy. For us, as temples of the Holy Spirit and ones carrying that Spirit onward, wherever we go is to be holy ground. What a profound charge this is to us. We no longer can live common lives, but instead we are to flavor the commonness of our lives with the Lord’s presence. Wherever we work or play, that space is to be recreated into a place where the Spirit dwells. That is the calling on our lives, and inherited gift, though we largely are ignorant to it. Our awareness and acceptance of the Spirit’s presence doesn’t need to be broadcast. Rather, in our awareness, we bring forth something that others will find different. They do not need to know what, for we allow the Spirit to speak for itself. They will call it ‘peace’ or ‘hospitality’ or ‘joy’. Whatever words they use, we know in our hearts it is because the Spirit has been present.