Worship Buildings, 2of3

~ The Temple ~

Key Passages  ~  The temple was modeled after the tabernacle, however it was much more elaborate contained numerous rooms and porches (1 Kings 6-8). 

Key Purpose  ~  The temple was the Jewish center of worship for about 350 years. 

Key Results  ~  1) It was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar when Judah was taken into captivity (2 Chronicles 36:14-21).   2) After Israel returned from captivity a smaller temple was built on Mt. Moriah (Ezra 6:13-22).   3) Later King Herod developed an extensive building program to enlarge and enhance the temple (John 2:20). 

Key Application  ~  Jesus Christ purifying the temple (John 2) is a clear picture of how He is purifying the human temples of His followers through the work of the Holy Spirit. 

Key Prophecy  ~  Jesus Christ prophesied that the existing elaborate temple would be destroyed (Matthew 24:1-2).  The Messiah’s prophecy was fulfilled in the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem by Titus in a.d. 70.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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Jesus Christ in 1 Kings

~ Jesus Christ is the Only Perfect King ~ 

The Bible is about Jesus Christ  ~  “Jesus said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself” (Luke 24:25-27).

In the book of 1 Kings we see Jesus Christ as the only perfect King, the One who is the builder of God’s Temple, and the One who is “greater than Solomon” (Matthew 12:42).  He is the reigning sovereign One.

Remember that God promised to establish David’s lineage in perpetuity.  He also explained to David that his offspring would build a house for Him (2 Samuel 7:11-16).  The Biblical account shows that Solomon built that temple.  In the next book, 2 Kings, we find Solomon’s temple has been destroyed. 

Today, Jesus Christ is building His temple that will last throughout eternity.  “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:19-22). 

Comment  ~  We have only touched the surface of Christ in 1 Kings. Much more could be said about each of the previous examples.

additional comment: The book of 1 Kings is quoted in the New Testament.  Romans 11:3-4 quotes parts of 1 Kings 19:10-18.

The Apostle Paul told us the Scriptures present many shadows of things to come but the reality is found in Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:17). 

~~~ EXPLANATORY “JESUS CHRIST IN EVERY BOOK OF THE BIBLE” SERIES ~~~   

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~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW