BEYOND EYESIGHT. 2nd Chronicles 3
How can we describe in words the glory, the honor, and the worth of that which is beyond human experience? Our humanity limits us to observing and contemplating the things that inspire a sense of awe. As children of God, our devotion and desire to express our innermost thoughts may transcend the boundaries of our limitations. Unfortunately, some sincere individuals practice speaking in tongues, believing that producing unintelligible sounds equates to authentic worship and praise. However, this practice does not enhance the worship of God; instead, it diminishes the sacred, bringing it down to a level we can define to our own satisfaction. It does not make it real. Instead, it merely seeks to convince individuals that they have transcended human limitations into a heavenly language or the language of angels. This misleads people into thinking they have achieved a higher state of holiness, which will protect them from sin or make them more acceptable to God. We must always remember that our acceptance by our righteous, holy God is solely because we are "accepted in the Beloved" – accepted because, when He saved us, we were placed in Christ. The construction of the temple, its location, its value, its visible splendor, and even its size were meant to remind people of what lies beyond their ability to express. Glory, by its very nature, defies full definition and description. There is a sense in which our minds take us beyond our capacity to perceive, so all we can do is bow in humble adoration and silence. The temple represented the awe-inspiring glory and presence of God, which must have been breathtaking. However, we know that "God dwelleth not in temples made with hands," so the temple must have had a higher and more meaningful purpose. True, both in the tabernacle and the temple, there was evidence of God with His people, but He is not limited by time or space. The finest and most ornate work that man could create with his hands, the most beautiful structure human minds can imagine, still falls short of visually expressing the fullness of divine glory. Built in silence on Mount Moriah, this awe-inspiring structure rose before onlookers and participants like a living, growing being. There was no way to see it all at once, but its impact on the soul would have been powerful and humbling, as those who looked at it realized their own smallness. Abraham, hundreds of years earlier, likely stood there when he offered his son Isaac to God. It was there he heard God's voice, and the word of the Lord became meaningful to him. Jacob prayed in that same place. David heard the word of the Lord there and built an altar. That was the place God chose to be the place of His name, where He would meet His people. The temple's grandeur faded over time due to its physical limitations in withstanding the effects of age and human actions. Still, God continues to have a place where He meets His people. Such a place isn't defined by the size or beauty of the building but by God's presence when those who "have made a covenant with Him by sacrifice" come to meet Him. The type or size of the building doesn't automatically make it a meeting place with God. It's where people pray together with God. It's where important decisions are made, and public testimony is given on a spiritual altar where worship rises as a "burnt offering" to God. Today, the gathering place of the Lord's people is "where two or three are gathered together in My name." The value of that place lies in its representation of God Himself as the Supreme among His people. When those who are "willing to take [His] yoke upon [them] and learn of Me" demonstrate that desire, that spiritual inclination, it paves the way for divine instruction from God Himself, just as Solomon received when building the temple. Angels observe carefully, like the two large gold-covered cherubim whose wing tips touch both sides of the holy place where the ark was to sit. Whenever and wherever God's people gather, it creates an impact that extends beyond just an earthly location, for the angels watch, wonder, and learn. "For this cause a woman hath power on her head because of the angels." Even though we are not aware of all the "families" in this universe beyond the human family, those unseen beings seem to seek understanding of the value and results of faith as they observe what happens in "the place of His name." To see beyond eyesight is to live and act with unwavering faith in the word of God. We may not grasp the significance of all we do, but to some extent, we can understand certain things if we choose to read the scriptures and obey what we find. We look beyond the bread and cup at the Lord's Supper and see Jesus in His humanity and deity. We remember His life and death. We see by faith the cross, the resurrection, and the empty tomb. We behold heaven and earth coming together under His glorious rule and reign. We see ourselves as God sees us in Christ—crucified, buried, and raised with Him "to walk in newness of life.” The veil separating the holiest of all symbolizes a division between the casual observer and those who have entered into the holiest through the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh. Even the two prominent visible pillars—Jachin and Boaz—testify to the public testimony established by God and reinforced by His strength, enabling us to go beyond our physical sight to achieve spiritual understanding. Although the temple's glory was magnificent, it was not everlasting. Yet, what lies beyond our eyesight—the glory of God, the honor of His name, and the respect and eternal praises He deserves—is permanent and mighty, meant to last forever. All the gold covering the prime wood, ornate carvings, artwork, and intricate designs that evoke awe because of their beauty cannot match the holiness of God's house today. Each member, like a stone or a wooden piece coated with gold, has been gifted with divine nature. To some extent, we can see the world through God's eyes when we recognize the "house of God" for what it truly is. Although our actions are limited, simply being where God intends us to be gives us the privilege of representing Him. The temple teaching definitely relates to the upcoming millennial reign of our Lord Jesus Christ, during which He will sit on the throne of David in righteousness, glory, and splendor. To think that we will be "with Him and like Him," highlights the importance of our shaping and molding during this training period we call "the Christian life." Through this process, we are being prepared to reign with Him and to show His glory in ways we cannot now. Those who returned from exile in Babylon received a lesson from Ezra to remind them of who they were and why the current work of rebuilding they were doing was important. The temple they built was not like Solomon's temple, but it was what they were called to construct, and for the same reason, Solomon built his temple. We may not realize the significance of the building process happening in the house of God, of which we are a part, but later we will see and be satisfied that we followed the instructions given by our Lord. There once was an altar on this mountain built from natural stone. A man and his son came to offer sacrifices there, but Abraham wasn’t the only one who understood that the value of the sacrifice was greater than all of the world’s gold. When he laid Isaac upon that altar, it meant more to him than his own soul. The gold-covered boards, the golden nails, and the majesty of the house being built were worth less than the blood of the ram spilled in the place where God’s voice was heard and the sinless substitute was made. A father and his son watched as the flames burned where the son had lain.
Now, on Mount Moriah, a beautiful structure rises quietly. Massive stones are being laid in order, each carefully shaped beforehand to fit in its place. Skilled workers are busy at their crafts to build a structure that represents Deity. The materials, the craftsmanship, and the detailed handiwork would have been wonderful to see.
A temple made from living stones is being built. Each stone is formed silently by grace; each one atoned for by Christ’s blood. Each one is crafted to fit precisely in God's temple by the Master Builder. Each one is given a divine nature to honor the Savior and Lord. There are also differences in this great temple that God is building—the hand of God has made each one unique, a special role to fulfill. Interestingly, the Chief Cornerstone is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. From Him come apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, and even helpers. A key feature of this new temple is that it can never be destroyed. No man can tear it down, nor, in greed, melt the gold from its boards. This gold is divine in nature, a skilled handiwork crafted by God. The carved stones hewn out of rock will never be trampled underfoot.
Mount Moriah has been the site of many significant events, but another is approaching that will surpass all that have happened before or since. A King is coming; a throne will be established on Moriah, the King of Kings will dwell with His people, and the final proclamation of peace will be heard.
Perhaps a sacrifice of praise is in order right now! What glory has been brought to God from that mountain! What majesty was seen there! What glory will yet emanate from that place where so many have walked in unbelief! What great honors will yet be seen given to the Lord Jesus Christ!