The Temple and the Tent

By Laurel D. Williams

The tent in the wilderness was designed by God. It was a heavenly plan, given to Moses, as he stood face-to-Face with God. God designed every aspect of it. He gave knowledge of craftsmanship to special men and women in the construction of the tent. It was a beautiful place, full of gold, silver, bronze, and fine, embroidered linens with golden weavings of cherubim. The tent was beautiful beyond measure. It was more magnificent than the temples of Egypt the children of Israel had left behind. The tent could be assembled and dis-assembled and moved; as God directed His children, it moved with them. The tent was the center of their camp; all Israel was camped around it, by tribes and divisions. Every person could look out of their dwelling and see the presence of God in their life. God was with them everywhere they went. He was in the middle of their life. He was acsessable to them.They could see the fire/light by night - every night, and the cloud of His presence by day - every day. It was tangible, visible evidence that He was their's and they were His!

The temple was David's dream. He amassed great stores of wealth and goods, had builders plan, and gave instruction in the construction of his dream. David helped his son, Solomon, follow the plan David developed from his heart out of his love of God. But God would not allow David to build the temple; he was a man of war and bloodshed. He even told David, "I don't need a house to dwell in." (II Samuel 7:1-7) And yet, David felt that God did. So, Solomon constructed the temple with skilled craftsmen. The glory of that temple was unsurpassed. God blessed it and filled it with His Presence. And yet, something was different...

No longer did the Presence of God move about with the people. God was placed in a stationary temple. If you wanted to meet with God, you must now go to Him. The place became more revered than the Presence. In Solomon's prayer, he requested that God would abide forever in that place. (I Kings 8:12-13) But, doesn't God reside in the entire universe eternally? (I Kings 8:27) So, in essence, the temple became a place man decided could house/contain God. No longer could every individual look from their dwelling to the evidence that God was in their midst. No longer did God move about with them, lead them. Man had contained God.

God has never desired a relationship with man that was campartmentalized. When Adam and Ever were in the garden, He had a personal daily relationship with man and woman. He talked with them and walked with them. God moved with them.

When the children of Israel met God on Mount Sinai, God desired a kingdom of priests. (Exodus 19:5-6) He desired to commune with every individual of the community He had chosen as HIS. Yet the people were afraid, and asked Moses to be their intercessor. And God granted their request. They could have had a relationship with God. like Moses', and see God face-to-Face. But their fear kept them from the desires of God.

God's plan from the very foundation of the world was to reside in the temple of man. Christ died and God's Spirit has been given as an unmerited gift to us! God desires to commune with us each and every day. God want to move in our life, be the very center of our life. God wants us to see the evidence of His presence in our life - each and every day. Where we go, God goes. God does not need us/man to design, improve on, beautify, or put our/his own ideas into HIS mighty plan! HE is the Master Builder, the Artist of creation. HE is above all, through all, and in you all. (Ephesians 4:6) Our hope is in the unmerited gift of Christ! (Ephesians 4:7) God designed the most beautiful temple, the one HE wanted to dwell in - it is you and I! What an awesome thought!

When we go to worship God in our respective buildings, let us remember something. The REAL temple is standing in the building. (I Corinthians 3:16) We do not have to ask God's presence to enter the building, HE is already in HIS temple! Wherever we go, if God abides in us, His presence is there. And oh, what a mighty Presence it is when all the temples of God are together as one body, fitly framed together! (Ephesians 2:21-22)

One day, my earthly temple will pass away. But instead of a temple, I'd like to be known as a tent... someone that moves with the Presence of God. When this tent passes away, then, my heavenly temple, made in His image, will begin. We will finally have the relationship God has desired all along! We will be ONE! We will be totally infused with His Light, His Fire, His Power, and His Presence.

"Whereas I have not dwelt in any house somce the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle." (II Samuel 7:6)

"Howbeeit, the Most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, Heaven is My throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build Me? saith the LORD; or what is the place of My rest? Hath not My hand made all these things?" (Acts 7:48-50)

"God that made the world and all things therein, seeing tha He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though He needed any thing, seeing He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him, and find Him, though He be not far from every one of us." (Acts 17:24-27)

"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you"(I Corinthians 3:16)

"And I saw no temple therein: For the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city hath no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: For the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof." (Revelation 21:22-23)

Editorial Note: Laurel Williams lives in Orange, Texas and attends the Eastgate Pentecostal Church in Vidor; Pastor George R. Edwards. Sis. Laurie says this article is "secondhand," because it was born out of discussion  between herself and her mother, (Sis. Betty Austin,) concerning a study that was taight at her mother's church (which is in Auburn Hills, Michigan). I find it amazing how the Word of God circulates, and like a pebble thrown into a pond, it's ripples reach around the world!.