INTRODUCTION:
This study shows that the construction of the first and second ancient temples were in fact a prophecy of the major events of the early and latter day Christian churches. Including the precise circumstances of our church today.
PRAYER THOUGHT: 9 Testimonies, p. 16
Satan is a diligent Bible student. He knows that his time is short, and he seeks at every point to counterwork the work of the Lord upon this earth. It is impossible to give any idea of the experience of the people of God who shall be alive upon the earth when celestial glory and a repetition of the persecutions of the past are blended. They will walk in the light proceeding from the throne of God. By means of the angels there will be constant communication between heaven and earth. And Satan, surrounded by evil angels, and claiming to be God, will work miracles of all kinds, to deceive, if possible, the very elect. God’s people will not find their safety in working miracles, for Satan will counterfeit the miracles that will be wrought. God’s tried and tested people will find their power in the sign spoken of in Exodus 31:12-18. They are to take their stand on the living word: “It is written.” This is the only foundation upon which they can stand securely. Those who have broken their covenant with God will in that day be without God and without hope. {9T 16.1}
The worshippers of God will be especially distinguished by their regard for the fourth commandment, since this is the sign of God’s creative power and the witness to His claim upon man’s reverence and homage. The wicked will be distinguished by their efforts to tear down the Creator’s memorial and to exalt the institution of Rome. In the issue of the conflict all Christendom will be divided into two great classes, those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and those who worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark.
Read Eph. 2: 19 – 22
The apostle Paul made a comparison between Solomon’s (1st ) temple and the EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH. The points of emphasis are:
- The temple was fitly framed together
- Jesus is the Chief corner stone.
This description reveals that Paul was making a comparison (type) with the FIRST TEMPLE built by Solomon, which was
(1) fitly framed together–its stones were precut and fitted in place at the site.
(2) There was a problem with the chief corner stone.
The First Temple In TYPE (Solomon’s Temple)
1. The huge stones for the temple were precut at the quarry, so there was no need of cutting tools at the site–the stones were just fitted together. 1 Kings 6:7; DA 597 – 598.
Looking with pity upon them, the Saviour continued, “Did ye never read in the Scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.” {DA 597.1}
This prophecy the Jews had often repeated in the synagogues, applying it to the coming Messiah. Christ was the cornerstone of the Jewish economy, and of the whole plan of salvation. This foundation stone the Jewish builders, the priests and rulers of Israel, were now rejecting. The Saviour called their attention to the prophecies that would show them their danger. By every means in His power He sought to make plain to them the nature of the deed they were about to do. {DA 597.2}
2. A stone designated for the temple foundation was rejected, but providentially became the chief corner stone. Ps. 118:22,23; DA 597 -598.
“In quoting the prophecy of the rejected stone, Christ referred to an actual occurrence in the history of Israel. The incident was connected with the building of the first temple. While it had a special application at the time of Christ’s first advent, and should have appealed with special force to the Jews, it has also a lesson for us. When the temple of Solomon was erected, the immense stones for the walls and the foundation were entirely prepared at the quarry; after they were brought to the place of building, not an instrument was to be used upon them; the workmen had only to place them in position. For use in the foundation, one stone of unusual size and peculiar shape had been brought; but the workmen could find no place for it, and would not accept it. It was an annoyance to them as it lay unused in their way. Long it remained a rejected stone. But when the builders came to the laying of the corner, they searched for a long time to find a stone of sufficient size and strength, and of the proper shape, to take that particular place, and bear the great weight which would rest upon it. Should they make an unwise choice for this important place, the safety of the entire building would be endangered. They must find a stone capable of resisting the influence of the sun, of frost, and of tempest. Several stones had at different times been chosen, but under the pressure of immense weights they had crumbled to pieces. Others could not bear the test of the sudden atmospheric changes. But at last attention was called to the stone so long rejected. It had been exposed to the air, to sun and storm, without revealing the slightest crack. The builders examined this stone. It had borne every test but one. If it could bear the test of severe pressure, they decided to accept it for the cornerstone. The trial was made. The stone was accepted, brought to its assigned position, and found to be an exact fit. In prophetic vision, Isaiah was shown that this stone was a symbol of Christ. He says: {DA 597.5}
The First Temple In ANTITYPE (The early Christian Church)
Jesus is the antitypical chief corner stone that was rejected by the Jews, but accepted by those who became Christians; thereby becoming the founder and foundation of the Early Christian church. See Matt. 21:42; Acts 4:10, 11.
SUMMARY: The first literal temple’s corner stone was rejected but later on accepted as the head stone. Likewise Jesus was rejected, but became the head of the early church. These events reveal that Solomon’s temple was a type of the early Christian period. This also shows that God writes history and prophecy at the same time.
What Happened To The First Temple In TYPE?
Solomon’s temple was destroyed by the Babylonians when Judah was taken captive. 2Kings 25:1-11. It was DESTROYED and ROBBED by ANCIENT BABYLON. See 2 Chronicles 36: 14 -20.
The true sanctuary service was abolished by ancient Babylon with the destruction of the temple.
The fall of the Babylonian empire came on the night of Belshazar’s drunken feast when Cyrus and Darius took the kingdom and slew the king.
The captivity of God’s people ended and they were set free. This was the preparatory step to rebuilding the second temple.
Antitypical Destruction of the Spiritual Temple
As ancient Babylon destroyed Solomon’s temple and set up pagan worship, the antitypical Babylon – the Roman system destroyed the early Christian church and set up pagan priesthood and worship during the Dark ages (538-1798 A.D.)
After ancient Babylon fell, Cyrus made a decree for the children of Israel to go back to Jerusalem to rebuild the spiritual temple and re-establish true worship.
Three Decrees to rebuild the ancient Temple – The Type
1st Decree – Ezra 1:1-3: Through Cyrus freely offered his resources to finance the construction of the temple and commanded then it must be built, the Samaritans, or factitious Jews, frustrated the progress of the foundation and retarded its completion (Ezra 4:4-5)
2nd Decree – Ezra 4:24; 5:1-2: Here we see two prophets were used, Haggai and Zechariah, to assist with the work of rebuilding the temple, and that it was again frustrated by factitious Jews.
3rd Decree – Ezra 6:1, 7, 11-12: The third and final decree was made by King Darius and it was death decree. It accomplished its mission.
After the fall of ancient Babylon, and the rise of the Medo-Persian empire, King Cyrus, made the first decree allowing the Jews to return and build the second temple. This temple must also be a type of another section of the Christian era since the first was a type of the early Christian church. Background–(Ezra 1 – 6)
Antitype – The Second Temple
Read: Zech. 6: 11- 15:
Zechariah was writing in the time of the building of the second temple–just after the captivity–during the reign of Medo-Persia.
The BRANCH–the Messiah (Jesus), was expected to build this temple of the Lord (Verse 12). But Jesus did not come during this period. Instead He came in the New Testament dispensation. Thus, the temple Jesus was to build could not have been the one of Zechariah’s day, but instead a spiritual one in the Christian era.
Christ is to build this temple while He is a priest. (Verse 13). Christ did not become a priest until after His ascension. (Rom. 8:1,2). He did not become the High Priest until 1844. (Heb. 9:24-26).
People from “far off”–non-Jews– those from outside of Israel, would come and participate in the building of the temple. (Verse 15). Only Jews participated in the construction of the ancient temple in Jerusalem. (Ezra 4:3; PK 568-570).
Only a remnant had chosen to return from Babylon; and now, as they undertake a work seemingly beyond their strength, their nearest neighbors come with an offer of help. The Samaritans refer to their worship of the true God, and express a desire to share the privileges and blessings connected with the temple service. “We seek your God, as ye do,” they declare. “Let us build with you.” But had the Jewish leaders accepted this offer of assistance, they would have opened a door for the entrance of idolatry. They discerned the insincerity of the Samaritans. They realized that help gained through an alliance with these men would be as nothing in comparison with the blessing they might expect to receive by following the plain commands of Jehovah. {PK 568.1}
Regarding the relation that Israel should sustain to surrounding peoples, the Lord had declared through Moses: “Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor show mercy unto them, neither shalt thou make marriages with them,… for they will trun away thy son from following Me, that they may serve other gods; so will the anger of the Lord be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.” :Thou art a holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto Himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.” Deut. 7:2-4; 14:2.
Ø This could only be speaking of a future spiritual temple, when a “Great Multitude”, from all nations will join the church in the last days.
The result that would follow an entrance into covenant relation with surrounding nations was plainly foretold. “The Lord shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other,” Moses had declared; “and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone. And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the Lord shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind: and thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life: in the morning thou shalt say, Would God it were even! and at even thou shalt say, Would God it were morning! for the fear of thine heart wherewith thou shalt fear, and for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.” Deuteronomy 28:64-67. “But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God,” the promise had been, “thou shalt find Him, if thou seek Him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.” Deuteronomy 4:29.{PK 569.1}
Therefore, this could not be speaking about the physical temple in Zechariah’s day, but a future spiritual one, when a “great multitude” will join the church in the last days. See Rev. 7:9; Zech. 2:11; Isa. 2:2-3
SUMMARY: We see here that Zechariah must have been primarily referring not to the second temple of his day, but to a second spiritual church (temple) in a time when Jesus is a priest (especially high priest), and persons from far lands will come and join this second great spiritual building–one that Jesus will build himself. The only such time is in the latter days..
Furthermore, since the first temple was a type of the early church, then the second temple must be a type of the church in the latter days. In other words, the church of the first outpouring of the Spirit, and the church of the second outpouring of the Spirit–SDA–purified.
The Three Decrees to rebuild the Temple – the Antitype
1st Decree – The message in 1844 was proclaimed to build the house of God and restore true worship according to the law and the prophets. The type reveals that the progress was frustrated and its completion retarded by factitious Jews (SDA’s tares)
I am filled with sadness when I think of our condition as a people. The Lord has not closed heaven to us, but our own course of continual backsliding has separated us from God. Pride, covetousness, and love of the world have lived in the heart without fear of banishment or condemnation. Grievous and presumptuous sins have dwelt among us. And yet the general opinion is that the church is flourishing and that peace and spiritual prosperity are in all her borders. {5T 217.1}
The church has turned back from following Christ her Leader and is steadily retreating toward Egypt. Yet few are alarmed or astonished at their want of spiritual power. Doubt, and even disbelief of the testimonies of the Spirit of God, is leavening our churches everywhere. Satan would have it thus. Ministers who preach self instead of Christ would have it thus. The testimonies are unread and unappreciated. God has spoken to you. Light has been shining from His word and from the testimonies, and both have been slighted and disregarded. The result is apparent in the lack of purity and devotion and earnest faith among us. {5T 217.2}
2nd Decree – Another message after 1844 that was again to re-establish true faith and worship by obedience to the word of God. The 1888 message of righteousness by faith went forth but was rejected by church leaders.
The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious message to His people through Elders Waggoner and Jones. This message was to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour, the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. It presented justification through faith in the Surety; it invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God. Many had lost sight of Jesus. They needed to have their eyes directed to His divine person, His merits, and His changeless love for the human family. All power is given into His hands, that He may dispense rich gifts unto men, imparting the priceless gift of His own righteousness to the helpless human agent. This is the message that God commanded to be given to the world. It is the third angel’s message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice, and attended with the outpouring of His Spirit in a large measure. {TM 91.2}
3rd Decree – Since the 3rd decree threatened the lives of the disloyal men and nations, a third message following 1888 must arise which is strong and severe. It will demand obedience and enforce judgment on those who oppose it. Like the type, this message will accomplish its mission. The only message that came to the SDA church after 1888 is the Shepherd’s Rod message in 1930.
First Temple Literally Greater— the Second Spiritually Greater.
TYPE
Hag. 2: 3–— Here the Lord states that the second temple (built by the captives) was far inferior to the first one (Solomon’s).
Hag. 2: 4 – 9— Yet the Lord goes on to state that the “latter” (second temple) would be greater than the first temple. HOW COULD THAT BE?
GC 23, 24— The First literal temple (Solomons’s) was physically superior to the Second one. But the second surpassed the first spiritually because of the presence of Jesus who walked, taught, and healed in its courts.
ANTITYPE
As the first temple was physically greater than the first, but the second spiritually greater because of the presence of Christ, so likewise the SDA church now appears weak and inferior to the early church which had the apostles, the miracles, and marked manifestations of God’s power.
However, the second temple in antitype (SDA church purified) will spiritually surpass the early church because Jesus’ power and manifestation in the loud cry will exceed that of the time of the apostles. Read 9 Test. 16; Isa. 4:4-6. See also Isa. 60:1-7, 62:1-4.
After the destruction of the temple by Nebuchadnezzar it was rebuilt about five hundred years before the birth of Christ by a people who from a lifelong captivity had returned to a wasted and almost deserted country. There were then among them aged men who had seen the glory of Solomon’s temple, and who wept at the foundation of the new building, that it must be so inferior to the former. The feeling that prevailed is forcibly described by the prophet: “Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?” Haggai 2:3; Ezra 3:12. Then was given the promise that the glory of this latter house should be greater than that of the former. {GC 23.3}
But the second temple had not equaled the first in magnificence; nor was it hallowed by those visible tokens of the divine presence which pertained to the first temple. There was no manifestation of supernatural power to mark its dedication. No cloud of glory was seen to fill the newly erected sanctuary. No fire from heaven descended to consume the sacrifice upon its altar. The Shekinah no longer abode between the cherubim in the most holy place; the ark, the mercy seat, and the tables of the testimony were not to be found therein. No voice sounded from heaven to make known to the inquiring priest the will of Jehovah. {GC 24.1}
In 1929–the Rod’s message came and declares that anyone hindering the building up the spiritual second temple (the purified church)–the sealing of the 144,000 and the gathering of the great multitude– will be cut down in the slaughter of Ezekiel Nine–a death warrant.
Conclusion: Through the study of the two ancient temples, we have learned that:
- the SDA church is indeed God’s true church.
- the he Rod’s message is indeed the last message to prepare us for the loud cry.
- God will have a purified people–the second spiritual temple, of which all of his saints in the last days will be a part.
The first temple was physically superior to the second one, but the second one surpassed the first spiritually because of the presence of Christ.
Antitype: As the first temple was physically greater than the first, but spiritually greater, so now the SDA church appears weak and inferior to the early church which had the apostles, miracles, and marked manifestations of God’s power. The second temple in antitype will spiritually surpassed the early church because of Christ’s power and character manifested in the 144,000 during the Loud Cry.
Summary:
In this study in comparing the two ancient temples we have learned that the SDA church is indeed God’s true church and that the Shepherd’s Rod message is the last and only message to prepare us for the Loud Cry. God will have a purified people – the second spiritual temple.
FURTHER STUDY
Meat In Due Season – 10. The Temples in Type and Antitype (google.com)