RENEWED DAY BY DAY BY THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST
Part 2


THE ISSUE OF TEMPLE REJECTION // HOW THE REJECTION EXPLAINS MUCH OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION // TEMPLE ASPECT IN REVELATION // MORE TEMPLE IMAGERY IN CHRIST // GRAPHIC SUMMARY

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
Rev 1:1

THE ISSUE OF TEMPLE REJECTION

The rejection of Jesus Christ during His triumphal Entry played a major part in the reason Christ built His Church, the true Temple made without hands. And the Temple imagery throughout the Book of Revelation is a necessary element required to correctly interpret the Book of Revelation. Much Temple portrayal is used throughout Revelation for a good reason.

HOW THE REJECTION EXPLAINS MUCH OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION

Matthew gives us the story of the rejection of Christ during the Triumphal Entry and shows Christ telling something quite enlightening to the religious leaders. These men sought to stop the worship of Jesus amongst the people. Jesus responded and said that if the people should hold their peace the stones would surely cry out. Jesus was not talking about literal stones. He was actually warning the Jews that their failure to accept Him as Messiah and King would leave Jerusalem bereft of God's presence and deprived of His sanction upon their Temple, and there would be the construction of a new Temple made with lively stones having the ability to worship Him.

Jesus was saying, "If these do not worship me, I will see to it that a new Temple is built. And the very stones of this new Temple will be comprised of people who will worship me. If you reject me, I will raise up another people to be made an actual Temple of my Spirit."

I do not promote the idea that the Church some sort of Plan B that would kick into effect should Plan A fail. The Church was God's plan from the foundation of the world. This element of Jewish rejection, however, does tell us of some truth we need to know in order to to understand the plan of the Church. Neither do I promote a racist idea that the Israelites or Jews are evil people. They are precious people. We find that in Romans chapters Ten and Eleven how God simply blinded them from Christ for the purpose of raising up the Gentiles through mercy. God will again accept Israel before Jesus returns.

We know this thought of Christ's rejection at the Temple is part of the understanding which we must keeep in mind when reading the Book of Revelation because Jesus gave some tell-tale signs which reveal this to be so.

To begin with, after the rejection, He entered the Temple of Jerusalem, according to Mark 11, and notably looked for something inside.

And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the Temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.
Mark 11:11

Get the picture. He rebuked the religious leaders, and looked in the Temple. What did He look for? We simply read that He entered, looked round about inside, and then left again.

Then we read of a strange sequence of events in the immediate verses following, which seem to tell what He looked for.

And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.
Mark 11:12-14

Christ looked upon the the fig tree for fruit and subsequently cursed it due to its lack of fruit. He wanted to eat fruit. This is symbolic of what He looked for in the Temple.

After He cursed the fruitless fig tree, He cast moneychangers out of the Temple. All of these events come together in proper understanding when we read of the following remarks made by Christ afterwards.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
Mat 23:37-38

And Jesus went out, and departed from the Temple: and his disciples came to him for to show him the buildings of the Temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
Mat 24:1-2

His constant reference to the Temple during this rejection, and the words describing stones crying out are reconciled in the words of Peter in his epistle, where we finally discover that Christ was referring to the following construction of the spiritual Temple, the Church.

If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
1 Pet 2:3-5

The Church is the house of lively stones which cry out in praise to Jesus! Jesus is the chief cornerstone.

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
1 Pet 2:9

Christ sought fruit in the Temple and evidently found none. What would that fruit be?

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
Heb 13:15

Peter said we are lively stones meant to praise Jesus with spiritual sacrifices. Hebrews said we are to offer the sacrifice of the fruit of our lips. Jesus looked for this in the Temple, amongst the religious leaders. The common people praised Him, but the religious leaders did not.

Upon hearing Jesus refer to the Temple destruction in Matthew 24:1, the disciples asked Jesus when the destruction would occur, and when the end of the world would come along with the sign of His coming. Jesus then spoke of the very same series of events which the four horsemen in the four seals of revelation chapter 6 speaks about (See study entitled, The Four Angels and the Four Winds).

So the rejection of Jesus Christ at the Temple, demanding the destruction of that Temple, involved elements of prophecy which are directly connected to the first Four Seals of Revelation chapter Six. Therefore, this picture of His rejection must have something to do with the Seals in the Book of Revelation. And this connection would tie the Book of Revelation together with the thought of His alternate acceptance by the Gentiles and the making of the Church, which we shall see is certainly the case!

Even the three remaining Seals (five, six and seven) are portrayed in Matthew 24. The fifth seal dealt with souls under the altar who were martyred and begged vengeance for their deaths. They are clothed with white righteousness, and told to wait until the rest of their brethren are likewise killed. After speaking about being afflicted and killed, Jesus, in Matthew 24, mentions the need for those would be saved to wait and endure to the end.

The Sixth Seal was likewise foretold by Jesus when He described the changed states of the sun, moon and stars. He said this would occur "after the tribulation of those days". This informs us that the first five seals deal with tribulation. And we shall also see that only the period of time between the opening of the fifth seal and sixth seal is called "great tribulation."

For then [after the fifth seal is opened] shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Mat 24:21

After the Fifth Seal, the Sixth Seal is opened, and Matthew's corresponding phrases by Christ in Chapter Twenty-Four notes that Great Tribulation is then over.

All of this comparative cross-referencing between Revelation 6 and Matthew 24 reveals that Jesus' rejection at the Temple paved the way for a new Temple of believers to be erected, and that this truth is a major issue in Revelation. Let us keep the rejection of Christ and the following inception of the Church Age in mind as we continue through Revelation.

But what does the events in Revelation actually refer to? We know there is a connection to the Temple rejection and Christian Church acceptance of Christ. Yet we need to correlate the book of Revelation's words properly into the context in which God meant it.

Let us search for more clues as to the true meaning of Revelation.

TEMPLE ASPECT IN REVELATION

We read of a Temple in Revelation. God's throne is set in Heaven, in Revelation Chapter Four. The Mercy Seat on the Ark of the Covenant of the Temple represented this throne of God. Also, John saw golden candlesticks in Revelation Chapter One, which are Temple pieces of furniture.

Even the appearance of Christ hints at Temple furniture. He was wearing a golden girdle and His feet were like brass. Coupling this thought with the fact that John saw seven stars in His hands, we can see the layout of the Temple in Christ's image.

Since the candlesticks were positioned to the South of the Temple, and since one entered the Temple by walking westward through the Eastern gate in order to find the candlesticks on one's left hand side, we can picture Christ in Temple layout fashion.

Picture Him as lying down with His feet towards the brazen altar in the outer court. Imagine a picture of Jesus superimposed over the Temple, we can see that His legs would reach from the feet at the brazen altar up to the Temple proper. And His torso, arms and head would be positioned over the Holy Place and Most Holy Place. It is a fact that all furniture in the Outer court, where His legs are positioned, were made from Brass! Just like His legs were seen to be brass in Revelation 1. All furniture in the Holy and Most Holy Places were made from Gold. This corresponds to the golden girdle about Christ's chest and the brazen feet.

The candlesticks would fall directly beside His right hand, for they were at the south of the Temple in the Holy Place.

This same likeness of Jesus was seen by Ezekiel!

And there was a voice from the firmament that was over their heads, when they stood, and had let down their wings. And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it. And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about. As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.
Ezek 1:25-28

The interesting thing about Ezekiel's vision was that it involved the Temple, too! God's glory was leaving the Temple by way of the Chariot which Ezekiel seen.

The Glory of God left the Temple and journeyed to the eastern mountain beside the Temple. First we see the glory go the Temple, and then we see it leave.

Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne. And he spake unto the man clothed with linen, and said, Go in between the wheels, even under the cherub, and fill thine hand with coals of fire from between the cherubims, and scatter them over the city. And he went in in my sight. Now the cherubims stood on the right side of the house, when the man went in; and the cloud filled the inner court. Then the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the LORD'S glory.
Ezek 10:1-4

Then the glory of the LORD departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims.
Ezek 10:18

And the glory of the LORD went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain which is on the east side of the city. Ezek 11:23

This was the precise route taken by Jesus Christ after He entered the Temple during His rejection and left the City.

And Jesus went out, and departed from the Temple: and his disciples came to him for to show him the buildings of the Temple.
Mat 24:1

And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
Mat 24:3

The Mount of Olives is the eastern Mountain beside the Temple!

In Revelation 4, John sees the throne sourrounded by 24 elders and 4 beasts. Seven lamps surround the throne and are called the seven spirits of God. A crystal sea of glass is before the throne. When the 4 beasts praise God, the 24 elders fall down and thank God for creation. Therefore, we must take note that the Temple stands with a stress upon God's purpose for creation. Obviously this note informs us that the Church fulfills God's purpose for creation. God sought to find a Bride for Himself with which He could be made one, and to also endow upon her His very Life, itself.

Ezekiel's chariot also shows the Revelation scene of the Temple. We already noticed that Christ looks identical in revelation 1 as He does in Ezekiel. But other similarites exist in the picture of Heaven's Throneroom.

From within a whirlwind came the likeness of four living creatures.

Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man.
Ezek 1:5

As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle. Ezek 1:10

These are the Four Beasts seen around the throne in Revelation.

And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
Rev 4:6-7

Amongst the description of the cherubims (see Ezekiel 10), we read about a firmament:

And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the colour of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above.
Ezek 1:22

This is identical to the crystal sea of Revelation!

And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
Rev 4:6

And of course we see the throne in both instances

And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.
Ezek 1:26

All of this Temple imagery was involved in the departure of God's glory from the Temple, and is without doubt foretelling God's departure from Israel towards the Church and the construction of the Temple of God's people - Lively Stones. AGian lte us mention that the new Temple seen in the latter part of Ezekiel's book is the Church.

A rabbi once commented that the size of the new temple would cover the total area of the earthly City Jerusalem. This temple is thought to be literal by the Jews. However, we know it to be the Church. And the notable things about the Rabbi's point is that it falls in line with typology regarding the Church. The Church is not only the Temple of God, but is called the New Jerusalem in Hebrews 12:22.

MORE TEMPLE IMAGERY IN CHRIST

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Eph. 6:11-18

This describes the armour of the believer. As an army we have a captain, Jesus Christ (He. 2:10). When we superimpose the image of Christ once again over the Temple we see that each of the pieces of armour coincides with each piece of the furniture in the Temple.

See diagram by clicking here.

His Head is where the Ark of the Covenant is located. This corresponds to the Helmet of Salvation.

His Chest is positioned where the altar of incense is located before the veil in the holy place, where He would wear the Breastplate of Righteousness.

At His right hand, as we have already seen, is the candlesticks of seven lights. This would be the Sword of the Spirit - the Word of God. Truth is like light. And complete truth is represented by seven candlesticks. The Sword of the Word is a weapon against evil.

At His left Hand is the Table of Shewbread which corresponds to the aspect of the Word as Shield of Faith. The Bread represents the Word which is used for the growth of our faith - Bread of Life. And Faith is a shield.

Where Christ's Loins would be positioned on the Temple portrait stood the Brazen Laver. And His loins are girt with the Truth.

At His feet was the Brazen Altar of sacrifice. And His feet are shod with the preparation of the Gospel. The basis for all the Gospel and our success as warriors is the death of Christ on the altar of the Cross.