“Then Solomon began to build the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to his father David. It was on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, the place provided by David.” (2 Chronicles 3)
The original temple was built on Mt. Moriah which was the site of Araunah’s threshing floor and even more, was the site that the Lord led David to consecrate after David’s great sin of counting his own men (which was tantamount to relying on & glorying in his own strength rather than in the Lord) led to a terrible plague on the Land. (see 1 Chronicles 21)
Let’s think about this…
A threshing floor is the place where the wheat and the chaff are separated.
“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (Matthew 3:11-12)
In the above quote John prophesies the work of the Lord that goes beyond salvation. He mentions the threshing floor where His fire burns up the chaff, so that the wheat is free to come into His barn (it doesn’t work in the metaphor, but you could also say, “to come into His Temple”).
The wheat and chaff are often thought of as different people, and certainly, the understanding could be true at times and in ways. But in this passage John is clearly talking about the different baptisms. The water baptism leads to salvation. Sanctification only comes through baptism of the Spirit. Glorification only comes through baptism by fire. This is a process that the Lord works out in those who don’t love their lives so much that they refuse to lose them! These are the ones who are invited into His barn/temple. These are the ones who truly come to know Him in deep ways. Each person who loves the Lord has both wheat and chaff in their lives. Christ’s baptism by fire brings that life into Him as He removes the chaff!
The Temple Mount was prepared through death
The Mount of the Temple was first consecrated by David only after the Angel of the Lord killed many people in Israel through plague. The great sin of the Lord’s chosen led to much death and destruction of what had been built up in the His people. It was in this environment, that a new place was consecrated, the presence of God powerfully came, and the temple of the Lord was first built.
In this environment, the Temple of the Lord’s Presence is being/will be built today.
Of course, the original temple was simply a type and shadow of the true temple that was to come.
“For we are the temple of the living God.” (2 Corinthians 6:16b)
Thus, the Lord has shown us an important aspect of how He must build His temple. The most important aspect is that mentioned above. The death to self of those who seek the Lord above all else. The fallen nature that rebels against God mus be dealt with. The times fast approaching will be difficult and just as in David’s time, there will be many who literally/physically die from disaster, and there will be many more whose lives are turned completely upside down and feel as if their old lives have died. (and actually, these become perfectly prepared to give their lives completely to Him.)
Most importantly, the Temple of the Living God will be built in those who have and continue to completely die to themselves for His sake.
The Glory of the Lord is increasing on the earth. This outpouring of His radiance is tremendous already, but has only begun. His glory is the fragrance of death to those who are dying (including the earth, those who do not know him, and the carnal parts of those who love Him which still stand against Him.) His glory is the fragrance of Abundant Life to those who are His. True Life and joy and peace take hold as the ways of the world are burned away. As Kingdom Order is established.
The Lord is building a temple where His Glory can be established. You can stare in horror at the destruction. Or you can offer up a sacrifice of your life to be included as He pleases. Either way, His glory is coming!
The Lord led me to this scripture and elucidated a few things that I thought I would share with you. I believe I will be adding more notes such as this from time to time on this blog. It’s not at my discretion when I receive such, so they might arrive erratically, but then again, the Lord is pouring out His Spirit in this day, so perhaps they will be more frequent? We’ll see. Thanks for reading!
Hopefully we’ll have a new series on Economic Update Videos for you soon. Until then, you can watch the previous economic update video series we did at: 1) Europe Economic Update 1, 2) Europe Economic Update 2, 3) Europe Crises Explained, 4) World Economic Update, 5) US Economic Update, 6) US Economic Update 2, 7) US Economic Update 3, 8) Hyperinflation Signs, 9) Hyperinflation, Inflation, or Deflation?, 10) Gold Update, & 11) Gold & Silver Update.