430. 1KI 6:7. SOLOMON’S TEMPLE A TYPE OF THE HEAVENLY STATE
1Ki_6:7. Solomon’s Temple A Type Of The Heavenly State
"And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither," &c.’971Ki_6:7
We recently contemplated the tabernacle as a striking type of Christ’s visible church, and one of the typical resemblances was, that it was finally superseded by the temple of Solomon. Thus the church of Jesus on earth is preparatory to the church above. This is the union of good yet imperfect beings; that of the perfect and the holy. This is distinguished by mutability; that by its fixed, abiding, and eternal unchangeableness. The glory of that holy state we must die to realize and enjoy; and in its magnificence, and purity, and bliss, it will infinitely surpass all we ever saw or heard, or it ever entered into the heart of man to conceive. In treating of the heavenly state all expressions and images must necessarily fail. But let us look at some of the points of resemblance between Solomon’s temple and what is revealed of the heavenly world. We notice,
I. That it typified Heaven in the Costliness of its materials.
See in reference to this, ch. 1Ki_5:17, and vi. 21-30. One part of the temple, the holy of holies, was overlaid with gold to the value of six hundred talents of gold, or the immense sum of four millions, three hundred thousand pounds of our sterling money. Of the entire expense we can form no probable idea. The spiritual, celestial temple above is not formed of earthly material stones, however precious. It is not overlaid with fine gold. It is constructed of spiritual beings. The souls of the redeemed. To estimate the value of these is beyond an angel’s power. A soul outweighs in worth the material world. Jehovah’s mandate brought suns, and systems, and worlds into being. He spake, and it was done. He commanded, and it stood fast. But the outlay connected with the erection of the heavenly temple involved the gift of Christ, the impoverishing of heaven, the humiliation and sacrifice of God’s only Son. "Not redeemed with corruptible things," &c.’97but with the "precious blood of Christ." It typified the heavenly state,
II. In its Magnificence and Extent.
It was built according to the wisdom and kill of God. In every respect its appearance was that of grandeur and magnificence In form and size it was an exact square one thousand, four hundred, and sixty feet long on each side. Being considerably above a mile in circumference. Every thing, however, like verbal description must be inadequate, to give you even a faint idea of its glory and extent. How much the grandeur and vastness of the heavenly kingdom. If a building erected by an earthly monarch should be so vast and magnificent, how splendid and glorious will that temple be, of which God is the immediate architect, and which is to show forth his glory throughout the ages of eternity. "In my Father’s house are many mansions," &c.
III. In the Variety of the Materials of which it was composed.
Here were various kinds of wood and precious stones, and silver and gold. Many of these materials were brought from afar. How exactly the antitype agrees with this The heavenly temple shall be formed of countless numbers of believers. A multitude which no man can number. Persons of every age, and clime, and country, and tongue. Jews and gentiles, bond and free: all of whom shall unitedly constitute the celestial temple of the Lord. The typical analogy is seen,
IV. In the Preparation of these Materials before they were brought together.
To this our text especially refers. "I was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither." Now of these materials observe,
1. They were originally unfit for such a use.
In their native state, a part of the rocky quarry. Such was the original condition of every glorified spirit. They were once afar off. "Dark, polluted, hard, in a state of nature, and unfit for the glory of God." See Isa_51:1.
2. They were made fit by a process of preparation.
Separated from the mass, hewn out squared, and polished; each fit for its proper place in the erection. Thus the materials of the celestial temple are "made ready." They are brought out of then natural sinful state. Renewed by the spirit of divine grace. Qualified for certain duties and stations of usefulness. And progressively polished by the sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit. Until they possess a "meetness," or adaptation, for the inheritance of the saints in light.
This process of preparation was before the stones were brought to the building.
When brought they were ready to be fixed, and to form their part of the wall of the temple. So that there was not heard the sound of axe or hammer, while the house was in building. So it is with the erection of the heavenly temple. All the process of preparation is confined to this world, and to time. Here the hammer of the word is employed and heard. "Is not my word a hammer," &c. Here conviction is produced. Here the cry of anxious desire is heard. Here the bemoanings of contrite spirits, and reformation of life is witnessed. In short, sin is forgiven. New nature imparted. And the soul made fully holy and fit for heaven here. No heralds of mercy above. No sanctuaries. No baptisteries. No providential sanctifying dispensations. The souls are made fit before they are brought there. This is illustrated by the wise virgins. By the man with the wedding garment. By the ripe grain fit for the garner, &c. Observe the typical resemblance,
V. In the glorious Design of its Erection.
1. The happiness of human beings.
Here they were to have privileges and blessings worthy of God to bestow. Here hey were to be exalted to the enjoyment of the highest and loftiest exercises. Here enjoy visible communion with the divine majesty of heaven and earth. God thus magnified and blessed his people. And the celestial temple is one of exalted enjoyment. The whole stupendous fabric formed of redeemed spirits is vocal with melody and joy. Here is the fountain of bliss and pleasures for evermore. Here he saints enjoy close and uninterrupted fellowship with God forever.
2. The manifestation of Jehovah’s glory. God filled the temple with the cloud of his presence, the symbol of his glory. Heaven will be the scene of the brightest display of the glory of God. Here it would overwhelm us. "No man can see my face (says Jehovah) and live." On the mount the disciples were overwhelmed with the transfigured appearance of the Saviour. At his resurrection, the guards fell down as dead men. But in the celestial temple God’s glory shall be fully revealed. His face shall illumine it He shall be its sun. And the saints shall behold it, and live, in unutterable ecstasy forever. And here we see the disparity:’97Solomon’s temple was after all earthly and mutable, and finally passed away the celestial temple is heavenly, immutable and everlasting.
Here, were the sacrifices of beasts and the services of dying priests; above, there are the services of the saints, who are all priests, and who, through the sacrifice of Christ, will be acceptable to God forever and ever.
Application
Learn,
1. The benevolent and glorious design of God, in erecting a spiritual temple of redeemed souls, to show forth his praises through all the ages of eternity.
2. Do we personally enter into this great design? Are we anticipating a place and portion in his heavenly kingdom? Have we a good hope, to which we have been begotten, by faith in the resurrection of Christ from the dead?
3. Are we undergoing the preparatory process? Are we being made ready by the gracious means which God has appointed? How anxious, and diligent, and fervent we should be concerning this. Forget it not, that all which is prerequisite must be done and obtained here. Then let it be our wisdom and business to "Give diligence," &c., 2Pe_1:10, 2Pe_1:11.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS