607. ZEC 6:15. THE SPIRITUAL TEMPLE ERECTED BY THE HANDS OF GENTILES

Zec_6:15. The Spiritual Temple Erected by the Hands of Gentiles

By Rev. James Boden, Of Sheffield.

"And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the Lord."’97Zec_6:15.

I shall not detain your attention by attempting any critical remarks on the important contents of this chapter. I think I may venture to assume, that in the person of Joshua, and the building of the temple, this context contains a very clear prediction and type of one infinitely greater than the Jewish high priest, or the material temple of God. This text unquestionably refers to the times of the gospel: and under this dispensation of grace, we observe,

I. God has determined on the erection of a spiritual temple. And that,

II. In the execution of this design, he will employ such as have been strangers, and foreigners, and afar off.

I. God has determined on the erection of a spiritual temple.

1. This temple is the gospel Church. The church of God is represented, by the prophets and apostles, as a sacred building, of which the temple at Jerusalem, built a thousand years before the Christian era, was a striking type, or figure. Isaiah, under the inspiration of heaven, and wrapt into future times, says, "And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the tops of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it," Isa_2:2. The apostle adopts the same language, and perpetuates the same illustration. "Ye are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye are also builded together for a habitation of God through the Spirit," Eph_2:20-22.

2. This temple is the peculiar residence of the Almighty. But here a difficulty seems to arise. Will "the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy," whom "the heaven, and heaven of heavens cannot contain;" will God, in very deed, dwell with men on the earth? He will; for he hath said, "I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people," 2Co_6:16; and "where two or three are met together in my name, there am I in the midst of them to bless them," Mat_18:20. "The Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. This is my rest forever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it."

3. The gospel temple is of large extent. Ezekiel’s prophetic temple by its immense dimensions, greater than the whole city of Jerusalem, prefigured the universal and truly catholic church, which was to be collected at that period, when the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth, "and all flesh shall see the salvation of God."

4. Extraordinary magnificence and beauty distinguish the dwelling of God. Solomon’s temple was the most superb and finished material structure the sun ever saw; but the grandeur of the Jewish sanctuary was only a shadow of the celestial glory of the Christian temple. The church of the living God is purified with the blood of the Lamb, covered with the magnificent righteousness of her Redeemer, and adorned with those heavenly graces and good works, which are ornaments after the style of the upper world. Her glory is not indeed appreciated by the rules of worldly wisdom. No; her symmetry and beautiful proportions are confusion; and those splendors of holiness with which God has invested her, are deformity to the carnal eye. But soon the reproach of Zion shall be rolled away forever. Then God will proclaim, "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to the light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising," Isa_50:1-3.

5. The plan of this temple was formed by infinite wisdom. The first master-builders in the Christian Church plainly asserted and proved, that the gospel which was preached by them, was not after the corrupt taste of man; neither did they receive it of men; neither were they taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ, Gal_1:12. The Christian temple is a spiritual edifice, composed of living stones, prepared, collected, and united according to his purpose, "who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will;’97wherein he hath abounded towards us in all wisdom and prudence," Eph_1:8, Eph_1:11.

6. This sacred temple is reared under the immediate agency of God the Saviour. Jehovah incarnate claims the Church as his own house, and as the erection of his own hand. It is the language of prophecy, "The Lord shall build up Zion," Psa_102:16. It is the assertion of our Saviour, "Upon this rock I will build my Church," Mat_16:18. Christ builds his Church, not by his instruction and example merely;’97so the apostles were laborers with God;’97but by his omnipresent energy, and by the efficient power of his Holy Spirit.

7. The temple of the Lord is placed on a sure foundation. The foundation answers to the extent, the grandeur, and the elevation of the superstructure. To provide the foundation, God claims as his own exclusive act: "Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation," Isa_28:16. This scripture is quoted by Peter, and applied to the Lord Jesus Christ, whom he calls, "a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious," 1Pe_2:4.

8. The completion of this temple is reserved for the world of glory. The trenches are dug, the cornerstone is laid, and we see the basement already rising to view; yet much, very much, still remains to bo done. But the plummet is in the hands of our divine Zerubbabel: "His hands have laid the foundations of this house; his hands also shall finish it;’97and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it," Zec_4:9, Zec_4:7.

II. In the execution of this design, God will employ such as have been strangers, and afar off.

1. By those afar off, are to be understood the Gentile nations, as contradistinguished from the community of Israel. The admission of the Gentiles to this honorable work was plainly intimated at the erection of the first and second temple in Jerusalem. Solomon was zealously assisted in his great undertaking by Hiram, king of Tyre, and his subjects, the Sidonians; and all the Gentile strangers in the land of Israel were put in a state of requisition on the memorable occasion.

2. The first stones in the gospel temple were laid by the hands of Jewish master-builders. Christ himself, a greater than Solomon, and the true Zerubbabel, was of the seed of Abraham, according to the flesh. The apostles were all Jews; and on account of their eminent services at the commencement of the gospel era, the Church is represented as having "twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb," Rev_21:14.

3. The incorporation of the Jews with the Christian Church, is to be accomplished by Gentile instrumentality.

Application

1. In consequence of this promise, you are met here this day. Were you not once numbered with those who are afar off, though now brought nigh?

2. The extension of this temple to all nations, is to crown your exertions, and those of your gentile fellow-laborers. Can any doubt be entertained whether God designs to make Missionary Societies engines to move the world? How far have the concentric circles already extended from this centre? Are they not extending every year?

3. Have we not lately heard that some who were afar off, dwelling even on the extreme verge of humanity, are already enrolled among the builders? I trust, before many years have elapsed, your sight and your souls will be cheered, your zeal and your exertions will be excited, under missionary sermons, by Hottentot, Hindoo, or Chinese ministers of the gospel.

I will only add, let the bounties of Providence; the necessities of a perishing world; and, above all, the dying love of Jesus, constrain your hearts, and direct your contributions. Amen.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS