MADE READY BEFORE

MADE READY BEFORE

The Lord seemed to quicken a scripture to me last evening, and started me thinking again of what a marvelous work was performed when the Temple of Solomon was erected, about a thousand years before Jesus was born.

I Kings 6:7 And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe [nor] any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.

What precise planning was needed. Also precise workmanship in the quarries where the stones were hewn and shaped. What care in transporting the materials to the building site, to avoid scarring and damaging the individual stones. Each one had been meticulously formed and finished before starting its journey to the Temple Mount.

There is much more that could be said about the planning and workmanship, but we do not feel to dwell too much on that aspect of it right now.

What we DO want to point out is the fact that the building of Solomon's Temple serves as a pattern for what God is doing in the world today-- right now-- in the lives of His followers.

Each of us is one of those stones, being shaped for a PARTICULAR SPOT in the BUILDING OF GOD. We are hewn, shaped and fitted for our position BEFORE being set in our place. We WILL FIT PERFECTLY with the others around us, when we are what we were designed to be.

Preparation ahead of time seems to be a principle of God. Proverbs 24:27 Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.

Scripture seems to support the idea that the BUILDING OF THE TEMPLE OF GOD is taking place RIGHT NOW, WHERE EACH OF US IS TODAY.

God's Word does NOT make provision for another PHYSICAL TEMPLE in the present, nor in the future. Certainly not in the City Foursquare, for John said he saw no Temple therein, but that the Lord God Almighty, AND THE LAMB are the Temple of it.

Paul declares that the disciples of Jesus are the materials out of which the Temple AND THE CITY are being made-- right now. The words of Jesus say: Luke 17:20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Ephesians 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

I Peter 2:5 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.

Even as it was in the days of Jesus, so it is in our day-- the Professional Builders have a tendency to reject the One who is destined to be the Head of the Corner. His Counsel, His Manners, His Plans seem to be rejected in favor of those made and projected by those self-appointed Overseers who seem to be following a different set of blueprints.

Luke 17:25 But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.

Acts 4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

Psalms 118:22 The stone [which] the builders refused is become the head [stone] of the corner.

Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner [stone], a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

Romans 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Abraham, and others, "looked for a City which HATH FOUNDATIONS. Paul said that he, as a "wise Master Builder" had LAID THE FOUNDATION, and no one could lay another one.

Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone];

I Peter 2:4 To whom coming, [as unto] a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, [and] precious,

I Peter 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. I Peter 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe [he is] precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, I Peter 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, [even to them] which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.