23. Why is 1844 significant concerning the Sanctuary?

Why is 1844 significant in relation to the cleansing of the Heavenly Sanctuary?

When God Judges

The Temple: Type and Antitype

The Three Decrees: Type and Antitype

Prayer Thought: 

(Ephesians 2:19-22). A Type of God's Spiritual Temple.

The Jewish temple was built of hewn stones quarried out of the mountains; and every stone was fitted for its place in the temple, hewn, polished, and tested, before it was brought to Jerusalem. And when all were brought to the ground, the building went together without the sound of ax or hammer. 

This building represents God's spiritual temple, which is composed of material gathered out of every nation, and tongue, and people, of all grades, high and low, rich and poor, learned and unlearned. These are not dead substances, to be fitted by hammer and chisel. They are living stones, quarried out from the world by the truth; and the great Master-Builder, the Lord of the temple, is now hewing and polishing them, and fitting them for their respective places in the spiritual temple. When completed, this temple will be perfect in all its parts, the admiration of angels and of men; for its Builder and Maker is God.  {2BC 1029.5}   

INTRODUCTION:

This study reveals the different typologies and their anti-type regarding the first and second ancient temples and their events. For us to grasp the concept of this study, it is essential first to understand the chart. We will focus our concentration on the top half of the chart that deals with the temple types; there, we will find information about the two typical temples. The first picture on the top left represents Solomon's temple, and on the top right, the second temple that was built, or the rebuilding of the first after it was destroyed, after the seventy years of Israel's captivity. The information between the two temples is events that transpired between those two periods, they also serve as a type to those below.

Ephesian 2:19-22 - Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;  

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

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

In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.  

The second set of the information below the two temples reflects the anti-typical application of the top portion. 

For example, the anti-type of the first literal temple would represent the first section of the Christian church, and the second typical temple represents the second section. 

All the information on the top half of the chart will be explained in its chronological settings as displayed, starting from left to right. The bottom half of the chart is the continuation of the second temple, the study is on Zech. 4, and it is titled “God’s Mode Of Communication.

A Decree to Rebuilt the Literal Temple Up to the Message of Restoration of God’s People (His Spiritual Temple)

Three Decrees Issued In The Rebuilding Of The Second Temple

After Babylon fell at the hands of Cyrus, king of Persia, and after the closed of Israel's seventy years of captivity, he issued a decree for the Jews to return to Jerusalem for the rebuilding of their temple. 

But according to Ezra 4:24, Cyrus's decree and also another that was issued a few years later were both frustrated. 

In the second year of the reign of Darius, King of Persia, the work altogether ceased, and apparently, there was no hope of ever resuming again.

Then it was that the prophets Haggai and Zechariah were called to their prophetic office and commissioned to revive and reorganize the builders for the deserted temple project. See Haggai 1:1 and Zechariah 1:1. The happy and surprising result was that within four short years, the stately spiritual edifice was quickly finished, whereas all the previous and strenuous efforts of kings and people, covering a period of over thirty years, ultimately failed. (See Ezra 6:15).

Cyrus gave the first decree in 537 BC, the building of the Lord's house in Jerusalem – the temple. (See Jer. 29:1,10, Ezra 1:1-4). Then the work ceased. (See Ezra 4:1-7, 23, 24). 

The second decree was given by Darius in 519 BC, which completed the building of the temple. (See Ezra 6:1,11-15).

Artaxerxes Longimanus issued the third decree in the Autumn of 457 BC; the command was to restore and build Jerusalem – the city, not the temple, and beautify it. (See Ezra 7:21-27, Neh. 2:5, 17). The commandment to rebuild Jerusalem went forth in 457 BC (Halley’s p235)

The type reveals three decrees by three different kingship for the rebuilding, restoration, and beautification of the literal temple. 

The first was by Cyrus to build the temple, but it was suppressed by the adversaries of God and brought to a stop. 

The second decree was renewed by Darius the king, and “Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them” (Ezra 5:2), and the third by Artaxerxes. 

The anti-type should also reflect three messengers, each bearing a message (decree), that is essential for the rebuilding, restoration, and beautification of the spiritual temple.

The Second Temple Inferior To The First

“After the destruction of the temple by Nebuchadnezzar it was rebuilt about five hundred years before the birth of Christ by a people who from a lifelong captivity had returned to a wasted and almost deserted country. There were then among them aged men who had seen the glory of Solomon's temple, and who wept at the foundation of the new building, that it must be so inferior to the former. The feeling that prevailed is forcibly described by the prophet: ‘Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?’ Haggai 2:3; Ezra 3:12. Then was given the promise that the glory of this latter house should be greater than that of the former.

“But the second temple had not equaled the first in magnificence; nor was it hallowed by those visible tokens of the divine presence which pertained to the first temple. There was no manifestation of supernatural power to mark its dedication. 

No cloud of glory was seen to fill the newly erected sanctuary. 

No fire from heaven descended to consume the sacrifice upon its altar. 

The Shekinah no longer abode between the cherubim in the most holy place; the ark, the mercy seat, and the tables of the testimony were not to be found therein. 

No voice sounded from heaven to make known to the inquiring priest the will of Jehovah.

“For centuries the Jews had vainly endeavored to show wherein the promise of God given by Haggai had been fulfilled; yet pride and unbelief blinded their minds to the true meaning of the prophet's words. 

The second temple was not honored with the cloud of Jehovah's glory, but with the living presence of One in whom dwelt the fullness of the Godhead bodily--who was God Himself manifest in the flesh. 

The ‘Desire of all nations’ had indeed come to His temple when the Man of Nazareth taught and healed in the sacred courts. In the presence of Christ, and in this only, did the second temple exceed the first in glory. But Israel had put from her the proffered Gift of heaven. With the humble Teacher who had that day passed out from its golden gate, the glory had forever departed from the temple. Already were the Saviour's words fulfilled: ‘Your house is left unto you desolate.’ Matthew 23:38.”  (GC 23, 24.2).

The Destruction Of The Second Typical Temple

“The disciples had been filled with awe and wonder at Christ's prediction of the overthrow of the temple, and they desired to understand more fully the meaning of His words. Wealth, labor, and architectural skill had for more than forty years been freely expended to enhance its splendors. 

Herod the Great had lavished upon it both Roman wealth and Jewish treasure, and even the emperor of the world had enriched it with his gifts. Massive blocks of white marble, of almost fabulous size, forwarded from Rome for this purpose, formed a part of its structure; and to these the disciples had called the attention of their Master, saying: ‘See what manner of stones and what buildings are here!’ Mark 13:1. 

To these words, Jesus made the solemn and startling reply: ‘Verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.’ Matthew 24:2

“The whole summit of the hill which commanded the city, blazed like a volcano. One after another the buildings fell in, with a tremendous crash, and were swallowed up in the fiery abyss. The roofs of cedar were like sheets of flame; the gilded pinnacles shone like spikes of red light; the gate towers sent up tall columns of flame and smoke...Both the city and the temple were razed to their foundations, and the ground upon which the holy house had stood was ‘plowed like a field.’ Jeremiah 26:18.”  (GC 24,34,35).

The Literal And Spiritual Distinction Between The Two Temples

The religious services in both temples were executed in the same manner, but in structural magnificence, both internal and external, Solomon's temple comparatively speaking, was by far the greatest. But the Lord by the mouth of Haggai the prophet, asked those who were then engaged in the construction of the house of God: “Who is left among you that saw this house (Solomon's temple) in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? Is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing? The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts.” (Haggai 2:3, 9).

The literal grandeur of the second temple in comparison with the first was “as nothing,” but the Word says: “The glory of this latter house shall be greater than the former.” Literally this was untrue. Therefore, the glory of these two temples in comparison with each other, is not in their literal, visible form, but rather in their typical spiritual standing. Consequently, both temples cannot typify the same period of the Christian era, for one distinctly differs from the other. Since this is true, then the type shows that the Christian church in this instance is divided in two sections. So then, in type the second temple denotes that the latter section of the church is to be by far the greater, which in comparison the former stands as nothing

The Christian Church In Two Sections

We explained that the two literal temples, successively built in ancient Jerusalem, were types of two sections of the Christian church. These two sections of church history are pointed out in the vision on Patmos. To John was shown the true Spiritual Church of God in all ages, in a symbol of a woman. To her were given two wings of a great eagle that she should fly into the wilderness for 1260 days (years). The wilderness represents the dark ages, in which time she was out of civilization (from 538 A.D. to 1798 A.D.) 

Therefore, this prophetic period of 1260 years, split the true church in two sections; namely, from the crucifixion to 538 A.D. and from 1798 A.D. to the end of time. Thus the first section, or as it is called, the apostolic church, was typified by the first temple; and the last section by the second temple. This is not saying that God had no true people between the years of 538 A.D. and 1798 A.D. for the Word says, “She is nourished for a time, and times, and a half a time.” (Rev. 12:14).

The “temples” and the “woman” represent the church as a body; or in other words, the symbol of the woman is a revelation of the types (temples), and the temples are symbolical prophecies of the “woman” -- church. It will be noticed that the separate members of that church are represented by the composite substance of the temples: “As lively stones are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5). “So we being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” (Rom. 12:5). “In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord.” (Eph. 2:21). 

Therefore, these two temples represent both -- the church, and Christ. Christ our High Priest, is prefigured by the “chief-corner-stone,” and His priestly administration by the ceremonial or sanctuary service of the two literal temples.

The First Section Of The Christian Church--The Anti-Typical Temple

“Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?” (Matt.21:42). 

 “This prophecy the Jews had often repeated in the synagogues, applying it to the coming Messiah. Christ was the cornerstone of the Jewish economy, and of the whole plan of salvation. This foundation stone the Jewish builders, the priests and rulers of Israel, were now rejecting. The Saviour called their attention to the prophecies that would show them their danger. By every means in His power He sought to make plain to them the nature of the deed they were about to do.” (DA 597). Speaking of the ancient temple the Scripture says: “And the house, when it was in building was built of stones 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.” (1 Kings 6:7).

To God Be the Glory!