The Dwelling Place of God

Psalm 139:7-12 The bible presents the living God as present everywhere...  the true God knows all, sees all, judges all. But when actually interacting with human beings God declares His presence differently... To Israel He said,     "I am with you (not with them), I am here (not there)".

His message to His Church is similar Romans 8:9-11.

The NIV says "lives in"... whereas the (N)KJV and ESV say "dwells in".

The word dwell means to inhabit, ie. to live in a house Whereas “lives” could also simply indicate being alive [as opposed to dead]. Both are reasonable but, presence and locality should be part of our understanding... "I am within you (not within them), I am here (not there)".

In the beginning God was present with human beings in the garden... then, because of yheir sin, He separated Himself from them... later, on occasion, the living God appeared to men like Abram, Jacob, Moses... but there was no firm sense of location.

With the introduction of the Sinai Covenant, God proclaimed, a fixed residence among humanity... in a specific location... although in a limited, restricted, and guarded way. At first, this arrangement would only include the children of Israel... and they were given lots of rules of engagement to protect them from stirring up God's wrath.

God's localized presence within a community that lived by His righteous laws would serve a purpose. It would help other nations to connect the dots. The power of the living God in Israel was attested to by His miraculous deliverance. The righteous character of the living God attested to by His commandments, statutes and judgments. Outsiders would see the distinction… the power of God is there.

Then came the Church [which expanded and altered the terms of engagement through Jesus Christ]. Once again as a witness and testimony to outsiders. Lastly, we are told of a future time... when God will dwell with all humanity in a relationship of harmony and peace rather than conflict [ex Revelation 21]. At that time the locaiton will be all of the earth… not hidden or somewhere else.

My purpose today is to elaborate on the transition of God's presence from a physical tabernacle/temple to a body of believers [the Church].

The tabernacle instructions are given to Israel through Moses imeadiately following the ratification of the covenant. So, outside the core ethical, moral, and behavioral content of the covenant [20-24]... the tabernacle is top priority [first usually means most important] Exodus 25:1-9.

The tabernacle provided a visible demonstration of how God would, and could, dwell among human beings. The ceremonies attached to the tabernacle demonstrated how sinful human beings might safely approach the most holy God.

A group of people [priests] were selected to serve directly in the presence of God. They were set apart by rigorous guidelines for moral cleanliness. The rest of the people could only approach the living God through the intercession of the priests. The people brought sacrifices for their sin and the priests processed the sacrifice [elaborated on in Leviticus].

Within this controlled setting God declared He was present.

Exodus 40:33-38 God showed He was present in the tabernacle through a physical sign [cloud].

1 Kings 8:10-12 transition from tent to temple.... Exekiel 10:18-22 before the destruction of the temple God's presence leaves. Note: He does not return to the re-built temple(s) until Jesus, the messenger of the covenant returns Malachi 3:1.

The coming of Jesus the Messiah brought a change to the way the living God would manage His interactions with human beings... specifically how He would dwell with them. Jesus' life in the flesh shows what lay just ahead. The power and presence of God will move from a temple to a dwelling within human beings.

John 1:1-2, 14 With Jesus, God is understood as inhabiting human flesh, just as He previously inhabited a tabernacle/temple made of stone, metal, and fabric.

John 2:19-21 refers to His flesh & blood body as the true temple

Mark 14:58 a transition was happening…. leading to a temple not made with human hands but fashioned by God Himself, IE. Human beings composed of body, mind, and spirit.

50 Days after the crucifixion of Jesus' and His presentation of HIimself to the Father as the first of the firstfruits came Pentecost. On that day 1994 years ago God moved His dwelling place into, and among, the followers of Jesus. He showed He was present through a mighty blast of wind, and the sign of fire.

God is dwelling within each member, who are then fit together to make a living temple. Each of us a spirit filled stone build together into a building which is the Church. Which is the present dwelling place of God on earth 1 Peter 2:1-5.

Ephesians 2:19-22 - together, the Church is the body of Christ present on earth. Just a Jesus flesh and blood body served as  dwelling place for God's glory… just as the temple and tabernacles once were.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 - evil in our lives destroys/undermines the entire building. LIke a weak stone in a humanly constructed building might case structural problems. An individual stone might let the spirit die within them... just like a stone that might crack and crumble... and weaken the overall structure. So we have a personal responsibility to contribute to the health and strength of the Church.

2 Corinthians 6:16 - uncleanness [think fruits of the flesh] has no place in God's temple. So, we must clean ourself up and do our part in keeping the entire structure strong.

The spirit's presence makes God's glory reflected in the lives of Christ's followers... this is projected to onlookers… and will become associated with His Church and the foundation of truth it teaches. Like Israel… God is there 2 Corinthians 3:18.

1 Corinthians 3:10 Paul pictured himself as a master builder, helping the individuals of God's Church participate in, and contribute to, the strength and integrity of the enitre building; overcoming sin, putting on righteousness.

John 4:18-24 Jesus speaks of the planned changes coming to God's interaction with human being is taking. There would be no reason to change matters unless it were to bring about improvements... or as Hebrews would say a better covenant bring with it, better sacrifice, better High priest, better promises... and I will add here a better way for God to dwell among human beings.

… worship in Spirit and in Truth

Hebrews 8:5, 9:11, 24 the temple was never more than a symbol of what  takes place on a plane of existence separate from the material world. Jesus presentation of Himself to the Father takes place in the realm of spirit… the true throne room of God… and the dwelling of God among human being takes place through the spirit.

No photograph, night vision goggles, X-ray, MRI, or CAT scan will show the activity of the spirit within a person. But it is real.

Mark 13:1-2 He predicted the temple of stones, metal, and fabric would be torn down.

Matthew 27:50-51 this is the curtain that separated the holy of holies from the outer portion of the tabernacle. No on was ever allowed to go through the veil except the high priest, and that only once a year. The veil was a powerful reminder of the separation between God and humanity that had taken place back in Genesis 3. A separation partially repaired through God’s presence among Isral but still with strong barriers of separation.

Note: the veil was embroidered with the image of the two guardian cherubs who guarded the way back so Adam could not return to the garden... lest he reach out and eat of the tree of life.

Hebrews 9:1-8 Through Christ's death the barrier guarding and preventing access the presence of God have been removed. Because of this;

This is a major development in the unfolding of God's plan to bring many children to the full glory of eternal life. The presence of God's spirit dwelling in you has the power to tranform who you are... develoing the character and spiritual likeness of God Himself. The power of the spirit is also the being of eternal life in you.

You are a new spiritual creation… and the process has already begun.

The present reality of God dwelling within human beings is not the end of the story. There is a future beyond the age of the Church… beyond the Millenium.  We have far less information about this coming time, but we do have His promise of a future where God will dwell together with all humanity... without a temple... without separation between spirit and flesh.  

Revelation 21:1-4... then we are given a descrition of the city... the verse 22-27. So rid your lives of uncleanness, shameful things, and all deceit.

Between now and then we have a lot to do. So, lets move forward and do it.