Dedication of King Solomon's Temple | 2 Chronicles 1-7

Welcome to Real Life! It's a casual world that we live in. I am shocked by photos of men in suits and women in dresses at early 20th century baseball games (of all places). In contrast, today, we wear jeans everywhere:  work, church, weddings, funerals, and most definitely baseball games. I’m not complaining. I love my blue jeans.

 
Yet, when I read about the dedication of King Solomon’s temple, my heart yearns to participate in this highly formal, dressed-in-your-best, 21-day-festival to honor my God. It is difficult to grasp the magnificence of the Israelite Empire during Solomon’s reign.[1] In Jerusalem, silver and gold were as common as… stones![2]

Most wondrous of all, this national assembly witnessed a physical manifestation of Almighty God:

When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. The priests could not enter the temple of the Lord because the glory of the Lord filled it. When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the Lord above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying,

“He is good; his love endures forever.”

(2 Chronicles 7:1-3)

I have never witnessed a physical manifestation of Almighty God. But, wait. I take that back. God has manifested himself to me. Recently, I saw His glory—the fire and the cloud—in a sunrise on my way to work.

"The heavens declare the glory of God." (Ps. 19:1)

The more I think about it, I realize that I’ve seen the eyes of God in those who love without conditions. I’ve seen the heart of God in those who extend mercy, grace, and forgiveness. I’ve seen the hands of God in those who serve selflessly. And, one day, I will see God himself. My own heart echoes the declaration of Job,

I know that my redeemer lives,

and that in the end he will stand on the earth.

And after my skin has been destroyed,

yet in my flesh I will see God;

I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another.

How my heart yearns within me! 

(Job 19:25-17)

Solomon’s glorious kingdom merely foreshadowed what is to come. The Apostle John said, “I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband… The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass... I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.”[3]

Because the Lamb of God shed his blood for me, I’ll walk the streets of this golden city. And, I'll bet I won’t be wearing blue jeans!

I eagerly anticipate the day I will see your face, my dearest Lord Jesus.

Death is not the end. It is just the beginning
of my glorious Real Life with you. Hallelujah!

Take it further…

• You, too, are invited in. Will you accept?
  “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. (Revelation 22:17)
• All are invited. But, sadly, not all will accept. Not all will enter in.
  Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. (Rev. 22:14-15)
• Learn more at www.NeedHim.org or call 1-888-NEED-HIM.

[1] 970 B.C.
[2] 2 Chronicles 1:15
[3] Revelation 21:1, 18, 22

Image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_American_League_pennant_winners