God in You
God’s desire has always been to dwell “in the midst” of His people. The pattern was set with Adam and Eve as God walked “in the garden in the cool of the day” (Genesis 3:9). Sin caused God to draw back knowing His glory would be destructive against humanity’s rebellion.
After the toppling of the Tower of Babel, God began again with Abraham. From his family grew a nation which was set apart for God. As this nation of Israel was brought out of Egypt and into the wilderness God instructed them to build a Tabernacle. There He would dwell and there He would meet with them. Five hundred years later, Solomon built an ornate Temple which God again filled with His glory. The nation’s sin ultimately brought destruction to the nation and this Temple. Just prior to Babylon sacking Jerusalem the prophet Ezekiel saw in a vision God’s glory lifting from the Temple, the city and the nation.
But God’s desire to dwell in glory amongst His people has never changed. John 2:19 records Jesus words “Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days.” John adds the commentary “the temple he spoke of was his body” (v.21). God’s glory now rested on the Son of God. True worshippers were no longer to come to the temple but to Jesus.
After Christ’s ascension and the pouring out of the Spirit, God’s glory had its final human resting place – the Church. Writing to the Corinthian church, Paul says “you yourselves are God’s temple … God’s Spirit lives in you” (1 Corinthians 3:16). The word “you” is plural meaning “all of you” are God’s temple. Jesus had promised to dwell in the midst of His corporate people (Matthew 18:20). The Church corporately now carries God’s glory (Ephesians 1:19-22).
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