SOLOMON'S TEMPLE
A TYPE OF THE LORD'S CHURCH IN THE MILLENNIUM
 

CHAPTER THREE
THE DIMENSIONS OF THE HOUSE

As in the Tabernacle, the Lord gave instructions for the building. The Temple followed the same pattern as the Tabernacle, but was twice as large.

TWELVE - is a number used for divine government. There were twelve tribes in Israel and God was to be their ruler. 1 Sam 8:7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.
Christ ordained twelve apostles in the first church, and He is the head.
These twelve apostles are to sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel in the millennial reign. Mat 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

The Holy City, the New Jerusalem, is almost completely made up of 'twelves' or multiples thereof. The city itself is a cube, measuring twelve thousand furlongs. The wall around the city is one hundred forty-four cubits (12 X 12) high. The city has twelve foundations and there are twelve gates in the wall.

TEN - is a number that seems to always be connected, in some way, to the subject of human government.
There were ten patriarchs before the flood from Adam to Noah. After the flood there were ten more, beginning with Shem and ending with Abraham. The image in Nebuchadnezzar's dream is described as having ten toes, representing ten kings. In the book of Revelation, John describes a beast having ten horns. This has to do with the kings during the last days.
God gave Moses the ten commandments as a law to govern Israel.

The number repeats itself in magnificent ways in the Temple of Solomon as God pictures the time when Christ shall govern this earth with His Bride ..Rev 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

The number ten is absent from the description of the Holy City, the New Jerusalem. Since I plan to cover this subject in a later manuscript, it must be sufficient for now to say, 'This is as it should be!'

Five - This number is especially meaningful for us. It always is used to picture the Grace of God in some manner. We will find it used repeatedly in the Temple, as in the Tabernacle. The grace of God is connected with everything we do in His worship and work. Perhaps this will be more appreciated however, if we leave further explanation until we consider the actual building and see just how this wonderful truth is manifested.

Four- This number is used concerning creation or things created. It is a number used in both the Tabernacle and the Temple and also in the Holy City, the New Jerusalem. Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Rev 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Three - Wherever this number is found, it shows that the entire Godhead is involved.
We will look at these numbers in the dimensions of the building and its furnishings and also in the numbers of objects.
While the Tabernacle was a marvel in its day, the Temple was much more so. From the biblical description of it, one can see the wonders of it. There are ancient reports from those
who were not of Israel, who viewed it with awe and wonder.

Only the finest materials were used. From Israel as well as from Phoenicia, Solomon had available to him, the best craftsmen. Relics from archaeological digs testify to the exquisite work of which these men were capable. Since the work on the Temple had been commissioned by King Solomon and by his father, David, before him, and agreed to by Hiram, the King of Tyre, they were under double duress to do their very best.

A remarkable thing about the construction itself, was that every stone and every timber was prepared before being brought to the site. ham1 Ki 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 a wonderful reminder to us is this fact.
I Peter 2:5 You, as living stones, are being made into a house of the spirit, a holy order of priests, making those offerings of the spirit which are pleasing to God through Jesus Christ. (Basic English Bible)
I Pet 2:5 yourselves also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. ( Darby's Bible)
I Pet 2:5 And be yourselves also like living stones that are being built up into a spiritual house, to become a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (Weymouth's Bible)

The work is progressing even now. The building material for the Church, which shall reign with Christ, is NOW being prepared! Because the Bible is silent on the subject, we can only surmise what was the fate of a stone not cut to the proper dimensions or a timber with a flaw. One thing is certain; these did NOT find a place in the building! It is sad to see one whose life does not measure up and whose service is not according to the Scripture, who is yet clinging fondly to the thought that SOMEHOW he will have a place in the Bride.1 Cor 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1 Cor 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
1 Cor 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1 Cor 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

We must remember, that as there was no adjusting, or fitting of stones or timber at the construction site, neither will there be opportunity at the marriage of the Lamb nor at the judgment seat to go back and make changes to one's preparation. This is most important for us to understand, for the scriptural teaching; Ecc 11:3 ..... and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be. applies not only to the condition of the soul as to its salvation or loss, but also to the condition of the life of service or lack of it when the Lord calls us in either death or the resurrection!

The stone mason may have been very proud of his handiwork; He may have cut some fancy shapes and polished them to a higher gloss than any other workman, yet if it was not according to the required pattern, it was rejected.
 

I DREAMED OF JUDGMENT DAY

I was all prepared for judgment -
My suit was cleaned and pressed.
My shoes were shined and my hair was combed;
How impeccably, I dressed.

I had the answers all rehearsed
'Till my logic knew no flaw.
I could quote in perfect grammar,
All requirements of the law.

My friends all reassured me
That the outcome of the trial
would favor me completely
And the judge would only smile!

I stood up in the courtroom;
The judge read from the Law.
He fixed His eyes upon me
And told me what He saw.

He never mentioned all my knowledge
Or the fashion of my suit.
He said, instead, "You've fallen short;
You never brought forth fruit!

"You judged yourself by other men,
And now, your works must burn.
I've given you my love and grace,
You've brought nothing in return!"

Then, on my knees, before Him,
With pride at last all gone;
I could only plead for mercy
On the merits of His Son.

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Now for a little side-note on the actual erection of the Temple.
1 Ki 6:37 In the fourth year was the foundation of the house of the LORD laid, in the month Zif:1 Ki 6:38 And in the eleventh year, in the month Bul, which is the eighth month, was the house finished throughout all the parts thereof, and according to all the fashion of it. So was he seven years in building it.
If there is any validity to my entire premise of the Temple being a type of the church in the millennial age, I cannot accept this length of time as meaningless.
While admitting that there are others who disagree with me concerning the time of the rapture; i.e. at the beginning, middle or end of the seven years of tribulation, this is but one of many indications that I believe points to the first or beginning of that week of 7 years.

After the rapture, while chaos reigns on the earth, two major events occur in the air, where we will be with the Lord. These are; the judgment seat of Christ at which the saved learn of their acceptance or rejection as to their fitness to be a part of His millennial government;
Mat 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Mat 25:14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
Mat 25:15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
Mat 25:16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
Mat 25:17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
Mat 25:18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
Mat 25:19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
Mat 25:20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
Mat 25:21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Mat 25:22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
Mat 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Mat 25:24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strowed:
Mat 25:25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
Mat 25:26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strowed:
Mat 25:27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
Mat 25:28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
Mat 25:29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
Mat 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Mat 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

The other will be the marriage supper of the Lamb. These two events will be accomplished in total seclusion as far as this world is concerned. Christ will take the material prepared beforehand, judge its fitness for the job and award positions to the faithful.
2 Tim 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
2 Tim 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
After this, He will fulfill the promise made on the night He was betrayed; Mat 26:29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. This occurs at the marriage supper of the Lamb.
At this point, coinciding with the end of the seven years, He will return with His saints. he will defeat the armies of the anti-christ at Armageddon and begin His earthly reign for one thousand years.