“Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days. He shall build an house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.” (1 Chronicles 22:9-10)The previous devotion spoke of the relationship between David and Solomon, as a Messianic prophecy of the relationship between God the Father and God the Son. Now we continue with reference to the Temple. Because the work of building the Temple involves the Messianic prophecy; we must also conclude the Temple in reference to signify more than a physical building. Our text identifies the Temple as a House for God’s Name. As such, it would be a place where His presence was known to dwell. It would also be a place where worship was made.

A second aspect of the Temple is significant to understanding the prophecy. The fact that it was to be built by the Son (verse 10) shows the authority over the work, while the princes tend to the labor (verses 17-19). This shows their joint effort in constructing this Temple as they share in the responsibility of this work. If the Son of prophecy is Jesus Christ, then how do we identify the Temple? The New Testament answers this question.

“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; (20) And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (21) In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: (22) In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:19-22)

The Bible identifies the Church as the Temple built by Jesus Christ. It is the habitation of God, or the place where His presence is known to dwell. This it is by the indwelling Spirit of God, typified by the cloud filling Solomon’s Temple at its dedication (2 Chronicles 7:2). It is also the place of common worship and praise.

The second aspect of the Temple (of its construction) shows us the joint work of Christ and the saints in building the Church. The saints are identified in Scripture as princes (Revelation 1:6). Just as the work on the Temple was carried out by the princes, the work on the Church is carried out by the saints:

“From (Christ) whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” (Ephesians 4:16)