Where Is The Temple Of God?

For ye are not come unto the mount

that might be touched, and that 

burned with fire, nor unto blackness, 

 and darkness, and temptest, and the 

sound of the trumpet, and the voice of words;

which voice they that heard intreated

that the word should not be spoken

to them any more: (for they could not endure

that which was commanded, And if so

much as a beast touched the mountain,

it shall be stoned, or thrust through with 

a dart: and so terrible was the sight , that Moses 

said, I exceedingly fear and quake:

Hebrews 12:18-21

     I met in Palo Alto with my doctor to have my wound debreeded and stitches removed and go back next week to do more and to plan the next surgery. Keep your prayers going that I many not fall to be the witness I am supposed to be for  our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Furthermore, I have had two setbacks since then and to able to write or do much, but that has past and now I am preparing for my last major surgery of reconstruction on this Friday. I am feeling much better now and have been looking forward to getting back to our study of the Scriptures. This will be done today and then next week after the surgery and my return home. Please pray for my continuance to be a good witness for our Saviour Jesus Christ.

     The picture here is that we have come to a Jesus Christ a mountain so different from Mount Sinai for it was earthly and Jesus is heavenly, spiritual. This heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God is now our home to be when Jesus returns for His bride. The Hebrew writer is certainly not leaving anything to doubt that the Christian Church is different from the Jewish Church. Mount Sinai could be touched although forbidden. To access is difficult but not so with the Christian Church whereby access is easy and spiritual. Mount Sinai was covered with darkness and shadows and types, not so with the Christian Church it is more clear and bright.We must remember that that the temple, Mount Sinai was covered with dark shadows and types and even the Hebrews at that time could not bear the terror and struck them with dread, so much that they entreated the word should not be spoken to them anymore (vs.19). Sometime sin the Church many have the same dread and fear fed to them by pastors and teachers who teach things that are supposed to make a person a Christian. Much is added and this is not the way that Jesus Christ taught for He brought to the world freedom from such fear, a new Covenant that we must follow but not in fear. The Gospel is kind and condescending fitted to our weakness, our weak souls. What occurred before Jesus was a limited dispensation that was to lead the Hebrews and others to Jesus Christ. Yes, not all back in those days were able to approach the mount except for Moses and Aaron, the High Priest once a year, but now, we access freely to the presence of God. 
     It was dangerous before Jesus Christ to draw to God by coming up and on the Mount but they had a way to come to God by sacrifices and duties and by this they were able to approach the throne of God. We have something so different, even though it may be treacherous and dangerous. We may have to face may trials and persecutions in one form or another, but we are not to be killed by coming to the Mount of God we come under this dispensation for the Church for the people of God that we can approach God for we are the temple of God: "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you" (1Corinthians 3:16)?
     Now that you know who and what your and whose you are it is time to put to practice what God requires of His people, those who are the temple of God wherein resides the Spirit of God. Believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved. We all probably know this saying but do we really understand that it is not just believe but conversion so that you are and your faith is demonstrated by your works. What works? Jesus outlined that for us simply: take the Gospel throughout the world. It may be at your work, or in a grocery store, or intentionally going out to witness to others, or to be a missionary: whatever this is the command for all of God's people for His temple. There is no time for lazy rest! There is a command that we tire ourselves out for Jesus and when we do we will find that this is really not as tiring as we thought for His yoke is easy. But: we must deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow Him. We have eternity for rest, we have eternity to live as we have never lived before. 
      Question: will you take up your cross and follow Jesus? Do you understand that you are a temple of God? Do you understand your responsibility as a Christian: an Authentic Christian? My prayer is that you do and are doing working alongside our Savior bringing the Gospel to a lost and dying world.

Arise, O LORD, into thy rest;
     thou and the ark of thy strength.
Let they priests be clothed with
     righteousness; and let thy 
saints shout for joy.
                    Psalm 132:8-9

Pray for strength: God will supply

Richard L. Crumb