GRACE GAZETTE
Volume XIssue 27
Published occasionally for Zion’s mourners
Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Hebrews 12::12-13

THE HOUSE OF GOD

Now it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel. But the LORD said to David my father, Forasmuch as it was in thine heart to build an house for my name, thou didst well in that it was in thine heart: Notwithstanding thou shalt not build the house; but thy son which shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house for my name. The LORD therefore hath performed his word that he hath spoken: for I am risen up in the room of David my father, and am set on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built the house for the name of the LORD God of Israel. 2 Chronicles 6:7-10

The LORD JESUS CHRIST revealed something of the nature of HIS kingdom when HE prayed, “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.” (Mat 11:25-26) Then HE explained it even further when HE answered the Pharisees. “And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased, And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?” (Mat 21:15-16)

These Pharisees were, no doubt, expecting that HE should have rebuked these children, yet these children served to demonstrate the fact that HIS kingdom can only be seen by those to whom it is revealed. In their simple understanding they recognized who HE was. This is exactly what HE had reference to when HE reminded HIS disciples who it is that shall enter that kingdom. “But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.” (Luke 18:16-17)

We are certain that the LORD did not have reference to chronological age, when HE used these children as an example, but rather to the fact that those who see and enter the kingdom do not do so in their own power or understanding. Children have neither the wherewithal nor the knowledge in themselves to accomplish much of anything, yet they are the example of the manner in which HIS kingdom can be seen, and the fashion in which it shall be entered.

The kingdom of GOD is not meant for those who can see with the eyes of the flesh, but rather for those who see, even though they may be blind in the sight of men. We see this clearly set forth as the LORD JESUS was upon HIS journey out of Jericho. “And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.” (Mark 10:46-48)

When he called HIM the “Son of David”, he clearly addressed HIM as the MESSIAH, since this was a common term for the one whom the Jews were supposedly looking for to deliver them. This is exactly why the Pharisees were incensed that the LORD JESUS did not rebuke the children in the temple who called HIM the same thing saying, “Hosanna to the SON of David.” Though this man was “blind”, according to the standards of the flesh, yet insofar as the kingdom of GOD was concerned, he could see more clearly than any of those who sought to silence him.

The kingdom of GOD does not appeal to the flesh nor does it appear to the flesh. Even as Paul said, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1Cor 2:14) The Jews looked for a kingdom of flesh and blood which had an earthly king sitting upon a throne of the same origin. This is exactly why they could not (and would not) receive the LORD JESUS as that MESSIAH sent from GOD. HE did not match up to their expectations nor fit their description of what the messiah they were looking for would do.

The LORD told David that his son would build the “house of GOD” and would sit upon the throne of his kingdom forever. David’s immediate understanding of this decree was that this had reference to Solomon, who did indeed build the temple which David was not allowed to build. This was a temple (or house) which was made with hands and as such could not endure forever. Nor was it a house in which HE, whom the heavens could not contain, should in reality dwell in.

Solomon could not sit upon the throne forever due to the weakness of the flesh which was demonstrated by HIS departure from the ways of the LORD in following his wives to do evil. And then ultimately manifested by succumbing to the clutches of death, which is the way of all flesh. So, this prophecy which is spoken even by the lips of Solomon is not actually about Solomon, his earthly kingdom, nor the house which he so carefully and wonderfully constructed.

Rather this prophecy (as all prophecy) is about the Kingdom of the LORD JESUS CHRIST and that house which HE has built with HIS own hands and purchased with HIS own blood, unto the glory of HIS FATHER. This is a house which was originally revealed in the Garden of Eden, when the LORD said, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” (Gen 3:15) Then the result of the establishment of that kingdom was demonstrated when the LORD covered the nakedness of Adam and Eve with coats of skins.

The Kingdom (or house) of the LORD JESUS CHRIST is a mediatorial Kingdom. HE is the MEDIATOR between GOD and man. HE said “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die.” (John 12:31-33) Those whom HE is pleased to draw (see John 6:44), can see the glory of this Kingdom as they are given eyes to see JESUS CHRIST offered for sin, bathed in HIS own blood, as the REDEEMER and only HOPE of sinners.

The House of GOD is a place where HE is pleased to dwell. It is the gate of heaven. (see Gen. 28:17) as Jacob declared. The House of GOD is a place where mourners gather to cry out to the LORD. (see Judges 20:26; 21:12; Ezra 10:9) The House of GOD is a place where HIS glory is displayed as HE fills the House (see II Chron.5:14) and leaves room for no other to glory. The House of GOD is where the treasures of the kingdom and the weapons of our warfare are kept. (see II Chron. 5:1; 23:9) The House of GOD is the place where the covenant is made with the KING. (see II Chron. 23:3) The House of GOD is a place of joy and praise in the keeping of the TRUE SABBATH. (see Ps.42:4)

The manifestation of the house of GOD in the earth, can be most clearly seen in the congregation of the saints as Paul instructed Timothy. “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” (1Ti 3:15) Many have tried to define this “church” as the “one” they are a part of, much like the Jews defined the kingdom. This “house of GOD” however is one which is not made with hands and is made up of those whose names are written in the LAMB’s book of life, those who are redeemed by the blood of the LAMB.

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