The Temple

Hebrews 8:5 says, “They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven…” reminding us that the earthly tabernacle was patterned after a heavenly reality. Moses wasn’t merely building a structure—he was creating a physical representation of a spiritual truth. The tabernacle was the meeting place between heaven and earth. Every detail—the materials, measurements, colors, and spaces—was intentional, designed to reveal God’s holiness and His desire to dwell among His people.

Throughout Scripture, the temple becomes a layered symbol. Jesus spoke of “the temple of His body,” revealing that He Himself was the dwelling place of God on earth (John 2:19–21). Paul expands this revelation when he writes that our bodies are now the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). The pattern that began with Moses ultimately leads to us.

Just as the original tabernacle consisted of three sections—the outer court, inner court, and the holy of holies—so do we.

• Body → Outer court

• Soul → Inner court

• Spirit → Holy of holies

  
  

And just as the holy of holies contained the manifest presence of God, our spirit now houses the Spirit of the Living God. We are the living tabernacles of Emmanuel—God with us.

But many believers suffer from what can only be called an awareness problem. We live largely unaware of the supernatural realm, unaware of our identity, and unaware of the divine presence within us. We believe cultural Christianity more than Scripture itself. As a result, we live powerless, tossed around by the enemy’s lies.

Some believe the body is inherently bad—yet God called it “very good,” and Jesus Himself took on flesh. Some believe they are still “just sinners”—yet Scripture says we are new creations, born of God, holy, and set apart. Some believe they must strive to earn God’s nearness—yet He has already made His home within them.

The temple imagery is not abstract theology; it is a blueprint for identity. To understand ourselves as God’s dwelling place is to awaken to the truth of who we are—powerful sons and daughters sent to bring heaven to earth. Like Jesus, we carry the presence of God into the world, awakening those still asleep to their true identity and calling.

We are not waiting for a temple to be built. We are the temple. And God is with us—in us—still bridging heaven and earth through His people.