The True House of God

by Pat Hackney

In the auditorium class on Sunday morning we have been studying about the temple that Solomon built. It was indeed a magnificent structure. The historical background leading up to the actual building of the temple has a greater significance for Christians today. In 2 Samuel 7 we see that it was Solomon's father, David, who actually wanted to build a house for God. But God told David through the prophet Nathan that it was not necessary for David to build Him a house and that God would make David a house. This house is part of the covenant that God then made with David.

It would be through David's seed (singular) that God would build a house for His name; and that this house and this kingdom would be established forever ( 2 Samuel 7:13). Actually, this covenant had nothing to do with Solomon. David, however, had another son, Nathan, and the lineage of Jesus is traced through Nathan to Mary, the physical mother of Jesus( Luke 3:23-38). It is Jesus, who is the seed of David, that rules over His house and will reign over it forever.

The New Testament teaches that all Christians make up the house of God. And that . . . "every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God . . . And Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of hope firm to the end" ( Hebrews 3:4,6). The apostle Peter names Christians as . . . "living stones that are being built up a spiritual house. . . " ( 1 Peter 2:5).

We are thankful to God that He has built His house and may we as Christians always faithfully live in it.

• Be Careful What You Wish For... -May 08, 2005
• Fear and Fearless; Which Should We Be? -Oct 17, 2004
• Sharp Contast: Saul/David and Jonathan/David -Apr 09, 2001