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his work was never completed. Christ, after He had offered one Sacrifice for sins
for ever, `sat down', His work done. No one of Israel would have entertained the thought
that anyone of that favoured race, however holy, could ever `sit down' in that august
Presence, yet we have already read the overwhelming statement of Eph. 2: 6 that we,
who once were aliens and strangers, have been raised up together with Christ and `seated
together in heavenly places'. This is reconciliation indeed.
What God planned before the world was overthrown He has in His own good time
effected through the cross and the shed blood of His Beloved, and now those who were
once `far off' are indeed `made nigh' and have access, yea access with boldness and
confidence by the faith of Him (Eph. 3: 12). To other callings may be appended the
titles `A Kingdom of Priests' and `The Bride of the Lamb', but none can be so near as
those who are the very members of His Body. Such is the high calling of the
dispensation of the Mystery.
`Once' or `in time past' children of wrath.
But God. The intervention of love.
`Once' or `in time past'. Aliens and strangers.
But now. The intervention of peace.
`No more', `no longer'. Strangers and foreigners.
The Middle Wall broken down. The enmity abolished.
One new man created, so making peace.
No.52.
The Living Room (2: -19 - 22).
Tabernacle, Temple, Dwelling Place.
pp. 101 - 104
The figure that is now before us is a holy temple, and at first sight the denomination
`The Living Room' may savour of irreverence-but the title has been chosen with care.
What is our conception of a temple? The English word is derived from the Greek
temno `to cut', meaning a part cut off or separated for religious purposes. Associated
with a temple, are priests, altars, sacrifices, veils, incense and elaborate ritual, yet these
are `accidental', being rendered necessary because of the unclean and sinful nature of
man. The `essential' purpose of a temple is to provide a `dwelling-place' for the
Most High among men, and only the necessity to preserve the holiness of the
Divine Occupier called for all the elaborate ritual associated with the place. First of all
let us remember that both Stephen and Paul declare `The Most High dwelleth not in
temples made with hands'. Stephen, in Acts 7: 48, 49 quoting from the O.T. because
he was speaking to Jews, and Paul in Acts 17: 24 appealing not to O.T. Scriptures but
to common sense:
"God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and
earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands",