Introduction: This study shows that the construction of the first and second ancient temples were in fact a prophecy of the major events of the early and latter day Christian churches, including the precise circumstances of our church today.
Prayer Thought: 9T 16 “Satan is a diligent Bible student. He knows that his time is short, and he seeks at every point to counterwork the work of the Lord upon this earth. It is impossible to give any idea of the experience of the people of God who shall be alive upon the earth when celestial glory and a repetition of the persecutions of the past are blended. They will walk in the light proceeding from the throne of God. By means of the angels there will be constant communication between heaven and earth. And Satan, surrounded by evil angels, and claiming to be God, will work miracles of all kinds, to deceive, if possible, the very elect. God's people will not find their safety in working miracles, for Satan will counterfeit the miracles that will be wrought. God's tried and tested people will find their power in the sign spoken of in Exodus 31:12-18. They are to take their stand on the living word: "It is written." This is the only foundation upon which they can stand securely. Those who have broken their covenant with God will in that day be without God and without hope.” {9T 16.1}
Read Eph. 2: 19-22
The Apostle Paul makes a comparison (type) between the first (Solomon’s) temple and the early Christian church. Two points to notice are:
The temple was fitly framed together. The stones were pre-cut and fitted in place on site.2 SDA BC.P.1030
Christ, the chief corner stone was rejected – Ps. 118:22; Acts 4: 10, 11.
The First Temple (Solomon’s Temple) in Type
Construction - 1Kg. 5: 17, 18; 6: 7; Ps. 118: 22 – The stone for the foundation was rejected but became the chief corner stone.
Destruction - 2Kg. 25: 1-11 – It was destroyed and robbed by the Babylonians. Its services were replaced with Pagan worship – Dan. 3: 1-7
Fallen Empire of Babylon – Isa. 45: 1-3; Dan. 5: 30 - Babylon’s fall freed God’s people and paved the way for the building of the second temple
The Second Temple in Type
Three decrees were made to rebuild the temple
1st decree -.Ezra 1: 1-3 – Cyrus decreed that the temple be built but the Samaritans or factitious Jews frustrated the progress of the foundation and retarded its completion – Ezra 4: 4, 5
2nd decree – Ezra 4:24; 5:1-6 – A second decree came into effect and two prophets, Haggai and Zechariah helped the builders but the work was again frustrated by factitious Jews.
3rd decree – Ezra 6:1, 7, 11-15 – A third and final decree was made by Darius. It was a death decree which resulted in the work prospering through the prophesying of Haggai and Zechariah and the finishing of the temple.
The second temple was nothing in comparison to the first, but it exceeded the first in glory because of the personal presence of Christ in it – Ezra 3: 12, 13; Hag. 2: 3, 9, 7;
GC 24.1,2
The First Temple in Antitype, The First Section of the Christian Church
Construction – Zech. 6: 12, 13, 15; GC 416; Matt. 21: 42; DA 597.5
Destruction – Dan. 8: 10-13; 11: 31 – Antitypical Babylon (Rome) massacred the Christians, cast out the truth and set up Papal worship in the early Christian church in AD 538.
Fallen Power of Papacy – Rev. 13: 10 - As a result of the Protestant Reformation, Papal Rome fell in 1798, paving the way for the restoration of true worship.
The Second Temple in Antitype, The Second Section of the Christian Church
Three decrees were made to restore true worship after the fall of Antitypical Babylon, Papal Rome.
1st decree – Dan. 8: 14, Rev. 14: 6-12 – The first decree resulted in the restoration of true worship in 1844 when the three Angels’ messages came, but the work was frustrated by untrue SDAs - 5T 217
2nd decree – Another message after 1844, Righteousness by Faith - Rom. 4: 3-5 came in 1888. It was rejected – TM 80, 91. Thus the work was again frustrated by untrue SDAs.
3rd decree – Since the typical third decree threatened the lives of the disloyal men and nations, a third and final message, following 1888 must arise which is strong and severe. It will demand obedience and enforce judgment on those who oppose it. Like the type, this message will accomplish its mission. The only message that came to the S.D.A. church after 1888 is the message of the Judgment of the living in 1929. It will prosper through the prophesying of Sr. White and Bro. Houteff.
Like the type, the second section of the Christian church, the purified church, will exceed the first in glory. Its members will be symbolize horses - Rev. 9: 16-19, whereas the followers of the first section of the Christian church are symbolize as locust – Rev. 9: 3- 11