Worship in the Temple today

 Read 2 Chronicles 6. 

At the dedication of the Temple, King Solomon made two strong statements in verse 6 quoting the LORD God.  "I have chosen Jerusalem that my name may be there and I have chosen David to be over my people Israel." 

What a beautiful sight that must have been!  Here was a kneeling king, on a bronze platform, thanking God for keeping His promises and dedicating this sacred place for future answers to prayer. 

The Temple was a place for offering prayers, for offering sacrifices for various reasons, and for coming clean with the Lord.  No other nation on earth enjoyed such a relationship with God.  "Let your saints rejoice in your goodness" (v.41c) 

When Jesus died on the cross, the final sacrifice for sin had been made.  The veil of the Temple, separating the holy presence of God, was torn from top to bottom.  His presence left the building.  Jesus now serves as high priest and all believers in Him are the priests (1 Peter 2:9).  The Temple was no longer the center for worship.  

Even Solomon admitted that the God of heaven cannot be contained in a man-made building.  Paul gave New Testament believers a thought-filled reminder that should help us discipline ourselves every day of the week.  "Or do you not know your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?  You are not your own for you were bought with a price.  So glorify God in your body."