The concept of the "Temple of the Kingdom of Christ" is a theological theme that emerges from the New Testament, reflecting the transition from the physical temple in Jerusalem to a spiritual understanding of God's dwelling place among His people. This theme is rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostles, emphasizing the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the establishment of a new covenant.

Old Testament Background

The temple in Jerusalem was central to Jewish worship and religious life, serving as the dwelling place of God's presence among His people. Solomon's Temple, and later the Second Temple, were seen as the physical manifestation of God's covenant with Israel. The prophets, however, foretold a time when God's presence would transcend the physical structure. Isaiah 66:1-2 declares, "Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me? Or where will My place of repose be? Has not My hand made all these things, and so they came into being?"

Jesus and the New Temple

Jesus Christ's ministry marked a pivotal shift in the understanding of the temple. In John 2:19-21 , Jesus proclaims, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." The Jews misunderstood Him, thinking He referred to the physical temple, but John clarifies, "But He was speaking about the temple of His body." This statement signifies that Jesus Himself is the new temple, the embodiment of God's presence on earth.

Furthermore, Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:21-24 underscores this transition: "Believe Me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem... But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth."

The Church as the Temple

The apostolic writings expand on this theme, identifying the Church as the body of Christ and, therefore, the new temple. In 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 , Paul writes, "Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple." This passage highlights the collective identity of believers as the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 2:19-22 further elaborates on this concept: "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of His household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in His Spirit."

Eschatological Fulfillment

The Book of Revelation envisions the ultimate fulfillment of the temple theme in the eschatological Kingdom of Christ. Revelation 21:22 states, "But I saw no temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple." This imagery reflects the consummation of God's plan, where His presence is fully realized among His people, and the need for a physical temple is abolished.

In summary, the "Temple of the Kingdom of Christ" represents the transition from a physical structure to a spiritual reality, where Jesus Christ and His Church embody the presence of God. This theological development underscores the fulfillment of God's promises and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.Revelation 11:1
And there was given me a reed like to a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
Nave's Topical Index

Revelation 14:15,17
And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in your sickle, and reap: for the time is come for you to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.
Nave's Topical Index

The Last Words in the Temple.
... Another story told in the Temple that day was of the "Marriage of the King's ... It shows
first how the Jews were asked into the Kingdom of Christ, but refused ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxxvii the last words.htm

The Sermon on the Mount - the Kingdom of Christ and Rabbinic ...
... for charitable contributions in the Temple were trumpet ... understand the figurative
allusion of Christ to demonstrative ... doxology, Thine is the Kingdom, and the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xviii the sermon on.htm

"The Kingdom of God is at Hand"
... of His divinity in the cleansing of the temple, His miracles ... If the leaders in Israel
had received Christ, He would ... to become heralds of the kingdom and grace ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 23 the kingdom of.htm

That Christ Should be the House and Temple of God, and that the ...
... That Christ should be the house and temple of God ... and his house shall obtain confidence,
and his kingdom for evermore ... shall not be left in the temple one stone ...
/.../three books of testimonies against the jews/15 that christ should be.htm

The Promised King and Temple-Builder
... of 'My Servant the Branch,' who 'shall build the Temple of the ... In that filial relation
lies the assurance of Christ's everlasting kingdom, for 'the ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture f/the promised king and temple-builder.htm

The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah
... CONTEST - WHAT QUALIFIES A DISCIPLE FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD ... MEALS AND FEASTS AMONG
THE JEWS - CHRIST'S LAST PER??AN ... AT THE FEAST OF THE DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/

The Fraud, Pride, and Tyrannical Kingdom of Antichrist, as ...
... of his kingdom: he shall remove his kingdom into that [city], and shall sit in the
temple of God, leading astray those who worship him, as if he were Christ. ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxv the fraud pride and.htm

On the Regal Office of Christ
... of the church, or the building of the temple of Jehovah ... Obedience performed to the
commands of Christ by those ... faith, been made citizens of the kingdom of heaven ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation xxxvii on the regal.htm

Greatness in the Kingdom
... there will be an outer and an inner court in the Temple, and an aristocracy in the
kingdom. ... if as Christian people we have laid hold of Jesus Christ, and in ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/greatness in the kingdom.htm

The Law of the New Kingdom
... to John what is the condition of nearness in His kingdom. "To him that overcometh,"
Christ said, "will ... that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 60 the law of.htm

What is the temple tax? | GotQuestions.org

How many times did Jesus cleanse the temple? Why did He cleanse the temple? | GotQuestions.org

What was the significance of the temple veil being torn in two when Jesus died? | GotQuestions.org

Temple: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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