The Old Testament is filled with the desire of the Saints to be in the Lord's presence, to dwell in His house, to meet Him in His courts. In Psalm 84, the writer actually expresses envy for the little birds who take up their dwellings in the presence of God at His temple!
They understood that God chose those whom He would have dwell with Him, and their hearts ached for the presence of God.
But they were never permitted to come past the courts of the temple, because of their sin, and uncleanness, and the inestimable holiness of God. Even the high priest could only go in to the holiest place once a year, only with the blood of a sacrifice, and only in a cloud of incense and smoke to obscure the glory of God. The veil separated them from God and the mercy seat.
They had such great desire for God, yet they were held at arm's length on account of their sin!
But when Christ came, the glory of God was revealed in His face! And when He died on Calvary's tree, the veil that separated God's people from the holiest place was torn apart. This signified that Christ's sacrifice took away the barrier between God and His people.
So now the birds have no special claim over God's people, for we come inside the veil into the holiest place in the presence of God. We do this with boldness on account of the blood of Jesus which has taken away all our guilt and shame.
Indeed, God's people are incorporated into a holy house for God. We are His temple, and He abides with us!
In the end, we will dwell literally in God's home in Glory. Our Lord Jesus is preparing a place for us.
Right now, we meet at the Lord's Table with our Lamb Himself, for so He promised us!
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John Pittman Hey was born in 1961 in Jackson, Mississippi, to Godly parents who from the beginning raised him in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. With child-like faith he came to Christ on his fourth birthday at his mother's knee. He received his education at church...
