The Lord Jesus finished the work of redemption, His people finish building the temple, and we enjoy the Presence of God. These are absolutes that we rest upon!

First, the temple is constructed by the finished work of Christ. vs7

“The temple was constructed using finished stones cut at the quarry, so that no hammer or chisel or any other iron tool was heard in the temple while it was being built.” vs7

No work is being done to make men savable: it was finished when He died upon the cross to pay for sins. Now, the Holy Spirit, through the gospel and the church, gathers these stones into their proper place.

“You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” [1 Pet 2:5]

Let this remind you:

Salvation is of the Lord. There is no work to add to Christ. He uses people who acknowledge that the work was finished. Therefore, do not labor in unbelief, but walk by faith in God. Preach the whole gospel, which is the finished work AND the gathering of stones. Preach and teach what men are to do once inside the kingdom.

This is the problem: So much “gospel” is half gospel. The work is not finished, so men labor in vain. We must preach the gospel, and if we do not, then everything is lost. Men must hear the finished work of Christ is received by faith - that we add nothing to our relationship with God, but as sinners, we receive the work that He accomplished, as we receive Him.

“But to the one who does not work, but believes on Him who declares the ungodly to be righteous, his faith is accounted for righteousness.” [Rom 4:5]

Likewise, men refuse to gather stones because it is finished. They think because salvation is of the Lord, they will not labor! They deny the command of the gospel to go into all the world and make disciples. These men live for themselves. If grace was truly in their heart, then it would change their life.

Paul told Titus,

“He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. Speak these things as you encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.” [Titus 2:14-15]

Grace leads to godliness, which is living for Christ to be known. The gospel impacts the mind and the hand: We labor by faith.

Secondly, Solomon finished the temple, and Jesus will build the church. 1 Kings 6:9-10

“So Solomon built the temple and finished it, roofing it with beams and planks of cedar.” vs9

There is no doubt... no “if’s” or “but’s.” The finished work of Christ guarantees the salvation of His church, even all that the Father gave Him [John 6:37].

Justice demands it. Christ cannot die in vain. Justice sets the captive free.

The Spirit of God performs it! The sovereign work of the Spirit is unstoppable. They resist Him, but Paul - the chief Pharisee - does not [Acts 7:51; Acts 9:6]. The Spirit calls out whom He wills, and no man can stay His hand.

“But at the end of those days I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven, and my sanity was restored to me. Then I praised the Most High, and I honored and glorified Him who lives forever:

‘For His dominion is an everlasting dominion,

and His kingdom endures from generation to generation.

All the peoples of the earth

are counted as nothing,

and He does as He pleases

with the army of heaven

and the peoples of the earth.

There is no one who can restrain His hand

or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’” [Dan 4:34-35]

Men make monuments to free will, but it is GOD’S WILL that reigns, and His will shall be done.

The people will be willing. They will come willingly, and they will work willingly. He uses all things to save.

Do not fear that God can’t do what He’s promised, but go in boldness and go in peace. The gospel is unstoppable; it can only be hindered as long as God wills, and then prayer and courage will tear down obstacles. The gospel worker may be persecuted, but God will save the jailer, so that Paul and Silas sing for a double reason: to praise God and to save others [Acts 16:25-34].

Thirdly, God will keep His promise to dwell in His people. 1 Kings 6:11-13

‘Then the word of the LORD came to Solomon, saying: “As for this temple you are building, if you walk in My statutes, carry out My ordinances, and keep all My commandments by walking in them, I will fulfill through you the promise I made to your father David. And I will dwell among the Israelites and will not abandon My people Israel.” vs11-13

Solomon failed, and God chastened him with stripes, but He kept His love. Jesus did not fail, God punished Him for us, and He is with us according to the covenant.

He said,

For this is the covenant I will make

with the house of Israel

after those days,

declares the Lord.

I will put My laws in their minds

and inscribe them on their hearts.

And I will be their God,

and they will be My people. [Heb 8:10]

And,

And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances. [Ezek 36:27]

This new covenant is all on God, according to promise, and salvation is sure.

It is not up to the law and the strength of man. Man’s failures cannot stop it, nor can Abraham giving up his wife, twice - once upon hearing the promise and once just before its fulfillment. It is a promise based upon God’s faithfulness in Christ. He resurrected Him and enthroned Him to seal His approval. Now we receive the testimony.

God’s indwelling is the chief EXPERIENCE of the new covenant - that He is with us in His felt presence to enjoy the gospel. Without the Spirit, we are not God’s people. He is with us, however, to be felt, though we can’t feel Him always. He convicts, calms, and gives power. The gospel is how the Spirit dwells within, and it is how we know that we are His: we believe His word.

Do you believe on the Son of God? If so, then you know that He finished the work, you are finishing the temple, and you know that He will get what He died for - He will have His Bride, even every person in the Lamb’s Book of Life.