"Seest Thou These Great Buildings?"

The rejection of the Lord Jesus had far reaching effects. In addition to what He foretold concerning Jewish leaders (see the vineyard parable of Mark 12.), He spoke prophetically in regard to the temple in Jerusalem (Mark 13.). To reject Him involved the destruction of the city of Jerusalem and the temple. In that temple He had taught daily, and at the precise moment He left it, disowning it with significant language-"Your house is left unto you desolate" (note the contrast with John 2. 16).

"Master, behold, what manner of stones and what manner of buildings!" exclaimed one of His disciples. Swift and sweeping came the reply, "Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left here one stone upon another, which shall not be thrown down." Thus, we might say (in the light of subsequent revelation) was marked the passing of the Divine Presence and pleasure from and in material buildings, and the advent of a new era during which "the Most High dwelleth not in houses made with hands" (Acts 7. 48).

To-day, over lych gates and elsewhere may be read, "This is God's house," or similar words; but these are misapplied and misleading to a degree. God's house now is not of buildings so indicated. It is in the present dispensation "A spiritual house," and the stones used are described in 1 Peter 2. 5 as "living stones "-that is, believers who have life in Christ their Saviour, and own their responsibility to obey Him as their Lord and Master. Such recognise that He is Son over God's House (see Hebrews 3. 6). They know that as believers they are united in the Church which is Christ's Body, and by obeying the doctrine of the Lord they become builded together "A spiritual house." Into a Church of God they are received locally, and such Churches collectively are embraced in the House (" Fitly framed together ... a habitation of God in the Spirit "). The believers are priests individually, but necessarily they must be found together to constitute a " priesthood." Thus 1 Peter 2. 5 speaks of "A holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" ; and thankful indeed are they to he separate from the "great buildings" of corrupt Christendom. As we think of Revelation, chapters 17. and 18., how applicable are the words of Mark 13. 2.

unknown | Mar 1936
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