In the Old Testament, the glory fills Solomon’s temple at its dedication (1 Kings 8, 2 Chronicles 5). Later, in a vision, Ezekiel is transported from Babylon to Jeruslem, where he witnesses the progressive departure of the glory from the temple (Ezekiel 8-11).
In the New Testament, the glory returns in the Word Incarnate, Jesus Christ. We shall commence in the middle of this series and go backward in time in the OT and forward in time in the NT.
OT–Ezekiel saw the glory move to a mountain east of Jerusalem after the Spirit showed him the princes of the people devising iniquity and giveing wicked counsel.
NT–A star rose in the east, leading wise men to the king of the Jews. Angels brought shepherds in the field good tidings and a sign.
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OT–Ezekiel saw the glory move to the east gate after angels marked the foreheads of those aggrieved by the abominations in the temple, slaughtered everyone else, and scattered burning coals over the city.
NT–At eight days of age, Jesus is brought to the courts of the temple for circumcision. (Eight is the Hebraic number for a new beginning.) Simeon supernaturally recognizes him as the Christ and declares him “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”
Simeon tells Mary, “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
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OT–Ezekiel saw the glory move to the threshold after the Spirit showed him the abominations in the temple.
NT–The boy Jesus spent three days among the teachers of the temple, amazing them with his understanding.
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OT–The Spirit transports Ezekiel to the entrance of the gateway of the inner court, from Babylon where the elders of Judah were sitting before him.
NT–Jesus challenges the Pharisees at the feast of the tabernacles, and they plot to kill him. Jesus says, “He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, “Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
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OT–Solomon dedicates the temple with musical fanfare. The temple fills with a cloud, and the priests cannot stand.
NT–Jesus’s triumphant entry is followed by overturning the money changers’ tables. Jesus decrees, “It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer.”
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OT–While the whole assembly of Israel was standing, the king blessed them.
NT–As Jesus dies, the veil of the temple is torn in two from top to bottom.
Some biblical commentators interpret the tearing of the veil in the temple as Jesus providing direct access to God to the people. The Age of *Religion* as mediator is over.
First-hand religion is based on direct experience of the sacred, also called mystical experience. Second-hand religion is based on another’s experience, authority, or dogma. This distinction is often framed as the difference between spirituality (first-hand) and religion. (second-hand). –John Davis
Christianity is NOT a religion; it is the proclamation of the end of religion. Religion is a human activity dedicated to the job of reconciling God to humanity and humanity to itself. The Gospel, however – the Good News of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is the astonishing announcement that God has done the whole work of reconciliation without a scrap of human assistance. It is the bizarre proclamation that religion is over – period. –Robert F. Capon
Christians have always tended to transform the Christian Revelation into a Christian religion. Christianity is said to be a religion like any other or, conversely, some Christians try to show that it is a better religion than the others. People attempt to take possession of God. Theology claims to explain everything, including the being of God. People tend to transform Christianity into a religion because the Christian faith obviously places people in an extremely uncomfortable position that of freedom guided only by love and all in the context of God’s radical demand that we be holy. –Jacques Ellul