The temple was both idealised and spiritualised by OT and NT writers.
The OT concept of an ideal temple in the future age of salvation
Isaiah 2:3 parallel Micah 4:2 See also Isaiah 56:4–7, Isaiah 66:20; Jeremiah 33:11; Ezekiel 37:28, Ezekiel 40:2–4 Ezekiel received a vision of a rebuilt temple to which the glory of the LORD had returned. Chapters 40–48 describe this temple and its worship in detail; Haggai 2:6–8; Zechariah 14:16; Malachi 3:1–3
And many peoples will come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways so that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
The superstitious belief that the presence of the temple in Jerusalem safeguarded the city
The origin of such a belief
2 Kings 19:32–36; Psalm 132:13–18
The prophets knew that disobedience to God would be judged in spite of the temple
Micah 3:12 See also Jeremiah 7:4, Jeremiah 7:12–14
Therefore, because of you, Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, and the temple mount a wooded ridge.
The link between the earthly temple and heaven
Heaven is described as God's temple
Psalm 11:4 See also Habakkuk 2:20; Hebrews 8:5, Hebrews 9:24; Revelation 11:19, Revelation 14:15–17, Revelation 15:5–8
The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD is on His heavenly throne. His eyes are watching closely; they examine the sons of men.
The ultimate ``city of God'' needs no temple, since it is permeated by God's presence
Revelation 21:22 See also Revelation 21:3
But I saw no temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
The risen Christ as the temple where God's glory is revealed
Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.” “This temple took forty-six years to build,” the Jews replied, “and You are going to raise it up in three days?” But Jesus was speaking about the temple of His body.
The church as the temple where God's presence dwells
The individual believer as the temple of the Holy Spirit
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
The local church as God's temple
See also 1 Corinthians 3:16–17
The whole church as God's temple
Ephesians 2:21–22 See also 2 Corinthians 6:16; 1 Peter 2:5 “house” here alludes to the temple. The church offers not animal sacrifices but “spiritual sacrifices” of praise and service.
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.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.