Salomon had been commissioned the glorious task of erecting a temple to God. His father David had purchased and gathered the necessary building materials. It took seven years to complete this magnificent temple (1 Kings 6:38). The last thing they did was to bring into the temple all the things his father had dedicated to the building; silver, gold and all the vessels.
The building lacked one thing though; the presence of God. When the ark was carried into the building and the priests came out of the Holy Place a cloud filled the house of the Lord. The priests could not stand to minister because of the glory of the Lord.
In the new covenant we know that God doesn’t dwell in buildings. He fills every temple, in other words, every man into whom the ark, that is, Christ has entered. From our spirit, the Holy Place, His glory permeates and fills the entire temple, our entire being. Every corner and hidden nook is packed with Him. He is the sole and only occupant of this tremendous temple. There is room for no one other than Him. Thus the whole building is perfectly holy; spirit, soul and body.
The fact that the priests could not stand to minister due to His glorious presence symbolizes the end of the old dispensation of annual sacrifices which perpetuated a conscience of sin. Something far better would come into effect. A once and for all sacrifice has been carried out which states that I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me (Gal 2:20).
In 1 Kings 9:3 God makes a most astonishing promise: “I have consecrated this house that you have built, by putting my name there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time.” As was the habit in the old covenant God then put forward His conditions for the promise to stand firm. However, as we all know; Jesus Christ has fulfilled every condition on our behalf so that we with boldness can continue our walk knowing that our salvation is eternally secured!
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