Read Revelation 21:22-27 …
There is a word that is not in the Scriptures but, being coined by Jewish rabbis, describes the visible manifestation of the glory and presence of God: shekinah. There is a word used by theologians today that has a similar meaning – theophany – but this word can refer to any tangible manifestation of God in the world. Shekinah, on the other hand, because of its roots, carries more of a “to reside” idea, or of how God has a presence among His people, His dwelling in the temple, or His residence in the mountain.[i] Of these three, the presence of God in the Tabernacle and Temple are the more visible manifestations.
Although the pillar of fire and pillar of cloud that led the Israelites on their trek from Egypt to the Promised Land could be seen as an aspect of God’s shekinah, a mightier indication takes place in Exodus 40. In that chapter Moses (and the people) have finished the Tabernacle and have had a day set aside to erect and consecrate the tent. All the right people are there – Moses, along with Aaron and his sons; all the right forms are followed – the particular furniture was in place and the sacrifices made; and then we are told that Moses “finished the work. Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle” (Exo. 40:33-34). From that point forward, the presence of the Lord was signaled by the presence of a cloud over the Tabernacle by day and a fire over the Tabernacle by night (40:38).
The next place that visible manifestation of the presence of God occurs in association with the place of worship is in 2 Kings 8. While David had desired to build the Temple for God the actual construction fell to David’s son Solomon. After completion of the Temple and the ark of the covenant was placed inside, it is recorded that, “… when the priests came out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord” (2 Kings 8:10-11). While it took seven years to construct, when it was done Solomon’s Temple became the new permanent home for God and the shekinah presence of the Lord assured His people that He was among them.
The sad part of this occurs when one comes to the books of Ezekiel and Jeremiah. The Israelites never thought that Jerusalem would be destroyed, they believed that the presence of God in the Temple assured that, but God saw how their worship and life had been corrupted, so the Lord brought His anger and fury against the people, Jerusalem, and the Temple (Jer. 7:1-20). Yet, the Ezekiel sees the chariot of God (which he saw earlier in chapter 1) in chapter 10, and in that place we find that “… the glory of the Lord departed from the threshold of the temple and stood over the cherubim. And the cherubim lifted their wings and mounted up from the earth in my sight” (Ezek. 10:18-19). Then, in the next chapter we find God leaving the city (Jerusalem) and going up the mountain on the east side of the city (the Mount of Olives) (Ezek. 11:22-23).
The presence and glory of God had left His people, His holy city, and His earthly abode – the Temple. But all was not lost, the glory was to return. And return It did.
How wonderful at the birth of the Messiah, Emmanuel, the Prince of Peace that the angels resounded from the heavens, ““Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:14). How wonderful that Jesus reminded His disciples that, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?” (Luke 14:9).
How wonderful that Jesus, the Messiah, on His triumphal entry into Jerusalem descended from the Mount of Olives and (most likely) entered thru the Eastern Gate, the Golden Gate – which leads directly into the Temple complex (Matt. 21:1-11) – a fitting image of the return of the glory of God to the Temple. How wonderful that Paul removes all doubt when he says by the Holy Spirit, that the Christ is the image of God (2 Cor. 4:4) and the Hebrews writer who says the Son is, “the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person” (Heb. 1:3).
How wonderful that now we look forward to a time when that shekinah will return for that final judgment day, when all humanity will stand before the Lord in all His glory (1 Thess. 4:15-17; Rev. 20:11-12). How wonderful for those whose names are found in the Book of Life to be admitted to the New Jerusalem where there will be no temple, no sun or moon to shine there, for the glory of God will illuminate that place and the Lamb will be its light (Rev. 20:13-15; 21:22-23). How wonderful that there will come a time when we go to Him and dwell in His presence, and the shekinah will give us strength and assurance throughout eternity.
[i] Madeline Kalu, “What is the Meaning of Shekinah Glory?” Christianity.com, May 29, 2019. <What Is the Meaning of Shekinah Glory? (christianity.com)>
the odd weekend preacher 