| The stones for Solomon’s temple were sized and shaped before being brought to the temple site, “before it was brought thither.” God is presently building a temple also, a temple made of “lively stones … built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” We believers, “as lively stones,” are being “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord.” One day these stones will be “brought thither,” at “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and … our gathering together unto Him,” and then it will be seen that each “living stone” was “made ready before it was brought thither.” This is why God sometimes permits His redeemed ones to be “troubled on every side … distressed … perplexed … persecuted … cast down.” So “think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you … but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” |
