During the life of Christianity, there has been a
development, passing from worshipping in homes, to the grandeur of huge palaces
in close resemblance to political buildings.
This development from being a marginal Jewish sect,
to the established religion of the Roman Empire, it happened within the first
300 years of existence. However, many Christians believe today that this
abysmal change only became real after the Constantinian establishment, but that
it is not the case, temples dedicated solely to worship, were being built since
middle of the 200’s, like the Church of Dura-Europos in Syria, from around 233
CE.
WHY WE BUILT TEMPLES
But what moved the first Christians to buy or donate
this buildings, even in smaller versions, to be used solely for sacramental
purposes?. The only answer that we can arrive after a careful study of
different possibilities, is their love for God.
There was no money coming in for lucre, neither was
the commodity of the people of the house where they met for almost two
centuries, because they knew that the giver of the house enjoyed full apostolical
recognition and respect among the Elders. (Romans 16:3-5). The sole possibility
was love and holiness offered to God, out of love and respect for Him.
Whether gentiles or from Jewish background, all new
converts and their children, were educated in the customs of the Hebrews to
some degree; enough to understand the Old Testament and the reasons of some of
the Christian customs, like Baptism, Lord’s Supper or Anointing of the Sick.
Included in this education, was also the Sacred Holiness of the Father, guarded
so much in the old days by the Temple worship, the utensils used, and the mode
of dressing before approach Him (Leviticus 22:33; Isaiah 6:3; Psalm 15:1; Habakkuk
2:20; 1Peter 1:16; Revelation 4:8).
TODAY’S CASE
TODAY we enjoy the use of big, splendid temples
dedicated solely to the majesty and holiness of our eternal and unchangeable God,
and not only the buildings, but we also adorn them with the best and most exquisite
works of art possible. All to make a point, the high degree of Holiness that
our God deserves.
But something has been losing space while our
temples have been made bigger and better with technology. Our attitude towards
that same building, and ultimately, towards God Himself.
Slowly, we have turned these temples dedicated to
God alone in holiness, to sing worldly music, to dance, to patronize
activities, where people who have no notion of God or godliness enter and
disrespect the buildings with their unbelief and behaviour.
Even in the case when we use “parochial” salons, the
detriment infringed upon them, ends up affecting the sacred holiness of the
surroundings, because we have forgotten the seriousness of the reservation to
God alone. We cannot dedicate to God a little corner in a big building and let
the rest to be desecrated. Even the ground of the temple is dedicated to the
Holy Worship of God, and every action of desecration that takes place within
the ground, affects the holiness of God’s temple.
In the times of the Old Testament nobody could bring
a pig within the temple walls without considering that it was desecrating the
Temple. Even though a proper desecration will only take place within the Holy
area. These days however, “Christians” engage in worldly acts within the temple’s
area, and even within the temple itself, all around the altar.
It is difficult to avoid seeing young women coming
to read the Scripture or give the Eucharist, in miniskirts, shorts or high
hills, or boys in singlets, shorts or demonic symbols on their shirts.
DESECRATION OF TEMPLES
In these and many more manners have the modern
believers desecrated the Temples dedicated to God, maybe with the idea that “God
does not live in buildings” like we humans do. But all this is wrong.
We dedicate a building to God, as a sacred action,
where the whole building and area around it, it is officially consecrated for
the worship and glory of the Holy Trinity, and nothing else, in conformity with
the demands of his perfect and complete Holiness.
As this is an oath before God, then it becomes especially
sinful, to dedicate any section of the Temple consecrated, to worldly use, or
any other use that it is not closely related to God’s worship. It is also
sinful to dedicate a section of the building to dance, sell alcohol, smoking or
play worldly games of chance to gain monetary funds for the parish. When we do
any of these things, we are truly flirting with the devil for money.
It is also sinful to do not observe the appropriate dress
code for worship, where excessive Jewellery, make up and short dresses are
beyond the consent of believers. Also, all language or behaviour of the same
type.
The authority responsible for the parish, has the
authority to stop this, and it needs to do it. Many don’t because they are
afraid of losing fellowship but remember that not even Herod the Great could
buy his salvation from God by rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem. Any money
recovered or gained like that, it is evil money, and it cannot be cleaned by
just giving it to God.
WE NEED TO CHANGE
It is time still to stop and meditate in what we are
doing, and what we are teaching to unbelievers who eventually will follow our example.
True Christians who love God, need to revert their actions and treat Temples as
what they truly are, TEMPLES CONSECRATED TO YHWH, JESUS AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.
If we repent of these actions and confess our sins
and mend our ways, certainly we will be forgiven. But if we persist in them,
then the presence of our God will abandon us until we change for better.
Our songs won’t be heard; our prayers will not be
listened; and our preaching will be taken by the wind.
“I have chosen and consecrated this
temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always
be there.”
2Chronicles 7:16
Omar Flores
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