Page:Visions and Prophecies of Zechariah (Baron, David).djvu/213

 manifest presence of Jehovah no more returned to it; for Rabbi Samuel Bar Juni, in the Talmud (Yoma, f. 21, c. 2), and Rabbis Solomon and Kimchi, in their comment on Hag. i. 8, all agree that five things that were in the first Temple were wanting in the second?&gt;., the ark, wherein were the tables of the Covenant, and the cherubim that covered it; the fire that used to come down from heaven to devour the sacrifices; the SJiekinah Glory; the gift of prophecy, or the Holy Ghost; and the miraculous Urim and Thummim.

But before that Temple was destroyed by the Romans, another Temple, not built by the hands of man, arose, and in it dwelt the fulness of the Godhead bodily (Col. ii. 9). One came, and in sight of the magnificent structure which had then become more a " den of thieves " than a " house of prayer," proclaimed, " Destroy this Temple, and in three days I will raise it up again; and this He spake of the Temple of His body." Who was this who thus spoke but the promised Messiah, with whose advent the presence of Jehovah should again return to His people, as is implied in His very name Immanuel, which being interpreted means " God with us." Behold, " the tabernacle of God is with men " once more, " and He doth dwell with them." For " the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us; and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only-begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth"

(John i. 14).

Behold, therefore, O Christian, in the Person of the Redeemer Himself, the fulfilment of these words, " He shall build the Temple of Jehovah" for in Him we have the fullest manifestation of the Divine glory, and " in Christ Jesus " is the true meeting-place where communion between God and man is consummated.

But there is another Temple of which the Messiah Himself is actually the builder, and in which we may see a fulfilment of this and other prophecies.

" Thou art Peter," were the words of Jesus on a certain solemn occasion, " and upon this rock (i.e., the confession