The Temple in Hebrews; Made by God
We know the book of Hebrews as the “better” book. Everything about Christ is shown to be better than its counterpart in the Old Testament documents. The High Priesthood of Jesus is far superior, Hebrews tells us (Hebrews 8:6). Hebrews also tells us that Christ as our high priest entered the holy places through the greater tent (not manmade but God made). Hebrews 9:11 makes it clear that Jesus entered a temple in heaven not earth. Why do some expect him to do the same on earth?
In the former system, God came and made His dwelling place in Eden, and then temporarily in a tabernacle/temple. In the new system, God has created a temple in the heavens where Jesus has gone to offer his blood as a sacrifice for all sins. He is the minister of this new, not made with hands, holy place. It is referred to as greater and perfect. God allowed the temporary temples to be destroyed; Herod’s was taken apart stone by stone. God gave the temple and the city to the gentiles.
In Hebrews we see the old temple (earthly) as a mere symbol of the true temple (heavenly). The true temple, the genuine one, is heavenly and made by God rather than man. Hebrews 9:24 tells us, “For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.”
In Hebrews 12:26-27, we see a reference to the idea presented in Haggai 2. Things made by hands will be replaced by things not made by hands. The Spirit of God would be involved in the building of the new temple that would be filled with glory. Haggai tells us that God proclaimed, “The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts. And in this place (temple) I will give peace, declares the LORD of hosts.” (Haggai 2:9)
The second temple never exceeded the first in glory so it is not in view in this passage. The Jews looked forward to the day this would occur.
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