A Place to Worship

 N.T. #419 "A Place to Worship"

Nov. 7, 2024 

Mark 13

LET IT GLOW

Our church is doing some remolding of the sanctuary. We have been meeting in the fellowship hall for worship services. It has been a great time, for we are the church, not the building. The Jews have quite a history of their Temple of worship. Let's take a look.

n the previous chapter Jesus stood toe-to-toe with Israel's five most powerful political groups. They barely kept the Romans out of Judea. For once, they united to rid themselves of a threat to their power. Yet, it was the wrong rival-the Messiah, the Son of God. Herod the Great's temple is gone. Now a shrine of the false religion Islamic has erected a golden done in the place of all temples of worship.

A little history here: Solomon built the Jewish Temple in the 900's BC, the Babylonians destroyed it, but King Cyrus allowed the Jews back to rebuild it in 520 BC. Then King Herodes expanded the Second Temple in 20-19 BC. It was destroyed by the Romans 70 AD. The Dome of the Rock was built over the Foundation Ston of the Jewish Temple in 700 AD. So Jehovah, our Living God, is not worshiped where He originally was worshiped by the Jews. One day the dome will be destroyed.

This great sermon by Jesus is commonly known as the Olivet Discourse because Jesus delivered it on the Mt. of Olives, located east of the Temple, across the Kidron Valley, overlooking Jerusalem. Jesus predicted the destruction of the Temple, the Great Tribulation, and the second coming of Christ in this chapter.

LET IT GROW 

Jesus knew that soon, He, the Lamb of God, would soon become the sacrifice once for all and the mediator of a new covenant, where animal sacrifices would become obsolete. (Heb. 9:11-15) After the Lamb of God died for the sins of the world, blood would never again have to be shed in the Temple. That day was coming soon for Jesus. (There are only 16 chapters in the book of Mark.)

Are you worshiping God in the spirit and in truth? Although we have churches where we can assemble to worship the True Living God, we can still worship Him anywhere. That is because God is a Spirit. He is everywhere. 

One day, we will all assemble in heaven to worship King Jesus. What a day that will be! And I will worship Him with my parents, brother and his wife, my grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins, inlaws. I am surely looking forward to it! Are you?

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Or will He be your Judge when you die? All it takes is to believe Jesus is God's Son, died in your place for the punishment of your sins, then ask His forgiveness. One day we will meet in heaven.

LET IT GO

Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, is, and will forever be!

Thank You Jesus for Your mercy and salvation!

Please save all who read this, Your Word.

Prepare us for that day when we stand before the King of kings and Lord of lords, bowing before Him.