What does Revelation say about the temple and God's presence?

The Book of Revelation, the final book of the New Testament, is a rich tapestry of visions, symbols, and prophecies that have intrigued and inspired Christians for centuries. Among its many themes, the temple and God's presence stand out as central elements that signify the culmination of God's redemptive plan for humanity. To understand what Revelation says about the temple and God's presence, we must explore the imagery and theological significance embedded within its apocalyptic visions.

In the Old Testament, the temple was the physical dwelling place of God's presence among His people. The first temple was built by Solomon in Jerusalem and later destroyed by the Babylonians. A second temple was constructed and later expanded by Herod the Great, only to be destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. These physical structures served as the focal points of worship, sacrifice, and divine encounter. However, the Book of Revelation envisions a shift from a physical temple to a more profound spiritual reality.

One of the most striking passages concerning the temple and God's presence is found in Revelation 21:22-23:

"I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp." (NIV)

This passage describes the New Jerusalem, the heavenly city that descends from God at the end of time. The absence of a physical temple in the New Jerusalem signifies a radical transformation in the way God's presence is experienced. Instead of a localized structure, God's presence permeates the entire city. The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb (Jesus Christ) themselves are the temple, indicating that God's presence is no longer confined to a specific place but is universally accessible to all inhabitants of the New Jerusalem.

The imagery of light in this passage further emphasizes the pervasive presence of God. The city does not need the sun or the moon because the glory of God illuminates it. This echoes the prophetic vision of Isaiah 60:19-20:

"The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end." (NIV)

Isaiah's prophecy finds its ultimate fulfillment in Revelation's depiction of the New Jerusalem, where God's presence provides eternal light and eradicates all sorrow.

The absence of a physical temple also signifies the fulfillment of Jesus' own words. In John 4:21-24, Jesus speaks to the Samaritan woman at the well:

“Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” (NIV)

Jesus foreshadows a new era of worship that transcends physical locations. Revelation's vision of the New Jerusalem confirms this shift, where worship is not bound to a temple but is a direct, unmediated experience of God's presence.

Another significant aspect of the temple in Revelation is found in Revelation 11:1-2:

"I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, 'Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, with its worshipers. But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months.'" (NIV)

Here, John is instructed to measure the temple, which symbolizes God's protection and preservation of His faithful people. The act of measuring indicates ownership and care. The exclusion of the outer court, given to the Gentiles, signifies a period of tribulation and persecution. This passage reflects the tension between the already and the not yet—the present struggles of the church and the future hope of divine vindication and presence.

The temple imagery in Revelation also ties into the broader biblical narrative of God's dwelling with His people. In the Old Testament, the tabernacle and later the temple were the places where God's glory dwelled among the Israelites. This theme reaches its climax in Revelation, where God's dwelling is fully realized in the New Jerusalem. Revelation 21:3 declares:

"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.'" (NIV)

This echoes the covenantal promise found throughout Scripture, from Leviticus 26:11-12 to Ezekiel 37:27:

"I will put my dwelling place among you, and I will not abhor you. I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people." (NIV)

Revelation envisions the ultimate fulfillment of this promise, where God's presence is not limited by physical structures but is fully and eternally experienced by His people.

The Book of Revelation also presents the temple as a place of divine judgment and mercy. In Revelation 15:5-8, the temple in heaven is opened, and the seven angels with the seven plagues emerge:

"After this I looked, and I saw in heaven the temple—that is, the tabernacle of the covenant law—and it was opened. Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues. They were dressed in clean, shining linen and wore golden sashes around their chests. Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed." (NIV)

This scene underscores the dual aspects of God's presence: His holiness and His justice. The temple, as the locus of God's presence, becomes the source of divine judgment upon a rebellious world. The imagery of smoke filling the temple recalls the theophany at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:18) and the dedication of Solomon's temple (1 Kings 8:10-11), where God's presence was manifested in smoke and glory. It signifies the awe-inspiring and unapproachable nature of God's holiness.

Yet, even in judgment, the temple remains a place of hope and mercy. Revelation 7:15-17 portrays a vision of the redeemed before God's throne:

"Therefore, 'they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’” (NIV)

Here, the temple is depicted as a place of eternal comfort and provision. The Lamb, Jesus Christ, shepherds the redeemed, leading them to springs of living water—a powerful symbol of eternal life and satisfaction. God's presence, once mediated through the temple, now directly shelters and sustains His people.

In summary, the Book of Revelation presents a profound and transformative vision of the temple and God's presence. It moves from the physical structures of the Old Testament to the spiritual reality of the New Jerusalem, where God's presence is fully and eternally experienced by His people. The absence of a physical temple in the New Jerusalem signifies the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan, where worship is direct and unmediated. The temple imagery in Revelation also underscores the dual aspects of God's presence—His holiness and justice, as well as His mercy and provision. Ultimately, Revelation envisions a future where God's dwelling is among His people, bringing eternal light, comfort, and joy.