Editorial journey
God dwells with His people: in the tabernacle, in Solomon's temple, in the Word made flesh, in the Church, and in the city to come.
Written by HonestApologist's editors. The labels below are our own reading, checked against the Bible texts on this site; they are not part of the cross-reference dataset. Scripture in the notes and steps: King James Version (with Apocrypha). Old Testament steps can also be read in the Septuagint.
God asks for a sanctuary "that I may dwell among them". The tabernacle is the place of His presence among His people.
8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.
9 According to all that I shew thee, [after] the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make [it].
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Editorial note A link of theme drawn by our editors. Connects to step 1
When the tabernacle is finished, the cloud covers it and the glory of the Lord fills it, so that even Moses cannot enter.
34 ¶ Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
35 And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
Also in the cross-reference dataset (3 votes).
Shared wording The later text repeats distinctive words of the earlier one. Both wordings are shown below. Connects to step 2
At the dedication of Solomon's temple the same thing happens: the cloud fills the house and the priests cannot stand to minister.
10 And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy [place], that the cloud filled the house of the LORD,
11 So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.
the glory of the LORD filled the tabernaclethe glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORDAlso in the cross-reference dataset (9 votes).
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Editorial note A link of theme drawn by our editors. Connects to step 3
Before the temple is destroyed, Ezekiel sees the glory of the Lord leave the threshold of the house.
18 Then the glory of the LORD departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims.
19 And the cherubims lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight: when they went out, the wheels also [were] beside them, and [every one] stood at the door of the east gate of the LORD’s house; and the glory of the God of Israel [was] over them above.
Not listed in the cross-reference dataset.
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Editorial note A link of theme drawn by our editors. Connects to step 4
In his vision of a renewed temple, Ezekiel sees the glory return and fill the house again.
4 And the glory of the LORD came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect [is] toward the east.
5 So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house.
Also in the cross-reference dataset (3 votes).
Explore connections from here · Read in the Septuagint (Brenton) · Read beside step 4
Shared wording The later text repeats distinctive words of the earlier one. Both wordings are shown below. Connects to step 2
"The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory." The Greek verb eskēnōsen means ‘pitched his tent’, from skēnē, the Greek word for the tabernacle in Exodus 40.
14 And 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.
σκηνήἐσκήνωσενNot listed in the cross-reference dataset.
Editorial note A link of theme drawn by our editors. Connects to step 3
"Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." St John explains: "he spake of the temple of his body."
19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?
21 But he spake of the temple of his body.
Not listed in the cross-reference dataset.
Editorial note A link of theme drawn by our editors. Connects to step 1
Through the Holy Spirit who dwells in them, the faithful together are God's temple.
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which [temple] ye are.
Not listed in the cross-reference dataset.
Shared wording The later text repeats distinctive words of the earlier one. Both wordings are shown below. Connects to step 6
"Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them." The same Greek words return: skēnē, ‘tabernacle’, and the verb ‘to dwell as in a tent’.
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God.
σκηνὴ τοῦ ΘεοῦἐσκήνωσενAlso in the cross-reference dataset (22 votes).
Editorial note A link of theme drawn by our editors. Connects to step 1
In the city to come there is no temple building, "for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it."
22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb [is] the light thereof.
Not listed in the cross-reference dataset.