Week 3: God’s Presence has left the Building!

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.’” –Revelation 3:1

“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” –Luke 24:27

GOD’S PRESENCE LEFT SOLOMON’S TEMPLE AND WENT EAST UP TO THE MOUNT OF OLIVES…

“And the glory of the LORD went up from the midst of the city and stood on the mountain that is on the east side of the city.” –Ezekiel 11:23

…AND THEN WAS PROPHESIED TO RETURN FROM THE EAST

“Then he led me to the gate, the gate facing east. 2 And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the east. And the sound of his coming was like the sound of many waters, and the earth shone with his glory. 3 And the vision I saw was just like the vision that I had seen when he came to destroy the city, and just like the vision that I had seen by the Chebar canal. And I fell on my face. 4 As the glory of the LORD entered the temple by the gate facing east, 5 the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the LORD filled the temple.” –Ezekiel 43:1–5

JESUS RETURNED FROM THE MOUNT OF OLIVES (IN THE EAST) IN HIS “TRIUMPHAL ENTRY”

“Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples… 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.” 12 And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 13 He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.” –Matthew 21:1, 10–12

JESUS CONDEMNED AND VACATED THE SECOND TEMPLE AND WENT UP TO THE MOUNT OF OLIVES (IN THE EAST)

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 38 See, your house is left to you desolate. 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” 1 Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. 2 But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” 3 As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” –Matthew 23:37–24:3

HOW DOES THIS MATTER FOR US? AFTER HIS RESURRECTION JESUS THREATENS TO REMOVE HIS PRESENCE FROM ANOTHER TEMPLE, BUT THIS TIME IT’S ONE MADE OF LIVING STONES

“‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.” –Revelation 2:2–5

SO WHAT?

1. JESUS IS GOD. (JOHN 1:1–3)
2. SINCE WE ARE A TEMPLE OF LIVING STONES (1 PETER 2:5), WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT MAKES GOD’S PRESENCE LEAVE A TEMPLE

WHY DID GOD’S PRESENCE LEAVE SOLOMON’S TEMPLE?
 Persistent idolatry (2 Kings 21:4-7).
 Moral and spiritual corruption among the leaders AND people (Ezekiel 8:6-13)

WHY DID GOD’S PRESENCE LEAVE THE SECOND TEMPLE?
 Rejection of their Messiah (Matthew 23:37-38)
 Hypocrisy and corruption among the religious leaders (Matt. 23:1-36)

WHY DID GOD’S PRESENCE THREATEN TO LEAVE THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS?
 Abandoned the love and devotion they had at first (Revelation 2:4-5)

How do I give to 1MSO?

The people of One Missoula Church give tangible resources back to God in order to suffocate greed in our own lives and amplify the impact of the Gospel in the lives of others. We’ve removed every barrier and inconvenience to make this sacrificial act as accessible and simple as possible. At present, here are the avenues for this act of devotion:

• Sunday Morning – offering boxes on the communion tables at the back
• Snail Mail – postage-paid envelopes available
• Text “1MSO” to 406-631-3323
• Online at https://onemissoulachurch.com/give
• Via the One Missoula App under the “Giving” tab