Consecration or Desecration

Revelation 11:1 Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there."

Reading a book about the Book of Revelation, the author explained something that I was not aware of. The word "temple" that is used in this verse is not in reference to the entire temple structure. The word used in the Greek refers to the portion of the temple that is the Holy of Holies. What makes this point interesting is that it is the same word that Jesus used to describe His own body in John 2:21, and is also the same word the Apostle Paul used to describe our bodies, as temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3 & 6; 2 Corinthians 6), and the church, as a body of believers (Ephesians 2). It caused me to think of Antiochus Epiphanes, who desecrated the temple in 168 and 170 B.C. by dedicating it to Jupiter. A foreshadow of what the Antichrist would do, during the coming Tribulation period, when he will declare himself to be God, in the temple, and orders men to worship him as God. The reason I bring up these two men, specifically, is because we are no different. "What do you mean?!" Well, stop and think about how often we have done things to, and with, our bodies that desecrate the place God had labeled His Temple, His dwelling place? Think about the times we have put something, or someone, including ourselves, on the throne of our lives? Those times when we decided that our way was best, and in our pride, refused to give the Lord and His Spirit the rightful place on the throne of our lives. Every time we use God's Holy of Holies for our pleasure, and to satisfy our own desires, we desecrate it. Every time we become unequally yoked with the world and unbelievers, we desecrate His Holy Temple. Every time we crown ourselves lords and kings of our own lives, and choose to pridefully sit on His throne, we desecrate the place where God chose to dwell most intimately with us. May God forgive us, and may we always stop and prayerfully, and fearfully, consider that what we choose to do next will either be an act of consecration (worship) or an act of desecration. I pray we choose consecration.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).