new studies in biblical theology 17

Series editor: D. A. Carson

The temple and the church’s mission

A BIBLICAL THEOLOGY OF THE DWELLING PLACE OF GOD

G. K. Beale

Apollos

InterVarsity Press

downers grove, illinois 60515

APOLLOS (an imprint of Inter-Varsity Press),

38 De Montfort Street, Leicester LE1 7GP, England

Email: ivp@uccf.org.uk

Website: www.ivpbooks.com

INTERVARSITY PRESS

PO Box 1400, Downers Grove, Illinois 60515, USA

World Wide Web: www.ivpress.com

Email: mail@ivpress.com

© G. K. Beale 2004

G. K. Beale has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as Author of this work.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher or the Copyright Licensing Agency.

Unless otherwise stated, Scripture quotations in this publication are from the New American Standard Bible. Copyright © The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977. Used by permission.

First published 2004

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

UK ISBN 1-84474-022-6

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

These data have been requested.

US ISBN 0-8308-2618-1

Contents

Series preface

Author’s preface

Preface by Mary Dorinda Beale

Abbreviations

1 Introduction

The final vision of the Apocalypse and its implications for a biblical theology of the temple

A brief comment on the interpretative approach of this book

2 Cosmic symbolism of temples in the Old Testament

The Old Testament view of Israel’s earthly temple as a reflection of the heavenly or cosmic temple

Judaism’s view of the symbolism of the temple

Conclusion: symbolism of the temple in the Old Testament and Judaism

Israel’s temple in the light of the Ancient Near Eastern view of the earthly temple as a reflection of the heavenly or cosmic temple

Divine ‘rest’ after creating the cosmos and after constructing the sanctuary

Israel’s earthly tabernacle and temple as reflections and recapitulations of the first temple in the Garden of Eden

3 The expanding purpose of temples in the Old Testament

Humanity’s kingly and priestly role in serving God in the temple

The cosmic expansion of the garden sanctuary through Adam’s rule as a priest-king in God’s image

The Ancient Near Eastern concept of the cosmic expansion of temples through the rule of priest-kings in the image of a deity

Adam’s commission as a priest-king to rule and expand the temple is passed on to others

4 The expanding end-time purpose of temples in the Old Testament

The view of the Old Testament

Views of early Jewish commentators

Concluding thoughts on the Old Testament and Jewish views about an expanding garden or temple

5 The ‘already and not yet’ fulfilment of the end-time temple in Christ and his people: the Gospels...