Building the Tabernacle in the wilderness was a major undertaking and required items that were willfully donated for the project. Exodus 35:30-35 tells us there were two men chosen who were filled with the Spirit of God and gifted with skills to carry out their assignment of making the Tabernacle, its furnishings, incense, anointing oil, and priestly clothing. The first was Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. The second man was Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. These two designed the tabernacle according to the pattern given to them and led other artisans to complete the project. The tabernacle was finally set up at the close of the book of Exodus on the first day of the first month. All of the furnishings were put in their proper place and everything was anointed in order to consecrate them. In addition, Aaron and his sons were consecrated for 7 days so they could begin their priestly service. Everyone rejoiced when the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
Many years later, Solomon had a temple built for the Lord. He used the plans that were given to him by his father, David. Three groups of people worked on this project: Solomon’s men, Hiram’s men (King of Tyre), and the Gebalites. It is interesting to note that Huram was Hiram’s master craftsman. Huram was the son of a woman of the daughters of Dan and his father was a man of Tyre (2 Chron 2:13-14). This temple was also filled with the cloud of the Lord’s glorious presence (2 Chron. 5:13).
After the Babylonian captivity, people of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin returned and began the task of rebuilding the temple. The Samaritans wanted to help them build the temple claiming they worshiped the same God since the time of Esarhaddon, king of Assyria. The Jews refused saying King Cyrus only commanded them to build the temple (Ezra 4). The temple was eventually completed after a period of opposition and was dedicated to the Lord with joy. This temple was eventually defiled by Antiochus Epiphanes IV and was later cleansed and rededicated. Since that time, the Feast of Dedication also known as Hanukkah has been celebrated annually to remember this event (John 10:22). This same temple was renovated and expanded by King Herod, an Idumean (Edomite).
Since Jesus death and resurrection, believers in Christ have become the temple of the Holy Spirit. Believers work in cooperation with the Holy Spirit to build this temple by putting to death the deeds of the old man so the new man can obey the guidelines for this temple (God’s commandments) by the power of the Holy Spirit. Because the bodies of individual believers are the temple of the Holy Spirit, they must be careful not to defile their bodies through sexual immorality. The Spirit also gives each individual believer spiritual gifts to build up the corporate body of Christ (1 Cor. 3:9-15). God expects believers to use these gifts to bring honor and glory to Him.
At some point in the future, the Jews will build another temple using the plans of Ezekiel. Many items and furnishings have already been made in preparation for it. Some people believe that descendants of the tribe of Dan will join the Jews in constructing the temple and that the Anti-Christ will be a descendant of the tribe of Dan. Some believe this descendant will be of Greco-Roman descent from Europe or the United States while others believe he will be of Syrian-Grecian descent from the Middle East. It is too early to say who will be the Anti-Christ or exactly who will be involved in the construction of the temple at this point. One thing is sure. The Anti-Christ will defile the Most Holy Place one day by setting up an abomination of desolation and declaring himself to be God but we can be sure his end has already been predetermined. In addition, this temple will be cleansed and rededicated because the rightful heir to the throne, Jesus Christ is coming at the appointed time.
Highway to Holiness 