Are You a Literal Temple of God?

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1 Corinthians 3:16-17

• You are a temple of God
• The Spirit of God lives in you
• God's temple is holy, which you are

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

• Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you
  • 4-part series on the Holy Spirit => http://sidnash.org/?HCE1
• You are not your own, for you were bought with a price
• Glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s

2 Corinthians 6:15

• You are a temple of the living God - says Paul, but WHO was he referring to?
  • Matthew 16:16 You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God. (Peter speaking to Jesus)
  • Jeremiah 10:10 Jehovah is the true God. He is the living God
  • Conclusion => You are a temple of Christ's Father, Jehovah, the true God, the living God
• Father God said, “I will dwell in them and walk in them...”
  • Exodus 29:45-46 quoted => "I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God. And they shall know that I am Jehovah their God" - says Moses

Ephesians 2:19-22 You are built for a habitation of God - Paul

Hebrews 3:5-6 Messiah is faithful as a Son over his house. We are his house, if we hold fast our confidence and the glorying of our hope firm to the end. - likely written by Paul

This is the basic Bible teaching of our body being a temple of God. But, could there be a deeper, and more-literal, meaning?

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Let me introduce you to Doctor Roger Seheult

Dr. Seheult is a quadruple board-certified physician in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Diseases, Critical Care Medicine, and Sleep Medicine through the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is an Associate Clinical Professor at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine and an Assistant Clinical Professor at the School of Medicine and Allied Health at Loma Linda University. He has been in practice for over 20 years and is is recognized for his expertise in simplifying complex medical concepts and has been featured in various media outlets, discussing topics such as immune health, inflammation, and disease prevention. I recently watched an interview in which Roger made some very interesting comments about the temple of God in us. Click on the audio player below to listen =>

Since the apostle Paul claims that WE ARE the temple of God and since the writings of Moses clearly defines how the earthly temple was built, Roger's hypothesis is, "If we look at the pattern in the Temple, shouldn't it match the human body...?"

Next, let's look at Roger's comparisons, one-by-one, comparing the Temple with the human body.

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Comparison of the Human Vascular System and the Altar of Sacrifice

The comparison between the human vascular system and the altar of animal sacrifice in the temple courtyard is rich with both biblical significance and biological insight. Here’s a detailed look at how these two systems relate to each other.

1. The Altar of Sacrifice

In the Old Testament, the altar of sacrifice was a central feature of the temple courtyard, where animals were offered to God as sacrifices. This act was deeply symbolic, representing atonement for sin and the need for blood to be shed for redemption.

• Biblical Reference: Leviticus 17:11 states, "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life." This verse emphasizes the significance of blood in the sacrificial system, highlighting that the life of the animal was represented in its blood.

2. The Human Vascular System

The human vascular system consists of a network of blood vessels (arteries, veins, and capillaries) that transport blood throughout the body. This system is essential for delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues and removing waste products.

• Biological Insight: Blood carries oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and immune cells, playing a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis and overall health. The vascular system is vital for sustaining life, as it ensures that every cell in the body receives what it needs to function properly.

3. Tying the Two Together

• Life in the Blood: Both the altar and the vascular system emphasize the principle that life is in the blood. In the sacrificial system, the shedding of blood was necessary for atonement, symbolizing the seriousness of sin and the cost of redemption. In the human body, blood is essential for life, carrying the very elements that sustain bodily functions.

• Symbolism of Sacrifice: The act of sacrifice at the altar can be seen as a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, whose blood was shed for the redemption of humanity. This parallels the function of blood in the human body, where it is continually renewing and sustaining life.

• Flow and Connection: Just as the blood flows through the vascular system, nourishing and sustaining the body, the sacrifices made at the altar were intended to restore the relationship between God and His people. The altar served as a point of connection between the divine and the human, much like how the vascular system connects all parts of the body.

Conclusion

The altar of sacrifice and the human vascular system both illustrate the profound biblical principle that life is in the blood. The altar represents the need for atonement and the seriousness of sin, while the vascular system highlights the essential role of blood in sustaining life. Together, they reflect a deeper understanding of life, sacrifice, and the interconnectedness of spiritual and physical existence.

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Comparison of the Human Interstitial Fluid System and the Laver

The comparison between the human interstitial fluid system and the laver in the temple courtyard offers a fascinating exploration of purification, nourishment, and the maintenance of life. Here’s a detailed look at how these two systems relate to each other.

1. The Laver in the Temple Courtyard

The laver, or basin, was a significant feature in the temple courtyard, used by the priests for ceremonial washing before performing their duties. It was filled with water and symbolized purification and cleansing.

• Biblical Reference: Exodus 30:18 states, "You shall also make a basin of bronze, with its bronze stand for washing, and you shall put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and you shall put water in it." This water was essential for the priests to cleanse themselves, symbolizing the need for purity before approaching God.

2. The Human Interstitial Fluid System

The interstitial fluid is the fluid that surrounds and bathes the cells in the body, providing a medium for nutrient and waste exchange. It plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis and supporting cellular function.

• Biological Insight: Interstitial fluid acts as a transport medium, allowing nutrients, gases, and waste products to move between blood vessels and cells. It helps maintain the balance of fluids in the body and is essential for cellular health and function.

3. Tying the Two Together

• Purification and Cleansing: The laver represents the need for physical and spiritual cleansing, just as interstitial fluid serves to maintain the health of cells by providing a clean environment for metabolic processes. Both systems emphasize the importance of purity—whether in a spiritual sense through the laver or in a biological sense through the interstitial fluid.

• Nourishment and Support: The water in the laver not only symbolizes cleansing but also represents the life-giving properties of water. Similarly, interstitial fluid nourishes cells by delivering essential nutrients and removing waste products, ensuring that cells can function optimally.

• Connection to the Divine: The act of washing in the laver was a preparatory step for the priests to serve in the temple, symbolizing their readiness to approach God. In a parallel way, the interstitial fluid system supports the overall health of the body, allowing it to function effectively and maintain a connection between the various systems.

Conclusion

The human interstitial fluid system and the laver in the temple courtyard both highlight the themes of purification, nourishment, and the maintenance of life. The laver symbolizes the need for spiritual cleansing and preparation to approach God, while the interstitial fluid system plays a vital role in sustaining cellular health and function. Together, they reflect the interconnectedness of physical and spiritual purity, emphasizing the importance of both in the pursuit of wholeness and well-being.

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Comparison of Nutrient Absorption and the Priest's Duties in the Temple

1. Nutrient Absorption through the Plasma Membrane

In the human body, nutrients in the interstitial fluid must pass through the plasma membrane of cells to provide essential sustenance. This process often involves specific proteins, such as transporters and channels, that facilitate the movement of nutrients into the cell.

• Biological Insight: The plasma membrane acts as a selective barrier, allowing only certain substances to enter while keeping others out. This selective permeability is crucial for maintaining cellular homeostasis and ensuring that cells receive the nutrients they need to function properly.

2. The Priest Entering the Temple

After making sacrifices at the altar, the priest would enter the first compartment of the temple, known as the Holy Place, to continue his duties. This act represented a transition from the outer courtyard, where sacrifices were made, to a more sacred space where he would perform additional duties.

• Biblical Reference: Exodus 30:18-20 emphasizes the necessity of washing at the laver before entering the tent of meeting (the Holy Place), stating, "When they go into the tent of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister, to burn a food offering to the Lord, they shall wash with water, so that they may not die." Additionally, Exodus 26:36-37 describes the screen that serves as a barrier between the courtyard and the Holy Place, reinforcing the idea of limited access.

3. Tying the Two Together

• Limited Access: Just as the plasma membrane selectively allows certain nutrients to enter the cell, the laver and the screen serve as barriers that regulate access to the Holy Place. Likewise, only priests were allowed entrance into the holy place. Also, the priests had to be purified before entering, reflecting the need for preparation and holiness.

• Purification Process: The washing at the laver symbolizes the cleansing required to approach God, paralleling how the plasma membrane ensures that only necessary substances enter the cell, maintaining its health and function.

• Sacred Duties: The priest's entry into the Holy Place after purification signifies the continuation of his sacred duties, much like how the absorption of nutrients is essential for the cell's survival and function. The priest's role in the Holy Place is vital for maintaining the spiritual life of the community, just as nutrient absorption is crucial for cellular health.

Conclusion

The comparison between nutrient absorption through the plasma membrane and the priest entering the Holy Place after making sacrifices illustrates the continuity of access, purification, and the fulfillment of sacred duties. Both processes emphasize the importance of preparation and mediation, highlighting the interconnectedness of physical sustenance and spiritual service. This continuity reinforces the idea that both the human body and the temple serve as vessels for life, whether through the nourishment of cells or the mediation of the priest in the presence of God.

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Human Cell

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Nucleus inside the Cell

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