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Building of God’s Temple Goes Forward, July 29
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens
with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the
foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the
chief corner stone.
Ephesians 2:19, 20
.
The enemy of righteousness left nothing undone in his effort to stop the work
committed to the Lord’s builders. But God “left not himself without witness”
(
Acts 14:17
). Workers were raised up who ably defended the faith once delivered
to the saints. History bears record to the fortitude and heroism of these men. Like
the apostles, many of them fell at their post, but the building of the temple went
steadily forward. The workmen were slain, but the work advanced.
The Waldenses, John Wycliffe, Huss and Jerome, Martin Luther and Zwingli,
Cranmer, Latimer, and Knox, the Huguenots, John and Charles Wesley, and a host
of others brought to the foundation material that will endure throughout eternity.
And in later years those who have so nobly endeavored to promote the circulation
of God’s Word, and those who by their service in heathen lands have prepared the
way for the proclamation of the last great message—these also have helped to rear
the structure.
Through the ages that have passed since the days of the apostles, the building
of God’s temple has never ceased. We may look back through the centuries and
see the living stones of which it is composed gleaming like jets of light through
the darkness of error and superstition. Throughout eternity these precious jewels
will shine with increasing luster, testifying to the power of the truth of God. The
flashing light of these polished stones reveals the strong contrast between light
and darkness, between the gold of truth and the dross of error.
Paul and the other apostles, and all the righteous who have lived since then,
have acted their part in the building of the temple. But the structure is not yet
complete. We who are living in this age have a work to do, a part to act. We are to
bring to the foundation material that will stand the test of fire—gold, silver, and
precious stones, “polished after the similitude of a palace” (
Psalm 144:12
). To
those who thus build for God, Paul speaks words of encouragement... : “If any
man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.” ...
The Christian who faithfully presents the word of life, leading men and women
into the way of holiness and peace, is bringing to the foundation material that will
endure, and in the kingdom of God He will be honored as a wise builder.—
The
Acts of the Apostles, 598, 599
.
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