When Glory Fills The House

Bible Book: 2 Chronicles 5 : 14

Subject: Glory of God; Church, Glory in the; Revival

Introduction

When glory fills the house describes the essence of revival. This is exactly what we find in our text, “. . . the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.” This description is repeated verbatim in both 1 Kings 8:11 and 2 Chronicles 5:14. The former account is abbreviated while the latter account is amplified. The abbreviated edition differs from the amplified edition in much the same way Mark’s account differs from Matthew’s. There are no discrepancies in the Bible, only alleged discrepancies.

1 Peter 4:17-19 reads, “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now ‘If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?’ Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.” Just as judgment begins at the house of God so does revival. As I share in Don’t Miss the Revival!: “The term ‘revival’ is one of the most misunderstood and misused words in a Christian’s vocabulary. Revival is caricatured and mocked. Revival is more than just a series of meetings. When genuine revival comes to our life; the Lordship of Jesus Christ is reaffirmed; our fellowship with Jesus and other believers is restored; our worship is renewed; our stewardship is re-established; and our discipleship is revitalized. These are just a few of the blessings of revival.”1 Revival is not radical emotionalism or even biblical evangelism, it is when God shows up! At the time of the dedication of the temple God showed up as we read in 2 Chronicles 5:14, “. . . the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.”

Note three things from this text and its context.

I. First, note the sanctuary of the Lord God.

2 Chronicles 5:1 reads, “So all the work that Solomon had done for the house of the LORD was finished; and Solomon brought in the things which his father David had dedicated: the silver and the gold and all the furnishings. And he put them in the treasuries of the house of God.” 1 Chronicles 17:1-6 reads, “Now it came to pass, when David was dwelling in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, ‘See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under tent curtains.’ Then Nathan said to David, ‘Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.’ But it happened that night that the word of God came to Nathan, saying, ‘Go and tell My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: ‘You shall not build Me a house to dwell in. For I have not dwelt in a house since the time that I brought up Israel, even to this day, but have gone from tent to tent, and from one tabernacle to another. Wherever I have moved about with all Israel, have I ever spoken a word to any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people, saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar.’” 1 Chronicles 22:8 reads, “but the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘You have shed much blood and have made great wars; you shall not build a house for My name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in My sight.” 1 Chronicles 17:12-13 reads, “And it shall be, when your days are fulfilled, when you must go to be with your fathers, that I will set up your seed after you, who will be of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build Me a house, and I will establish his throne forever.”

On 1 Chronicles 22, Dr. Adam Clarke (1760-1832) provides the following summary: “David makes great preparations for building a temple to the Lord, vv. 1-5; gives the necessary directions to Solomon concerning it, vv. 6-16; and exhorts the princes of Israel to assist in the undertaking, vv. 17-19.”2

1 Kings 6:38 reads, “And in the eleventh year, in the month of Bul, which is the eighth month, the house was finished in all its details and according to all its plans. So [Solomon] was seven years in building it.”

II. Second, note the servants of the Lord God.

2 Chronicles 5:2-13a reads, “Now Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the chief fathers of the children of Israel, in Jerusalem, that they might bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD up from the City of David, which is Zion. Therefore all the men of Israel assembled with the king at the feast, which was in the seventh month. So all the elders of Israel came, and the Levites took up the ark. Then they brought up the ark, the tabernacle of meeting, and all the holy furnishings that were in the tabernacle. The priests and the Levites brought them up. Also King Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel who were assembled with him before the ark, were sacrificing sheep and oxen that could not be counted or numbered for multitude. Then the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place, into the inner sanctuary of the temple, to the Most Holy Place, under the wings of the cherubim. For the cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim overshadowed the ark and its poles. The poles extended so that the ends of the poles of the ark could be seen from the holy place, in front of the inner sanctuary; but they could not be seen from outside. And they are there to this day. Nothing was in the ark except the two tablets which Moses put there at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they had come out of Egypt. And it came to pass when the priests came out of the Most Holy Place (for all the priests who were present had sanctified themselves, without keeping to their divisions), and the Levites who were the singers, all those of Asaph and Heman and Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, stood at the east end of the altar, clothed in white linen, having cymbals, stringed instruments and harps, and with them one hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets— indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying: ‘For He is good, For His mercy endures forever. . . .”

These servants had the purity of ceremonial washing. They “sanctified themselves”. Isaiah 52:11b reads, “Be clean, You who bear the vessels of the LORD.”

These servants had the unity of ceded wills. The term “ceded” means yielded or surrendered. Oh, the unity of yielded wills! Psalm 133:1 reads, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!”

These servants had the verity of celebrative worship. The term “verity” means truth. Hebrews 13:15 reads, “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. “

III. Third, note the shekinah of the Lord God.

Bruce Hurt, M.D., explains, “Shekinah is a transliteration of a Hebrew word meaning ‘the one who dwells’ or ‘that which dwells’. This specific word is not used in Scripture but the root word shakan . . . (to dwell) and the related word mishkan . . . (tabernacle) are both frequently used and both are associated with the presence of God (and His glory) dwelling with man. The meaning of the word Shekinah (the One Who dwells) reminds us that we did not seek to dwell with God but He with us and this truth should evoke continual thanksgiving in those who have been brought into covenant with Him under the shelter of His wings.”3

On Numbers 9:15-23, Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe explains, “This miraculous pillar first appeared at the Exodus (Ex. 13:21-22) and it remained with Israel throughout their journey (Neh. 9:19). When the Israelites set up camp, the pillar hovered over the tabernacle at the center of the camp, reminding the people day and night that their God abode with them (Num. 9:17; this is the Hebrew word shekinah) and would guide them a day at a time, a step at a time. It must have been an awesome sight!”4 The glory of God was their constant experience at that time, as God dwelt among them in the pillar of cloud and in the pillar of fire. We must beware of relying on fog machines and light shows to give the impression of divine glory.

2 Chronicles 5:13b-14 reads, “. . . that the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud, ‘so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.’” 2 Chronicles 7:1-5 reads, “When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. And the priests could not enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD’s house. When all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD on the temple, they bowed their faces to the ground on the pavement, and worshiped and praised the LORD, saying: ‘For He is good, For His mercy endures forever.’ Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the LORD. King Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty-two thousand bulls and one hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.” After praise there was the cloud and the glory (2 Chronicles 5:13b-14) and after prayer there was the fire and the glory (2 Chronicles 7:1-5). This restored what He gave in Moses’ day. Exodus 40:34-38 reads, “Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would go onward in all their journeys. But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not journey till the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of the LORD was above the tabernacle by day, and fire was over it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.”

When glory fills the house, there is the manifest presence of God. Dr. Steve Gaines, pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church, Cordova, Tennessee, and president of the Southern Baptist Convention, writes, “Worship services should not be designed primarily to attract people. Rather, worship services should be designed primarily to attract the manifest presence of God, and He in turn will attract the people.”5 Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer explains, “To make the message interesting, relevant, and palatable to the world, the message of the gospel is often diluted when it is prepared for popular consumption. Some Christian singing groups are so concerned about being inoffensive that even believers can scarcely find a clear biblical message in the songs.”6

1 Corinthians 14:25 reads, “And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.”

When glory fills the house, there is the matchless power of God. Jesus taught His disciples to pray in Matthew 6:13c, “For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.” Psalm 62:11 reads, “God has spoken once, Twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God.”

2 Timothy 3:1, 5 reads, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: . . . having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”

When glory fills the house, there is the magnificent purpose of God. “What is the chief end of man?” From the Westminster Shorter Catechism we read, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” Psalm 115:1 reads, “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, But to Your name give glory, Because of Your mercy, Because of Your truth.”

When glory fills the house, there is the marvelous peace of God. Isaiah 37:16 reads, “O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.” Dr. F. B. Meyer (1847-1929) explains, “It should never be forgotten that nothing can afford to us protection and succor but vital union with Christ. We must hide in His secret place if we would abide under His shadow. We must dwell in the most holy place if we would be shadowed by the wings of the Shekinah. There must be nothing between us and God, if we are to walk together, and enjoy fellowship with the Father, and with His Son, Jesus Christ.”7

Psalm 119:165 reads, “Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble.” Philippians 4:6-7 reads, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

When glory fills the house, there is the maximum pleasure of God. Psalm 104:31 reads, “May the glory of the Lord endure forever; May the Lord rejoice in His works.” Rev. James M. “Buck” Hatch (1914-1999) shares the following: “Generations later, a Son of David, One wiser than Solomon, said, ‘I will build My church.’ Christ was God dwelling in the tent of human flesh so that on the Cross He might remove forever every barrier to fellowship between God and man. Now, using living stones, He is building His church, which, ‘fitly framed together, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord.’

God desires and people need this intimate fellowship.”8 God delights in this fellowship, it is the maximum pleasure of God. Ezekiel 33:11 reads, “Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’” Hebrews 11:6 reads, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

Wonderful things happen when glory fills the house!

When glory fills the house, there is the manifest presence of God; the matchless power of God; the magnificent purpose of God; the marvelous peace of God; and the maximum pleasure of God.

Conclusion

Dr. Adrian Rogers (1931-2005) explains, “When King Solomon dedicated that magni?cent temple on Mount Moriah, it was among other things an object lesson, an illustration of every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. For now, after Pentecost, at the moment of our salvation we become temples of the Holy Spirit. God through His Holy Spirit indwells us, just as His Spirit came and ?lled the holy of holies of Solomon’s temple with Shekinah glory when it was fully dedicated to Him. . . . Yet, some Christians appear not to be ?lled with the Holy Spirit. Glory does not ?ll their house. They have allowed the self-life and the cares of this world to move the Lord Jesus from that place of preeminence that is rightfully His. They are no longer Spirit-?lled but are what the Bible calls ‘carnal’ or ?eshly. Therefore, we have this admonition of the Apostle Paul: ‘Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be ?lled with the Spirit’ (Ephesians 5:18).”9

Professor Alan Linton explains, “. . . how important it is for us to maintain holy lives of radiant testimony so that others may see His Glory reside in, and radiate out, from us.”10

Ephesians 3:14-19 reads, “For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

To experience revival, we must have a dedication to God and a dependence upon God. Dr. John R.W. Stott (1921-2011) explains, “There is an element of the incalculable in revivals. As Alexander Whyte [1836-1921] said: ‘There is a divine mystery about revivals; God’s sovereignty is in them.’”11 Whether in a sanctuary or in a saint, the essence of revival is when glory fills the house.

1Franklin L. Kirksey, Don't Miss the Revival!: Messages for Revival and Spiritual Awakening from Isaiah (Philadelphia, PA: Bookmark Publishers, 2016), 513.

3Precept Austin, “Overview: The Glory of the LORD”, comp. Bruce Hurt, Accessed: 03/02/17 http://www.preceptaustin.org/overview_glory_of_the_lord .

5Steve Gaines, When God Comes to Church: Experiencing the Fullness of His Presence (Nashville, TN: B&H Books, 2007), 21.

7F. B. Meyer, Our Daily Homily, Volume II: 1 Samuel-Job (New York, NY: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1898) ,4.

8James M. Hatch, “Great Meeting Place” Sermon Notes (2 Chronicles 2:1-16).

9Adrian Rogers, The Power of His Presence (Collierville, TN: Innovo Publishing, 2015) ,47.

10Day by Day: Christ Foreshadowed: Glimpses in the Old Testament, ed. Ivan Steeds, Alan Linton (Ontario, CA: Gospel Folio Press, 2002). Accessed: 03/01/17 http://www.preceptaustin.org/overview_glory_of_the_lord .

11Herald of His Coming, John R. W. Stott, “God Coming Down to His People” May 2016 Issue.

Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey, pastor First Baptist Church of Spanish Fort 30775 Jay Drive Spanish Fort, Alabama 36527

Author of Don’t Miss the Revival! Messages for Revival and Spiritual Awakening from Isaiah and

Sound Biblical Preaching: Giving the Bible a Voice [Both available on Amazon.com in hardcover, paperback and eBook]