What does Revelation 7:15 mean?

Welcome to Day 23 of our 60-Day Challenge! But before we tackle today’s question, let’s take a moment to reflect on the question from Day 22: Why don’t most Christian denominations build temples?

At first glance, this might seem like an outdated question. After all, when we think of temples, our minds often jump back to the Old Testament with its detailed rituals, sacrifices, and the Holy of Holies. But understanding why temples have faded in many Christian practices—and why they’re still central in others—unlocks deeper truths about faith, worship, and God’s plan for His children. Let’s explore together.

Temples in the Old Testament: A Sacred Space for Worship

In the Old Testament, temples were central to worship. They weren’t just buildings—they were sacred spaces where God’s presence dwelled, and people came to make sacrifices to atone for sins. The most sacred area, the Holy of Holies, symbolized God’s dwelling place on Earth.

But with the coming of Jesus Christ, something changed.

The Shift: Christ as the New Temple

Christians believe that Jesus fulfilled the purpose of the Old Testament temple through His Atonement. Hebrews 10:12 sums it up perfectly:

“But this man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God.”

Christ’s ultimate sacrifice on the cross eliminated the need for animal sacrifices. Faith in Him became the pathway to forgiveness and salvation.

In John 2:19-21, Jesus Himself hints at this shift. After driving the money changers from the temple, He says:

“Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

The Jews misunderstood, thinking He was talking about the physical temple. But He was speaking of the temple of His body—a powerful metaphor for how faith in Him replaces the need for physical atonement rituals.

Why Don’t Most Christian Denominations Build Temples Today?

For many Christian denominations, worship has shifted away from sacred buildings to a more personal, spiritual experience. Two key reasons:

1. Christ’s Fulfillment of the Law: With Christ as the ultimate sacrifice, the temple’s role in atoning for sin was no longer necessary.

2. The Body as a Temple: In 1 Corinthians 6:19, Paul teaches:

   “Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you?”
   Worship became less about a specific location and more about a personal relationship with God, emphasizing that the Spirit can dwell in each believer.

Why Does the Restored Church of Jesus Christ Build Temples?

Here’s where it gets fascinating. While most denominations moved away from temples, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continues to build them, and here’s why:

1. Sacred Ordinances

Latter-day Saint temples are dedicated spaces for performing sacred ordinances like eternal marriage and baptisms for the dead. These practices align with the belief that salvation isn’t just for the living but extends to those who have passed on.

2. Covenants and Revelation

Temples are places where members make covenants with God and seek personal revelation. These sacred commitments help individuals align their lives with God’s will.

3. A Restoration of Ancient Practices

Latter-day Saints view temples as a restoration of ancient worship, bringing back sacred rituals but with new understanding through Christ’s Atonement.

Thy Will Be Done on Earth as It Is in Heaven

In Matthew 6:10, the Lord’s Prayer includes the line:

“Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

Latter-day Saints believe temple work is part of fulfilling this divine will. Through proxy baptisms, eternal marriages, and other ordinances, temple worship reflects God’s love for all His children—both living and dead.

Just as God’s will is perfectly done in heaven, temples provide a way to carry out His work on earth.

A Question for Reflection

Now that we’ve explored the role of temples, here’s something for you to think about:

Revelation 7:15 says disciples in white robes will serve God day and night in His temple in the last days. What church does that?

Think about it, and let’s explore together next time.

Final Thoughts

The shift from physical temples to personal worship and back to restored temple practices reflects a beautiful evolution in how we connect with God. Whether through faith in Christ, sacred ordinances, or personal devotion, the ultimate goal is the same: drawing closer to Him.

Transcription:

     Hi, my name is Joe Cirillo with Gospel First and thanks once again for your decision to follow me on this exciting journey to find Christ's restored church in our day. But before I give you question number 23, did you get the answer to question number 22? Why don't Christian denominations build temples?

Well, in the Old Testament, temples were central to worship where sacrifices were made and God's presence was believed to dwell in the Holy of Holies. With the coming of Jesus, Christians believe he fulfilled the need for animal sacrifices through his atoning death. Well, Hebrews chapter 10, verse 12 says, But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God, Now, most Christian denominations don't build temples because they believe Christ fulfilled the purpose of the Old Testament temple through his atonement, and that worship is now a personal spiritual experience that can take place anywhere.

The focus shifted from a physical building to a believer's body being the temple of the Holy Spirit. John chapter 2, verses 19 to 21, Jesus was clearing out the money changers in the temple and said, Make not my father's house a house of merchandise. And the Jews said unto him, What sign showest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was the temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body. So, Jesus is viewed as the new temple, and faith in him replaces the need for a physical temple to atone for sin.

Well, the restored church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints is unique in Christianity in that it builds temples today. The temples serve distinct purposes. They are places where sacred ordinances, such as eternal marriage and baptisms for the dead, are performed. They also are seen as a place to make covenants with God and receive personal revelation.

The temples reflect the belief that certain sacred practices, especially those related to eternal families, require a holy and dedicated space separate from regular Sunday worship in chapels. For members of the church, who are commonly known as Latter day Saints, the concept of temples is a restoration of ancient practices.

But with new understanding in light of Christ's Atonement and the Latter day Saint view of eternal progression, many Christians are familiar with the Lord's Prayer, which Jesus taught in Matthew 6, verses 9 13. It begins with, Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread. Now, did you notice verse 10? It says, Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. I bear testimony that the work performed in temples today is part of our Heavenly Father's will. In the temples, we participate in saving ordinances, like proxy baptisms on behalf of those who have died, offering them the chance for salvation.

Just as God's will is perfectly done in heaven, we help fulfill the divine will on earth through temple work, helping all of his children receive the blessings of salvation. So here's question number 23. Revelations chapter 7 verse 15 says that in the last days, disciples wearing white clothes, We'll be working day and night in the temple.

What church does that? And I'd love to hear your thoughts.