HEAVEN AND EARTH

MODULE 5: SESSION 24: Heaven and Earth United in the Temple

God’s work throughout Scripture consistently shows the pattern of bringing the heavenly reality into earthly life. In Eden, humanity experienced a sacred meeting place with God. Babylon becomes a contrasting image of humanity’s attempt to reach heaven on its own terms. On Mount Sinai, Moses encounters God’s presence, while Jacob’s dream reveals a vision of heaven touching earth through a ladder with angels ascending and descending. The tabernacle and later the temple stand as physical reminders of God dwelling with his people, filled with divine glory to show that heaven and earth are not entirely separate. Ultimately, all of these point forward to their fulfillment in Jesus Christ. As the true human perfectly bearing God’s image, he becomes the living embodiment of heaven on earth. John 1:14 proclaims that Jesus “tabernacled” among us, echoing the presence of God’s glory in the tabernacle, now fully revealed in human form.