660 Why We Should Know of The Born Again Parallel 

Key Scripture: 2 Chronicles 6-7 (full chapters)

(But I have built an house of habitation for thee, and a place for thy dwelling for ever.

Relevance

Have you ever wondered why the Lord didn't organise scriptures for the 'Born Again' experience in one place?

When we try to explain that wonderful change from a human being to a vessel of the Holy Spirit, we rely on scriptures from all over. If we want them in sequence, we must do it ourselves. And then to instruct those coming through about the solemnity and purity of that new way of life seems harder as we bounce all over the Bible to find them. 

There is a passage that explains it all, and it is found in the Old Testament. It takes us back to when Solomon built and dedicated the Temple he had made for God. Similarly, when we ask the Lord into our hearts, we also dedicate our lives to Him. The story is about.................

For context, we are called to build a tabernacle or temple (interchangeable words) in our hearts. We do this by exercising the Word of the Lord through faith in Jesus Christ and working with the indwelt Holy Spirit to overcome our human lusts and control our passions. The grace of Jesus Christ allows us to build in continued peace, joy, righteousness and holiness.

Our key scriptures show Solomon building exactly what we are building—a house for the Lord—joyful but solemn, inviting but clean, free but with boundaries. 

2 Chron  6-40. Solomon prayed to God That thine eyes be open and that let thine ears be attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.” 

Notice that this is the intent of our own pleadings when we come to Jesus Christ, that the Lord will acknowledge our prayers, repentance and earnest desire for Him to reign in our hearts.

Turning to Chapter 7:12, we see God's answer to the prayer, “I have heard...” 

7:16 takes us to a place with a different application in us. The story so far is our conversion. The temple (tabernacle) is our body, and all the things that are in these two chapters reveal the process that happens when we ask the Lord to come into our lives.

Matthew 20:16 shows Jesus asking believers a question in a roundabout way, For many are called, but few are chosen. When we turn back to 2 Chronicles 7:16a, we see Solomon's choice work on the temple was accepted, for now have I chosen and sanctified this house (our body).

There are many New Testament scriptures that discuss sanctification and being Born Again. The next part, in 7:16b, reveals the three things we receive upon being Born Again.

1. That my name may be there forever,

2. and mine eyes,

3. And my heart shall be there perpetually.

WOW. 

Q. If we are a temple (or tabernacle) of God, then where is His name, where are His eyes, and where is His heart?

We examine a Tabernacle diagram of the Holy Place and find that there are only three items: the Table of Shewbread, the Candlestick and the Golden Altar. The Shewbread is the name. The Candlestick is the light of the eye. The Golden Altar is where the secrets are revealed from the heart.

The Old Testament Shewbread—twelve in all—one for each name of the tribes of Israel. The New Testament bread and the name are found in John  6:32-35, where Jesus said, I am the bread of life, and in Acts 4:12, ...for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Those who believe would never hunger or thirst. We live to be complete in him. Psalm 91:14. If we set our love upon him, he will set us on high, because we have known his name.

The Old Testament Candlestick—seven branches. Zech 4:10 the seven eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth. There are seven eyes. Also, as we match up Revelation 4:5 & 5:6, we see seven lamps of fire, spirits and seven eyes.

2 Chronicles 16:9 shows the use of these eyes to find those who work against his will and to shew himself strong on behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.

The message is, keep our lamps full of oil and burning, and learn to have our oil ready. Remember the foolish virgins who lost out at the coming of the Lord.    

The Golden Altar. We have within us all three—our fellowship with the Holy Spirit, our fellowship with Jesus, and now our fellowship with our Father through the Altar of Incense where we talk heart to heart with God. The best scripture that I think describes that moment is in James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above. Read the verse and be inspired. In 1 John 5:7  For there are three that bear record in Heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. V8. The three that bear witness in the earth, the Spirit, water, blood, and these three agree in one.  

Prayer