1 Kings 5:13-18
King Solomon conscripted laborers from all Israel-thirty thousand men. He sent them off to Lebanon in shifts of ten thousand a month, so that they spent one month in Lebanon and two months at home. Adoniram was in charge of the forced labor. Solomon had seventy thousand carriers and eighty thousand stonecutters in the hills, as well as thirty-three hundred foremen who supervised the project and directed the workmen. At the king's command they removed from the quarry large blocks of quality stone to provide a foundation of dressed stone for the temple. The craftsmen of Solomon and Hiram and the men of Gebal cut and prepared the timber and stone for the building of the temple.1 Kings 6:7
In building the temple, only blocks dressed at the quarry were used, and no hammer, chisel or any other iron tool was heard at the temple site while it was being built.1 Kings 8:10-13
When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the LORD . And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled his temple. Then Solomon said, "The LORD has said that he would dwell in a dark cloud; I have indeed built a magnificent temple for you, a place for you to dwell forever."Solomon was the son of David. Jesus is the Son of God. Solomon sat on his fathers throne and Jesus has taken His seat on His Fathers throne. Solomon built the shadow and Jesus is building the reality. Architects today, when designing a large project, build a small scale model first. Much to small for the owner to live in but it is done to give some perspective of the finished reality.
1 Kings 8:27
"But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!"Repeated again after the time of Solomon.
Isaiah 66:1
This is what the LORD says:"Heaven is my throne,and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me?Where will my resting place be?"Quoted again after the time of Christ.
Acts 7:46-50
who enjoyed God's favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob.
But it was Solomon who built the house for him.
"However, the Most High does not live in houses made by men. As the prophet says:"
'Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord.
Or where will my resting place be?
Has not my hand made all these things?'
I get the impression that God's building materials are similar in process but are much more precious than mere stones and wood that Solomon used.
If you have read "God's dwelling" it is clear that God's ultimate desire is to live in His redeemed ones as His dwelling. If you consider all who have ever believed in Christ, from Adam to the second coming, that's a lot of people. All being resurrected at the same moment, there would not be room enough on this earth for all of them. That's why Jesus said He was preparing a place for us where He was going. Jesus put it this way; " In my Fathers House are many mansions".
Solomon built the scale model or shadow as the scriptures refer to it. He built it according to the blueprint Moses was given. He hired laborers to cut and carve stones for its foundation, and to cut and processs wood. The work was also completed on these building materials before they were taken to their place.
Isaiah 28:16
So this is what the Sovereign LORD says:
"See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a tested stone,
a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;
the one who trusts will never be dismayed."
1 Peter 2:7
Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
"The stone the builders rejected
has become the capstone,"
It appears that God has also hired laborers to process the building materials that will be used in building the real dwelling of God. All materials for building must be cut from the earth whether it be stones or lumber. Next they are shaved trimmed and cut into usable materials according to the blueprint given. Solomon demonstrated that this process would be completed before they are brought to Jerusalem. This would mean that processing occurs here on earth and when Jesus returns to get us He will take us and put us in our place in God's heavenly dwelling.
This process of preparing the building materials for God is known as suffering and persacution. First we are seperated from this earth by salvation and then we go through the process of preparation. The kind of material we are determines the kind of process we will go through.
Christ is the cornerstone of God's dwelling therefore He had to suffer more than the rest of the building and in all of this, He was innocent and without sin.
1 Peter 1:11
seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.Hebrews 5:8
Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.Matthew 16:21
From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day.Matthew 17:12
but I say to you that Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wished. So also the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands."Luke 17:25
"But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.Luke 24:26
"Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?"1 Peter 2:23
and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;Luke 24:46
and He said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day,Hebrews 2:9
But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.Hebrews 2:10
For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings.Hebrews 2:18
For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.
Apostles and prophets are the foundation stones of Gods dwelling and the process they go through is very similar to that of natural foundation stones. This is a very harsh and painful process. Cut carved and beaten into shape.
Ephesians 2:20-22 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Hebrews 11:35-38
Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned ; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated-- the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.James 5:10
As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.Matthew 23:34
Therefore I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town.2 Corinthians 11:22-27
What anyone else dares to boast about--I am speaking as a fool--I also dare to boast about. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham's descendants? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.Colossians 1:24
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for (your) sake, and in (my) flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions.Romans 8:18
For (I) consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.2 Corinthians 1:5
For just as the sufferings of Christ are (ours) in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.2 Corinthians 1:6
But if (we) are afflicted, it is for (your) comfort and salvation; or if (we) are comforted, it is for (your) comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which (we) also suffer;2 Corinthians 1:7
and our hope for (you) is firmly grounded, knowing that as (you) are sharers of (our) sufferings, so also (you) are sharers of (our) comfort.2 Timothy 2:9
for which (I) suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned.Philippians 3:8
More than that, (I) count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom (I) have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that (I) may gain Christ,Philippians 3:10
that (I) may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;1 Thessalonians 2:2
but after (we) had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as (you) know, (we) had the boldness in our God to speak to (you) the gospel of God amid much opposition.1 Thessalonians 3:4
For indeed when (we) were with (you), (we) kept telling (you) in advance that (we) were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as (you) know.2 Timothy 1:12
For this reason (I) also suffer these things, but (I) am not ashamed; for (I) know whom (I) have believed and (I) am convinced that He is able to guard what (I) have entrusted to Him until that day.2 Timothy 3:11
persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to (me) at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions (I) endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me!
The rest of God's building materials are described as precious stones, gold, silver, wood, hay, straw etc. These building materials go through a much gentler process. They are treated more delicately but they must go through some sort of refinement before they can be used in the dwelling.
Romans 8:17
and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed (we) suffer with Him so that (we) may also be glorified with Him.2 Timothy 1:8
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,2 Timothy 2:3
Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.Philippians 1:29
For to (you) it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,1 Thessalonians 2:14
For (you), brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for (you) also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews,2 Thessalonians 1:5
This is a plain indication of God's righteous judgment so that (you) will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed (you) are suffering.Hebrews 10:32
But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, (you) endured a great conflict of sufferings,1 Peter 2:21
For (you) have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for (you) to follow in His steps,1 Peter 3:14
But even if (you) should suffer for the sake of righteousness, (you) are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled,1 Peter 3:17
For it is better, if God should will it so, that (you) suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.1 Peter 4:1
Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,1 Peter 4:13
but to the degree that (you) share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.1 Peter 4:16
but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.1 Peter 4:19
Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.1 Peter 5:1
Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed,1 Peter 5:9
But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.
God demonstrated what His glory, would be, in the dwelling Solomon built
1 Kings 8:10-13
When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the LORD . And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled his temple.
This is the reality of His glory, to fill His eternal dwelling
1 Peter 1:11
seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.Romans 8:18
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.1 Peter 5:10
After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.