I Peter 2:5 calls Christians 'living stones'; is it possible that the the spiritual Temple will at some point be left with 'not one stone . . . upon another'?

The real cradle of civilization is not Mesopotamia, but Jerusalem, where God started His physical creation and where He will bring it to spiritual fruition.

The building of Solomons' Temple began in the month of Ziv. Ziv occurs in the springtime when the sun is in the sky for longer, enabling working in the light.

We we follow God's patterns, Jerusalem becomes the likely location of the Garden of Eden and the likely location for the future, heavenly Jerusalem.

Jesus' crucifixion took place outside the camp of Israel, just outside the border of the Garden of Eden, the general area where the Miphkad Altar stood.

While the returned Judean exiles prioritized their own houses over building the temple, we should understand that it is always time to work on God's house.

When we (following Jesus' example) display the way of God in our lives, bearing His name, and keeping His commandments, God's glory radiates in our lives.

The Shekinah, the pillar of cloud and fire, depicts God's visible presence and protection. Yet His glory is manifested in many other ways as well.

Even with all the quality materials and workmanship, its perpetuity would only be guaranteed if its people would walk faithfully in God's laws and statutes.

God is not only powerful, but He is the source of all power. We can tap into God's power to avoid slipping into apostasy.

The Bible shows a clear pattern of how people leave the faith: looking back, drawing back, looking elsewhere, and then going backward and refusing to hear.

Stephen points out that historically, God has dealt with His people without land or temple, but instead through deliverers, initially rejected by their own.