THEOSISPhilaret of Moscow (Drosdow)
If a promise was granted to the Old Testament temple, which contained only shadows, images, and foreshadowings of truth, then it undoubtedly holds even greater significance for the New Testament, Christian temple, where ‘grace and truth are realized through Jesus Christ’ (John 1:17). While the Old Testament temple contained divinely inscribed tablets of commandments that denounced and condemned sin without offering liberation from it, the New Testament proclaims the gospel of the kingdom of God as spoken by the Son of God, who redeems the sinner.
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The Old Testament featured manna, the bread that descended from heaven, which the Israelites consumed and subsequently perished; however, the New Testament reveals the true bread from heaven, the life-giving body of Christ, which those who partake in faith ‘shall live forever’ (John 6:58). The blood of sacrificial animals in the Old Testament provided only temporary external purification; in contrast, the precious blood of Christ, accepted through faith, ‘the blood of Christ, who through the Holy Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God,’ fully ‘cleanses our conscience from dead works’ (Heb. 9:14).
This highlights the presence of God and our Lord Jesus Christ within the dedicated temple. Not only are ‘His eyes here,’ meaning He attentively observes the souls of those present; not only is ‘His heart here,’ signifying He lovingly and mercifully hears the prayers of those gathered; but His gracious power also dwells here, illuminating souls, enlightening minds, and uplifting hearts, providing spiritual life and salvation. ‘But the eyes of the Lord are as bright as the sun’ (Sir. 23:27). They penetrate your very souls, discerning your innermost thoughts, desires, actions, whether they be past, present, or future. Therefore, take care not to approach the Lord with thoughts, desires, and actions that are impure and sinful, from which He averts His gaze. Strive to bring forth pure thoughts and desires into His temple; and if you lack virtuous deeds, at the very least, offer heartfelt repentance. You have heard that the Lord’s ‘heart’ resides in the temple. Thus, if the Lord is inclined to welcome you here with love and mercy, exercise vigilance so that you do not approach Him with a cold heart or with attachments to worldly desires and fleshly inclinations. ‘Keep your heart with all diligence,’ for the sake of your own well-being, but above all for God: “for out of it flow the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23).