Redemptive House Building

By Jason Strange

In the beginning God sets out to build his universe as a great architect building a house. He moves from universe to earth using divine speech as his house-building instrument to construct his creation house. He sets man in a “Garden-Home” and takes up residence there to bear forth his image with the intended goal of Eden’s global expansion. Adam’s house is to be the vehicle for God’s worldwide glory and fame.

Tragically, Adam profanes his sanctuary, his house, and is evicted from his estate (Gen.3). This “Paradise House” is foreclosed till “the One” whom it is appointed is able to re-enter it again (He. 9:24). Man attempts to build a Kingdom House for himself through city Babel and God divides his house and scatters them (Gen 11).

God’s redemptive house building continues through the nation of Israel as it is seen to be preparatory and anticipatory for the One to whom the House belongs. Old Covenant House building takes shape within the tabernacle and temple, along with every altar constructed by God’s people as a marker that God was present in a particular place, at a specific time.

Through the New Covenant, the House of Moses gives way to the House of Jesus (Heb. 3:3-6).  The House of shadow makes ready the House of reality. In the fullness of time, the ancient of days, the grand architect, the originator and inventor of worlds comes, and takes up residence among men (Jn. 1:14). The Kingdom of God rips into time and space as the infant-King is born, Heaven touching the earth. He is the House of God gone mobile, the House of God made tangible. He comes forth to begin a new-Genesis and to create a new people. Manifesting himself to the world as he dwells in the hearts of those who love him and keep his word (Jn. 14:22-24)

Through new covenant construction, with a more sure and solid foundation, gospel mortar is laid and a new edifice is erected. Jesus the Master-builder constructs a new House, a Temple-House; it is the House of the eschaton. This Temple-House is an organic-network of living stones, with Christ himself as the chief cornerstone, and his apostles as foundation stones ( Eph. 2:19-22). This is his elect house comprised of old covenant and new covenant stones which he purchased with his blood.

Not only does Christ come to build, he also comes to destroy. He comes to destroy any man-made structure opposed to his Kingdom. He comes to tear down the House of the devil, which he accomplished with his victory on the cross (1 Jn 3:18; Heb 2:14). He entered into his House and bound “the strongman”, plundering him and making a public spectacle of Satan’s entire Household (Matt 12:19, Col 2:15). In the final analysis Satan’s house will be completely obliterated off the face of the earth, away from the presence of man and God. Sins power and potency are contained and it’s purveyors of destruction will be detained forever.

All this being said, at the present time, we await a new home, an eternal city, the city of God; Jesus said in my Father’s House are many rooms, and that he has gone to prepare a place for us (Jn. 14:2); this being the Great House of God, the New Jerusalem. Like Abraham, we are looking forward to the city that has foundations whose designer and builder is God. (Heb. 11:10). Though we have come to Mount Zion we await the full manifestation of God’s Kingdom House.