In the episode “Rebuilding the fallen tabernacle of David”, I said “Hirelings have a habit of interpreting spiritual things physically and literally to profit the flesh (1 Cor. 2:14).” A sad testament to man’s spiritual ignorance borne out by countless church buildings that squander resources, while people go hungry and ill-prepared to take the gospel to the nations. The flesh builds with brick and mortar, Christ builds His church with people. The one runs on money and sweat, the other by the Spirit and faith.

What hope do we, as physical and literal beings have for ever understanding the things of God about whom Jesus said “God is spirit” (John 4:24 ESV).

Even when Jesus explained the hidden spiritual meanings of His parables, did the disciples understand them? Or does Jesus look at them in stunned amazement after teaching them for 2 years and groan “are you still so dull” (Matthew 15:16)?

How about John 2:19-21 ESV wherein Jesus said: “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (20) The Jews replied “It’s taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” (21) But Jesus was speaking about the temple of his body.

Then there was the woman at the well whom Jesus blessed with the wonderful revelation of the blessing about to unfold for everyone. Yet upon hearing about “living water”, she hoped it meant that she would no longer have to fetch water from the well. Or how about the 5,000 whom Jesus fed with 5 loaves and 2 fishes, came to Jesus the next day only to be told “my flesh is true food, my blood is true drink” (John 6:55). What Jesus said in essence was “I am the truth and life – you have to get me into you if you want life and truth” – what they heard was “you want us to eat you? Gross!” Jesus replied:

“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life” (John 6:63 ESV).

Words we do well to remember whenever we read scripture: “My words are spirit and life”. For without the Holy Spirit, we haven’t a hope in the world of understanding the things of God. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 ESV excerpted:

(6) Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. (7) But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. (8) None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (9) But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— (10) these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. (11) For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. (12) Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. (13) And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. (14) The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. (15) The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. (16) “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

How then should we approach the word of God? When we read the word, do we only see it’s plain literal meaning, or are we open to the possibility of a deeper spiritual meaning? How about we pick a word and consider it’s meaning in a number of scriptures, whether literal, spiritual or both?

The word “stone” is a good example of a word used literally in some passages, and spiritually in others. For example, Matthew 7:9 appears to be a literal use of the word “stone”. Jesus said;

“Which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?” Matthew 7:9

And yet, there’s a spiritual mystery within: Christ is the rock – the chief cornerstone – yet also the living bread that came down from Heaven – the bread of life. Thus the Father gave us a stone and bread in one serving: Christ Jesus.

Likewise, Matthew 28:2 on first impression is a literal use of the word “stone”.

“And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.” Matthew 28:2

Is there a spiritual significance? Ezekiel wrote of God’s intent to remove our hearts of stone, and replace them with hearts of flesh, and to put His Spirit within us and cause us to walk in His ways (Ezekiel 36:26-27). For everyone who has received Christ Jesus as Lord, the Father has rolled away our heart of stone and revealed the life of Christ in us whereby we become a “new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Matthew 21:42 and 44 on the other hand, use the word “stone” as a spiritual metaphor, in reference to Jesus.

He said “Have you never read in the Scriptures:” ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’? Matthew 21:42

And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.” Matthew 21:44

Let’s consider the word “stone” in Matthew 24:2.

“There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” Matthew 24:2

Many believe Jesus was referring to the complete destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. A puzzling statement when even today, the western wall of the temple still stands. But what if Jesus meant something more; something spiritual? After all, in Matthew 21:42 He used the word “stone” in reference to Himself. Likewise, in 1 Peter 2:4-8 Peter refers to Christ followers as “living stones” being built up by Christ into a living tabernacle – joined to Christ Jesus who is the stone the builders rejected.

For as long as I languished in man’s hierarchical church system, I believed Matthew 24:2 only to be a word of prophecy concerning the destruction of the physical temple in Jerusalem. However, since the Lord led me out of man’s religious system I’ve come to see a profound and prophetic meaning in Jesus words. Specifically, I believe the Messiah intends to throw down the religious hierarchies of men as well as the stone temple in Jerusalem, where one day there will be NO more man-made temples, AND, NO man will preside over another in religious authority. Like Jesus said elsewhere “every man who exalts himself will be humbled” (Matthew 23:12).

Accordingly, I’ve come to believe that man was never intended to rule over man. God has allowed it, but He has always desired a people for Himself. Just as it was in the beginning, we are intended to be sons of God – the family of God where we walk with Him and have no intermediary other than Jesus. That for me makes a wonderful thought exercise – to ponder the similarities between Genesis 1 and 2, and Revelation 21 and 22. Where God started with us in beautiful Eden, He is leading us to His Kingdom with a river and tree of Life. From one garden to another. Where the beginning of it all is a reflection of the end where I am bound, what to do with all this junk in the in between?

Do I take the hand of my Savior and follow Him out of the hierarchical religious systems of men? And what about man’s government in this world?

Consider what Isaiah said about Christ: “the government shall be upon his shoulder” (Isaiah 9:6 KJV).

So how to live with this knowledge, I look to the words of Paul who said:

“Aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one. (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 ESV)

I have zero desire to be a stone upon other stones, whether in the religious hierarchies of men, or governments of men. The best view, is from the foundation, joined with Christ, the chief cornerstone. There upon the rock of Christ I will be broken, but I won’t be thrown down to shame.