Temple Structure & the Gospel, Part 3 of 3 | November 22, 2025

Steve Conover: Thank you for joining us for The Friends of Israel Today. I'm Steve Conover, executive director of The Friends of Israel. With me is our host and teacher, Chris Katulka.

Chris Katulka: Steve, we're finishing up our series on the temple structure and really the gospel because bound up within the architecture and design that God laid out himself for the tabernacle and the temple is also a picture of the gospel and how we relate with a holy God. And so we've been going through this series and now we're going to be wrapping it up to see exactly what God does for us by his grace and his mercy as we look at this temple architecture and our relationship with the Lord, and we see exactly what the blood of Christ did for us.

Steve Conover: But first in the news, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz offered an unusually blunt clarification of Israel's position as it negotiates with the Trump administration stating plainly that there will be no Palestinian state. He said the IDF will remain on the Syrian side of Mount Hermon and within the northern security buffer, while Gaza will be cleared to the last tunnel. Hamas, he added, will be fully disarmed either by an international force or by Israel itself.

Chris Katulka: Well, here's my take Steve. When I look at what's going on in the world, all of these nations want to use the opportunity that came from October 7 in the war with Gaza that Israel's been a part of in Gaza as an opportunity to develop and to create a Palestinian state. You see, this is why I think it's good that Israel sets its own boundaries while the rest of the world wishes to carve up the land. See, the nations of the world should tread lightly when it comes to dividing God's land. Just read Joel chapter three.

Chris Katulka: Over the past two episodes, we've taken a deep look at the remarkable structure, architecture and purpose of Herod's temple, the temple that stood in Jerusalem during the days of Jesus. But we've also gone beyond bricks and blueprints to see the deeper message God built into the tabernacle and the temple, which is ultimately how can a sinful people, Jew or Gentile, approach a holy God? Now in part one, we explored fascinating archeological discoveries, especially the two surviving temple warning inscriptions. These ancient inscriptions that once stood alongside the wall that separated the temple from the court of the Gentiles, which was a dividing wall that warned anyone who was ritually impure, whether Jewish or Gentile, not to enter the holier courts. These artifacts confirmed what the first century Jewish historian Josephus described, that the temple was designed with concentric circles of holiness, beginning with the holy of Holies at the center and moving outward step-by-step through various courts, each increasing restriction on who could enter.

We trace those layers from the holy of Holies to the holy place, to the court of the priest, to the courts of Israel, to the court of the women, and finally the court of the Gentiles. And we saw that the temple was not only a place of worship, but really a place of protection/ Protecting worshipers from entering God's presence in an unclean state and protecting the holiness of God from being defiled. The irony is that Herod himself wanted Gentiles to witness the magnificence of his temple complex, but even so, that dividing wall still stood as a firm line that you can come this far but no further. Then in part two, we turned to the apostle Paul who knew the temple structure intimately, especially as a Pharisee, trained in the strict standards of ritual purity. Writing to Gentile believers in Ephesus, Paul uses the temple architecture to explain what Jesus accomplished through His blood.

He reminded them that they were once far off outsiders of the covenant, outside of the citizenship of Israel and without hope in the world. But now he says, “Through Christ, they have been brought near.” And he speaks of Jesus destroying the middle wall of partition, the very boundary that kept Gentiles out and creating a new man in Himself. See, Paul takes that temple imagery of holiness and purity and distance and sacrifice and access, and he shows how Jesus fulfills it. That dividing wall is gone, the hostility is removed, and both Jew and Gentile have access to the Father through one Spirit. Now, instead of approaching God through a series of courts and boundaries, believers themselves are being formed into a new living temple, a dwelling place for God through the work of the Spirit. And that brings us to today, our final segment. And one of the things I want to tackle is what was that hostility that Paul was talking about that existed?

What exactly gave Jews and Gentiles the capability to become one new man to approach a holy God? Now listen, if you didn't get a chance to listen to our first two installments of this series on the temple structure and the gospel, I encourage you to go to foiradio.org because there you can not only hear the first two episodes, but you can also get 10 years of FOI teaching right at your fingertips. Again, that's foiradio.org. Now, Paul says in Ephesians 2, starting in verse 14, he says, “For He Himself is our peace who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility by setting aside in His flesh the law with its commands and regulations.” Now, a lot of our attention has been on this physical dividing wall that had warning inscriptions written in Greek that told Gentiles and ritually unclean Jewish people, you can go no further, stay out.

But Paul doesn't say that the wall was the problem because he links it to a deeper issue. And that issue was what created hostility. See, the wall was just the manifestation, the outworking of this hostility that existed between Jews and Gentiles. I want to share with you a really funny story before we continue to give you some context for this wall of hostility. A few months ago, my wife and I were outside in our backyard and I saw some raccoons climbing over the fence. Two of them. The moment my wife saw them, she started to go crazy and she started to try to shoo them back across on the other side of the fence to get them over on the other side like most people would. I've heard this my whole life, and maybe you too. You don't know where those raccoons have been. They could have rabies, they could be carrying a disease.

You name it. Any one of those things could be said about an animal, a squirrel. Maybe you've said the same thing to your kids when they come home holding an injured bird or something like that. You don't know where that thing has been. But what's funny is the moment that the raccoons scurried back on the other side, they hid behind a large branch and then four heads popped up, the mom, the dad, and two babies. Now with the fence between us, the fear was gone. And now my wife was looking at me and saying, “Look how cute they are over there on the other side of the fence.” And they were cute. Look, the same thing could be said for the way that Jewish people considered the Gentile community. According to the law, the fastest way to defile the temple or the tabernacle, even as a Jewish person, was to commit acts of moral sins like idolatry or sexual immorality or eating food that's unkosher or unclean.

See, Jewish people worked overtime to maintain purity rights so that they could access the temple and get as close as they could to worship a holy God. But see, when Gentiles would approach, there was an uncertainty where they might've been. They could have been recently worshiping at a temple of a Roman or Greek god. Did they eat food that was sacrificed to idols? Did they practice ungodly forms of worship to their false gods? For some in the Jewish community, like those who wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls, Gentiles were just permanently impure. But for others, other Jewish people during the days of Jesus, Gentiles could convert into Judaism and that would nullify their Gentile unclean status, and then they could enter into a state of purity to then enter the temple precincts to worship God. See, the hostility that Paul is talking about, that wall is not necessarily the wall that separated the court of Gentiles from the temple.

That's a good image of the hostility, but the real hostility that separated Jews from Gentiles was purification laws that prevented Gentiles from ever stepping past that wall. Look, even Jewish people were required to purify themselves when they returned from gentile lands to Jerusalem, they would have to wash off their impurities that could come from pagan societies. The apostle Paul did this exact thing when he would return from Ephesus or from Philippi and he would return back to Jerusalem and he had to wash himself in Acts chapter 21. See, the hostility that exists that prevented Gentiles from worshiping God at the temple was the fact that these purification laws divided them. And last week I mentioned in Acts chapter 10 when Peter had a vision of unkosher, unclean animals and in the vision he was told to kill and eat. And you remember what Peter said in Acts 10?

He said, “Never. I'll never do that. I'll never eat unkosher, unclean animals.” He says, “These lips have never eaten unclean food.” And God told Peter, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” Again, my friends, he was not talking about food in this vision. As I shared last week, I don't think Peter stopped keeping kosher. The vision wasn't for Peter's benefit to eat bacon at the breakfast buffet. Don't call anything impure that God has made clean was a call to Peter that Gentiles could be made clean without becoming Jewish. How is that possible? By having faith in the Lord Jesus—in his death, burial and resurrection, and when we come back, we're going to dig in even deeper to find out how this was made possible, to stay with us

Steve Conover: Each Christmas, our family looks for a devotional to read in the month of December, and I think Finding Messiah in Christmas is one of the best.

Chris Katulka: I absolutely love it, Steve. Finding Messiah in Christmas is a 25-day journey through Scripture leading right up to the birth of Jesus. But here's the thing, you'll want to get your copy before December 1st so that you can follow along day by day.

Steve Conover: It's perfect for personal reflection, family devotions, or even a small group. Each day examines Old Testament prophecies and reveals how they point to Jesus.

Chris Katulka: I also appreciate the stories from Jewish believers, the Hanukkah traditions, and a fresh look at the Jewish roots of Christmas.

Steve Conover: If you're like our family and you're looking for a devotional for Christmas this season, I highly recommend Finding Messiah in Christmas.

Chris Katulka: People, don't wait! Get your copy of Finding Messiah in Christmas today and start your journey December 1st. Go to foiradio.org. Again, that's foiradio.org to get your copy of Finding Messiah in Christmas.  

Chris Katulka: Welcome back, everyone. We are wrapping up our series on the remarkable structure, the architecture, and the purpose of the temple. But see, like I mentioned earlier, we're going beyond the bricks and blueprints to see the deeper message God built into the architecture of these amazing structures, really pointing to how a sinful people, both Jew and Gentile, can approach a holy God, especially when this hostility of purity divided them. Purity wasn't just an issue of the Gentile people internally, it also divided and separated Gentiles from even coming close to the temple itself. And that's why the Apostle Paul says in Ephesians chapter two, “But now in Christ Jesus, you who are once far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

I want you to hear that again, “But now in Christ Jesus, you who were once far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” See, he's speaking to Gentiles there. You who were far away, never able to even enter the temple area. You who were relegated to the court of the Gentiles have now been brought near by the blood of Christ. But let's unpack this. See, in our first installment of this series, I mentioned that the heart of the book of Leviticus in Leviticus 10:9-11, which explains that priests were to teach Israelites about the things that were holy in common and the things that were clean and unclean so that they can live in the midst of a holy God. I explained that even for Jewish people, they can easily move from the realm of holy to common and from the realm of clean to unclean, but they always had a way to return to holy and clean.

Sometimes it was certain aspects of life that made them unclean, like giving birth or touching a corpse. These things would make you unclean. But every Jewish person that would become unclean would also be provided a way for cleansing through water and sacrifice and even time. God provided a way to become holy and clean again. God on the other hand, is permanently always in the realm of clean and holy. He can never be moved from that status at all. I want you to hear what the blood of Christ did for Jew and Gentile. Paul's arguing that Jew and Gentile are brought near to the holiness of God because His blood is different, as the writer of Hebrew says, different from the blood of bulls and goats. Jesus' blood doesn't simply just wash you of your sins. I want you to think about this. It permanently situates you in the realm of holy and clean, giving you access to God's presence whenever you want.

See, you're not just forgiven. You are made clean and holy. Remember, it was the priest's job to determine and to teach the things that are holy and common, the things that are clean and unclean. And just think about it, whenever the Apostle Paul greets churches in the Gentile world like Ephesus, Corinth or Philippi, what does he call the people he's speaking to? He calls Jewish people and Gentile believers, “saints.’ Saints in Greek is hagios. Hagios in Hebrew is kodesh. Holy. He's calling Jews and Gentiles “holy ones.” Why? Because now by the blood of Christ, they are permanently positioned into the realm of holy and clean and what binds the Jew and Gentile together, giving them equal access before a holy God, enabling them to enter beyond the wall that divided them and the laws that separated them, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. That's what it's all about.

See, even the apostle Peter was astonished after Cornelius, a pagan, God-fearer, of Israel received Jesus as his Messiah, his King. Peter and those Jewish believers that were with him were astonished that the Holy Spirit indwelt Gentiles, it says it in Acts chapter 10, it says that, “The circumcised believers (that's Jewish believers) who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on Gentiles.” Why? Because now in Christ, Jew and Gentile have access to God because the blood of Jesus moves them permanently into the realm of clean and holy, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit binds them together to become one new man. See, in the end, the apostle Paul preaches this in Ephesians two. “For through him, we both Jew and Gentile have access to the Father by one Spirit.” Two people, Jew and Gentile both have access to the Father by what? By one Spirit. We're one. 

I hope that this encourages you to know that in Christ you have been permanently moved from the realm. Think about this, from the realm of common and unclean into the realm permanently of holy and clean. And by the Spirit, all Christians, Jew, Gentile, doesn't matter where you come from, if you've placed your faith in the Lord Jesus, you have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Jew and Gentile have become one. And just to encourage you with this, as we close. Notice, God didn't have to undo the realms of holy and common and clean and unclean. I think this is where a lot of people misunderstand what Jesus did. Jesus didn't abolish the law. He didn't get rid of it. He told us he wouldn't do that. In Matthew chapter five. Notice what he did though by His blood, He didn't abolish the realms of holy and common, clean and unclean. Instead, He moved you by the blood of Christ. He moved you into the realm of holy and clean and made you one by the Spirit.

Steve Conover: Now, Apples of Gold, a dramatic reading from the life and ministry of Holocaust survivor, Zvi Kalisher.

Mike Kellogg: Once every two months, I take my wife to the hospital for a checkup on her eye following her cornea transplant. The last time we were there, two Russian priests sat next to us. We began conversing, and our discussion quickly turned to the matter of faith.

They were very sure of themselves and showed me their commentaries, which they were positive contained the root of faith. They reminded me of the many ultra-Orthodox Jews I have spoken to over the years—trusting in the words of men rather than in God’s Word.

I showed them my small Bible and asked, “Which book is of greater value?”

One answered, “We do not want to see anything in Hebrew because we do not speak that language.”

I replied, “If you like, I will give you a complete translation of any passage in this book.” Then I asked, “Have you ever heard about the Bible?”

“Oh yes,” he replied, “Do you have a copy with you?” To their surprise, I told them the little book I held in my hand was the Bible.

When we began to speak about Christ, the priests were sure they were in their own element. I told them, “We must believe in Jesus Christ, not according to your commentaries, but according to the Bible. This book alone shows us how to come to the Lord.”

The new Russian immigrants in the waiting room also listened attentively to our conversation, and most of them agreed that true faith in God comes only according to the Bible. The priests said, “We do not believe what they say.”

I told them, “This is not the belief of Jews only. For the millions of genuine Christians, the most important book is the Bible.”

These people are walking in darkness because they have never found the true way to faith in Christ. I was not surprised when one of the priests asked, “How did you, a Jew, come to believe in Christ?”

I replied, “I can tell from your question how blind you are; you do not even know from which people Jesus came. You must read the Bible, not your fictitious books.”

They asked where in the Bible it was written that Jesus was Jewish. I said, “Moses spoke of Jesus coming from the Jewish people.” I then read Deuteronomy 18:15, 18: “The LORD your God will raise up for you [meaning the Jewish people] a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear. I will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him.” I continued, “The Bible clearly explains Christ’s earthly heritage. The Bible is the root of our faith, not your books.”

After further conversation, one of the immigrants asked, “How can a Jew be so faithful to another religion?”

I responded, “I know you call yourselves good Jews because you follow the rabbinical traditions, but read the Bible and see what the Lord truly wants from us. He wants us to obey His commandments. In God’s Word we read of the faith of our fathers—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—and the words of our prophets. This book has been hidden from you in Russia for a

long time. Even here in Israel, you are only told about the Old Testament. But if you would study that carefully—especially Isaiah 53, which is never read in the synagogues—you would see for yourselves it speaks of Jesus Christ.”

They were very surprised. “That is impossible!” one exclaimed. I replied, “It is true.” I then read and explained Isaiah 53. This was a wonderful witnessing opportunity. As it is written in Isaiah 9:2, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.”

Steve Conover: Thank you so much for joining us for today's episode of The Friends of Israel today. Don't forget to get your copy of Finding Messiah in Christmas. For more information, visit foiradio.org. Again, that's foiradio.org. Chris, where are we headed next week?

Chris Katulka: Yeah, so we have one of our favorite episodes, Steve, which is our IMG In Depth where we get a chance to look at our most recent issue of Israel My Glory, and this one is all about God's sovereignty, and we're going to be speaking with Dan Price, the director of International Ministries here at Friends of Israel, to discuss his article, Why Shouldn't I Live the Way I Want? Dan's going to do a phenomenal job unpacking what he wrote and sharing with us why we always need to be trusting in God and following his paths. Again, join us next week for our IMG In Depth episode.

Steve Conover: I'm excited to have Dan Price as our guest next week. Join us then. As mentioned, our web address is foiradio.org. Again, that's foiradio.org. Our mailing address is FOI Radio PO Box 914, Bellmawr, New Jersey 08099. Again, that’s FOI Radio PO Box 914, Bellmawr, New Jersey 08099. You can call our listener line. That number is (888) 343-6940. Again, that’s (888) 343-6940. Today's program was engineered by Bob Beebe. Edited by Jeremy Strong, who also composed and performs our theme music. Lisa Small is our executive producer. Sarah Fern is our associate producer. The late Mike Kellogg read Apples of Gold. Our host and teacher is Chris Katulka. And I'm Steve Conover, executive director of The Friends of Israel. The Friends of Israel Today is a production of The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry. Passion for God's Word. Compassion for God's Chosen People.