The house of God or the church is a special place where the presence of the creator of the universe dwells in. It is the place that requires special reverence and careful consideration to the activities that transpires in. People throughout the ages have built houses to their God and have set dangerous traps to restrain others from touching or entering the most sacred places therein. Spiritual encounters have impacted people to the point of imparting fear of God in their lives. For example, when Esau ignorantly sold his birth right and lost his blessing to his brother Jacob, Jacob while on his way Haram where he was to marry fell asleep on a spot. At the spot that he slept at he had a dream and saw a giant ladder that went to heaven with angels going up and down. The Lord spoke to Jacob affirming his purpose and promises to him, and called it the house of God (Gen28:16-17). Jacob was terrified with the encounter at this place and called it the gate of heaven. It is what the church of God is, the gate of heaven where God speaks to his people and angels minister to them. That is why Luke wrote to the church not to be like those who forsake the gathering of the believers as a custom (Heb10:25), because that is where God makes his presence present.

Mark 11:11

11 And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve.

Jesus was being carried to Jerusalem on a donkey with a great multitude laying down their garments in front and behind him, they made it to the temple late in the afternoon. As he went in the temple he noticed the preparation, but left with his disciples unto Bethany. On his way to Bethany Jesus was hungry and noticed a fig tree from afar with leaves, and he made his way to it only to find leaves only on the tree and no fruits. Jesus rebuked the tree and caused it to dry up, because when he saw it, it simulated to bearing fruits like many in the church. Many look like they bear fruit and are ready to bear fruit, but only have leaves in the churches (Jh15:4). As people of God it is required that we bear fruit unto God (Jh15:8) Jesus’ expectation was that the temple was to be looked at as the house of God and that it should be revered, but was not. He began to overturn tables and drive out the money changers and sellers and reiterate the lesson that God’s house is the house of prayer (Mk11:15-17).  Like Jacob who looked at the house of God as a terrible place where God’s presence is, we must also. It is the place where everything regarding the kingdom of God happens; at the gathering.

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