God's Holy Fire: 'God's New Temple'

Tuesday, November 3, 2026

[In his revelation to John, Jesus said,] "Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
— Revelation 3:13 NIV

Key Thought

Jesus urges us to listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. In this context, the focus is on his promise to make those who are battling strong opposition to their faith into a permanent and heavenly temple for God. While earthly buildings will crumble and fall, the disciples are promised a permanent place in a permanent dwelling in which God lives. Throughout the New Testament, the Spirit repeatedly tells us that
  1. we are being built into a temple where the Holy Spirit lives (Ephesians 2:19-21),
  2. we are living stones being built into God's temple (1 Peter 2:4-5),
  3. we are individually the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), and
  4. we are collectively, as a church, the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16-17).
The ultimate, the final, and the grandest promise of all is this one: Those who are faithful even unto death and overcome the world (Romans 12:1-2; 1 John 5:5) are built into God's eternal temple.

Today's Prayer

Dear God, my Father in heaven, everything around me is subject to aging, decay, and destruction. So I thank you for promising me something eternal and giving me the gift of your Holy Spirit to guarantee this promise and to work in me to make me wholly yours. In Jesus' name, I thank you. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

To Philadelphia: 'I Possess the Key'
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Faithful One, My letter to My followers in the ancient city of "brotherly love" — the meaning of the word Philadelphia — is for you...."

Illustration

Illustration of Revelation 3:13 NIV — [In his revelation to John, Jesus said,] "Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Isaiah 51:6
"Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die...."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Samuel Johnson:
"Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'People Were Divided' (Acts 14:4-7)
"But the people of [Iconium] were divided in their opinion about [Paul and Barnabas and their message]. Some sided with the Jews, and some with the....."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'All Glory' (Ro. 16:25-27)
"Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you..."

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

More God's Holy Fire

Translations