Through the Refiner’s Fire Podcast | Exodus From Babylon: Come Out of Her. Rebuild the Temple
What happens when we surrender our hearts to Jesus Christ, but the work of rebuilding our lives is still unfinished? Can we praise God while the foundation is being laid, even when we cannot yet see what He is building?
In Part 2 of Rebuild the Temple, Craig and Antonio continue a challenging and encouraging conversation about the spiritual condition of the believer, the importance of true worship, and the necessity of establishing Jesus Christ as the foundation of our lives.
Throughout our Exodus From Babylon series, we have explored God’s call for His people to separate themselves from the ungodly influences of the world and return to Him wholeheartedly.
But coming out of Babylon is not simply about leaving something behind. It is about returning to someone: Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
In this episode, we examine the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, the restoration of worship under King Josiah, and what these historical accounts teach us about allowing the Holy Spirit to cleanse, sanctify, and rebuild the temple of our hearts.
The central question is one every believer must consider:
Who is truly sitting on the throne of your heart?
1. Rebuilding the Temple Begins With the Altar
The conversation begins by revisiting an important distinction between the system of Babylon and a life established in Jesus Christ.
Babylon represents the worldly influences, desires, values, and systems that compete with our devotion to God. A believer cannot be fully committed to the ways of the world while simultaneously claiming complete surrender to Christ.
As Craig emphasizes, we must recognize what we are connected to spiritually.
When our hearts are consumed with worldly pursuits, those things begin to influence our priorities, decisions, relationships, and even our understanding of Christianity.
Antonio then brings the conversation to an important moment in the book of Ezra.
When the children of Israel returned from captivity to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, they first established the altar.
Before the temple walls were restored, before the building was completed, and before its former beauty could be seen, the people returned to worship.
The altar came before the completed temple.
This is significant because the altar represented sacrifice, consecration, atonement, and the people’s renewed commitment to the Lord.
What Does This Mean for Believers Today?
Under the new covenant, our relationship with God is established through Jesus Christ, whose sacrifice provides the atonement that we could never accomplish through our own works.
Jesus is not simply another sacrifice placed upon an altar. He is the perfect sacrifice through whom we have access to the Father.
Because of Christ, believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and called to live as temples of the living God.
Yet the question remains: What have we allowed to occupy our hearts?
We may profess our love for Jesus while allowing other desires to direct our lives.
These competing desires may include the pursuit of wealth, personal recognition, worldly success, comfort, relationships, or even religious traditions.
The question is not whether we have responsibilities, ambitions, or desires. It is whether these things have become more important to us than obedience to God.
Reflection: What receives the greatest devotion, attention, and affection in your life?
2. Coming Out of Babylon Requires a Change of Direction
During the conversation, Antonio emphasizes the urgency of God’s call to come out of Babylon.
He draws upon the biblical accounts of Sodom and Gomorrah and the prodigal son to illustrate two important truths: we must turn away from what separates us from God, and the Father welcomes those who return to Him.
The prodigal son did not return to his father because he had successfully restored his life.
He returned because he recognized his desperate need.
Likewise, we do not come to Christ because we have already made ourselves righteous. We come because we need His mercy, forgiveness, and transforming power.
There is a danger in attempting to make Christianity conform to our existing desires instead of allowing the Word of God to transform those desires.
We cannot continue running toward the things that draw us away from Christ while claiming to be running wholeheartedly toward Him.
Craig raises an important practical question during the episode:
How can someone run in multiple directions at the same time?
The answer reveals the problem of divided devotion.
We must examine whether our pursuit of success, personal fulfillment, or worldly approval has become more important than following Jesus.
This does not mean believers cannot pursue meaningful work, provide for their families, or enjoy the blessings God provides.
It means that these things must never become the foundation of our identity or the source of our ultimate fulfillment.
Only Jesus Christ can satisfy the deepest need of the human heart.
3. Praise God Before the Temple Is Finished
One of the central passages examined in this episode is Ezra 3:10–13.
When the builders laid the foundation of the temple, the people responded with praise, thanksgiving, shouting, and weeping.
Some rejoiced because they witnessed the beginning of restoration.
Others wept because they remembered the former temple and what had been lost.
The sound of rejoicing and the sound of weeping became so intertwined that they could not be distinguished.
This moment offers a beautiful picture of the believer’s spiritual journey.
Sometimes we experience gratitude and grief simultaneously.
We thank God for His faithfulness while remembering our mistakes.
We rejoice in His mercy while recognizing the consequences of our past decisions.
We celebrate the work He has begun while acknowledging that many things in our lives remain unfinished.
Worship Is Not Reserved for Completed Victories
Craig makes a significant observation: If we only praise God after the work is finished, what does that reveal about our faith?
The Israelites did not wait for the temple to be completed before they worshiped.
They praised God because the foundation had been laid.
In the same way, we can give God praise for the work He has begun within us, even when the full results are not yet visible.
Perhaps your marriage is still being restored.
Perhaps you are learning to trust God after years of disappointment.
Perhaps you are overcoming old habits, confronting sin, or recovering from a season of spiritual complacency.
The walls may not yet be standing, but that does not mean God has abandoned the work.
Philippians 1:6 reminds believers of God’s faithfulness to complete the good work He has begun.
Our confidence rests not in our ability to perfect ourselves but in the faithfulness of the One who has called us.
We praise God not because everything is finished, but because we trust the One who is doing the work.
4. Do Not Despise the Season of Small Beginnings
Antonio expands upon the contrasting responses of the Israelites by addressing the spiritual danger of becoming consumed with the past.
Some believers struggle to appreciate what God is doing today because they are constantly comparing their present circumstances with what they once possessed.
Others compare their spiritual growth, ministries, opportunities, or accomplishments with those of other people.
This can produce discouragement, impatience, and dissatisfaction.
During the episode, Antonio reminds listeners not to despise the season in which God is rebuilding them.
There are times when the work of God is not immediately impressive to the human eye.
The foundation may appear small.
Progress may seem slow.
The transformation may be taking place in areas that nobody else can see.
Yet those foundational things matter.
God may be establishing humility before responsibility, character before influence, and obedience before greater opportunities.
The Danger of Living in Yesterday
Our past experiences can teach us valuable lessons, but they should not become prisons.
Past failures can produce shame and discouragement.
Past successes can produce pride or unrealistic expectations.
Both can distract us from what God is doing now.
We must learn to appreciate the work of the Holy Spirit in our present season.
Zechariah 4:10 speaks against despising the day of small things.
This reminds us that the value of God’s work is not determined by how impressive it appears at its beginning.
Do not allow regret over what was lost to prevent you from rejoicing over what God is restoring.
5. Knowing God Must Produce Obedience and Action
Another important point in the conversation concerns the relationship between knowing God and living in obedience to Him.
Antonio explains that knowing God is not merely an intellectual exercise.
It is not enough to recognize biblical terminology, attend church, or repeat familiar Scriptures.
Our relationship with Christ should influence the way we live.
The Word of God should shape our speech, conduct, decisions, priorities, and relationships.
A believer who has been transformed by Christ should increasingly demonstrate that transformation in everyday life.
This includes how we treat people at work, how we respond to conflict, how we speak to our families, and how we conduct ourselves when nobody is watching.
Allowing the Holy Spirit to Work
Antonio also draws upon the account of Job to emphasize the importance of humility before God.
Sometimes we speak too quickly, resist correction, or attempt to control circumstances that require surrender.
There are moments when we must become quiet before the Lord and allow Him to work within us.
The refining process is not always comfortable.
God’s Word confronts the desires of our flesh, exposes our motives, and challenges the things we have grown accustomed to protecting.
But His purpose is not simply to expose what is wrong.
His purpose is to transform us into people who increasingly reflect the character of Jesus Christ.
We must be willing to receive correction, embrace sanctification, and walk in obedience.
6. Our Foundation Must Be Jesus Christ, Not People
The conversation later turns toward a problem that continues to affect the Church: building our faith around religious personalities instead of Jesus Christ.
Craig addresses the tendency of believers to identify themselves so closely with particular teachers, ministers, churches, or institutions that they lose sight of the One who is truly responsible for their salvation and spiritual growth.
God uses people to teach, encourage, correct, and disciple His children.
We should be grateful for faithful ministers and spiritual leaders.
However, no person should occupy the place that belongs to Jesus Christ.
Paul reminds the Church in 1 Corinthians 3:11 that no other foundation can be laid besides Jesus Christ.
The ministry of a pastor, teacher, evangelist, or disciple is meant to point people toward Him.
When we begin to glorify human personalities, we risk confusing the servant with the Master.
This is why every believer must develop a personal relationship with Christ through prayer, Scripture, and obedience.
Our faith must be rooted in the truth of God’s Word rather than the popularity, reputation, or influence of another person.
The foundation of the Church is not a personality, a denomination, or an institution. It is Jesus Christ.
7. King Josiah: Removing the Idols From God’s Temple
One of the most compelling portions of this episode focuses on King Josiah and the restoration of true worship in Judah.
Craig introduces the account found in 2 Kings 22–23.
Josiah became king at a young age and eventually began restoring the house of the Lord.
During the repair of the temple, the Book of the Law was discovered.
This discovery exposed how far the people had departed from God’s commandments.
False worship had become deeply established among the people.
Rather than ignoring what the Scriptures revealed, Josiah responded with humility and a determination to restore proper worship.
He removed objects associated with idolatry, destroyed unauthorized places of worship, and led the people toward renewed obedience to the Lord.
He also restored the celebration of the Passover.
What Would Josiah Remove From Our Lives Today?
The account of Josiah challenges us to examine our own spiritual condition.
What happens when the Word of God reveals something in our lives that contradicts His will?
Do we respond with repentance and obedience?
Or do we attempt to justify the things we have become comfortable practicing?
Spiritual idolatry is not limited to bowing before a carved image.
Anything that receives the ultimate allegiance and devotion that belong to God can become an idol of the heart.
For some, that may be money.
For others, it may be status, pleasure, approval, pride, or personal ambition.
Even religious traditions can become obstacles when they are elevated above the authority of Scripture.
Josiah’s response demonstrates that restoring true worship requires more than acknowledging that something is wrong.
It requires action.
He did not merely recognize the idols within the temple.
He removed them.
In the same way, believers must be willing to surrender whatever the Word of God reveals as contrary to His will.
We cannot ask God to establish His holiness within us while deliberately holding on to the things He is calling us to forsake.
8. Consider Your Ways: Returning to the Word of God
The conversation connects Josiah’s reforms with the prophetic message of Haggai.
In Haggai 1, the people are challenged to consider their ways.
They had become occupied with their own interests while neglecting the house of the Lord.
This message calls for a serious examination of priorities.
We must ask whether our time, attention, resources, and affections demonstrate that God is first in our lives.
Antonio also emphasizes the importance of examining the traditions and teachings we have received.
Some beliefs may have been passed down through generations without ever being carefully examined against Scripture.
Something does not become biblical simply because a respected family member, pastor, or religious leader repeated it.
We must return to the Word of God and examine what it actually teaches.
Scripture Must Be Our Standard
The account of Josiah illustrates the transforming power of rediscovering God’s Word.
The people had a temple, priests, and religious activity, yet the discovery of the Law revealed how far they had departed from obedience.
This raises an important question for the modern Church:
Can we become so occupied with religious activity that we neglect the very Word of God that should govern our worship?
We have access to Scripture through printed Bibles, digital applications, and countless study resources.
Yet access alone does not guarantee understanding or obedience.
We must make time to read, study, meditate upon, and apply the Scriptures.
The goal is not simply to accumulate biblical information.
The goal is to know Jesus Christ, walk in His truth, and be transformed by His Word.
9. Seek the Lord While He May Be Found
As the episode approaches its conclusion, Craig and Antonio emphasize the urgency of responding to God’s call.
The rebuilding of the temple is not merely a historical lesson or an interesting spiritual metaphor.
It confronts us with the reality that our lives belong to God.
The world offers countless distractions and competing priorities, but none can replace the eternal hope found in Jesus Christ.
The account of Noah is also referenced as a reminder of the importance of responding to God’s instruction.
Noah’s preservation was connected to God’s gracious provision and his faithful response to the Lord.
In the same way, salvation is found in Jesus Christ.
The call is not to trust our own righteousness, religious activity, or personal achievements.
It is to turn to Christ in repentance and faith.
We should not continually postpone surrender, assuming there will always be another opportunity.
Today is an opportunity to seek the Lord, return to His Word, and examine the condition of our hearts.
10. Questions From the Podcast: Examining the Temple of Your Heart
Near the end of the episode, Craig presents a series of reflection questions designed to encourage honest self-examination.
These questions deserve more than a quick response. They invite us to spend time in prayer and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal areas that need attention.
Is Jesus Christ truly the foundation of my life?
Consider what shapes your decisions, gives you security, and determines your identity. Is your confidence rooted in Christ, or in circumstances that can change?
What have I allowed into my heart that does not belong there?
Ask the Lord to reveal attitudes, desires, habits, or influences that interfere with your relationship with Him.
What idols need to be removed from my life?
Examine whether anything has become more important than loving and obeying God.
Have I built my faith around Christ or around people and traditions?
Appreciate those who have helped you grow spiritually, but ensure that your confidence remains in Jesus Christ and the truth of Scripture.
What does obedience to God look like in my life right now?
Rather than focusing only on future plans, consider what the Lord is calling you to do today.
Have I confused material success with God’s blessing?
Recognize that financial prosperity, influence, and worldly achievement are not reliable measures of spiritual maturity or God’s approval.
What needs to be rebuilt in my relationship with Christ?
Perhaps your prayer life needs renewed attention. Perhaps you need to return to Scripture, restore fellowship, seek forgiveness, or surrender an area of persistent disobedience.
Am I pursuing prominence or surrender?
Examine whether your desire is to be recognized by people or to be faithful before God.
If the Holy Spirit examined my temple today, what would He find?
This question invites us to move beyond outward religious appearances and honestly consider the condition of our hearts.
What would it look like for Christ to reign over every area of my life?
This is the ultimate challenge.
Not merely allowing Jesus to influence certain areas of life, but surrendering every part of ourselves to His lordship.
Key Takeaways From Rebuild the Temple Pt. 2
- Establish the altar first. True spiritual restoration begins with surrender to God through Jesus Christ.
- Jesus Christ must be the foundation. Our faith cannot rest upon worldly systems, religious personalities, or human traditions.
- Praise God during the rebuilding process. We do not have to wait until everything is complete before expressing gratitude for His faithfulness.
- Do not despise small beginnings. Spiritual growth may be gradual, but the work of God is never insignificant.
- Let go of the past. Do not allow previous failures, regrets, or accomplishments to distract you from what God is doing today.
- Remove the idols. Like Josiah, we must respond to the truth of God’s Word by turning away from anything that competes with our devotion to Him.
- Consider your ways. Continually examine whether your priorities, conduct, and desires align with the teachings of Scripture.
- Allow the Holy Spirit to sanctify you. Spiritual maturity requires humility, correction, obedience, and continual dependence upon God.
- Seek the Lord now. Do not postpone repentance, reconciliation, or wholehearted surrender to Jesus Christ.
Final Encouragement: Let Christ Reign Over the Temple
Rebuilding the temple is not about creating a more impressive religious appearance.
It is about returning to Jesus Christ.
It is about allowing the Word of God to confront the things we have placed before Him.
It is about surrendering our desires, abandoning spiritual compromise, and recognizing that our lives belong to the Lord.
Perhaps you are in a season where God is exposing things that need to change.
Perhaps you are experiencing the pain of spiritual correction.
Perhaps you are rejoicing because the foundation has finally been restored.
Whatever season you are in, do not lose sight of Jesus Christ.
The same Lord who calls us to repentance is faithful to continue His transforming work within us.
Do not wait for the temple to be finished before you begin to praise Him.
And do not become so focused on building a beautiful outward appearance that you neglect the condition of your heart.
Let the Word of God establish your foundation.
Let the Holy Spirit sanctify your life.
Let Jesus Christ reign over every area of your heart.
And let everything that is built upon that foundation bring glory to God.
Listen to the Full Conversation
Join Craig and Antonio for Through the Refiner’s Fire Podcast — Exodus From Babylon: Rebuild the Temple Pt. 2 as they explore these Scriptures, challenge believers to examine their spiritual foundations, and encourage the Church to return to wholehearted devotion to Jesus Christ.
Through the Refiner’s Fire Podcast
Where faith is sharpened, truth is professed, and believers are transformed.
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