I should not have paused at this word had it not been with a view to have noticed the five signs of the Jews, which they regarded as so highly important in the first temple, and which they confessed the second temple was destitute of.
First, The Urim and Thummim, by which the High Priest was miraculously instructed in the will of God.
Second, The ark of the covenant from whence the Jews observed JEHOVAH gave answers by revelation.
Third, The fire upon the altar, which was always burning.
Fourth, The Shechinah, or manifestation of glory, to intimate the divine presence.
Fifth, The spirit of prophesy.
Now as these five symbols or signs of the Lord's favour to his church and people were in the first temple, but not in the second, what a blessed prophecy and promise was that of the Lord by Haggai, that the glory of the latter house should be greater than the former! (Haggai 2:9) A circumstance only to be explained by the actual presence of the Lord himself in the temple, which those five signs typified and represented. And what a blessed accomplishment of both prophecy and promise was it, when the Lord Jesus himself came suddenly to his temple in substance of our flesh! (Malachi 3:2) In him all the signs and symbols, shadows, types, and figures, had their whole meaning realized. Oh, the felicity to behold in him "all the fulness of the GODHEAD bodily!" (Colossians 2:9)