"And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel had come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the LORD."
It is very intriguing that the writer of 1 Kings, under the direct inspir-
ation of the Holy Spirit, notes the exact year that the temple building project finally began, in relation to the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. It took a long time--480 years. It may take a long time to see the new covenant church again understand its role as the principal society on earth--but there is no doubt that it will happen.
God is faithful to His word, and His work. We may depend on Him. Even if it takes a while, the Lord will always come through--for His glory, and His church's good.
[Puritan quote of the day: "A good Christian begins his heaven here; grace translates him into the paradise of God." --Thomas Watson, in his sermon, entitled, "A Christian on Earth Still in Heaven"]
