Assessing and responding correctly to our situation is a challenge shared by people in this generation. Just as telescopes and microscopes help us see clearly, the same applies spiritually. On one hand, we must view our lives from God’s eternal will and with an eternal perspective — understanding what truly matters to God and what He desires. On the other hand, we also need to accurately assess and respond to our present circumstances, the world we live in, and our spiritual condition. When we adopt this perspective on life, our priorities, lifestyle, and even our inner strength will be very different. And we will have a different appreciation for the theme of this conference, “God’s Dwelling Place, Our Home”.

The greatest characteristic of God’s house is, of course, His presence. Because God dwells here, this is His resting place. A church without God’s presence is like an empty tabernacle in the Old Testament; or like the church of Laodicea in the New Testament — where people feast and rejoice inside, yet the Head of the church is kept outside. When a church fails to give the Lord the reverence and devotion He deserves, it surely grieves the One who loves us and shed His blood for us. However, we thank God, for He never fails, and His love never ceases. Even today, He still loves the church and burns with zeal for Zion. This is our great comfort and glorious hope.

“For the LORD has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his dwelling place: ‘This is my resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it.’” (Psalm 132:13-14, ESV) Zion has two significant characteristics. First, it has the Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle of David within it, signifying God’s presence. Second, it is where David’s throne was, representing God’s sovereignty and His will being carried out there. God has always desired a glorious city. In the Old Testament, this was expressed as Zion; in the New Testament, it is represented as the glorious Church. God does not hide His emotions — He has chosen Zion, loves Zion, is zealous for Zion, and desires to dwell in Zion forever!

King Herod spent forty-six years building a magnificent temple, yet in the eyes of the Sovereign of the universe, it was merely a “den of thieves”— for they did not love God. They maintained religious appearances and rituals but lacked genuine worship. That is why Jesus preferred to leave the city each night and go over the mountain to Bethany, where there were people who loved Him, cared for Him, and sought to satisfy His heart. Brothers and sisters, to love and cherish the Lord’s presence and to seek His pleasure wholeheartedly —this is the resting place He desires.

The deepest need of the human soul is Jesus, and no one who encounters Him remains unchanged! Therefore, the church’s greatest priority should be His presence and His pleasure. Though His presence is an unchanging objective reality, it must also become our personal experience and testimony. How deeply and maturely this transformation occurs depends entirely on our choices. When we truly “treat God as God,” our lives and daily living will be transformed! When the church is truly healthy and aligned with God’s heart, His children will undoubtedly experience grace, love, and blessings in His house while also finding comfort, deliverance, forgiveness, and healing.

Though no earthly church is perfect—and sometimes it may even appear utterly broken—we must walk by faith, like the priests journeying through the wilderness: “beholding glory while walking through desolation.” Regardless of the church’s current weaknesses, flaws, and challenges, its status and divine calling remain glorious forever. The vision of “Christ and His Church” is majestic, yet it can and should be lived out in our everyday lives. The building of Bethel Hall is not merely an external project; it is God’s way of building us and blessing us. Through this process, He reveals our true spiritual condition, challenges our relationship with Him, and transforms and establishes us—ultimately making us into the precious stones of the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, which will endure forever!

Since we have become members of His household, His children, let us love Him together, seek to please Him, and allow the love of Jesus to flow through us—becoming a blessing to others and to this generation.

— Excerpted and compiled by By Bethel Hall PAL Team