1. Understanding the Temple and Prayer in Times of Tribulation, and the Presence of God
Pastor David Jang highlights the essence and significance of the temple through the scene of Solomon dedicating the temple in 2 Chronicles 7, and the ensuing promise of God. In 2 Chronicles 7:11–12, after Solomon completes the dedication of the temple and returns to his royal palace, God appears to him at night and declares that He has chosen the temple as the place where sacrifices will be offered to Him. This is a momentous proclamation. From this point on, for the people of Israel, the temple becomes the place to encounter God, and the temple Solomon built becomes the “holy house” where God’s presence dwells.
What, then, is the temple? Pastor David Jang refers to the story of Jacob meeting God at “Bethel” (Genesis 28), explaining that the root of the temple lies in Bethel. Jacob, while sleeping, sees in a dream a ladder extending to heaven, with angels going up and down on it. Then God speaks from above: “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac.” Jacob’s encounter with God at Bethel prefigures the essence the temple would later hold—namely, “the place where God comes down, the special point at which humans meet God.”
Solomon’s Temple begins with this understanding. Having built a grand temple, Solomon offers a prayer of dedication, and subsequently receives the blessing that God has “chosen this place to be a temple for offering sacrifices.” Thus the people of Israel gain, through the Jerusalem Temple, a “house of prayer” in which they can worship God, receive forgiveness of sins, and seek God’s help in times of tribulation. The prophet Isaiah emphasizes this with the expression “a house of prayer for all nations” (Isaiah 56:7). Prayer and worship in the temple are not merely ritualistic observances, but a genuine channel for meeting and communing with God, repenting of one’s sins, and seeking forgiveness.
In 2 Chronicles 7:13–15, God declares that if the people of Israel sin so that the heavens are shut and no rain falls, or locusts devour the land, or if pestilence spreads, “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and heal their land.” This promise shows that even when the heavens are closed due to human sin, they can be reopened; and even physical weaknesses, desperate life conditions, or epidemics such as the coronavirus cannot become insurmountable obstacles to those who bow in prayer before God. In other words, by praying, we can appeal for God’s help and mercy, and God hears that prayer and restores our land.
On the basis of this Scripture, Pastor David Jang emphasizes that for us living today, “Even when it seems there is no way, a way is made.” No matter how deeply the world is mired in sin and how far it has strayed from God, believers in the church must not forget this great promise that “if they bow down before God and earnestly plead, God will hear their prayer and heal the land.” Referring to the recent years of global pandemic, and the accompanying hardships for churches—financial difficulties, the sale of church buildings, and other very real challenges—he reiterates that the best we can do in the midst of despair is to kneel before God and ask for His help in prayer.
Pastor David Jang also reminds us of the prophecy in Zechariah 14, where the prophet says that in times of tribulation the people will flee and find refuge, and the Lord will come to that place (Zechariah 14:4–5). The prophecy that the Lord’s feet will stand on the Mount of Olives naturally brings to mind Jesus’ Olivet Discourse. In Matthew 24–25, Jesus sits with His disciples on the Mount of Olives to speak about the end times, His return, and signs of tribulation. Jesus instructs them to flee to the mountains when tribulation comes (Matthew 24:16). Pastor David Jang interprets this as a confession of faith that, although it might appear as though the church collapses in times of tribulation, God will grant us a spiritual refuge and a place of rest.
Many churches have faced difficulties amid various real-life hardships—some have had to close, some have been sold. In such circumstances, Pastor David Jang teaches that “What we can do is exert our utmost efforts to save the church, to guard the body of Christ. Then we leave the rest to God.” In the midst of that faithful effort and prayer, God has provided various refuges, and there have been real experiences of His presence. One representative testimony tells how a member in Europe lost consciousness in utter despair, but after other believers prayed in unity, that person’s consciousness returned. The community rejoiced and wept in gratitude to God.
Therefore, Pastor David Jang stresses that for believers to come out in the cold of winter, amidst life’s storms or during the outbreak of infectious diseases—extreme tribulation—so that they can worship, pray, and plead with God may seem difficult by worldly standards; yet it remains the most crucial principle we must hold on to. We should remember that “God sees our hearts.” Even if our bodies are weak, our circumstances poor, and problems close in on us, if our hearts are inclined toward God, He will value that intention and work in our lives.
In particular, building a temple or a church, acquiring a space for a church headquarters, and so forth, are not merely about constructing buildings. These acts amount to preparing “a spiritual gateway for meeting God on this earth,” setting up “a house of prayer for all nations,” and at the same time establishing “a base for world missions.” Pastor David Jang underlines how crucial it is to pray for this, citing the example of the “Olivet Valley” building project. The vision is that this space will become a spiritual center where the worldwide church can gather in unity to worship and pray, and many have dedicated themselves to serving in that project.
Pastor David Jang further points out that the mission of the church is not limited simply to meeting for worship. The essence of the church is mission. From the early church in the Book of Acts, believers gathered to worship but were always sent out to the world to proclaim the gospel. It was the same with the church in the twentieth century: alongside gathered worship, it must scatter to the unbelieving world, offering love and sharing the gospel. Thus, establishing a church headquarters must ultimately serve the purpose of forming a community that practices the “parachurch” mindset of mission, service, and evangelism. Erecting a building, or decorating a lavish sanctuary, is not the true calling of the church. God will ask, “What did you do in this time of tribulation?” and He will look for evidence that we practiced love through mission, aid, prayer, and service.
Hence, we must, with a holy sense of responsibility, devote ourselves all the more in times of crisis and danger to earnest prayer, seeking God, and striving for the spiritual restoration and unity of the church. Though the world has endured an unprecedented catastrophe in which millions of people died and hundreds of millions were infected by the global pandemic, God still opens a way and provides refuge even in these circumstances. As God’s presence rested in Jerusalem, so it can dwell today in our life situations. And we encounter that presence in the closet of prayer, in the assembly of worship, and in our acts of devotion—when we refuse to give up, despite hardship.
The core message of 2 Chronicles 7, as preached by Pastor David Jang, is this: the temple is “the channel that connects God and us,” and when we pray in times of tribulation, God hears and leads us to restoration. Together with Zechariah 14 and Jesus’ Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24–25), this demonstrates God’s plan to serve as our spiritual refuge in times of tribulation and to guide the global church so it can gather to pray. Ultimately, even amid hardships, we must not lose hope but keep praying, bearing God’s heart in our own, and living in holiness. This is the true understanding of “God’s Temple” that has been passed down from Solomon’s day, and it is the heart of Pastor David Jang’s exhortation to today’s church and believers.
2. Paul’s Humanity and Spirit of Reconciliation, and Overcoming Winter Through Love
Second, Pastor David Jang draws on 2 Timothy 4:9–13 to illustrate the “aroma of Jesus” emanating from the Apostle Paul. Paul dedicated everything for the gospel and underwent severe trials, to the point of despairing of life itself (as he recounts in 2 Corinthians 1), yet he trusted only in God. Still, in 2 Timothy 4, this same towering figure of faith pleads earnestly, “Do your best to come to me quickly.” He longs to see Timothy before winter arrives (4:21), lamenting that some co-workers have gone to Galatia or Dalmatia, and others have deserted him out of love for the world—he is left in loneliness, but the physician Luke remains by his side. Paul implores Timothy to come soon because he sincerely wants to see him.
One might interpret Paul’s request as a sign of trivial weakness or human frailty. But Pastor David Jang argues that Paul’s display of humanity—his willingness to open his heart and express the loneliness he feels while continuing to love people—is in fact a deeply gospel-centered posture. Someone who looks strong and unwavering outwardly is, in his lived reality, a man who feels the cold, experiences betrayal, and longs for the companionship of others. Paul does not hide any of this. On the contrary, he is candid with Timothy about his situation, telling him, “Bring the cloak and the scrolls (the parchments) when you come.” Imprisoned in a cold cell, Paul urgently needs a warm cloak for his body and the Word of God written on parchment to nourish his spirit.
Next, we note Paul’s words: “Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11). In the Book of Acts, we see that Mark quit partway through Paul’s first missionary journey. Because of Mark’s departure, serious friction developed between Paul and Barnabas, ultimately causing the two apostles to part ways (Acts 15:37–39). Barnabas wanted to give Mark another chance, while Paul no longer trusted him. But now Paul is in prison, facing what might be his final winter, and he says, “Bring Mark,” noting “he is helpful to me.” This reveals Paul’s markedly changed attitude toward Mark.
Pastor David Jang urges us to reflect deeply on the nature of true love and reconciliation through this passage. It is easy to exclude or cut someone off, saying, “This person hurt me,” or “That person is a burden to me.” But Christians cannot behave this way. Scripture testifies, “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law” (Ephesians 2:14). Jesus reconciled humanity with God, He reconciled Gentiles with Jews, and He tore down every wall that sin had erected. If we follow the reconciliation and love demonstrated by Jesus, then we too must be able to remove the walls between ourselves and others, including those who have hurt us or failed us.
In the past, Paul rejected Mark’s involvement, and that caused a rift between him and Barnabas. But over time, Paul continued to remember Mark and deeply valued his relationship with Barnabas. Eventually, Paul’s heart toward Mark softened, and he accepted him in love. The fruit of that love is Paul’s confession, “He is helpful to me.” This is precisely the spirit needed in churches today, which can easily experience frequent conflicts over differing opinions as their ministries expand and congregations grow. Pastor David Jang highlights the importance of a gospel-centered attitude that resolves conflicts and moves toward reconciliation. Every believer must “love to the end.” Just as Jesus did not give up on Judas Iscariot even at the Last Supper, we too must not give up on people but persist in embracing them until the very last moment.
Pastor David Jang also references the Book of Philemon. In Philemon, Paul mediates reconciliation between the runaway slave Onesimus and his master Philemon. Paul’s position is that “if you have been reconciled to God in Christ, you cannot remain unreconciled in your relationships with others.” Hence he writes to Philemon, urging him to “welcome Onesimus,” even offering to personally repay Onesimus’ debt. This is the spirit of reconciliation. It also contains what Pastor David Jang frequently underscores: “In the end, what remains is love alone.” Every human life, marked by birth, aging, sickness, and death, will one day reach its end. On that finite path of life, the most precious fruit is love, and that love is revealed by transcending conflict and hurt to embrace others.
Thus, even as Paul remains in a cold prison, deserted by fellow workers like Demas and others who once labored with him, he continues to speak of love to the very end. The key to enduring winter is not only having a physical cloak, but also having the parchments—God’s Word for spiritual nourishment—and the warmth that comes from reconciled relationships with dear co-laborers. Pastor David Jang exhorts that this is a profound lesson for us. We still experience “winter” in modern times, not merely a seasonal cold, but also the chill of our hearts through conflicts, quarrels, betrayal, wounds, indifference, and apathy that freeze our lives solid. Yet if we truly love and accept one another, clinging to God’s Word, and extend a hand to those from whom we have withdrawn our love, we can feel warmth even in the midst of a bitter winter.
Pastor David Jang adds, “It’s not just about constructing a building. It’s about building people up and establishing love.” The collective contributions of offerings, labor, and prayer will indeed construct a physical building, but the ultimate purpose is that the worldwide church would unite in love, that it would stand as one, and that it would reach out to those who still have not heard the gospel. What use is an abundance of churches and large sanctuaries if there is no love and no focus on mission? The building of a church headquarters or the establishment of regional refuge and rest centers is all meant to help people experience and share God’s love. If someone is in despair, the church community should be willing to share that burden in prayer, striving together for restoration. Without that desire, no matter how splendid the building, it is meaningless.
During the pandemic, more than 5.5 million people globally died, and hundreds of millions were infected. It is an unprecedented crisis. In the face of such widespread suffering, Pastor David Jang insists that the church must not remain isolated and self-satisfied. We must practice genuine love and prayer to heal the wounds of the world, demonstrate compassion, and faithfully serve where we are placed, following the spirit of reconciliation that Christ demonstrated. This is the model of love Paul shows in his final epistle, and it is the embodiment of Jesus’ commandment to “love one another” (John 13:34).
Using 2 Timothy 4 as a conclusion, Pastor David Jang acknowledges that there can be hurts and conflicts within the church. People have diverse opinions, human hearts can be fickle, and people’s attitudes can change from morning to night. But even in such instability, there is “something we must hold onto without wavering.” That something is love, God’s Word, and compassion for one another. Christian community is defined at that moment when Paul says, “Take Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me.” Even if hatred and division spread across society, even if the world is constantly discarding and forgetting each other in the rush of rapid change, the church must cling to love. Like Paul, the church should cry out, “Come to me quickly,” and establish a warm fellowship that can say, “Bring the cloak and the parchments,” acknowledging our shared humanity and need.
Our life of faith is made complete when these two pillars—the spirituality of encountering God in the temple, and the practice of love toward people—are in balance. In a place of worship where God’s presence dwells, we can offer sincere prayers and experience the grace to overcome life’s trials and even epidemics. Concurrently, we can preserve warmth in the harshest winter if we become a community that forgives conflicts, reconciles, supports one another, and “refuses to let go of love.” This is the message Pastor David Jang delivers from 2 Timothy 4 to churches and believers today.
Hence, the goal of our Christian life is not merely the salvation of individuals. Rather, within the church community we share love, compensate for each other’s weaknesses, and together fulfill the vision of mission and service. As Jesus declared, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). Love is the surest indicator of a Christian’s identity. If love grows cold, then no matter how splendid the temple, God is not pleased. Conversely, though a congregation may appear small and weak, if there is fervent love, reconciliation, and acceptance among the believers, the anointing of the Holy Spirit and miraculous grace are sure to abound.
Today, our commission is clear. According to the promise in 2 Chronicles 7, we must pray in times of tribulation so that the land may be healed. We must discover that refuge on the Mount of Olives, as foretold in Zechariah 14, where the Lord will stand. And like Paul in 2 Timothy 4, even in winter’s chill, we must keep warm through cloaks, the Word, and the spirit of reconciliation. Just as Paul called for Mark once more, the church must re-embrace those with whom it has been in conflict, inviting them back in love. Pastor David Jang proclaims these spiritual and practical truths, ultimately urging us never to lose faith that “God is still at work in our lives and in history.”
We must hold onto the words of 2 Chronicles 7: “If I humble myself and pray, God will hear from heaven, forgive my sin, and heal the land.” At the same time, if there is pain in our relationships, we must be guided by the gospel’s principle of “reconciliation” and bring healing to those wounds. The moment Paul professes, “Mark is useful to me,” reminds us that the person we might wish to avoid is often the very person we must continue to hold onto.
Pastor David Jang exhorts believers to build the “house of prayer for all nations,” become the “church that goes out into the whole world to do mission,” and live as a community that “never gives up on love.” Our labor of love for the church—building it, setting up its headquarters, and using Christian media to spread the gospel—shines brightest when “love” remains our unshaken motive. If love falters, no matter how great the achievements, the true meaning is lost. But if love stands firm, our devotion has eternal value, and even the cold of winter will be transformed into a “spiritually warm winter” under God’s grace. This is the “aroma of Jesus” Paul conveys at the end of 2 Timothy 4, the “spirit of reconciliation and acceptance,” and it must be treasured in our hearts.
As Pastor David Jang repeatedly insists, we must remain in this realm of mercy. And in a generation plagued by tribulation, storms, and epidemics, we must seek God earnestly in prayer, build His church to worship Him, and labor diligently to proclaim the gospel to all nations. None of this is accomplished because we have abundant resources or strength; it is possible only because our hearts are before God. Yet conflict or misunderstanding can arise within the church as well. At such times, the restoration of Paul’s relationship with Mark (and Barnabas) serves as a mirror for us. “Loving to the very end” is evidence that the gospel has truly taken root in our hearts. Only then can we endure the bitterest winter together.
Such love is likewise manifested in the awareness that the sweat and prayers of those laboring at a church construction site go far beyond a mere work zone. Pastor David Jang describes it as “service infused with love for the worldwide church.” We should be able to tell our descendants, “In that harsh winter, there were believers who labored wholeheartedly for the church. It was not just physical labor; it was love.” That story of love is the force that sustains the church’s very existence and serves as the soil in which the gospel flourishes.
Therefore, the task now before us is to hold on to the promise of 2 Chronicles 7, the prophecy of Zechariah 14, and Paul’s urgent plea in 2 Timothy 4, seeking God and practicing love even at the heart of a harsh winter. At times, we must build not merely a physical structure but a “spiritual temple” in our hearts. At times, we must resolve church conflicts with a spirit of reconciliation. Sometimes we must dedicate ourselves to carrying out the global missionary vision. Behind all of this lies the absolute imperative that “the Lord’s love must not grow cold.” Ultimately, Pastor David Jang’s message is an invitation to embody this truth in our lives and thus participate in “God’s work of building a holy temple.”
Pastor David Jang repeatedly stresses that while we do our utmost, this effort must always be established on prayer and love. Everything else, we then entrust to the Lord’s hands. This winter may seem colder or more severe, and the world may still be struggling with the aftermath of the pandemic, but let us remember that “the Lord is our refuge” and hold firmly to our faith that “those who love to the very end will prevail.” From his prison cell, Paul missed his fellow laborers in the gospel and requested three things: “the cloak, the scrolls, and Mark.” These remain just as relevant for our lives today. Like a garment that keeps one warm through a winter’s night, Scripture guards our souls, and the restoration of love—symbolized by Mark—provides reconciliation that we must not lose.
Reflecting on such profound faith and the value of love, if we can pray in the temple of God’s presence to overcome tribulation, and serve one another in the spirit of reconciliation like Paul calling for Mark, then no disaster on this earth can destroy this robust community. That community will function as a living temple of God’s kingdom, practiced and visible in the present age. This is Pastor David Jang’s core emphasis, and the firm foundation of the gospel as testified throughout Scripture—from 2 Chronicles 7 to 2 Timothy 4, and from Zechariah 14 to Matthew 24–25. As we cling to this love, reconciliation, and the power of prayer, God will surely fulfill His promise: “I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” Through that promise, He will grant us eternal warmth amid the cold winter we now traverse.