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Secondly, we gave great consideration, and asked God's
guidance, in determining how large it should be. We knew -- even
ten or twelve years ago =- that God's Work was growing and WOULD
grow. We knew the attendance at the Headquarters Church would
grow -- BUT we had set a limit on the size of the student body of
550 resident students. We knew that if we built this House for
God to seat 4,000 people, we probably would outgrow it. But, in
even a 2,500 or 3,000-seat auditorium, our 550 students would look
very tiny in such an auditorium at Assemblies and Forums.
Most universities of 10,000 to 40,000 students have
auditoriums that seat only a small part of their student bodies.
Already we were renting the Pasadena Civic Auditorium (with about
3,000 seats) for special occasions and some Holy Days, when the
other churches of this Los Angeles area come to meet with us. We
knew we could still do that. Also we knew that we could have TWO
services on the Sabbath, one morning and one afternoon -- as we
have now been doing for some time.
Another important factor -- if we built it any bigger than
we planned, we could never build it so big and maintain the quality
and character NECESSARY to honor God.
We looked into God's Word for instruction and guidelines.
What is GOD'S teaching, as to the character we should build?
God gave David the design, plans, and directions for
building the Temple. It was built, not only of finest woods, but
with GOLD, SILVER, and PRECIOUS STONES. Even furniture pieces made
of wood, were COVERED WITH GOLD. The curtains, the veil, etc.,
were of FINEST materials, and with finest handicraft, carvings, and
illustrations. The colors were bright, brilliant, BEAUTIFUL --
gold, blue, purple, crimson.
We looked in the New Testament. Through Paul, God used
the analogy of comparing His Church -- the PEOPLE -- to a building.
He wrote: "For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's
husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God
which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the
foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take
heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man
lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man
build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood,
hay, stubble; every man's work shall be made manifest: for the
day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire, for
the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any
man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive
a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss;
but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire" (I Cor. 3:9-15).
This analogy illustrates how we are saved by GRACE, but the
degree of REWARD, when saved, will be according to our WORKS. The
analogy shows that if a man builds, spiritually with materials
compared to gold, silver, precious stones, he is building wisely.
Even the best woods are hard woods, that might survive the fire
if put out in time. But hay and stubble -- the CHEAPER, POOR