Temple of Heaven

Today, we visited Tian Tan – the Temple (literally Altar) of Heaven. Ancient Chinese records declare a general knowledge of the Sovereign God (Shang Di) which parallels that of the Old Testament. Think pre-law, pre-Moses – walking away from the Tower of Babel, these people knew who God was and what he required of man. No temple was ever built for Shang Di, no image ever formed of Him. Once a year the emperor humbled himself before Him and asked for his mercy and favor. Pray that this original knowledge of God among the Chinese people would be rediscovered. We walked among many nationals who have no understanding of this place or its meaning.

-Sarah

Two quotes from the sacrificial rites that took place at Tian Tan are below.

At the beginning: “Of old in the beginning, there was the great chaos, without form and dark. The five planets had not begun to revolve, nor the two lights to shine. In the midst of it there existed neither form nor sound. You, O spiritual Sovereign, came forth in Your sovereignty, and first did separate the impure from the pure. You made heaven; You made earth; You made man. All things became alive with reproducing power.”

At the end: “The service of song is completed, but our poor sincerity cannot be expressed. Your sovereign goodness is infinite. As a potter, You have made all living things. Great and small are sheltered (by Your love). Imprinted on the heart of Your poor servant is the sense of Your goodness, so that my feeling cannot be fully displayed. With great kindness You do bear with us, and, notwithstanding our demerits, do grant us life and prosperity.”

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