Exodus 3:2-5 And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. Then Moses said, "I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn." So when the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am." Then He said, "Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground."

2. Corinthians 12:2-4 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago; whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows; such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man; whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows; how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

A theme which runs like a thread throughout the entire Scriptures is the "Holy Place". Adam and Eve received the Garden of Eden from God, the patriarchs received Bethel, and Israel received the tabernacle. The special thing about holy places is that God does not really need them, they are made for us. And yet there are events which prove that God punished the individuals who offended against a holy place - Adam and Eve (Genesis 3) were driven away from the Garden, Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1-10) were consumed by fire, Uzzah (2. Samuel 6:3-8) was killed, Jesus chased the moneychangers out of the temple (Mathew 21:12-13) and there are many other examples.

Despite all this, men and women continued to reach out to the Holy One. David said in Psalm 27:4 One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple. But why should you reach out for a holy place when this could cost you your life? The answer is: The holy place is a place of the covenant, a place of holy fellowship. Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. dw

Additional verses to study: 2.Chronicles 6:12-7:3; Genesis 31:11-13; I.Kings 19; Psalm 84:2; 2.Timothy 2:19