Ezekiel's Temple Vision
Image credit - Pexels cottonbro
The Temple Area Restored
1 In the twenty-fifth year of our exile, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth of the month, in the fourteenth year after the fall of the city—on that very day the hand of the Lord was on me and he took me there.
2 In visions of God he took me to the land of Israel and set me on a very high mountain, on whose south side were some buildings that looked like a city. 3 He took me there, and I saw a man whose appearance was like bronze; he was standing in the gateway with a linen cord and a measuring rod in his hand.
4 The man said to me, “Son of man, look carefully and listen closely and pay attention to everything I am going to show you, for that is why you have been brought here. Tell the people of Israel everything you see.”
One of the most compelling and least talked about portions of scripture to support the literal millennial kingdom is found in Ezekiel chapters 40 to 48.
These chapters are prophetic and describe in great detail, the dimensions, location and construction of a future new temple.
The instructions are relayed in a way reminiscent of Exodus chapters 25 to 40; describing the construction of the Tabernacle. Ezekiel's prophecy should be taken every bit as literally and every bit as seriously as the Exodus account of the Tabernacle.
The description of this temple does not match any of the historic literal temples in Israel's history - it has never been built - not yet anyway. A literal reading of these chapters demands that it will be built in the future.
This temple can not and must not be confused with the New Jerusalem as described in Revelation chapter 21, because there is no temple in the New Jerusalem;
Revelation 21 v 22 NIV
"I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple."
The other point where we need to avoid confusion is the location of this new temple. Unlike the highly disputed site of the Dome of the Rock and the Western Wall; this new temple will be built on a new site.
Revelation 16 v 19 tells us that during God's final act of judgment in bowl seven; Jerusalem will be split into three parts. I think it is fair to assume that the city will be changed beyond recognition and perhaps the currently disputed sections of Jerusalem will be reshaped. This can be inferred with the adjoining text - "and the cities of the nations collapsed".
Today, Jerusalem is known to have four 'quarters'; Jewish, Muslim, Armenian and Christian. According to Revelation 16 v 19; at the end of the Great Tribulation as a result of Bowl seven of the Wrath of God - Jerusalem will be split into three parts - not four. Think about it!
According to a recent study by the EU Department of Transport and Infrastructure; by 2025, 80 per cent of the world's population will live in towns and cities. God's final act of judgment on mankind will desolate the most densely populated areas of the earth.
In his vision Ezekiel is given precise details concerning the restoration of the Temple, the inner and outer courtyards and the various places for preparing sacrifices. He also outlines details regarding the restoration of the Alter of Sacrifice and the Priesthood. Finally he receives confirmation of the restoration of the twelve tribes and the division of the land of Israel between the tribes.
This magnificent temple described so comprehensively in Ezekiel's vision will be built in Israel at the commencement of the Millennial reign of Christ. It will last for 1000 years on this present earth. It will ultimately be surpassed in glory and magnitude at the consummation when the New Heavens and New earth are introduced to inaugurate the New Eternal Age.
When I reached this conclusion for myself and wondered if anyone else had come to the same conclusion, I was absolutely delighted when I discovered the following material which describes in great detail the literal nature of this magnificent building and enclosure.
There is no doubt that tensions are rising in the Middle East. The Arabian or Muslim nations that surround Israel today make no secret of their desire to see her wiped off the map forever. In contrast to their wishes; Israel will take centre stage for 1000 years when the Lord Jesus will be recognised by all the nations of earth to be King of kings and Lord of lords.
Video: DTBM Video Training / 'The literal Temple' and 'Israel and the Arab Nations' Pastor John Barnett
Video: Dr John Whitcomb - Ezekiel & Sacricial System
Link: Lambert Dolphin / Comprehensive treatment of Ezekiel's Temple
Link: creationtorevelation.org
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