Ezekiel 43: The Return of God's Glory and the Millennial Temple
Afterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that looketh toward the east:
And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory.
And it was according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, even according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city: and the visions were like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell upon my face.
And the glory of the Lord came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east.
So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of the Lord filled the house.
And I heard him speaking unto me out of the house; and the man stood by me.
And he said unto me, Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no more defile, neither they, nor their kings, by their whoredom, nor by the carcases of their kings in their high places.
In their setting of their threshold by my thresholds, and their post by my posts, and the wall between me and them, they have even defiled my holy name by their abominations that they have committed: wherefore I have consumed them in mine anger.
Now let them put away their whoredom, and the carcases of their kings, far from me, and I will dwell in the midst of them for ever.
Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities: and let them measure the pattern.
And if they be ashamed of all that they have done, shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out thereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof: and write it in their sight, that they may keep the whole form thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and do them.
This is the law of the house; Upon the top of the mountain the whole limit thereof round about shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the house.
And these are the measures of the altar after the cubits: The cubit is a cubit and an hand breadth; even the bottom shall be a cubit, and the breadth a cubit, and the border thereof by the edge thereof round about shall be a span: and this shall be the higher place of the altar.
And from the bottom upon the ground even to the lower settle shall be two cubits, and the breadth one cubit; and from the lesser settle even to the greater settle shall be four cubits, and the breadth one cubit.
So the altar shall be four cubits; and from the altar and upward shall be four horns.
And the altar shall be twelve cubits long, twelve broad, square in the four squares thereof.
And the settle shall be fourteen cubits long and fourteen broad in the four squares thereof; and the border about it shall be half a cubit; and the bottom thereof shall be a cubit about; and his stairs shall look toward the east.
And he said unto me, Son of man, thus saith the Lord God; These are the ordinances of the altar in the day when they shall make it, to offer burnt offerings thereon, and to sprinkle blood thereon.
And thou shalt give to the priests the Levites that be of the seed of Zadok, which approach unto me, to minister unto me, saith the Lord God, a young bullock for a sin offering.
And thou shalt take of the blood thereof, and put it on the four horns of it, and on the four corners of the settle, and upon the border round about: thus shalt thou cleanse and purge it.
Thou shalt take the bullock also of the sin offering, and he shall burn it in the appointed place of the house, without the sanctuary.
And on the second day thou shalt offer a kid of the goats without blemish for a sin offering; and they shall cleanse the altar, as they did cleanse it with the bullock.
When thou hast made an end of cleansing it, thou shalt offer a young bullock without blemish, and a ram out of the flock without blemish.
And thou shalt offer them before the Lord, and the priests shall cast salt upon them, and they shall offer them up for a burnt offering unto the Lord.
Seven days shalt thou prepare every day a goat for a sin offering: they shall also prepare a young bullock, and a ram out of the flock, without blemish.
Seven days shall they purge the altar and purify it; and they shall consecrate themselves.
And when these days are expired, it shall be, that upon the eighth day, and so forward, the priests shall make your burnt offerings upon the altar, and your peace offerings; and I will accept you, saith the Lord God.
Ezekiel 43 is a pivotal chapter, filled with hope and promise, showcasing the awesome return of God's glory to His house. It's a vision of restoration, both tangible and spiritual, offering insights into the future millennial kingdom and the enduring presence of God among His people. This chapter can be divided into three key sections: the return of God's glory, the purpose of the temple vision, and the consecration of the altar.
The Return of God's Glory (Ezekiel 43:1-9)
Ezekiel's vision begins with a powerful and awe-inspiring event: the return of God's glory to the temple. This is not a quiet or subtle arrival, but a majestic display of divine power. Ezekiel describes hearing God's voice like "the roar of rushing waters" (Ezekiel 43:2), a sound both overwhelming and comforting. The earth shone with God's glory as He entered the temple through the eastern gate, and the entire temple was filled with His radiant presence (Ezekiel 43:4-5). This echoes the departure of God's glory described earlier in Ezekiel, signifying a complete reversal and a renewed covenant.
This return signifies more than just a physical presence. God declares that this new indwelling of His temple in the millennial kingdom will be permanent (Ezekiel 43:6-9). There will be no more defiling of His holy name through idolatry and spiritual unfaithfulness. The people and their leaders had previously desecrated God's house by placing their own idols and "thrones" (Ezekiel 43:7-8) alongside His. This is a powerful warning against elevating anything, be it political power or personal ambition, to the level of God. Political systems and leaders should never be allowed to usurp God's authority, and God's people must not allow political ideologies to compete with their devotion to the Kingdom of God.
The Purpose of the Temple Vision (Ezekiel 43:10-12)
God instructs Ezekiel to describe the temple in detail to the house of Israel (Ezekiel 43:10). This detailed description serves as a reminder of their past sins and a call to future obedience. The magnificent temple of Solomon had been destroyed because of their disobedience and idolatry. By showing them the blueprint of the new temple, God is offering them a chance to learn from their mistakes and live in accordance with His will. This vision isn't just about architecture; it's about repentance, reformation, and a renewed commitment to God's covenant.
The specific measurements and architectural details of the temple, though seemingly mundane, carry significant weight. They represent God's meticulous plan for His people and His desire for order and holiness in worship. By carefully studying these details, the Israelites would be reminded of the importance of following God's instructions precisely.
The Consecration of the Altar (Ezekiel 43:13-27)
Before the redeemed people of Israel can begin their daily worship in the millennial temple, the altar of burnt offering must be consecrated. The altar's dimensions are given in great detail (Ezekiel 43:13-17), emphasizing the importance of precise adherence to God's specifications when it is rebuilt in the kingdom age.
The consecration process is a seven-day period (Ezekiel 43:18-27) involving numerous burnt offerings and a sin offering. These offerings are to be administered by the Levitical priests, descendants of Zadok, who will apply the blood in a manner similar to the sacrifices under the Law of Moses (Ezekiel 43:18-20). This meticulous process underscores the need for purification and atonement before approaching God in worship.
Once the seven days of consecration are complete, the priests will offer burnt offerings and fellowship offerings on the altar (Ezekiel 43:27). This marks the beginning of earnest worship in the millennial kingdom. This highlights the importance of proper preparation and consecration in our own lives as we seek to draw closer to God. True worship requires a clean heart and a willingness to submit to God's will.
Ezekiel 43 offers a compelling vision of hope, restoration, and the enduring presence of God. It reminds us of the importance of obedience, the consequences of idolatry, and the promise of a future where God's glory will dwell among His people forever. As we study this chapter, may we be inspired to examine our own hearts, to remove any idols that may be competing for our affection, and to dedicate ourselves to living in accordance with God's will.
Afterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that looketh toward the east:
And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory.
And it was according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, even according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city: and the visions were like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell upon my face.
And the glory of the Lord came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east.
So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of the Lord filled the house.
And I heard him speaking unto me out of the house; and the man stood by me.
And he said unto me, Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no more defile, neither they, nor their kings, by their whoredom, nor by the carcases of their kings in their high places.
In their setting of their threshold by my thresholds, and their post by my posts, and the wall between me and them, they have even defiled my holy name by their abominations that they have committed: wherefore I have consumed them in mine anger.
Now let them put away their whoredom, and the carcases of their kings, far from me, and I will dwell in the midst of them for ever.
Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities: and let them measure the pattern.
And if they be ashamed of all that they have done, shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out thereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof: and write it in their sight, that they may keep the whole form thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and do them.
This is the law of the house; Upon the top of the mountain the whole limit thereof round about shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the house.
And these are the measures of the altar after the cubits: The cubit is a cubit and an hand breadth; even the bottom shall be a cubit, and the breadth a cubit, and the border thereof by the edge thereof round about shall be a span: and this shall be the higher place of the altar.
And from the bottom upon the ground even to the lower settle shall be two cubits, and the breadth one cubit; and from the lesser settle even to the greater settle shall be four cubits, and the breadth one cubit.
So the altar shall be four cubits; and from the altar and upward shall be four horns.
And the altar shall be twelve cubits long, twelve broad, square in the four squares thereof.
And the settle shall be fourteen cubits long and fourteen broad in the four squares thereof; and the border about it shall be half a cubit; and the bottom thereof shall be a cubit about; and his stairs shall look toward the east.
And he said unto me, Son of man, thus saith the Lord God; These are the ordinances of the altar in the day when they shall make it, to offer burnt offerings thereon, and to sprinkle blood thereon.
And thou shalt give to the priests the Levites that be of the seed of Zadok, which approach unto me, to minister unto me, saith the Lord God, a young bullock for a sin offering.
And thou shalt take of the blood thereof, and put it on the four horns of it, and on the four corners of the settle, and upon the border round about: thus shalt thou cleanse and purge it.
Thou shalt take the bullock also of the sin offering, and he shall burn it in the appointed place of the house, without the sanctuary.
And on the second day thou shalt offer a kid of the goats without blemish for a sin offering; and they shall cleanse the altar, as they did cleanse it with the bullock.
When thou hast made an end of cleansing it, thou shalt offer a young bullock without blemish, and a ram out of the flock without blemish.
And thou shalt offer them before the Lord, and the priests shall cast salt upon them, and they shall offer them up for a burnt offering unto the Lord.
Seven days shalt thou prepare every day a goat for a sin offering: they shall also prepare a young bullock, and a ram out of the flock, without blemish.
Seven days shall they purge the altar and purify it; and they shall consecrate themselves.
And when these days are expired, it shall be, that upon the eighth day, and so forward, the priests shall make your burnt offerings upon the altar, and your peace offerings; and I will accept you, saith the Lord God.
Ezekiel 43 is a pivotal chapter, filled with hope and promise, showcasing the awesome return of God's glory to His house. It's a vision of restoration, both tangible and spiritual, offering insights into the future millennial kingdom and the enduring presence of God among His people. This chapter can be divided into three key sections: the return of God's glory, the purpose of the temple vision, and the consecration of the altar.
The Return of God's Glory (Ezekiel 43:1-9)
Ezekiel's vision begins with a powerful and awe-inspiring event: the return of God's glory to the temple. This is not a quiet or subtle arrival, but a majestic display of divine power. Ezekiel describes hearing God's voice like "the roar of rushing waters" (Ezekiel 43:2), a sound both overwhelming and comforting. The earth shone with God's glory as He entered the temple through the eastern gate, and the entire temple was filled with His radiant presence (Ezekiel 43:4-5). This echoes the departure of God's glory described earlier in Ezekiel, signifying a complete reversal and a renewed covenant.
This return signifies more than just a physical presence. God declares that this new indwelling of His temple in the millennial kingdom will be permanent (Ezekiel 43:6-9). There will be no more defiling of His holy name through idolatry and spiritual unfaithfulness. The people and their leaders had previously desecrated God's house by placing their own idols and "thrones" (Ezekiel 43:7-8) alongside His. This is a powerful warning against elevating anything, be it political power or personal ambition, to the level of God. Political systems and leaders should never be allowed to usurp God's authority, and God's people must not allow political ideologies to compete with their devotion to the Kingdom of God.
The Purpose of the Temple Vision (Ezekiel 43:10-12)
God instructs Ezekiel to describe the temple in detail to the house of Israel (Ezekiel 43:10). This detailed description serves as a reminder of their past sins and a call to future obedience. The magnificent temple of Solomon had been destroyed because of their disobedience and idolatry. By showing them the blueprint of the new temple, God is offering them a chance to learn from their mistakes and live in accordance with His will. This vision isn't just about architecture; it's about repentance, reformation, and a renewed commitment to God's covenant.
The specific measurements and architectural details of the temple, though seemingly mundane, carry significant weight. They represent God's meticulous plan for His people and His desire for order and holiness in worship. By carefully studying these details, the Israelites would be reminded of the importance of following God's instructions precisely.
The Consecration of the Altar (Ezekiel 43:13-27)
Before the redeemed people of Israel can begin their daily worship in the millennial temple, the altar of burnt offering must be consecrated. The altar's dimensions are given in great detail (Ezekiel 43:13-17), emphasizing the importance of precise adherence to God's specifications when it is rebuilt in the kingdom age.
The consecration process is a seven-day period (Ezekiel 43:18-27) involving numerous burnt offerings and a sin offering. These offerings are to be administered by the Levitical priests, descendants of Zadok, who will apply the blood in a manner similar to the sacrifices under the Law of Moses (Ezekiel 43:18-20). This meticulous process underscores the need for purification and atonement before approaching God in worship.
Once the seven days of consecration are complete, the priests will offer burnt offerings and fellowship offerings on the altar (Ezekiel 43:27). This marks the beginning of earnest worship in the millennial kingdom. This highlights the importance of proper preparation and consecration in our own lives as we seek to draw closer to God. True worship requires a clean heart and a willingness to submit to God's will.
Ezekiel 43 offers a compelling vision of hope, restoration, and the enduring presence of God. It reminds us of the importance of obedience, the consequences of idolatry, and the promise of a future where God's glory will dwell among His people forever. As we study this chapter, may we be inspired to examine our own hearts, to remove any idols that may be competing for our affection, and to dedicate ourselves to living in accordance with God's will.