Highlights:
God is back! His glory fills the Temple once again (Ezek. 43:5)! The Holy Altar. Pay attention to the rules of God (chap 44). God expects us to support His ministry (chap 45). Note especially the keeping of the Passover pointing to Christ's death on the cross (45:21-24).
In a vision, Ezekiel had witnessed the departure of the glory of the God of Israel from the magnificent, but now destroyed, Temple built by Solomon (Ezek. 9:3; 10:4,18-19; 11:22-23). Jerusalem and the once-glorious kingdom of Israel were only memories. The Israelites had chosen practices contrary to the Word of God and were actually worshiping idols, the sun, and all sorts of creatures in the Temple that had been dedicated to God alone (8:5-17).
As judgment for their idolatry, the Israelites were enslaved in a heathen land. Again Ezekiel received a vision of a future Temple, far greater than Solomon's, where the glory of the Lord would return to dwell. Ezekiel was brought . . . to 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 the glory of the Lord came into the House by the way of the gate whose prospect (face) 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 (43:1-2,4-5).
In this vision, the Lord of Glory entered His new Temple by the very way through which He had departed from the old Temple (comp. 10:19 and 11:22-23). The Eastern Gate led straight to the Temple entrance of the eternal King, who said: 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 (43:7). The emphasis is the importance of holiness in the lives of the people of God.
The physical Temple had foreshadowed the life and ministry of Christ. In the millennium there will be no need for types or symbols because God the Father and Jesus Christ, whom the symbols represented, will be present. Our preoccupation should not be with how and when the prophecies will be fulfilled; but above all else we should be concerned that our body, mind, and spirit be prepared for the Lord's return.
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the Temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which Temple ye are (I Cor. 3:16-17).
Thought for Today:
And He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint (Luke 18:1).
Christ Revealed:
As the glory of the Lord (Ezek. 43:4). Jesus is the brightness of His glory (the glory of God), and the express image of His Person (Heb. 1:3).
Word Studies:
43:4 whose prospect is =which faces; 43:12 limit =the whole border, territory; 43:13 higher place of =height of; 43:14 settle =ledge on which the priests stood; 43:17 squares =sides; 44:18 bonnets =turbans, headdresses; 44:22 put away =divorced; 45:24 meat =grain/cereal/meal.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in honor of Rick Hash • Staff: Rita Guerra • Government Officials: Rep. Lincoln Davis (TN) and Rep. Peter Roskam (IL) • Country: Barbados (259,000) on the island farthest east in the West Indies • Major language: English • Religious freedom • 79% Protestant; 8% Roman Catholic • Prayer Suggestion: Pray to be considerate to the less fortunate (Ps. 41:1).
Optional Reading: Revelation 18
Memory Verse for the Week: Galatians 1:24