September 13
Read Ezekiel 43 - 45
In Today's Reading:
Vision of God's glory filling the Temple; ordinances for the priests; land for the sanctuary and the city described
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 (Ezekiel 9:3; 10:4,18-19; 11:22-23). Jerusalem and the once glorious kingdom of Israel were only memories. The Israelites had chosen to ignore God's Word 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). Consequently, the Israelites were enslaved in a heathen land.
Again Ezekiel received a vision of a Temple, this time of a future, far greater than Solomon's, where the glory of the Lord would return to dwell. Ezekiel was brought . . . to the gate . . . that looks 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 (compare 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 of this vision 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 concern should not be 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 you not that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple you are (I Corinthians 3:16-17).
Christ Revealed:
As the glory of the Lord (Ezekiel 43:4). Jesus is the brightness of His (God's) glory, and the express image of His Person (Hebrews 1:3).
Word Studies:
43:4 whose prospect is = which faces; 43:12 limit = territory; 43:13 higher place = height; 43:14 settle = ledge; 43:17 squares = sides; 44:18 bonnets = turbans; 44:22 put away = divorced; 45:24 meat = grain/cereal.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for BP Staff: Clarence Rathbone · Government Official: Rep. Lincoln Davis (TN) · Country: Sao Tome and Principe (155,000) two larger and several smaller islands in the Gulf of Guinea, 125 miles off the western coast of Africa · Major language: Portuguese · Religious freedom is fairly new · 83% Roman Catholic; 3% Protestant; 2% animist
Prayer Suggestion: Offer your gift of praise to God in prayer (I Peter 2:5).
Prayer Suggestion: Offer your gift of praise to God in prayer (I Peter 2:5).
Optional Reading: Revelation 18
Memory Verse for the Week: Romans 13:1