September 13
Ezekiel 43 -- 45
In a vision, Ezekiel had witnessed the departure of the glory of the Lord from the magnificent, but now destroyed, Temple built by Solomon (Ezekiel 10). The reason for the departure of the presence of God had been made clear. Israel had ignored God's Word and the people had actually chosen to worship man-made idols, the sun, and all sorts of abominable creatures, even worshiping them in the very Temple dedicated to the Only True God and Creator of the universe (8:5-17).
At a time when the Israelites had only memories of their once great and glorious kingdom and, like a terrible dream, were slaves in a heathen land, Ezekiel received a vision of hope. He was given assurance of a future Temple far greater than Solomon's, and, best of all, the glory of the Lord would return to dwell in it. Ezekiel was brought to the gate . . . that faces toward the east: And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the . . . east: and His voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with His glory. . . . The glory of the Lord came into the House (Temple) by the way of the gate facing . . . toward the east. Then the Spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of the Lord filled the (Temple) (43:1-2,4-5).
In this vision, the Lord of Glory entered His new Temple by the very entrance 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, the House of Israel shall no more defile (43:7). The focus here is on the importance of holiness, and, in the closing book of the New Testament, we read: There shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defiles, neither whatsoever works abomination, or makes a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's Book of Life (Revelation 21:27).
As Ezekiel envisioned, when Jesus Christ returns to reign on earth, as King of kings and Lord of lords, the glory of the Lord will once again fill the Temple (Ezekiel 43:2,4-5). Many years after Ezekiel's vision, the Apostle John went still further into the future to see that even this magnificent Temple, seen by Ezekiel, would one day also pass away when our present Heaven and earth shall pass away (Matthew 24:35). All will be replaced by a new Heaven and a new earth. The new Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1-2) will have no Temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the Temple of it (21:22). The Temple was a type or shadow of Christ. There will be no need for types or shadows in the eternal, spiritual world because God the Father and Jesus Christ, whom they had represented, will be present.
Obviously, our chief concern should not be with when or how Ezekiel's Temple will be built, or how and when all the supernatural prophecies will be fulfilled. Our one foremost concern should be that our body, mind, and spirit be holy, for we are the Temple of God, and . . . 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). It is of utmost importance that we bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (II Corinthians 10:5). For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one Body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free (I Corinthians 12:13). And if you be Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3:29).
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 (Heb.1:3).
Word Studies:
43:4 whose prospect is means which faces; 43:12 limit means territory; 43:13 higher place means height; 43:14 settle means ledge; 43:17 squares means sides; 43:20 settle means ledge; 44:17 bonnets means turbans; 44:22 put away means divorced; 44:25 come at means go near; 45:7 oblation means Holy Place; 45:13 oblation means contribution; 45:15 fat means well watered; 45:24 meat means grain/cereal.
Government Official: Gov. William Janklow (SD) · BPM Staff: Barbara Bivens · Pray for Dr. Jerry Wiles, Executive Vice Chairman, IBRA · Pray for the Bible Pathway International Radio Broadcast in honor of Rick Hash · Country: Mainland China (1.2 billion) in eastern Asia · Major languages: Standard Chinese (Putonghua) or Mandarin (based on the Beijing dialect) · Renewed persecution of the Church · 18% Chinese folk-religionist; 6% Buddhist; 2% Muslim; number of Christians unknown but growing · Prayer Suggestion: Give thanks always for fellow Christians (II Thessalonians 2:13-14).
Optional Reading:
Revelation 18
Memory Verse for the Week:
Titus 2:12