The Temple of Ezekiel - What is It? When is/was it? - NCCG.ORG Ning Network Archive 2008-10

This ministry has no official position on this subject and is opening up this topic for debate. Also see our website article at: http://nccg.org/eziongeber/ezekiel_temple.html

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ONE MESSIANIC VIEW (Radio Tsiyon)

I have a friend who likes to watch an evangelical teacher on TV. She then tells me about the teaching, and wants to know my opinion from a messianic point of view. She is very much a beginner. However, I'm not exactly an expert. I'm trying to steer her to other resources for teaching, like yourselves, however, she is pretty stubborn at this point and is showing some "independence" by choosing who she wants to listen to. The question has to do with Ezekiel. This evangelical teacher was saying that in the millennial kingdom, there will be a temple, and that all of the sacrifices will be performed as a "memorial". He went on to say that Christians get upset with this and say that Jeshua did away with all of that. He says that it is scriptural and is described in Ezekiel chapters 40-48. I have already studied Ch. 37-39 and they are yet future. But I have not heard an explanation by the messianic teachers as to what temple these chapters are describing. I don't think that they are yet future? The opening line is the time -- they were in the 25th year of Babylonian captivity. Could this vision given to Ezekiel be the command and instructions to rebuild the temple when the 70 years are up? (Which they did) Also, the description does not match the temple described in the book of revelation. The book of revelation does not describe any sacrifices being performed. What is your understanding of this?

The Temple of Ezekiel 40-48 is in fact the Millennial Temple of Israel. The details set out in these chapters leave us no other possible conclusion. This is because the construction of the Temple as set out in great detail in this prophecy, along with the apportionment of the Land of Israel to all of the Tribes, as also set out in great detail as part of this same prophecy, has never been fulfilled. In fact, because the Tribes of Israel were scattered previous to Ezekiel's prophecy, these details could not be fulfilled until all of the Tribes of Israel are returned to their Land. This has never happened and is foretold to happen at the End of the Age. Therefore, the events of Ezekiel 40-48 can refer to nothing else but the full restoration of Israel in its tribes, in the Millennial Kingdom.

The prophecy gives this description of the glory of YHWH coming into the Temple:

"Afterward he brought me to the gate [of the Temple], even the gate that looks toward the east. Behold, the Glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth shined with his glory. The Glory of YHWH came into the House by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east. The Spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the Glory of YHWH filled the House." Eze 43:1-5

Surely, this is a future event, since there is no record of any such event in which the earth shined with the Glory of YHWH upon coming into His Temple. This can be nothing but a description of [the Glory of ]YHWH returning to the newly built Temple of restored Israel to dwell with Israel there. In fact, this meaning is directly stated in these words:

"This is 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 forever." Eze 43:7

This Millennial Temple prophecy of Ezekiel shows that the Temple will be constructed with furnishings for regular sacrificial service built in as part of the Temple plan. Further, specific animal sacrifices are designated for the officiating priests as well as for the people. While the sacrifices are named according to the already existing terms used in Torah for them (burnt offering, sin offering, etc), it is possible that the actual meaning and purpose of the sacrifices themselves are changed in that future setting. In that connection, I find these words of YHWH explaining the priestly service of that era interesting:

"But the priests the Levites, the sons of Zadok, who performed the duty of my sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from me, they shall come near to me to minister to me; and they shall stand before me to offer to me the fat and the blood, says the Lord YHWH: they shall enter into my sanctuary, and they shall come near to my table, to minister to me, and they shall keep my instruction." Eze 44:15

Here YHWH seems to be saying that the priesthood that failed in their duty in the past will not fail in their duty in the future Millennial Temple. This could point to one purpose of the sacrificial service of the Millennial Temple, namely, to finally fulfill the Torah in perfect detail as regards the priestly service of Israel. This is in accord with these words of Messiah:

"For truly I say to you, Till the heaven and the earth pass away, not one jot or one tittle shall in any way pass from the Torah until all is fulfilled."

Since Israel failed in perfectly performing the sacrificial service in this Age, in the future Millennial Kingdom they are going to have a re-do to get it perfect! This grace of another chance only comes to them because of the perfect sacrifice that Messiah already gave in their behalf. Therefore, all of the sacrifices of the Millennial Temple must be seen as subordinate to and reflective of that one Great Sacrifice that has made a renewed Israel possible. (Matthew 5:18, 1 Cor 15:57)

The terminology of YHWH here, referring to the priestly service, is also interesting. He says:

"..they shall come near to My table, to minister to me.." Eze 44:15

Table (H7979 shool-khawn') has this meaning according to Strong's:

"a table (as spread out); by implication a meal: - table."

In Hebraic thinking to share a table together is to be in fellowship with one another. No doubt you have heard the phrase "table fellowship." The literal sacrifices that are to be offered up and presented upon the "table" of YHWH will be proof to the Millennial nation of Israel that He has truly, fully and completely entered back into full fellowship with them as His special possession out of all the earth. This was His plan from the start for Israel as a nation out of all nations, and it has not changed. In the Millennial Kingdom Israel will be foremost among the nations of Mankind. (1 Sam 20:5, 2 Sam 9:7, Psalm 23:5-6, Luke 22:30, Duet 28:13)

This brief explanation should not be seen as an exhaustive study on this topic, but these are just some of the reasons for the resumption of animal sacrifices by an Israelite Priesthood in the Millennial Temple. I would add that there is nothing in Ezekiel to suggest that the Millennial Temple there described applies to any but Millennial Israel. Therefore, that Temple as described there will likely be only a part of the larger "New Jerusalem" complex that we are told about in Revelation, which "New Jerusalem" seems to have a more global vision in mind. (See Revelation 21)

http://tsiyon.org/newsletter/archive/2009/09_18_09_vol_4_38_tsiyon_...

What do you think?

Reply by DR on September 25, 2009 at 6:46am

My personal belief is that these are memorial offerings, like Passover (Exodus 12:14). I don't know a lot about it, though, so I don't worry about it, realizing Yehoshua fulfilled several other Old Testament prophecies (Jews try to use these chapters to discredit Him).

I do know a lot of Christians, as early as the second century, viewed many of the Millennial prophecies symbolically (although I myself personally believe there will be a Millennium). I don't know if this is a case of that or not.

SDAs suggest that things such as this would have been Israel's reward had they been obedient, but I obviously think that reeks of Replacement Theology.

I'm shelving it. ;)

Reply by DR on September 25, 2009 at 6:49am

Although its also important to note that in this theocracy, Gentiles are treated like the native born, with inheritance among the tribes (Ezekiel 47:32-34). Pro-circumcision "Messianic" Jews don't like it very much when I cite that verse, because it clearly states Gentiles who accept Messiah are regarded as Israelites, with or without their circumcision.

:)

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