Examining Ezekiel's Future "Temple"

[The Modern-Day Servant (Isaiah 49:1-9)]

EXAMINING EZEKIEL'S FUTURE "TEMPLE"
(Ezekiel 40-48 and Revelation 22)

If we consider Ezekiel Chapters 40-48, we see a Temple envisioned that has practically no "holy" furniture or utensils shown in the "holy" compartment. Only a "wooden table" that is shown to be the "table before Jehovah." (Ezekiel 41:21, 22) But, no golden table/altar is seen, or no other "golden" items are shown in it, which is very unusual...yes, very unusual indeed. Also, we see there is someone, mysteriously doing much "measuring" of the entire Temple complex. (Ezekiel 40th chapter)

We also notice, no High Priest is specifically mentioned but someone called the "Chieftain" is shown to be there. This person is mentioned as one who "eats bread before Jehovah" himself. (Ezekiel 44:3) Also, we see from Ezekiel’s vision, "healing," "living waters" are flowing from this Temple, which benefits many of mankind. -- Ezekiel 47:1-12

As we examine this temple of Ezekiel closely, we remember there is another Temple mentioned in the book of Revelation too, that brings forth "healing," "Living Waters" also. (Revelation 22:1, 2) And both temples are said to be from God, as they both bring forth "Living Waters" for the "curing" of mankind. But the one mentioned in Revelation seems different, very much so. Yes, because this Temple represents the "finished product" -- The end result, of God's making.

Therefore, what we today see pictured here, in both visions of the future, is the work of re-building God's Temple, or God's People being rebuilt, re-organized and re-educated people, into a spiritual "temple" structure for Jehovah. (1 Corinthians 3:16, 17) This is shown in the fact that in both temple structures, Jehovah has found permanent residence within them. Think about it. -- See Ezekiel 43:4-9; Ezekiel 48:35; Revelation 21:3, 4; Revelation 22:3.

Before pure worship can get underway, Jehovah Himself reveals the first "temple" has been defiled in His eyes, by wicked "chieftains" previously in charge of God's Household. -- See Ezekiel 43:8, 9; Ezekiel 44:9; Ezekiel 45:8-12.

Because of their wicked acts, the "temple" then must be cleansed. These "rebellious" leaders and "rebellious" nation, are called by God: "Rebelliousness, the house of Israel". Yes, they are a "rebellious" people in God's sight -- very much so! This is why, Almighty God also goes on to say to these wicked people, they have "broken his covenant" with them, as a nation and people, and "defiled" His Holy Name. Therefore, the people must repent, and "remove their fornication" and "carcasses of their kings" far away from God, and then Jehovah will "certainly reside in the midst of them to TIME INDEFINITE" or forever. This is God's Promise to them. -- See Ezekiel 44:6, 7; Ezekiel 43:8, 9.

Therefore, because of this horrendous spiritual condition the people exist in, the people must be taught again, "the difference between a holy thing and a profane thing. They must again be taught, the difference between what is unclean and what is clean". (See Isaiah 54:13) In fact, because of the filthy spiritual condition of the nation at that time, yes even the [copper] "altar" upon which the sacrifices of the nation are normally to be offered, is also completely "defiled" in God's sight. So, again, this "altar" first must be "atoned" for, "cleansed" and then "installed" again, before God will accept the nations offerings upon it. -- See Ezekiel 43:26; Ezekiel 44:23.

Since both "temples" mentioned are described as sending forth "healing," "living waters" coming forth from them to "heal" or "cure" mankind, thus it would be reasonable to conclude that the Temple shown in Revelation and the one mentioned in Ezekiel are both, one and the same temple structures, for God's Glory, but shown from 2 completely different angles. The key difference being, one "temple," the one mentioned in Revelation actually represents the END RESULT of God's work upon renovating, or "re-generating" [Greek: palingenesis] his "apostate nation" people of worshippers, and the other Temple, as shown in Ezekiel, represents the beginning of this spiritual "restoration" work itself. -- See Isaiah 10:6; Ezekiel 43:10-12; Matthew 19:28.

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