Lost and Found
One Year Bible: November 21
Ezekiel 42:1-43:27
Lost & Found
What has been “LOST” from the original Temple in the new millennial Temple that ”The Measuring Man” is showing to Ezekiel through this vision?
What is “Found” that was not there before?
Then again, what remains the “SAME”?
Out of all of this splendor that is on display before Ezekiel to relay to the people, what is THE BASIC LAW OF THE TEMPLE?
“And this is the basic law of the Temple: ABSOLUTE HOLINESS! The entire top of the mountain where the Temple is built is HOLY. Yes, this is THE BASIC LAW OF THE TEMPLE.” (Ezekiel 43:12)
We dare not miss this FOUNDATIONAL, UNCHANGEABLE, UNMUTABLE declaration!
“These rooms that overlook the Temple from the north and south are HOLY.”.” (42:13)
This is where the priest sacrifices the sacred offerings--grain offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings. It is so HOLY that the priests were NOT to directly go to the outer courtyard. They were to first take OFF THE CLOTHES they wore ministering because these clothes are HOLY.” (42:14)
Do you remember when the priests were abusing this room for their own purposes? That was how low the respect for the temple had gone. Even God’s HOLY TEMPLE had been desecrated in HIS eyes. When God restores his Temple for a millennial reign, it won’t be like that at all! But, what will it be like exactly? What will be “LOST” from the original temple?
In chapters 41-42 we notice some OMISSIONS.
There is no VEIL in the millennial temple. This was the VEIL that was rent from top to bottom (IMPOSSIBLE except for God!) when Jesus died on the Cross. It had been the divider between God and man. It is no longer there in the millennial temple being described to Ezekiel.
There is no TABLE OF SHOWBREAD in the millennial temple either. Before Jesus died, he broke break with his disciples and said, “Take and eat, this is my body.” (Matthew 26:26)
There is no GOLDEN CANDLESTICK because we are told in Ezekiel that HIS GLORY will fill the whole world. There will be no need for artificial light as “The LIGHT OF THE WORLD HAS COME.”
What may be surprising and baffling to us as Christians, however, is what is to be found in the Millennial Temple.
In Ezekiel 40: 39-42 we see that the Mosaic system from the Old Testament will be restored with the levitical sacrifices of the burnt offering, sin offering, and the trespass offering.
Does this make sense to you?
Didn’t Jesus’ death on the cross nullify the need for animal sacrifices as he was the perfect lamb of God? Why would God take these people back to a system that could not save them?
Exactly! It was never SUPPOSED TO SAVE them! Those sacrifices were only to REMIND them of WHO will save them.
The Millennial REIGN will be for the purpose of RESTORING God’s chosen people and for them to understand the fulfillment of the Temple and the Throne of David…
Did you know that there is a replica of the Temple at the Holy Land Hotel in Jerusalem? They say that it is quite a large model, but it has something missing… THE ALTAR.
Isn’t that interesting?
They say that orthodox Jews are embarrassed by the altar, and liberal Jews want to get rid of it altogether.
When God’s Millenial reign comes, there WILL BE NO MISSING ALTAR! During that time, God’s people will learn… The REST OF THE STORY!
How profound that the boy, Jesus, had his first revealing in Jerusalem, at the Temple, at Passover. When he was twelve years old, he “schooled those old boys” while his parents thought he was missing. After three days, they found him in the temple courts sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone was amazed at his understanding and answers. His own parents were astonished. (Luke 2:41-48)
In the Millenial Temple, there will be an ALTAR, a SON…the TRUE SACRIFICE.
What was LOST from the Temple will be RESTORED and those who are LOST will be FOUND…
