Read Ezekiel 40:1-28
Highlights:
A spectacular Temple in which Jesus can dwell when He returns to earth to reign for 1000 years is outlined.
Fourteen years had passed after the destruction of Jerusalem. As a captive in Babylon, Ezekiel received a vision in which he was given specifications for a great and beautiful Temple (Ezek. chaps. 40-42). It was designed in every detail by the mind of God as His dwelling place (43:7). Later, the Prophet Zechariah would foretell: Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts . . . Behold the Man whose Name is The BRANCH (Jesus Christ) . . . He shall grow up out of His place, and He shall build the Temple of the Lord (Zech. 6:12).
In the Tabernacle, constructed in the time of Moses, as well as in Solomon's Temple, the Most Holy Place (Ezek. 41:3-4) was the innermost room where the visible manifestation of Jehovah's presence dwelt (Lev. 16:2). The Most Holy Place was also called the Oracle (I Kin. 6:16), because from this place the Lord declared His will as well as the Books of the Law of God given to Moses.
The Christian also is the Temple of the Lord — His dwelling place. Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the Temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the Temple of God is holy, which Temple ye are (I Cor. 3:16-17).
Because we were born again, not of the will of the flesh . . . but of God (John 1:13), we are free from Satan's control and have become the Lord's holy dwelling place. So it is vital that we refuse Satan's tempting efforts to defile the Lord's Temple with thoughts of the flesh: The lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world (I John 2:16). The consecration of our mind, body, and soul is our reasonable service (Rom. 12:1-2) in gratitude for the indwelling presence of the Spirit of God and the priceless gift of eternal life. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus (Phil. 2:5).
Freed from the control of sin, the servant of God is able to enjoy the peace of God. Jesus said: My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27). Let us praise the Lord for His indwelling Holy Spirit (16:7-14) and enjoy the sacred privilege committed to our trust.
Christ being come an High Priest . . . by a greater and more perfect Tabernacle . . . by His own blood He entered in once into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption for us (Heb. 9:11-12; Col. 2:17).
Thought for Today:
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand (Eph. 6:13).
Christ Revealed:
Through the sacrifice (Ezek. 40:42). Jesus made the final once for all. . . . sacrifice for sins for ever (Heb. 10:10-12). Thus He became our only Mediator with God by dying for our sins. The patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. . . . And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation (9:23-28).
Word Studies:
40:17 thirty chambers were upon the pavement 30 rooms faced this pavement terrace; 40:23 over against opposite; 41:24 turning leaves winged panels; 42:20 profane unholy, common.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts sponsored by Mrs. Roland Wicks • Government Officials: Sen. Scott Brown (MA), Rep. Ben Chandler (KY), Rep. Henry Waxman (CA) and Gov. Sam Brownback (KS) • Country: Uzbekistan (24.4 million) central Asia • Major languages: Uzbek and Russian • Limited religious freedom due to Islamic influence • 68.2% Muslim (largely Sunni); 4.4% Russian Orthodox; .2% Roman Catholic; .2% Protestant; .5% Jewish; ..5% Other; .2% Baha'i; .3% Buddhist; 25.5% non-Religious/Other • Prayer Suggestion: Praise the Lord for His love (Ps. 63:3).
Optional Reading:
Memory Verse for the Week:
John 1:11
