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Book of Ezekiel
Chapter 43

Chapters 43 - 46 of Ezekiel describe the worship of the Millennial Temple. As we consider the Millennial Temple, we need to remember that in the last days in the Solomon’s Temple, the Shekinah Glory, the Presence of Almighty GOD, was NOT there (10:18-19; 11:23). But here in Chapter 43, the Glory of the LORD returns to the Temple, and as we see, the worship in the Millennial Temple, the Mighty One that Israel shall then worship, is now in the His Temple. Dear one, this Mighty and Magnificent One is none other than the Lord JESUS CHRIST.
For Shekinah, see Special Comments in Chapter 19.
http://www.godcannotlie.org/book_of_ezekiel_ch19.htm

Theme: Worship in the Millennial Temple.

The New Temple had now been shown to the prophet, with all its provisions and measurements. The construction should be divinely accepted by the display of the glory of the LORD, as in the case of the Tabernacle (Ex.40:34-35), and of the former Temple (1 Ki.8:10-11; 2 Chron.5:13-14; 7:1-3). The description of this Coming Temple and the additional message is found in (43:1-11). In (43:12-17) the explanation of the ordinances of Divine worship to be celebrated in the Temple begins, and is continued on through to the close of Ezekiel 46.

The prophet had been brought (43:1) to the east gate, from which he had formerly seen the glory of the LORD depart (10:18-19; 11:23), because of the pollution of GOD’S House. It shall be by the same way that the glory of the LORD would now to return to the Temple prepared for it.

The Return of the Glory of the LORD (43:1-11)

Ezekiel 43:1 Afterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that looketh toward the east: (KJV)

Afterward he brought me to the gate . . . He is still the man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass (40:3), who was doing the measuring. He brought me to the gate of this building, brought him from the wall around it, He had last measured, to the gate He first had him to, after he had shown to him the same wall (40:5).
Even the gate that looketh toward the east . . .  the Targum is, which was open to the way of the east. The reason of his being brought here follows.

Ezekiel 43:2 And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory. (KJV)

And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east . . . the GOD of Israel is GOD the FATHER, the Covenant GOD of literal Israel; and the Covenant GOD and the FATHER of spiritual Israel, His elect, be they Jews or Gentiles Gal.3:26-29); for these He has taken into an agreement by which He loves, cares for, provides for and protects. CHRIST, Who is the brightness of his Father's glory (Heb.1:3), whose glory is the glory of the only begotten of the Father (Jn.1:14), is meant here; and Who has the exact same glorious attributes, the exact same glorious Names, and the exact same worship, honor and glory that His FATHER has. And since CHRIST is Mediator (Gal.3:19-20; 1 Tim.2:5; Heb.8:6; 9:15; 12:24), the glory of all the divine perfections is displayed. He is said to come from the way of the east which absolutely agrees with Him in His character, as the rising sun of righteousness (Mal.4:2); and with His incarnation (Mat.2:2, 9), when as the day spring from on high (Lk.1:76-79), from Heaven visited us (Lk.1:78; 7:16), was born in the east, where His star appeared (Mat.2:2, 9). It was from this part of the world, the east, that His Gospel first came and where it was first preached and Christian churches planted . . . and even though these parts have been forsaken by Him long ago, He will return there again. One day He will dry up the river Euphrates (Rev.16:12), and make way for the kings of the east to be converted to Him (Rev.7). I am sure it was great joy to the prophet, to see the glory of the LORD returning to His House, as it had departed (10:4).
And his voice was like a noise of many waters . . . when GOD speaks, it is as a noise of many waters, but the majority of the world pay no attentions whatsoever. I think this could mean His Gospel, in which He speaks to people, and which is a voice of love, grace and mercy, of peace, pardon and righteousness, and expresses the swiftness of its motion in the world, but again, the majority of the world pays no attention! This shall change in the latter days.
And the earth shined with his glory . . . with the brightness of his glory (Heb.1:3) as the Targum; with His glorious Gospel, in which the glory of His Person, office and grace is displayed. In the latter days this will be spread all over the Earth, and it shall be enlightened by it. It is only the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST that can remove the darkness, error, idolatry, all false doctrines, unfaithfulness and superstition from the world, and can bring a luster and glory upon it. It shall be with this glory and brightness which the LORD shall destroy the Antichrist (Rev.19:20), and by it set up His Millennial Kingdom in the world (Rev.20:1). He shall reign gloriously, bringing on Zion's light and glory, to which kings will come (Rev.21:24).  

*****The glory of GOD comes from the east and fills the Temple. This is the Return of CHRIST to the Earth, and He shall bring His Shekinah glory with Him. When He came to Bethlehem more than nineteen hundred years ago, the glory was not with Him.

The glory of the GOD of Israel came from the east. This was the chariot of cherubim, wheels, etc., which the prophet saw at the river Chebar (Eze.Ch.1). And this same glory, coming from the east, is going to enter into the eastern gate of the Temple, and then shine out upon the whole Earth. All knowledge and all religion have thus traveled, in agreement to the way of the sun, from east to west.

Ezekiel 43:3 And it was according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, even according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city: and the visions were like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell upon my face. (KJV)

And it was according to the appearance of the vision which I saw . . . the glory of GOD is recorded in chapters 1, 9 and 10 of this awesome Book. The form in which the glory of the GOD of Israel now appeared was like to what the prophet then saw, for in each of the visions, he saw what was the likeness of a throne, and on it the appearance of the glory of GOD.
Even according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city . . . the city of Jerusalem . . . NOT that the prophet destroyed it, or came to destroy it himself, which was to be done, and was done, by the Chaldeans; but he came to foretell the destruction of it . . . which prediction he made was as certain as if it were done.
And the visions were like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar . . . the four living creatures and the wheels; the throne of sapphire stone, and the glorious appearance above it (1:4). The only difference is, then he saw the glory of the GOD of Israel departing, especially in the last vision, but now he sees it returning.
And I fell upon my face . . . in reverence of such glorious majesty: affected by such a display of grace and goodness, and realizing his own unworthiness to see it. Dear one, the more clear and full view that saints have of the grace and glory of CHRIST, the more humble they are (Isa.6:5).  
Fell upon my face: (Eze.1:28; 9:8; 11:13; 43:34; 44:4; Dan.8:17).

Ezekiel 43:4 And the glory of the LORD came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east. (KJV)

And the glory of the LORD came into the house . . . the House, before described and being fitted and prepared, the builder and owner of it comes to take up residence in it; as CHRIST will do in the latter days.
By the way of the gate whose prospect is towards the east . . . which was the direct way into the outward court, and so to the inward court, and into the Holy, and into the Most Holy Place; and was the same way by which He had departed (10:18).

Ezekiel 43:5 So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house. (KJV)

So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court . . . the prophet had fallen down on his face, upon the sight of the glory of the LORD (43:3), and there he lay, until the HOLY SPIRIT, came and took him up. Only priests went into the inner court.
And, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house . . . the whole of it; both the Holy and the Most Holy Place, with all its courts and apartments; so the glory of the LORD filled the Tabernacle when that was set up, and in Solomon’s Temple when it was built. The glory of the LORD will fill this Temple too in the latter days. Dear one, the whole earth, in the latter days, shall be filled with His glory (Isa.6:3). CHRIST'S personal appearance in the Second Temple gave it a greater glory than the former (Lk.19:47; 21:38), and was a symbol and pledge (Hag.2:7). Here no mention is made of a cloud (Ex.13:21-22), as at the setting up of the Tabernacle, and dedication of the Temple (1 Ki.8:10-11); meaning the clear light of the Gospel in those times, and how the glory of the LORD will be seen by all the Jews.

*****Dear one, humble souls are considered by the LORD . . . He raises them up and exalts them, bringing them into a closer and warmer relationship with Himself, which gives them a clearer view still of the glory of the Person of CHRIST, His grace and His love. Only the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD can do this.

Ezekiel 43:6 And I heard him speaking unto me out of the house; and the man stood by me. (KJV)

And I heard him speaking unto me out of the house . . . Him, this cannot be the same man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass (40:3), who was speaking unto me out of the house, this must be GOD the FATHER, because the Lord JESUS CHRIST, was the One who stood beside the prophet.
And the man stood by me . . . the same man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass (40:3), that he saw at first with a measuring line in His Hand (40:3), and with Whom he had been all this time, and had seen Him measure the House, and all belonging to it. He stood as the Mediator between GOD the Father and him, and as the advocate (1 Jn.2:1) with the FATHER. He stood by the prophet to interpret what was said to him; to guide him further into the knowledge of divine things; so that he could pass on everything that he saw and heard.

*****It seems what we have here is an appearance of the three Persons in the Godhead; the Father speaking to the prophet out of the House; the Son in Human form standing by him; and the Holy SPIRIT, who had taken the prophet up from the ground, and had brought him into the inner court. Trinity: (Mat.3:16; 28:19; Mk.1:10-11; Jn.1:32-34; 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:13-14; Acts 1:4-5; Rom.5:5;  2 Cor.13:14; 1 Pet.1:2; 1 Jn.5:7).  

Ezekiel 43:7 And he said unto me, Son of man, 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 for ever, and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no more defile, neither they, nor their kings, by their whoredom, nor by the carcases of their kings in their high places. (KJV)

And he said unto me, Son of man . . . son of man is a kind, natural name, given to this prophet. It is not clear who spoke these words, the Man (JESUS) that stood by him, or GOD the FATHER. Son of man is found 94 times in the Book of Ezekiel.
The place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet . . . meaning, this House (Temple), is the place where the throne of the LORD is set; and from where He rules and reigns, and where He sets His Feet, is His resting place; whose throne is Heaven, and the Earth His footstool (Acts 7:49). It shall be here that CHRIST, as King of kings (Rev.19:16) shall dwell, and here where He shall walk revealing the awesome glory of His majesty (Dan.10:5-8; Mat.17:2-6; Mk.9:2-3; Rev.1:13-16). New Jerusalem shall also display this awesome glory of His majesty (Rev.21:23).
Where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever . . . not carnal but spiritual Israel, such as the Israelites shall be in the latter days. In the midst of these shall the LORD dwell, and grant His gracious Presence, never again to depart from them. This proves that this is not the Second Temple; since the LORD did NOT dwell in that on for ever, but had left that Temple desolate hundreds of years ago. There seem to be some Jewish writers who have admitted that this belongs to the times of the MESSIAH in the latter days.
And my name shall the house of Israel no more defile . . . defile or profane or to be blasphemed by immoralities, false doctrines or superstition and shall worship Him, indicating the holiness of life, the purity of doctrine and worship in the nation of Israel in the latter day (Isa.4:3-6).  
Neither they, nor their kings, by their whoredom . . . meaning idolatry, which is spiritual fornication; such as the kings of Israel and their subjects were often guilty of, before their captivity in Babylon, but not after; nor will they ever return to it in the latter days, when converted, for they will never adopt and embrace the many idolatries of the Roman Church, and neither shall the TRUE Christians do so (Rev.17:1-5).  
TRUE Christians: http://www.godcannotlie.org/true_children_of_god.htm
Spiritual fornication: https://www.gotquestions.org/spiritual-adultery.html
Nor by the carcasses of their kings in their high places . . . or, and their high places; meaning both; by the carcasses of their kings being buried in or near the House of GOD; the Targum adds, at their death; or by human carcasses being sacrificed to Molech (Lev.20:2-5; Jer.32:35) or Milcom (1 Ki.11:5, 53), which signifies their king, or else the idols themselves are so called, because lifeless and abominable (Jer.16:18), and the worship of which the kings of Israel encouraged by teaching and practice, orders and example, and therefore called theirs . . . and also by their high places (6:3, 6; 16:16, 39) where they worshipped idols, and which were made where the bodies of their kings were laid, as some say, and which was done especially in the reigns of Manasseh (2 Ki.21:1-6) and Ammon (2 Chron.33:22-23), but in the latter days, nothing like this shall take place, nor anything even similar to it, in the anti-Christian state.

Ezekiel 43:8 In their setting of their threshold by my thresholds, and their post by my posts, and the wall between me and them, they have even defiled my holy name by their abominations that they have committed: wherefore I have consumed them in mine anger. (KJV)

In their setting of their threshold by my threshold . . . by presenting falsehoods for Truth, and setting up human rules in opposition to the Holy Word of GOD (Mat.15:9). The despicable decree of the Council of Trent is well known, where the Apocrypha is set with the holy canon. The Apocrypha is works, usually written by unknown authors or of doubtful origin. Biblical apocrypha is a set of texts included in the Latin Vulgate and Septuagint but not in the Hebrew Bible. While Catholic tradition considers the texts to be deuterocanonical, Protestants consider them apocryphal. Protestant bibles do not include those books in the Old Testament.
https://www.gotquestions.org/apocrypha-deuterocanonical.html
https://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/Roman%20Catholicism/is_catholic_church_christian.htm
And their post by my post . . . which is done when the ordinances of men are substituted in place of the ordinances of GOD, or set on the same level with them (Mat;15:9; Mk.7:7). When the ordinances of GOD are changed and/or altered, or are brought into His worship which He has NOT commanded; and the commandments of men are taught for the doctrines of GOD . . . trouble shall come (Rev.22:18). The Pharisees set up the traditions of the elders as equal to the written word, just as the Catholics do, setting up their traditions, under the name of the traditions of the apostles. Any time that men set up their own doctrines, concerning the Persons in the GODHEAD and the way of redemption . . . their doctrines are in direct conflict to the Holy Word of GOD, in justification, pardon and salvation. The reference here seems to be to the setting up of altars and idols in the House of the LORD, by His altar (2 Ki. 21:4-5; Jetr.32:33-35).  
And the wall between me and them . . . these sins and abominable practices were a wall of separation between GOD and them, and caused Him to hide Himself from them, withdrawing His Presence from them and denying them a close relationship with Him (Isa.59:2).
They have even defiled my holy name by their abominations that they have committed . . . by their false doctrines, idolatrous worship and wicked lives; as the abominations before stated.
Wherefore I have consumed them in mine anger . . . this refers to the Jews as they are now, and all the anti-Christian states shall be.

Ezekiel 43:9 Now let them put away their whoredom, and the carcases of their kings, far from me, and I will dwell in the midst of them for ever. (KJV)

Now let them put away their whoredom . . . idolatry, superstition and determined worship, with which the Church of Rome abounds; and whatever form that is in other churches.  
And the carcasses of their kings far from me . . . their kings = their idols (43:7).  
And I will dwell in the midst of them for ever . . . even though the Jews were never guilty of idolatry after their return from the Babylon captivity, nor even to this day; still the LORD has departed from them and left them to their blindness (12:2) and stupidity (Mat.7:26-27; Tit.3:3), they having rejected the MESSIAH that the FATHER had sent to them . . . which shows that this did not refer to those times, but to the latter days.

Ezekiel 43:10 Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities: and let them measure the pattern. (KJV)

Thou son of man, show the house . . . meaning the House (Temple) the prophet had seen measured, its gates, courts and everything belonging to it, which he was at first commanded to carefully observe, that he might reveal it to others (40:1-4) . . . the house that the glory of the LORD had now come into, and had filled. This prophet, who is addressed under his usual name in this book, son of man,  is told to show to the house of Israel; either to the captives in Babylon, among whom he was, and to whom he often speaks in this book, being sent with a message to them.
That they may be ashamed of their iniquities . . . this he is ordered to show them, both to comfort them in their present state, with what would be in the future; and to humble them and make them realize their sins, and be shamed by them . . . sins which had brought them into the condition they were now in.
And let them measure the pattern . . . as the prophet declared what he saw in the vision, let them write it down, describe and outlining it all, and then calculate the whole, that they may fully understand it.

Ezekiel 43:11 And if they be ashamed of all that they have done, shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out thereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof: and write it in their sight, that they may keep the whole form thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and do them. (KJV)

And if they be ashamed of all that they have done . . . they, the house of Israel. Be ashamed, repent, show it by clear signs. Of all, it is not true repentance IF they are not ashamed of all their sins as being sinful and wicked. A great lesson for us.
Shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof . . . the form, the model of the Temple.
The fashion . . . the style of the building, and fitting each part to another.
And the goings out thereof, and the comings in thereof . . . the gates and way of entrance into it, which is only by CHRIST (Jn.10:1, 7,  9; 14:6; Eph.2:18; Heb.10:19-22), and a profession of faith in Him (Rom.10:9-13), and care shall be taken that none be admitted except those who are regenerated and sanctified by the SPIRIT of GOD (Jn.3:3-8); to be righteous through the righteousness of CHRIST (1 Cor.1:30).
And all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof . . . rites and orders, rules of governing priests and their services. These are again repeated in the next words of the verse, which is usual in Scripture, especially with this prophet.
And write it in their sight . . . the plan and model of this house, and all things belonging to it, that they may have it before them, as the rule of their conduct and behavior:
That they may keep the whole form thereof . . . and all the ordinances thereof, and do them; for all this is shown, not for mere speculation, and to satisfy curiosity, but to be put in practice; all these rules, laws, and ordinances, are to be kept in faith, from a principle of love, in the Name and strength of CHRIST, and with a view to the glory of GOD. Just as Moses and Solomon did, so too must the builders of this Temple do, build it according to the pattern set before them.

*****The Doctrine of Repentance:
(1). The nature: contrition, confession, faith, restitution (2 Cor.7:8-11).
(2). The need (Lk.13:1-5).
(3). The power (Lk.18:14; Rom.10:9-13).
(4). How produced (Jn.16:8; Rom.2:4; 2 Cor.10:8-11; heb.4:12).
(5). Not meritorious or worthy, but qualifies for pardon (Acts 2:38; 3:19; Rom.10:9-13; 1 Jn.1:9).
(6). Demanded of all people (Lk.13:1-13; 24:47; Acts 10:35; 17:30).
(7). Who should preach it? (Mat.28:19-20; Mk.16:15-20; Lk.24:48; Acts 1:8).
(8). How preached (Lk.24:49; Acts 1:4-8; 5:31-32; Rom.15:18-19; 1 Cor.4:20; 2 Cor.2:1-5; Heb.2:1-4).
(9). Must not be delayed (2 Cor.6:2; Eph.5:14; Heb.4:7).
(10). How shown (Lk.3:8; Acts 5:32; Rom.1:5; 10:16; 2 Cor.10:11). 

The Law of the House (42:12-17)   

Ezekiel 43:12 This is the law of the house; Upon the top of the mountain the whole limit thereof round about shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the house. (KJV)

This is the law of the house . . . (47:12), this is the law of the ordinance of the new Sanctuary. After the consecration, GOD pronounces the law” which is to govern the ordinances of the sanctuary (compare Rev.21:27), and then proceeds to specific ordinances starting with the altar.
Upon the top of the mountain . . . meaning the exaltation and visibility of the Temple of CHRIST in the latter day, as well as its firmness and stability (Isa.2:2-4).  
The whole limit thereof round about shall be most holy . . . meaning all belonging to it shall be as the Most Holy Place in the Temple, sacred to the LORD; all the laws, ordinances, doctrines, worship, members, ministers . . . all shall be holy; everything said or done that has a place here, shall be holy (Zec.14:20).  
This is the law of the house . . . the main law, according to which are directed and governed.

*****The first all-inclusive rule . . . Holiness becomes the law in the LORD’S Temple. The whole of this mountain shall be holy, but the top of it, on which the Temple stands, shall be most holy, and into which only holy persons and holy things shall be brought. The devil will NOT be there to tempt people to do unholy things! (Rev.20:10).

Ezekiel 43:13 And these are the measures of the altar after the cubits: The cubit is a cubit and an hand breadth; even the bottom shall be a cubit, and the breadth a cubit, and the border thereof by the edge thereof round about shall be a span: and this shall be the higher place of the altar. (KJV)

And these are the measures of the altar after the cubits . . . this is the altar of burnt-offerings; for the altar of incense was within the Temple, and is called the golden altar (Ex.39:38) but this in this verse is the brasen altar (9:2) and stood in the court of the house. Although this altar was measured before, the dimensions were not given till now (40:47), this altar was a type of CHRIST (Heb.13:10) with respect to His deity, which is greater than the Sacrifice of His Human nature. The cubits used in the measuring of places and things belonging to this house, described, and what these were appears by what follows,
The cubit is a cubit and an hand breadth . . . not the common cubit, but what was larger than that by a hand breadth, or three inches.
Even the bottom shall be a cubit, and the breadth a cubit . . . the Targum is, the foundation of the altar, the base or foot this was a cubit high, and a cubit broad.
And the border thereof by the edge thereof round about shall be a span . . . the border, a ledge going round on all the squares, on the outer edge of this base, a span high, about nine inches, which was for the priests to stand and go round the altar, to prevent their slipping; or to keep the blood, poured at the foot of the altar, from running on the pavement.
And this shall be the higher place of the altar . . . or the projection of it out beyond others, which was further than any other part.
For ‘Types of Christ’ see: http://www.godcannotlie.org/types_of_christ_in_OT.htm

Ezekiel 43:14 And from the bottom upon the ground even to the lower settle shall be two cubits, and the breadth one cubit; and from the lesser settle even to the greater settle shall be four cubits, and the breadth one cubit. (KJV)

And from the bottom upon the ground, even to the lower settle . . . from the bottom of the first ledge, to the lower settle . . . to the top of that square settle which is called lower, because another settle is raised upon it is where the priests stood; and in which they could walk round the altar, to do their job.
Shall be two cubits, and the breadth one cubit . . . two cubits high, and one cubit wide.
And from the lesser settle or court, to the greater settle or court, shall be four cubits, and, the breadth one cubit . . . the lowest settle is called the lesser, not in quantity, but in height, it being just two cubits high from the ground; while the upper or greater settle was four cubits from that, and one broad, for the priests to walk on round about; in all six cubits from the bottom. This is confusing to me.

Ezekiel 43:15 So the altar shall be four cubits; and from the altar and upward shall be four horns. (KJV)

So the altar shall be four cubits . . . the altar, the upper part is now called the altar, although sometimes this name is given to the whole of it (43:13). Four cubits in height, but it was much wider, as in verse 16.
And from the altar and upward shall be four horns . . . from the top of the altar, at each corner shall be a horn, four in all.

Ezekiel 43:16 And the altar shall be twelve cubits long, twelve broad, square in the four squares thereof. (KJV)

And the altar shall be twelve cubits long, twelve broad . . . the length of the altar, from east to west, was twelve cubits; and the width from north to south, was the same; so that it was a proper foursquare.
Square in the four squares thereof . . . as the altar was in the Tabernacle and Solomon's Temple, (Ex.27:1), meaning the vastness of CHRIST'S Sacrifice, the Perfection of it, and its stability and perpetuity to take away the sin of His people.

Ezekiel 43:17 And the settle shall be fourteen cubits long and fourteen broad in the four squares thereof; and the border about it shall be half a cubit; and the bottom thereof shall be a cubit about; and his stairs shall look toward the east. (KJV)

And the settle shall be fourteen cubits long and fourteen broad in the four squares thereof . . .
the settle, so called now, since the upper part carries the name of altar, proper to itself.
Fourteen cubits, as said in the former verse, nor can it be otherwise, since it is one cubit on each side broader than the altar, which was twelve cubits square.
And the border about it shall be half a cubit . . . or the enclosing ledge around it, which went around the altar, to keep the fire or sacrifice from falling, or that the feet of the priests might not slip. The Jews explain it as the horns.
And the bottom thereof shall be a cubit about . . . the base of foundation, which was between the altar, and the border on which the priests walked. There are some who admit their ignorance here, and I am one of them.  
And his stairs shall look towards the east . . . steps to the altar were forbidden by the law of Moses (Ex.20:26), so as the height of the altar of Solomon, and so that of the Second Temple, required some way and method of ascent to the top of it, to do the business upon it; the Jews had what they call kibbesh, a walkway made of ground, which rose gradually, and led to the top of it, and was about two and thirty cubits long, and sixteen broad; but here steps or stairs are expressly mentioned, which show that this refers to times when the Mosaic and ceremonial laws should be abolished. These stairs were placed eastward, so that those that went up them looked toward the west, toward the Temple and House of GOD, where He dwelt; and turned their backs to the east, or rising sun, in direct opposition to the worshippers of the sun, whose faces were to the east. How many steps there were to the altar is not said.

Ordinances of the Altar (18-27)

Ezekiel 43:18 And he said unto me, Son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD; These are the ordinances of the altar in the day when they shall make it, to offer burnt offerings thereon, and to sprinkle blood thereon. (KJV)

And he said unto me, son of man, thus saith the Lord GOD . . . this is the Voice of the LORD speaking out of the House to the prophet (43:6).  
These are the ordinances of the altar . . . these are the measures and proportions for building the altar, and concerning the sacrifices to be offered on it.
In the day when they shall make it, to offer burnt offerings thereon, and sprinkle blood thereon . . . in the day when, when the returned captives shall build and use it. This clearly shows that this altar is the altar of burnt offerings; such were to be offered on it, and the blood of them to be sprinkled thereon, meaning upon the horns, corners and border of it (43:20). To offer burnt-offerings thereon . . . it seems that this was the great brasen altar (Ex.38:30; 39:39). To sprinkle blood thereon, according to the law (Lev.1:5).

*****Verses 18-22 give the rituals in the ceremonial cleansing of the altar. Blood of a bullock is to be used on the four horns, or four corners of the settle, and the border around it (43:20). The bullock is to be burned in the appointed place outside the sanctuary so that the altar will be clean and ready for use (43:21). On the second day, the same thing take will place, except that the blood of a goat kid will be used (43:22).

Ezekiel 43:19 And thou shalt give to the priests the Levites that be of the seed of Zadok, which approach unto me, to minister unto me, saith the Lord GOD, a young bullock for a sin offering. (KJV)

And thou shalt give to the priests the Levites, that be of the seed of Zadok . . . who, in Solomon's time, was put in the room of Abiathar (1 Ki.2:35); his name means a righteous one. He was a type of JESUS CHRIST the righteous; and here his seed indicate the seed of CHRIST, such whom He makes priests unto the LORD (1 Pet.2:5-9; Rev.1:6; 5:10; 20:6), to these, in a far-sighted way, the prophet was to give this altar, for them to serve at, and eat of; and all the rites and ordinances to observe and keep; and the sacrifices to offer on it, after mentioned:
Which approach unto me, to minister unto me, saith the Lord GOD . . . (40:46).
A young bullock for a sin offering . . . symbolic of CHRIST, strong and hard-working, able to bear the sins of His people; to become a sin offering, and to be made sin itself for them.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (KJV) . . . THANK YOU JESUS! THANK YOU!!

*****This section deals with the worship in this coming Temple. The sacrifices offered will be memorial in character, not real. They will look back to the work of CHRIST on the cross, as the offering of the Old Testament awaited His Sacrifice. Chapter 45 has more about this.

Ezekiel 43:20 And thou shalt take of the blood thereof, and put it on the four horns of it, and on the four corners of the settle, and upon the border round about: thus shalt thou cleanse and purge it. (KJV)

And thou shalt take of the blood thereof . . . this must be understood in a visionary way; because Ezekiel did not live to come up out of the captivity, but died and was buried in Babylon, so Ezekiel being a priest, did not actually do this. This looks forward to the latter days.
And put it on the four horns of it, and on the four corners of the settle, and upon the border round about . . . meaning on the four horns of the altar (Rev.9:13) and on the four corners of the settle which went round it, for the priests to walk on, as they do their task; either the upper or the lower, and as some both; and also on the border or ledge that enclosed the settle. The prophet's doing this, putting the blood on these things, indicates the Gospel which holds forth the Blood of CHRIST, and the wondrous blessings of grace through it . . . faith in the precious Blood of CHRIST (1 Pet.1:18-19), brings us redemption, peace, pardon, righteousness and everlasting life with Him one day! These things come only through faith in JESUS CHRIST!
Thus shall thou cleanse and purge it . . . cleanse and purge the altar . . . CHRIST although without sin, needed no cleansing and purging for Himself, for He was sanctified by His own Blood; that He might sanctify His people, and make perfect by His ONE Sacrifice, them that were sanctified. John 17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. (KJV) . . . CHRIST died only ONCE: (Rom.6:10; Heb.7:27; 9:12, 26, 28; 10:10; 1 Pet.3:18).

*****Take of the blood thereof (Ex.29:12; Lev.8:15; Heb.9:22). Nothing above is said about pouring the rest of the blood at the foot of the altar, as required in the law, and nothing of the burning of the fat upon the altar, because the prophet all the way through, supposes the ritual of the sacrifices to be well known to his listeners, and mentions only a few facts to indicate the whole, and now a few others are now introduced, odd to the new ceremonial.

Ezekiel 43:21 Thou shalt take the bullock also of the sin offering, and he shall burn it in the appointed place of the house, without the sanctuary. (KJV)

Thou shalt take the bullock also of the sin offering . . . which was chosen for the sin offering, according to the divine direction (43:19), the prophet was to take it out of the herd, and separate it from the rest for this purpose, and deliver it into the hands of one of the priests.
And he shall burn it in the appointed place of the house . . . meaning one of the sons of Zadok should receive it from the prophet, and burn it in its proper place; not inside the Temple, but outside the court, yet inside the wall of the Temple. The burning of it was typical of the horrendous and torturous sufferings of CHRIST (40:39). This was the work of the first day of the consecration of the altar.

Ezekiel 43:22 And on the second day thou shalt offer a kid of the goats without blemish for a sin offering; and they shall cleanse the altar, as they did cleanse it with the bullock. (KJV)

And on the second day thou shalt offer a kid of the goats without blemish for a sin offering . . . one observes, that this was not in the Tabernacle, but ordered to be in future time by Him that speaks . . . instead of this, another ram was appointed by the law (Ex.29:15), this shows the ceremonial law to be changed and now abolished. This was symbolic of CHRIST, without spot and blemish (Num.19:2; 1 Pet.1:19), being made sin for His people.
And they shall cleanse the altar . . .  the same way they cleansed it after the bullock (43:20).

Ezekiel 43:23 When thou hast made an end of cleansing it, thou shalt offer a young bullock without blemish, and a ram out of the flock without blemish. (KJV)

When thou hast made an end of it . . . cleansing the altar, by the sacrifices of the bullock and the kid, on the first and second days; then, on the third day,
Thou shalt offer a young bullock without blemish, and a ram out of the flock without blemish . . . ALL these sacrifices point at the ONE Sacrifice of CHRIST; which was pure and perfect, and offered up ONCE for the sins of many, and needs no repetition. But, the doctrine of the Sacrifice of CHRIST should most certainly be often and repeatedly taught and impressed upon in the ministry of GOD’S Word and ordinances.

Ezekiel 43:24 And thou shalt offer them before the LORD, and the priests shall cast salt upon them, and they shall offer them up for a burnt offering unto the LORD. (KJV)

And thou shalt offer them before the LORD . . . upon the altar of burnt offering, which stood before the Temple where the LORD dwelt (43:17).
And the priests shall cast salt upon them . . . salt was to be used in all sacrifices under the law (Lev.2:13), which may mean the savory doctrines and lives of the ministers of the Gospel (Rev.7), who in that way recommend the Truths they bring, about a Crucified CHRIST (Mat.27:22; Acts 2:36; 4:10-12; 1 Cor.1:23), His precious Blood (1 Pet.1:19), His righteousness (1 Cor.1:30), and His ONE Sacrifice (Heb.10:12).  
And they shall offer them up for a burnt offering unto the LORD . . . all throughout the whole seven days of the consecration and cleansing of the altar, as follows:

Ezekiel 43:25 Seven days shalt thou prepare every day a goat for a sin offering: they shall also prepare a young bullock, and a ram out of the flock, without blemish. (KJV)

Seven days shalt thou prepare every day a goat for a sin offering . . . by this, it seems that the altar was for seven days a sanctifying and cleansing; and that on each day a goat was prepared and offered, symbolic of CHRIST, as before observed. Some say that this was not according to the order of Moses, or was done by those that came out of the captivity of Babylon; and are grateful to confess that there will be a change or an upgrading in the order of sacrifices in time to come, under the MESSIAH.
They shall also prepare a young bullock, and a ram out of the flock without blemish . . . which, either one, or all of them, should be offered up on each of the seven days (43:23).

*****For seven days offerings, as the above, will be made to consecrate the future Millennial Altar in the Eternal Temple, where the Lord JESUS CHRIST shall dwell.

Ezekiel 43:26 Seven days shall they purge the altar and purify it; and they shall consecrate themselves. (KJV)

Seven days shall they purge the altar, and purify it . . . which means the perfect purity and sanctification of it (43:20). ALL the sacrifices point at the ONE Sacrifice of CHRIST; which was pure and perfect, and offered up ONCE for the sins of many, and needs no repetition.
And they shall consecrate themselves . . . the priests shall hallow themselves, devoting themselves to the service of the altar.
And they shall fill its hands . . . hands = they shall fill the sides of the altar with sacrifices, as much as it could hold. It is better to keep this with the literal translation of the text . . . shall fill its hand, refers to the altar. To fill the hand is a synonym for consecration, usually applied to the priests, who were consecrated by placing in their hands the gifts they were to offer to GOD. I think here, it is better to keep to the text as it stands, filling the hand of the altar, being a strong symbolic expression to mean that it shall always be supplied with sacrificial gifts. Nothing is said in the Passage of the consecration of the priests. The whole family of Aaron having been consecrated once for all by the ceremonies of Leviticus 8.

Ezekiel 43:27 And when these days are expired, it shall be, that upon the eighth day, and so forward, the priests shall make your burnt offerings upon the altar, and your peace offerings; and I will accept you, saith the Lord GOD. (KJV)

And when these days are expired . . . the seven days of consecration, and all these rites and sacrifices observed.

It shall be, that upon the eighth day, and so forward . . . upon the eighth day, which begins a new week and it is probably the first of these seven days, for sacrifice might be the Sabbath, and end on our Friday. The first week is spent in solemn consecration of the altar and priests; all weeks after are to have, day by day, the usual appointed sacrifices.
The priests shall make your burnt offerings upon the altar, and your peace offerings . . . burnt-offerings, which were sacrifices for atonement of sin.
And I will accept you, saith the Lord GOD . . . I will accept you . . . be well-pleased with you, pardon your sins, and own you with proofs of my favor and kindness; I will delight in you, through CHRIST the Mediator, in whom He is well pleased (Mat.17:5; Mk.:11; Lk.3:22; 2 Pet.1:17). CHRIST is the Altar on which such sacrifices are accepted, and become well pleasing to GOD (Isa.56:7). The altar of burnt-offering is the great brasen altar described in this chapter (43:13-17). Peace-offerings are sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving (Jer.17:26; Heb.13:15) to God for His goodness and His grace.
Hebrews 8:10-13For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: 11  And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. 12  For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. 13  In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away. (KJV)  . . . Under God's new covenant, God's law is inside us. It is no longer an external set of rules and principles. The Holy Spirit reminds us of Christ's words, activates our conscience, influences our motives and desires, and makes us want to obey. Now doing GOD'S will is something we desire with all our heart and mind. There will be full forgiveness of sin. There will be complete pardon because of GOD’S merciful grace. GOD will remember our sins no more! (Ps.103:12; Jer.31:34; Mic.7:18-19; Heb.8:12; 10:17). A privilege that belongs just to GOD’S true children! The Law was TOTALLY unable to produce any good thing in man (Rom.7:14-25). Man is totally depraved. That does not mean only the man across the street or in the next town from you, nor does it mean only someone who is living in deliberate sin . . . it means you and me! The Holy Spirit is now able to do the impossible. Only the HOLY SPIRIT can produce a holy life in weak and sinful flesh. What the Law could not do, the HOLY SPIRIT is able to do. Because of this, you and I are able to be saved and are to live the Christian life on this new standard. We have a New Covenant based on better Promises; God has given to us the HOLY SPIRIT and CHRIST JESUS, our Intercessor and Priest. When we lay hold on the Living CHRIST, we have gone to the greatest height. We cannot go any higher than that in this age in which we live.
The Great Superiority of the New Covenant, is Far Better than the Old Covenant, see:
www.godcannotlie.org/book_of_hebrews_ch8.htm

*****We must not take our eye off this glorious vision the Prophet saw; but more important, we should look steadfastly and unwaveringly on Him, who came from the way of the east (43:2) in the glory of GOD. We must never stop our ears from hearing the Voice of Jesus, as the voice of many waters. We must look on the Earth shining with His majestic glory, and anticipate the glorious Person of the Lord JESUS CHRIST, teaching and explaining all things, in the great events contained in this Chapter concerning Himself.

The Word of GOD makes us see our own depravity and evil and the perfect and magnificent glory of JESUS! We must be well pleased with His righteousness, and we must respond to it.  
Precious Lord JESUS, may you dwell forever in the midst of Your people, be their GOD, and cause them to separate themselves, and come out from among all the pollution, so they may touch not any unclean things, but be truly in their hearts, made the sons and daughters of the Lord GOD ALMIGHTY! Amen.

*****Different comments on this verse: The altar was to be 4 cubits and have 4 horns, one on each corner (43:14-15). The whole altar was to be 12 cubits (25 feet) square (43:16), the lower settle being 14 cubits (29 ft. 2 in.) square with a border of half a cubit (12 1/2 in.) and the bottom the same (43:17). Stairs, which were not allowed under the law, will be permitted in the future. The altar was used for offering sacrifices and for sin offerings (43:18-27). It stood just over nineteen feet in height, and was thirty-one and a half feet wide at the base.

Special Comments

I don’t know about you, but I cannot picture this Temple in my mind. I have listed some web sites that may help you better understand this future House of the Lord JESUS CHRIST.

Web sites about the Millennial Temple:
http://www.pre-trib.org/articles/view/why-sacrifices-in-millennium
http://www.templemount.org/ezektmp.html
http://www.jewishroots.net/library/end-times/millennial-kingdom.html
http://www.truthnet.org/Ezekiel/11/Ezekiel-40-Messiah-Millennium-Temple.htm
http://sonstoglory.com/ThirdTempleEzekielsMillennialTemple.htm
https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/revelation/related-topics/the-predicted-millennial-temple.html
http://middletownbiblechurch.org/proph/templemi.htm
http://www.biblestudymanuals.net/millennial_temple.htm
http://www.truthnet.org/Ezekiel/11/Ezekiel-40-Messiah-Millennium-Temple.htm
http://evenatthedoors.com/timeline38millennialtemple.html
http://www.letusreason.org/Biblexp191.htm
https://bible.org/seriespage/15-second-coming-christ-and-millennial-kingdom
https://www.gotquestions.org/Ezekiel-temple.html
https://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/middle-east/third-temple/

EZEKIEL'S TEMPLE
The ending chapters of the prophetic Book of Ezekiel are among the most hotly debated in all of Scripture. Many different and opposing interpretations have been proposed by scholars, each with his own idea of end times. Do Chapters 40-48 of Ezekiel, which describe a great Temple, speak figuratively or literally? I believe that they speak literally and that they refer to a future time. The Temple description is heavy with symbolism, but it also contains precise details and measurements suggesting a literal approach.

Neither the figurative nor the literal approach to these chapters is sufficient to explain every detail, nor untangle every mystery. But, I do not think it is necessary for us to know all the answers, and I think the LORD has given us enough to understand the passage properly. Scripture does give us with enough information to answer the main questions associated with these Chapters.

Literal or Figurative?
Although this Temple appears in a highly symbolic Book, I believe there is much to believe that it is an actual, physical reality, and not a merely spiritual wonder. First, this Temple is described in precise detail, not loose symbolic terms. The exact measurements of the wall (40:5), the court (40:47) and the sanctuary (41:4), as well as all the other elements of the construction, are provided for us. If this place shall not really exist . . . why all the exact measurements? And too, the description is extremely visual (41:6-7). The thorough, point-by-point consideration invites comparison, not to purely symbolic visions such as the four beasts seen by Daniel (Dan. 7) or the scarlet woman of John's apocalypse (Rev. 17), but to the Pentateuchal pattern for the Tabernacle (Ex. 25:8), a very literal building. Most important, Ezekiel is told to describe the Temple he has seen to the people of Israel, and if they are ashamed and repent, to show them the exact plans and measurements . . . why? So that they may be faithful to its design when they build it (43:10-11). If the Temple is only symbolic, this statement does not make sense; but if it is literal, all difficulty is removed. Maybe some scholars think Ezekiel's Temple to be symbolic is because of all the religious problems, making it easier to spiritualize the building and all it contains.

Book of Ezekiel

Eze.Ch.1 . . Eze.Ch.2 . . Eze.Ch.3. . Eze.Ch.4 . . Eze.Ch.5 . . Eze.Ch.6 . . Eze.Ch.7 . . Eze.Ch.8 . . Eze.Ch.9 . . Eze.Ch.10 . . Eze.Ch.11 . . Eze.Ch.12 . . Eze.Ch.13 . . Eze.Ch.14. . Eze.Ch.15 . . Eze.Ch.16 . . Eze.Ch.17 . . Eze.Ch.18 . . Eze.Ch.19 . . Eze.Ch.20 . . Eze.Ch.21 . . Eze.Ch.22 . . Eze.Ch.23 . . Eze.Ch.24 . . Eze.Ch.25 . . Eze.Ch.26 . . Eze.27 . . Eze.28 . . Eze.29 . . Eze.30 . . Eze.31 . . Eze.32 . . Eze.33 . . Eze.34 . . Eze.35 . . Eze.36 . . Eze.37 . . Eze.38 . . Eze.39 . . Eze.40 . . Eze.41 . . Eze.42 . . Eze.43 . . Eze.44 . . Eze.45 . . . Eze.46 . . . Eze.47 . . . Eze.48 . . . Eze. Millennial Temple . . . Eze.Special Comments . . . Eze.What is Shekinah Glory? . . . Home Page