Ezekiel's Temple

[investigate]

There is a good point that Ezekiels temple doesn't represent the spiritual temple in that there are still animal sacrifices being offered. The Worship book 13.16 indicated though it was a fulfillment of Isa 2:2

Isaiah 2:2 (ESV): 2 It shall come to pass in the latter days
that the mountain of the house of the LORD
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
and shall be lifted up above the hills;
and all the nations shall flow to it,

It doesn't make sense. In the final part of the Jewish system there wasn't pure worship in the temple nor nations streaming to it, so Isaiahs prophecy would indicate now/future fulfillment. Just because a mountain is in both places doesn't mean they are related.

Any thoughts on the importance or significance of Ezekiels temple? Have not had a chance to study in depth. Apologies for typos, on mobile.

[Bobcat]

Hi investigate,

In connection with "the last days" and Isaiah 2:2, see the links in this post. The first two regarding Zech 8:23 also feature "the last days." And it is quite interesting how Paul applied Zech 8:23 and Isa 45:14.

I think I have something in the forum on the Ezekiel temple vision, but I'll have to look it up. I'll get back to it and post a link if I find it.


Bobcat

[investigate]

Thanks - I hadn't seen that topic, will have to read through it carefully later. Looks like a lot of good research and thoughts here.

The footnotes on 1 Cor 14:25 are so clear, this was a very nice find. When I compared it this was one of the main reasons that convinced me there was no sudden revelation of "other sheep" in 1935.

[Bobcat]

This post had a reference regarding Ezekiel's temple (Ezek 47:12) and Rev 22:2. I hadn't given Ezekiel's Temple vision much thought. But, just off the top of my head, the river that runs though, out, and on down to the Dead Sea reminds me of the whole of the Christian era. The river starts just as a trickle but gains size as it moves along.

Several parables of Jesus contain the idea of small beginnings for the kingdom, but large after effects (Mt 13:31-32, 33). The subject of Inaugurated Eschatology fits that 'small beginnings, big endings' framework. (For which, see the links in this post.)

So, just off the top of my head, the temple vision in Ezekiel has elements that would prefigure the whole of the Christian era.

This post shows how the temple vision would fit within a chiastic literary structuring of the whole book of Ezekiel.

And here was a thread I started on the Temple vision, but soon went off to other things and never got back to it.

I did link your thread to that thread so that any research will be available on both.

I look forward to seeing what your thread produces on the subject.


Bobcat

[investigate]

Ezekiel 37 discusses the two sticks of Judah and Ephraim, and how they would become one. The WT that will be discussed at the end of this month applies to this to the anointed vs other sheep. However, the context indicates the opposite, that they will all be together. Ezekiel 37:25 - they will dwell on the land that Jehovah gave to Jacob.

But I really found Ezekiel 37:26 interesting - that Jehovah would place them, and also place his sanctuary in the midst of them. I've been thinking this for a while, it is true that the GC + congregation are in the naos, and yet the temple in the Christian era is the church. Instead of the Christians going to the sanctuary, Ezekiel 37:26, Leviticus 26:11, 2 Corinthians 6:16, 1 Corinthians 3:6 all point to the temple/sanctuary/God's presence going to be with the congregation, as opposed to vice versa.

[AmosAU]

Ezekiel 37 discusses the two sticks of Judah and Ephraim, and how they would become one. The WT that will be discussed at the end of this month applies to this to the anointed vs other sheep. However, the context indicates the opposite, that they will all be together. Ezekiel 37:25 - they will dwell on the land that Jehovah gave to Jacob.

But I really found Ezekiel 37:26 interesting - that Jehovah would place them, and also place his sanctuary in the midst of them. I've been thinking this for a while, it is true that the GC + congregation are in the naos, and yet the temple in the Christian era is the church. Instead of the Christians going to the sanctuary, Ezekiel 37:26, Leviticus 26:11, 2 Corinthians 6:16, 1 Corinthians 3:6 all point to the temple/sanctuary/God's presence going to be with the congregation, as opposed to vice versa.

As a quick read, I would agree with your thoughts here, Investigate.

All of my studies have concluded that YHWH comes down from heaven to dwell with His earthly children.
We have the perfect example of this with ancient Israel as a nation following their Exodus from Egypt. YHWH dwelt with them by means of the Shekina light in the Tabernacle and later the Temple of Solomon.

About a week ago, I started work on an article to to show the scriptural support for this. It goes from Exodus to Revelation. There is no suggestion from scripture otherwise.

Thanks for the thread.
Regards, Amos.

[investigate]

Looking forward to seeing your article. I misquoted a scripture, meant to put 1 Cor 3:16

I’m unsure if the temple spoken of in Rev 11:19 indicates the congregation would be in heaven for a time before Rev 21. Or if there are two temples (contrast with Rev 11:2). Its late and cant think anymore. Maybe Rev 11 is describing the earthly congregation being attacked on Earth, then they are in heaven for the outpouring of the seven bowls.

[AmosAU]

Hi Investigate,

I've thought so much about this for over a decade. It could be that the congregation (as you call us) will be taken to a safe place while the plagues are finalized. Whether this is on the earth or off the earth, I don't believe we have enough actual biblical information about this. I keep coming back to what happened at the time of the flood (Noah).

Noah was lifted up and off the earth, but didn't leave the planet!

Nothing is impossible OR too hard for YHWH!

Regards, Amos.

[RR144]

Any thoughts on the importance or significance of Ezekiels temple? Have not had a chance to study in depth. Apologies for typos, on mobile.

Basically, verse 2 is a Kingdom setting. The language is figurative, for people will not literally “flow” unto the mountain, and the mountain in the city of Jerusalem will not be higher than Mount Everest. Figuratively, the people will be attracted. In humility and contrition, they will seek for guidance from the new capital of that day. However, in another sense, there will be a literal fulfillment, for the nations will send representatives to Jerusalem. The “flowing” emphasizes that Jerusalem will have a drawing power and that people will be melted from their former heart condition. Following the trouble, they will be soft and pliable and looking for deliverance.

Jerusalem will be the highest government, or central seat of authority—the law will go forth from Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem (verse 3). Other Scriptures indicate that the Temple Mount will be literally raised up above the local hills. “The LORD’S house” refers to a literal building in which the government will be located.

Micah 4:1-3 is almost identical to Isaiah 2:2-4. “But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” Almost all scholars say that Micah was written before Isaiah, but that is not the case. For one thing, Isaiah was on the scene before Micah and had a longer ministry. Also, Isaiah seems to be the more important prophet. The fact that God had these verses recorded twice suggests that this transcendent, happy theme is very important.

[AmosAU]

Hi RR,

Just adding to your excellent reply,

If we can read and understand the last chapter of Isaiah (66), I believe it will bring all these thoughts together.

Regards Amos.