A New Temple is Coming!

O. T. #1935  "A New Temple is coming!"

May 6, 2021

Ezekiel 40

LET IT GLOW

After his deliverance from Gath, recorded in Psalm 57, David fled for protection to the cave of Adullam (1Sam.22:1), and later he would move to a cave in Engedi (1Ssam. 24). Better to be in the will of God in a cave than out of His will in a king's palace. (Wiersbe) David was running for his life from King Saul.

Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in Thee: yea, in the shadow of Thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. (verse 1)

He shall send (let depart, reach forth) from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. God shall send forth His mercy and His truth. (verse 3)

My heart is fixed (sustain, can, bear, abide), O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise. (verse 7)

Awake up, my glory: awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. I will praise these, O Lord, among the peoole: I will sing unto thee among the nations. (verse 8-9)

Did you notice any words repeated? David speaks about God's mercy and refuge; He sends mercy and truth from heaven; David's heart is steadfast; and David will awake to praise the Lord. Each day are we praying, praising our God, and exalting Him?

LET IT GROW

As we continue with the prophesies of Ezekiel, we come to a new section about the new Temple (chapters 40-43:12), the new worship (43:13-46:24), and the new apportionment of the land (47-38:35), according to MacArthur. Ezekiel had another vision (by the Angel of the Lord, who is The LORD Jesus) of these things 14 years after Jerusalem was destroyed.

Ezekiel gives quite a detail description of the new Temple in Jerusalem, which will be during the Millennium. The future Temple will be rebuilt where God's people will come to worship Jesus Christ in spirit and in truth under His rule as King. There will have outer and inner courts like the old one. There will be a wall and gates on every side. King Jesus will enter the Temple through the eastern gate. Currently, it has been filled in with concrete as an attempt to prevent His entry. But we know nothing can prevent Jesus from doing His Father's will and covenant promise.

Wiersbe says there will be things not in the New Temple that were in Solomon's Temple:

• High priests because Jesus' blood was the sufficient and ultimate sacrifice for our sins (Heb.4:14) made once and for all; Jesus is our High Priest, who intercedes to the Father;
•  Ark of the Covenant (Testament) since Jesus was the fulfillment of the Covenant and a Better Covenant (eternal life for believers) and He fulfilled the Law;
• Golden altar of incense due to Jesus body and blood shed for our sins as on the Day of Atonement when the high priest brought into the Holy of Holies ;
• Lampstand for Jesus is the Light of the World;
• Table of bread as Jesus is the Bread of Life;
• Veil that separated the Holy of Holies, for Jesus' resurrection tore it open, providing access to the Heavenly Father, a Holy God.

This Temple has not been built yet, because Christ has not come to reign as King for a thousand years. What a splendid plan God has! One day the faithful believers will dwell with their Messiah and Savior eternally in the New Heaven.

LET IT GO

Jesus, You alone are our hope, our Bread of Life, our Light, our High Priest.

It's Your breath in our lungs, so we pour out our praise to You, Holy Jehovah.