Ezekiel's Vision And
The
John Silverton wrote an article that was not a portrayal of
Ezekiel’s
J. Boomer
John Silverton wrote an
article that was not a portrayal of Ezekiel’s
Many people feel Ezekiel’s temple is the second temple or a spiritual
temple. I must admit before doing this research I too was confused on the
subject. Not only did I want to discover Ezekiel’s mystery but I also
wanted to see if it fit the Preterist theology. Below, I would like to
discuss my thoughts and show the audience why I feel Ezekiel’s temple is not
only a future third temple but that it is in fact a physical temple.
Let’s start by looking at
the argument that says Ezekiel’s temple is the second temple. Now, for
this to make logical sense we have to compare both temple’s construction,
dimensions, and design. Here is a short break down. Notice the
notable differences. The size is completely different, as well as the
construction, and even the sacrificial system.
1. Kings will not be
allowed to be buried anywhere near the
2. The entire mountaintop
will be a most set-apart place - Ezekiel 43:12
3. The area of the
set-apart place shall be greater than any previously built - Ezekiel 45:1-
4. There is No wall
of partition to exclude Gentiles (compare Ephesians 2:14) The Gentiles were
previously welcome in the Outer Courts, but excluded from the inner courts on
pain of death.
5. There is No Court
of Women (compare Galatians 3:28 (
6. There is No Laver (see
Ezekiel 36:24-27, John 15:3)
7. There is No Table of
Shewbread (see Micah 5:4, John 6:35)
8. There is No
Lampstand or Menorah (see Isaiah 49:6, John 8:12)
9. There is No Golden
Altar of Incense (Zechariah 8:20-23, John 14:6)
10. There is No Veil
(Isaiah 25:6-8, Matthew 27:51)
11. No Ark of the Covenant
(Jeremiah 3:16, John 10:30-33)
12. Major Changes to the
Altar: The sacrificial Altar will be approached by a ramp from the East.
Previous altars were all approached from the South. Now there will be stairs to
the altar, not a ramp as previously. The top of the altar is now described by
the Hebrew word "ariel" [Isaiah 29:1] meaning "hearth of
G-d" or "lion of G-d." [Rev. 5:5].
We must also note that the
first temple was Solomon's; the second one was Hezekiah's which was extensively
remodeled by Herod. The prophet Ezekiel (Ezekiel 40-48) describes in great
detail a temple in
As one can see above,
Ezekiel’s vision was not of a future second temple but a temple in built much
later. Now that we have established that this temple was not Herold’s
temple, let’s move forward and look to see if Ezekiel’s vision was that of a
spiritual temple. To save time and space, I won’t retype the temple’s
details, but the physical evidences and dimensions given provide us with clues
that Ezekiel’s temple was not a spiritual temple. Secondly, the author
hints that this temple was made by hands or better termed “by men.”
Thirdly, this temple is run by Priests from the line of Aaron. So let’s
start here:
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 L-rd G-D, a young bullock for
a sin offering."
The priesthood in Ezekiel
is composed of the Levites as helpers in the maintenance, administration, and
function of temple worship; but those of the Zadok line will be the only ones
permitted to minister before the L-rd with the most holy things (44:5-16). It
is important to observe that millennial sacrifices are discussed elsewhere in
the OC prophets (Is 56:5-7; 60:7, 13; 66:20-23; Jer 33:15-22; Zech 14:16-21).
When reading this, it is
easy to see why people feel that Ezekiel’s temple is the second temple.
In other word, why would G-d bring back Levites to minister the temple?
More importantly, did not Yeshua (Jesus) replace the Levite priests with the
Melchisedik priesthood? To understand what is going on, let look what G-d
told the Levites in the book of Leviticus:
"The priest from among
Aaron's sons, who is anointed to succeed him, shall offer it to G-d as decreed
forever." (Leviticus 6: 22)
Notice here, G-d said to
the sons of Aaron the Levite Priesthood will last forever. This olam is a
decree, meaning decrees do not last for a period of time, but for all
ages. So here we see it prophesied that a future temple will indeed have Levite
priests. Now, you’re probably asking yourself, what would be the purpose
of Levite priest in a future temple? Why would G-d allow the second temple to
be destroyed in 70 AD, prophesied in Matthew 24, and then bring them
back? The same reason He allow the Levite Priest to come back when the
first
Now that we have
established evidence of the Levitical Priesthood in the third
Ezekiel 46:20 "Then
said he unto me, This [is] the place where the priests shall boil the trespass
offering and the SIN OFFERINGS, where they shall bake the meat offering; that
they bear [them] not out into the utter court, to sanctify the people."
Ezekiel 45:16, 17”All the
people of the land shall give this offering for the Prince in
Notice what it says here,
there will be “sin” offerings? Yes! Now before you jump out of your seats, let
me explain. Actually, the answer is quite simple. In fact, sin offerings
were done for the same reasons in the Tanakh (OC). They were done to show
the Israelites the consequences and guilt of sin. Remember, it was only
the Yom Kippur sacrifice that atoned all of
To illustrate my point, we
know according to Ezekiel's vision, that their will be sin during the third
temple period. Secondly, as I just stated, the purpose of sacrifices has the
same purpose as in the OC writings. It is used to teach God's people the
difference between the holy and the profane; cause them to discern between the
unclean and the clean; judge in a dispute according to God's ordinances. These
sacrifices are NOT to atone for sin that was done by the Messiah. In other
words, the purposes of the sacrificial system in Ezekiel's worship procedure
can be stated. The sacrificial system will be used as picture lessons to
demonstrate the need for holiness in the consecration and purifying of the
temple and the altar. They will be visual reminders of man's sinfulness and his
need for redemption while at the same time being pictorial memorials of the
finished and completed sacrifice of the Messiah who provided atonement for
mankind once and for all. The pictures of a holy life and the need for continual
commitment to the Messiah's Lordship will be demonstrated in the regular burnt
offerings. Thanksgiving to G-d will be visually expressed in the fellowship
offerings. In addition, the sacrifices will provide food for the millennial
priests even as it did for the Mosaic priest (44:29-31). Let me give you
a verse of a future prophecy to prove between clean and unclean, between holy
and unholy:
Isaiah 66:15-23 -
"See, the L-RD is coming with fire and his chariots are like a
whirlwind...For with fire and with his sword the L-RD will execute judgment
upon all men, and many will be those slain by the L-RD. "Those who
consecrate and PURIFY THEMSELVES to go into the gardens, following the one in
the midst of those WHO EAT THE FLESH OF PIGS AND RATES AND OTHER ABOMINABLE
THINGS -they will meet their end together,? declares the L-RD. "And I,
because of their actions and their imaginations, am about to come and gather
ALL NATIONS and tongues, and they will come and see my glory...As the NEW
heavens and the NEW earth that I make will endure before me declares the L-RD,
"so will your name and descendants endure. From one New Moon to another
and from one SABBATH to another, ALL MANKIND will come and bow down before me,”
says the L-RD.
Many people miss the point
of Melchisedek, so let me explain Melchisedek according the priestly and king
role. In Psalms 110 a prophecy of Melchisedek is given in which the word,
"order" or "dibrah" in Hebrew is better translated to
"likeness". Notice the role of Melchisedek, he was King and priest.
This is the same role of Yeshua is to fulfill. He would be made in the
"likeness" in which He would be king and priest similar to
Melchisedek.
The L-rd shall send THE ROD
of your strength out of
This is without question a
Messianic prophecy. The Messiah is referred to here as “THE ROD” and he must of
necessity be a king... a descendant of David of the tribe of
"Behold, the days are
coming,’ says the L-rd, ‘that I will perform that good thing which I have
promised to the house of Israel and to the House of Judah: ‘In those days and
at that time I will cause to grow up to David a Branch of righteousness; HE
shall execute JUDGEMENT and RIGHTEOUSNESS in the earth. In those days
Notice, it is the king's
responsibility to EXECUTE judgment from the throne, and it is the priest's job
to EXECUTE righteousness by officiating at the altar. Actually, the
book of Ezekiel prophesies in great detail of the Messianic age as well as the
third temple period and all that goes with it. The following are a few
excerpts. As you read, notice how royalty is officiating at the altar in the
third passage. The first two passages are given to establish that the prince
mentioned in the third passage is in fact the son of David.
"I will establish one
shepherd over them, and he shall feed them—My servant David. He shall feed them
and be their shepherd. And I, the L-rd, will be their G-d, and My servant David
a prince among them; I, the L-rd, have spoken." Ezekiel 34:23, 24
"David My servant
shall be KING over them, and they shall all have one shepherd; they shall also
walk in My statutes, and do them. Then they shall dwell in the land that I have
given to Jacob My servant, where your fathers dwelt; and they shall dwell
there, they, their children, and their children’s children, forever; and My servant
David shall be their PRINCE forever. Moreover I will make a covenant of peace
with them, and it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; I will establish
them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary in their midst forevermore.
My tabernacle also shall be with them; indeed I will be their G-d, and they
shall be My people. The nations also will know that I, the L-rd, sanctify
"ALL THE PEOPLE of the
land shall give these OFFERINGS for the PRINCE (Yeshua) in
I know most of you here are
Preterist and do not view the outcome of this article as I do. That is
OK, because we are all learning. This does not mean I am right and you
are wrong. What is means is that we can learn from each other’s view.
as of 9-2006