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Ezekiel's New Temple
Ezekiel's New Temple
In chapters 40 to 43, Ezekiel describes a new temple. The temple built by Solomon had been destroyed by the Babylonians. Ezekiel was anticipating the return of his people to Judah as promised by God through Jeremiah. When they returned they would rebuild their country, their religion, their cities, and their temple.
In April of 573 B.C., Ezekiel has yet another vision. This time it is a vision of a new temple. The very size and location of this temple had led most bible students to understand this as an 'idealized' temple. As James Smith pointed out: "That which was not mentioned in the Temple description is significant. No building materials were named. No command was found to follow this pattern. The ark of the covenant is not mentioned, nor are the lamp stand, table of showbread and court lavers" (Old Testament Survey Series, The Major Prophets).
One cannot but be impressed by the detail and careful plan that unfolded in Ezekiel’s description of the temple. He was shown by his angel-guide the future temple that would exceed all former temples in size and beauty. He saw a temple that had perfect symmetry and was symbolic of the holiness of God. (Cooper, The New American Commentary: Ezekiel).
When Ezra, Nehemiah and Haggai led the people to restore the city and rebuilt the temple, THAT temple was nothing like what Ezekiel described. After hundreds of years, some desecrations, and general deterioration of that temple, Herod did a major remodel job. It was this remodeled temple that was then destroyed by the Romans in A.D. 70.
By the time the Romans had destroyed the Herodian temple, God's new holy temple had been established. From Ephesians 2:19-22, we learn that the foundation is Jesus and the building 'blocks' are believers. Together we are "built into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit" (vs. 22).
Peter refereed to this as God's spiritual house. "…you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 2:5).
Paul wrote to the Corinthian brethren: 16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple" (1 Cor. 3:16-17). [While the individual's body is also called a temple in chapter 6:19, here it is speaking of the collective 'you' (plural in the Greek) being A (singular) temple. The brethren were dividing the church and thus destroying the very temple of God. All who do so will be destroyed by God. That is a sobering thought.
It is this temple, the church, that I believe Ezekiel saw. It is the new dwelling place of God.
Hugh DeLong
