Ezekiel 40-43 Bible Study
For Other Parts In This Series:
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6
Will a third physical Temple of God be built? No. The prophecies in the book of Ezekiel range from the destruction of Solomon’s Temple to the Jewish people’s exile into Babylon, to the building of the second Temple of God, to the distant future of the coming of the Messiah and then the institution of the new covenant and spiritual Temple system. It is a vast book that speaks about things spanning over much time. Even the people during Ezekiel’s time were confused as to how far into the future Ezekiel was speaking about.
Ezekiel 12:25-27 – ‘But I the Lord will speak what I will, and it shall be fulfilled without delay. For in your days, you rebellious people, I will fulfill whatever I say, declares the Sovereign Lord.’ 26 The word of the Lord came to me: 27 “Son of man, the Israelites are saying, ‘The vision he sees is for many years from now, and he prophesies about the distant future.’
From chapters 11 to 33, Ezekiel speaks about the Temple being destroyed and Jewish people being exiled into Babylon. He explains how their cherished Temple will be taken away from them and destroyed, how God will allow them to be exiled and then eventually return to Israel and build a second Temple of God.
Ezekiel 24:21-25 – Say to the people of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am about to desecrate my sanctuary—the stronghold in which you take pride, the delight of your eyes, the object of your affection. The sons and daughters you left behind will fall by the sword. 22 And you will do as I have done. You will not cover your mustache and beard or eat the customary food of mourners. 23 You will keep your turbans on your heads and your sandals on your feet. You will not mourn or weep but will waste away because of your sins and groan among yourselves.
During their time in exile, the Lord says that the sins of the children of Israel will not be forgiven because of the destruction of the Temple. Their sins will remain on them and as a result, they will spiritually waste away.
24 Ezekiel will be a sign to you; you will do just as he has done. When this happens, you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.’
25 “And you, son of man, on the day I take away their stronghold, their joy and glory, the delight of their eyes, their heart’s desire, and their sons and daughters as well— 26 on that day a fugitive will come to tell you the news. 27 At that time your mouth will be opened; you will speak with him and will no longer be silent. So you will be a sign to them, and they will know that I am the Lord.”
Their exile will be a punishment where God will not hear the prayers of the children of Israel due to their idol worshipping.
Ezekiel 20:31 – When you offer your gifts—the sacrifice of your children in the fire—you continue to defile yourselves with all your idols to this day. Am I to let you inquire of me, you Israelites? As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I will not let you inquire of me.
In the next scripture, God is speaking about the rebuilding of the second Temple on God’s holy mountain. Until the Temple is rebuilt, there is no forgiveness of sins. Once the Temple is rebuilt and the sacrifices and offerings for atonement are reinstated, it will become possible for God to grant forgiveness again.
Ezekiel 20:40 – For on my holy mountain, the high mountain of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord, there in the land, all the people of Israel will serve me, and there I will accept them. There I will require your offerings and your choice gifts, along with all your holy sacrifices.
In Ezekiel 34 and onwards, the prophet begins to speak about the distant future of the coming of the Messiah, known as the ‘Prince’.
Ezekiel 46:2 – The prince is to enter from the outside through the portico of the gateway and stand by the gatepost. The priests are to sacrifice his burnt offering and his fellowship offerings. He is to bow down in worship at the threshold of the gateway and then go out, but the gate will not be shut until evening.
Daniel also refers to the Messiah as a Prince.
Daniel 9:25 – Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time.
Other translations
Daniel 9:25 Berean Study Bible – Know and understand this: From the issuance of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, until the Messiah, the Prince, there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks. It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of distress.
Daniel 9:25 NASB – So you are to know and discern that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; it will be built again, with plaza and moat, even in times of distress.
Daniel 9:25 KJV – Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
Scriptures in Ezekiel are used by the Jewish people in an attempt to prove that a new third physical Temple will be constructed. The description of this Temple can be found in Ezekiel chapters 40 to 43 which will be included at the end of this bible study if you would like to read through it.
The Christian perspective of the vision Ezekiel saw is that it is a spiritual Temple and not a physical one. When you consider the measurements of Ezekiel’s Temple, the current Temple mount site would not be able to contain the massive Temple Ezekiel describes. The Temple must reside on this mountain, as per God’s will. No Temple such as the one in Ezekiel’s vision has ever been physically constructed.
This Temple is the spiritual Temple rebuilt by Jesus and his followers including us if we have the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 3:9 – For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
Ephesians 2:19-22 – Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
1 Peter 2:4-9 – As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says:
“See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” 7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
“The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8 and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for. 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Psalm 118:22 – The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone;
Isaiah 28:16 – So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.
Zechariah 10:4 – From Judah will come the cornerstone, from him the tent peg, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler.
Luke 20:17 – Jesus looked directly at them and asked, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written:“‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’
Matthew 21:42 – Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’
This is what we see in Ezekiel 44 regarding the priesthood being restored. This is referring to us as followers of Jesus being priests of God. As priests, we offer spiritual sacrifices and offerings in the Temple which are acceptable to God when we obey Jesus’ teachings in our lives without compromising and repent when we do wrong according to the standards and teachings of Jesus. We are doing the work of a Temple priest by offering repentance and obedience as our sacrifices and offerings.
1 Samuel 15:22-23 – Samuel replied:“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
Psalm 51:16-17 – You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.
Mark 12:33 – To love Him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
Hosea 6:6 – For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.
The Jewish people have interpreted these scriptures to mean that offerings and sacrifices are not needed but rather an extensive study of the scriptures shall cover their sins. Unfortunately, no amount of studying will produce righteousness, which is an interpretation of the word of God identical to Jesus’. Studying the word of God to remove sins will still produce unrighteousness. Only by having faith in the interpretation of Jesus, can one become righteous and receive eternal life through the receiving of the Holy Spirit. One’s own interpretation produces unrighteousness.
Once our ears have been opened to the truth which is the teachings of Jesus, then the old system of sacrifices and offerings are no longer necessary.
Psalm 40:6 – Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—but my ears you have opened—burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.
Proverbs 21:3 – To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
Proverbs 15:8 – The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
For those who have accepted Jesus’ interpretation and teachings, all that is needed is a prayer for forgiveness of sins.
Once the Jewish people rejected the teachings of Jesus, their sacrifices became an abomination, causing God to destroy the earthly Temple system.
Isaiah 1:11 – “The multitude of your sacrifices—what are they to me?” says the Lord. “I have more than enough burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.
Isaiah 1:13-15 – Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations—I cannot bear your worthless assemblies. 14 Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals I hate with all my being. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. 15 When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening.
Jeremiah 6:20 – What do I care about incense from Sheba or sweet calamus from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable; your sacrifices do not please me.”
Amos 5:22 – Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them.
Hebrews 10:6 – with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased.
God desires for the Jewish people to know the wrong they do. To be able to identify the sin they commit and not just to mindlessly offer a ritualistic sacrifice that covers their sin through atonement.
Jeremiah 7:22-23 – For when I brought your ancestors out of Egypt and spoke to them, I did not just give them commands about burnt offerings and sacrifices, 23 but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in obedience to all I command you, that it may go well with you.
Ecclesiastes 5:1 – Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.
Anyone who interprets the word of God independent of Jesus’ interpretation and teachings is unrighteous. It is only through faith in Jesus’ interpretation of God’s word, that we become righteous.
Jesus’ teachings are without compromise and exceptions. All other interpretations of God’s word contain compromise and exceptions, making them unrighteous.
Romans 3:10 – There is no one righteous, not even one.
Because the earthly Temple system has been destroyed and they have rejected Jesus’ interpretation and teachings, the Jewish people cannot be made righteous.
In Ezekiel 46, the prophet envisions a Prince who follows through with all of the rules, statutes and regulations of the Temple sacrifice system. This Prince is the Messiah whom the Jewish people also believe will come and rebuild the Temple so that the people can atone for their sins once again through sacrifices and offerings. However, they believe the Temple will be a physical one, made with human hands. Paul states otherwise.
Acts 17:24 – The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands.
So does Stephen, the first Christian martyr.
Acts 7:48 – However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says: Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord.
The Temple was rebuilt through Jesus. He is the Temple, the Prince and Messiah. He has already fulfilled all of these scriptures and the Apostle Paul explains this further.
Hebrews 9: 1-15 – Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. 2 A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand and the table with its consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. 3 Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, 4 which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. 5 Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now.
6 When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. 7 But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. 8 The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. 9 This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. 10 They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings—external regulations applying until the time of the new order.
11 But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. 13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
Hebrews 9:23-27 – It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. 25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26 Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,
Hebrews 8:1-13 – Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being.
3 Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer. 4 If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already priests who offer the gifts prescribed by the law. 5 They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”[a] 6 But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises.
7 For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. 8 But God found fault with the people and said:
“The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah.
9 It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord. 10 This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
11 No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. 12 For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” 13 By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.
Jesus the Messiah came to establish a heavenly Temple system which makes the earthly covenant or Temple system obsolete.
From chapter 34 onwards, Ezekiel solely addresses the distant future of Jesus’ ministry, including his death and resurrection with a heavenly Temple system. Ezekiel sees a spiritual Temple just like the Apostle John did in
Revelations 11:1-2 – I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, with its worshipers. 2 But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months.
Revelations 21:22 – 22 I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
And the prophet Zechariah in
Zechariah 6:12-13 – Tell him this is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Here is the man whose name is the Branch, and he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the Lord. 13 It is he who will build the temple of the Lord, and he will be clothed with majesty and will sit and rule on his throne. And he will be a priest on his throne. And there will be harmony between the two.
This scripture is speaking of Jesus the Messiah building a spiritual Temple. A philosophy that encompasses the name of the Lord, where God’s presence, His spirit, dwells.
If Ezekiel was speaking about an earthly third temple, then this would contradict the prophet Daniel’s vision in Daniel 8 & 9, who also received his vision during the Babylonian exile. God speaks very highly of Daniel, even through Ezekiel himself, when He places him in the same company as Noah and Job.
Ezekiel 28:2-3 – “Son of man, give the prince of Tyre this message from the Sovereign Lord:
“In your great pride you claim, ‘I am a god! I sit on a divine throne in the heart of the sea.’ But you are only a man and not a god, though you boast that you are a god. 3 You regard yourself as wiser than Daniel and think no secret is hidden from you.
Ezekiel 14:14 – even if these three men—Noah, Daniel and Job—were in it, they could save only themselves by their righteousness, declares the Sovereign Lord.
Daniel 10:11 – He said, “Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling.
From chapter 34 onwards, Ezekiel is speaking about an everlasting spiritual Temple.
Ezekiel 37:28 – Then the nations will know that I the Lord make Israel holy, when my sanctuary is among them forever.
This is Jesus Christ.
Matthew 12:6 – I tell you that something greater than the temple is here.
The spiritual Temple system is greater than the earthly Temple system. It is eternal and everlasting.
Hebrews 8:5-6 – They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” 6 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.
READ NEXT:
Jonah: The Jewish Argument For Atonement In The Absence of Sacrifices Part 2
Jeremiah 29:The Jewish Argument For Atonement In The Absence of Sacrifices Part 3
Esther: The Jewish Argument For Atonement In The Absence of Sacrifices Part 4
Jeremiah 33: The Jewish Argument For Atonement In The Absence of Sacrifices Part 5
