Ezekiel 43

Ezekiel 43:1-9- THE GLORY OF GOD RETURNING TO THE PERFECT TEMPLE= In Ezekiel 10:1-22, we see the Glory of the Lord leave the Temple because of the wicked idolatry in Judah and Jerusalem. Interestingly, when the exiles returned to the land, the Glory of God did NOT return to the 2^nd Temple. The Ark of the Covenant disappeared after the Babylonian exile. This is why Jesus visited the Mt. Olives frequently in the Gospels. (Verse 2 parallels with Revelation 18:1). In verse 5 (parallel passage with Ezekiel 44:1-4), notice that the Spirit had to lift Ezekiel into the inner court instead of going straight through the Outer East Gate. No one can enter after God's Glory. Similarly, no one was allowed to enter the gate after a king entered it. It was a way to honor the king's position. This event was fulfilled in Revelation 15:8. God talked about how His new dwelling will be amongst His people. Nothing unclean will ever approach Him again (Revelation 21:27). God urged His people to repent from their idolatry, so He can dwell with them in  a more permanent manner. This was fulfilled when the 144,000 exiles/New Jerusalem came down from the mountains of Pella in 70AD  (Revelation 21:2,10). In verse 8-9, God described how the kings would build palaces in a way to compete with His Temple. Specifically, Solomon  in 1 Kings 7:1 comes to mind.  Verse 9 can mean the removal of traditions held by their kings or the removal of dead kings' idols out of His Temple (similar to Leviticus 26:30).

Ezekiel 43:10-12=THE LAW OF THE TEMPLE-In verse 10, we see an emphasis on the revelation of the Heavenly Temple-Not Made with Humans Hands. Because the Temple is holy and perfect, there should be a natural recognition of one's sin, which leads to repentance. In addition, there is no commandment to build this Temple. God will reveal the in’s and out’s of His plan. Notice the repetition of the phrase “Make it known” and not build it. This is the Law of the Temple. The Mountain is Mt. Zion. The 144,000 elect will be a holy light on a hill. (Obadiah 1:17-18, Matthew 5:14-16).

Ezekiel 43:13-27=THE PREPARATION OF THE ALTAR IN HEAVEN-

This event in Ezekiel is a Temple inauguration/re-dedication under the New Covenant similar to Solomon’s Temple Dedication Ceremony (1 Kings 6-8) and Hezekiah’s Temple Rededication Ceremony (2 Chronicles 29-31).This is the Altar in Revelation 8:3-5, 16:7. The purpose of this Altar is to cleanse, consecrate, and redeem. The Altar Hearth is 14 x 14 (Ezekiel 43:17) with 3 cubits on the gutters and curbs on each side  in Ezekiel 43:13-14. This would make the dimensions 20 x 20. The same size as the Holy of Holies.  In Psalm 118:27, we see that this sacrifice needed to be bound on the Altar. There is no strong support that sacrifices were tied to the Altar. We can see that the binding/piercing of the hands and feet in relation to David in Psalm 22:16-21, 57:4; Isaiah 49:16. What all these passages have in common is the enemies of Christ-the Greater David. His enemies are being described as hungry lions. Their iron, nail-like fangs will pierce/ maul  His hands and feet. Christ's blood will touch all four corners of the Altar-Cross. Blood from the head (crown of thorns), nails on the hands, and nails on the feet will be applied to all four corners. This Altar was instrumental in the redemption of the remnant of Israel. Extending the new, Zadok priesthood to both resurrected and living saints. The Altar needed to be sanctified for the sacrifices/offerings (Exodus 29:37, 30:29;2 Chronicles 29:18; Malachi 3:3-4).  The Angelic Zadok priesthood needed to be Holy, so they can participate along side Christ's DOA sacrifice (Ezekiel 46:2). 

There are three interesting words that translate for altar and altar hearth. The regular word for altar is Mizbeach. In verse 15 and 16, the Hebrew words we see are Harel=Mountain of God in reference to Mt Zion. The other word is Ariel= Lion of God in the Fireplace (Isaiah 29:1).  These are both symbolic of Jesus’ sacrifice. It is perfectly squared in measurement. The lion-like enemies will pierce Jesus, the Lion of Judah on the Lion of God in the Fireplace. This translation can be confirmed via Blue Letter Bible website. In verse 17, notice that there are steps for this altar. This was forbidden in the OT ( Exodus 20:26). In Heaven, the symbolism of the flesh/nakedness is no longer viewed as shameful.  Christ's presence covers the naked saint with His righteousness. Because of the 70 AD sacrifice, the dead saint is not a floating spirit. They have a glorified body awaiting them in Heaven. (2 Corinthians 5:1-5; 1 Corinthians 15:50-58). Since this is part of the 70AD DOA sacrifice, for the redemption of the Church, it makes sense that the Altar needed to be cleansed with animal blood like in Leviticus 16:18, 20. In the NT, this is fulfilled in Christ's blood. His blood cleanses the altar of Heaven. 

In verse 18-19, Ezekiel observes the redemption process conducted by the Angelic Zadok priests.There is also salt sprinkled on the sacrifice in order to represent the pure, uncorruptable preservation of the New Covenant. We are living sacrifices seasoned with salt (Mark 9:49, Leviticus 2:13, 2 Chronicles 13:5, Matthew 5:13, Numbers 18:19, Colossians 4:6). In verse 27, the eighth day represents resurrection, a new beginning, cleanliness, purity (Leviticus 12:2-3, Leviticus 22:27, Leviticus 14:8-10; Leviticus 15:13-14; Numbers 6:9, 10). In addition, this includes circumcision in Leviticus 12:3, the cleansing of leprosy in Leviticus 14:23, and the day after the Levitical priesthood ordination is complete in Leviticus 8:33-35. The Angelic Zadok Priesthood is the highest expression of Holiness in order to successfully act out Christ's DOA sacrifice as His intermediaries.