Chapter 796 of 1163

Ezekiel 40–43

The city of Jerusalem and the temple had been destroyed, the land had been taken over by the Babylonians, and the people had been scattered or exiled. It was not a time of good news. But Ezekiel did what God’s people always must do in times of trial: he looked ahead to the glorious future God had planned. One day the scattered people would be regathered and the defiled people cleansed. The land would be restored to beauty and fruitfulness, and there would be a new city, a new temple, and a new priesthood serving the Lord in holiness.

This vision of a glorious land and temple was to be declared to the people (40:4) so that they would repent of their sins (43:10). We today do not understand the significance of all these details; however, Israel will understand them in that day, and their understanding will bring about a change in their lives.

The assurance of a glorious future helps to sustain God’s people during the trials of life (John 17:22–24; 1 Pet. 1:1–9). It should also be a stimulus to holy living. (The word holy is used thirty-five times in chaps. 41–48.) For Christians, heaven is not simply a destination; it is a motivation. It should make a difference in your life today because you know you are going to heaven. Does it?

The temple will be a place of sacrifice and singing and a place where God’s glory will dwell (43:1–5). Ezekiel had described how the glory left the old temple (11:22–23), and now he describes how the glory returns and fills the house (43:1–5; 44:4). The beauty and grandeur of the temple mean nothing if God is not present.

Today, the bodies of God’s people are His temple (1 Cor. 6:19–20), and so is His church (Eph. 2:19–22). Just as God has a beautiful plan for His future temple in Jerusalem, so He has a plan for His people individually (Eph. 2:10) and His church collectively. We are to be a holy temple, dedicated to Him alone; we are to radiate the glory of God.

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