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Glory returns to the temple!

Scripture reading for August 29th: Ezekiel 40-43

“Then the man brought me to the gate facing east, and I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of rushing waters, and the land was radiant with His glory. The vision I saw was like the vision I had seen when he came to destroy the city and like the visions I had seen by the Kebar River, and I fell face down.  The glory of the Lord entered the temple through the gate facing east.  The the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court and the glory of the Lord filled the temple.” Ezekiel 43:1-5

Ezekiel had been taken with the “hand of the Lord” upon him to the city of Jerusalem. (Ezekiel 40:1)  This time Ezekiel found a heavenly being with an appearance that glowed like bronze with a linen cord and measuring rod in his hand.  This ‘man’ proceeded to measure everything in the temple and surrounding area, showing Ezekiel that the temple had been precisely rebuilt and restored.

Ezekiel next had a vision of  Glory returning! The land was radiant with the glowing fire. The Lord was speaking like roaring waters!   He saw the glory of the Lord enter the temple where it had departed, through the East gate!  Suddenly, Ezekiel found himself inside the temple and it was filled with the glory of the Lord!  (Ezekiel 43:3-5)

From inside the temple, a voice spoke to him,  “Son of Man, this is the place of My throne and the place for My feet.  This is where I will live among the Israelites forever.” (Ezekiel 43:7)  Ezekiel was told that he was to describe the temple to the Israelites.  If they would repent of their sins, God would reveal the design of the temple to them!  (Ezekiel 43:10-11)

This beautiful restored temple is currently composed of living stones.  God’s glory fills each stone as they look to Jesus Christ, who baptizes them in His Holy Spirit with a deposit of heavenly glory!  They now know Him and His laws are written on their hearts and God has forgiven their sins and remembers them no more.  (Ezekiel 36:24-27) (Jeremiah 31:31-34)  One day we will behold His glory from within the heavenly city and temple forever and ever!