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| Q: | Ezekiel Ezekiel Chapter 40 and on describes a temple. It is not Solmon's as it is much larger according to the dimensions given in the Bible. It is inexplicable why Ezra, Nehema,or Haggai do not refer to it. If it is a description of God's relation to the church, then it is so symbolic as to be meaningless. If the temple and worship here referred to must relate to Israel when she is reestablished in her land (cf chapter47-48), I can only understand this after a new heaven and new earth is made. | ||||||
| A: | Ezekiel 40 and following is not a literal architectural plan for a temple to be built in Jerusalem. Some of its dimensions cannot be fit into a literal floor plan. It is a symbolic description of the church. Some of the elements of that description apply both to the church on earth and in the new heavens and new earth. The main points symbolized by this temple are its security and majesty. God is remote in that he is separated from sinners by walls, gateways, and steps, but he is accessible to true worshippers. There is no need in God's plan for Israel to build another temple on earth in which they re-establish sacrifices, because Christ has done this once and for all as Hebrews clearly teaches. The People's Bible Commentary series available from Northwestern Publishing House includes a volume on Ezekiel. | ||||||
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