The-Temple

ONE FAMILY PLAN

The Temple

THE TEMPLE

“I spoke to the prophets, gave them many visions and told parables through them.” (Hosea 12:10)

“…the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.” (Ezekiel 1:1)

“As I looked, behold, a storm wind was coming from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing forth continually and a bright light around it, and in its midst something like glowing metal in the midst of the fire.” (Ezekiel 1:4)

“IN THE MIDST of the living beings there was something that looked like burning COALS OF FIRE, like torches darting back and forth among the living beings. THE FIRE WAS BRIGHT, AND LIGHTNING WAS FLASHING FROM THE FIRE.” (Ezekiel 1:13, NASB)

The “sign” of HIS coming…

"Then THE SIGN OF THE SON OF MAN WILL APPEAR IN HEAVEN...” (Matthew 24:30)

"For JUST LIKE THE LIGHTNING, when it flashes out of one part of the sky, shines to the other part of the sky, so will the Son of Man be in His day." (Luke 17:24)

The living beings would move without turning and sometimes they would stand still. Their wings were "…like the sound of abundant waters as they went, like the voice of the Almighty, a sound of tumult like the sound of an army camp; whenever they stood still, they dropped their wing.” (Ezekiel 1:24)

“As to this salvation, THE PROPHETS who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, seeking to know what person or time THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST WITHIN THEM WAS INDICATING AS HE PREDICTED THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST AND THE GLORIES TO FOLLOW.” (1 Peter 1:10-11, NASB)

Peter writes that when the prophets spoke of the Christ to come, "...the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow" (1 Peter 1:10-11).

“And there came a voice from above the expanse that was over their heads; whenever they stood still, they dropped their wings.” (Ezekiel 1:25)

“Now ABOVE THE EXPANSE that was over their heads there was something resembling a throne, like lapis lazuli in appearance; and on that which resembled a throne, high up, was A FIGURE WITH THE APPEARANCE OF A MAN.” (Ezekiel 1:26, NASB)

THE TEMPLE

…which included animal sacrifices

The true Temple is a Spiritual Temple! The sacrifices described in Ezekiel are spiritual!

“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23-24)

"This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you." (Luke 22:20)

“In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22, NIV)

“…We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and who serves in the sanctuary, THE TRUE TABERNACLE set up BY THE LORD, NOT BY A MERE HUMAN BEING.” (Hebrews 8:1-2, NIV)

“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.’” (Hebrews 8:5)

“The law is only A SHADOW OF THE GOOD THINGS THAT ARE COMING—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.” (Heb 10:1, NIV)

“Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins.” (Heb 10:2-3, NIV)

The sacrifices in Ezekiel are symbolic of Christ. Never again will God accept the sacrifices of animals:

“IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE BLOOD OF BULLS AND GOATS TO TAKE AWAY SINS. Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: ‘Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—I have come to do your will, my God.’” (Heb 10:4-7, NIV)

Eyes to see and ears to hear…

“The man said to me, ‘Son of man, see with your eyes, hear with your ears, and give attention to all that I am going to show you…’” (Ezekiel 40:4)

He speaks of Spiritual Israel!

“He said to me, ‘Son of man, this is the place of My throne and the place of the soles of My feet, where I will dwell…’” (Heb 43:7)

“God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, DWELLETH NOT IN TEMPLES MADE WITH HANDS…” (Acts 17:4)

"you also, AS LIVING STONES, are BEING BUILT UP AS A SPIRITUAL HOUSE for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:5)

“We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of THE TRUE TABERNACLE, WHICH THE LORD PITCHED, AND NOT MAN.” (Heb 8:1-2)

“For CHRIST IS NOT entered into the holy places MADE WITH HANDS, which ARE THE FIGURES OF THE TRUE; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us…” (Heb 9:24)

He went through the Outer Room [body of Christ] BEFORE He entered the Inner Room [heaven].

Christ made His sacrifice “outside” the earthly city near the earthly Temple. The “Prince” in Ezekiel IS Christ.

His sacrificial worship: His offering at the cross:

"As for the prince, HE SHALL SIT IN IT AS PRINCE TO EAT BREAD before the LORD; he shall enter by way of the porch of the gate and shall go out by the same way." (Ezekiel 44:3, NASB)

“I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and THE BREAD THAT I WILL GIVE IS MY FLESH, which I will give for the life of the world.” (John 6:51)

“And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood.” (Heb 13:12)

“Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. For here we do not have an enduring city, but WE ARE LOOKING FOR THE CITY THAT IS TO COME.” (Heb 13:13-14)

The Prince will sit and eat bread in the outer east gate. It was to be shut and no one else could enter because the LORD God of Israel had entered by it.

“Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ? Since THERE IS ONE BREAD, we who are many are ONE BODY; for we all partake of the one bread.” (1 Cor 10:16-17)

We partake of His Body and, by so doing; we are partaking of each other.

“Thus saith the Lord GOD; The gate of the inner court that looketh toward the east shall be shut the six working days; but ON THE SABBATH IT SHALL BE OPENED, and IN THE DAY OF THE NEW MOON it shall be opened.” (Ezekiel 46:1)

Through FAITH… because we will NOT worry if we trust in God! Therein lays REST!

“…but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed. Now WE WHO HAVE BELIEVED ENTER THAT REST…” (Heb 4:2-3, NIV)

“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God…” (Heb 4:9)

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I WILL GIVE YOU REST. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and YE SHALL FIND REST UNTO YOUR SOULS. For MY YOKE IS EASY, AND MY BURDEN IS LIGHT.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

“And THE PRINCE SHALL ENTER by the way of the porch of that gate without, and SHALL STAND BY THE POST OF THE GATE, and the priests shall prepare his burnt offering and his peace offerings, and HE SHALL WORSHIP AT THE THRESHOLD OF THE GATE: then he shall go forth; but THE GATE SHALL NOT BE SHUT UNTIL THE EVENING.” (Ezekiel 46:2)

Christ suffered outside the camp. He was outside the city gate. We are the guilty priests who prepared the burnt offering. His standing by the “post of the gate” is the “post” of the cross *outside the city gate+ and His Bread *His Body+ was consumed there. He assumed a “sitting-like” position as He hung from those nails, attempting to stand for brief periods to catch His breath.

“Likewise the people of the land shall worship at the door of this gate before the LORD in the sabbaths and in the new moons.” (Ezekiel 46:3)

He shall come and go by way of the porch of the east gate:

“And when the prince shall enter, he shall go in by the way of the porch of that gate, and he shall go forth by the way thereof.” (Ezekiel 46:8)

“Afterward he brought me to the gate, even THE GATE THAT LOOKETH TOWARD THE EAST: And, behold, THE GLORY OF THE GOD OF ISRAEL CAME FROM THE WAY OF THE EAST: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory.” (Ezekiel 43:1-2)

“And the glory of the LORD came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east. So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, BEHOLD, THE GLORY OF THE LORD FILLED THE HOUSE.” (Ezekiel 43:4-5)

“And Jesus answered them, saying, THE HOUR IS COME, THAT THE SON OF MAN SHOULD BE GLORIFIED.” (John 12:23)

"because of THE SUFFERING OF DEATH CROWNED WITH GLORY and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone." (Hebrews 2:9)

The glory of God "came into the house by the way of the gate facing toward the east."

The cross stood outside the east gate and east of the Temple doorway.

Just as "those animals whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp. Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate" (Hebrews 13:11-12).

The animals were to be burned outside the camp. Jesus was crucified outside the camp.

“Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, WATERS ISSUED OUT FROM UNDER THE THRESHOLD of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.” (Ezekiel 47:1)

This is where He worshipped, where He was crucified… where He was pierced and the Water and Blood flowed!!

“…and shall stand by the post of the gate…” “…and he shall worship at the threshold of the gate…” (Ezekiel 46:2)

“…one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.” (John 19:34, NIV)

“…And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” (Gen 1:2)

“But flesh with THE LIFE thereof, which IS THE BLOOD thereof, shall ye not eat.” (Gen 9:4)

“For THE LIFE OF THE FLESH IS IN THE BLOOD: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” (Leviticus 11:11)

“For IT IS THE LIFE OF ALL FLESH; the blood of it is for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for THE LIFE OF ALL FLESH IS THE BLOOD thereof: whosoever eateth it shall be cut off.” (Lev 11:14)

“Only be sure that thou eat not the blood: for THE BLOOD IS THE LIFE; and thou mayest not eat the life with the flesh.” (Deuteronomy 12:23)

“Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, AND DRINK HIS BLOOD, YE HAVE NO LIFE IN YOU.” (John 6:53)

The Altar is the Cross. The Blood flowed from the south side of the Altar. The water flowed from under the threshold toward the east. It also flowed from under the right side of the house at the south side of the altar. Jesus being pierced on His right side would mean the cross stood outside the east gate and faced eastward.

“Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, THERE RAN OUT WATERS ON THE RIGHT SIDE.” (Ezekiel 47:2)

The Spirit of God will cover us ALL! His wings will cover US!

“And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, HE MEASURED A THOUSAND CUBITS, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles. AGAIN HE MEASURED A THOUSAND, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. AGAIN HE MEASURED A THOUSAND, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins. AFTERWARD HE MEASURED A THOUSAND; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.” (Ezekiel 47:3-5)

¼ - LIVING WATER to the ankles…

¼ - LIVING WATER to the knees…

¼ - LIVING WATER to the loins…

¼ - LIVING WATER a river that could NOT BE PASSED OVER!!

“And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river. Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very MANY TREES ON THE ONE SIDE AND ON THE OTHER.” (Ezekiel 47:6-7)

“Then said he unto me, These WATERS ISSUE OUT TOWARD THE EAST country, and go DOWN INTO THE DESERT, and go INTO THE SEA: which being brought forth into the sea, THE WATERS SHALL BE HEALED.” (Ezekiel 47:8)

“SWARMS OF LIVING CREATURES WILL LIVE WHEREVER THE RIVER FLOWS.” (Ezekiel 47:9)

For the healing of the nations:

“And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and THE LEAF THEREOF FOR MEDICINE.” (Ezekiel 47:12)

“In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and THE LEAVES OF THE TREE WERE FOR THE HEALING OF THE NATIONS.” (Rev 22:2)

The Gentiles through EPHRAIM:

“Thus saith the Lord GOD; This shall be the border, whereby ye shall inherit the land according to the twelve tribes of Israel: JOSEPH SHALL HAVE TWO PORTIONS. AND YE SHALL INHERIT IT, ONE AS WELL AS ANOTHER: concerning the which I lifted up mine hand to give it unto your fathers: and this land shall fall unto you for inheritance.” (Ezekiel 47:13-14)

“And it shall come to pass, that ye shall divide it by lot for an inheritance unto you, and to the strangers that sojourn among you, which shall beget children among you: and they shall be unto you as born in the country among the children of Israel; THEY SHALL HAVE INHERITANCE WITH YOU AMONG THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL. And it shall come to pass, that in what tribe the stranger sojourneth, there shall ye give him his inheritance, saith the Lord GOD.” (Ezekiel 47:22-23)

“for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified." (John 7:38-39).

The rivers flowed after Jesus was glorified!

And from the south side it flowed:

"I am the way , and the truth , and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." (John 14:6)

Jesus IS the door! The gate is closed to everyone… only the priests were allowed to enter through the veil…

"the LORD God of Israel has entered by it" – Jesus IS the gate to the Father! His body is the Veil:

“By A NEW AND LIVING WAY, which he hath consecrated for us, THROUGH THE VEIL, that is to say, HIS FLESH…” (Heb 10:20)

The cross faced toward the east…

“…and his stairs shall look toward the east.” (Ezekiel 43:17)

The priests were not allowed to ascend the steps to the altar…

"so that your nakedness will not be exposed on it" (Exodus 20:26).

Christ ascended with his nakedness exposed…

“Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.” (John 19:23)

The Greek word from which "tunic" was translated - "chiton" - an item worn next to the skin.

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb 12:2)

White garments are now purchased to hide our nakedness:

“I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, SO YOU CAN COVER YOUR SHAMEFUL NAKEDNESS; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.” (Rev 3:18)

Jesus speaking of his being led to the crucifixion…

“…The water was coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of the altar. He then brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing east, and the water was trickling from the south side.” (Ezekiel 47:1-2)

Located at the northwest corner of the temple wall was the Roman Praetorium. He would have been led from there to the east gate to be crucified, around on the outside from a north gate to the outer east gate. The cross would have been located just outside but north of the east gate, thus fulfilling the requirements of the law:

“You are to slaughter it at the north side of the altar before the LORD…” (Leviticus 1:11)

“Now from the sixth hour THERE WAS DARKNESS OVER ALL THE LAND unto the ninth hour.” (Matthew 27:45)

“And when the sixth hour was come, THERE WAS DARKNESS OVER THE WHOLE LAND until the ninth hour.” (Mark 15:33)

“Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and THE EARTH DID QUAKE, AND THE ROCKS RENT…” (Matthew 27:50-51)

The Veil is torn! The Bow is broken! We can now enter through the East Gate, through the Blood of Christ! ALL Israel WILL BE SAVED!!

“And so all Israel shall be saved…” (Romans 11:26)