Ezekiel 43:13-27 New Temple Pt 7

We will see the last physical piece to be constructed for the new Temple. The Altar for the sacrifice. It is a massive structure, for ALL the sacrifices must pass here first.

I’m not certain why this is the last piece to be described. We actually ‘walked right past it’ when moving to the Naïve and Most Holy place. I’m sure God had His reasons for saving if for last and we will honor His order.

After reading our passage more closely, I see a possible reason for this article to be given last. It was to be the final piece constructed for the new Temple. “On the day when it is erected for offering burnt offerings upon it and for throwing blood against it…” (verse 18b). Its completion is the beginning of the return of the sacrificial offerings. It would be two days before it was purified and then five more days before it was “clean and consecrated”. After this; “from the eight day onward the priests shall offer on the altar your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, and I will accept you, declares the Lord God” (verse 27b).

The completion of the altar was the beginning of the new Temple’s entry into service.

I AM NOT GOD and I do NOT believe I can tell Him what to do or judge His actions. BUT, I’m wondering why the return to the sacrificial covenant activities. Jesus fulfilled ALL the Law when He sacrificed Himself for us. HIS blood does what no ox, goat, bird, or any other animal could do. His blood washes our sins away; not covers them to be dug up later. His, knowing and willing, sacrifice stands alone and above ALL the unwitting animals whose lives were taken from them for the sake of man’s sin. NO ONE “took” Jesus’ life. He laid it down willingly.

If this is the Temple that is used during Jesus’ reign on earth, what does that say about the people in that time? Are they separate from Jesus’ sacrifice? This would be the time when Satan was bound in the pit. Yet, sin apparently will still be an issue. If it weren’t so, there would be no need for a sin sacrifice. Will there be another covenant created? We know from earlier readings that there WILL be those who side with Satan when he is released. Those that stand with him will be as great as the number of sands on the seashore.

This is a disheartening thought. That someone who lives with Jesus in their midst for 1,000 years would STILL choose death over life. I’m thinking that the millennial rule with Jesus isn’t going to be all roses and sunshine. It certainly will NOT be Heaven! But it is still a time I hope I will enjoy with Him. I will have to wait and see who does what when that time comes.

Father God, I TRUST You to arrange EVERY STEP of Your plan and process for man. I don’t understand all that You have shared with me, but that doesn’t make it any less part of YOU process or less effective. It means that, again, I get to be still and KNOW that You are God and that YOU have it ALL in Your hands. I have NO doubt that, when and if, You have a role for me during that time, YOU will make it known to me.

Thank You for showing me that You still have plans to move forward with, beyond my understanding. For today, I will hold fast to what You have for me to do now. I will ‘worry about tomorrow’ when ‘tomorrow’ comes. I will learn about it but I won’t worry about it.