Ezekiel’s Vision of the True Temple; Made by God
We are looking at Ezekiel 40-48 and his vision of the true temple of God that was to come. Expectedly, there are a variety of interpretations for this passage of scripture. The interpretations are largely influenced by one’s view of the end times. Some look for a physical temple to be built in Israel on the old site in Jerusalem. That temple will be like the original one that God vacated earlier in Ezekiel. One has to ask why would God plan on a new temple building like the one He abandoned and completely destroyed?
Some see this temple as an ideal version of what a temple should be. Some see it as an ideal version of a temple never to be built or occupied on the earth. Some see it as a real temple, a heavenly one, that will descend to the new earth in a non-structural reality.
The context of Ezekiel 40-48 favors a version of the last view point, that Ezekiel is foreseeing a non-structural temple that will appear at the last day. He sees the temple on a mountain but there is no mountain in Jerusalem. Similar language is found in Revelation 21.
Key to Ezekiel in this section is the idea that God would dwell with His chosen people but not in a physical temple. Keep in mind that Ezekiel witnessed God leaving the temple before its destruction and makes no indication of God’s return. So, this later vision assures him and the people that God will not completely abandon them but rather has plans to dwell among them again. But, not in an earthly building made with hands. In fact, this is exactly what God did with the coming of His son. He not only could be said to dwell among them but in them. His visit to earth was temporary but His indwelling in His people would be eternal.
At the end of time, God will give His people a new heart and a new spirit. Ezekiel is thus telling about a heavenly temple that will be for the end-time people of God. This temple is described as a city over and over. A new Jerusalem is coming, but it will be more than a city, it will be the temple. Ezekiel does not call it Jerusalem, but “The Lord is There.” This phrase is descriptive of the Holy of Holies, because that is where God was when He was in the tabernacle and Solomon’s temple.
At the end of this vision is a garden. It has a river and trees and the trees don’t die. Their fruit is for food and their leaves for healing. Sound like a new Eden? I think so.
Philip Dampier's Blog 