September 4th~The Hill of the Holy

Ezekiel 40:38-43:27

Ezekiel continued sharing his vision regarding the future Temple in Jerusalem. The first Temple was built by King Solomon and was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians. The second Temple was built by Zerubbabel when the Jews return from exile (we are not there yet). It will later be beautified by King Herod and destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD.

The third Temple will be built in the end times, but it will be desecrated and destroyed by the Anti-Christ. The Temple of Ezekiel’s vision is the fourth one. It is constructed after Jesus returns, delivers His people from the forces of the Anti- Christ, and establishes His millennial kingdom. This kingdom will never be destroyed.

What is the purpose of this vision to Ezekiel? Why would God provide these details and then ask the prophet to share them with the people? It was simply to encourage the people of God with glimpses of the future. Their nation would survive; exile was not the end. God is faithful and He would fulfill His promises to them. They would prevail over their enemies, and He would redeem them of their sins, such as idolatry and other detestable acts; and His glory would re- turn to dwell with them (43:1-7).

Finally, this vision gave the people more insight into the mission and ministry of the Messiah. He would make all things right. He would deal with their iniquities, and He would dwell among them in glory and majesty. “This is the basic law of the Temple — absolute holiness! The entire top of the hill where the Temple is built is holy. Yes, this is the primary law of the Temple” (43:12).

Holiness was the objective of the Tabernacle and first Temple. Holiness will be the goal of the second and third Temples; however, in their sinfulness, God’s people could not sustain these high expectations. They were incapable of continually pleasing their holy God and could not worship Him from a pure heart.

Because of their shortcomings, our God would send His Son to deal with our problem with sin. Only in Christ are we made holy. Apart from Him we can never achieve right standing before God. Only by His blood are we made clean. Only by His sacrifice are we washed of our iniquities.

Daily Reflection

As I read this vision, I couldn’t help but think of Psalm 24. “Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and who never tell lies. They will receive the Lord’s blessing and have right standing with God their Savior. They alone may enter God’s presence and worship the God of Israel” (v.3-6).

On your own, you could never make your own heart pure. Someone else has to do it, and Someone else has. Holiness is not something you achieve; it is something you receive. Christ has dealt with your imperfections and rendered you perfect in the eyes of His Father. Though you were once unclean, you are now clean forever! You are able to ascend that holy hill, enter into the Temple, and stand in the presence of your Holy God, not because of anything you have done, but because of what Christ has done for you. Praise God for your holiness!

“Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! All of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to Himself through Christ... For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be an offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:17, 18, 21).

BiAY.org | Day 247 — 118 Days to Go