The Future Presence of God

A Future Dwelling Place of God

Ezekiel 41-48

“The City shall be 18,000 cubits round about; and the name of the city from that day shall be, ‘The Lord is There.” (48:35)

                  At first glance, it seems that Ezekiel 41-48 is just a restatement of the temple and the sacrificial system described in Leviticus. However, when we examine the passage more closely, the description of the temple and its measurements does not match any of the temples built in Jerusalem throughout history.  Its design and dimensions do not match the temples built by Solomon, Zerubbabel, or Herod. Furthermore, while the worship procedures described have parallels with the worship set forth in the Mosaic law, there are also significant differences.  Likewise, the geographic descriptions of the tribal allotments and the river that flows from the temple do not fit any of the past or present geography of Jerusalem.  

                  Thus, many interpreters, including my understanding, believe that this passage does not describe any historical temple in the present but rather points us forward to the Millennial reign of Christ, when Jerusalem and the temple will be rebuilt, and Christ will dwell and reign in Jerusalem.  As we read the passage, we glean several important principles that remind us of the nature and importance of our present relationship with God.

                  First, the description highlights the centrality of worshiping God in all that we do.  The priority and the focus of the return of Christ and the establishment of His kingdom is that He will become the sole object of our worship.  Throughout the Bible, God makes it clear that there are not many roads to Him and not many gods we can worship.  Instead, there is only one doorway that gains access to God, and that is through the redemptive work of Christ on the cross.  In the Levitical worship, the sacrifices were for the forgiveness of the people so that they might have access to God.  These sacrifices served to point us forward to Christ, who would come and pay the penalty of our sin by His own sacrifice. Through Christ’s death, sinful humanity can gain access before a holy God.  If Christ was the final sacrifice, then why are the sacrificial rituals restored in the New Temple during Christ’s reign?  The answer lies in the significance and purpose of these sacrifices.  Unlike the Old Testament sacrifices, which were necessary for the salvation of the people by paying the penalty of their sin. The Old Testament sacrifices covered the sin of the people until Christ’s final sacrifice. In the New Temple, these sacrifices will be performed as an act of worship and celebration of what Christ achieved.  They will be a perpetual reminder to us of the sufficiency of God’s grace so that we might continually sing the praise of the God who saves us from our sin through the sacrifice of Christ.

                  Second, the new temple will become the permanent dwelling place of God’s presence with His people. No longer will God’s presence be symbolized by the temple; it will be physically present in the new temple.  No longer will God have his dwelling in heaven; he will be present with us.  No longer will sin and its effects separate us from God; we will have free and continual access before God.  This will be the time when our fullest hopes and dreams are realized. This is the hope of humanity.  The present condition of our world is temporary, and there will come a time when the corruption, struggles, and tragedies of our present day are eradicated, and we will dwell in a world that is no longer tainted by sin.  As a result, we can face the reality of death with hope and confidence, knowing that for those who have sought the forgiveness of Christ and surrendered to Him by obeying His word, there is the assurance of a place in His kingdom, which is perfect and eternal.