Ezekiel 40

Ezekiel 40:1

V. MILLENNIAL SCENES (Chaps. 40-48)A. The Millennial Temple in Jerusalem (Chaps. 4042)This and the two following chapters give the details of the temple which will be erected in Jerusalem. Many of the descriptions are admittedly difficult to understand, but the general outline can be seen. Paul Lee Tan writes: Non-literal interpreters maintain that this prophecy is a symbol of the Christian church. However, this major prophecy in the Book of Ezekiel contains descriptions, specifications, and measurements of the millennial Temple which are so exhaustive that one may actually make a sketch of it, just as one might of Solomon’s historic temple. In fact, F. Gardiner in Ellicott’s Commentary on the Whole Bible succeeds in sketching the layout of the millennial Templeall the while denying it is possible. This has prompted Alva J. McClain to comment that “if an uninspired commentator can make some sense out of the architectural plan, doubtless the future builders working under divine guidance should have no trouble putting up the building.”

1. The Man with the Measuring Rod (40:1-4)In the opening verses, Ezekiel is given a vision of the city of Jerusalem and the millennial temple. In the fourteenth year after Jerusalem was captured, Ezekiel was taken up in visions and set on a very high mountain. He was shown a vision of the city of Jerusalem and the millennial temple by a man whose appearance was like . . . bronze. The prophet was commanded to fix his mind on everything he saw and to declare it to the house of Israel. This he does in the ensuing chapters.

Ezekiel 40:5

2. The East Gate of the Outer Court (40:5-16)Since the temple was situated east and west, the natural entrance was the east gate, and with this gate the architectural description begins. First, the wall all around the outside of the temple is measured (v. 5). Then the east . . . gate of this outer court is described (vv. 6-16).

Ezekiel 40:17

3. The Outer Court (40:17-19)Facing the pavement, which may well be a mosaic, as in 2Ch_7:3 and Est_1:6, there are to be thirty chambers.

Ezekiel 40:20

4. The Other Two Gates of the Outer Court (40:20-27)The gateway facing north is to be like the eastern one, with its archways and its palm trees. The gateway facing south had the same measurements and structure. There is no gateway facing west.

Ezekiel 40:28

5. The Three Gates to the Inner Court (40:28-37)The inner court also has three gateways: the southern gateway (vv. 28-31); a second gateway facing east (vv. 32-34); and a north gateway (vv. 35-37).

Ezekiel 40:38

6. The Equipment for Sacrifice (40:38-43)Eight tables at the vestibule will be provided at the north gateway for animal sacrifices. Also, four tables of hewn stone will be used for burnt offering. Both instruments for slaughtering the sacrifices and also hooks fastened all around will be provided.

Ezekiel 40:44

7. The Chambers for the Priests (40:44-47)Chambers will be provided for the singers, one set facing south and one facing north. The first is to be for the priests who have charge of the temple; the one facing north is for the priests who have charge of the altar (the sons of Zadok).

Ezekiel 40:48

8. The Vestibule of the Temple (40:48, 49)The vestibule or porch of the temple seems to be planned like the one in Solomon’s temple. The pillars remind us of the ones named Jachin and Boaz in that structure (1Ki_7:21). Chapter 40 deals primarily with the area surrounding the temple; chapter 41 describes the temple itself. The detailed measurements in chapters 4043 remind us that in all our service we must build according to God’s specifications (see Exo_25:40). Precise measurements also would seem to be meaningless unless this is to be a literal building. An allegory or type would scarcely be so architecturally precise. Also, no one has given a satisfactory explanation of the several parts if they are merely symbolic.