Ezekiel is being given a tour!
By an “angel,” one “whose appearance was like bronze!” Yet this heavenly creature (glowing radiantly) is called by Ezekiel a “man.” (Ezekiel 40:3)
This tour focuses on the Temple of God, to be erected in Israel, in Jerusalem some day. Large than the Tabernacle of Moses’ lifetime! Even larger than Solomon’s Temple, or Zerubbabel’s or Herod’s! And surely larger than the Temple used during the Tribulation!
This is (conservative scholars agree) the Millennial Temple.
Several interesting things today, from Ezekiel chapter 41, vie for our attention.
Verse 3 is our starting place, where the “angel/man” takes the Prophet to the very door of the “Holy of Holies!” (It’s called “the Most Holy Place” in our king James Version, verse 4.) Read it: “Then went he inward, and measured the post of the door, two cubits; and the door, six cubits; and the breadth of the door, seven cubits.”
“He went in,” not Ezekiel but the angel.
No mere human could enter this “Inner Sanctuary,” no one except the High Priest of Israel (and then only one time a year, the great Day of Atonement). But this angel could, apparently having been given access by God Himself. Amazing, Ezekiel’s reverence.
Then too, no mention is made of the “Ark of the Covenant” being inside the Holy of Holies! Not a single time (that I can find) in Ezekiel chapters 40-48. I wondered “Why?” Likely because the Lord Jesus Christ Himself is “in town!” Ruling as King of Kings in Jerusalem … for a thousand years! And Jesus IS the Ark of the Covenant! The very Fulfillment of all that piece of glorious Furniture represented!
Wow!
Then I noticed this little fact. There is not a “veil,” no curtain separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place! This hanging was ESSENTIAL in the Old Testament Tabernacle! Just the dimensions of the “Door” are given! And it was “six” cubits wide! (See the verse above, which is a bit confusing, so let’s grant it “seven cubits” in breadth, the door.) Still no “veil!”
Again, “Why?” Because that veil separating man from God is GONE! It was torn away when Jesus died on the Cross! “Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.” Mathew 27:50-51
No veil thereafter needed!
Yes, now man can come to God … through the Lord Jesus Christ and His shed Blood, His Death on Calvary!
Praise the Lord!
Lastly for today, I noted the widths of the “doors,” both at the entrance into the “Tabernacle” (verse 1, again King James) and into the “Most Holy Place.”
Into the Holy Place … 10 cubits wide. Here’s the stat: “the breadth of the tabernacle, and the breadth of the door was TEN cubits.”
Then into the Most Holy Place … just 6 (or 7) cubits wide. “Then went he inward (Inner Sanctuary), and measured the post of the door, two cubits; and the door, SIX cubits; and the breadth of the door, SEVEN cubits.”
What’s my point?
As one gets closer and closer to the “Heart” of God … the narrower the “door” becomes! As if God is saying … “Come, Come, Come!” But also, “Some determination must be exhibited to really intimately fellowship with Me!” And fewer and fewer people are interested! (Thus, the narrow doors suffice!)
This does not deal with salvation, that “outer” gate is wide, very wide, wider than either of the two inner gates/doors! “Whosoever will may come!”
If you want to sweetly commune with God … He is ready!
But some effort (diligence) may be required!
The invitation is extended, Christian friends. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16, no matter the width of the gate!
Hallelujah!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell