There is some mystery here. What is the purpose for the future temple that Ezekiel describes in such detail? Scholars scratch their heads a bit on this one. I think one plausible explanations is as follows...
God reiterated His promise of covenantal blessing, in spite of Babylon's destruction, but it as always was conditional on the people's obedience. But the vision would only be open to those Jews who were sincerely ashamed of the sins that got them exiled (Ezk. 43:11). This was a vision of an offer, rather than a prediction. Just as the Lord through Moses promised Israel to bless their crops, their families, their finances, and their nation as a rewarcd for obedience, the Lord sharpens up His promise by including a temple that would be even finer than the one they had. But this was an offer that went unclaimed -- a coupon that went uncashed. Not because the Lord failed, but the people failed. This temple was one more part of the Old Testament code of promise, which no sinner can ever be good enough to fulfill. The vision described something that could have been (from the standpoint of God's power) but never was (because the people were never sufficiently repentant or faithful to enter into all that God had to offer). Ezekiel's temple -- the temple that never came to be -- is one more part of why Israel needs a Savior who can save them not just from the guilt of their sins, but from its corruptive power as well.
Read it here.
God reiterated His promise of covenantal blessing, in spite of Babylon's destruction, but it as always was conditional on the people's obedience. But the vision would only be open to those Jews who were sincerely ashamed of the sins that got them exiled (Ezk. 43:11). This was a vision of an offer, rather than a prediction. Just as the Lord through Moses promised Israel to bless their crops, their families, their finances, and their nation as a rewarcd for obedience, the Lord sharpens up His promise by including a temple that would be even finer than the one they had. But this was an offer that went unclaimed -- a coupon that went uncashed. Not because the Lord failed, but the people failed. This temple was one more part of the Old Testament code of promise, which no sinner can ever be good enough to fulfill. The vision described something that could have been (from the standpoint of God's power) but never was (because the people were never sufficiently repentant or faithful to enter into all that God had to offer). Ezekiel's temple -- the temple that never came to be -- is one more part of why Israel needs a Savior who can save them not just from the guilt of their sins, but from its corruptive power as well.
Read it here.
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