Ezekiel 40
In this last section of Ezekiel (40-48) the Lord gives Ezekiel a vision and message to give to the Jews in exile. Here the Lord shows in vivid detail the temple of the Lord, restored worship, division of the priests and divisions of the land. Though I do not know what each verse means or how it will be fulfilled, I am convinced that these chapters reveal a future temple and worship in connection with the Jewish people and nation of Israel that will occur when the Lord restores them to Himself (as Lord has said through Isaiah and Ezekiel). The Lord gives this word to His people as a word of hope. They (as do we) must believe Him and wait on Him to bring this to pass ! While in exile, Ezekiel is transported by the Lord in a vision to see the temple in Jerusalem 1-3. He is told to tell the house of Israel all that he is about to see 4. The temple, rooms, gates and alcoves are all measured by the 'angelic being' ? 5. The measuring rod is approximately 9.3 feet (a cubit being about 18 inches or 1.5 feet and a hands breath being about 3 inches). You who can 'picture' what is being described can do the math and figure out the dimensions of the temple and all that is being described. (A good commentary or Bible dictionary is help here). Described is the eastern gate and outer court 5-16, the outer court 17-23, the south gate 24-27, and the gates to the inner court 28-36. The rooms for sacrifices are described 38-43. The rooms for the priests are also mentioned 44-47. The temple, itself is also measured 48-49. Note: If this is a literal temple to be built, how amazing that the Lord would record in His eternal word the dimensions, so that in the future it will be built according to 'His plan' and blueprint. After all the Jews have had not temple for over 2000 years. The fact that Ezekiel 'saw' this assures that it will come to be, for God has given him this vision.

Ezekiel 41
Here the temple is measured and described. There appears to be three levels (of floors) that surround the temple itself. The rooms widen as they ascend 5-7. Other building are part of the temple complex 12-15. There is a 'most holy place' in the temple 4. There is also a 'a table that is before the LORD' 22. Note: I wonder if this temple is during the Millennial reign of Christ. He (the Lord) would be in His temple ! There are carvings of cherubim and palm trees on the walls and doors 18,25. (angelic beings and palms trees) There are two faces on the cherubim; one of a man and one of a lion 19. Note: May that in some way refer to Jesus, who is God and man, savior and king ? This would be impressive to see. Note: God is the master architect and He enables men to build things which reflect His order and glory.

Ezekiel 42
In this chapter the rooms for the priests are described in detail. The priests were to have a place to eat the 'sacred food' while waring the holy garments, distinct from their everyday/common clothes 13-14. There is a separation between the holy and the common even in the temple's lay out 14. Note: Even at this time God will still 'teach His people' by visual means by the way food is eaten, cloths that are worn and rooms in His temple. I am still seeking the meaning of some of these verses.

Ezekiel 43
Here the glory of the Lord returns to the temple 1-5. The Lord says that this will be the place of His throne among His people 6-9. He says He will dwell among them forever 9b. In 10-12 Ezekiel is to give this vision to the people to bring them to repentance and to long for the time when these words will be become reality. Note: As stated before, the plans are here for them to follow, but first there must be a repentance and returning to the Lord. The altar is then detailed along with the sacrifices that are to be brought 13-27. Note: Some object that sacrifices will one day be required by the Lord since Jesus Christ is the final and complete sacrifice. While this is absolutely true, can these sacrifices be 'memorial' in nature, looking back to Christ and the cross, in much the same manner the the OT sacrifices looked forward to Christ's sacrifice in the cross ? I hold this view, though there is much to learn here that also applies to the NT believer in Jesus Christ !

Ezekiel 44
The prince is mentioned in 1-3. Just who the prince is, is not told us. Note: Could it be the Lord Jesus ? The glory of the Lord causes Ezekiel to fall on his face 4. The Levites and priests are assigned their place and work before the Lord 5-31. The descendants of  Zadok are the ones who remained faithful to the Lord amidst sin and corruption 15-16. They are instructed by the Lord concerning their duties 17-31. Reading this sounds familiar, like what God commanded in Exodus and Leviticus. Can it be, that in a future day, the Lord restore the priests to function the way He intended in the past ? Thus, we will see the way God intended His OT people to live and function as a testimony to Him. They never did in the past.

Ezekiel 45
The land is to be divided and set apart unto the Lord as He commands 1-6. The prince has a special place to live in the sacred district 7-8. The Lord calls for an end to all corruption 9-12. Note: A godly society with godly leaders is truly a blessing from the Lord. In 13-25 offerings and feasts of the Lord are to be observed by the prince and the people. This is the Lord's command. Note: The prince is to provide for the offerings 16-17. The priests make the offerings 18-20 and the people are to observe the Passover and the feasts 21-25. In the OT the leaders, priests, and people failed to follow God's Law concerning all these things. I wonder if Israel as a whole, ever did what God had commanded them ? One day they will !

Ezekiel 46
The prince has a prominent role in the worship of the Lord 1-8. The people are not to leave by the same way they came to the temple 9-10. Again in 11-24 we have the proper administering of God's law regarding sacrifices, inheritance, the cooking of the sacrifices. Note: During this restoration, all things will be done according to God's Law.

Ezekiel 47
There will be a river that flows from the temple 1-2. It will become deep and wide and will provide sustenance and healing to all it touches 3-10. This river will heal the waters, making them abundant 11, and will waters the trees making them fruitful 12. Note: This can be both literal (an actual river that flows from the throne of God in the temple) and also spiritual as a reference to the Spirit of God that is liken to rivers of living water (John 7:37-39). There is also a parallel passage in Revelation 22:1-5. Ezekiel is given the divisions of the land in 13-23 as the land is to be distributed according to the tribes of Israel 21. Note: God will see to it that the tribes 'inherit the land' that He promised to give them as an eternal possession. Notice that a mixture of the Jewish race and people will not hinder a proper inheritance 22-23. I find it amazing that the Jews have reminded a distinct people for more than 4000 years. This too is God's work !

Ezekiel 48
Here the land is divided according to the various tribes of Israel. In the center 8-22 is the sacred land that belongs to the priests and Levites and the prince. The tribes, including the ones in 23-29 find their lot around the Lord's sacred portion. The gates of the city are named for the tribes of Israel and are proportional / equal 30-35. The name of the city is 'The Lord is There' 35b. This is the central truth of Revelation 21:22-27; 22:1 where the city of God is described and HE is indeed there ! Note: Will you one day be there, with the Lord where He is, that you might be with Him forever ? The only way is through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (see: John 14:1-11)