One big message that we are seeing God give through Ezekiel is an explanation of how things are going to be different in Christ’s kingdom when the Spirit comes. Israel has lost their king but God describes how He will send His Shepherd to lead and rule His people, establishing a covenant of peace with them (Ezekiel 34). The people have lost their inheritance. But when the Spirit comes, the Lord’s people will be able to obtain the promised eternal inheritance (Ezekiel 35-36). The people have been rebellious to the Lord. But citizens of the new kingdom will be different because they will have transformed hearts that are receptive to God’s word (Ezekiel 36). The people are cut off from the Lord because of their sins. But God will give new life to spiritually dead people and all the nations will know that the Lord lives in the midst of His people (Ezekiel 37). The people have been taken captive by other nations. But no longer will the Lord raise nations to destroy His people because they will walk in His ways. So, when people and nations rise up against God, His plans, and His people (the Gog and Magog of the world), the Lord will use their resistance to be their total demise and judgment (Ezekiel 38-39).
With these pictures before us, we can see that there is only one thing left that needs to be restored. The Lord has prophesied that He will restore a king, a covenant, blessings, relationship, the kingdom, and His glory among the nations. The only other thing lost due to Israel’s rebellion that needs to be restored is the temple. Ezekiel 40-48 is all about the Lord’s new temple. What are these visions in the last nine chapters of Ezekiel supposed to tell us? Are these blueprints for a new, physical building to be built in Jerusalem or is Ezekiel giving us a glimpse of something much greater. We will begin to answer these questions in this Sunday’s lesson (11/16/2025) as we turn our attention to Ezekiel 40-43 and visions of a new and glorious temple. You can view the lesson at the link below.
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