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Wednesday, October 9, 2013

P3 - Ezekiel's Vision of the Millennial Kingdom - The King enters His temple



Ezekiel 43:1-2 "Then he led me to the gate, the gate facing toward the east; 2 and behold, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the way of the east. And His voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth shone with His glory."

Getting to the heart of Ezekiel's vision of the Millennium
In today's post we end up seeing in Ezekiel's vision the main purpose of the Millennial temple and a warning about false teachers in these last days. Ezekiel's grand vision of the temple is about the one that will be in existence during Christ's Millennial reign.  One of the crown jewels of this vision is where we witness the the entryway where the King will actually enter into His Millennial temple to assume His earthly reign at the beginning of the Millennium (Ezekiel 44:1-4).   

Dr. John Walvoord, a late prophecy teacher, writes these words about Ezekiel's prophecy in Ezekiel 43-44: "Climaxing the tour of the temple, Ezekiel prophetically saw the return of the Lord and the glory of the Lord filling the temple (43:1-5). God declared that this temple will be His residence and His throne (vv. 6-7). Ezekiel was instructed to describe the temple to the people of Israel, including its various aspects of design, that they may be faithful in building the temple when the time comes (vv. 10-11)." 

As you read through these wonderful chapters of Ezekiel, the glory of God and the Messiah entering into His temple is truly breathtaking. Imagine what that will be like at the beginning of the Millennial reign of Jesus Christ. To hear His footprints echoing on the ground as he in Divine glory and in glorified humanity walks up to assume His rightful place as central to the worship of His people. 

In contrast to this glorious vision of the Millennial age, we find Peter's description of those false teachers that pollute this current age of human history. Until Christ returns, the church here on earth will be the church militant, fighting the good fight of faith. 2 Peter 2 is all about defending against the enemies of grace: false prophets (2:1-3); fallen angels (2:4); foul world (2:5-9); the flesh (2:10-16); false teachings (2:17-19) and false faith (2:20-22). 

Closing thoughts
As we look forward to Christ's second coming, let us be faithful and remain firm and steadfast in the grace of God in Jesus Christ.

More tomorrow....