Solomon's Temple

 Solomon Built the Temple

 Book of 1 Kings 5 and 6

 One of the most important things we need to complete any building project successfully is to be committed to it.

 We can accept the fact that King Solomon had little if any construction skills, but he now had great wisdom in all things.

 What Solomon had was a humble spirit and he sought the Lord for His help.

 The next thing that is needed is preparation.

 Site preparation must be properly taken care of, and it begins with following the Word of God.

Then you must own the property you are building upon.

David first bought the threshing floor of Araunah:

2Sa_24:18  And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite.

2Sa_24:21  And Araunah said, Wherefore is my lord the king come to his servant? And David said, To buy the threshingfloor of thee, to build an altar unto the LORD, that the plague may be stayed from the people.

2Sa_24:24  And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

Then David bought the entire area around the threshing floor.

1Ch 21:24  And king David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take that which is thine for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings without cost. 

1Ch 21:25  So David gave to Ornan for the place six hundred shekels of gold by weight. 

There should be no doubt who the Temple Mount belongs to.

 Remember it was God who gave the dimensions and the details of this Temple to David mphasizing a solid foundation.

 Luk 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

Luk 6:47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:

Luk 6:48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

Luk 6:49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

 King Solomon needed to be obedient to the Lord just as we all should be today!

 This new Temple was to be a House of the Lord for the Lord's people to worship Him.

 This had been a dream of his father David for many years, and Solomon was committed to seeing it succeed.

 Solomon's most important task was to seek the Lord!

 *****1Ki 5:2 And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying,

1Ki 5:3 Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the LORD his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet.

1Ki 5:4 But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent.

 King Hiram and King David had been great friends, and his son Huram wanted the same relationship with King Solomon.

In fact, this King Hiram had told his own son about the great God of Israel even though he was pagan and worshipped his own gods.

 We should understand that God would not allow David to build this Temple of Worship because it would have sent the wrong message.

 It would be like religions such as the Muslim who are forced to seek Mohammed and can never leave that religion with the threat of death if they do.

 There is no personal relationship because there is no Allah.

 Just as important, because David was protecting the cause of Israel in great battles with the enemies that surrounded Israel and he certainly did not have time to make such a commitment as Solomon was saying to Huram.

 Israel was at peace all the time of King Solomon and he maintained a strong military presence in the regions.

 To David God said: 22:8 But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight.

 This king of Tyre understood these things Solomon was saying.

 When the Lord forbids us to do something He is serious about it!

 King David had made this entire area to be at peace because of his conquest.

 We could say that Israel was the honcho nation during the time of King Solomon.

 Solomon said he had no adversaries nor was there any occurrence of rebellion to his rule.

 In fact, the nation of Israel was very prosperous in the days of King Solomon.

 We know that David spent time training Solomon.

 It was Solomon who wrote the Book of Proverbs so we can see what he wrote about his father.

 Pro 4:1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.

Pro 4:2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.

Pro 4:3 For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.

Pro 4:4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.

Pro 4:5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

Pro 4:6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.

Pro 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

 David did everything in his power to smooth the way of Solomon.

 David drew up the plans for the Temple according to the plans God had given to him:

 1Ch 28:11 Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlours thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat,

1Ch 28:12 And the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, of the courts of the house of the LORD, and of all the chambers round about, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the dedicated things:

 David gave Solomon the funds to build the Temple:

 1Ch 28:14 He gave of gold by weight for things of gold, for all instruments of all manner of service; silver also for all instruments of silver by weight, for all instruments of every kind of service:

 David told Solomon that the plans for the Temple came from Jehovah:

 1Ch 28:19 All this, said David, the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern.

 And again, David encouraged his son:

 1Ch 28:20 And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

 We can see that Solomon was a good student!

 Solomon began to understand what his father was saying.

 *****1Ki 5:5 And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name.

1Ki 5:6 Now therefore command thou that they hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon; and my servants shall be with thy servants: and unto thee will I give hire for thy servants according to all that thou shalt appoint: for thou knowest that there is not among us any that can skill to hew timber like unto the Sidonians.

 Solomon was committed to building the Temple his father David desired.

 Solomon sought to honor the Lord by building a house of worship for the people of Israel.

 If we do not learn anything else, we need to know that there needs to be a place to worship the Lord!

 There needs to be set times so we can all gather together to encourage one another.

 We will need to deal with this lost world.

 Solomon renewed the relationship between Israel and Tyre which was Phoenicia and Solomon sought to establish a trade agreement between the two nations, and he did.

 Solomon sought workers with skills that Israel did not know at this time.

 Notice Solomon did not open the borders of Israel to just anybody, but Israel had a need for skilled laborers.

 This should be a lesson for our nation.

 Solomon knew he had no excuse to delay this work for the Lord and Israel.

 When God calls us for a task it is time to say yes and get busy!

 We need to yield to the call of God without hesitation.

 The Bible explains this request to Huram from Solomon better in Second Chronicles:

 2Ch 2:4 Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel.

2Ch 2:5 And the house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods.

2Ch 2:6 But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?

2Ch 2:7 Send me now therefore a man cunning to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, and blue, and that can skill to grave with the cunning men that are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father did provide.

2Ch 2:8 Send me also cedar trees, fir trees, and algum trees, out of Lebanon: for I know that thy servants can skill to cut timber in Lebanon; and, behold, my servants shall be with thy servants,

2Ch 2:9 Even to prepare me timber in abundance: for the house which I am about to build shall be wonderful great.

2Ch 2:10 And, behold, I will give to thy servants, the hewers that cut timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat, and twenty thousand measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.

2Ch 2:11 Then Huram the king of Tyre answered in writing, which he sent to Solomon, Because the LORD hath loved his people, he hath made thee king over them.

 We must realize that God cannot be contained in any nation but that God is bigger than our little world but He is also small enough to come into our hearts.

 God has a purpose for each of us and God is still building upon His Church!

 King Hiram agreed with Solomon and a pact was made between the two nations.

 *****1Ki 5:10 So Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees according to all his desire.

1Ki 5:11 And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat for food to his household, and twenty measures of pure oil: thus gave Solomon to Hiram year by year.

 We see that Hiram gave this timber to Solomon and Solomon provided the food to feed these men while the work was taking place.

 We can better understand that Solomon asked for cedar trees, fir trees which means cypress, and other timber that was long-lasting.

 Solomon also needed an architect.

 Hiram was glad to provide the things that Solomon requested.

 We should not be confused the Phoenicians were Pagans.

 These cities existed before Israel came into the Promised Land in most cases they worshipped Baal.

 Baal means lord but he is identified with the false god Molech where children were sacrificed on his blazing arms.

 Baal was also known as the Sun god and there are Pyramids and High places all around the world where Baal the Sun god was worshipped along with the Moon god, and they are still worshipped today under different names.

 This is the reason most of these nations no longer exist today.

 Hiram’s servants would cut the timber from the forest in Lebanon. Transport it to the Mediterranean Sea, form it into rafts, and guide it through the waters to the Sea Port of Joppa.

 Tyre was over fifty miles from Joppa and Joppa was around thirty miles from Jerusalem.

 This was no easy task we know because we have the problems our own military had in the Mediterranian Sea.

The Phoenicians were the masters of the sea in that day.

 2Ch 2:8 Send me also cedar trees, fir trees, and algum trees, out of Lebanon: for I know that thy servants can skill to cut timber in Lebanon; and, behold, my servants shall be with thy servants,

2Ch 2:9 Even to prepare me timber in abundance: for the house which I am about to build shall be wonderful great.

2Ch 2:10 And, behold, I will give to thy servants, the hewers that cut timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat, and twenty thousand measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.

 Both men kept their agreements, and Solomon paid the wages of all these workers to make it worth their while.

 Our lesson here is that we must do everything we can to seek peace and preserve peace throughout society without compromising the Word of God.

 We need to make peace in our homes.

We need to make peace in our schools.

We need to make peace in our workplaces.

We need to treat everyone fair as we know our Lord Jesus did.

We should have peace in our Churches, we have the same Word of God. We do not need opinions, likes, dislikes, complaints, or murmurers among our members. Again, we have the same Word of God.

We should have peace in our government whose goal should be to take care of its people and protect our nation.

 The word peace is used 429 times in the KJV Bible so peace is important to God, but may not always be possible.

 Rom_12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

 There were also workers with stone at this same time.

 1Ki 5:18 And Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders did hew them, and the stonesquarers: so they prepared timber and stones to build the house.

 This stone cutting was started before the death of King David, and it was time consuming.

 David also began gathering many of the supplies needed for the Temple.

 1Ch 22:2 And David commanded to gather together the strangers that were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to hew wrought stones to build the house of God.

1Ch 22:3 And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the joinings; and brass in abundance without weight;

1Ch 22:4 Also cedar trees in abundance: for the Zidonians and they of Tyre brought much cedar wood to David.

1Ch 22:5 And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death.

 The Splendor of what is called Solomon's Temple began to come to life.

 Work began in the fourth year of Solomon's reign.

 We can see this was a major undertaking with the tools that were available on that day.

 In fact, many of those large stones and the cutting of them is not really understood today how they were able to do such things with just manual labor.

 These stones were cut, squared, shaped, and dressed to fit together perfectly without mortar.

 Our lesson is no matter what we do for the Lord, do it right while also making a contribution to society.

  *****1Ki 6:12 Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father:

1Ki 6:13 And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel.

1Ki 6:14 So Solomon built the house, and finished it.

 It had been four hundred and eighty years since a group of slaves led by Moses, had left Egypt searching for the land promised to Abraham.

 This would have been around 966 BC, so the Hebrews left Egypt around 1446 BC.

 All the materials were assembled in Jerusalem on the Temple Mount without the use of construction hand tools axes and hammers and such tool made of iron.

 1Ki 6:7 And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.

 1Ki 6:9 So he built the house, and finished it; and covered the house with beams and boards of cedar.

 Then God gave Solomon a challenge and a promise.

 It appears to me as I read this that the stonework was first completed and then the Temple was covered with lumber and this lumber was gold plated.

 1Ki 6:22 And the whole house he overlaid with gold, until he had finished all the house: also the whole altar that was by the oracle he overlaid with gold.

 In the end, God said this was a worldly sanctuary and cannot compare to our Heavenly sanctuary.

 Heb 9:1 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.

 Heb 9:11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

 Any place of worship today simply means God is identifying with His people so it becomes a House of God.

 God is certainly "gracious" but this does not mean it is a light thing to come into the presence of the Lord.

 We should be reverent in the House of God and God will show up.

 Today the body of each believer becomes the House of God and we are to honor the name of the Lord who dwells within us at all times and not just while we are in His House of worship.

 Those large stones teach us of a solid foundation which is in Christ Jesus.

 If our lives are not built upon Jesus Christ we are doomed to destruction.

 Without Jesus Christ, we are separated from God and doomed!

 Without God, there is no hope, not in this world or the next!

 We should also understand that just being in a Church building is not enough. God only looks upon those with a pure heart as we saw in last week's lesson.

 A wicked person entering a church building is still a person with a wicked heart and will remain that way until they claim the Lord Jesus Christ and repent of their old life.

 Many today do not want to repent but maintain their sinful ways and sin is according to the Word of God and not public opinion.

 God created us to have fellowship with Him, but He cannot look upon sin and, in His wisdom, He sent the Lord Jesus to pay our sin debt and if we accept this fact then God will deal with us His own children!

 God gave us free will to decide this on our own!

 Amen

Going to the House of God

 Coming to the House of the Lord

 Book of Psalms 122 Verses 1-9

 Up until October 7, 2023, when Israel's war began, millions of people traveled to Israel, most of them were Christians.

 Some few go now but not many.

 Most Christians are headed to Jerusalem because everyone knows Jerusalem is special.

 Some people say "It just feels like home" even though they had never been there before.

 We know that our Messiah walked all over Israel, but He was crucified at Jerusalem.

 As Christians, we know that our spiritual roots extend to Jerusalem!

 We will spend a thousand years in Jerusalem serving the Lord, but we will spend eternity in New Jerusalem.

 The redeemed of all the ages who will walk through those pearly gates of New Jerusalem to bask in the glorious presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

 One day that trumpet will sound, and we will hear and heed the call to worship in God's true House.

 Let us listen to these clear instructions to all believers.

 *****Psa 122:1 A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

 We know that David rejoiced to go to the house of the Lord!

 There was no Temple yet in Jerusalem, but David had built a Tabernacle in which the Ark of the Covenant was placed.

 2Sa_6:17 And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.

 David was a man after God's own heart.

 David loved to be in the presence of God.

 We know the Lord had chosen to put His name in Jerusalem many years before this.

 Deu 12:11 Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD:

 Every Christian should have a great desire to go to the House of God and even go more often because of the things we see today going on in Israel.

 Israel is God's timepiece!

 So, let us see if this phrase could have another meaning.

 It could be describing to us the restoration of Israel when the Lord returns to restore this Earth as it was in the day of Adam.

 Amo 9:11 In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old:

Amo 9:12 That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this.

 The phrase “that day” points toward the future.

 In fact, it is probably referring to the time when the Lord Jesus will restore Israel as it was in the days of King David.

 This means all the land God gave to Abraham.

 So let us see which way the Scriptures go.

 The Israelite men had to go to the Temple three times a year according to the Law of Moses.

 For believers today, we should be in God's House every time the doors are open to Praise our Savior!

 We should know how to act in God's House!

 1Ti 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

1Ti 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

 We should go to God's House often and know that it is a command of God.

 Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

 Those who do not go to God's House often are sinning against the Word of God!

 We ought to rejoice when the appointed time comes to go to God's House.

 The Jewish feasts were special times, the highlights of the year and they celebrated the opportunity to go to God's House.

 I live in the Bible Belt and when I meet people on the street and ask them about Church most of them will claim to be saved, but they do not attend church regularly.

 Many others go to church, but it seems to be a dreadful duty to them. They just as well stay home!

 It should be a joyous occasion every time we go and hear what God has to say!

 We must make being at church to be joyful, but it cannot be that way unless we love the Lord.

 He is always at church to worship with us and even the Holy Spirit is always there because He lives within us.

 Heb_13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

 God has a purpose for everything He does.

 What was God's purpose for the founding of Jerusalem?

 *****Psa 122:2 Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.

Psa 122:3 Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:

Psa 122:4 Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.

Psa 122:5 For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.

 ***The most important reason for going to Jerusalem was the fact that God had chosen Jerusalem as the place where He would establish His name!

 Deu 12:5 But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come:

Deu 12:6 And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks:

Deu 12:7 And there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee.

 Psa 87:2 The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.

Psa 87:3 Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.

 Heb 12:22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

Heb 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Heb 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

 There should be no doubt that God loves Jerusalem!

 We can also understand that Jerusalem is a picture of the New Jerusalem, but we will not know the full picture of this until the Lord Jesus sits on the throne of David in Jerusalem.

 We could also say until the Lord Jesus sits upon the throne of David to rule this world.

 God will dwell among His people in the New Jerusalem!

 Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

 ***There is a second reason:

 Jerusalem had strong, closely guarded walls.

 Jerusalem was a secure city.

 2Sa 5:9 So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward.

 Most people felt safe when they were inside the walls of Jerusalem.

 ***There is yet a third reason.

 The walls of Jerusalem were solid walls.

 Jerusalem was without a doubt the City of God!

 Psa 48:8 As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah.

 This same God Jehovah is the same God today, still full of power and majesty.

 Psa 48:14 For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.

 When the gates of the city came into view of God's children, they knew they were almost home!

 Israel was a nation of tribes, and they were all essentially one family. Their leaders were each the sons of Jacob who became Israel. They may have forgotten that for a while, but they are bound to remember when it becomes time to choose the world or time to choose God's family.

 ***There is a fourth reason.

 As a nation of tribes who had a common ancestor, then they needed a place to gather in the name of God.

 Each tribe may operate independently but they could come together in unity because they all had the same God!

When they gathered together for the feast to give thanks to the Lord they obeyed the testimony of Israel, the laws that God had given to them.

 Exo 23:14 Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year.

Exo 23:15 Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:)

Exo 23:16 And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.

Exo 23:17 Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord GOD. 

 There is a great feeling of relief that comes from knowing that you have been obedient to the Almighty Living God.

 Jerusalem was the appointed worship center where they came in unity.

 God ordained this physical location on our planet for Israel to gather to worship Him.

 The world may refuse to acknowledge this, but it does not make it any less true.

 Anyone, anyone who tries to alter this ordination of God deserves the punishment that God will place on them!

 ***A fifth reason also comes to us.

 Jerusalem was also Israel's political center, much like Washington DC is the political center of the United States of America.

 We could say the United Tribes of Israel, and this is who they are when they are obedient to God!

 In Jerusalem was the location of the Throne of Judgment.

 One of the King's most important duties was to render judgment and execute justice.

 The thrones of the house of David would extend until it will be the Lord Jesus Christ, King Jesus, who will sit upon that throne in Jerusalem.

 2Sa 7:13 He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.

 2Sa 7:16 And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.

2Sa 7:17 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.

 The Jerusalem of old is a picture of New Jerusalem to come in many ways.

 When the Apostle John was on the Isle of Patmos, the Lord Jesus showed him the New Jerusalem.

 John reported what he saw.

 Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

 God's people will rejoice in New Jerusalem, and all the painful things of this life will have passed away.

 Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

 This new city will be full of God's Glory.

 Rev 21:10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

Rev 21:11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

 We will all be secure within the walls of New Jerusalem.

 Rev 21:12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

Rev 21:13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.

Rev 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

 All God's people from every nation and every tribe will come together in New Jerusalem.

 Rev 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

Rev 21:24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.

 We see that God has a plan and those who are against Him cannot stop it!

 The greatest privilege after salvation is the privilege to stand in God's House in New Jerusalem!

 There will be a gathering of family members who have gone on before us and those who will come after us.

The Word of God will be exalted because we will understand the things that God has done.

We will praise God like never before because we will truly have the mind of Christ.

We will understand that we are safe and secure throughout all eternity.

 Today, especially because of what we see and what we know, we need to pray earnestly for the peace of Jerusalem.

 *****Psa 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

Psa 122:7 Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.

Psa 122:8 For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.

Psa 122:9 Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.

 If you are a Christian, you will love Jerusalem.

If you are a Christian, you will be on the side of Israel.

If you are a Christian, you will pray for the peace of Jerusalem and all of Israel.

 To the Eastern part of the world, Jerusalem is called the Holy City and it is.

 The Apostle Matthew used this phrase in Scripture and so did the Apostle John.

 Mat_4:5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,

 Rev_21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

 Nehemiah, Isaiah, and Daniel used this phrase in the Old Testament all speaking of the same Jerusalem.

 Shalom is living happy, untroubled, with a sense of fulfillment.

 Shalom and its related words are among the most important theological words in the Old Testament.

 Jerusalem has not seen peace throughout the Bible.

 The closest this city of God came to peace was in the time of King David, but Jerusalem will finally see peace in the time of King Jesus.

 David prayed for peace in Jerusalem asking for peace inside the walls of his city.

 David was praying that God would bless the leaders of Israel and would protect them from the wickedness of this world.

 How many of us pray such prayers?

 David prayed for the peace of Jerusalem for the sake of his family friends and those of all of Israel.

 We should remember that King David was responsible for the peace of Jerusalem in his day.

 It is one thing to look out for your own self and that of your family, but it takes a lot more to look out for each individual in an entire city.

 David next prayed for peace in God's House.

 If we consider all denominations to be the Church today, we can certainly see that there is no peace in God's House.

 We may brag about the church that we attend, but the truth is many denominations are throwing the Bible away and listening to what the world has to say rather than what God has to say.

 The Pope the leader of the Catholic Church is one way today and another way tomorrow.

 The Wesleyans have thrown out the truth of the Gospel.

 The Methodists have forgotten the methods of truth.

 The Protestant church has forgotten about those who protested for the truth.

 The Southern Baptists have left the truth for lies.

 We could go on and on, but the truth is God's House is not at peace and the church is no longer holding back the evilness and the wickedness in this world.

 We know that Israel is at war, so we surely know we need to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and all of Israel as the world turns its back on reality.

 The fact remains there will be no peace in Jerusalem until the return of Christ!

There will be no peace in the Church until the Lord Jesus returns to separate the wheat from the tares!

There will be no peace in this world until King Jesus speaks with that sword in His mouth and brings an end to the time of Satan!

 Today the Temple of Jerusalem lies in ruins part of it under the Muslim Dome of the Rock.

 The Jews have to pray at what is called the Wailing Wall most of them have never been able to even go upon the Temple Mount.

 Even so-called Christian sects in Jerusalem haggle over shrines and the Arabs and Jews are at each other's throats.

 The world refuses to recognize that land belongs to the Jews because God gave it to them and God is going to give it back to them.

 Those nations that surround God's people trying to rid this world of them will find that the shoe is on the other foot at the appearance of King Jesus.

 The fact is that the Arab nations will almost destroy this world just to annihilate all the Jews, but King Jesus will settle this issue forever before this happens.

 We can be with Him, or we can burn in Hell with all other unbelievers.

 I choose the Lord!

 Amen

The Millennial Temple

The Temple Will Be Rebuilt

Book of Ezekiel Chapters 43-46

We know that Ezekiel was a prophet of God and a prophet of God had to write the things that Jehovah revealed to him. It was not up to a prophet of Jehovah to question anything Jehovah revealed to them, but to accept whatever Jehovah revealed to them as the truth.

Jehovah spoke to Ezekiel in visions.

It seems that "visions" may have been a higher category of revelation, reserved for the more spiritually mature men of God.

Many of God's prophets frequently received visions, in fact one of the names of God's prophets was seer which comes from the Hebrew word "raah" meaning "to see".

In Ezekiel we see the Hebrew word "mareh" which means the "act of seeing", a supernatural vision.

It is not the same as the visions of some other prophets which would be more like being in a trance.

Abraham:

Gen 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

Nathan:

1Ch 17:15 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.

Daniel:

Dan 8:1 In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the first.

Of course here in the Book of Ezekiel we see that the Lord God Jehovah revealed the future to Ezekiel. Short term future and long term, future things we have not yet seen.

What are some of the things we are most sure of?

1) Our Lord Jesus will return!

2) This will take place after He has received His Church in the clouds!

3) Our Lord will then fulfill the promises He has made to Israel.

We believe that according to the Scriptures that a third Temple will be built before the Lord returns.

We believe that according to the vision of Ezekiel there may even be a fourth Temple built during the one thousand year reign of the Lord, far different from the other Temples. It is this Temple that gives us a better idea about our Heavenly Temple, God's house.

*****Eze 43:1 Afterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that looketh toward the east:

Eze 43:2 And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory.

The one thing we know for sure is when we see the Lord, He will be in His awesome glory!

He will not be the meek and loving Savior who first came but He will be seen as the Mighty Awesome Glorious Power of The Lord God and Creator of all things!

His glory will fill this Temple of Ezekiel just as He did Solomon's Temple, just as He did in that first Tabernacle of Moses!

Exo 40:34 Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

Exo 40:35 And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

1Ki 8:10 And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD,

1Ki 8:11 So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.

2Ch 5:14 So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.

Our Lord is a sight to behold in all His glory!

Psa 18:6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.

Psa 18:7 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.

Psa 18:8 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.

Psa 18:9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet.

Psa 18:10 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.

Psa 18:11 He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.

Psa 18:12 At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire.

Psa 18:13 The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire.

Psa 18:14 Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.

Psa 18:15 Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.

Psa 18:16 He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.

Psa 18:17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.

The Lord will not have to speak a word when He sets His feet back on the Mount of Olives for those who are His enemies will be destroyed just by the sight of His glory!

2 Th 1:6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

2 Th 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

2 Th 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 Th 1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

2 Th 1:10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

All of His children will be with Him when He returns!

When the glory of our Lord departed, He went "Eastward", when the Lord returns, He will return from the "East" the direction of the rising Sun and the Sun will be like a lantern compared to the "Glory of the Lord".

Hag 2:6 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;

Hag 2:7 And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.

Hag 2:8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.

Hag 2:9 The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.

He is the God of Israel and He is the Lord God of the true Church!

Even in this vision of Ezekiel, he could do nothing else but fall upon his face in worship of the Almighty God!

Only the Almighty Jehovah God could cause such a supernatural vision!

*****Eze 43:3 And it was according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, even according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city: and the visions were like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell upon my face.

Ezekiel in his visions, had previously seen the Lord leave the Temple, in all His glory, the Shekinah Glory, and now he saw in a vision the return of the Lord, in all His glory to the New Temple. The Temple described in what is now called Ezekiel's Temple because it differs so much from the previous temple of Solomon and of Herod.

Since Ezekiel had prophesied of the destruction of city of Jerusalem, then he says, "when I came to destroy the city", because he had spoken the exact words God had given to him to say.

Just as when Ezekiel preached to those dry bones in our previous lesson.

Just as he had followed the directions given to him in the beginning of this book of Ezekiel.

Eze 4:1 Thou also, son of man, take thee a tile, and lay it before thee, and pourtray upon it the city, even Jerusalem:

Eze 4:2 And lay siege against it, and build a fort against it, and cast a mount against it; set the camp also against it, and set battering rams against it round about.

With one stroke Ezekiel had broken the tile that represented the city of Jerusalem!

It was the Chaldean that caused the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple of Solomon, but it was the Lord that had allowed it to happen, just as Ezekiel and Jeremiah had prophesied.

Eze 9:1 He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand.

It was because of the sinful leadership of Judah, that had been the true cause of the destruction of Jerusalem.

If we would just learn to do what God says for us to do and honor Him in our worship, we would be much better for it, and the world would be a much better place!

How did the Lord enter this new Temple?

*****Eze 43:4 And the glory of the LORD came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east.

The sun rises from the east.

No one can look at the sun without eye protection for any length of time, because of the glory of the sun.

The glory of the Lord is much greater than the sun we have for light and heat!

Exo_24:17 And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.

Num_14:21 But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD.

Isa_40:5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

Isa_60:1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.

What will happen to all those who are part of the Rapture of the Church?

2 Co 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

We can see that it is the Spirit of the Lord that will cause this to happen, because He has never left us and He lives within us!

The Lord will return one day, and He may return from the eastern sky, but remember He will come as a thief so He may come from any direction or in the night!

All these things happened to Ezekiel by the power of the Holy Spirit, because the Lord has not yet left Heaven!

*****Eze 43:5 So the spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house.

The prophet Ezekiel had remained upon His knees his face to the ground until the Holy Spirit carried him into the Temple as by his vision.

Remember this was a "supernatural" vision!

The Holy Spirit is still to this day the invisible, irresistible power upon this earth!

It is the Holy Spirit that is the power behind every true man of God! False prophets have no power, because they do not have the Holy Spirit!

It is the Holy Spirit who raises every true man of God and allows them communion with our Holy God!

The Shekinah Glory of Jehovah filled this entire Temple, but it resided in the Holy of Holies and even in the power of the Holy Spirit, Ezekiel could not enter into this place set aside for the Lord!

Again one day in the not so distant future, this entire world will be overcome by the "Shekinah Glory" of the Lord!

Isa 6:3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

And all the family of God will gather into this Temple of the Lord!

Hag 2:6 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;

Hag 2:7 And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.

There was a voice coming from within the Holy of Holies.

*****Eze 43:6 And I heard him speaking unto me out of the house; and the man stood by me.

Eze 43:7 And he said unto me, Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no more defile, neither they, nor their kings, by their whoredom, nor by the carcases of their kings in their high places.

What is a theophany? We must understand that Jehovah will only reveal Himself in one way and that way is the Lord Jesus Christ. Every “theophany” is then the Lord Jesus Christ!

When Ezekiel says a man stood with Him then that would be the Lord Jesus Christ!

So let's listen to the conversation:

In the Israel of old, the bodies of kings at least 14 in number were buried in Jerusalem adjacent to the Temple complex, separated only by a wall, but here we see that Christ, the man speaking to Ezekiel, considered those graves to be an infringement of upon His holy place and an act of spiritual defilement and that would not be allowed in the New Temple.

Some of those kings had even been buried along with the idols they worshiped.

The prophet Ezekiel was to inform the people that this practice would come to an end!

As the Lord says, this Temple would be a place where He would walk among His people!

This New Temple would no more be defiled!

When we get to the Lord's Heavenly Temple, there will be nothing dead at all. Life, Life, Life, and Life eternal is the theme in God's Heavenly Home!

There will be nothing that will be allowed to defile the Temple that the Lord will build!

Remember our mansion will be inside the Lord's house, much like the priests had houses inside the Temple!

Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Rev 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

What is happening in our places of worship today?

We have forgotten that the places where we worship are to be Holy, Sanctified for the work God has given us to do!

*****Eze 44:1 Then he brought me back the way of the gate of the outward sanctuary which looketh toward the east; and it was shut.

Eze 44:2 Then said the LORD unto me; This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; because the LORD, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut.

We must clearly understand there is only One who is to be worshiped and that One is the Lord Jesus Christ.

There is "NO ONE" higher than the Lord Jesus Christ! Lord of lords and King of kings!

Once the glory of the Lord has been seen, there is no room for those who would seek their own glory because they have none.

The nation of Israel has always trusted in their own good works, holding to the Laws of Moses which is nothing more than guide for righteous living.

Our true measurement in life, is the Lord Jesus Christ and we have no goodness in us at all to compare to the Lord!

When we walk into the House of God, we are walking on Holy Ground and if we cannot be holy in our own life after we know the Lord, then we will defile His Temple!

Not everyone will be allowed in the Messiah's Temple!

Those that are allowed must worship the Lord in the correct manner!

Joh 4:21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

Joh 4:22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.

Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Psa 50:23 Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.

Psa 86:12 I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.

Psa 86:13 For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Not one unbeliever will be allowed in the Temple of the Messiah!

Not one person who rejects any portion of the Word of God will be allowed in this Temple of the Messiah!

We must understand that once the glory of the Messiah enters into His Temple through that Eastern Gate, then that gate will be closed for He will never leave His Temple ever again.

There will be a passageway.

*****Eze 44:3 It is for the prince; the prince, he shall sit in it to eat bread before the LORD; he shall enter by the way of the porch of that gate, and shall go out by the way of the same.

There are so many things written about this prince that the only one that makes sense to me is what is written in the Book of Hebrews.

Heb 9:11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

Heb 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

Heb 9:13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

But these words do not refer to this prince in the Book of Ezekiel

Also in Chapter 45:22 we see these words:

Eze 45:22 And upon that day shall the prince prepare for himself and for all the people of the land a bullock for a sin offering.

The reality is that Lord Jesus Christ has no sin, so He needs no sin offering for Himself.

This prince is a father with sons and Jesus has no sons, but He does have children and brothers and sisters and friends!

Eze 46:16 Thus saith the Lord GOD; If the prince give a gift unto any of his sons, the inheritance thereof shall be his sons'; it shall be their possession by inheritance.

Eze 46:17 But if he give a gift of his inheritance to one of his servants, then it shall be his to the year of liberty; after it shall return to the prince: but his inheritance shall be his sons' for them.

Eze 46:18 Moreover the prince shall not take of the people's inheritance by oppression, to thrust them out of their possession; but he shall give his sons inheritance out of his own possession: that my people be not scattered every man from his possession.

This prince could not enter in by the Eastern Gate!

He is a prince, possibly a prince of the 12 tribes or possibly a prince in the civil government of Israel.

What we know for sure is that the Lord Jesus Christ is the only way to get to Heaven!

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Joh 14:7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

This prince maybe just someone who will lead the worship service. Remember Lucifer had failed to do this job and he exalted himself and lost!

Maybe this prince is the Born Again child of God.

Rev_1:6  And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Rev_5:10  And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

All these are guesses so we must just trust the Word of God.

*****Eze 44:4 Then brought he me the way of the north gate before the house: and I looked, and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD: and I fell upon my face.

In his vision Ezekiel is now on the outside of this new Temple, the Easter Gate is closed, and he walks north until he comes to the Northern Gate.

Twelve times in his writing, Ezekiel mentions a view from the gate to the North in this Temple.

With the Easter Gate closed, the best entrances into the Temple complex will be the Northern and the Southern gates.

What we notice is, that no matter where Ezekiel entered, he was overcome by the Shekinah Glory of the Lord.

How did the Shekinah Glory of the Lord affect Daniel?

Dan 10:8 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.

In this passage from the book of Daniel, he also has a supernatural vision of the Shekinah glory of the Lord!

How will the Shekinah Glory of the Lord affect all of us?

Two things:

1) We will be no different that Daniel or Ezekiel, we will fall upon our faces in total fear until the Lord comforts us with His voice of peace.

2) Then we will be like Him!

1Jn_3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

Ezekiel was told to pay strict attention to the things he was seeing in His vision.

Ezekiel moves on to the gates of the inner courts where the discussion will be about worship.

The inner court would be the place of the altar.

*****Eze 46:1 Thus saith the Lord GOD; The gate of the inner court that looketh toward the east shall be shut the six working days; but on the sabbath it shall be opened, and in the day of the new moon it shall be opened.

Eze 46:2  And the prince shall enter by the way of the porch of that gate without, and shall stand by the post of the gate, and the priests shall prepare his burnt offering and his peace offerings, and he shall worship at the threshold of the gate: then he shall go forth; but the gate shall not be shut until the evening. 

I believe the modern church has forgotten the reason we gather together at the appointed times of the church. We gather to worship!

We gather to worship Jehovah!

We gather to worship the Lord Jesus Christ!

The Lord lays down some specific things for the Jewish people in this Millennial Temple.

We must remember, they have never understood how to relate worship in the Tabernacle nor the Temple, to the Lord Jesus Christ!

The Sabbath signifies "rest"! Jesus Christ is that "rest" because He causes the weary to rest!

Isa 28:12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.

It is the Sabbath of the soul that is of most importance!

Mat 11:27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Our soul can never rest until it returns to the Lord!

Psa 116:6 The LORD preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.

Psa 116:7 Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.

Psa 116:8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.

Psa 116:9 I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.

The moon was created by Jehovah on the fourth day, and approximately every 30 days there is a New Moon, and this is the basis for the Jewish calendar and all the Jewish festivals.

The Sabbaths and the New Moon required a sin offering to the Lord, and we know that our Lord Jesus became that sin offering for the entire world until the day He returns to get His Church!

This prince, which is not the Lord, could not enter into the area of the offerings, but he had to stop at the threshold to worship at that location.

This burnt offering, "in type", represents the consecration of the one who offered the sacrifice, which was this prince at this time.

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

The truth is that Jesus Christ gave Himself as the whole burnt offering on the altar of the cross!

Eph 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

We talk a lot about the nail scared hands of Christ Jesus.

We talk a lot about the hole in the side of Christ Jesus.

We need to talk a lot about the back of Christ Jesus and see where His back was laid upon that burning altar and the imprint of my cross and the imprint your cross, and the cross of every believer is scared for ever upon the back of our Savior!

The Jews have never recognized these things, but they soon will!

*****Eze 46:3 Likewise the people of the land shall worship at the door of this gate before the LORD in the sabbaths and in the new moons.

Eze 46:4 And the burnt offering that the prince shall offer unto the LORD in the sabbath day shall be six lambs without blemish, and a ram without blemish.

With the Lord on site, the Jews and this prince will be taught the relationship of all the sacrifices of the Temple.

As we have seen the burnt offering was upon the altar of the cross!

The meal offering represented the crushing of the wheat(the body of our Savior) to become the bread of life.

Joh 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

Joh_6:33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

Joh_6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

Joh_6:48 I am that bread of life.

Joh_6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

The peace offering was "in type", being reconciled to God.

Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Rom 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Col 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

The sin offering, 'in type" represents the expiation (pardon). Remember a pardon means all penalty has been erased!

2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

1Pe 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

The trespass offering "in type", was to make restitution for our sin.

Col 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

2Co 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

2Co 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

Worship at the Tabernacle and at the Temple was designed by the Lord to match the Word of God, so that the Jewish people would not miss the coming of the Messiah, but they missed the most important time of their lives and by the "mercy" and the "grace" of God and because of the promises Jehovah made to Abraham and King David, they will get one more chance to see where they went wrong.

Yes, this Temple of the Book of Ezekiel will be built!

Praise the Lord.

Let's Pray!