Different and the Same – Part 2
When the prince enters, he shall go in by way of the porch of the gate and go out by the same way. But when the people of the land come before the Lord at the appointed feasts, he who enters by way of the north gate to worship shall go out by way of the south gate. And he who enters by way of the south gate shall go out by way of the north gate. No one shall return by way of the gate by which he entered but shall go straight out. When they go in, the prince shall go in among them; and when they go out, he shall go out [Ezekiel 46:8-10].
We paused our last study with a three-point list of spiritual truths which appear in the quoted text. Let’s continue with our study now.
Throughout Scripture the Holy Spirit employs visible physical realities for the purpose of teaching us invisible spiritual truths. We humans are finite creatures, so we haven’t an inkling about infinity and eternity. The only way we can grasp even the simplest eternal truths is by comparison with something from visible physical reality.
We humans exist within time, space, and matter. The spirit world exists in eternity, so we haven’t an inkling about invisible spiritual truths. The only way the Lord can teach these to us is by comparisons with visible physical realities. The comparisons are not identical by a long shot, but they do serve to enhance our understanding of things with which we have no experience.
This applies to the Millennial Temple of Ezekiel 40-48, dear friends. Our text today depicts invisible spiritual truths from the vantage point of a visible physical temple. We cannot become bogged down in an exposition of Ezekiel’s entire teaching on this subject. We must needs stick to the three points already presented. Not to fear though: a plethora of spiritual truths will yet be ours.
The “prince” refers to the Messiah. We now know this person to be the Lord Jesus Christ. He will rule the entire earth from His throne in Jerusalem throughout the Millennium, crushing all wickedness as iron smashes an earthenware vessel. The offices of prophet, priest, and king are combined in Him during the Millennium.
When the Lord Jesus goes to the Millennial Temple, He enters and leaves by the east gate. This gate is shut for six days of the week and opened on the seventh day for use by the Lord Jesus.
Everyone else, contrariwise, enters the Millennial Temple by either the north gate or the south gate. He who enters by the north gate exits by the south gate. The one who enters by the south gate exists by the north gate.
The prince has his private gate, while the people share two gates. This isn’t the only contrast between prince and people. The prince enters and exits by the same gate, while the people enter by one gate and exit by the other.
I know this is a bit arcane to most of you, an effort in futility perhaps. But don’t give up on me just yet. We’re just now ready to present an interpretation of these visible physical realities. You won’t want to miss out!
In fact this is an excellent location to pitch our tents for the night. That way you will have a chance to chew the cud of our study and collect your thoughts. Take time to be refreshed by the Lord and return for some more nourishment tomorrow. See you then.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
We paused our last study with a three-point list of spiritual truths which appear in the quoted text. Let’s continue with our study now.
Throughout Scripture the Holy Spirit employs visible physical realities for the purpose of teaching us invisible spiritual truths. We humans are finite creatures, so we haven’t an inkling about infinity and eternity. The only way we can grasp even the simplest eternal truths is by comparison with something from visible physical reality.
We humans exist within time, space, and matter. The spirit world exists in eternity, so we haven’t an inkling about invisible spiritual truths. The only way the Lord can teach these to us is by comparisons with visible physical realities. The comparisons are not identical by a long shot, but they do serve to enhance our understanding of things with which we have no experience.
This applies to the Millennial Temple of Ezekiel 40-48, dear friends. Our text today depicts invisible spiritual truths from the vantage point of a visible physical temple. We cannot become bogged down in an exposition of Ezekiel’s entire teaching on this subject. We must needs stick to the three points already presented. Not to fear though: a plethora of spiritual truths will yet be ours.
The “prince” refers to the Messiah. We now know this person to be the Lord Jesus Christ. He will rule the entire earth from His throne in Jerusalem throughout the Millennium, crushing all wickedness as iron smashes an earthenware vessel. The offices of prophet, priest, and king are combined in Him during the Millennium.
When the Lord Jesus goes to the Millennial Temple, He enters and leaves by the east gate. This gate is shut for six days of the week and opened on the seventh day for use by the Lord Jesus.
Everyone else, contrariwise, enters the Millennial Temple by either the north gate or the south gate. He who enters by the north gate exits by the south gate. The one who enters by the south gate exists by the north gate.
The prince has his private gate, while the people share two gates. This isn’t the only contrast between prince and people. The prince enters and exits by the same gate, while the people enter by one gate and exit by the other.
I know this is a bit arcane to most of you, an effort in futility perhaps. But don’t give up on me just yet. We’re just now ready to present an interpretation of these visible physical realities. You won’t want to miss out!
In fact this is an excellent location to pitch our tents for the night. That way you will have a chance to chew the cud of our study and collect your thoughts. Take time to be refreshed by the Lord and return for some more nourishment tomorrow. See you then.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
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