When is Ezekiel 47?

[Crustyone]

Prior chapters of Ezkiel, from 40 up to 46 seem to be describing a temple that was built prior to Jesus time. However, chapter 47 seems to be a future temple in that the waters flowing from it are like the living water mentioned in Revelation. I only say that because it says that wherever this water flows, everything will live and the Dead Sea will be made fresh, with only the marshes and swamps being left salty. I am not aware of this happening in the past. Also, there will be many trees along the banks and like the tree of life they will bear fruit once a month(for food) and the leaves will be used for medicine, like the tree of life. This sounds like a more detailed description of the account in Revelations. How do you see this chapter?

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

I agree. It matches Revelation. It also matches the figurative language of Zechariah 14:8. Water flowed in only two directions from Jerusalem (east towards the hinder sea, or Dead Sea; and west towards the former sea, or Mediterranean Sea), and the land of Israel has rainy winters and dry summers; so that speaks of the holy spirit (living water) moving freely all over the world, all the time (24/7/365, not just in the winter).

And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be. Zechariah 14:8​

 

[DP]

Prior chapters of Ezkiel, from 40 up to 46 seem to be describing a temple that was built prior to Jesus time. However, chapter 47 seems to be a future temple in that the waters flowing from it are like the living water mentioned in Revelation. I only say that because it says that wherever this water flows, everything will live and the Dead Sea will be made fresh, with only the marshes and swamps being left salty. I am not aware of this happening in the past. Also, there will be many trees along the banks and like the tree of life they will bear fruit once a month(for food) and the leaves will be used for medicine, like the tree of life. This sounds like a more detailed description of the account in Revelations. How do you see this chapter?

Yes, those Ezek.40 thru 48 chapters are covering points starting at Christ's future "thousand years" reign and into the new heavens and a new earth, which Rev.21 & 22 does also.

I don't believe the animal sacrifices it mentions are literal though. I believe that was written because of the time that prophecy was given to Ezekiel during the old covenant. Just that point alone has made many to mistake it for past history. At the end of Revelation, we are shown there eventually will be no temple, which is new heavens and new earth timing. I equate the last verse of Ezek.48 "The LORD is there" being the name of the city with new heavens and new earth timing.

Rev.22:14-15 reveals the wicked still existing outside the gates of the holy city while Christ's elect inside have right to the waters and tree of life, so that is a direct parallel to those Ezekiel events. Revelation 21 & 22 does not reveal the exact location of the holy city, while Ezekiel 40-48 does, i.e., on earth in the area of today's Jerusalem, the Waters being mentioned in relation to Engedi in the middle east.

In Genesis 2, we are shown about God's River once being upon this earth, flowing out of Eden to water four other rivers on the earth, of which three of them are known locations (river Gihon in Ethiopia, Hiddekel which is the Tigris, and Euphrates which those two still exist today).

So by this Biblical evidence, it reveals where God's Kingdom will manifest in the future, upon this earth and not in the clouds, for He did say in Isaiah that He created the earth to be inhabited (lived upon). That tears down the belief of certain denominations that think the earth will be totally destroyed and His Kingdom will be up in the clouds only. The cube of Revelation will reach up 1500 miles off the earth, but its base will be on the earth, with peoples living upon this earth, building houses and planting vineyards per Isaiah. Because of their traditions of men, I think those certain denominations place these Scripture evidences as past history when they have yet to occur.

 

[valiant]

Prior chapters of Ezkiel, from 40 up to 46 seem to be describing a temple that was built prior to Jesus time. However, chapter 47 seems to be a future temple in that the waters flowing from it are like the living water mentioned in Revelation. I only say that because it says that wherever this water flows, everything will live and the Dead Sea will be made fresh, with only the marshes and swamps being left salty. I am not aware of this happening in the past. Also, there will be many trees along the banks and like the tree of life they will bear fruit once a month(for food) and the leaves will be used for medicine, like the tree of life. This sounds like a more detailed description of the account in Revelations. How do you see this chapter?

The reference is to the heavenly Jerusalem mentioned in Gal 4.20 ff ; Heb 12.20-22. From this Jerusalem would flow the rivers of living water to a world which was thirsty (John 7.37-39). It would provide waters in abundance (waters of the Spirit). There is, however, a warning at the end that not all will benefit because their heart are salty. The same idea on the whole is found in Zechariah 14.8 which occurred at a time of permanent light and clearly indicated the spread of the gospel..

It is quite clear to all but the foolish that water would not literally flow out from a temple in such abundance. (Of course most literalists dodge the literalism). But you will always find some who are credulous.

Ezekiel's Temple of course was a heavenly Temple and existed in Ezekiel's time to encourage God's people who were without Temple and without proper worship. It was SPECIFICALLT situated OUTSIDE Jerusalem. Jerusalem was at the time rejected.

 

[DP]

God's River of the waters of life and the tree of life are LITERAL events that will occur upon this earth. The Ezekiel 40-48 and Revelation 21-22 Scriptures are not spiritual metaphors. Nor was God's River flowing out of Eden to water four rivers upon the earth back in Genesis 2 a spiritual metaphor.

There are certain 'factions' that have tried to jump aboard Christianity and apply 'mysticism' to interpreting God's Word. These originate from the early Gnostics, of which the early Church fathers had much to say against. Some of their ideas were directly revealed in today's culture with movies like The Da Vinchi Code. They do not believe our Lord Jesus actually died on the cross, but that He was taken down by His Apostles before He died, and they believe that Jesus married Mary Magdalene and that they had children. Those ideas are direct attacks upon The Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

[MarcR]

Prior chapters of Ezkiel, from 40 up to 46 seem to be describing a temple that was built prior to Jesus time. However, chapter 47 seems to be a future temple in that the waters flowing from it are like the living water mentioned in Revelation. I only say that because it says that wherever this water flows, everything will live and the Dead Sea will be made fresh, with only the marshes and swamps being left salty. I am not aware of this happening in the past. Also, there will be many trees along the banks and like the tree of life they will bear fruit once a month(for food) and the leaves will be used for medicine, like the tree of life. This sounds like a more detailed description of the account in Revelations. How do you see this chapter?

IMO, Eze Chapters 40-46 seem to describe the ideal temple that should have been built by Ezra; but was never built.

If God's throne is substituted for 'the building' in Ezek 47:1; then Ezek 47:1-10 comports well with Rev 22:1-3.

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

So by this Biblical evidence, it reveals where God's Kingdom will manifest in the future, upon this earth and not in the clouds, for He did say in Isaiah that He created the earth to be inhabited (lived upon). That tears down the belief of certain denominations that think the earth will be totally destroyed and His Kingdom will be up in the clouds only. The cube of Revelation will reach up 1500 miles off the earth, but its base will be on the earth, with peoples living upon this earth, building houses and planting vineyards per Isaiah. Because of their traditions of men, I think those certain denominations place these Scripture evidences as past history when they have yet to occur.

I think the 1500 miles dimension is probably more realistically 1/4 of that, i.e., 375 miles. The 12,000 stadia could be referring to the perimeter of the city, not the length of each side.

And the city is laid out as a square, and its length is the same as its width. And he measured the city with the measuring rod at twelve thousand stadia; the length and the width and the height of it are equal. Revelation 21:16​

 

[DP]

I think the 1500 miles dimension is probably more realistically 1/4 of that, i.e., 375 miles. The 12,000 stadia could be referring to the perimeter of the city, not the length of each side.

And the city is laid out as a square, and its length is the same as its width. And he measured the city with the measuring rod at twelve thousand stadia; the length and the width and the height of it are equal. Revelation 21:16​

But notice it also says, "the length and the width and the height of it are equal." That is a cube.

 

[DP]

IMO, Eze Chapters 40-46 seem to describe the ideal temple that should have been built by Ezra; but was never built.

If God's throne is substituted for 'the building' in Ezek 47:1; then Ezek 47:1-10 comports well with Rev 22:1-3.

Remember the last event in the 70 weeks prophecy in Dan.9, the anointing of the most Holy. I believe that is referring to that temple in Ezekiel which has never been built. If I recall, the temple in Ezekiel is to have 8 steps, whereas the previous one had only 7.

Because of Scripture like Rev.22:22, that temple will only be for the Millennium timing.

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

But notice it also says, "the length and the width and the height of it are equal." That is a cube.

Right, but I think they used to measure cities by circumference (perimeter).

 

[KJV1611]

Prior chapters of Ezkiel, from 40 up to 46 seem to be describing a temple that was built prior to Jesus time. However, chapter 47 seems to be a future temple in that the waters flowing from it are like the living water mentioned in Revelation. I only say that because it says that wherever this water flows, everything will live and the Dead Sea will be made fresh, with only the marshes and swamps being left salty. I am not aware of this happening in the past. Also, there will be many trees along the banks and like the tree of life they will bear fruit once a month(for food) and the leaves will be used for medicine, like the tree of life. This sounds like a more detailed description of the account in Revelations. How do you see this chapter?

I see this as the true temple of God, the temple made without hands... the body of Christ. The temple in which we are lively stones and offer up spiritual sacrifices.

 

[DP]

Right, but I think they used to measure cities by circumference (perimeter).

That's true, but this is about the New Jerusalem on earth in the future, which cannot be equally compared to existing cities of history.

 

[DP]

I see this as the true temple of God, the temple made without hands... the body of Christ. The temple in which we are lively stones and offer up spiritual sacrifices.

I realize that our Heavenly Father and His Son often use symbolic language, expressions, metaphor, allegory, parable, etc., when teaching us in His Word. But when He does that it is very easy to know those examples are in that format, because He is using that kind of speech to emphasize something.

But when He lays out defined measurements in relation to the earth, especially specific locations of the earth given with it, that is to be understood literally. Like the example in Genesis 2 of His River flowing out of Eden to feed four other literal rivers upon the earth, of which two of those rivers still exist today, that is to be understood literally. When some read about the River of the waters of life by itself in Revelation, it can be easy to just think of that River as being a spiritual metaphor for Salvation. But in relation to the River example in Genesis 2, and also in Isaiah and Ezekiel, it becomes clearer that He is speaking of a literal matter.

 

[KJV1611]

I realize that our Heavenly Father and His Son often use symbolic language, expressions, metaphor, allegory, parable, etc., when teaching us in His Word. But when He does that it is very easy to know those examples are in that format, because He is using that kind of speech to emphasize something.

But when He lays out defined measurements in relation to the earth, especially specific locations of the earth given with it, that is to be understood literally. Like the example in Genesis 2 of His River flowing out of Eden to feed four other literal rivers upon the earth, of which two of those rivers still exist today, that is to be understood literally. When some read about the River of the waters of life by itself in Revelation, it can be easy to just think of that River as being a spiritual metaphor for Salvation. But in relation to the River example in Genesis 2, and also in Isaiah and Ezekiel, it becomes clearer that He is speaking of a literal matter.

Honestly what I believe about most things in the bible is hard for most people to accept. I believe every word in the bible and I believe every word means exactly what it says. From what I've seen in the bible, God doesn't use metaphors. He talks about spiritual things and he talks about earthly things. Take the rivers of living water for example. We know that earthly rivers don't flow with living water but the bible specifically tells us that spiritual rivers do flow with living water. The spiritual river is not a metaphor, it's a real and tangible river... it is the Holy Spirit.

Joh 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
Joh 7:39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

 

[valiant]

But notice it also says, "the length and the width and the height of it are equal." That is a cube.

Yes and what does a cube represent? The Holy of Holies. That is the point of the measurements. Not the literal measurements of a city (after all it isn't a city), but a representation of its holiness and completeness as made up of the people of God.

 

[valiant]

I realize that our Heavenly Father and His Son often use symbolic language, expressions, metaphor, allegory, parable, etc., when teaching us in His Word. But when He does that it is very easy to know those examples are in that format, because He is using that kind of speech to emphasize something.

But when He lays out defined measurements in relation to the earth, especially specific locations of the earth given with it, that is to be understood literally. Like the example in Genesis 2 of His River flowing out of Eden to feed four other literal rivers upon the earth, of which two of those rivers still exist today, that is to be understood literally. When some read about the River of the waters of life by itself in Revelation, it can be easy to just think of that River as being a spiritual metaphor for Salvation. But in relation to the River example in Genesis 2, and also in Isaiah and Ezekiel, it becomes clearer that He is speaking of a literal matter.

Dream on. Genesis 2 is intended to represent literal facts, although it does so within the limitations of the author.

But Revelation is concerned with spiritual truth, and began by saying that God gave it by signs to His servant John. And indeed so are Isaiah and Ezekiel. Prophetic writings convey spiritual truths..

 

[valiant]

Remember the last event in the 70 weeks prophecy in Dan.9, the anointing of the most Holy. I believe that is referring to that temple in Ezekiel which has never been built. If I recall, the temple in Ezekiel is to have 8 steps, whereas the previous one had only 7.

Because of Scripture like Rev.22:22, that temple will only be for the Millennium timing.

LOL it is referring to the anointing of the Most Holy, THE MESSIAH. You people are so tied up in buildings and physical things that you miss a large part of what the word of God says.

 

[DP]

Honestly what I believe about most things in the bible is hard for most people to accept. I believe every word in the bible and I believe every word means exactly what it says. From what I've seen in the bible, God doesn't use metaphors.
....

That last statement is enough for me to know you are not properly understanding God's Holy Writ, and also probably not sincere here. There are too many Scripture examples of symbolism, metaphor, or parable to even begin mentioning here in this short post.

 

[DP]

Yes and what does a cube represent? The Holy of Holies. That is the point of the measurements. Not the literal measurements of a city (after all it isn't a city), but a representation of its holiness and completeness as made up of the people of God.

Rev 21:15-16
15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.
16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
KJV

Even more detail of its layout is given in the Ezekiel 40-47 chapters.

That's how I know when someone speaks the kind of things like Valiant did there, it shows they don't truly know what all is covered in God's Holy Writ.

 

[DP]

Dream on. Genesis 2 is intended to represent literal facts, although it does so within the limitations of the author.

But Revelation is concerned with spiritual truth, and began by saying that God gave it by signs to His servant John. And indeed so are Isaiah and Ezekiel. Prophetic writings convey spiritual truths..

More quasi-pseudo Gnostic Mystic tradition speech, that is.