For some strange reason, a lot of Christians cannot bring themselves to accept the biblical revelations that there will be a third as well as a fourth temple in Jerusalem. They have been so influenced by Replacement Theology that they cannot understand why God would have an eternal plan and purpose for the land of Israel, for the Jews, and for Jerusalem (as well as for the temple).
We can set aside the aspect of the third temple for now, and just focus on the fourth temple. While there are many allusions to this in the rest of the Old Testament (OT), particularly the Psalms, the prophecy of Ezekiel focuses on the fourth temple.
But first Ezekiel speaks about the gathering of the Jews to Israel, and the salvation of those Jews who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. They can only be redeemed by believing on the Redeemer and receiving Him as their true Messiah. Also when Scripture says that “all Israel shall be saved” that is more about Jews from all the twelve tribes being saved. So Ezekiel speaks about the redemption and restoration of the Jews (from around the world), as well as the redemption and restoration of the land of Israel (from the Nile to the Euphrates), the city of Jerusalem, and the temple itself. This is all related to the Second Coming of Christ and His millennial reign. And since there are no contradictions in Scripture, God will reveal the mystery of the fourth temple in the future, in spite of what is in the epistle to the Hebrews.
The description of the fourth temple begins in Ezekiel chapter 40 and ends in chapter 47. Everything is described in great detail. But most scholars admit that this is one of the most difficult sections of the Bible to be interpreted. Many Christian commentators (such as Matthew Henry) have either dismissed this vision, or failed to discuss this in its plain literal sense. Others have spiritualized it, such as the Christian Research Institute. But a few have seen that just like the rest of Scripture, everything must be taken in its plain literal sense. Here is one scholar who does exactly that, and refers to two others who have also done that:
Ezekiel’s Temple—A Literal Millennial Temple
There are solid biblical reasons to believe that Ezekiel’s temple vision foretells a literal temple that will be built in the future. In Messiah’s Coming Temple—Ezekiel’s Prophetic Vision of the Future Temple, by John W. Schmitt and J. Carl Laney, the authors make a compelling case for this being a description of a literal millennial temple. “Taken literally, Ezekiel 40–48 [should be 47] describes a temple that will exist during the kingdom (millennial age). Also Ezekiel is not alone in his prediction regarding a future temple; other prophets confirm the view that there will be a literal temple in the future kingdom (Isa 2:3; 60:13; Jer 33:18; Joel 3:18; Mic 4:2; Hag 2:7–9; Zech 6:12–15; 14:16, 20–21)” (ibid. p. 81). Moreover, if we are to believe John’s account of the New Jerusalem’s river of life lined with trees of life (Rev 22:1–2), then we must believe that Ezekiel’s similar account is literal as well (Ezek 47:1, 7, 12).
Understanding the Mystery of Ezekiel’s Temple | Hoshana Rabbah BlogHoshana Rabbah Blog
According to GotQuestions.org:
Most who expect a literal fulfillment of Ezekiel’s temple expect it to be erected in the millennial kingdom, a 1,000-year reign of Christ upon the earth. During the millennium, glorified saints from the present age will live in contact with natural human beings who will still need to make a decision for Christ in order to be saved—and many will choose not to trust Him. The sacrificial system described in Ezekiel cannot be for the forgiveness of sins, for Christ has accomplished that once and for all (Hebrews 10:1–4, 11–14). In this interpretive approach, the sacrifices are seen as memorials of Christ’s death or as rites for the ceremonial cleansing of the temple, but not as a means to forgive sins.
There are several videos of how this temple has been visualized in three dimensions. Ezekiel uses cubits as the measuring unit and one cubit is generally assumed to be 18 inches (or 1.5 feet). But an angel takes the measurements. Bible Hub sums up the description as follows, but it is not a “heavenly temple”:
Inside the Temple
Divine Blueprints: The Detailed Design of God's Sanctuary
Ezekiel 41 paints a picture of God's architectural precision and divine planning. It encourages us to perceive the significance of careful planning, holiness, and separation in our spiritual journey. As God is in the details of the heavenly temple, so He is in the details of our lives.
Verses 1-4: The Inner Sanctuary (Most Holy Place)
Ezekiel's guide leads him into the inner sanctuary or the Most Holy Place. The measurements of the walls, doorway, and the room itself are meticulously provided, signifying the meticulous nature of God's plans.
Verses 5-11: The Side Rooms
The guide then measures the temple's side rooms, each with precise dimensions and arranged on three levels. The construction details, including the supporting pillars, are detailed to illustrate the divine design.
Verses 12-14: The Building to the West
Next, the angel measures a building to the west of the main temple. The separation between this structure and the temple further illustrates the theme of holiness and separation.
Verses 15-26: The Outer Sanctuary and Entrance
The chapter concludes with measurements and descriptions of the outer sanctuary and entrance. The intricate carvings of cherubim and palm trees highlight the sanctity and beauty of God's dwelling place.
Ezekiel 41, part of a larger segment of prophetic visions, continues the tour of the divinely designed temple. Led by an angelic guide, the prophet Ezekiel records the specific dimensions and structures of the sacred edifice, underscoring God's desire for order, precision, and holiness.
Ezekiel 41 Chapter Summary (biblehub.com)
We can set aside the aspect of the third temple for now, and just focus on the fourth temple. While there are many allusions to this in the rest of the Old Testament (OT), particularly the Psalms, the prophecy of Ezekiel focuses on the fourth temple.
But first Ezekiel speaks about the gathering of the Jews to Israel, and the salvation of those Jews who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. They can only be redeemed by believing on the Redeemer and receiving Him as their true Messiah. Also when Scripture says that “all Israel shall be saved” that is more about Jews from all the twelve tribes being saved. So Ezekiel speaks about the redemption and restoration of the Jews (from around the world), as well as the redemption and restoration of the land of Israel (from the Nile to the Euphrates), the city of Jerusalem, and the temple itself. This is all related to the Second Coming of Christ and His millennial reign. And since there are no contradictions in Scripture, God will reveal the mystery of the fourth temple in the future, in spite of what is in the epistle to the Hebrews.
The description of the fourth temple begins in Ezekiel chapter 40 and ends in chapter 47. Everything is described in great detail. But most scholars admit that this is one of the most difficult sections of the Bible to be interpreted. Many Christian commentators (such as Matthew Henry) have either dismissed this vision, or failed to discuss this in its plain literal sense. Others have spiritualized it, such as the Christian Research Institute. But a few have seen that just like the rest of Scripture, everything must be taken in its plain literal sense. Here is one scholar who does exactly that, and refers to two others who have also done that:
Ezekiel’s Temple—A Literal Millennial Temple
There are solid biblical reasons to believe that Ezekiel’s temple vision foretells a literal temple that will be built in the future. In Messiah’s Coming Temple—Ezekiel’s Prophetic Vision of the Future Temple, by John W. Schmitt and J. Carl Laney, the authors make a compelling case for this being a description of a literal millennial temple. “Taken literally, Ezekiel 40–48 [should be 47] describes a temple that will exist during the kingdom (millennial age). Also Ezekiel is not alone in his prediction regarding a future temple; other prophets confirm the view that there will be a literal temple in the future kingdom (Isa 2:3; 60:13; Jer 33:18; Joel 3:18; Mic 4:2; Hag 2:7–9; Zech 6:12–15; 14:16, 20–21)” (ibid. p. 81). Moreover, if we are to believe John’s account of the New Jerusalem’s river of life lined with trees of life (Rev 22:1–2), then we must believe that Ezekiel’s similar account is literal as well (Ezek 47:1, 7, 12).
Understanding the Mystery of Ezekiel’s Temple | Hoshana Rabbah BlogHoshana Rabbah Blog
![1723438708460.png](/data/attachments/179/179775-a20b92daa1f2e24da12f7e4ff2ca02c0.jpg)
According to GotQuestions.org:
Most who expect a literal fulfillment of Ezekiel’s temple expect it to be erected in the millennial kingdom, a 1,000-year reign of Christ upon the earth. During the millennium, glorified saints from the present age will live in contact with natural human beings who will still need to make a decision for Christ in order to be saved—and many will choose not to trust Him. The sacrificial system described in Ezekiel cannot be for the forgiveness of sins, for Christ has accomplished that once and for all (Hebrews 10:1–4, 11–14). In this interpretive approach, the sacrifices are seen as memorials of Christ’s death or as rites for the ceremonial cleansing of the temple, but not as a means to forgive sins.
There are several videos of how this temple has been visualized in three dimensions. Ezekiel uses cubits as the measuring unit and one cubit is generally assumed to be 18 inches (or 1.5 feet). But an angel takes the measurements. Bible Hub sums up the description as follows, but it is not a “heavenly temple”:
Inside the Temple
Divine Blueprints: The Detailed Design of God's Sanctuary
Ezekiel 41 paints a picture of God's architectural precision and divine planning. It encourages us to perceive the significance of careful planning, holiness, and separation in our spiritual journey. As God is in the details of the heavenly temple, so He is in the details of our lives.
Verses 1-4: The Inner Sanctuary (Most Holy Place)
Ezekiel's guide leads him into the inner sanctuary or the Most Holy Place. The measurements of the walls, doorway, and the room itself are meticulously provided, signifying the meticulous nature of God's plans.
Verses 5-11: The Side Rooms
The guide then measures the temple's side rooms, each with precise dimensions and arranged on three levels. The construction details, including the supporting pillars, are detailed to illustrate the divine design.
Verses 12-14: The Building to the West
Next, the angel measures a building to the west of the main temple. The separation between this structure and the temple further illustrates the theme of holiness and separation.
Verses 15-26: The Outer Sanctuary and Entrance
The chapter concludes with measurements and descriptions of the outer sanctuary and entrance. The intricate carvings of cherubim and palm trees highlight the sanctity and beauty of God's dwelling place.
Ezekiel 41, part of a larger segment of prophetic visions, continues the tour of the divinely designed temple. Led by an angelic guide, the prophet Ezekiel records the specific dimensions and structures of the sacred edifice, underscoring God's desire for order, precision, and holiness.
Ezekiel 41 Chapter Summary (biblehub.com)
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