Ezekiel's Temple

I have recently been reading NT Wright's commentary on the book of Revelation

The last few chapters of Ezekiel describe a temple that was never built. Some suppose that this is the famous third temple or millennial temple and many Christians see the building of this temple as a prerequisite for the return of Christ, thus making the temple a big deal. I have recently been reading NT Wright's commentary on the book of Revelation and some of Jeff Durbin's videos on postmillennialism and I think both have really important teaching that radically depart from most of the modern interpretations of the end (some of which are very wacky indeed!)

Wright argues that the temple is a shadow of a new reality which is Christ and the Church and that nothing in the new testament has anything to do with a third temple (so whether the jews build one is irrelevant as far as God is concerned). Durbin argues very persuasively that most of the tribulation, abomination that causes desolation, rapture and so forth, refer to events in the first century when God judged the jews and destroyed the second temple.

This leaves us with a problem: How do we explain Ezekiel's temple? So, let's see what the forum has to say!

so they would be ashamed of their iniquities

this

yes

what i've found to be the 'standard explanation' of Ezekiel 43:10 is that they were supposed to see how much greater this temple in the vision is than the one they had, so they would be ashamed because 'oh they would have had a much nicer temple if only they weren't so sinful' -- which, as you point out, begs the question why Herod didn't build the temple per these specs?? and also why someone would want to actually do that - would they be saying in effect, that they're not ashamed of their iniquities? as in, they consider themselves worthy to build the temple of the vision? who would say that? would they be right to?
i'm not sure that explanation is quite right. but if the temple is a picture of Christ, then it jives with Zechariah: that they will see Him who they have pierced, and mourn, i.e. be ashamed, understanding who He is. 'measuring' His design. that is appealing to me, because how i see the Bible, is that every page of it is about Jesus Christ - and it still preserves the fundamental premise, that seeing Him, they will be ashamed, knowing what it is they did not receive, on account of their iniquity.

As for you, son of man, describe the temple to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities;
and let them measure the plan.
(Ezekiel 43:10)

It’s quite the complex passage probably one of the toughest to understand. near the end of Ezekiel 43 speaks of burnt offerings in which I think is no longer a requirement that seems would lean to a earlier construction before the cross. some scholars say it’s symbolic in doing so not for sins yet in Ezekiel speaks of atonements

there's a correlation between the spring of water that comes out of the holy of holies ((47:1-12)) and the river of life in Revelation 22:1-7

there's no actual spring at the temple mount, so either it is a new thing that comes to pass if the temple was built, or it is symbolic, which would be a clue that all of it is symbolic ((it is a vision after all, which is another clue)) - of the water of life that flows from Christ's side & springs up in the hearts of those who believe in Him

This leaves us with a problem: How do we explain Ezekiel's temple? So, let's see what the forum has to say!

Both these writers you have mentioned are FANTASIZING instead of exegeting.

The only way to explain the existence of Ezekiel's temple is to accept it as the FOURTH TEMPLE which is built under the authority of God and Christ and is for redeemed and restored Israel. It must be seen in the light of the complete prophecy (supported by all the other prophets).

1. There is absolutely no doubt that according to Daniel, Christ, Paul, and John, there will be a third temple in Jerusalem during the Tribulation. It will be regarded by unbelieving Jews as the "temple of God," and it will be on the Temple Mount.

2. This temple will be desecrated by the Antichrist and used as a venue for him to proclaim that he is God. But before that he will make a deceptive covenant with the unbelieving Jews (who will believe that he is the true Messiah) to resume their temple sacrifices and oblations. There are already red heifers being raised in Israel. This temple will be destroyed during the Great Tribulation (or just before) and this is implied in the fact that it is an abomination to God because the Abomination of Desolation will sit in that temple.

3. Ezekiel's temple must await the second coming of Christ, and the redemption and restoration of Israel.

EZEKIEL 37
21 And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land:
22 And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all:
23 Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwelling places, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God.
24 And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them.
25 And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever.
26 Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.
27 My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
28 And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.

Here is a very clear and unambiguous reference to the temple which will be built within redeemed and restored Israel in the future. God's covenant of peace can be none other than the New Covenant (mentioned indirectly in chapter 36:24-27). "My sanctuary" and "my tabernacle" speak of that temple, and later on in the book of Ezekiel we see how the glory of the LORD enters into that temple (just as it did when Solomon finished building the first temple).

The book of Ezekiel does present an enigma to Christians, who know from the book of Hebrews that the temple and its sacrifices under the Old Covenant were abolished because of the finished work of Christ. The supernatural tearing of the veil within that temple occurred at the same time as Jesus cried "It is finished". But if we are wise we will leave the reconciliation of Ezekiel's temple with the New Covenant in God's hands and simply say that we will learn about it during the Millennium.

interesting how Ezekiel temple dimensions was the only one mentioned with Four squares all equal.

According to one writer it is 875 feet square. It is also significant that both the Holy of Holies and the New Jerusalem are cubes.

some bibles use the word furlongs, 12,000 of them would be 1500.003 miles, width height length each being 12,000 furlongs pretty big place.

If you are referring to the New Jerusalem, that's correct. 1500 cubic miles. That is probably equivalent to several continents.

If Ezekiel temple description is relevant to the new, would that fit within the dimensions of revelation.

I would like to thank postman and JamOn for your contributions. I took a similar view to both of you, namely that after the destruction of the first temple, God offered a genuine chance to the Israelites to be regathered into their lands and to worship God in a new temple and to make a success, as the people of God, in reaching the nations. Inevitably they didn't avail themselves of the opportunity, they were not 'ashamed of their iniquities' nor where they inspired by the plans God showed them in this vision. The second temple was, in consequence, a diminished version of what was offered.
So, thanks guys, I am glad I posted. I was half expecting a deluge of third temple nonsense from pre-millenial literalists, impervious to biblical symbols and apocalyptic language.