Ezekiel 44

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Priests of the Millennial Temple

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. The eastern gate and the prince have special significance during the Millennium.

  2. The Sons of Zadok have special status during the Millennium.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. As priests today, let us teach the way of holiness!

QUESTIONS

  1. Is the eastern gate of Ezekiel 44:1-2 the same eastern gate that is visible today in the eastern wall of the Temple Mount? Explain.

  2. What is the significance of the eastern gate of Ezekiel chapter 44 being closed?

  3. Who is the prince of Ezekiel 44:3?

  4. Why will the status of the Levites be lowered in the future Millennial Temple?

  5. Why will the status of the sons of Zadok be elevated in the future Millennial Temple?

ANSWERS

  1. No. The eastern gate visible today in the Temple Mount wall did not exist at the time of Christ, so the Lord never entered it. The location of the earlier eastern gate, below the visible eastern gate and below present-day ground level, does not agree with the detailed description of the future Temple complex as given in Ezekiel chapters 40-42. And, the eastern gate of Ezekiel chapter 44 will be in the future Millennial Temple complex, not in the current Temple Mount wall. It is yet to be built!

  2. The significance of the eastern gate of the future Millennial Temple complex being permanently closed (v 2) is that the Lord will have come to permanently dwell in the midst of His people. He will never leave again and never have a need to enter again.

  3. The prince of 44:3 is likely the vice regent who will rule the restored nation of Israel under Christ during the Millennium. His role as one who rules is suggested by the fact that he will sit “in the gate” (v 3), a location common to those in governmental authority in Jerusalem and Israel.

  4. The status of the Levites as priests will be lowered in the future Millennial Temple because of their apostasy in the past, allowing idolatry into the temple courts (vs 9-14).

  5. The status of the sons of Zadok will be elevated. They will be awarded the priesthood in the future Millennial Temple (vs 15-31), because of their faithfulness to David and to the Lord during the times of rebellion by Absalom and also by Adonijah (v 15). You can read about these days of trouble in 2 Samuel 15 and 1 Kings 1-2.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Consider the characteristics of the sons of Zadok for which they are to be blessed by God as they fulfill a very special role in the future Millennial Temple. Discuss specifically how these same characteristics can be encouraged and strengthened in your individual lives so that you can and will be more effective believer-priests in the Church today.

CHALLENGE

  1. Read 1 Peter 2 over several times. Think about the significance of being called to be a part of the royal priesthood when you were saved! Identify the attitudes and behaviors that God exhorts you to possess and demonstrate: believe, obey, proclaim, live honorably, submit, honor, serve, suffer, follow . . . How are you doing in your believer-priest responsibilities?

KEY VERSES

  • “And the Lord said to me, ‘This gate shall be shut; it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter by it, because the Lord God of Israel has entered by it; therefore it shall be shut.’” Ezekiel 44:2



Ezekiel, Old Testament, TalksDeb HarmsEzekiel 44