THE APOCALYPSE AND THE TEMPLE CODE

B. Why did God choose Jerusalem to place this Temple?

1. Because Abraham ate a covenant meal with Melchizedek (Gen. 14:18-20) 2. Because Abraham offered Isaac on Mount Moriah – the place of Christ’s crucifixion (Gen. 22) 3. Because it was the place where God put His name (Deut. 12:11; 21; 14:23-24) 4. Because it was the place God promised David a throne forever (2 Sam. 7:13-16) 5. Because it was the place where two Temples were built – Solomon’s and the Second Temple 6. Because Jerusalem was marked as the place of redemption through Christ (John 19-20)

C. Why is Jerusalem the city and capital of the Messiah?

1. There is circumstantial evidence that the Garden of Eden was centered in Jerusalem 2. Jerusalem is the site of the first king and priest to God – Melchizedek (Gen. 14) 3. Jerusalem is the center of the nation of Israel and the countries around her (Ezek. 5:5) 4 . Jerusalem was the center of the Feast in Israel’s history (Exod. 23:17) 5. Jerusalem is the site of the previous temples 6. Jerusalem must be the city where the Messiah reigns according to prophecy (Zech. 14:16-17) 7. Jerusalem may be the site of the original creation of earth (Isa. 28:16; Job 38:4-6) 1. Ezekiel saw the mountains around Jerusalem (Mt. of Olives, Mt. Scopus, Mt. Zion, Mt. Acra) 2. Ezekiel saw a new city in Jerusalem (not the heavenly Jerusalem) 3. Ezekiel saw a Temple platform that was a complete square a. The platform and the Temple compound are much larger than now b. There is a surrounding wall 10 ½ feet high (Ezek. 40:5) and 10 ½ feet thick c. There are guards at the threshold at the east gate, the main entrance for the Temple d. The entrance is 17 ½ feet wide at the opening and the length is 87 ½ feet long (Ezekiel 40:15) e. There are gates to the north, south, east, and west where worshippers can enter

D. Ezekiel saw a detailed vision of the future Temple

4. Ezekiel saw the many rooms in this Temple

a. In Ezekiel 40:38-49, rooms were for priests, for tables, for instruments, and for singers b. In Ezekiel 41:5-7, there is a wall with rows of rooms surrounding the Holy Place (3 levels) c. There is large building in the court area (41:12-15) 122 ½ feet wide with walls 8 ¾ feet thick

5. Ezekiel saw the Holy Place

a. In Ezekiel’s vision , the tower of the Holy of Holies is three times higher than the other Temples b. In Ezekiel 41:15-20, the Holy of Holies is paneled with wood and carved with cherubim c. The cherub will have the face of a lion and a man with palm trees carved between them d. In Ezekiel 41:21-22, there are square columns, an altar, and double doors at the Holy of Holies e. In Ezekiel 43:1-3, the glory of the Lord is seen in the Temple (as Christ will be in the Temple)

6. Ezekiel saw the Priesthood

a. In Ezekiel 44:10-14, he saw the priesthood; both Levites and sons of Zadok will serve b. The priests will receive the offerings and will assist the people in worship at the Temple c. In Ezekiel 44:29-30, the offerings are food for the priests along with the First fruits and grains

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