The restored theocracy is marked by the adoration given to the Lord Jesus Christ (Isa. 12:1-6; 25:1-26:19; 56:7; 61:10-11; 66:23; Jer. 33:11,18,21-22; Ezek. 20:40-41; 40:1-46:24.; Zech. 6:12-15; 8:20-23 14:16-21).

"And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith Jehovah." (Isa. 66:23).

I. THE TEMPLE IN THE MILLENNIUM

A large portion of the prophecy of Ezekiel (40:1-46:24) is devoted to the temple; its structure, its priesthood, its ritual, and its ministry.

The true interpretation is the literal one which looks upon these chapters as a prophecy yet unfulfilled and to be fulfilled when Israel has been restored by the Shepherd and when His glory is once more manifested in the midst of His people. The great building seen in his prophetic vision will then come into existence and all will be accomplished.

Unger likewise concludes: "Ezekiel's temple is a literal future sanctuary to be constructed in Palestine as outlined during the Millennium."

The location of the temple in the land is clearly presented in Scripture.

A. The details of the temple - Through the prophet Ezekiel numerous details are given to us concerning this temple that becomes the center of the millennial earth.

An extensive description of the throne is given in the prophecy (43:7-12), which is seen to be the very seat of authority. The altar description is detailed (43:12-18) followed by a recounting of the offerings which will be made (43:19-27). The priests' ministry is outlined (44:9-31) and the entire worship ritual described (45:13-46:18). The vision climaxes in the description of the river that flows out of the sanctuary (47:1-12; cf. Isa. 33:20-21; Joel 3:18; Zech. 14:8). This river flows from the temple south through the city of Jerusalem and then divides to flow into the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, furnishing life along its banks.

B. The purpose of the temple -

[1]. To Demonstrate God's Holiness.
[2]. To Provide a Dwelling Place for the Divine Glory.
[3]. To Perpetuate the Memorial of Sacrifice.
[4]. To Provide the Center for the Divine Government.
[5]. To Provide Victory over the Curse (47:1-12).

 

II. WILL THERE BE LITERAL SACRIFICES IN THE MILLENNIUM?

One of the problems accompanying the literal interpretation of the Old Testament presentation of the millennium is the problem surrounding the interpretation of such passages as (Eze. 43:18-46:24; Zech. 14:16; Isa. 56:6-8; 66:21; Jer. 33:15-18 and Eze. 20:40-41), all of which teach the restoration of a priesthood and the reinstitution of a bloody sacrificial system during that age. An alleged inconsistency between this interpretation and the teaching of the New Testament concerning the finished work of Christ, which brought about the abolition of the Old Testament sacrificial system, has been used by the Amillennialist to reduce the premillennial system to an absurdity and to affirm the fallacy of the literal method of interpretation.

A. Is the Mosaic order reestablished? - A question which faces the advocate of animal sacrifices during the millennial age is that of the relationship existing between the former Mosaic system and the system operative in the millennium.

The kingdom expectation is based on the Abrahamic covenant, the Davidic covenant, and the Palestinic covenant, but is in no way based on the Mosaic covenant. It is therefore fallacious to reason that because one believes in the fulfillment of the determinative covenants he must also believe in the restoration of the Mosaic order, which was a conditional covenant, non-determinative and non-eschatological in intent, but given rather to govern the life of the people in their relation to God in the old economy.

[1]. There are certain similarities between the Aaronic and millennial systems. In the millennial system we find the worship centers in an altar (Eze. 43: 13- 17) on which blood is sprinkled (43:18) and on which are offered burnt offerings, sin offerings, and trespass offerings (40:39). There is the reinstitution of a Levitical order in that the sons of Zadok are set aside for a priestly ministry (43:19).

The very fact that God has instituted an order strangely like the old Aaronic order is one of the best arguments that the millennium is not being fulfilled in the church, composed of Gentile and Jew, in the present age.

[2]. There are many basic differences between the Aaronic and millennial systems. The significance is not in the similarities but rather in the marked differences between the two systems. The millennial system is marked by omissions from the Aaronic order that make the two systems so different.

(a). One of the major changes to be observed is in the relation of the Levites to this order. In a number of passages the existence of a Levitical order is affirmed (Eze. 40:46; 43:19; 44:15-31). Yet it is to be noted that the priests who serve are not taken from the whole Levitical line, for the line as a whole was set aside because of their apostasy, but are taken from the sons of Zadok.

Zadok fills a prominent place in the history of Israel, being high priest in David's and Solomon's reigns. He remained faithful to David during Absalom's rebellion, and with Nathan the prophet espoused the cause of Solomon when Adonijah sought to secure the throne. David being of one mind with them instructed Zadok to anoint Bathsheba's son (I Kings 1, 26,32-45).. Zadok thus stands as representative , of the priesthood in association with, the king of God's choice, and with the kingdom as established by Him in David's seed - type of Christ.

(b). The millennial system is marked by the deletion of much that had the highest place in the Aaronic system.

There is no Ark of the Covenant, no Pot of Manna, no Aaron's rod to bud no Tables of the Law, no Cherubim, no Mercy-Seat, no Golden Candlestick, no Shew-bread, no Veil, no unapproachable Holy of Holies where the High Priest alone might enter, nor is there any High-Priest to offer atonement to take away sin, or to make intercession for the people.

(c). There are additions to the Levitical system to be observed in the millennial age.

The entrance of the "Glory" into Ezekiel's temple to dwell there, forever; the Living Waters that flow, enlarging from beneath the Altar; the Suburbs, the wonderful trees of healing, the new distribution of the land according to the 12 tribes, their equal portion therein, the readjustment of the tribes themselves, the Prince's portion and, the City's new name, "Jehovah Shammah," all go to prove that New Israel restored is a converted people, worshiping God "in Spirit and in Truth,

B. The purpose of the sacrifices - Several factors are observed concerning the millennial sacrifices which make them entirely legitimate.

[1]. It is to be observed, in the first place, that the millennial sacrifices will have no relation to the question of expiation. They will not be expiatory for it is nowhere stated that they are offered with a view to salvation from sin.
[2]. In the second place, the sacrifices will be memorial in character. There is general agreement among premillennialists as to the purpose of the sacrificial system as inaugurated in the millennial age. Interpreted in the light of the New Testament, with its teaching on the value of the death of Christ, they must be memorials of that death.

C. Some objections considered - There are certain objections to this view which must be considered.

[1]. Some insist that sacrifices reinstituted would contradict Hebrews. It is emphasized in such passages as (Heb. 9:26; 7:27 and 9:12) that Christ once and for all offered an acceptable sacrifice to God, which needs not be repeated.
[2]. Some would argue that sacrifices reinstituted must be expiatory.
[3]. Some affirm that such a view denies (Eph. 2:14-16).
[4]. Some state that it is geographically impossible to reinstitute such a worship.
[5]. There are some who hold that the existence of the prince of Ezekiel is inconsistent with the reign of Christ. If it be argued that the literal fulfillment of the Davidic covenant demands the reign of Christ on the throne of David and this is contradicted by Ezekiel's prophecy concerning the person and ministry of the "prince," let it be noted that one is said to be reigning when exercising the authority of the throne, regardless of his relationship to the physical throne, which is the emblem of authority.
[6]. Finally, many reject this interpretation saying such a system is a retrogression.

The glorious vision of Ezekiel reveals that it is impossible to locate its fulfillment in any past temple or system which Israel has known, but it must await a future fulfillment after the second advent of Christ when the millennium is instituted. The sacrificial system is not a reinstituted Judaism, but the establishment of a new order that has as its purpose the remembrance of the work of Christ on which all salvation rests. The literal fulfillment of Ezekiel's prophecy will be the means of God's glorification and man's blessing in the millennium.