Ezekiel Chapter 43 Vs. 1-5

The return of the Lord’s glory

Ezekiel 43:1-5

In a dramatic reversal of the departure of the Lord’s glory (chaps. 10-11) Ezekiel saw the glory of God returning from the east to dwell once again in His nation. This vision continues at the eastern gate. He had just finished viewing the measurements in the temple, and now He brings Ezekiel to the east gate to witness the entering in of the glory of God. The glory of the Lord (cf. Eze. 1:28) entered the temple through the gate facing east. Then the Spirit lifted Ezekiel up (cf. Eze. 3:14; 8:3; 11:1, 11:24; 37:1) and brought him into the inner court in front of the temple proper, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple.

In earlier chapters of this prophecy, emphasis was given to the departure of God’s glory from the temple in chapters 8-11. Thus the Lord abandoned His people to destruction and dispersion. Here, in the millennial temple, the glory of God returns to dwell.

His glory will be manifest in fullness in the future kingdom, after the Lord’s Second Advent, which is also to be glorious (Matthew 16:27; 25:31). Verses 1-12 describe God’s glorious entrance into the sanctuary.

“Came from … the east”: The glory had been in the tabernacle, Exodus 40:34-35 and the temple (1 Kings 8:10-11), though not in Zerubbabel’s temple. Here, the Lord returns to be Israel’s King. The glory departed to the East from Israel, 11:23, when God judged them, so the glory returns from the East when He has regathered them, and is restoring that worship.

God is the source of all Light. The light we see in the sun and moon are not the source of Light. They are containers we see light in. This Light, spoken of here, is so bright, it would cause anyone not to see the source.

The "noise of many waters" is the voice of God. It is, many times, spoken of as thunder. This Light led the children of Israel across the wilderness. This Light does away with all darkness.

John 8:12 "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

This presence of light and glory of God entered into the temple that Solomon built. This is a promise of God; His presence will be with them.

Matthew 24:27 "For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."

The vision appearance of God to Ezekiel is glorious, just as the vision in chapters 8-11 which pictures His coming, by angels, to judge Jerusalem, (9:3-11; 10:4-7).

“Like the vision … by the river Chebar”: God’s appearance is also glorious as in the vision of 1:3-28.

“I fell upon my face”: Just as in the other visions of God’s glory, 1:28; 9:8; Rev. 1:12-17. This presence of God has an awe inspiring effect on Ezekiel. He fell on his face before the presence of God.

We saw, just before the fall of Jerusalem, that the presence of the Lord went out this very same gate. He had judged Jerusalem, and the temple would be destroyed. This same God who judged it then, now comes back full of forgiveness and grace.

Ezekiel, in this vision, is shown the glory of the LORD coming into the most holy place and taking up residence.

The future kingdom glory of God will fill His temple, Zech. 2:5, as He filled the tabernacle, Exodus 40:34 and later Solomon’s temple, 1 Kings 8:11; Psalm 29:9.