Ezekiel Chapter 40 Vs. 7

The East Gate to the Outer Court

And every little chamber was one reed long, and one reed broad; and between the little chambers were five cubits; and the threshold of the gate by the porch of the gate within was one reed. Eze 40:7





little chamber was... There were 6 little chambers, 3 on each side of the walk from the inside of the wall to the inside gate which was also 10 feet 6 inches wide, each being a reed (10 feet 6 inches) square, with 5 cubits (8 feet 9 inches, based on the long cubit of 21 inches) between the chambers (Eze. 40:7-10).

Each opening was 10.5 feet across. Chambers (rooms), in the wall are 10.5 x 10.5 feet. Precise measurements describe a literal temple, not a symbolic one.



He described the gate in detail, with its steps… threshold, guards’ alcoves… portico facing the temple…

Romans Chapter 12 Vs. 1

 

A Living Sacrifice

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Rom 12:1

I beseech you... Greek: parakaleo, to call aside; make an appeal in view of certain facts. Here it is an appeal in view of the wonderful doctrines of Romans 1-8 and of God’s dispensational dealings with Jews and Gentiles in Romans 9-11. Paul comes now to the practical application of the gospel to people (Romans 12:1-15:7).

mercies of God... Greek: oiktirmos, tender compassions. Here; 2Cor. 1:3; Phlp. 2:1; Col. 3:12; Heb. 10:28. See Mat. 9:36. The gracious, extravagant, divine graces Paul expounded in the first eleven chapters, including God’s love, grace, righteousness and the gift of faith.

present your bodies... People are now to bring themselves to God instead of sacrifices to the altar as of old. They are now to be wholly the Lord’s as were the former sacrifices. Under the Old Covenant, God accepted the sacrifices of dead animals. But because of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice, those are no longer of any effect. For those in Christ, the only acceptable worship is to offer themselves completely to the Lord. Under God’s control, the believer’s yet unredeemed body can and must be yielded to Him as an instrument of righteousness.

living sacrifice, holy... Fifteen Commands about the Body.

1. Yield it to God (Rom. 11:1; 6:13-20).

2. Make it living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1).

3. Make it holy (Rom. 12:1; 1Cor. 3:17).

4. Make it accepted of God (Rom. 12:1).

5. Make it full of light (Mat. 6:22).

6. Reckon it dead to sin (Rom. 6:11).

7. Reckon it alive to God (Rom. 6:11).

8. Refuse its slavery to sin (Rom. 6:12).

9. Mortify its deeds (Rom. 8:13).

10. Refuse to defile it (1Cor. 3:17).

11. Make it fit temple of Holy Spirit (1Cor. 3:16-17; 6:13-20).

12. Make it free from fornication and only for the Lord (1Cor. 6:13-20).

13. Glorify God in it (1Cor. 6:20).

14. Keep it in control (1Cor. 9:27).

15. Put off its sins (Col. 2:11).

your reasonable service... Rational worship, because performed with the heart, mind, and soul of intelligent beings, and is in contrast to the worship of idols of Rom. 1:25. Reasonable is from the Greek for “logic.” In light of all the spiritual riches, believers enjoy solely as the fruit of God’s mercies. It logically flows that they owe God their highest form of service. Understood here is the idea of priestly, spiritual service, which was such an integral part of Old Testament worship.

Beseech is a Greek word which comes from a root meaning to “call alongside to help”.

1Pet. 2:5 “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”

Psm. 19:14 “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”

We can see from this that God expects our loyalty. We have been bought and paid for with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. The least we can do is live for Him since He ransomed us from death.

God’s Righteousness Revealed in Transformed Living

Paul divided several of his letters into two major sections, a doctrinal portion and a practical one. He followed that pattern in this epistle too, though the doctrinal part is more than twice as long as the practical. (In both Eph. and Col. the doctrinal and the practical sections are about equal in length.)

The basic consecration

The start of this practical section is indicated by Paul’s exhortation I urge (the first word of Rom. 12:1 in the Gr. text). Therefore also shows a transition (cf. “therefore” in Rom. 3:20; 5:1; 8:1). The basis of Paul’s exhortation is God’s mercy (oiktirmōn, rendered “compassion” in 2Cor. 1:3; Phlp. 2:1; Col. 3:12, and “mercy” in Heb. 10:28). God’s compassion has been described in detail in the first 11 chapters of Romans. The content of Paul’s urging is to offer your bodies (cf. Rom. 6:13) as living sacrifices. A Christian’s body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1Cor. 6:19-20). In the KJV “offer” is translated “present” (Rom. 12:1) and “yield” (Rom. 6:13, 6:16, 6:19). The word “bodies,” mindful of the Old Testament sacrifices, represents the totality of one’s life and activities, of which his body is the vehicle of expression. In contrast with Old Testament sacrifices this is a “living” sacrifice. Such an offering is holy (set apart) and pleasing (cf. “pleasing” in Rom. 12:2) to God. Furthermore, it is spiritual (logikēn; cf. 1Pet. 2:2) worship (latreian.) Latreian refers to any ministry performed for God, such as that of the priests and the Levites. Christians are believer-priests, identified with the great High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Heb. 7:23-28; 1Pet. 2:5, 2:9; Rev. 1:6). A believer’s offering of his total life as a sacrifice to God is therefore sacred service. In the light of Paul’s closely reasoned and finely argued exposition of the mercies of God (Rom. 1-11), such an offering is obviously a desirable response for believers.

Ezekiel Chapter 40 Vs. 6

 The East Gate to the Outer Court

Then came he unto the gate which looketh toward the east, and went up the stairs thereof, and measured the threshold of the gate, which was one reed broad; and the other threshold of the gate, which was one reed broad. Eze 40:6


Then came he... Then—after measuring the wall around the temple as to height and thickness, he was brought to the east gate. Here there were stairs from the outer threshhold through the thick wall to the inner threshhold (Eze. 40:6, 40:22, 40:26).

The buildings of the East gate are first because this will be in the direct line of approach to the temple.




Ezekiel passed into the outer court through the gate facing east. This was one of three gates leading into the outer court. Since it faced east, it was the most important gate (cf. Eze. 44:1-3).

Romans Chapter 11 Vs. 36

 

The Mystery of Israel's Salvation

For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. Rom 11:36

Col. 1:16 “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:”

God is the source, the Sustainer and the rightful end of everything that exists.

It is God’s world and everything and everyone in it belong to Him too. In view of all this, how could we neglect so great a salvation nor fail to give God the glory?

Paul concluded, For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. God is the first Cause, the effective Cause, and the final Cause of everything. His deep ways are beyond man’s discovering (Rom. 11:33); beyond man’s knowing (Rom. 11:34), beyond man’s counseling (Rom. 11:34), and beyond man’s giving (Rom. 11:35). “All things” come from Him and by means of Him (John 1:3; Col. 1:16; Rev. 4:11) and are for Him and His glory (Col. 1:16). Therefore, To Him be the glory forever! Amen (cf. Rom. 15:6; Rom. 16:27; 1Pet. 4:11; Rev. 5:12-13). God is the only proper One to magnify (1Co. 1:31). The all-sovereign God deserves the praise of all His creatures.

Ezekiel Chapter 40 Vs. 5

 

The East Gate to the Outer Court

And behold a wall on the outside of the house round about, and in the man's hand a measuring reed of six cubits long by the cubit and an hand breadth: so he measured the breadth of the building, one reed; and the height, one reed. Eze 40:5




And behold a... The 65th prophecy in Ezekiel (Eze. 40:5-48:35, unfulfilled).



Last prophecy in Ezekiel. Twenty-six Predictions—Unfulfilled:

1. The building of the millennial and eternal sanctuary (Eze. 40:5-42:20)—many details in this prediction

2. The return to the temple of the glory of God which departed at the time of the Babylonian captivity (Eze. 43:1-5 with Eze. 10:4)

3. The establishment of the eternal kingdom and throne of Messiah (Eze. 43:6-7)

4. Eternal blessing on Israel (Eze. 43:7)

5. God dwelling in the midst of Israel forever (Eze. 43:7, 43:9)

6. New laws of the temple given (Eze. 43:10-12)

7. Restoration of the great altar of sacrifice (Eze. 43:13-17)

8. New ordinances of the altar (Eze. 43:18-22)

9. New priesthood and worship

10. Dedication of the altar (Eze. 43:23-24)

11. Consecration of priests (Eze. 43:24-26)

12. New service of the priests (Eze. 43:27)

13. Shutting of the east gate (Eze. 44:1-2)

14. Instructions to the prince (Eze. 44:3)

15. New laws of the temple (Eze. 44:5)

16. New laws to Israel (Eze. 44:6-9)

17. Rebellious Levites to continue in punishment for their rebellion (Eze. 44:10)

18. New services of rebellious Levites (Eze. 44:11-14)

19. Faithful priests blessed (Eze. 44:15-16)

20. New laws to priests (Eze. 44:16-31)

21. Setting apart the holy oblation (Eze. 45:1-7; 48:8-22)

22. New division of land to the 12 tribes (Eze. 45:9; Eze. 47:13-48:7, Eze. 48:23-29)

23. New laws for all Israel (Eze. 45:9-12)

24. New worship in Israel (Eze. 45:13-46:24)

25. New and eternal river (Eze. 47:1-12)

26. New and eternal Jerusalem (Eze. 48:30-35)

one reed; and... A measuring reed was six cubits, but this one was based on the long cubit which is defined here as "the cubit and an hand breadth." A cubit was 18 inches long and the hand breadth, which is width of the hand at the base of the fingers, was a sixth of a cubit or 3 inches. So the long cubit was 21 inches and this reed was 10 feet 6 inches long. Therefore, the outer wall of the house, which was the outer wall of the outer court surrounding the temple, was 10 feet 6 inches tall and 10 feet 6 inches thick.

We are now, looking at the wall on the outside of the house which in reality is the temple. This outer wall is later described as a separation of the holy areas.

This could not be the heavenly temple since Ezekiel was taken to Israel to see it (verse 2). It could not be Zerubbabel’s temple since the glory of God was not present then. It could not be the eternal temple since the Lord and the Lamb are its temple. Therefore, it must be the earthly millennial temple built with all of the exquisite details that are yet to be outlined.



The angelic being with Ezekiel had a measuring rod… six long cubits, each of which was a cubit and a hand-breadth. A common cubit was about 18 inches long and a long cubit (probably the one used in Ezek.) was about 21 inches long So the measuring rod was about 10½ feet in length. The wall surrounding the temple was 10½ feet (one… rod) thick and 10½ feet (one rod) high. We are, now, looking at the wall on the outside of the house which in reality is the temple. This outer wall is later described as a separation of the holy areas.

Romans Chapter 11 Vs. 35

 

The Mystery of Israel's Salvation

Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? Rom 11:35

shall be recompensed... Greek: antapodidomi, repay. Here; Rom. 12:17; Luke 14:14; 1Thes. 3:9; 2Thes. 1:6; Heb. 10:30. God pays His debts to His creatures.

1Cor. 4:7 “For who maketh thee to differ ? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive , why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received ?” We did not give to God, He gave even our life to us. We are what we are by the grace of God. We had absolutely nothing to do with that family we were born in, or what race we are, or what color our hair is, or how tall we are, or how intelligent we are: God chose. This verse in Job says it all.

Job 35:7 ”If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand?”

The apostle then quoted Isa. 40:13, which shows that God is the sole Designer of His wise plan. No one knows His mind or gives Him advice. This is followed by a free quotation from Job. 41:11, which testifies to God’s sole responsibility for His acts. God is indeed the Sovereign of all things, the One to whom all creatures are accountable and whom all should glorify. He is under no obligation to repay anyone, for no one has ever given Him anything.

Ezekiel Chapter 40 Vs. 4

 

Vision of the New Temple

And the man said unto me, Son of man, behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee; for to the intent that I might shew them unto thee art thou brought hither: declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel. Eze 40:4

behold with thine... Four commands to Ezekiel:

1. Behold with your eyes.

2. Hear with your ears.

3. Set your heart upon all that I will show you.

4. Declare all that you see to Israel.

Whoever this figure of a man is (could possibly be Jesus), is warning Ezekiel to not see with his eyes and not see, or hear with his ears and not hear. He is warned to not only look at these things, but look carefully and retain what he sees. He is also, cautioning Ezekiel to hear every Word correctly, and retain every Word he hears. Ezekiel is to carry this message to those Israelites in captivity. The message is really for Israel.

On that very day… God… took Ezekiel back to Jerusalem in a vision (cf. Eze. 8:1-3). Jerusalem was then vastly different from what it was before. Ezekiel was led on a “tour” of the future temple which he recorded in remarkable detail. This tour was given by a man, probably an angel, whose appearance was like bronze.