Then the man brought me back to the gate that faces east, Sermons
I. THIS WAS A RESTORED GLORY. 1. The prophet had seen the glory of the Lord depart from the temple by the way of the east, towards the Mount of Olives. In consequence of the sin of the people and the defilement of the sacred building, the holy Presence had been removed. The idolatry by which the temple and the city had been profaned had caused the withdrawal of the Divine favor. Man was constituted to be the temple of the Eternal; by his sin he alienated and repelled "the Divine Inhabitant." 2. The purification of the temple was the occasion of the return of the lost favor and glory. The presence of the Most High is represented as returning by the way by which it had departed. When man's nature is cleansed, when the way is made open for the restoration of relations long suspended, then the glory of God is once again displayed, and his favor once again enjoyed. II. THIS WAS AN IMPRESSIVE GLORY. 1. As described in itself it is characterized by majesty. The figurative language employed is drawn from those sources by which the senses are chiefly impressed. When we read that the voice was as the sound of many waters, and that the earth shone with the splendor, we are assured that the spiritual majesty which such figures are employed to set forth was nothing ordinary. 2. And this assurance is deepened as we are led to recognize the manner in which the manifestation affected the prophet himself: he "fell upon his face," overcome with the grandeur of the spectacle. It is not every nature that is so affected by great spiritual realities. Yet there is nothing in the world so deserving of reverence, so truly fitted to call out emotions of awe, as the spiritual presence of the Eternal in his Church. It is only because men are so carnal, so insensible to true grandeur, that they can know of the Divine nearness and yet remain unmoved. III. THIS WAS A DIFFUSED GLORY. In simple and sublime language the prophet relates what followed the marvelous return of Deity: "The glory of the Lord filled the house." How wonderfully does the Statement express the universal pervasion of the Church by the Divine presence and splendor! How fitted is such a representation to remove our misconceptions and our prejudices! There is no member of Christ's Church however lowly, there is no work in Christ's Church however unobtrusive, there is no section of Christ's Church however lacking in learning, wealth, refinement, or power, which is not full of the glory of the Lord - of that glory which is spiritual, which is apprehended by human minds when quickened and enlightened by the Spirit of God. IV. THIS WAS A PERMANENT GLORY. The glory of the temple at Jerusalem passed away. In the appointed time the building perished, and not one stone was left upon another. But the temple which Ezekiel saw in his vision was a spiritual, and therefore an abiding, temple, whose walls shall never be taken down, whose ministrations and offerings shall never cease, and which shall ever echo with ten thousand voices uttering the high praises of our redeeming God. - T.
And before the chambers was a walk of ten cubits breadth inward. Before these chambers there were walks of five yards broad, in which those who had lodged in these chambers might meet for conversation, might walk and talk together for their mutual edification, might communicate their knowledge and experiences. For we are not to spend all our time between the church and the chamber, though a great deal of time may be spent to very good purpose in both. But man is made for society, and Christians for communion of saints, and the duties of that communion we must make conscience of. It is promised to Joshua, who was high priest in the second temple, that God will "give him places to walk in among those that stand by" (Zechariah 3:7).( M. Henry.). People Ezekiel, Israelites, Levites, ZadokPlaces Chebar, Holy PlaceTopics Afterward, Causeth, Doorway, East, Eastward, Facing, Gate, Led, Looks, TowardsOutline 1. The returning of the glory of God into the temple7. The sin of Israel hindered God's presence 10. The prophet exhorts them to repentance and observation of the law of the house 13. The measures 18. and ordinances of the altar Dictionary of Bible Themes Ezekiel 43:1-2Library Solomon's Temple Spiritualizedor, Gospel Light Fetched out of the Temple at Jerusalem, to Let us More Easily into the Glory of New Testament Truths. 'Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Isreal;--shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out hereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof.'--Ezekiel 43:10, 11 London: Printed for, and sold by George Larkin, at the Two Swans without Bishopgate, … John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 How the Impatient and the Patient are to be Admonished. Ezekiel Links Ezekiel 43:1 NIVEzekiel 43:1 NLT Ezekiel 43:1 ESV Ezekiel 43:1 NASB Ezekiel 43:1 KJV Ezekiel 43:1 Bible Apps Ezekiel 43:1 Parallel Ezekiel 43:1 Biblia Paralela Ezekiel 43:1 Chinese Bible Ezekiel 43:1 French Bible Ezekiel 43:1 German Bible Ezekiel 43:1 Commentaries Bible Hub |