This Article: (4 Pages)
- 1. A Vision of the Future
- 2. The Messiah's Advice
- 3. The Prophets Reinforce Ezekiel's... Vision
- 4. Many Voices – One Message
4) Many Voices – One Message
From the preceding passages from several of the prophets, there is a consistency in their message. There is the recurring reference to a House to be built and it is to be a place of worship. Frequently we are reminded that those who worship there come from many nations. Jews and Gentiles will join together to worship the God of Israel.
Repeatedly we are reminded that the location of this House of Prayer for all nations will be in God's holy mountain and named as Mount Zion. Jerusalem is clearly named as the holy city. The nations will be judged and subjected to the laws that will proceed from Jerusalem. Some prophets detail the way worshippers travel to Mount Zion, the vessels used in the temple worship and aspects of the form of worship.
It is not only Ezekiel who presents the concept of a temple in a future age. Although not in as much detail, there is a consistency in the records of the Prophets in relation to a future temple and these support the record of a temple in Ezekiel's writings.
Establishment the Vision of a Temple
The Messiah and the Apostles showed and advised the faithful that knowledge came from the prophets. As we have already noted, Peter believed that prophecy is a “light that shines in a dark world.” To many today this world is dark, filled with violence and immorality. Apollos , even though well read in the scriptures, accepted that he had more to learn.
The Messiah had a thorough knowledge of the scriptures and He reproved the Jews frequently for their adherence to traditions and their neglect of the reading of Moses and the prophets. Even His disciples were not exempt from reproof for their lack of understanding of His mission and destiny.
There are many sections of the Old Testament rich in the vision of the Kingdom that will bring peace to this war-torn world. The prophet Isaiah in many places describes the peace and beauty of this world at peace. He also depicts calamities and judgements that will precede the establishment of justice in the world.
The richness and beauty of the Psalms and Isaiah create images that will endure in our hearts and minds. Isaiah states, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that brings good tidings, that publishes peace; that brings good tidings of good, that publishes salvation; that says unto Zion, Thy God reigns.” (Isa 52: 7)
We need such visions of the future, for as the wise man Solomon warned, “Where there is no vision the people perish.” A vision of the future Kingdom will keep faith and hope alive in the midst of the troubles and trials of life, and the encroaching influences and problems of the world around us.
James reminds us of the frailty of our bodies and the brevity of life in our mortal state. “Your life is even a vapour, that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” (James 4: 14) Paul reminds us that those things which influence our lives today are temporal. “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal: but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4: 14)
In 1 Corinthians 2: 9 the apostle Paul quotes from Isaiah 64: 4. Paul, no doubt, in times of adversity, gained strength from the writings of Isaiah, and may it be that we too also may look in hope for a time when there will finally be peace on this earth.
As it is written, eye has not seen nor ear heard,neither have entered into the heart of man, the things
which God has prepared for the that love Him.”
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