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1) A Vision of the Future
The Bible provides the reader with visions of a future age. These visions should give the faithful vitality and make them vigilant. One of those visions is of a magnificent Temple yet to be built on this earth. The details of this Temple are given in the book of Ezekiel. Without these visions people lose sight of the glorious future on this earth promised to the faithful.
The information given about this Temple, by the prophet Ezekiel (chapters 40 – 48), occupies approximately the same space in the scriptures as the whole book of Revelation. This is indicative of its importance. Henry Sulley (1887), an architect, has given visual images of this future temple, which are probably very close to accurate, according to an architect who has studied his conclusions.
The popular view among Christians is to dismiss this prophecy of a future Temple as described by Ezekiel. They argue that the New Testament makes no mention of this building. They prefer to refer to the temple as the Spiritual house, which is the metaphorical house of faithful believers and followers of the Messiah. Many Christians believe that they will be transported to a new world when our planet is destroyed. They rely on the New Testament writings, rejecting the prophets of the Old Testament.
The Messiah's Directive
We are faced here with a problem. However, the Lord himself gives the perceptive reader the clues to solving this problem about the Temple described in Ezekiel and the earth's destiny. In Matthew 21: 13 and Mark 11: 17, we have parallel accounts of the same incident. It is recorded in both places that:
“He taught saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations, the house of prayer, but ye have made it a den of thieves.”
Notice the italics. The temple existing at the time in no way resembled that of Ezekiel's prophecy. It was Herod's temple, which was not being utilised according to Jewish Law. It had become a 'den of thieves', a place of trade and commerce.
On a closer reading of this passage, we see that the Messiah is here directing the perceptive listener to the records of the prophets. Note how He says to them, “Is it not written?” He is here quoting directly from the prophet Isaiah, from Isaiah 56: 7. The written records wre those of the Old Testament, which were read to the people in the temple and the synagogues.
Our Lord frequently asked the Jews, “Have ye not read?” And here in Mark 11: 17, He is directing their attention to the prophecy of Isaiah 56, to reference to the House of Prayer and to the future. It appears that His assumption is that they are famoiliar with, or should be familiar with the writings of Isaiah, which regularly read to them.
The context Isaiah 56: 1-8, from which this quotation comes, specifically establishes a relationship between the Jews and Gentiles, who were the sons of strangers. This was accomplished through the work of the Messiah, which extended the hope of salvation to all people.
In verses 1-5 of Isaiah 56: 1- 8 a relationship is established between the Jews and the Gentiles (the sons of strangers). This was accomplished through the work of the Messiah, which extended the hope of salvation to all people.
Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil. ¶ Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.> For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant;> Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.
Verses 6-8 of this chapter describe a time when Jew and Gentile will be united in worship of the God of Israel. The outcasts of Israel will be gathered and others, who are the strangers or gentiles, will be joined with these outcasts of Israel. The centre of worship will be “my house of prayer” in “my holy mountain.”
Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant. Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.
These verses contain very significant aspects of worship, such as offerings and sacrifices, no doubt to memorialise and remind the people of the Messiah's past sacrificial offering. It is also to be noted that both Jew and Gentile will be included in the worship and it will be a house of prayer for all nations. There are clues to the location of this house of prayer in, “my holy mountain.” By quoting this section of the Old Testament, the Messiah would clearly show the perceptive listener that the existing temple in Jerusalem, destroyed by the Romans in A.D 70, was not the “house” referred to by many of the prophets. The Messiah emphasised the fact that “my house shall be called... the house of prayer.” This would have to be prophetic of a future age.
2) The Messiah's Advice
Familiarity with the writings of the prophets was clearly established by our Lord, time and time again, during His ministry. He frequently quotes from these writings. In John 5: 39, He advises the Jews to “Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” He directed them to Moses, saying that, “If ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me.” (John 5: 46-47) And again in Luke 16: 31, He again reproves the Jews in saying “If they hear not Moses and the prophets neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead.”
The principle clearly established by the Messiah is that an understanding of the writings of Moses and the Prophets was essential for a clear vision of the Creator's purpose and the Messiah's role in this. After His resurrection on the road to Emmaus our Lord spoke to two disciples and His words were that of warning and perhaps even of reproof.
Then He said to them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken. Ought not the Anointed to have suffered these things, and enter into His glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself.” (Luke 23: 25-27)
The Apostles Heed The Warning
The Apostles did take heed to these warnings. The following quotations show that they placed great reliance on the scriptures, which is all the early believers had, together with occasional letters. They frequently quote from the prophets and the Psalms. Peter, after healing the lame man at the temple gate, admonished the crowds who marvelled at the healing of the lame man. He explained that if they had known the scriptures they would have recognised their Messiah by the power He had revealed in the miracles He had performed.
Peter stated , “Those things which God before had showed by the mouth of all His prophets, that Christ should suffer, He hath so fulfilled ... and He shall send Jesus Christ, who was before preached unto you: whom the heavens must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of His holy prophets since the world began ... for Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you ... and it shall come to pass that every soul, which will not hear that prophet shall be destroyed ... Yea and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.” (Acts 3: 18-24)
Peter is here emphasising the work of the Messiah and His prophesied return when there has been a “restitution of all things.” The meaning of this phrase is to be found in the Prophets' writings, which includes the revival of the nation of Israel in these last days as God's witness of His promise to all mankind of the reliability of the Word of God and His promise of ultimate peace on this earth. In another place Peter stated that “We have a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto you do well to take heed, as unto a light that shines in a dark place.” (2 Peter 1: 19-20)
Philip, another disciple, instructed the Eunuch from Isaiah 53.
The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter ... then Philip opened his mouth and began at the same scripture and preached unto him Jesus.” (Acts 8: 32-35)
Paul in many places quotes from the writings of the prophets, but in the following quotation he points out how the Jews failed to recognise their Messiah and crucified Him, because of their ignorance, which resulted from their refusal to accept and understand the writings of the prophets.
They that dwell at Jerusalem and their rulers, because they knew Him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets, which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled in condemning Him.” (Acts 13: 27)
It is recorded in many places that Paul reasoned and taught from the prophets. (eg Acts 17: 2, Acts 28: 23, 1 Timothy 4: 13)
James realised that a future tabernacle was to be built and the Gentiles, strangers, would be included in this future plan and for his understanding of this he acknowledges the Prophets. He quotes from Amos 9: 11-12 to support his argument.
“And to this agree the words of the Prophets; as it is written, After this I will return and build again the tabernacle of David ... that the residue of men might seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles upon whom my name is called.” (Acts 15: 14-17)
The Bereans read the scriptures closely and analysed the truth of what they had been told.
“The Bereans were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” (Acts 17: 11)
Apollos, although he knew the scriptures, found that there was more to be learnt, and accepted further instruction.
Apollos, a Jew, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus ... and began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him, the scriptures more perfectly.” (Acts 18: 24, 26)
3) The Prophets Reinforce Ezekiel's Vision
In the spirit of this example given by the Messiah and his disciples, let us look at some of the details contained in the other prophets that reinforce and support the vision of a temple as in the prophecy of Ezekiel.
Isaiah
Isaiah 2: 2-4 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall beall nations shal established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.... for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations.”
Isaiah 56: 6-7. Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants ... 7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
Isaiah 66: 20-23. And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD... 23 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 the LORD.
Ezekiel 43: 12. This is the law of the house; Upon the top of the mountain the whole limit thereof round about shall be most holy.
Joel
Joel 3: 17. So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.
Micah
Micah 4: 1-2 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
Zechariah
Zechariah 6: 12-13. And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD: Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne
Zechariah 8: 3, 22. I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain. 22 Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.
Zechariah 14: 8, 16. And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be. 16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.
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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