Ezekiel shows a God who wants to be near to His people, but will not compromise His character, even for the ones He so dearly loves. The goal of God’s judgment wasn’t to banish His people from the land forever. It was to show the people their sins, and in doing so to motivate them to return to keeping the covenant that they had with the Lord. In this last section of Ezekiel, we get a marvelous picture of God’s glorious return to His temple and to His people.
His voice sounded like the roar of a huge torrent, and the earth shone with his glory.
—Ezekiel 43:2
What a joy for Ezekiel to see and hear the signs of God’s return instead of the previous visions that showed God’s presence departing the temple and from the city of Jerusalem. Now, in today’s reading, God returns to the temple, where His presence will remain. And He calls for His people to return to Him, promising the nearness of His presence in His temple (Ezekiel 43:9).
In his letters to various churches, Paul reveals something new about the temple, something new about God’s people. We are His temple; His Spirit lives in us (1Corinthians 3:16). Let that sink in for a minute. For centuries, the temple was the chosen meeting place for God and His people. It was the sacred space that housed God’s presence. But because of Jesus, we no longer must go to a temple or any other physical location in order to approach God. We are that sacred space, marked by His presence.
Just as the earth shone with God’s glory in Ezekiel’s vision, we have the opportunity to shine with God’s glory—for our lives to reflect His holy character (v.17). The temple was beautiful, a sight to behold. We are also beautiful, but in a different way. As God’s redeemed people, our story is marked by grace and forgiveness and redemption.
We are not as perfect or as smooth or as finely chiseled as the stones that made up the temple. But what a wonder we are—broken and flawed people whom God has made beautiful by His grace. We “are no longer foreigners and strangers” (Ephesians 2:19). We now belong to God’s spiritual household. And as His living temple, we continue to grow together through the Spirit in beautiful ways—in the beauty of holiness (v.20).
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41 thoughts on "The Return of the Lord’s Glory"
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17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. – 1 Corinthians 3:17
HEIDI V & LEE GAAR, thank you so much! All of these prayers have been a tangible blessing and today is the first day I have felt somewhat stronger.
Michelle, thank you for your kindness.
Jennifer, thank you so much.
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” 22 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, – Revelations 21:1-4,22-24
Through Jesus we are no longer strangers to God, but a part of His family. How amazing is that? I love you Jesus, thank you for giving us your spirit and love, but also correction to make us better. Life is not life without you.
Leigh, I am praying for healing and strength for you and your son.
I believe that God designed us with just as much care and planning as he designed Tyne temple. Sisters, we are fearfully and wonderfully made. I pray we all never forget that truth❤️ Have a blessed week!
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The Bible is full of mysteries, and the fact that Ezekiel spent time describing the blueprint of the temple in his vision shows that it is very important. I wish I could understand the significance of all of this. For now we see in parts, we prophesy in parts, but one day we shall understand in completion. Some note from my KJV study bible I found so interesting, I love to share: The measurements of this temple, however, do not fit those of Solomon’s temple. Also the motivation for revealing the last 9 chapters in Ezekiel about a temple never to be built is not apparent. It is a literal temple yet to be built. In favour of this view is the fact that the measurements of the temple given in these chapters do not fit any temple or tabernacle mentioned in Scriptures. It therefore awaits fulfilment. The mention of burnt offering here and in connection with the altar has proved problematic. Under the new covenant, Jesus Christ after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God. How then may one explain this seeming reversion to the Levitical system of bloody sacrifices? Certainly these sacrifices added nothing to the work of Christ, but only pictured it. Interesting point eh? Some food for thoughts.
@Leigh, praying for healing over you and your son. Psalm 103:3
@Sarah D.: praying for you to be at rest doing your work, may you have joy and reassurance doing what you do. May the restlessness be gone. 1 Peter 5:7, Matthew 11:28-30
@Heidi: praying for your niece’s friend and praise God for the wonderful progress. Please keep the updates coming.
@Searching: I was thinking the EXACT same thing that you pointed out. May God be the avenger for the people in Ukraine according to 1 Corinthians 3:17. Praying for Ukrainian families and the whole nation to receive more help, mercy, justice and deliverance. The news really does not broadcast the true damage and horrific devastation they have suffered, it was so understated for some reason. May God bring justice to them, and more supernatural protection.
Be blessed dear sisters!
Amen!
How amazing that the God whose presence inhabited that temple is the same God whose presence inhabits us! May I never again take lightly that God dwells within me and I am a temple.
Lord help me to continue to grow in Your Spirit, beauty, holiness and love. Remind me that You and ONLY YOU can SAVE me from the evils of this world. Thank You for sending Your One and Only Son to die for my sins. Your Holy Spirit continues to grow in me. I am YOURS FOREVER AND EVER. Amen.
Sisters, be blessed and love the world the WAY CHRIST LOVED EVERYONE.
I’m ashamed at how I treated my body at one time. To know that I was God’s temple and I fell and behaved badly. Thank you God for your forgiveness. For always pursuing me and Your desire to draw me back to You.
Great insight “no limit with being as close to him as we choose!”
We are His beautiful temples, made beautiful by His grace and mercy and redemption. Hallelujah!
Amen!
What a wonder… He restores and rebuilds. With zero limit on what He will graciously give and provide. He craves such nearness with us. Regardless of where we have been because wherever that place was, He always will walk with us the entire the way back to Him.
Y’all- my nieces friend from rehab is home now. She has no post-rehab facilities to go to. She has a sponsor and is attending meetings each day, but her living situation with her mom is NOT an encouraging space. She needs such prayer of protection, wisdom, COMMUNITY of people to surround and support her.
Happy day, She’s!!
Leigh, may God bless you today with strength and peace. May you feel his healing hand on you and witness improvement in your sweet son.
I am a member of God’s household. Praise be to the Lord! I pray I become stronger in His Spirit. I hope to deepen my relationship with Him.
How great is our God ♥️
The Lord’s temple is established in us. This is holy ground. We are lights scattered among darkness. When we come together, the light shines brighter and darkness is pushed back. Built up on the cornerstone of Christ, our foundation will not be shaken. Jesus was the first stone laid in the holy building, the new temple being constructed believer by believer. There is no roof described in the new temple in Ezekiel’s vision. I think this says a lot. No ceiling for believers to come, no line drawn to fill up to. There is room to grow as high up as there are people to come home to be with God. Jews and gentiles together as God’s family. We are known and loved, at home with our King. The light shines with love and grace, mercy and redemption. May this light powered by Christ draw outsiders to this holy place. Lord, let my light shine before others with kindness and bring glory to Your Name.
May God heal you and your son, Leigh. He is with you. Rest well in Him and stay positive. He will see you through. Glad you are reading this morning & praying :)
God bless you, Shes. I am reminded of how crazy it is we are given a Holy Spirit. His Holy Spirit. In a fallen, unholy body. God redeems. I can’t wrap my head around it, but I don’t think I’m supposed to fully understand. I pray to continue to see such grace.
These chapters about the temple make me really grateful and awed by the fact that God made us temples. We don’t have to go to a building to worship or pray; He is with us. What a gift.
Dear Lord, please help me to be a temple for Your glory. Shine Your light through all of my broken places so that I may be a vessel for Your glorious work. Thank You for making me part of Your heavenly household. Amen.
Good morning. I am weary today. Physically. My son contracted scarlet fever last week and I caught strep from him. The past 3 days I’ve been in pain, and limited mentally and physically. I am grateful of the reminders of my limitations. Because I know the glory of His strength. My weaknesses are a beauty because they confirm my constant need of Him. They remind me that my place is not to be all things for all people all of the time. That the world and my family can survive when I’m not at 100%. Because I am not God. I am flesh and bone and brokenness. He is the supplier of all our needs. He sustains. He generously provides. Always, without limit. How marvelous that He never tires. Thank you Abba for showing me your strength through my limitations. For caring for me and others, always – without fail or fumbling. Please continue to grow my wisdom in my fallacy and Your holiness. My favorite space is between your arms. Continue to guide me.
Good morning She’s!! Praying for you all today. Been back at work and haven’t had a chance to comment in the mornings! Everything is going well, still thinking about and trying to apply what I learned on my mission trip. Thankful for my church in this time. Still feeling anxious at work, maybe getting a little better. I’ve been doing Christian counseling and that’s been helpful to talk things out. I know it’s not a one and done fix though, although I wish the Lord would just do that!! Tired of nervous sweating during the day and having to work so hard to be confident. I wish confidence came more easily for me. But it’s a work in progress, trying to keep trusting in the Lord’s sovereignty and praying for my face paced heartbeat to rest. Thankful that God is always with me, there is no barrier between us. We are his temple.
Father thank You for the gift of The Holy Spirit living in me. Let me shine a light to your Kingdom to Your glory always. In Jesus name, Amen
When God comes roaring back to the temple, it is His desire that the Israelites look upon the temple and feel their iniquity. He wants them to understand just how great and glorious the temple is, yes, but more so His presence. Now that our bodies are considered by God to be temples hosting His spirit, we too should be reminded that we come short in comparison to Gods glory – the 24/7 access we have available at our finger tips. Praying today to be humbled in reminders that God chose me as a dwelling place and that I can act gracefully in accordance with His desires for me.
Thank you Lord for the time with my mom and sister this weekend. I pray it will be used for your honor and glory.
Thank also for the needed rest provided by spring break.
These temples, our bodies, have been built by You, for You. May our days, weeks, and years mark a place of worship, honor and glory to You, our One and Only King. Amen.
I have so much to work on for myself. Today’s reading reminded me how far I’ve come but how far I have yet to go. We are not perfect like the stones used to build the temple and my life shows that. But I need my GOD to fill me with his spirit and continue to mold my heart.
“The glory of the Lord filled the temple.”
Fill me anew Lord that others may see only Your glory.
Today’s devotional about how we are now God’s temple, reminds me of the tearing of the veil at the temple after Jesus died at the cross. It seems to be a verse that is glossed over but what a hugely important moment— the moment our separation from God, due to our sins, came to an end and was paid for by Jesus. The moment that God torn down the barrier between Himself and us through Jesus’ death, and we became His temple. Thank you, Jesus, for your new covenant so that we now can speak directly to you, pray to you, and become your temple where your Spirit resides. Thank you for sending your son— His sacrifice, proof of your amazing love.
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So happy to be reminded I belong to God’s household. I pray for strength to live as A member!
I also read another devotional. We are in the book of Leviticus. The weekend teaching talked about how we are now the temple and more. Here is a link in case you would like to listen and be encouraged; https://myf5.co/582891
Prayers for you all today.
Yesterday I heard His voice so clearly coming from within me – how absolutely blessed we are to walk with Him every moment of our lives. Holy Spirit, Help me to be ever aware of your glorious presence!
Amen!
Today’s Scriptures and the devo reinforced that when we are saved (Praise!) our bodies are His temple and He does indeed meet us where we are since He lives inside us. He has met me many times, whether broken or rejoicing, He is always with me.
Praying the truth of 1 Corinthians 3:17 over the people of Ukraine.
If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.
My limited research found that Ukraine is majority believers (70%+ by most recent (2018) info I found) and that the 2 regions with the fewest % believers were Crimea and Donbas.
Praying for mentioned needs over the weekend and praising the good reports.
I have been living so long ago for my own reason not for him – imagine Ezekiel suffered so much to do God work and it’s all worth it to see Him, to know you have done the will of God! It makes all the hard blows and pot holes of life worth it. To see the glory of God.
It’s so mind blowing that our beauty doesn’t lay in our holiness, but instead in our brokenness and sinfulness because there God’s beauty shines the brightest. He makes beauty from the ashes of our broken lives.
J – Praying for peace and healing for you, your son and your husband.
Margaret W – Praying for you and your friend. May you experience God’s nearness during this time.
Heidi – Praising God for the answered prayers and continuing to pray for your niece and her friend. Have a nice vacation!