The Return of the Lord’s Glory
Open Your Bible
Ezekiel 41:5-26, Ezekiel 42:1-20, Ezekiel 43:1-12, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, Ephesians 2:19-22
BY Tameshia Williams
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).
41 thoughts on "The Return of the Lord’s Glory"
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♥️♥️♥️
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Great insight “no limit with being as close to him as we choose!”
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We are His beautiful temples, made beautiful by His grace and mercy and redemption. Hallelujah!
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