Chronological Reading Plan for Sep 9, Eze 43-45

Today's readings are Eze 43-45 Tomorrow's are Ezed 46-48.

Eze 43:1-5 describe the coming of the Messiah as He enters the temple through the East Gate. Just as the glory departed from the temple in Eze 10, it will one day return when Jesus descends the Mount of Olives and enters through the same gate. He will pause and weep over the city for missing the time of His visitation (Luke 19:44). 

The rest of Eze 43-45 deals with how the rebuilt temple will function until the time of that visitation. Significantly, the sacrifices, feasts and rituals will be reintroduced as will the priesthood and the Levitical functions. This will all occur during Nehemiah's time, after King Cyrus of Persia allows some of the Jews to return to Jerusalem. They will be the prophesied remnant. Their job will be to re-institute the practices of Judaism in preparation for the coming of the Messiah. 

The holy area around the temple will be expanded as we see in Eze 45. This is a prophetic act that symbolizes the larger geographical influence of the people of God as the Messiah brings His message of redemption for all peoples. Once again, the Jews will not fully understand all of this in Ezekiel's time. It is to their credit that they were faithful, more or less, to do all God told them to do. Yet, many did not fully understand it in Jesus's time either. 

All of it, every detail, was part of God's plan to spread His gospel throughout the world.