Ezekiel lived in Babylon as a prisoner of war. The nation of Judah had rebelled against Babylonian occupation and this rebellion cost them dearly. In 587 B.C. the city of Jerusalem and the Temple of God were burned to the ground. What had once been a glorious structure representing the majesty of God, was now nothing more than a pile of rubble.
One can only imagine the joy Ezekiel must have experienced when he was taken in a vision, back to the Promised Land. He watched as a new, even more glorious Temple was erected, to replace the one that had been leveled. This vision provided hope, against hope, of the future plans God had for His children.
After Ezekiel’s time had passed, a man named Zerubbabel would lead thousands of Jews back to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. The basic structure they built would still be standing five hundred years later when Christ arrived. As amazing as this was, the promise Ezekiel received was of yet a future Temple, one that would be erected after Christ returns to set up His kingdom on earth.
What a blessing it is to know, no matter how dark things may appear, we can trust that the purposes of God will be completed.
Pastor Jim
Jim Gallagher 