INTERESTING FACTS : George Washington, JUDGE; MEMBER OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS; COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY; PRESIDENT OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION; FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES; "FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY"

 

"You do well to wish to learn our arts and ways of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ. These will make you a greater and happier people than you are.

 

While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian. The blessing and protection of Heaven are at all times necessary but especially so in times of public distress and danger. The General hopes and trusts that every officer and man will endeavor to live and act as becomes a Christian soldier, defending the dearest rights and liberties of his country.I now make it my earnest prayer that God would... most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of the mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion."

 

Daily Reading : EZEKIEL 40 - 42

 

TEXT : Eze 40:1  In the five and twentieth year of our captivity, in the beginning of the year, in the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after that the city was smitten, in the selfsame day the hand of the LORD was upon me, and brought me thither. Eze 40:2  In the visions of God brought he me into the land of Israel, and set me upon a very high mountain, by which was as the frame of a city on the south. Eze 40:3  And he brought me thither, and, behold, there was a man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed; and he stood in the gate. Eze 40:4  And the man said unto me, Son of man, behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee; for to the intent that I might shew them unto thee art thou brought hither: declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel. Eze 40:5  And behold a wall on the outside of the house round about, and in the man's hand a measuring reed of six cubits long by the cubit and an hand breadth: so he measured the breadth of the building, one reed; and the height, one reed.

 

THEME : THE TEMPLE OF GOD

 

"The remaining part of the prophecy is the establishment of His sanctuary in the midst of His people. The reader will perceive that we find in these last chapters a revelation of the same kind as that given to Moses for the tabernacle, and to David for the temple-only that in this case the details are preserved in the writings given to the people by inspiration, as a testimony for the time to come, and to conscience in all times. God takes an interest in His people. He will reestablish His sanctuary among men. Meantime the testimony of this has been given to the people to bring them under the responsibility which this good-will of God towards them involved. For the prophet was commanded to tell the house of Israel all that he had seen; and he did so. When the dimensions of the different parts of the house have been given, the glory of Jehovah fills the house, in the vision, as happened historically at the dedication of the tabernacle and of the temple. Eze_43:7 proclaims that the house, which is the throne and the footstool of Jehovah, should no more be defiled by profane things. The prophet was then to declare that, if Israel renounced their unfaithfulness, Jehovah would return to dwell there. Thus the people are placed at all times under this responsibility. The prophet was to shew the house to Israel that they might repent; and, if they repented, he was to explain it to them in detail. And it is this which takes place at the end. The ordinances of the house were to be shewn them, if they humbled themselves; and in view of this the prophet announces all that was to be done for the cleansing and the consecration of the altar, in order that the regular service might be performed." [John Darby][1]

 

TRUTH FOR TODAY : "WHAT LIES AHEAD FAR EXCEEDS WHAT WENT BEFORE!"

 

Bible prophecy is not an exact science, and do not let anyone tell you it is. We look into a glass darkly on future events. However, God does not leave us completely in the dark; else, the purpose of announcing His plans and designs in advance would be moot. Thus, we have a sketch - if you will, of what the future holds and in Ezekiel chapter 40 - 48, we find such a summary.

 

After the resurrection of Israel - [valley of dry bones] in chapter 37, and the battle of Gog and Magog in chapters 38 - 39, we have the vision of a rebuilt Temple. Pristine in glory, the Messiah will enter and reign in this last [3rd] temple. Therefore, this Temple mentioned in Ezekiel 40, is not any of the Temples built in the past. It is yet future.

 

For the critics of John Darby and his interpretations on Bible prophecy, I would say this. Born in 1800, he took what most evangelical/fundamentalist Christians profess to hold - a literal interpretation of Scripture. He mentioned a restored Israel in the 19th century, which seemed impossible. Yet, Israel is on the map. Above, Darby mentions a future Temple, and no one familiar with modern Israel would seriously contradict the fact that Israel's plans - at least for many dedicated religious Jews, to rebuild their Temple. This is no secret.

 

For instance, The Temple Institute - a Jewish organization dedicated to the restoration of [a] rebuilt Temple states this -

 

"SHALOM AND WELCOME to the official website of the TEMPLE INSTITUTE in Jerusalem, Israel. The Temple Institute is dedicated to every aspect of the Holy Temple of Jerusalem, and the central role it fulfilled, and will once again fulfill, in the spiritual wellbeing of both Israel and all the nations of the world. The Institute's work touches upon the history of the Holy Temple's past, an understanding of the present day, and the Divine promise of Israel's future. The Institute's activities include education, research, and development. The Temple Institute's ultimate goal is to see Israel rebuild the Holy Temple on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem, in accord with the Biblical commandments." [2]

 

Thus, we conclude that Christ will return to a rebuilt Temple described here by Ezekiel. What glory it shall be! For in those days - perhaps not too far away, all nations shall bow the knee stating - Jesus Christ is LORD!

 

Php 2:9  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: Php 2:10  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; Php 2:11  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

You can be assured, what lies ahead for the believer in Jesus Christ, far exceeds what went before!