1-3. (a) Why might Ezekiel have found comfort in the vision of an imposing temple complex? (See opening picture.) (b) What will we consider in this chapter?

PICTURE Ezekiel at 50 years of age. He can now look back on a quarter of a century spent in exile. The temple in Jerusalem has long since been in ruins. If Ezekiel ever cherished hopes of serving as a priest there, those dreams lie in ruins too. Some 56 years must yet pass before the exile will end, so Ezekiel knows that it is unlikely that he will live long enough to see Jehovah’s people restored to their homeland, let alone to see the temple rebuilt. (Jer. 25:11) Do such thoughts bring him a measure of sadness?

² How kind of Jehovah to choose this time to give Ezekiel a most extensive vision, one that will surely bring that faithful man a great deal of comfort and hope! By means of that vision, the prophet is transported back to his homeland and set down on a very high mountain. In this lofty setting, he is met by “a man whose appearance was like that of copper.” That angelic guide takes him on a thorough tour of an imposing temple complex. (Read Ezekiel 40:1-4.) It all seems so real! For Ezekiel, the experience must be faith-strengthening, overwhelming, and perhaps a bit puzzling. Though the temple that he sees has many familiar features, it is also vastly different from the one he knew back in Jerusalem.

³ This intriguing vision fills the last nine chapters of Ezekiel’s book. Let us now discuss the attitude that we need to adopt as we approach this vision and seek understanding. Then we will consider whether what Ezekiel saw was the great spiritual temple that the apostle Paul discussed at length centuries later. Finally, we will examine what the vision meant to Ezekiel and to his fellow exiles.

The Need for a Different Approach

4. Regarding the temple vision, what approach has been taken in the past, but what is called for now?

⁴ In the past, our publications have stated that Ezekiel saw Jehovah’s great spiritual temple, the one that the apostle Paul was inspired to write about in his letter to the Hebrews.a Based on that conclusion, it seemed to follow logically that we could assign symbolic, or antitypical, meanings to many of the features of Ezekiel’s visionary temple, using Paul’s explanation of the tabernacle as a starting point. However, further prayerful study and meditation suggest that a simpler approach is called for in explaining Ezekiel’s temple vision.

5, 6. (a) How did the apostle Paul show humility in his discussion of the tabernacle? (b) What did Paul say about some details of the tabernacle, and how might we, in principle, apply his thought to our understanding of Ezekiel’s temple vision?

⁵ It seems wise that we do not look for a prophetic or symbolic meaning in every feature of Ezekiel’s visionary temple. Why not? Consider an interesting example. When Paul discussed the tabernacle and the spiritual temple, he mentioned details of the tabernacle, such as the golden censer, the cover of the ark, and the golden jar that contained the manna. Did he then assign some prophetic meaning to those details? Evidently, the holy spirit did not move him to do so. Instead, Paul wrote: “Now is not the time to speak of these things in detail.” (Heb. 9:4, 5) Paul was willing to yield to the leading of the holy spirit and to wait humbly on Jehovah.​—Heb. 9:8.

⁶ A similar point might be made in principle in connection with Ezekiel’s temple vision. It too is rich in details. And it seems best to wait on Jehovah to clarify matters if further clarification is needed. (Read Micah 7:7.) Should we conclude, though, that Jehovah’s spirit has shed no further light on this vision? Far from it!

Did Ezekiel See the Great Spiritual Temple?

7, 8. (a) What understanding has now been adjusted? (b) How did the visionary temple differ from the spiritual temple that Paul described?

⁷ As mentioned earlier, for many years our publications have explained that Ezekiel saw Jehovah’s great spiritual temple, the one that Paul was inspired to write about in his letter to the Hebrews. However, further study leads us to conclude that Ezekiel could not have seen the great spiritual temple. Why not?

⁸ First, the temple that Ezekiel saw does not fit Paul’s inspired explanation. Consider this: The apostle Paul made it clear that the tabernacle of Moses’ day was a shadow and a pattern of something greater. The tabernacle, like the temples of Solomon and Zerubbabel, which were designed in the same basic pattern, included a “Most Holy” compartment. Paul called that compartment “a holy place made with hands,” explaining that it was “a copy of the reality,” not the reality itself. What was the reality? Paul explained: “Heaven itself.” (Heb. 9:3, 24) Is that what Ezekiel saw​—heaven? No. Ezekiel’s vision contains no suggestion that he was beholding heavenly things.​—Compare Daniel 7:9, 10, 13, 14.

9, 10. When it comes to sacrifices, how did Ezekiel’s visionary temple differ from the great spiritual temple that Paul described?

⁹ An even more convincing difference between Ezekiel’s vision and Paul’s description involves sacrifices. Ezekiel heard extensive directions being given to the people, to the chieftains, and to the priesthood about the offering of sacrifices. They were to offer sacrifices for their own sins. They were also to offer communion sacrifices, which they could likely share in eating in the temple’s dining rooms. (Ezek. 43:18, 19; 44:11, 15, 27; 45:15-20, 22-25) Are such repeated sacrifices offered up in the great spiritual temple?

¹⁰ The answer is clear and simple. Paul explained: “When Christ came as a high priest of the good things that have already taken place, he passed through the greater and more perfect tent not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. He entered into the holy place, not with the blood of goats and of young bulls, but with his own blood, once for all time, and obtained an everlasting deliverance for us.” (Heb. 9:11, 12) So in the great spiritual temple, only one sacrifice is offered​—ever. It is the ransom sacrifice, and it is offered by the Greater High Priest himself, Jesus Christ. Clearly, Ezekiel’s visionary temple with its many sacrifices of goats and of bulls was not the great spiritual temple.

11. In Ezekiel’s day, why was it not God’s time to reveal truths about the great spiritual temple?

¹¹ That leads us to a second reason why Ezekiel could not have seen the great spiritual temple: It was not God’s time to reveal such truths. Remember, Ezekiel’s vision was addressed first to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. They were under the Mosaic Law. Once the exile ended, they were to return to Jerusalem and apply that Law regarding pure worship by rebuilding the temple with its altar. Then they would continue to offer sacrifices there, as it turned out, for nearly six centuries. Imagine how the Jews would have been affected if Ezekiel’s vision had showed them the spiritual temple​—a temple in which the high priest offered up his own life as a sacrifice, after which all other sacrifices were abolished! How could they have grasped such a vision? Might their resolve to obey the Mosaic Law have been undermined? As always, Jehovah reveals truths only at the right time and when his people are ready.

12-14. What is the relationship between the temple that Ezekiel saw and Paul’s explanation of the spiritual temple? (See the box “Different Temples, Different Lessons.”)

¹² What, then, is the relationship between Ezekiel’s temple vision and Paul’s explanation of the spiritual temple? Keep in mind that Paul did not base his discussion on Ezekiel’s temple vision; rather, he based it on the tabernacle of Moses’ day. Granted, Paul did mention several features that also existed in the temples of Solomon and Zerubbabel and that likewise appeared in Ezekiel’s temple vision. In general, though, Ezekiel and Paul covered different ground in their writings.b Rather than echo one another, their writings complement one another. In what way?

¹³ We might think of the relationship between the two Bible passages in this way: From Paul, we learn about Jehovah’s arrangement for worship, but from Ezekiel, we learn about Jehovah’s standards for worship. To teach us about Jehovah’s arrangement for pure worship, Paul reveals the meanings of such features of the spiritual temple as the high priest, the sacrifices, the altar, and the Most Holy. But to emphasize Jehovah’s high standards for pure worship, Ezekiel’s temple vision gives us a detailed picture that impresses on our mind and heart many lessons about Jehovah’s standards.

¹⁴ Where, then, does our adjusted understanding leave us? It certainly does not mean that Ezekiel’s vision conveys less meaning for us today. In order to see how the vision benefits us, let us take a closer look at how it must have benefited the faithful Jews back in Ezekiel’s day and thereafter.

What Did the Vision Mean to the Jewish Exiles?

15. (a) What was the overall prophetic message of Ezekiel’s vision? (b) What contrast do we find between Ezekiel chapter 8 and Ezekiel chapters 40 to 48?

¹⁵ In order to find the Bible’s answer to that question, let us consider a series of related questions that will help us to see a full and complete picture. First, what was the overall prophetic message of the vision? Simply put, the overall message was that pure worship would be restored! This was surely clear to Ezekiel. He had already written what is now chapter 8 of Ezekiel, in which Jehovah graphically illustrated the deplorable condition of the temple in Jerusalem. And Ezekiel must have been delighted to write in detail about a stunning contrast, as now found in chapters 40 to 48. Here we see, not pure worship corrupted, but pure worship as it should have been​—a glorious ideal of worshipping Jehovah according to the Mosaic Law.

16. How did Ezekiel’s temple vision confirm what Isaiah had foretold a century earlier?

¹⁶ To restore the worship of Jehovah to its rightful state, it would have to be elevated. Over a century earlier, the prophet Isaiah was inspired to write: “In the final part of the days, the mountain of the house of Jehovah will become firmly established above the top of the mountains, and it will be raised up above the hills.” (Isa. 2:2) Isaiah clearly foresaw that Jehovah’s pure worship would be restored and elevated, as if placed on the loftiest of mountains. And now, where did Ezekiel find himself in this divine vision? He was “on a very high mountain,” looking at the house of Jehovah! (Ezek. 40:2) Ezekiel’s vision thus confirmed that pure worship would be restored.

17. Provide an overview of Ezekiel chapters 40 to 48.

¹⁷ Consider a brief overview of what Ezekiel saw and heard, as recorded in Ezekiel chapters 40 to 48. He watched as the angel measured the gates, the wall, the courtyards, and the sanctuary of the temple. (Ezek. 40-42) Then came a thrilling event: Jehovah’s glorious arrival at the temple! Jehovah gave counsel to his wayward people, to the priests, and to the chieftains. (Ezek. 43:1-12; 44:10-31; 45:9-12) Ezekiel saw a river flowing from the sanctuary, bringing life and blessings as it emptied into the Dead Sea. (Ezek. 47:1-12) And he saw the land itself divided into precise parcels, with pure worship taking its place near the center of the land. (Ezek. 45:1-8; 47:13–48:35) What was the overall impression? Clearly, Jehovah was reassuring his people that pure worship would be restored and exalted. He would bless his house of worship with his presence, and he would cause blessings to flow from that temple, bringing healing, life, and order to the restored land.

18. Was the temple vision meant to be taken literally? Explain.

¹⁸ Second, was the vision meant to be taken literally? No. Ezekiel and his fellow exiles to whom he described his vision likely saw immediately that it was not meant to be taken literally. Why not? Recall that Ezekiel saw this temple on “a very high mountain.” While that tied in nicely with Isaiah’s prophecy, it did not fit the physical location of the temple. Solomon’s temple had been situated on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem, and that was where it would one day be rebuilt. But was that “a very high mountain”? No. In fact, Mount Moriah is ringed by other summits that are of equal or greater height. Also, the temple complex that Ezekiel saw was huge. With its broad perimeter enclosed by a wall, it was too large to fit on top of Mount Moriah. It would not even have fit within the city limits of the Jerusalem of Solomon’s day! Then, too, the exiles surely did not expect that a literal river would flow from the temple sanctuary and then empty into the Dead Sea, where it would heal those lifeless waters. Finally, the mountainous terrain of the Promised Land did not allow for straight, parallel borders between the tribes, as described in the vision. So the vision did not suggest a literal interpretation.

19-21. Jehovah meant for Ezekiel’s vision to have what effect on the people, and why might it move them in that way?

¹⁹ Third, what effect was the vision meant to have on Ezekiel’s people? When contemplating Jehovah’s lofty standards for pure worship, the people should have been moved to shame. Jehovah told Ezekiel to “describe the temple to the house of Israel.” Ezekiel’s description of this temple was to be so thorough that the Israelites could, in effect, “study its plan.” Why were the people to ponder over that temple? As we have seen, it was not in order to build it. Rather, it was, as Jehovah said, “so that they will feel ashamed because of their errors.”​—Read Ezekiel 43:10-12.

²⁰ Why might this vision touch the consciences of righthearted people and move them to shame? Note what Ezekiel was told: “Son of man, pay attention, watch, and listen carefully to everything I tell you about the statutes and the laws of the temple of Jehovah.” (Ezek. 44:5) Again and again, Ezekiel heard about statutes and laws. (Ezek. 43:11, 12; 44:24; 46:14) Ezekiel was often reminded, too, about Jehovah’s standards​—even the standard for the length of a cubit and the standard for accurate weights. (Ezek. 40:5; 45:10-12; compare Proverbs 16:11.) Why, over 50 times in this one vision, Ezekiel records the original-language words for “measure” and “measurement”!

²¹ Measurements, weights, laws, statutes​—what was Jehovah telling his people? It seems that he was reminding them, in powerful language, of this vital truth: Jehovah alone sets the standards for pure worship. Those who had departed from those standards needed to feel ashamed! In what ways, though, did the vision teach the Jews such lessons? In the following chapter, we will consider some specific examples. That will help us to see more clearly what this remarkable vision means for us today.

1, 2. (a) What did we learn about Ezekiel’s temple vision in the preceding chapter? (b) What two questions will we consider in this chapter?

EZEKIEL did not see in vision the great spiritual temple that the apostle Paul discussed centuries later. We learned this in the preceding chapter. We also learned that the vision was designed to teach God’s people the importance of divine standards for pure worship. Only by following those standards could the people enjoy a renewed relationship with Jehovah. We may thus see why Jehovah twice emphasized this key thought in a single verse: “This is the law of the temple.”​—Read Ezekiel 43:12.

² Now we need to consider two further questions. First: What specific lessons about Jehovah’s standards for pure worship might the Jews of Ezekiel’s day have drawn from this temple vision? The answer to that question will help us to address our second question: What does the vision mean for us in these troubled last days?

What Lessons Did the Vision Teach in Ancient Times?

3. How might the vision’s setting on a high mountain have moved people to godly shame?

³ To answer the first question, let us focus on a few striking features of this temple vision. The high mountain. The people would likely have associated the setting of Ezekiel’s vision with Isaiah’s heartwarming restoration prophecy. (Isa. 2:2) But what did seeing Jehovah’s house on such a lofty mountain teach them? It taught them that pure worship should be exalted, lifted up, held high above all else. Of course, pure worship is naturally exalted, for it is an arrangement from the One who is “exalted far above all other gods.” (Ps. 97:9) But the people had not been doing their part. For centuries, they had repeatedly allowed pure worship to become debased, abandoned, polluted. Seeing God’s sacred house exalted, lifted up to a well-deserved position of glory and prominence, surely moved righthearted ones to feel ashamed.

4, 5. What lesson might Ezekiel’s audience have learned from the lofty gates of the temple?

⁴ The lofty gates. Early in the vision, Ezekiel watched his angelic guide measuring the gates. Those structures were about 100 feet (30 m) in height! (Ezek. 40:14) There were guard chambers within those entryways. What might all of this have suggested to those who studied this plan? Jehovah told Ezekiel: “Pay close attention to the entryway of the temple.” Why? Because the people had been bringing individuals who were “uncircumcised in heart and flesh” right into God’s sacred house of worship. The result? “They profane my temple,” Jehovah said.​—Ezek. 44:5, 7.

⁵ Those who were “uncircumcised in . . . flesh” had failed to obey a clear command from God that went back to the days of Abraham. (Gen. 17:9, 10; Lev. 12:1-3) But those who were “uncircumcised in heart” had a worse problem. They were stubbornly rebellious, unresponsive to Jehovah’s direction and guidance. Such people should not have been allowed to enter Jehovah’s sacred house of worship! Jehovah hates hypocrisy, and his people had allowed hypocrisy to flourish in his house. The gates and guard chambers in the visionary temple clearly taught the lesson: No more of such abuses! The lofty standards for entry into God’s house must be upheld. Only then would Jehovah bless the people’s worship.

6, 7. (a) How does Jehovah use the wall around the temple complex to convey a message to his people? (b) How had Jehovah’s people formerly treated his house? (See footnote.)

⁶ The perimeter wall. Another striking feature of this visionary temple was the wall around the entire temple area. Ezekiel says that the wall on each side was 500 reeds, or 5,100 feet (1,555 m), nearly a mile (1.6 km)! (Ezek. 42:15-20) Yet, the temple buildings and courtyards formed a square that was only 500 cubits, or 850 feet (259 m), to a side. So there was a wide area surrounding the temple, and it was enclosed by that outer wall.a For what purpose?

⁷ Jehovah said: “Now let them put their spiritual prostitution and the carcasses of their kings far away from me, and I will dwell among them forever.” (Ezek. 43:9) “The carcasses of their kings” likely referred to idolatry. So Jehovah used that wide perimeter in Ezekiel’s visionary temple to say, in effect: “Keep all such filth far away. Do not even let it near.” If they thus kept their worship pure, Jehovah would bless them with his presence.

8, 9. What might people have learned from Jehovah’s strong counsel to responsible men?

⁸ Strong counsel to responsible men. Jehovah also gave strong but loving counsel to the men who bore great responsibility among the people. He forcefully corrected the Levites who strayed far from him when the people lapsed into idolatry, whereas he commended the sons of Zadok, “who took care of the responsibilities of [his] sanctuary when the Israelites strayed.” He dealt justly and mercifully with each group, according to their actions. (Ezek. 44:10, 12-16) Similarly, the chieftains of Israel received powerful correction.​—Ezek. 45:9.

⁹ Jehovah thus clearly revealed that men in positions of authority and oversight had to answer to him for the way they handled their responsibilities. They were not above counsel, correction, and discipline. On the contrary, they were to take the lead in upholding Jehovah’s standards!

10, 11. What evidence suggests that some of the returning exiles learned the lessons conveyed in Ezekiel’s vision?

¹⁰ Did the returning exiles apply the lessons of Ezekiel’s vision? Of course, we cannot know exactly what faithful men and women back then were thinking about this remarkable vision. However, God’s Word does tell us a great deal about what the returning exiles did and how they came to view the pure worship of Jehovah. Did they apply the principles conveyed in Ezekiel’s vision? To some extent, they did​—especially in comparison with their rebellious ancestors prior to the exile in Babylon.

¹¹ Such faithful men as the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, the priest and copyist Ezra, and the governor Nehemiah all worked hard to teach the people principles like those conveyed in Ezekiel’s temple vision. (Ezra 5:1, 2) They taught the people that pure worship must be exalted and must take precedence over material concerns and selfish pursuits. (Hag. 1:3, 4) They insisted that the standards for participating in pure worship be respected. For instance, Ezra and Nehemiah forcefully counseled the people to put away their foreign wives, who were weakening the people spiritually. (Read Ezra 10:10, 11; Neh. 13:23-27, 30) What about idolatry? It seems that after the exile, the nation finally developed a hatred for that sin, which had ensnared them so often during their history. And what about the priests and chieftains, or princes? As Ezekiel’s vision indicated, they were among those who received counsel and correction from Jehovah. (Neh. 13:22, 28) Many humbly complied with that counsel.​—Ezra 10:7-9, 12-14; Neh. 9:1-3, 38.

12. In what ways did Jehovah bless the exiles after their return?

¹² In response, Jehovah did bless his people. The land enjoyed a measure of spiritual prosperity, health, and order that it had not seen in a long time. (Ezra 6:19-22; Neh. 8:9-12; 12:27-30, 43) And why? Because the people finally began to follow Jehovah’s righteous standards for pure worship. The lessons of the visionary temple found their way into many responsive hearts. In summary, then, we could say that Ezekiel’s vision of the temple benefited the exiles in two vital ways. (1) It taught them practical lessons about the standards for pure worship and about how they should uphold those standards. (2) It provided prophetic reassurance. It foretold that pure worship would be restored, and it further foretold how Jehovah would bless his people as long as they practiced pure worship. However, we today want to know: Does this vision have a fulfillment now?

What Ezekiel’s Vision Teaches Us Today

13, 14. (a) How do we know that Ezekiel’s temple vision has a fulfillment in our time? (b) In what two ways does the vision benefit us today? (See also box 13A, “Different Temples, Different Lessons.”)

¹³ Can we be sure that Ezekiel’s temple vision applies to us today? Yes! Recall the similarity between Ezekiel’s vision of God’s sacred house on “a very high mountain” and Isaiah’s prophecy that “the mountain of the house of Jehovah” would be “firmly established above the top of the mountains.” Isaiah specifically tells us that his prophecy would see fulfillment during “the final part of the days,” or “the last days.” (Ezek. 40:2; Isa. 2:2-4; ftn.; see also Micah 4:1-4.) These prophecies apply to the time in the last days ever since 1919 when pure worship is lifted up, restored, as if placed on a lofty mountain.b

¹⁴ Most decidedly, then, Ezekiel’s vision does apply to pure worship today. Much as it benefited the Jewish exiles in ancient times, this vision benefits us today in two ways. (1) It provides practical lessons about how we can uphold Jehovah’s standards for pure worship. (2) It gives prophetic reassurances of the restoration of pure worship and of Jehovah’s blessings.

Standards for Pure Worship Today

15. What should we keep in mind as we draw lessons from Ezekiel’s visionary temple?

¹⁵ Let us now consider some specific features of Ezekiel’s vision. Imagine that we are joining Ezekiel on his tour of that impressive visionary temple. Keep in mind that we are not seeing the great spiritual temple; rather, we are simply drawing lessons that apply to our worship today. What are some lessons that we might learn?

16. What can we learn from all the measuring in Ezekiel’s vision? (See opening picture.)

¹⁶ Why all the measurements? As Ezekiel watches, the angelic man with a copper appearance takes detailed measurements of the temple, including the walls, the gates, the guard chambers, the courtyards, and the altar. The sheer volume of detail can be overwhelming to the reader. (Ezek. 40:1–42:20; 43:13, 14) Think, though, of the vital points we can gain from such detail. Jehovah thereby powerfully stresses the importance of his standards. It is he who sets them, not mere humans. Those who claim that it does not matter how God is worshipped are sadly mistaken. Furthermore, by measuring out the temple in detail, Jehovah provides assurance that the restoration of pure worship is an absolute certainty. The exact fulfillment of God’s promise is as sure as those precise measurements. Ezekiel thus confirms that the restoration of pure worship in the last days is a sure thing!

17. What might the temple’s perimeter wall remind us of today?

¹⁷ The perimeter wall. As we have discussed, Ezekiel saw a wall around the entire visionary temple area. That feature was a strong reminder that God’s people were to keep all religious uncleanness far away from pure worship, never contaminating God’s house. (Read Ezekiel 43:7-9.) How we need the same counsel today! After God’s people were released from the long centuries of spiritual captivity in Babylon the Great, Christ appointed his faithful and discreet slave in 1919. Especially since then, God’s people have worked hard to get rid of false doctrines and practices mixed with idolatry and paganism. We are careful to keep spiritual uncleanness far away from pure worship. Further, we do not even conduct secular business in our Kingdom Halls, keeping such mundane matters separate from our worship.​—Mark 11:15, 16.

18, 19. (a) What can we learn from the tall gates of the visionary temple? (b) How should we respond to those who seek to lower Jehovah’s high standards? Give an example.

¹⁸ The lofty gates. When we contemplate those towering gates that Ezekiel saw, what lessons can we learn? That aspect of the visionary temple no doubt taught the Jewish exiles that Jehovah has very high moral standards. If that was true in ancient times, what about today? We worship in Jehovah’s great spiritual temple. Is not upright conduct free from hypocrisy even more important now? (Rom. 12:9; 1 Pet. 1:14, 15) During the last days, Jehovah has progressively guided his people to follow closely his standards of moral conduct.c For example, unrepentant wrongdoers are removed from the congregation. (1 Cor. 5:11-13) What is more, the guard chambers in the entryways of those gates may remind us that today, when it comes to worshipping Jehovah, no one is admitted who does not have divine approval. For instance, a person who is leading a double life might enter a Kingdom Hall, but he cannot gain Jehovah’s approval until he makes things right with God. (Jas. 4:8) What a marvelous protection for pure worship in these debased, immoral times!

¹⁹ The Bible foretold that this world would become debased before the end. “Wicked men and impostors,” we read, “will advance from bad to worse, misleading and being misled.” (2 Tim. 3:13) More and more people today are being misled into thinking that Jehovah’s high standards are overly strict, out-of-date, or just wrong. Will you be misled? For example, if someone tries to convince you that God’s standards regarding homosexual conduct are mistaken, will you agree with him? Or will you agree with Jehovah God, whose Word clearly states that those who carry out such acts are “working what is obscene”? God warns us against approving of immoral conduct. (Rom. 1:24-27, 32) When confronted with such issues, we do well to picture Ezekiel’s visionary temple with those lofty gates and remember: Jehovah does not lower his righteous standards, regardless of pressures from this wicked world. Do we agree with our heavenly Father and stand up for what is right?

20. Those of the “great crowd” find what encouraging reminders in Ezekiel’s vision?

²⁰ The courtyards. When Ezekiel saw the temple’s broad outer courtyard, he must have been thrilled to think of how many happy worshippers of Jehovah could gather there. Today, Christians worship in a far more sacred place. Those who make up the “great crowd” of worshippers in the outer courtyard of Jehovah’s spiritual temple find encouraging reminders in Ezekiel’s vision. (Rev. 7:9, 10, 14, 15) Ezekiel saw that the courtyards were lined with dining rooms where worshippers could share in the communion sacrifices they had brought. (Ezek. 40:17) In a sense, they could enjoy a meal with Jehovah God​—a sign of peaceful friendship! Today, we do not offer up sacrifices as the Jews did under the Mosaic Law. Rather, we offer up “a sacrifice of praise” when we share in pure worship, such as through our comments and expressions of faith at our meetings or in the field ministry. (Heb. 13:15) We are also nourished by the spiritual food that Jehovah provides. No wonder we feel as did the sons of Korah who sang to Jehovah: “A day in your courtyards is better than a thousand anywhere else!”​—Ps. 84:10.

21. What might anointed Christians learn from the priesthood in Ezekiel’s vision?

²¹ The priesthood. Ezekiel saw that the inner courtyard was accessible to the priests and Levites by means of gates like those that allowed the nonpriestly tribes to enter the outer courtyard. That was an effective way to remind the men of that priestly class that they too had to meet Jehovah’s standards for pure worship. And today? There is no hereditary priesthood among God’s servants now, but anointed Christians are told: “You are ‘a chosen race, a royal priesthood.’” (1 Pet. 2:9) The priests of ancient Israel worshipped in a separate courtyard. Today, anointed Christians are not separated from their fellow worshippers in any physical sense, but they do enjoy a special relationship with Jehovah as his adopted children. (Gal. 4:4-6) At the same time, anointed ones can find useful reminders in Ezekiel’s vision. They note, for instance, that the priests were subject to counsel and discipline. All Christians do well to remember that we are part of “one flock” that serves under “one shepherd.”​—Read John 10:16.

22, 23. (a) What lesson might Christian elders today draw from the chieftain described in Ezekiel’s vision? (b) What may occur in the future?

²² The chieftain. In Ezekiel’s vision, the chieftain is a fairly prominent figure. He is not of the priestly tribe, and in the temple setting, he would have submitted to the lead of the priests. However, he clearly acts as an overseer among the people and assists them in providing sacrifices. (Ezek. 44:2, 3; 45:16, 17; 46:2) So he is an example for Christian men today who carry a measure of responsibility in the congregation. After all, Christian elders, including traveling overseers, need to remain submissive to the anointed faithful slave. (Heb. 13:17) Elders work hard to help God’s people offer their sacrifices of praise at Christian meetings and in the ministry. (Eph. 4:11, 12) And elders may also take note of the way Jehovah rebuked Israel’s chieftains for abusing their power. (Ezek. 45:9) Likewise, elders do not expect to be above counsel and correction. On the contrary, they cherish any opportunity to be refined by Jehovah so that they can be more effective as shepherds and overseers.​—Read 1 Peter 5:1-3.

²³ Jehovah will continue to provide capable, loving overseers in the Paradise earth to come. Many elders today are, in effect, receiving training in how to be helpful, capable shepherds in Paradise. (Ps. 45:16) Is it not exciting to contemplate how such men will prove to be a blessing in the new world? Our understanding of Ezekiel’s vision, like that of other restoration prophecies, may become clearer in Jehovah’s due time. Perhaps some aspects will see a thrilling application in the future, a fulfillment we could barely fathom at present. Time will tell.

Jehovah’s Blessings on Pure Worship

24, 25. How did Ezekiel’s vision portray Jehovah’s blessings on his people as they adhered to pure worship?

²⁴ In conclusion, let us recall the one great event that takes place in Ezekiel’s vision. Jehovah comes to that visionary temple, and he promises his people that he will remain there for as long as they adhere faithfully to his standards for pure worship. (Ezek. 43:4-9) What effect would Jehovah’s presence have on his people and on their land?

²⁵ The vision describes divine blessings by using two reassuring prophetic pictures: (1) A river flows from the temple sanctuary, bringing life and fertility to the land; and (2) the land is divided up in an orderly, precise way, with the temple and its grounds clearly in a central position. How may we understand those passages today? After all, we live in a time when Jehovah has entered, refined, and approved a far more sacred system of worship, the great spiritual temple. (Mal. 3:1-4) We will discuss those two prophetic pictures in Chapters 19 to 21 of this publication.

Ezekiel’s Visionary Temple:

• Is described by Ezekiel for the Jews exiled in Babylon

• Has an altar on which many sacrifices are offered

• Highlights Jehovah’s righteous standards for worship

• Focuses our attention on the spiritual restoration that began in 1919

The Great Spiritual Temple:

• Is explained by Paul, addressing the Hebrew Christians

• Has an altar on which only one sacrifice is offered, “once for all time” (Heb. 10:10)

• Explains the spiritual reality to which the tabernacle and the physical temples had long pointed​—Jehovah’s arrangement for pure worship based on the ransom sacrifice of Christ

• Focuses our attention on the work that Christ did as the Greater High Priest from 29 to 33 C.E.

Pure Worship Elevated and Protected

The visionary temple is exalted on “a very high mountain” (1). Have we lifted up pure worship, giving it the highest priority in our own life?

The perimeter wall (2), which enclosed the temple complex in the center of a wide area (3), reminds us that we must never let anything corrupt our worship of Jehovah. If things even for “common use” must be kept far away from pure worship, how much more so must unclean or immoral conduct be kept out of the life of a worshipper of Jehovah today!​—Ezek. 42:20.

Eternal Blessings

A stream trickles from the temple sanctuary, expanding to a torrent and bringing life and fertility to the land (4). These blessings will be discussed in Chapter 19 of this publication.

The Same Standards for All

The lofty outer gates (5) and inner gates (9) remind us that Jehovah has high standards of conduct for all who would engage in pure worship. Note that the outer and the inner gates are identical in overall dimensions. That is fitting, for Jehovah’s righteous requirements are the same for all his servants, regardless of their position or the capacity in which they serve.

A Meal at Jehovah’s Table

The dining rooms (8) remind us that in ancient times, the people could share in eating from some of the sacrifices that they brought to the temple, in effect, sharing a meal with Jehovah. It is different in the spiritual temple in which Christians worship today, for the “one sacrifice” has already been offered. (Heb. 10:12) Still, we do offer our sacrifice of praise.​—Heb. 13:15.

A Divine Guarantee

You may find all the detailed measurements in the vision overwhelming. But they teach a key point: They guarantee that Jehovah’s purpose to restore pure worship is sure and absolute, as precise and unchangeable as those measurements. Though Ezekiel does not mention seeing any humans in his vision, he records Jehovah’s strong counsel for the priests, the chieftains, and the people. All of God’s servants must uphold His righteous standards.