Any version of Ezekiel's text may be used to follow the illustrations of the prophet's vision. But be aware of any changes from the Hebrew text as made in any English translations. Compare each diagram with its assigned text.
First, study the diagram. Then review the related text which the diagram illustrates. Use only the Scripture text to interpret the "picture" shown in Ezekiel's vision. Be aware that some translations tend to disguise word meanings. Use a concordance and a dictionary. You may have a preconceived idea of what is written in the Hebrew text. With many Christians this bias will surely interfere with the spirit of truth which the Lord, Jesus Christ, promised to send as a "comforter" during his absence. Read John 16:12-15. So, take care to compare each diagram with its appropriate text.
Do not attempt to convert each Hebrew measure into any other corresponding measure. Such attempt will only confuse and divert you from the objective which is here presented. The objective is to visualize each separate structure of the sanctuary as it is presented by the vision. When any comparable structure is proposed to be built upon the temple mount in the future days, you may decide whether it is indeed the one presented by the Word of God through His prophet Ezekiel, and so, react accordingly.
Third, do observe the diagram scales when making comparison between two different illustrations. One scale ratio shows that one square equals one cubit: 1:1, another scale ratio may show that proportion as 5:1 or 1:5, etc. Try to visualize the whole of the diagrams as a composite drawing of a plan, and as laid out on the site by the surveyor, marked and staked to the true dimensions.
The drawings in these pages depict the whole sanctuary of the house of prayer spoken of by Isiaiah, the prophet, in 56:1-12. It appears like a small walled city located upon the summit of the mountain. Its surrounding area is designated as a "most holy" place.
The man's blueprint appears quite similar in many points to the temple compound of the days of Solomon, and of Herod's reconstruction. The bulk of the description includes that of six gatehouses, the two courts inside the sanctuary, and of the temple's house. Also, there is mention of thirty chambers on a lower pavement, with chambers also located behind the inner gates. Its outlines include the tiered chambers beside the temple, and the building to the west of the temple, along with the buildings on each side of the higher court passageways. The window design of the gatehouses, of the temple's house are also noted, and the wall panels of the house itself. Location of walkways, posts and pillars of the courts are mentioned too.
Diagrams indicate how the land will be divided to the twelve tribes. One diagram shows the relocation of the priests and the Levites. Another shows the location of all the buildings on Mt. Zion. One shows where the temple will be located within the city. One shows where the new Jerusalem will be positioned within the holy part of the land, and another shows where the Prince's portions will be located.
Diagram A shows each location of Ezekiel as he follows the man throughout the vision. Diagrams B and C show the basic design of all six of the gatehouses of the sanctuary.
Diagrams D, E, and F show the position of the six gates in relation to all the adjoining courts and nearby buildings.
Diagrams H, I and J pay attention to the inner court and to its related chambers.
Diagram K describes the porch of the temple. All this information is found in Chapter Forty of the prophecy.
The remaining structures of the sanctuary are described in Chapter Forty-Two through Forty-Six. Diagrams L and P describe the temple itself, with the small-chambers which are located on the sides of the temple's building. Diagram R gives a complete topview of the sanctuary's site.
Diagrams M and N show the position of the buildings to the west of the temple, with the terrace (or alley) which connects to the pathways belonging to the priests chambers to the north and to the south of this building.
Diagram O reveals the areas adjacent to the temple site, noting other priestly chambers also to the north and to the south of it.
Diagrams J and Q show sketches of the altar and its court. The altar and its court are located between the inner east gate and the temple porch entrance.
The remaining diagrams illustrate some features and the position of things which are found outside the sanctuary, but belonging to the Lord's estate within the promised holy land. This information is found in Chapter Forty-Seven and Forty-Eight of the prophecy.
Diagram S describes the stream of water which flows down from beneath the "house" at the right side of the altar. The water exits south of the east gate house, flowing eastward across the common, and thence through the garden of the trees. After a distance of four thousand cubits it becomes a very deep stream.
Diagram T shows the norther border of the promised land, with the locations of seven of the tribes of Israel.
Diagram U shows the general location for the lot of the "holy oblation." It is the portion set apart for the new city of Jerusalem, for the portions on each side of the city designated for the prince, and the lots for the two divisions of the revised priesthood. This section of the land lies between the tribal portions.
Diagram V shows the southern border of the land, with the locations for the other five tribes of the children of Israel.
Diagram W shows an illustration of the gates of the new Jerusalem, which is within the city's lot inside the "holy oblation."
Ezekiel saw this vision during his exile in Babylonia with the Jewish captivity, in 572 B.C. The vision should not be divorced from its context in the whole prophecy. It follows a vision of the time when "dry bones" which fill a valley are revived, in Chapter 37, wherein a decisive battle gives the victory to Israel.
Major earthquakes in the land are prophesied for the contemporary "last days." Quite a lot of rebuilding no doubt will have to be done after all the shakings are ended.
This vision is a preview of the next temple's site, of a temple much more magnificient than Solomon's. It envisions the city which Abraham looked for -- the "one to come" of Hebrews 13:14.
The sanctuary's pattern appears to be refined. This refinement was necessary in order to allow the house to be a place of prayer -- where the nations will petition the King of all the earth -- for all peoples, no longer for Israel alone. The refinement comes through the work and submission of the one man in Israel - the obedient servant - who makes Torah "greater and more honorable," according to Isaiah, than the nation's kings, priests or people ever did. Although the nation is still in denial of their Messiah, God will change the nation's mind one day when their power is gone and no one comes to their aid any more.
Access to the sanctuary has been made better. There are only three large gatehouses shown which stand as guardians at the outer wall. This number will be reduced to two when the glory of the LORD returns to dwell over the house during the millennial age. There are no more any courts specific for men, for women, or for non-Jews. But distinction is now made between the orders of the priests -- there are those who serve only before God and those who serve only toward the people. The prince who is the high priest is more greatly distinguished than ever in the ancient days.
The vision gives a good perspective of what the kingdom of God on earth will look like when it is at last restored to Israel. The concept of the whole dominion -- of the glorious "holy ones" -- and of the temporal priests and rulers is shown in its relation to the new covenant.
During the millennial rule of the King of Israel, there will be a "generation" of people who will live continually. These are the kings and priests who have the co-dominion rule in the new world's order. Some will serve in the temple as ministers to the King. They will receive their appointment to a heavenly position in the revelation of the just at the apocalypse of Jesus Christ. These "people" will be immortals, and incorruptible, "just men made perfect" in spirit with the new, "changed" body which each is promised for good and faithful service now. As governors and rulers, and priests, these men shall not be influenced, bribed, or coerced, to do what is not right or just according to the new law which will forth from Zion, by the Word of the LORD.
Pray that the "spirit of truth" may guide you to understand this vision which Ezekiel was caused to write about by God. "All Scripture" -- not only the Old Testament books alone, or the New Testament books alone, -- "is inspired and profitable for teaching, for conviction, for correction and for discipline in righteousness."
Salvation (safety in the "great and dreadful day" of the LORD's judgment of His people) depends upon knowing the end of God's purpose for all His elect people, Jew or gentile, and for His Land and the earth, while avoiding the evils of that judgment day.
Read and study the text which describes each diagram. Then study the diagrams. Pay attention to the scale ratio.
And if you want to, make some drawings of your own to test or disprove those found in these pages. Diligence has its own reward!
"It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; but,
the honor of kings is to search out a matter,"
- Proverbs 25:2