Getting to the bottom of Ez 40-48? Is it possible?

[rejoice44]

[QUOTE]

Do you suppose there could be any sons of Zadok alive during the Millenium?

So, they extended the porch to meet the dimensions in Ezekiel. How does that make it the Temple Ezekiel foresaw?

The Jews that recorded the Talmud make reference to Ezekiels dimensions as found in Ezekiel 41:23, 43:16, 44:2, 46:21-22, 47:1. In the book Sedar Kodashim, Middoth chapters 1-5 contain dimensions of the second temple, and are according to Ezekiels Prophecy. The Jews evidently thought they built the second temple according to Ezekiel's dimensions, at least if you want to believe their oral tradition.

Eze 45:1 Moreover, when ye shall divide by lot the land for inheritance, ye shall offer an oblation unto the LORD, an holy portion of the land: the length shall be the length of five and twenty thousand reeds, and the breadth shall be ten thousand. This shall be holy in all the borders thereof round about.
Eze 45:2 Of this there shall be for the sanctuary five hundred in length, with five hundred in breadth, square round about; and fifty cubits round about for the suburbs thereof.
Eze 45:3 And of this measure shalt thou measure the length of five and twenty thousand, and the breadth of ten thousand: and in it shall be the sanctuary and the most holy place.
Eze 45:4 The holy portion of the land shall be for the priests the ministers of the sanctuary, which shall come near to minister unto the LORD: and it shall be a place for their houses, and an holy place for the sanctuary.
Eze 45:5 And the five and twenty thousand of length, and the ten thousand of breadth, shall also the Levites, the ministers of the house, have for themselves, for a possession for twenty chambers.
Eze 45:6 And ye shall appoint the possession of the city five thousand broad, and five and twenty thousand long, over against the oblation of the holy portion: it shall be for the whole house of Israel.
Eze 45:7 And a portion shall be for the prince on the one side and on the other side of the oblation of the holy portion, and of the possession of the city, before the oblation of the holy portion, and before the possession of the city, from the west side westward, and from the east side eastward: and the length shall be over against one of the portions, from the west border unto the east border.

five and twenty thousand reeds, etc. — So English Version rightly fills the ellipsis (compare Note, see on Eze_42:16). Hence “cubits” are mentioned in Eze_45:2, not here, implying that there alone cubits are meant. Taking each reed at twelve feet, the area of the whole would be a square of sixty miles on each side. The whole forming a square betokens the settled stability of the community and the harmony of all classes. “An holy portion of the land” (Eze_45:1) comprised the whole length, and only two-fifths of the breadth. The outer territory in its distribution harmonizes with the inner and more sacred arrangements of the sanctuary. No room is to be given for oppression (see Eze_45:8), all having ample provision made for their wants and comforts. All will mutually co-operate without constraint or contention. - Jamieson Fausset and Brown

Didn't happen with the second Temple.

The five hundred reeds square line is the equivalent of a line around the city of Jerusalem encompassing approximately 600 Acres. The 25,000 by 10,000 reeds is the equivalent of 22 miles wide by 55 miles long and would represent the land of all Israel, probably not too much different than they have right now. (Correction Israel is 8,000 square miles, and this would only be 1,200 square miles.)

In Zechariah 2:5 God says he will be a wall of fire around Israel. I believe it is an unseen wall, even such as the hedge God had put around Job. The chariots of fire around Elisha were not always visible.

[billy-brown 2]

I still am not following you.


As far as I know there is no other blueprint, other than Ezekiel's.


Still cannot follow this line of thought.


No I do not. Ezekiel was given a vision of the second temple, and the temple was later built. You have not provided any tangible evidence that one can grasp.

Let's see . . .

Remember that all of the physical temple/tabernacles that have been on the earth were built "by my spirit says the Lord" and so on.

Specifically, only God initiates the construction of earthly "brick-and-mortar" temples/tabernacles--not the Jews (or anybody else). And how does He do that?

Well, He does it through providing a "thus saith the Lord" Prophetic POWER Word to His people to "rise up and build God's Temple" and so on.

Thus, there is no case of earthly, physical temple/tabernacle construction where there has not been spiritual, and prophetic, POWER supplied from God to His people for the construction. And I was hoping that you could see this . . .

In other words, the "blueprint" that is needed is not one that "human hands" could take and realize--the Spirit of God is the real required "blueprint" and so on. And an example of what would be required (according to YHWH's order and process pattern) for the construction of an appropriate "earthly physical brick and mortar temple/tabernacle of God" can be seen below (in bold):

Ezra 6
13 Then Tattenai, the governor of the province beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai and their colleagues carried out the decree with all diligence, just as King Darius had sent.
14 And the elders of the Jews were successful in building through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they finished building according to the command of the God of Israel and the decree of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.
15 This temple was completed on the third day of the month Adar; it was the sixth year of the reign of King Darius.
16 And the sons of Israel, the priests, the Levites and the rest of the exiles, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy.
17 They offered for the dedication of this temple of God 100 bulls, 200 rams, 400 lambs, and as a sin offering for all Israel 12 male goats, corresponding to the number of the tribes of Israel.
18 Then they appointed the priests to their divisions and the Levites in their orders for the service of God in Jerusalem, as it is written in the book of Moses.

Why? Because our God is a God or order and process. And God lived in both earthly physical "brick-and-mortar" temples (Zerrubabel's and Solomon's) that are described below in Zech. 4 and II Chron. 22, but they were built actually as follows (in underlined bold):

Zech. 4
6 Then he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts.
7 ‘What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain; and he will bring forth the top stone with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!”’”
8 Also the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
9 “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house, and his hands will finish it. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you.
10 “For who has despised the day of small things? But these seven will be glad when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel—these are the eyes of the LORD which range to and fro throughout the earth.”

And watch the prophetic power of God at work concerning Solomon's Temple as well:

I Chronicles 22
6 Then he called for his son Solomon, and charged him to build a house for the LORD God of Israel.
7 David said to Solomon, “My son, I had intended to build a house to the name of the LORD my God.
8 “But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘You have shed much blood and have waged great wars; you shall not build a house to My name, because you have shed so much blood on the earth before Me.
9 ‘Behold, a son will be born to you, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side; for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days.
10 ‘He shall build a house for My name, and he shall be My son and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’

Now, the richness of the prophetic power of the Lord is evident indeed in Zech. 4 and I Chronicles 22 with respect to God providing a prophetic power WORD to His people to construct the temples of Solomon and Zerubbabel.

Therefore, those temples were built by the people of God. This is an evident pattern of God that we find in the scriptures.

But none of this kind of profile can be seen in the passage in Ezekiel 40-48, and without it, no "made with hands" physical brick-and-mortar temple can be built. Really.

In other words, a "blueprint of a temple" is not enough for man's hands alone to construct a facility that would be the home of Almighty God . . .

[rejoice44]

Let's see . . .

Remember that all of the physical temple/tabernacles that have been on the earth were built "by my spirit says the Lord" and so on.

Specifically, only God initiates the construction of earthly "brick-and-mortar" temples/tabernacles--not the Jews (or anybody else). And how does He do that?

Well, He does it through providing a "thus saith the Lord" Prophetic POWER Word to His people to "rise up and build God's Temple" and so on.

Thus, there is no case of earthly, physical temple/tabernacle construction where there has not been spiritual, and prophetic, POWER supplied from God to His people for the construction. And I was hoping that you could see this . . .

In other words, the "blueprint" that is needed is not one that "human hands" could take and realize--the Spirit of God is the real required "blueprint" and so on. And an example of what would be required (according to YHWH's order and process pattern) for the construction of an appropriate "earthly physical brick and mortar temple/tabernacle of God" can be seen below (in bold):



Why? Because our God is a God or order and process. And God lived in both earthly physical "brick-and-mortar" temples (Zerrubabel's and Solomon's) that are described below in Zech. 4 and II Chron. 22, but they were built actually as follows (in underlined bold):



And watch the prophetic power of God at work concerning Solomon's Temple as well:



Now, the richness of the prophetic power of the Lord is evident indeed in Zech. 4 and I Chronicles 22 with respect to God providing a prophetic power WORD to His people to construct the temples of Solomon and Zerubbabel.

Therefore, those temples were built by the people of God. This is an evident pattern of God that we find in the scriptures.

But none of this kind of profile can be seen in the passage in Ezekiel 40-48, and without it, no "made with hands" physical brick-and-mortar temple can be built. Really.

In other words, a "blueprint of a temple" is not enough for man's hands alone to construct a facility that would be the home of Almighty God . . .

I believe you are seeing something that is not there. God didn't give the dimensions for the first temple, and did you notice that the temple took seven years to build while Solomon's house took thirteen years, and was more than four times bigger than God's house.

[billy-brown 2]

I believe you are seeing something that is not there. God didn't give the dimensions for the first temple, and did you notice that the temple took seven years to build while Solomon's house took thirteen years, and was more than four times bigger than God's house.

You are making my point true . . .

Only God can initiate the building of earthly temples--and with prophetic Spiritual power.

And God wants His house built correctly, yes?

Thus, we see all of the rich details and "blueprint" in Ezekiel 40-48 about a temple. But how come there is no command to the exiles in those 9 chapters that says "Thus says the Lord: rise up and build the temple O Judah" and so on ?

Can you answer that . . . ?

=)

[rejoice44]

You are making my point true . . .

Only God can initiate the building of earthly temples--and with prophetic Spiritual power.

And God wants His house built correctly, yes?

Thus, we see all of the rich details and "blueprint" in Ezekiel 40-48 about a temple. But how come there is no command to the exiles in those 9 chapters that says "Thus says the Lord: rise up and build the temple O Judah" and so on ?

Can you answer that . . . ?

=)

Well yes, I can answer that.

When Ezekiel was given the vision the Jews were only 25 years into their captivity, and still defiant toward God. The vision was for when they got out of captivity.

Where is the problem?

[John 8:32]

You are making my point true . . .

Only God can initiate the building of earthly temples--and with prophetic Spiritual power.

And God wants His house built correctly, yes?

Thus, we see all of the rich details and "blueprint" in Ezekiel 40-48 about a temple. But how come there is no command to the exiles in those 9 chapters that says "Thus says the Lord: rise up and build the temple O Judah" and so on ?

Can you answer that . . . ?

=)

I sure would like to see scriptural proof.

[billy-brown 2]

Well yes, I can answer that.

When Ezekiel was given the vision the Jews were only 25 years into their captivity, and still defiant toward God. The vision was for when they got out of captivity.

Where is the problem?

I sure would like to see scriptural proof.

Saints,

Do we remember that the people of Israel (Judah!) was in captivity for a specific reason?

And so, in year 25, Ezekiel gets a VISION of a temple; this VISION was supposed to be shown to the exiles of those days:

Eze. 40
4The man said to me, “Son of man, see with your eyes, hear with your ears, and give attention to all that I am going to show you; for you have been brought here in order to show it to you. Declare to the house of Israel all that you see.”

But why? Notice the verses below:

Eze. 43
10“As for you, son of man, describe the temple to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities; and let them measure the plan.
11“If they are ashamed of all that they have done, make known to them the design of the house, its structure, its exits, its entrances, all its designs, all its statutes, and all its laws. And write it in their sight, so that they may observe its whole design and all its statutes and do them.

Yep.

God wanted Israel to observe and do His statues--per usual; this is the point of the VISION of Eze. 40-48.

After all, they were in captivity because they did not do His statues; indeed, they were not in captivity for no reason:

II Chron. 36
15The LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to them again and again by His messengers, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place;
16but they continually mocked the messengers of God, despised His words and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people, until there was no remedy.
17Therefore He brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion on young man or virgin, old man or infirm; He gave them all into his hand.
18All the articles of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king and of his officers, he brought them all to Babylon.
19Then they burned the house of God and broke down the wall of Jerusalem, and burned all its fortified buildings with fire and destroyed all its valuable articles.
20Those who had escaped from the sword he carried away to Babylon; and they were servants to him and to his sons until the rule of the kingdom of Persia,
21to fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed its sabbaths. All the days of its desolation it kept sabbath until seventy years were complete.

Yes?

[rejoice44]

Saints,

Do we remember that the people of Israel (Judah!) was in captivity for a specific reason?

And so, in year 25, Ezekiel gets a VISION of a temple; this VISION was supposed to be shown to the exiles of those days:



But why? Notice the verses below:



Yep.

God wanted Israel to observe and do His statues--per usual; this is the point of the VISION of Eze. 40-48.

After all, they were in captivity because they did not do His statues; indeed, they were not in captivity for no reason:



Yes?

No!

In the Babylonian Talmud, in the Seder Kodashim, in Middoth chapter four we find reference to the Gate that the Lord entered, and therefore no man should enter, and we find that Gate in the second Temple according to Rabbi Judah.

Rabbi Judah not only quotes the book of Ezekiel, he also calls it by name.


MISHNAH 2. THE GREAT GATE10 HAD TWO WICKETS, ONE TO THE NORTH AND ONE TO THE SOUTH. BY THE ONE TO THE SOUTH NO MAN EVER WENT IN, AND CONCERNING THIS THE RULE WAS DISTINCTLY LAID DOWN BY THE MOUTH OF EZEKIEL, AS IT SAYS, AND THE LORD SAID UNTO ME: THIS GATE SHALL BE SHUT, IT SHALL NOT BE OPENED, NEITHER SHALL ANY MAN ENTER IN BY IT, FOR THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL HATH ENTERED IN BY IT; THEREFORE IT SHALL BE SHUT.

Ezekiel 44:2 Then said the LORD unto me; This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; because the LORD, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut.

When you examine the evidence there can be no doubt the second temple and Ezekiel’s vision were one in the same.

[John 8:32]

No!

[FONT="]In the Babylonian Talmud, in the Seder Kodashim, in Middoth chapter four we find reference to the Gate that the Lord entered, and therefore no man should enter, and we find that Gate in the second Temple according to Rabbi Judah.[/FONT]
[FONT="] [/FONT]
[FONT="]Rabbi [/FONT][FONT="]Judah[/FONT][FONT="] not only quotes the book of Ezekiel, he also calls it by name.[/FONT]


MISHNAH 2. THE GREAT GATE10 HAD TWO WICKETS, ONE TO THE NORTH AND ONE TO THE SOUTH. BY THE ONE TO THE SOUTH NO MAN EVER WENT IN, AND CONCERNING THIS THE RULE WAS DISTINCTLY LAID DOWN BY THE MOUTH OF EZEKIEL, AS IT SAYS, AND THE LORD SAID UNTO ME: THIS GATE SHALL BE SHUT, IT SHALL NOT BE OPENED, NEITHER SHALL ANY MAN ENTER IN BY IT, FOR THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL HATH ENTERED IN BY IT; THEREFORE IT SHALL BE SHUT.

[FONT="]Ezekiel 44:2[/FONT][FONT="] Then said the LORD unto me; This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; because the LORD, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut.[/FONT]
[FONT="] [/FONT]
When you examine the evidence there can be no doubt the second temple and Ezekiel’s vision were one in the same.

You see it one way, I see it the other. I think we shall have an answer in the resurrection.

[rejoice44]

Read Ezek 47 and it becomes obvious that this was not included in the second Temple. Of interest, note the directions the river flows and compare it to...

Zec 14:4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

Zec 14:8 And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.

The next verse shows the time frame...

Zec 14:9 And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.

This does not occur until the future, the Millenium.

If you read the Talmud in Middoth chapter six you will hear it stated that the flow of water was for a future date, and yet the Water Gate was a part of the second Temple.

AND THE WATER GATE.37 (WHY WAS IT CALLED THE WATER GATE? BECAUSE THEY BROUGHT IN THROUGH IT THE PITCHER OF WATER FOR LIBATION ON THE FESTIVAL. R. ELIEZER B. JACOB SAYS: IN IT THE WATER WELLED UP, AND IN THE TIME TO COME THEY WILL ISSUE FROM UNDER THE THRESHOLD OF THE TEMPLE).

[John 8:32]

If you read the Talmud in Middoth chapter six you will hear it stated that the flow of water was for a future date, and yet the Water Gate was a part of the second Temple.

AND THE WATER GATE.37 (WHY WAS IT CALLED THE WATER GATE? BECAUSE THEY BROUGHT IN THROUGH IT THE PITCHER OF WATER FOR LIBATION ON THE FESTIVAL. R. ELIEZER B. JACOB SAYS: IN IT THE WATER WELLED UP, AND IN THE TIME TO COME THEY WILL ISSUE FROM UNDER THE THRESHOLD OF THE TEMPLE).

When one reads Ezek 47, either Ezekiel misrepresented the truth or a miracle takes place. There is more water flowing the further along you go because the depth and width increase. Did that happen at the second temple?

Eze 47:1 Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.
Eze 47:2 Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side.
Eze 47:3 And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles.
Eze 47:4 Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins.
Eze 47:5 Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.
Eze 47:6 And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river.
Eze 47:7 Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other.
Eze 47:8 Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed.

Secondly, were the water of the DEAD SEA healed? Still dead to my knowledge.

Anyhoo, this is going no where and as I said, you see it one way, I see it completely opposite, so peace be with you.

[rejoice44]

When one reads Ezek 47, either Ezekiel misrepresented the truth or a miracle takes place. There is more water flowing the further along you go because the depth and width increase. Did that happen at the second temple?

Eze 47:1 Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.
Eze 47:2 Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side.
Eze 47:3 And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles.
Eze 47:4 Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins.
Eze 47:5 Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.
Eze 47:6 And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river.
Eze 47:7 Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other.
Eze 47:8 Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed.

Secondly, were the water of the DEAD SEA healed? Still dead to my knowledge.

Anyhoo, this is going no where and as I said, you see it one way, I see it completely opposite, so peace be with you.

According to the Talmud, and Rabbi ELIEZER B. JACOB

Eliezer ben Jacob I (Hebrew: אליעזר בן יעקב) was a Tanna of the 1st century; contemporary of Eleazar b. Ḥisma and Eliezer b. Hyrcanus, and senior of Judah ben Ilai (Pes. 32a, 39b; Yalḳ., Lev. 638). Of his personal history nothing is known, except that he had seen the Temple at Jerusalem and was familiar with the specific purposes of its many apartments, a subject on which he was considered an authority (Yoma 16b).

who had seen the Temple, gave dimensions of the Temple that met the dimensions of Ezekiel, and accordingly Rabbi Jacob believed that it was Ezekiel's Temple, and that some time in the future water would emerge from under that Temple. Rabbi Jacob was from the first Century. Now we know that the mountains didn't change and the river formed, and that may be a future event, but if Rabbi Jacob was here today, you would have a hard time explaining to him why the Temple that stood in front of him was not Ezekiel's Temple.

[The Beginner]

No!

When you examine the evidence there can be no doubt the second temple and Ezekiel’s vision were one in the same.

Hey rejoice44

If the 2nd Temple was the same as Ezekiel's Temple then how do you answer the following questions?

1. Ezekiel 43 tells us that this Temple would be place the place that God would dwell among the children of Israel forever... How do you rectify this sense the Temple was clearly destroyed?

2. Ezekiel 47-48 gives divisions for the land of Israel by tribes that have never been realized by the tribes of Israel geographically... Ezekiel 48:10 says that the Temple shall be in the center of the city during that time... So you cannot separate the Temple's time period from the land allotment time period...

3. Ezekiel 48:31 tells us that the gates of the city will be named after the 12 tribes. Yet during the time of the first advent, the names of the gates where not named after the tribes

4. On another post you stated that the river of ice and geographical changes may be a future time period... How do you separate the two events sense it says the water proceeds from the Temple? If the Temple was destroyed and the healing of the land is future, how does the water come out of the Temple that does not exist anymore?

[John 8:32]

According to the Talmud, and Rabbi ELIEZER B. JACOB

Eliezer ben Jacob I (Hebrew: אליעזר בן יעקב) was a Tanna of the 1st century; contemporary of Eleazar b. Ḥisma and Eliezer b. Hyrcanus, and senior of Judah ben Ilai (Pes. 32a, 39b; Yalḳ., Lev. 638). Of his personal history nothing is known, except that he had seen the Temple at Jerusalem and was familiar with the specific purposes of its many apartments, a subject on which he was considered an authority (Yoma 16b).

who had seen the Temple, gave dimensions of the Temple that met the dimensions of Ezekiel, and accordingly Rabbi Jacob believed that it was Ezekiel's Temple, and that some time in the future water would emerge from under that Temple. Rabbi Jacob was from the first Century. Now we know that the mountains didn't change and the river formed, and that may be a future event, but if Rabbi Jacob was here today, you would have a hard time explaining to him why the Temple that stood in front of him was not Ezekiel's Temple.

Never met the gentleman, and furthermore, I don't believe I have anything to explain to him.

[billy-brown 2]

No!

[FONT="]In the Babylonian Talmud, in the Seder Kodashim, in Middoth chapter four we find reference to the Gate that the Lord entered, and therefore no man should enter, and we find that Gate in the second Temple according to Rabbi Judah.[/FONT]
[FONT="] [/FONT]
[FONT="]Rabbi [/FONT][FONT="]Judah[/FONT][FONT="] not only quotes the book of Ezekiel, he also calls it by name.[/FONT]


MISHNAH 2. THE GREAT GATE10 HAD TWO WICKETS, ONE TO THE NORTH AND ONE TO THE SOUTH. BY THE ONE TO THE SOUTH NO MAN EVER WENT IN, AND CONCERNING THIS THE RULE WAS DISTINCTLY LAID DOWN BY THE MOUTH OF EZEKIEL, AS IT SAYS, AND THE LORD SAID UNTO ME: THIS GATE SHALL BE SHUT, IT SHALL NOT BE OPENED, NEITHER SHALL ANY MAN ENTER IN BY IT, FOR THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL HATH ENTERED IN BY IT; THEREFORE IT SHALL BE SHUT.

[FONT="]Ezekiel 44:2[/FONT][FONT="] Then said the LORD unto me; This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; because the LORD, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut.[/FONT]

When you examine the evidence there can be no doubt the second temple and Ezekiel’s vision were one in the same.

rejoice44,

Are you saying that this passage is not true?

II Chron. 36
15The LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to them again and again by His messengers, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place;
16but they continually mocked the messengers of God, despised His words and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people, until there was no remedy.
17Therefore He brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion on young man or virgin, old man or infirm; He gave them all into his hand.
18All the articles of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king and of his officers, he brought them all to Babylon.
19Then they burned the house of God and broke down the wall of Jerusalem, and burned all its fortified buildings with fire and destroyed all its valuable articles.
20Those who had escaped from the sword he carried away to Babylon; and they were servants to him and to his sons until the rule of the kingdom of Persia,
21to fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed its sabbaths. All the days of its desolation it kept sabbath until seventy years were complete.

I know about the Babylonian Talmud somewhat, but does it trump the writings of scripture? Why was Judah in Babylonian captivity? Can you answer that . . . ?

And also, this verse indicates that the VISION which was shown to Ezekiel--as mentioned in this passage:

Eze. 40
4The man said to me, “Son of man, see with your eyes, hear with your ears, and give attention to all that I am going to show you; for you have been brought here in order to show it to you. Declare to the house of Israel all that you see.”

was to be declared to the house of Israel by Ezekiel--even to the exiles of those days . . . and if they were ashamed . . .

=)