Ezekiel chapters forty through forty eight are discussing only the Millennium age time period, and the Temple and "oblation", or offerings and sacrifices that will take place during that time period. When we are talking about the "Temple" it is actually a mistake to speak of the wonderful series of courts and buildings, described in these final chapters of Ezekiel, collectively as "the Temple". The proper term is "The Sanctuary", as the description starts to unfold in chapter 40.

Notice that the governing figure of the dimensions given throughout the last eight chapters, not only in connection with the Sanctuary, but also in the measurements of the holy "Oblation unto Jehovah", of the land, is the number "5". The spiritual significance of the number five denotes "Divine grace". It is God adding His gifts and blessing to the works of His hands. This is why five is the leading factor in the Tabernacle [Sanctuary] measurements.

The Sanctuary is in the midst of the central portion of the middle [the Priests'] portion of the "Oblation". The Altar which occupies the exact center of the Sanctuary [not the Temple proper], is thus twelve miles from the north gate of the city, twelve miles from the southern boundary of the Levites' portion, and yet thirty miles from both the eastern and western boundaries of the "Oblation" respectively.

The Sanctuary is comprised in a great square of the boundary wall enclosing the outer Court. This wall, we will see is twelve feet six inches high, and has the same width. The Temple is inside the inner Court, and is referred to as the "Separate Place", and is 216 feet square.

We will see that the Altar before the House, or Temple, is in the midst of the "Separate Place", and it is the actual center of the Millennial Sanctuary, and Worship. This indicates that the millennial "Temple" is really the Palace, the home of the Messiah, and shows the connect our Lord Jesus Christ will have with the "city of the Great King."

We will see at the glorious "Dedication" of the Sanctuary, which is mentioned in Ezekiel 43:2-6, Jehovah's glorious entry is through the gate of the outward Sanctuary, on the east side, which will then be closed for entry by everyone, except the "Prince" [the risen David].

In today's measurements of setting out buildings and distances, rods and tapes, or chains are used a recognized standardized lengths. This is precisely what we have in Ezekiel 40:3. When we look at the geographic locations of the land mass in the Holy Lands today, it is obvious that things will change at the sounding of the seventh and final trumpet. So as we study the rest of the book of Ezekiel, try to keep in mind that the flesh age is over for mankind, and the change of I Corinthians 50-52 has taken place. The Antichrist [Satan] is gone as well as all the false ministers, fallen angels and every form of idol and idolatry that exists in this earth age. The age of grace will have moved into a new dispensation.

This is because our Lord Jesus Christ will then be with us forever, and all mankind will be living in their incorruptible bodies, however, only those who overcame the Antichrist at the sounding to the seventh trumpet will have immortality. All those who in ignorance bowed to the Antichrist will be required to keep all the Oblations, offerings and sacrifices. Then after the thousand years they will each be judged by their works. This is the reason for the Great Sanctuary, which is one seventh larger than King Solomon's Temple.

The writings and teachings of Ezekiel were given to us as a sign, and the things he taught, and the life he lived were examples of things that would come to pass. God told Ezekiel to teach His word only to those who were spiritually dead, to wake them up to the end that is coming for all His people. God does nothing but what He has forewarned His people through His prophets, in the next eighth chapters we will be told exactly what will happen in the Millennium age.

Now lets take a look at the "Sanctuary" of Ezekiel 40, and try to study these chapters with an open mind.

Ezekiel 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."

The time of this vision is probable in the month of Abib or Nisan, on the Hebrew calendar, in the year 465 B.C. Ezekiel's vision of the Millennium sanctuary was given by God, during the time that Jerusalem fell, and as such, fixed the time of the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians, in the eleventh year of captivity.

Ezekiel 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."

The term; "in the land of Israel", as safeguarded in Dr C.D. Ginsburg's Massorah uses the Hebrew word "eretz" instead of "admath". There are only three occurrences of the use of this term in the Massorah; here, Ezekiel 27:17; 47:18. "Erets" refers to the actual physical ground, or earth that the nation exists on. Whereas "admath" is in reference to the nation, or people.

"Upon a very high mountain", is an expression also used in Ezekiel 17:22 and 23. This very high mountain is the sanctuary or Temple area in Jerusalem. It is not one building a walled area, with a group of buildings. See the drawing for the layout of the area.

Ezekiel 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."

"Behold" is calling our special attention to what he is about to say. This word for man is "ish" in the Hebrew text, indicating an adamic man.

The "reed" is a length of measurement called the "kaneh", which is about six [6] cubits, or about 3 1/2 English yards. This man is about to show Ezekiel the measurements of the new Temple.

Ezekiel 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."

So we see this man has told Ezekiel to wake up, and listen to hat he is about to say, and pay special attention to the details of the instructions. Then open your mind [heart] so you can see the intent or purpose of the vision. The purpose of this vision, Ezekiel is told, is to warn the entire "house of Israel", as to what he sees and hears.

Ezekiel 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."

The "cubit" is a length still in dispute. In the their is two words used to identify this lengeth, the "ammah", and the "yomed". The "yomed is used only in Judges 3:16. The "ammah", or cubit then is ranging between 21 and 25 inches.

When we compare all the measurements of the Millennium Temple of our Lord Jesus Christ, with that of King Solomon's Temple; we find that the overall dimensions of the Millennium Temple is one seventh larger. This is pointing to the eighth dispensation, which is the day of God. Seven speaks of completion, in the Bible, while eight is given for "New Beginnings". In the Day of God all things will be new.

When it is talking of the breadth of the "Building", it is referring to the wall and it's contents.

Ezekiel 40:6 "Then came he unto the gate which looketh toward the east, and went up the stairs thereof, and measured the thresholds of the gate, which was one reed broad; and the other threshold of the gate, which was one reed broad."

"The other", is in reference to what is given in verse seven. The comparison is between verses six and seven.

Ezekiel 40:7 "And every little chamber was one reed long, and one reed broad; and between the little chambers were five cubits; and the threshold of the gate by the porch of the gate within was one reed."

Ezekiel 40:8 "He measured also the porch of the gate within, one reed."

This verse eight is not found in the Septuagint [Greek form], Syriac [Hebrew Christian form], or the Vulgate Latin version, by Jerome, authorized by the Council of Trent in 1545-1563 A.D.]. It may be the latter clause of verse seven copied against through human infirmity.

Ezekiel 40:9 "Then measured he the porch of the gate, eight cubits; and the posts thereof, two cubits; and the porch of the gate was inward."

The "posts" are projections, or small turrets.

Ezekiel 40:10 "And the little chambers of the gate eastward were three on this side, and three on that side/ they three were of one measure: and the posts had one measure on this side and on the side."

Ezekiel 40:11 "And He measured the breadth of the entry of the gate, ten cubits; and the length of the gate, thirteen cubits."

The "entry" is the entrance through a doorway.

Ezekiel 40:12 "The space also before the little chambers was one cubit on this side, and the space was one cubit on that side: and the little chambers were six cubits on this side, and six cubits on that side."

The "space" is a barrier, or or border.

Ezekiel 40:13 "He measured them the gate from the roof of one little chamber to the roof of another : the breadth was five and twenty cubits, door against door."

Ezekiel 40:14 "He measured then the gate from the roof of one little chamber to the roof of another: the breadth was five and twenty cubits, door against door."

Ezekiel 40:15 "And from the face of the gate of the entrance unto the face of the porch of the inner gate were fifty cubits."

Ezekiel 40:16 "And there were narrow windows to the little chambers, and to their posts within the gate round about, and likewise to the arches: and windows were round about inward: and upon each post were palm trees."

The "narrows" are the latticed work, while the "arches" are projections or porches. The Hebrew text indicates these "palm trees" are artificial trees, and not live trees. The reference to the palm trees being "upon" the posts or small turrets, the Hebrew text places them against the posts.

Ezekiel 40:17 "Then brought he me into the outward court, and, lo, there were chambers, and a pavement made for the court round about: thirty chambers were upon the pavement."

These "chambers" are attachments or compartments. They are storerooms for the priests and Levites, for the storage of the tithes and offerings.

The "pavement" are stones arranged artificially, or tellelated to form into, or adorn with a mosaic.

Ezekiel 40:18 "And the pavement by the side of the gates over against the length of the gates was the lower pavement."

Ezekiel 40:19 "Then he measured the breadth from the forefront of the lower gate unto the forefront of the inner court without, an hundred cubits eastward and northward."

Ezekiel 40:20 "And the gate of the outward court that looked toward the north, he measured the length thereof, and the breadth thereof."

Ezekiel 40:21 "And the little chambers thereof were three on this side and three on that side; and the posts thereof and the arches thereof were after the measure of the first gate: the length thereof was fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits."

Ezekiel 40:22 "And their windows, and their arches, and their palm threes, were after the measure of the gate that looketh toward the east; and they went up unto it by seven steps; and the arches thereof were before them."

These "seven steps" are the steps to the outer gates, and distinct from the eight steps of the inner court.

Ezekiel 40:23 "And the gate of the inner court was over against the gate toward the north, and toward the east; and he measured from gate to gate and hundred cubits."

Ezekiel 40:24 "After that he brought me toward the south, and behold a gate toward the south: and he measured the posts thereof and the arches thereof according to these measures."

The term "these measures" are repeated over and over, showing the conformity of the whole plan of the Millennium Temple, or Sanctuary.

Ezekiel 40:25 "And there were windows in it and in the arches thereof round about, like those windows: the length was fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits."

Ezekiel 40:26 "And there were seven steps to go up to it, and the arches thereof were before them: and it had palm trees, one on this side, and another of that side, upon the posts thereof."

Ezekiel 40:27 "And there was a gate in the inner court toward the south: and he measured from gate to gate toward the south an hundred cubits."

Ezekiel 40:28 "And he brought me to the inner court by the south gate: and he measured the south according to these measures;"

Ezekiel 40:29 "And the little chambers thereof, and the posts thereof, and the arches thereof, according to these measures: and there were windows in it and in the arches thereof round about: it was fifty cubits long, and five and twenty cubits broad."

Ezekiel 40:30 "And the arches round about were five and twenty cubits long, and five cubits broad."

Ezekiel 40:31 "And the arches thereof were toward the utter court; and palm trees were upon the posts thereof: and the going up to it had eight steps."

Ezekiel 40:32 "And he brought me into the inner court toward the east: and he measured the gate according to these measures."

Ezekiel 40:33 "And the little chambers thereof, and the posts thereof, and the arches thereof, were according to these measures: and there were windows therein and in the arches thereof round about: it was fifty cubits long, and five and twenty cubits broad."

Ezekiel 40:34 "And the arches thereof were toward the outward court; and palm trees were upon the posts thereof, on this side, and on that side: and the going up to it had eight steps."

Ezekiel 40:35 "And he brought me to the north gate, and measured it according to these measures;"

Ezekiel 40:36 "The little chambers thereof, the posts thereof, and the arches thereof, and the windows to it round about: the length was fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits."

Ezekiel 40:37 "And the posts thereof were toward the utter court; and palm trees were upon the posts thereof, on this side, and on that side: and the going up to it had eight steps."

Ezekiel 40:38 "And the chambers and the entries thereof were by the posts of the gates, where they washed the burnt offering."

When they "washed the sacrifices for burnt offerings", they took out the entrails of the animal. The "burnt offerings" in the Hebrew text, are "Olah", which is to cause to ascend; or like the flame and smoke ascend by burning. In the Greek form "holocausta" conveys its meaning as being "wholly burnt." However, we will see in chapter 44 that the offerings and the sacrifices will be in another form, then the ancient forms used prior to the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is because the flesh age is past, and all people will be in their incorruptible bodies.

Ezekiel 40:39 "And in the porch of the gate were two tables on this side, and two tables on that side, to slay thereon the burnt offering and the sin offering and the trespass offering."

The "Sin offering", or "Chattath" in the Hebrew, comes from the word "chat'a" meaning "to sin, by coming short of, or by missing the mark in the sins of commission". We saw in the "Olah" of the burnt offering, the smoke of the burning went upward; however, in the sin offering, or "Chattath" it flows downward and outward. The blood is shed and flowed to the ground, Whereas the burnt offering was totally burnt up on an altar.

The "Trespass offering" is called the "Asam" in the Hebrew. This offering relates to the sins of omission, while "chattath" relates to sins of commission, or sin in general relating to violation of a law. "Asham" sins in relation to Mosaic Law, are sins of error arising from ignorance, or simple negligence. Once again we must keep in mind that these offerings and sacrifices are in another form than it was under the time of the Mosaic laws. We are in the Millennium age, and in later chapters we will see just what is involved in the offerings and sacrifices.

Ezekiel 40:40 "And at the side without, as one goeth up to the entry of the north gate, were two tables; and on the other side, which was at the porch of the gate, were two tables."

Ezekiel 40:41 "Four tables were on this side, and four tables on that side, by the side of the gate; eight tables, whereupon they slew their sacrifices."

Ezekiel 40:42 "And the four tables were of hewn stone for the burnt offering, of a cubit and an half long, and a cubit and an half broad, and one cubit high: whereupon also they laid the instruments wherewith they slew the burnt offering and the sacrifice."

Ezekiel 40:43 "And within were hooks, and hand broad, fastened round about: and upon the tables was the flesh of the offering."

This "offering", or "corban" is a consecrated present to the Temple fund, it is part of the Temple treasury.

Verses 44-46, now take us to the Priests' rooms. They will show us both the situation, and the use of these rooms.

Ezekiel 40:44 "And without the inner gate were the chambers of the singers in the inner court, which was at the side of the north gate; and their prospect was toward the south: one at the side of the east gate having the prospect toward the north."

Ezekiel 40:45 "And he said unto me, "This chamber, whose prospect is toward the south, is for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the house."

Ezekiel 40:46 "And the chamber whose prospect is toward the north is for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the altar: these are the sons of Zadok among the sons of Levi, which come near to the Lord to minister unto Him."

We will see in the forty fourth chapter exactly what both the Zadok [Elect of God], the priests, as well as all others living in the millennium age will be doing, and exactly what God thinks of each.

Remember the Millennium age is a time of teaching and discipline, and those saved out of the Millennium age, are not saved by grace. We are told that it will be their works that save them then. They will keep all the feast days, and sacrifices, or they simply will not be around when Jesus Christ's Millennium age is over. Most of those who are taught and tested in this Millennium age, are those who followed their false shepherds in this flesh age; the time of Grace and forgiveness through the blood of Jesus Christ, and worshipped the Antichrist in ignorance. They did not know the Word of God, and allowed the false ministers to prepare them for the wrong Christ [the Antichrist].

Why would they do this? In ignorance, of course. They simply took the word of false prophets [ministers], over the written word of God. It is these people that will be making their sacrificing on the Millennium altar, for the entire thousand years. That is what the millennium period is all about. It is a perfect time of study; for the Antichrist will be locked away for this period, along with all forms of idolatry. This is the full purpose of this Millennium age, our life with the true Christ. So all will come to know Him, and then choose their eternal destiny. Is this saying there is a second chance? No, for most Christians today don't have a prayer of a chance in this earth age, because of false doctrine, and false ministers.

Ezekiel 40:47 "So he measured the court, an hundred cubits long, and an hundred cubits broad, foursquare; and the altar that was before the house."

This measurement is also given in Revelation 21:16, and referred to in Ezekiel 48:20.

Ezekiel 40:48 "And he brought me to the porch of the house, and measured each post of the porch, five cubits on this side, and five cubits on that side: and the breadth of the gate was three cubits on this side, and three cubits on that side."

Ezekiel 40:49 "The length of the porch was twenty cubits, and the breadth eleven cubits; and he brought me by the steps whereby they went up to it: and there were pillars by the posts, one on this side, and another on that side."

The "porch", again is a vestibule.

To those who have the Word of God sealed in their mind will be the teachers and the Zadok of the Millennium Temple. We will see in latter chapters how the life of the Millennium age will be, both for the elect of God, those sealed in their minds, as well as those who call themselves Christians, and in ignorance followed the Antichrist; and receive great shame.