Millennial Sacrifices
There are two positions taken regarding the interpretation of eschatological Scripture. One is the allegorical interpretation, which states that the prophetic references in the Bible are simply symbolic stories and as such have no real meaning relative to the future. The other is the literal interpretation, which states that the prophetic references in Scripture must come to pass exactly as stated. The latter position is justified based on prophecies that have been fulfilled to the letter, primarily those of Jesus. Therefore, since one-third of the Bible is prophecy, and those fulfilled to date have come to pass exactly as prophesied, it is logical that those yet to be fulfilled will come to pass exactly as stated.
From a theological perspective the literal method of eschatological interpretation embraces the premillennial and pretribulation positions, specifically premillennialism as it best explains the prophetic plan of God. It is recognized that many in the Christian community do not embrace either the premillennial or pretribulation positions; therefore, must by definition interpret Scripture from an allegorical perspective.
However, the title of this paper alone indicates that the text herein is written from a premillennial, literal prospective, and addresses the Biblical text from an eschatological basis to unlock the prophetic puzzle within the Book of Ezekiel regarding temple sacrifices in the millennium. So, regardless of the method of interpretation you use the subject matter may be of interest, providing some insightful, and in depth analysis of the prophetic future related to the nation of Israel.
There are many in today’s world that simply cannot accept the fact that Christ would reinstate animal sacrifices when He rules the world for a thousand years. Scripture states that in the millennium “The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the young goat…the lion shall eat straw like the ox…” (Isaiah 11:6-7), so how can animal sacrifices be realistic in a time when creation is so serene?
It must be understood that God sacrificed the first animal to clothe Adam and Eve after they sinned. It was that first blood-sacrifice that enabled Adam and Eve to continue to live and have a future with God through the ultimate sacrifice of His Son on the cross. From this initial sacrifice in the Garden of Eden we can see that from God’s perspective the position of man relative to that of animals has not changed from the beginning of time. “Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” (Genesis 1:226). This includes cats and dogs, and all other animals, man has placed on a status equal with himself.
Disregarding these other issues, the subject of this paper addresses specifically the prophecy of Ezekiel 43-46 relating to the purpose and role of temple sacrifices in the millennium. This prophecy is not easily understood nor readily explained, and has given many Biblical students problems in understanding the events surrounding temple worship during this future time. But, the fact that there will be animal sacrifices during the millennium is supported by similar text in four other Biblical Books such as Isaiah 56:7, 66:20-23; Jeremiah 33:18; Zechariah 14:16-21; and Malachi 3:3-4.
Therefore, from an eschatological standpoint, the millennium events of this prophecy cannot be overlooked. Thus, this paper is written to shed some light on the purpose, role, and rationale of the reestablishment of animal sacrifices during this prophetic time.
Acceptance of the literal interpretation of the millennial sacrifices does not contradict the New Testament passages concerning Jesus as the perfect and final sacrifice for sin. The work of the cross will hold throughout all time. Jesus said “I am the way” and that will not change even though we enter the millennium. He was the perfect and final sacrifice. He is the Lord of lords. He is the King of kings. He always will be. And these are just some of the facts, which has given many problems in understanding the seemingly contradictory context regarding animal sacrifice in Ezekiel. But is there a contradiction with the New Testament? We shall see.
Jesus Fulfilled the Law
Biblical scholars offer two legitimate solutions to answer the concern of this apparent contradiction. The first is the sacrifices will be a memorial to the work of Christ since He sits in the temple as God during the millennium. However, this view does not resolve the statements in Ezekiel 45:15,17,20 regarding atonement. As such, a second answer has been put fourth stating the sacrifices are for the ceremonial purification of the priests presiding over temple service. But, from my perspective this second position does not fully answer the rationale for the atonement issue cited in verse 20. “And so you shall do on the seventh day of the month for everyone who has sinned unintentionally or in ignorance.” If it is purely ceremonial then why sacrifice an animal just for ceremonial purposes? No, there is much more to it than just ceremonial, and hopefully we can answer the why with some certainty and clarity as we walk through the analysis.
Scripture states emphatically that Jesus’ death and resurrection once and for all fulfilled the law concerning the High Priest who entered the Holy of Holies yearly to place the blood of the red heifer on the Mercy Seat. Jesus fulfilled this law immediately after His resurrection. John 20:17 states, “Jesus said to her, ‘Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’”
Hebrews 9:13-15 gives us the reason for Jesus’ action. “For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.” Immediately after the resurrection Christ ascended to the Father applied His blood to the Mercy Seat in heaven then returned to earth for 40 days. In Numbers, chapter 19 the High Priest is cleansed with the ashes of the red heifer and after seven days enters the Holy of Holies to place the blood of the red heifer on the Mercy Seat resting on the altar. Jesus fulfilled this law by placing His blood on the Mercy Seat in heaven.
Had Mary touched Jesus before He ascended to His Father to apply His blood to the Mercy Seat it would have made Him unclean. That is why He said, “Do not touch Me.” The same was true as cited in Numbers 19:22. Had anyone touched the High Priest after being cleansed by the ashes of the red heifer (symbolic of Jesus) then the High Priest could not enter the Holy of Holies and live. Hebrews 9:23-24 further amplifies this. “Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in heaven should be purified with these, [the temple Mercy Seat] but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true [the things in heaven], but to heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.”
When reading verse 26 there appears to be somewhat of a doubt of the work of the cross, but it is only the interpretation of the Greek word translated appeared: “He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” The real meaning of the Greek word is to make manifest that which was previously hidden. In other words, Christ’s incarnation was made visible among men. The only doubt involved is with those who do not believe. I’ll discuss this more in detail later as it is part of the issue involved with animal sacrifices in the millennium.
What Does Ezekiel Say
Ezekiel Chapter 44 beginning with verse 15 identifies the temple priests as the sons of Zadok and how they are to conduct themselves. Verse 27 states, ‘“And on the day that he goes to the sanctuary to minister in the sanctuary, he must offer his sin offering in the inner court’, says the Lord God.” However, 45:17 states, “Then it shall be the prince’s part to give burnt offerings, grain offerings, and drink offerings, at the feasts, the New Moons, the Sabbaths, and at all the appointed seasons of the house of Israel. He shall prepare the sin offering, the grain offering, the burnt offering, and the peace offerings to make atonement for the house of Israel.” Then in verse 20, “And so you shall do on the seventh day of the month for everyone who has sinned unintentionally or in ignorance.” Verses 22 through 25 state that burnt offerings of bulls, rams and goats are sacrificed for a sin offering.
It appears when reading these verses in Ezekiel regarding offerings, especially sin offerings the first thing that comes to mind is there is a contradiction with Hebrews chapter 9. So, I guess we need to do a little more analysis to resolve that issue.
In Ezekiel 45:15 the KJV uses the word reconciliation when referring to sin offerings as opposed to atonement in other translations. Reconciliation is translated from a Hebrew primary root word meaning to cover, to expiate, to cancel or to make atonement. Webster states, “The act of atonement is satisfaction given for wrongdoing or sin. This is what Jesus did in His redemption and bringing about the reconciliation of God to man.” Either way you analyze it the sin offering is an act of atonement for the sins of Israel. So, the question is why will Israel be required to sacrifice animals in the millennium to cover their sins? Another question is why do the Jews have to exercise this ritual when the Gentiles in the millennium do not? The answer to both of these questions will most likely be controversial, and will probably be rejected altogether by some. But, there must by definition be an answer as with all other issues with an apparent contradiction in Scripture.
Israel’s Relationship With Christ
To begin to resolve this issue we must first establish some facts within Scripture regarding Israel’s relationship with or to Christ. At Christ’s first advent Israel was looking for a Messiah King, one who would defeat her enemies and establish a kingdom similar to that of David. This did not happen so Israel rejected Christ at His first advent and to this day is blinded to the reasoning of His appearance. “What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. Just as it is written: ‘God has given them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear, to this very day.” (Romans 11:7-8). Paul is telling us that Israel is still looking for the Messiah King to come to fulfill what they thought He was supposed to fulfill at His first advent. From their viewpoint they will return to all the ways of temple worship exercised before the destruction of the temple in AD 70.
However, those Jews that have accepted Christ as their personal Savior, and are born again wait for Christ at His second coming for a completely different reason just as the Christians. This different reason is found in Hebrews 9:28. “So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin for salvation.” Paul further explains in 10:9. “Then He said, ‘Behold I have come to do Your will, O God.’ He takes away the first that He may establish the second.’” In other words, we who have accepted Christ (Christians and Jews) as our personal savior and have been born again as a result of His first coming have been sanctified through the cross and resurrection.
So, we have the situation where those who are the Church are sanctified and await the establishment of Christ’s millennial kingdom on earth whereas Israel is waiting for a kingdom to be established as they though it was to be initially. In Hebrews 10:14 Paul states, “For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” If taken out of context this verse appears to leave Israel out in the cold. But, Scripture also tells us that all Israel will be saved. Therefore something must be done to ensure that prophecy is fulfilled. Isaiah states in 65:9, “My elect shall inherit it, and My servants shall dwell there.” Isaiah is speaking of Israel and the land promised to them.
At His second coming He will be seen by everyone. “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye shall see Him, even they who pierced Him. (Revelation 1:7). Zechariah 12:10 states that Israel will recognize Him. “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they have pierced.”
Which Messiah
At the second coming the avenue is there for Israel to convert from the old law to the new covenant. But, what will be the response of the Jews around the world? Zechariah 13:1 states, “In that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness.” As stated earlier, the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem will recognize Christ as the One their ancestors crucified.
But, here is where the situation gets sticky. At Christ’s first coming Israel was looking for a Messiah King to defeat her enemies (Rome) and reestablish the throne of David, and make her an independent, sovereign nation. At this point in Israel’s history they had been under some level of world power since Nebuchadezzar. So, when Jesus stated the purpose of His first coming it did not fit Israel’s specifications for an earthly king so they rejected Him. Based upon this will Israel be looking for the same Messiah King at the second coming? All indications point to that scenario.