End Results series #7

Nov.19-20, 2011 - BloomingdaleChurch

A Great Future


●The Text: Ezekiel40-48(Page #1351in the sanctuary Bible)

●The Context:The Jewish people are a discouraged people who are facing hard times as captive exiles in Babylon. Their homeland is in ruins and their deep longing to return to their life back home seems completely hopeless. Yet, Ezekiel offersportraits of a wonderful,hope-filled future.

A synopsis of Ezekiel 40-48:In his vision, Ezekiel visits the restored temple area in Jerusalem with an angel-like host who takes many measurements as they proceed through the tour. He examines the gateways into the outer court (40:6-19) and enters the outer court to view the chambers around the outer wall. He inspects the gateways of the outer court (40:20-27) and the three gates to the inner court, on the north, east and south (40:28-37). The temple stands on the western side. Ezekiel observes the elements used for the regular sacrifices, the rooms for the priests and the courtyard (40:38-47). He gives a detailed description of the holy place (40:48-41:26). Ezekiel isguided outside for a survey of the temple area (42:1-20) and sees the glory of the Lord re-entering the temple (43:1-12). He is shown the measurements of the altar of sacrifice (43:13-27). In chapter 44, he reviews the standards for the temple and the roles of the Levites and Zadokite priests. He describes the allocation of the land around the temple (45:1-12) as well as the official feasts, offerings and sacrifices (45:13-46:24). In chapter 47,he records a prophecy of a unique and spectacular flow of water that will pour out from the sanctuary bringing life to the barren areas of the Dead Sea (47:1-12). Lastly, Ezekiel writes a description of the land boundaries and the allocation of the land to the twelve tribes of Israel (47:13-48:35).

Why all of the detail?

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43:10-11 Son of man, describe the temple to the people of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their sins. Let them consider the plan, [11] and if they are ashamed of all they have done, make known to them the design of the temple--its arrangement, its exits and entrances--its whole design and all its regulations and laws. Write these down before them so that they may be faithful to its design and follow all its regulations.

A Key Event:

43:4-5 The glory of the Lord entered the temple through the gate facing east. [5] Then the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple.

Ezekiel 47:5He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in--a river that no one could cross. [6] He asked me, "Son of man, do you see this?" Then he led me back to the bank of the river. [7] When I arrived there, I saw a great number of trees on each side of the river. [8] He said to me, "This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, where it enters the Sea. When it empties into the Sea, the water there becomes fresh. [9] Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live. [10] Fishermen will stand along the shore; from En Gedi to En Eglaim there will be places for spreading nets. The fish will be of many kinds--like the fish of the GreatSea. / Revelation 22:1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb [2] down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. [3] No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. [4] They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. [5] There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

The Summary Sentence:

This week’s TAP is on the next page.

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Message Outlines & TAP

T - key Truths = Summary thoughts, principles to live by, observations to remember.

A - practical Application = How should I respond? What action can I take?

P - my Prayer response = My expression to God from what I am reading/thinking.

Monday, Nov.21 / The Scripture:Ezekiel 40-43 We are reading multiple chapters today and tomorrow, so keep moving through the text. Remember the bigger perspective; Ezekiel is giving the people vivid pictures of a good future when they follow God’s ways.
Tuesday, Nov. 22 / The Scripture: Ezekiel 44-47
Wed., Nov. 23 / The Scripture: Psalm 3 In preparation of Advent 2011, we are reading some of the “Psalms of Lament”.
Thursday, Nov. 24 / The Scripture: Psalm 42
Friday, Nov. 25 / The Scripture:Psalm 43