Following the Second Coming and judgment of the nations, Israel along with the nations enters a period known as the Millennium[1].  Ezekiel chapters 40 to 48 is the most detailed coverage of the Millennium in the Bible.  During this period the earth is transformed from the fallen judged world of the tribulation period into a paradise. 

         Through out scripture we have glimpses of this world to come, how the very nature of the animal kingdom will be transformed by the presence of Jesus Christ.  Paul writes in Romans chapter 8, all of creation waits for this day, since when Adam and Eve fell, all of creation fell.

19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.

20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope;

21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.  22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.

Romans 8:19-22

The Millennium is a restoration, of what was lost in the fall, so creation itself will be transform with the restoration of redemption.  Isaiah paints a picture of this restoration as the predators will dwell in peace with their prey, and even the lion will no longer eat meat, but straw.

6 "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, The leopard shall lie down with the young goat, The calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them.

7 The cow and the bear shall graze; Their young ones shall lie down together; And the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8 The nursing child shall play by the cobra's hole, And the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper's den.

9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord As the waters cover the sea. Isaiah 11:6-9

According to Isaiah 11:9, the knowledge of God shall be throughout the earth, however people born on the earth during the millennium, will still be required to make eternal decisions for Jesus Christ who will be king of the Earth. The government on the earth will be a theocracy, with Jesus Christ as God and King over the earth, ruling and reigning with the saints.   During this period many of the promises made through the prophets will be fulfilled. This section of Ezekiel reveals the establishment of the throne of God, where the presence of God, the Glory of the Lord returns establishing His throne in the presence of humanity.  Jesus Christ is the Glory of the Lord who returns in power and glory to rule over His creation.

         Ezekiel is given an extended tour of seat of God’s government on the earth.   

The establishment of the Millennium government follows the Second Coming.   The setting up this kingdom takes 45-days according to the book of Daniel.  The 1290-day period from the taking away of the sacrifice and the abomination of desolation is the 2^nd half of the tribulation period.  Daniel is told the who comes to the 1335^th day is blessed. This day is 45-days after the sacrifice is taken away.  Daniel is then told about his resurrection and inheritance at the end of days.  Daniel’s resurrection corresponds to the Millennium, when all the saints rule and reign in the kingdom of God, including Daniel.

11 "And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days.

12 "Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days.

13 "But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days." Daniel 12:11-13

Ezekiel 41  Ezekiel describes the Temple and the buildings around it.

In chapter 40 Ezekiel entered the inner court of the Temple area from the outer court.  He now begins to describe the Temple and its buildings.  The angel he met in chapter 40, who has the “appearance of bronze”, takes Ezekiel through the Temple complex measuring the buildings and spaces for Ezekiel to record.

Ezekiel 41

1 Then he brought me into the sanctuary and measured the doorposts, six cubits wide on one side and six cubits wide on the other side-the width of the tabernacle.

2 The width of the entryway was ten cubits, and the side walls of the entrance were five cubits on this side and five cubits on the other side; and he measured its length, forty cubits, and its width, twenty cubits.

3 Also he went inside and measured the doorposts, two cubits; and the entrance, six cubits high; and the width of the entrance, seven cubits.

4 He measured the length, twenty cubits; and the width, twenty cubits, beyond the sanctuary; and he said to me, "This is the Most Holy Place."  Ezekiel 41:13-14,24-26

Just as the Tabernacle in the Exodus and Solomon’s Temple, here there is also a Holy of Holies, the “Most Holy Place”.  When Jesus died on the cross the curtain, separating this room was ripped from top to bottom.  Today, through the Holy Spirit all believers have access to the Most Holy Place as the book of Hebrews describes.

17 then He adds, "Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more."

18 Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.

19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,

20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh,

21 and having a High Priest over the house of God,  Hebrews 10:17-21

The Millennium Temple is to remind those who are born in the Millennium the way of salvation is through the work of Jesus.  Just as we partake in communion the events and ministry of the Temple is to point those are born and live in the Millennium to the work of the King, reminding them of His sacrifice.  In addition to telling us the dimension of the Temple, Ezekiel also describes what he sees in the Temple, such as the carved images of Cherubim and palm trees.

13 So he measured the temple, one hundred cubits long; and the separating courtyard with the building and its walls was one hundred cubits long;

14 also the width of the eastern face of the temple, including the separating courtyard, was one hundred cubits. .

24 The doors had two panels apiece, two folding panels: two panels for one door and two panels for the other door.

25 Cherubim and palm trees were carved on the doors of the temple just as they were carved on the walls. A wooden canopy was on the front of the vestibule outside.

26 There were beveled window frames and palm trees on one side and on the other, on the sides of the vestibule-also on the side chambers of the temple and on the canopies.  Ezekiel 41:13-14,24-26

Ezekiel 42  Ezekiel describes the Temple and the buildings around it.

Ezekiel continues the tour, he now is taken out of the inner court to the outer court where he describes the chambers for the priests.  

Ezekiel 42

1 Then he brought me out into the outer court, by the way toward the north; and he brought me into the chamber which was opposite the separating courtyard, and which was opposite the building toward the north.

2 Facing the length, which was one hundred cubits (the width was fifty cubits), was the north door.

3 Opposite the inner court of twenty cubits, and opposite the pavement of the outer court, was gallery against gallery in three stories.   Ezekiel 42:1-3

Ezekiel now measures the outer dimensions of the Temple, each rod was 6-long cubits, the outer dimensions measured 500-Rods square. That would make the Temple area about 5250-feet per side, or about one square mile.  The outer and inner court of the Temple complex would be in the center of this complex. Some would argue that rod means cubit here saying the Temple complex is 500-cubits by 500-cubits, which seems to be the case.  However the Holy District is also 500-rods by 500-rods according Ezekiel  45:2. 

16 He measured the east side with the measuring rod, five hundred rods by the measuring rod all around.

17 He measured the north side, five hundred rods by the measuring rod all around.

18 He measured the south side, five hundred rods by the measuring rod.

19 He came around to the west side and measured five hundred rods by the measuring rod.

20 He measured it on the four sides; it had a wall all around, five hundred cubits long and five hundred wide, to separate the holy areas from the common.  Ezekiel 42:16-20

Ezekiel 43  Ezekiel describes the Glory of the Lord returning to the Temple.

Ezekiel now describes the return of the Glory of the Lord, to His Temple via the East Gate.  Remember Ezekiel watched as the Glory of the Lord left the Temple because of sin (Ezekiel 8-10).  He was now returning.  This is actually a view of Christ entering His throne in the Millennium.  The mercy was the throne in the Holy of Holies, where the priest would appear once a year before the presence of God (Leviticus 16).

Ezekiel 43

1 Afterward he brought me to the gate, the gate that faces toward the east.

2 And behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east. His voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth shone with His glory.

3 It was like the appearance of the vision which I saw-like the vision which I saw when I came to destroy the city. The visions were like the vision which I saw by the River Chebar; and I fell on my face.

4 And the glory of the Lord came into the temple by way of the gate which faces toward the east.

5 The Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the temple.

6 Then I heard Him speaking to me from the temple, while a man stood beside me.

7 And He said to me, "Son of man, this is the place of My throne and the place of the soles of My feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel forever. No more shall the house of Israel defile My holy name, they nor their kings, by their harlotry or with the carcasses of their kings on their high places.

Ezekiel 43:1-7

Ezekiel 44  Ezekiel describes the laws of those admitted to the Temple, including the prince.

Here Ezekiel the laws regarding the Temple are set forward, regarding who and how someone is to approach the Temple.  The groups are mentioned here, the Prince, the people and the priests.  The prince is probably the resurrected King David who will represent who will represent humanity before the throne of God, on the earth.

25 "Then they shall dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob My servant, where your fathers dwelt; and they shall dwell there, they, their children, and their children's children, forever; and My servant David shall be their prince forever. Ezekiel 37:25

Ezekiel 44

1 Then He brought me back to the outer gate of the sanctuary which faces toward the east, but it was shut.

2 And the Lord said to me, "This gate shall be shut; it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter by it, because the Lord God of Israel has entered by it; therefore it shall be shut.

3 "As for the prince, because he is the prince, he may sit in it to eat bread before the Lord; he shall enter by way of the vestibule of the gateway, and go out the same way."

4 Also He brought me by way of the north gate to the front of the temple; so I looked, and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord; and I fell on my face.

5 And the Lord said to me, "Son of man, mark well, see with your eyes and hear with your ears, all that I say to you concerning all the ordinances of the house of the Lord and all its laws. Mark well who may enter the house and all who go out from the sanctuary.  Ezekiel 44:1-5

Ezekiel 45  Ezekiel describes the Temple and the buildings around it.

Here the land from the Temple out is described. The division of the land starts from the Temple and moves outward.

Ezekiel 45

1 "Moreover, when you divide the land by lot into inheritance, you shall set apart a district for the Lord, a holy section of the land; its length shall be twenty-five thousand cubits, and the width ten thousand. It shall be holy throughout its territory all around.

2 "Of this there shall be a square plot for the sanctuary, five hundred by five hundred rods, with fifty cubits around it for an open space.

3 "So this is the district you shall measure: twenty-five thousand cubits long and ten thousand wide; in it shall be the sanctuary, the Most Holy Place.

4 "It shall be a holy section of the land, belonging to the priests, the ministers of the sanctuary, who come near to minister to the Lord; it shall be a place for their houses and a holy place for the sanctuary.

5 "An area twenty-five thousand cubits long and ten thousand wide shall belong to the Levites, the ministers of the temple; they shall have twenty chambers as a possession.   Ezekiel 45:1-5

Ezekiel 46  Ezekiel describes how the Lord is to be worshipped by those in the Millennium

Ezekiel 46

1 'Thus says the Lord God: "The gateway of the inner court that faces toward the east shall be shut the six working days; but on the Sabbath it shall be opened, and on the day of the New Moon it shall be opened.

2 "The prince shall enter by way of the vestibule of the gateway from the outside, and stand by the gatepost. The priests shall prepare his burnt offering and his peace offerings. He shall worship at the threshold of the gate. Then he shall go out, but the gate shall not be shut until evening.

3 "Likewise the people of the land shall worship at the entrance to this gateway before the Lord on the Sabbaths and the New Moons.

8 "When the prince enters, he shall go in by way of the vestibule of the gateway, and go out the same way.

9 "But when the people of the land come before the Lord on the appointed feast days, whoever enters by way of the north gate to worship shall go out by way of the south gate; and whoever enters by way of the south gate shall go out by way of the north gate. He shall not return by way of the gate through which he came, but shall go out through the opposite gate.

Ezekiel 46:1-9

Ezekiel 47  Ezekiel describes the Temple and the buildings around it.

One clear characteristic in the Millennium is the resurrection of the dead.  Not only are the dead resurrected, but the Dead Sea becomes a living sea as water flows from the Temple toward the sea causing life to appear.

The river flows from the Temple, in the New Jerusalem the river will also flow from the throne of God through the city (Revelation 22).

Ezekiel 47

1 Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east; the water was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar.

2 He brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gateway that faces east; and there was water, running out on the right side.

3 And when the man went out to the east with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the water came up to my ankles.

4 Again he measured one thousand and brought me through the waters; the water came up to my knees. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through; the water came up to my waist.

5 Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross; for the water was too deep, water in which one must swim, a river that could not be crossed.

6 He said to me, "Son of man, have you seen this?" Then he brought me and returned me to the bank of the river.

7 When I returned, there, along the bank of the river, were very many trees on one side and the other.

8 Then he said to me: "This water flows toward the eastern region, goes down into the valley, and enters the sea. When it reaches the sea, its waters are healed.

9 "And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes.

10 "It shall be that fishermen will stand by it from En Gedi to En Eglaim; they will be places for spreading their nets. Their fish will be of the same kinds as the fish of the Great Sea, exceedingly many.

11 "But its swamps and marshes will not be healed; they will be given over to salt.

12 "Along the bank of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food; their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine."

Ezekiel 48  Ezekiel the location of the tribes of Israel in relation to the Temple.

    The last chapter of Ezekiel is set at the beginning of the Millennium.  Once Israel comes to know their Messiah, Jesus Christ, the righteousness of Christ is imparted to the nation.  This same point holds true to every sinner who comes to Jesus Christ, they are redeemed with the blood of the Lamb.  God’s salvation is imparted to them.  When Israel comes to national salvation as foretold in Zechariah 12:9-10, Christ returns and establishes the Messianic Kingdom.  This is the meaning behind Jesus’ promise to the 12 disciples, that why would sit on 12-thrones judging the 12-tribes of Israel.  This was a literal promise, which requires a literal nation.  Ezekiel 48 regards the fulfillment of these words.

28 So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  Matthew 19:28

The Regeneration is the resurrection; this is the period of Messianic Kingdom, the Kingdom of God.  What follows the Millennium is covered in Revelation 20 to 22; this however is outside the scope of Ezekiel.  Ezekiel ends with Israel entering the Millennium as a kingdom, redeemed and serving the  Glory of the Lord, Jesus Christ in the Kingdom of God.

Ezekiel 48

1 "Now these are the names of the tribes: From the northern border along the road to Hethlon at the entrance of Hamath, to Hazar Enan, the border of Damascus northward, in the direction of Hamath, there shall be one section for Dan from its east to its west side;

2 "by the border of Dan, from the east side to the west, one section for Asher;

8 "by the border of Judah, from the east side to the west, shall be the district which you shall set apart, twenty-five thousand cubits in width, and in length the same as one of the other portions, from the east side to the west, with the sanctuary in the center.

9 "The district that you shall set apart for the Lord shall be twenty-five thousand cubits in length and ten thousand in width.

10 "To these-to the priests-the holy district shall belong: on the north twenty-five thousand cubits in length, on the west ten thousand in width, on the east ten thousand in width, and on the south twenty-five thousand in length. The sanctuary of the Lord shall be in the center.

11 "It shall be for the priests of the sons of Zadok, who are sanctified, who have kept My charge, who did not go astray when the children of Israel went astray, as the Levites went astray.

12 "And this district of land that is set apart shall be to them a thing most holy by the border of the Levites.

13 "Opposite the border of the priests, the Levites shall have an area twenty-five thousand cubits in length and ten thousand in width; its entire length shall be twenty-five thousand and its width ten thousand.

14 "And they shall not sell or exchange any of it; they may not alienate this best part of the land, for it is holy to the Lord.

15 "The five thousand cubits in width that remain, along the edge of the twenty-five thousand, shall be for general use by the city, for dwellings and common-land; and the city shall be in the center.

16 "These shall be its measurements: the north side four thousand five hundred cubits, the south side four thousand five hundred, the east side four thousand five hundred, and the west side four thousand five hundred.

17 "The common-land of the city shall be: to the north two hundred and fifty cubits, to the south two hundred and fifty, to the east two hundred and fifty, and to the west two hundred and fifty.

18 "The rest of the length, alongside the district of the holy section, shall be ten thousand cubits to the east and ten thousand to the west. It shall be adjacent to the district of the holy section, and its produce shall be food for the workers of the city.

19 "The workers of the city, from all the tribes of Israel, shall cultivate it.

20 "The entire district shall be twenty-five thousand cubits by twenty-five thousand cubits, foursquare. You shall set apart the holy district with the property of the city.

21 "The rest shall belong to the prince, on one side and on the other of the holy district and of the city's property, next to the twenty-five thousand cubits of the holy district as far as the eastern border, and westward next to the twenty-five thousand as far as the western border, adjacent to the tribal portions; it shall belong to the prince. It shall be the holy district, and the sanctuary of the temple shall be in the center.

22 "Moreover, apart from the possession of the Levites and the possession of the city which are in the midst of what belongs to the prince, the area between the border of Judah and the border of Benjamin shall belong to the prince.

Jerusalem in the Millennium

The name of the city declares its character.  The very presence of Almighty God is dwelling in the city of Jerusalem, and its name will be called “the Lord is There”.

29 "This is the land which you shall divide by lot as an inheritance among the tribes of Israel, and these are their portions," says the Lord God.

30 "These are the exits of the city. On the north side, measuring four thousand five hundred cubits

31 '(the gates of the city shall be named after the tribes of Israel), the three gates northward: one gate for Reuben, one gate for Judah, and one gate for Levi;

32 "on the east side, four thousand five hundred cubits, three gates: one gate for Joseph, one gate for Benjamin, and one gate for Dan;

33 "on the south side, measuring four thousand five hundred cubits, three gates: one gate for Simeon, one gate for Issachar, and one gate for Zebulun;

34 "on the west side, four thousand five hundred cubits with their three gates: one gate for Gad, one gate for Asher, and one gate for Naphtali.

35 "All the way around shall be eighteen thousand cubits; and the name of the city from that day shall be: The Lord Is There."  Ezekiel 48:29-35

---

[1] The Millennium is a one-thousand year period (millo-thousand annium-yeas) when the promises of scripture are fulfilled to Israel.  Israel is the obedient nation and Jerusalem is the capital of the Earth, which Messiah rules the world.  The saints inherit the kingdom of God as promised in Daniel chapter seven, the saints rule and reign with Christ for 1000 years as promised in Revelation chapter 20.

I