Strengthen your faith in God's word

Ezekiel prophecies a temple (Ezekiel 40) with animal sacrifices (43:13-27) where God will dwell with Israel forever (Ezekiel 43:7)

In the New Testament, we are told that Christ is the final sacrifice (Hebrews 10:14).

The temple spoken about in Ezekiel was not built.

If the Ezekiel prophecy has not yet been fulfilled, and cannot ever be fulfilled without reinstating sacrifices and a temple where God will dwell forever (thereby contradicting Revelations 21:22), then does this not mean that the Ezekiel temple prophecy is unfulfillable?

See http://methodicalmusings.com/bible-error/ for more information.

First of all let's cover the question of animal sacrifices. One may well ask, if Ezekiel's temple is indeed literal, future, and millenial in nature, what purpose the temple sacrifices (44:15) serve. Since Christ has already provided a once-for-all atoning sacrifice for sin (Heb. 7:27, 9:12,26-27), is it not blasphemy to suggest that in His earthly kingdom any blood sacrifices would be necessary? Does the presence of sacrifices therefore not point so a symbolic or historical interpretation of the passage? The answer to both questions is no. There is no reason to believe that a future sacrificial system could not be perfectly within the will of God for His people. Firstly, the emphasis in Ezekiel's temple is on holiness. By faithfully following the Lord's commandments regarding worship and sacrifice, the nation of Israel will demonstrate to the world the transforming power of God in their once-stubborn and idolatrous hearts, and their unique relationship to Him. Secondly, the sacrifices offered are symbolic. This was also true even of the Mosaic sacrifices (Heb. 9:9, 10:1-4) -- the only difference here is that the millenium looks back at Christ's death as a historical reality, whereas the Israelites of the Old Testament economy looked forward to a Messianic promise of cleansing and atonement in the shadowy future. The reference given in Hebrews 10:14 is not harmed by the previous truth given. It is true that we are perfected by Jesus sacrifice. Only His sacrifice took away sin. In the Old Testament men were forgiven of their sins, but they were not redeemed. Redemption speaks of the total price being paid. Redemption only comes through the blood of Christ (Col. 1:14). (This is also why those in the Old Testament could not yet enter into Heaven. Their abode was Paradise in the center of the earth. They had to first believe in the redemptive work of Christ before they could be saved. John 11:25 speaks of the dead believing. That is reference to the Old Testament saints in paradise.)

If at first the suggestion that the blood sacrifices in Ezekiel's temple serve a purely commemorative purpose seems bizarre, one may well consider the ordinance of the Lord's Supper. At this present time the church, composed of Jew and Gentile united in Christ, is in focus. Though the reality -- the suffering and death of Christ -- has already taken place, the church today still partakes of bread and wine in remembrance of His past work (1 Cor. 11:23-26). This institution was set up by the Lord Jesus Himself. However, in the millenial kingdom restored Israel, not the church, is the focus. In keeping with the Mosaic covenant unique to Israel, animal sacrifices will remind the believing Jews of Christ's finished work. Note, however, that in the millenium there is no Day of Atonement, and numerous other distinctions serve to remind us that Christ's death forever altered God's dealings with mankind. Also, Ezekiel's temple and its unique sacrificial system come into play after Israel has recognized Jesus as the Messiah they pierced (Zech. 12:9). There can be no danger that these Jews will forget His death on their behalf.

The next portion of the question is concerning the temple. The scripture verse cited (Ezekiel 43:7) says nothing about the Temple lasting forever. It says 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. God will dwell in this place forever, but there will not always be a temple in this place. The temple vision in Ezekiel is during the millinial reign of Jesus Christ. The reference in Revelation 21:22 is after the millinial reign. The former earth has been destroyed and God and His people will dwell together through-out eternity. So, basically this is two separate times that have been confused into one. The timeline goes Rapture-Tribulation-Second Coming-Millinial Reign-Great White Throne Judgment-Eternity (NEW JERUSALEM).

The prophecy is as of yet unfulfilled. Sorry to take so much space.