Another Look at Ezekiel 44

It's popularly asserted by many modern 'End Times' teachers that Ezekiel 44:1,2 was fulfilled when Muslims some hundreds of years ago closed an East-facing gate at the site of the ancient Temple, to prevent the Messiah from entering in by it; and that it will remain closed until the Messiah finally returns, re-opens it, and enters in by it. 

All of that is so confidently asserted like it's clearly stated in Bible Prophecy, and like we're seeing End Times prophecy fulfilled today before our very eyes.

But have a think about it: see if you think the popular scenario is really that clear in the Scripture after all:

EZEKIEL 44:1,2
1 Then he brought me back the way of the gate of the outward sanctuary which looketh toward the east; and it was shut.
2 Then said the Lord unto me; This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; BECAUSE THE LORD, THE GOD OF ISRAEL, HATH ENTERED IN BY IT, THEREFORE IT SHALL BE SHUT.

Verse 2 actually said that the gate was closed 'because' the Lord 'hath' entered in by it. 

So the order of events was: first, the Lord entered in by the gate; and then secondly, after that - because the Lord had entered by it - the gate was closed. 

Not the other way around. It didn't say the gate would be closed first, and then the Lord would eventually come and re-open it and enter. 

So, doesn't the popular modern idea seem to reverse the order of events stated in the Prophecy?

Plus, the Prophecy said that seeing the Lord had entered and the gate was closed, it would not be opened. But the currently existing gate in Jerusalem has been closed and re-opened, and then closed again and reopened yet again, numerous times already in history. So the history of the existing gate doesn't seem to match the Prophecy anyway!

And the Prophecy seemed to imply that the reason the gate was closed, was because the ancient Jews had been too flippant about who they'd been allowing to come into the House of the Lord.

Nevertheless, at the same time, despite the gate being closed, Temple-procedures would continue, only with Zadokite priests having precedence over non-Zadokites - pure Zadokites, who'd never married anyone other than virgin, non-widowed, Levite, ethnic Jews. Physical as well as heart-circumcision would be a requirement; blood as well as bread-offerings would be offered - for sin (not just for a memorial). All of that was to go on, despite the gate having been closed, Ezekiel said.

And according to historical sources there actually did emerge, during the inter-Testament period, a dynasty of Zadokite priests/princes in the land of Israel, and the services around the altar were resumed and continued, as prophesied. 

But none of that is happening right now around the existing gate in Jerusalem. It isn't even possible for it to happen again, since evidence for a pure, unmixed Levitical line doesn't exist as required by the Torah, let alone evidence for a pure Zadokite line as required by the Prophecy. And even if it was possible, it would neither be necessary nor valid this side of the New Covenant! 

And is it even the same gate anyway. Ezekiel was prophesying before the second temple was built or completed - and it was destroyed again in AD70 - not one stone was left standing on top of another - exactly as prophesied by our Lord Jesus and by the prophet Daniel. 

But as for the existing gate, it isn't known with certainly that it existed as part of the Biblical second temple structure at all. One theory is that the existing structure was likely built hundreds of years after the destruction of the Biblical temple, by Justinian; another is that it was built even later still - hundreds of years later. We don't know.

So, do you think the scenario which is being so confidently asserted by many modern End Times teachers is really that clear after all in the Prophecy?

There is another way we could think about this chapter. Perhaps many of its visionary-details were likely 'fulfilled' at a time when the Old Covenant still stood. 

The underlying message of the Prophecy then would have been to explain the reason for the plight the ethnic Jews and their temple had found themselves in, and would find themselves in again; it provided instruction to those of the captivity to get on with rebuilding the temple; it explained, and warned again that the coming of the Lord to His temple wouldn't necessarily mean all would be well, not even for Levites - because God ultimately looks for true worshipers. 

The Lord Jesus seemed to act-out or amplify that warning when He cleased the Temple. And how true all those warnings played-out - for the Temple; for the temple-priesthood system; and for ethnic Jews who didn't believe - within that generation! 

But Jesus had first explained that the time was coming and had come when it would no longer be a requirement to worship in Jerusalem: because the Father was looking for true worshipers who worship Him instead in spirit and in truth. 

But if we instead assert that a modernday 'gate' to a replica 'temple' in Jerusalem is the subject of Ezekiel's Prophecy, we are in affect implying that making pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and reverting back under the Levitical priesthood and offering sacrifices, is still a requirement, or will be in future. And there are factions of people, even Christians, who are promoting that idea. But that's not gospel.

The good news is that through the death and resurrection of Jesus from the dead God has made the New Covenant; and He has made us those true worshipers, in Christ, Whom He seeks. 

All the Bible's promises, shadows, covenants and prophecies were always pointing to when God would come in Christ. That's now been inaugurated by Jesus, though we still wait for His second coming. 

Meanwhile, instead of looking for repeat fulfilments of Ezekiel's prophecy, or making proselytes to Judaism, the Spirit and the bride invite all - non-Israelis and Israelis alike - to come and drink freely of the waters of eternal life! 

So that's just another possible way to think about Ezekiel 44. But what would I know.