Text: Ezekiel 43:3 - Daniel 9:27

Daniel 9:24 - Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

INTRODUCTION

As I begin this message allow me to remind you as I have before, this religious world will never receive the beautiful truth of God’s Word pertaining to those things concerning the bride of Christ. However, they will as always, retain their religious conception as to how they feel. God will do certain things, nevertheless, once God does it they shall never recognize nor understand it.

MILLENNIUM ALTAR - IS IT USED FOR SALVATION?

Our subheading THE MILLENNIUM ALTAR, which deals with the sacrificial altar of the temple of Jerusalem during the one thousand year reign, will be discussed near the closing of this message. Strange but true, this altar is not an altar pertaining to salvation. NO! NOT IN THE LEAST! Then why brother to have one? Before dealing with the most important question, allow me to establish certain thoughts within your understanding leading up to this millennium period when the altar once again will be in use and showing scripturally what this altar represents! YES! Definitely there will be an altar during the thousand year reign according to the Word of God.

THINGS NEEDED TO BE UNDERSTOOD CONCERNING EZEKIEL

Begin reading with me in Ezekiel 8:3-4. Ezekiel was one of the contemporary prophets living during Daniel’s period, captured during the Babylon captivity along with Daniel, The Three Hebrew Children and many others, however he was not deported to Babylon until much later. Throughout his writings he is referred to as “son of man” signifying his prophet office. Furthermore, Ezekiel is the only Old Testament prophet who records the events of God’s dealings with Israel in their perfect chronological order from the Babylonian captivity until she is reclaimed and placed back within the land and brought out into the millennium into her glorification. It is the only book recording every major event following in a chronological order, however many other prophets writings did present Israel’s past, present and future conditions all mingled and jumbled up together. By this I mean reaching backwards and forwards into Israel’s past history as well as showing her future events. Only from Ezekiel’s writings do you find that perfect harmony and order of events from her beginning throughout her disobedience, all the way into her millennium restoration position - not one major event getting ahead of the other. For instance, we refer you to Ezekiel 36 and 37 leading up the valley of dry bones (Israel’s resurrection). Then observe the following chapters, Ezekiel 38 & 39, discussing some great event taking place in respect to Israel and Russia including her satellite bloc of nations. Are you aware we are living in a crucial period of time when anything could explode within the Middle East causing Ezekiel 38 and 39 to be thrown into motion? AS FAR AS ANY OTHER MAJOR EVENTS NEEDING TO TRANSPIRE IN THE MIDDLE EAST OR WITHIN ANY OTHER PART OF THE WORLD TO THROW EZEKIEL 38 AND 39 INTO MOTION, THERE IS NONE!

EZEKIEL 38 AND 39 COMPARED TO ARAB-ISRAELI WAR

While visiting Israel in the fall of 1968, we questioned a rabbi concerning events which they themselves felt would be of importance leading up to the coming of their Messiah. “Gentlemen”, said the rabbi, “have you read Ezekiel 38 and 39?” “Yes, sir”, we answered. With a forceful voice he replied, “Russia is our enemy, one day she will fight us and when she does your country will have to fight with us.” To this we could say nothing but AMEN for it is God’s Word. When that dreaded hour arrives the U.S., along with the other world powers who now are trying desperately not to get involved in the Middle East, problem might just as well remove their guns from the closets because they are going to become involved whether they want to or not - God’s Word has said so! It is now in the making! Israel’s six day war could have easily lit the fuse. Truly, the Middle East is nothing but a dangerous powder keg with a very short fuse. The hot line between Washington and Moscow buzzed constantly during the crucial period in 1967. WHY? The big powers were desperately trying to avoid a clash. Had the six day war gone into Ezekiel 38 and 39, according to the Word of God it would have been fulfilled in only a matter of hours, not years, not months or days BUT IN HOURS. Always remember that battle recorded in Ezekiel 38 and 39 is not going to last for years, No sir, it won’t even run into months.

EZEKIEL 38 & 39, NOT ARMAGEDDON

Although this battle is often confused with the battle of Armageddon, they are not the same. Armageddon will be the last land war ever fought. At the Battle of Armageddon the dead will not be buried, however in Ezekiel 38 & 39 it shall take seven months to bury the dead. Ezekiel 39:12, We live in days when Jehovah God holds the rein of everything in his hands although scientific, intellectual minds would debate that because they feel either God does not exist or that He is dead. SOMEDAY GOD IS GOING TO PROVE TO THIS WORLD JUST HOW ALIVE HE ACTUALLY IS! However, once this happens and the world discovers how alive the Almighty truly is, this new found knowledge is not going to cause them to fall down and accept Him. Oh no! We don’t mean to leave you with that impression at all.

BY THE SPIRIT, EZEKIEL SEES MANY THINGS

Ezekiel, along with his brethren, are all taken into captivity. From his captive land in Babylon, Ezekiel’s mind is fully conscious that his beloved city lies in ruin. Deeply concerned over Jerusalem, he begins desperately seeking the face of God until he received this experience recorded in Chapter 8 of his book. Ezekiel is silent to the length of time he had given to meditation and intercessory prayer in behalf of his people before God enlightened him concerning their future. With this background in mind, let’s approach the vision given to Ezekiel, (Ezekiel 8:2-4) Ezekiel enters into a most peculiar experience with God, for here his spirit is separated from his body and carried back to Jerusalem. (2) “Then I beheld, and lo to a likeness as the appearance of fire: from the appearance of his loins even downward fire; and from his loins even upward, as the appearance of brightness as the colour of amber.” (3) And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head:” Here was Ezekiel’s description of the Spirit God who reached forth picking him up, what a way to handle a man! What an experience! Notice Ezekiel even saw his own spirit being lifted out of his body and transferred somewhere! Recall, he is no less than 600 miles from Jerusalem in slavery when in the spirit the form of a hand appeared, taking him by a lock of his hair and lifted him up. “and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem,” (Note how and where he was taken), “to the door of the inner gate that looketh toward the north” (where, Ezekiel said), “was the seat of the image of jealousy which provoketh Gods jealousy. (4) And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, according to the vision that I saw in the plain.”

EZEKIEL SHOWN WHY JERUSALEM LAY IN RUINS

While his body remained in Babylon his spirit has been transferred back to Jerusalem. Jerusalem for sometime had lain in ruins, however this experience Ezekiel received has transferred him back there where the Lord begins unfolding what actually happened in the beginning causing all of Jerusalem to be lying in ruins. Jehovah unfolded events of iniquity to Ezekiel which led to this desolation. What corrupt things had set in motion to bring about such destruction? After Ezekiel was shown why the curse was on Jerusalem, he then began to see God’s marvelous plan unfolding for the ages, a plan which perhaps Ezekiel himself probably never fully grasped, the deep significance of the entire thing.

In the visions, Ezekiel is witnessing horrible events committed by the people of God sometime before the destruction of Jerusalem. A destruction fully known before the foundation of the world. Into a secret chamber Ezekiel is taken, and shown certain evil pagan statutes. Ezekiel saw a most heart breaking picture, here Jerusalem elders were present. Bear in mind this is only in visions of the spirit Ezekiel sees these things, because at the hour the visions appeared, no elders were present in Jerusalem, years ago they had all been slaughtered. However, in visions he is taken into a past tense experience of the city and showing what transpired in that day before the destruction of Jerusalem. He sees what initiated that destruction for 70 years. Here Ezekiel begins to receive the inner revelation of what God is preparing to unfold for future times in respect to His people. Once Ezekiel had been taken into this secret room within the foundation of the world he saw this great evil image of jealousy, (image of lust), and all the secret plots that had gone on among the elders of Jerusalem, (heads of Israel’s leadership). Here he witnessed all the lewdness, the crookedness, the debauchery, the evil that had spiritually and morally undermined the structure of everything, and Ezekiel is seeing it in visions. Though in realty nothing is left standing, no elder is now left in Jerusalem, all are either dead or captured and carried to Babylon, Ezekiel even began to witness the beginning of the siege, how God began to shape things up for the siege, its destruction, captivity and so forth.

GLORY LEAVES BEFORE SIEGE

Turning now into Ezekiel 11 for the continuation of this vision, we travel along in the spirit with Ezekiel and watch God rehearsing the entire program to Ezekiel’s spirit. Ezekiel now has a clearer understanding from the visions why the destruction of Jerusalem has taken place. But what about her future, what about the outcome for God’s nation of people?

Watch what Ezekiel learned recorded in Ezekiel 11:22. (Jehovah has previously shown all the evils within Jerusalem prior to the siege and its final destruction including what brought about the final deportation of the captives from Jerusalem after the city lay in waste. It is at this point of Ezekiel’s vision a most unusual thing occurs. Something that during the actual period of time prior to the siege Ezekiel had been totally unaware, through this rehearsal in visions Ezekiel saw Jerusalem under attack from that great Babylonian army as God has designated a time in which Jerusalem must become desolate, Ezekiel 11:22-23.

WHAT EZEKIEL SAW LEAVE THE CITY

What was in this vision Ezekiel saw leave the city shortly before the siege took place? Was it the true believers of that hour? NO! Ezekiel saw that ever present Shekinah glory of God depart from Jerusalem and it never returned throughout Israel’s history. The Old Testament states how God’s divine presences literally stayed with Israel during her wilderness journey even before He gave them the law. Recall how even before this, God had placed His visible presence with Israel in the form of a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day, (Exodus 13:22). Every Israelite witnessed it simply by looking up and clearly sighting the pillar of fire or smoke hanging over the camp. Whether it was night or day determined which sign hung there. IT WAS ISRAEL’S VISIBLE SIGN THAT HER GOD WAS PRESENT!

Later within the journey after the law had been given, a box was built according to a given specification serving a two-fold purpose for Israel, (Exodus 37). This box measured 47" in length, 27" wide, 27" deep and was completely overlaid with pure gold. Four golden rings placed at each corner permitted the box to be carried by ordained priest. Two gold-plated poles were inserted into the rings, when hoisted upon shoulders of priests were used in carrying the box during Israel’s travels. This box was called The Ark of the Covenant. Once it was placed inside the wilderness tabernacle made of badger skins, placed inside the Holy of Holies, it’s top or lid served as the mercy seat. It would be from here that the Shekinah presence of God would be seen. However, when Israel had broken camp and was on the move, the Ark of the Covenant went before the people and the visible presence of God was always above the mercy seat, but while in camp the Ark of the Covenant remained inside the tabernacle. That visible Shekinah glory always came down and dwelt over the Ark of the Covenant, Israel’s mercy seat.

Finally arriving in the land of Canaan, the Ark of the first Covenant rested within the tabernacle at Shiloh. Years later King David established it at Jerusalem where Solomon, David’s son, later erected the beautiful stone temple. It was here while in process of bringing in the Ark of the Covenant that visible sign of fire or smoke appeared inside the holy place over the Ark. All Israel, regardless to where they were, were required to pray facing Jerusalem and beloved, up until the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians, wherever the Ark of the Covenant was this visible sign of the Shekinah glory could be seen, the sign would be either fire or smoke. It was this sign Ezekiel saw leave the city shortly before the capture of Jerusalem

Recall Solomon’s dedication of the temple? The scripture says concerning that event that the visible sign of the Shekinah glory so filled the temple causing such a glory and praise to come from the people the priests found it almost impossible to minister. When the Israelites went into battle, the Ark of the Covenant always led the way with that ever present sign of God’s Shekinah glory assuring Israel of His presence. There came a time when Israel turned her back upon the dear Lord of Glory forsaking His ways just as so-called christianity has forsook their new covenant of grace. God sent them prophet after prophet warning of judgement that was sure to come if they persisted in following their evil course, but for some uncanny reason they continued putting off true repentance not realizing the significance within God’s warning.

WHERE SHEKINAH GLORY WENT

Finally Israel received its last warning and the destruction of Jerusalem was inevitable. It was shortly before this destruction that God allowed Ezekiel, in the spirit, to see this Shekinah glory which had remained constantly with Israel depart never to return. Momentarily, lets step back into this 6^th century B.C. setting for a pitiful scene that could only be witnessed in the spirit. Ezekiel had been previously taken back in visions to receive a preview of that dark hour settling over Jerusalem.

Note, Ezekiel is permitted to witness the final departure of that visible Shekinah glory from the Holy City. This glory of the Lord departing out of the midst of the city traveled a sabbath days journey and hovered over a mountain facing the east side of the city. (This mountain is none other than the Mount of Olives.) A mountain that you must keep in mind through out the remainder of this message. Don’t miss the main significance this one mountain plays continually through out God’s program until the second advent of Christ.

According to Ezekiel’s vision this visible glory which departed from the Holy of Holies within the temple did not travel in a northward or southward direction out of the city but in an eastern direction over the city out to the Mount of Olives where it was last seen.

ARK OF COVENANT ALSO LOST

To our knowledge from Scripture only once was the Ark of the Covenant away from Israel during all the history until the siege of Jerusalem where for some unknown reason it also was forever lost. Recall, David returned the Ark to the temple in Jerusalem following its short stay among the Philistines, after the Israel maintained access of the Ark until the Shekinah glory departed shortly before the siege by Nebuchadnezzar.

WHAT THIS ARK REPRESENTED AND WHY IT WAS NO LONGER NEEDED

Briefly let’s discuss the Ark of the Covenant and its importance. (1) This wooden box overlaid with Gold which blue print came to Moses represented the flesh of Christ who was the ark of the second covenant and furthermore was the ark for the second temple period, only when the second ark appeared in flesh they wanted to throw him out. (2) Being overlaid with gold spoke of the deity of Christ that two-fold nature endowed with the image of God in man, God manifested in a physical fleshly form. (3) Inside the box of the 1^st covenant ark was contained the original two tables of stone, the ten commandments, which was God’s word for Israel during that first covenant period. While Christ himself was the word of God in the flesh (box), (I John 1:1-2). Christ was the word covenant for the grace age. Concerning the first covenant period in which the box overlaid with gold served as the ARK of the Covenant, God said as long as Israel walked obedient to the word (in the box) and keeps my statutes and observes my judgements I will take great pleasure in blessing them, the day however they forsake my way, my law which is my commandments, no longer keeping my statutes and my ordinances, as I took great pleasure in blessing you, I’ll take great pleasure in cursing you. The Almighty promised to send pestilence, famines, insects, and even droughts upon the land. The final thing promised Israel if they failed to heed him was an invading army, Jehovah would call for a sword out of a nation somewhere and smite their city when carrying away the captivity where they would be forced to serve other Gods. As the siege of Jerusalem approached by Nebuchadnezzar, the Ark of the first covenant dropped completely out of Israel’s history.

Remember the Ark of the first Covenant could not disappear as long as that visible sign of Jehovah’s presence remained in the Holy of Holies. The first thing to leave the city before its capture was the Shekinah Glory of God’s presence. God removed His visible presence from Jerusalem exactly as has been shown to Ezekiel in this vision. The people could do nothing. No amount of weeping before the Lord could save their city or change their bitter situation. It was going to be exactly as had been prophesied by His prophets, absolutely nothing could alter their course once that visible sign of God’s Shekinah Glory departed the Holy of Holies and hovered over the Mount of Olives. All that was left for Nebuchadnezzar’s invading army was simply take Jerusalem and fulfill all the prophets had prophesied would happen to the city if Israel persisted in following their evil course of living. The siege took place, the city was destroyed and the temple ransacked then demolished. Here for some unknown reason that Ark of the covenant also disappears, Why? Had it served its purpose? Always remember, it served only as the Ark for the first covenant. While the city lay in ruins, its people were driven into captivity and as has been stated no one knows what happened to the ark. However, scripture shows Nebuchadnezzar took many things from the temple before demolishing it, yet no record is shown what happened to the ark of the first covenant. Could it be rather than allow the heathens to capture it, a priest destroyed it? We don’t know! It was the future concern of this captivity Ezekiel showed great concern over when these visions appeared before him. God, in visions, was giving to him many revelations as to what his divine purpose was for the entire episode. Turning to Chapter 21, again we are shown of another rehearsal during this same period leading up to the captivity and siege of Jerusalem.

ISRAEL’S LAST KING BEFORE CHRIST

Over a period of time the kings ruling from Jerusalem have forsaken God’s ways choosing rather to walk in the evils of their fathers before them. Seemingly, nothing could alter their course. Nothing could be done to restore the Jews of Jerusalem and Judah back into a spiritual relationship with God. Judah’s last rightful king to sit on the throne in Jerusalem before the siege was Zedekiah. Note: Never would there be another lawful heir to the throne until He whose right it is would come to rule and reign, who would be none other than Christ Himself.

Hosea prophesied Israel would abide many days without a king, without a prince, without an ephod, without a terrapin, without anything to identify them in their national identity. (Hosea 3:4-5)

ISRAEL FULFILLS ISAIAH 66:8

Today after 2500 years, Israel is back in her homeland (at least part of them), according to Isaiah 66:8, it is the only nation in history to be born in a day. When the United States won their independence from England those men hassled around some 20 years before finally drawing up an accepted constitution of the kind of government we should have. NOT SO WITH ISRAEL! Once she received her independence on May 14^th, 1948, once those English troops departed, overnight a nation was born! Already they had drawn up their constitution and declaration of Independence (form of government). Perfectly as stated in Isaiah 66:8, “Who has heard such a thing, said the Spirit, shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day?” ISRAEL DID! That new nation was born in one day, flying her own flag. Since 1948, she has established her identity among the nations. It is true she does not have her king as yet because the only rightful heir to the throne of Israel is the Messiah who they openly rejected at His first coming. Recall, all the rightful seed to the throne were slaughtered in the siege of Jerusalem (Zedekiah’s line). Through revelation Ezekiel peers into still another event surrounding the destruction of Jerusalem, (Ezekiel 21:25). This time he sees the last king of Jerusalem and his seed all destroyed. His visions brings out the details, placing them in their true prospective order, while showing at the same time why Jehovah permitted such a horrible thing to happen. From Ezekiel 21:25 we hear God speaking concerning Zedekiah, although he never mentions him by name, he was Israel’s last king before the siege. II Kings 25:6-7, furnishes an account of him as being a total traitor to the Word of God.

ZEDEKIAH’S DEATH

During the closing hours of his ill-fated reign Zedekiah, along with the royal family, attempted to escape under the cover of night, however, the Babylonian army quickly overtook them. Before his very eyes, Zedekiah witnessed the horrible death of his own sons (thus destroying the possibility of any rightful heir to the throne of Judah.) Next Zedekiah’s own eyes were painfully gouged from their sockets, then he too was slaughtered.

Concerning this wicked king, Jehovah spoke in Ezekiel 21:25 saying, “You sat in my city ruling from the throne of David, you have polluted the ways of God, you have profaned His holy place, you have done everything that is strictly contrary to the ways of the Lord and yet warning after warning you ignored.” God says I will cut it off. WATCH! God is going to bring the kingship to an end until Christ comes, whose rightful position it should be.

WHAT ISRAEL LOST WITH THE FALL OF JERUSALEM

How many understand what a diadem is? It represents a kingship. Remove the diadem and take off the crown (God’s reference to the king). This shall not be the same. Exalt him that is low and abuse him that is high. Here is the way God looks at this thing. The low means the humble and the simple, although not simple minded. That would be illiteracy.

JERUSALEM TO BE TURNED OVER AND OVER

Notice, what does the Lord mean in this verse when He speaks, I will overturn? Here He reaches out through the hand of Nebuchadnezzar’s invasion, stripping the king of his crown and glory, destroying all his sons who would be rightful heirs to the throne. Angrily God says, I will overturn meaning, I will overturn this city. I will overturn, I will overturn, overturn it and friend, this began the long period of the overturning of Jerusalem in the days of Nebuchadnezzar. Until this hour God has certainly kept His Word. If you are familiar with your history as well as your Bible you are well aware Jerusalem has been the cross-roads of the world, especially for all Eastern empires. Oh, how Jerusalem has been turned upside down, upside down and it was to remain so until when? Our next verse holds the key. It shall be no more until He comes whose right it is and I will give it unto Him (Jesus Christ King of Israel).

Truly, Nebuchadnezzar brought Jerusalem to the ground, destroying the kingship position until Christ would come and take the throne. Here we see with the fall of Jerusalem three major things were lost: No. 1 Kingship, No. 2. Are of the Covenant, and No. 3. The visible sign of the Shekinah glory.

PREPARATION FOR THE NEW KING

Seventy years later the Jews returned from exile to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple. A temple which should reach into another dispensation of time for as you recall, the second temple was still in use. Millions had been spent in beautifying it to win favor of the Jews. Nevertheless, this was the temple standing when Titus destroyed Jerusalem in 70 A.D. According to history, it was some 480 years the Jews spent in rebuilding Jerusalem, the walls and the temple, preparing everything for the coming of their Messiah and King. (Daniel 9:25) Yes, unbeknown to them they were in preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ in 33 A.D., they hung on a Roman cross totally rejecting Him on the basis of His kingship.

TURNOVER OF JERUSALEM CONTINUES THROUGH GRACE AGE

In 70 A.D., God sent another army under the direction of Titus and began the overturning of Jerusalem. History shows how Titus again turns Jerusalem upside down, laying her to the ground. In the following century an earthquake came and leveled her again, yet through all of this the Western wall of the old temple court has managed to stand through the centuries (Jewish wailing wall). History records the Persians coming in the 8^th and 9^th century again ripping Jerusalem to pieces, when next came the Crusaders gallantly fighting to defend the city and more blood was spilled upon the holy grounds. Later they restored the city. Then came the Moslems. See, all this is to fulfill what God had said concerning Jerusalem, how He would destroy the king and the city would be overturned, OVERTURNED, OVERTURNED, and note, not one prince or king of Israel would sit on the throne during this overturning period until He whose right it was would come.

JESUS CHRIST, ISRAEL’S NEXT KING

During the first advent of Christ, God was offering to Israel the kingship, however, because this humble kingship was concealed in humility, they failed to recognize it. Had he come forth wearing a crown and a bright shining coat of armor, riding astride some beautiful horse, no doubt they would have said, HAIL, KING OF THE JEWS! HOW LONG WE HAVE AWAITED YOUR COMING! On the contrary, He dressed and walked as a prophet, riding a donkey into Jerusalem, just as a prophet would. AWAY WITH THIS CHARACTER THEY SHOUTED. We are fully aware of what kind of child He was! That boy had an illegitimate birth. Sure, Joseph was His daddy before he married that woman called Mary! Actually they believed him to be of illegitimate birth.

TURNOVER WILL BE ELIMINATED AT CHRIST’S COMING

God saying to Ezekiel, I will overturn, overturn, overturn it, signifying the general condition in which Jerusalem would be in down through the centuries until the time when the Gentiles would be fulfilled, and not until Christ would return to reign would this overturning ever be eliminated. However note, the three things that was lost with the first overturning of Jerusalem would be given back to Israel when she accepts Christ as her King for recall, it was the departed glory, the Ark of the Covenant, and the kingship that was lost. Watch this, as those overturning periods for Jerusalem began, the visible glory of the Lord departed from the temple and hovered over the Mount of Olives. During that period the Ark of the Covenant was missing and the kingship vanished. Seventy years later the Jews returned from the Babylonian captivity with no knowledge of what had happened to the Ark of the Covenant. Scripture shows how the Jews returned bearing some of the temple utensils, but the Ark was not among them. At last the second temple was finished and dedicated unto the Lord during the days of Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai the prophet, Zerrubabel the governor and Joshua and high priest, yet with all that there was no visible Shekinah glory in either form the pillar of fire or smoke which was overwhelmingly present during the dedication of Solomon’s temple when the priest were entering with the Ark of the Covenant. For this temple, there was no Ark of the Covenant to be carried unto the Holy of Holies, neither was there any visible presence of the Shekinah glory at the rededication of the second temple.

Careful now, we do not mean to imply that there was never any presence of God to ever enter the second temple, on the contrary, we simply mean He took away His visible presence which had always assured Israel of HIS DIVINE PRESENCE. This visible presence of the Shekinah glory was what was never seen again. Surely His presence was there as He continued meeting with the High Priest in the Holy of Holies on behalf of the people, only the visibility of His presence was never there which was lost with the siege of Jerusalem.

RE-ESTABLISHING THE ALTAR

Positively there had to be an important reason why the visibility of this glory and the Ark of the Covenant were taken away from Israel. Had God so desired He could have protected it. We note as soon as the Jews returned from Babylon, Joshua was brought in as the high priest and the sacrificial altar was re-established. Animal sacrifices once again started from the altar which was located approximately 75-100 yards from the actual temple building itself. Upon the temple grounds stood a huge flat-shaped rock protruding roughly five feet or more from the earth and upon this rock was erected the altar for the sacrifices which should be offered unto the Lord.

SACRIFICIAL ROCK CONTAINS A GREAT HISTORY

Jews firmly believed it was upon this very rock on Mt. Zion that Abraham brought Isaac to offer him as a sacrifice unto the Lord. So, always from the top of this particular large rock after Jerusalem entered into Israel’s history and the first temple was constructed, this great rock has always served for the altar of sacrifice. The altar’s dimension upon this rock is recorded in Ezekiel 43:13-18. Always remember the rock itself was never the altar, but the altar was built upon the rock which protrudes high enough out of the ground that it required steps to be built in order for the high priest to be brought upon the level of the rock where animal sacrifices were performed. It was during this overturning period in the latter part of the sixth century that the Mosque of Omar (often referred to as the Dome of the Rock) was built on the old traditional temple grounds. This rock is also a worship stop for Moslem believer who accept the teaching that Mohammed rode a white horse to heaven from this spot. Therefore all the Moslem world, as well as Israel, consider this a most holy rock.

Although the animal sacrifice was restored, the temple rebuilt and the high priest office restored, God never again allowed the visible sign of the Shekinah glory or the Ark to ever be seen after their return from Babylon. Without these three things which were lost, is it any wonder there was no voice in Israel for 400 years before the coming of Christ?

CHRIST HIMSELF IS THE ARK, SHEKINAH GLORY AND KING

Dispensationally there had to be a scriptural reason why this must be. History wise the Jews were approaching the period of time when what the first Ark of the Covenant had represented through types and shadows was ready to fade away giving room for Christ, the true Ark of the New Covenant to come. This box overlaid with gold was never the true mercy seat of the Lord, but served only as a type until the true Ark would appear, and again this Shekinah glory would reappear with the true Ark (Christ Himself). So definitely there had to be a reason why once the Shekinah glory had departed the temple, hovering over the Mount of Olives, that Israel should never again see the visible sign as before the captivity.

SILENTLY THE GLORY DEPARTS

Again notice from Ezekiel’s visions how when the glory of the Lord departed Jerusalem and hovered over the mountain no voice spake from it although he saw the cherubim in it. How it departed, yet there was no voice of the Lord. It is plain to see that during the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, three things disappeared which would reappear in the second temple years later. However because of the blindness of Israel they were unable to recognize their identity for never once were they able to recognize the TRUE ARK, THE SHEKINAH GLORY OF KINGSHIP when it reappeared in the temple in Jesus Christ the Lord.

With the rededication of the second temple it is recorded that the people wept for in their hearts, though there was no visible sign, by faith they accepted the fact that God would meet with them and lead them on. This glory would only reappear when God would arrive in Christ the TRUE ARK. They no longer had the Ark of the Covenant, but would still enter the holy of holies and God would meet them there and lead them anyway.

Up until the first advent of Christ, which covered a period of some 400 silent years, where there was no voice of God, the Jews continued offering their sacrifices upon the altar. Of what did the altar of sacrifice speak: Recall, From Abel’s sacrifice who, by revelation, (or faith) knew it was to be the blood of a lamb offered unto God for sin (Hebrews 11). Until the day Christ hung on the cross God had required animal sacrifice for atonement for man’s sin. From Genesis we learn Cain, because of no revelation, attempted to offer another type sacrifice, works of his hands, as an atonement for sin. We are fully aware that God refused such a sacrifice for nothing but the blood can atone for man’s sins. Innocent animals had to serve as a substitute from the day of Abel till the final day when Christ the Lamb of God was offered from the cross of Calvary. It has always taken the blood of the innocent bull, goats, sheep, lambs, doves and pigeons to serve as substitutes. Man offered these substitutes for an atonement for sin until the Innocent One came.

NOW ONLY ONE ALTAR

For several thousand years man offered his sacrifice upon his own particular altar anywhere he chose, however, once the Law Age came this privilege ceased. From Abel to Abraham man made his altar anywhere. Though once the Law came this privilege came to an end and the altar was established in one place. That law of God has never changed. Sacrifices unto God may be offered only in one place, the temple grounds in Jerusalem. This was in effect until the day Christ died. Every animal sacrifice had caused the worshiper to look ahead unto that day when One would take their place. According to Hebrews the blood of bulls and goats never really took away sin, only pushed it ahead until the time when the Perfect One, the Innocent One would come placing upon His shoulders the sins of the whole world. Death of these innocent animals only continued renewing the debt man owed to God until the Innocent one would come and pay the principal of the entire thing. All animal sacrifices did was to pay the interest, Christ paid the debt in full when He came.

BLOOD ON THE ALTAR

For 4,000 years man, by faith, had looked ahead to the coming of the Just One who would take his place. Sacrificing the animals only served to remind the worshiper they served as a substitute. Each time man offered an animal, in his heart he was saying, “Little fellow, you are a poor little innocent thing, it’s a shame you must suffer just for me.” As man watched that life slowly fade away, as it lay there quivering and dying the worshiper was made to realize, One day He will come and take my place. This is what is constantly required to remind the worshiper that one day the Just One would come to take their place. (Hebrews 10:3-4) This continued 4,000 years, showing why there must be blood on the altar. For without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin. (Hebrews 9:22)

Seventy years captivity passes and the fallen altar is re-built along with the temple being reconstructed. Although there was no voice heard in Israel for that 400 years, they continued in their restored worship. God blessed and moved in their behalf. However, the time came when God was ready to change the order of events causing animal sacrifice to cease when Christ was sacrificed on the Cross. The New Testament pictured Christ to be the Lamb of God who was born to take away the sins of the whole world. According to John 1:1-12, the Word who was God was made flesh. Christ Himself was now what these two tables of stone represented in that wooden box which was overlaid with gold. Christ was that in human form. He was the Word of God, the Son of Man and in essence of flesh, the Son of God. Everything that box stood for, Christ was, therefore it was of necessity as long as the box, which was the Ark of the Covenant, was present, Christ could not be on the scene and don’t forget as long as the box was here there was that visible sign of God’s glory that was ever present with it.