Ezekiel 37 – God’s Promise
21 And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: Ezekiel 37:21 KJV
Today I would like to focus on God’s promise from the Old Testament. This passage is found in the Old Testament but it also speaks of a time in the future. Part of that future already came to pass when the Lord brought the inhabitants back to Israel once it became a nation again. Although this pertains to the time Israel was declared a nation it also refers to another future. This is interesting how the Bible can fulfill a prophecy and at the same time come to completion in another future event.
22 And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all. Ezekiel 37:22 KJV
A future prophecy is exactly this portion of the promise. Although Israel is a nation right now it does not have one king ruling over them. The one king that is referred in the scripture is the Lord Jesus. He will be king to them all.
23 Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwellingplaces, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God. Ezekiel 37:23 KJV
Once Jesus is king over all they will not defile themselves with idols or any detestable thing. They will not transgress. The Lord will save them and they will be cleansed from all sin. Right after the millennial reign there will be a time of cleansing. What does this mean? Well, when satan is released after being captive for 1000 years he will be allowed to be loosed again. The purpose of this release is to expose the final enemies of God. These people who reveal themselves will be immediately annihilated with fire from heaven. Israel will be cleansed of any enemies of God and the Lord Jesus will be their God.
24 And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them. Ezekiel 37:24 KJV
When the Bible refers to David as king this is symbolic for Jesus and he is also the one shepherd. Jesus is the descendent of King David who was prophesied would rule over his house. He is the seed of Abraham as well.
25 And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children’s children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever. Ezekiel 37:25 KJV
Notice how this scripture now mentions Jacob. Jacob is part of that same lineage. If you recall Jacob’s name was changed to Israel so when the scriptures refer to him it is still the same family. It also says their children and their children’s children will live there for ever. They will live in the nation of Israel forever. It is beautiful how this last part says David shall be their prince. He has always been referred to as a King but here he is a prince because he will be under the rule of our Lord and King Jesus.
Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. Ezekiel 37:26 KJV
The Lord Jesus will make a covenant with them (Israel) and will place them in the land he promised. He will multiply them and put his sanctuary in the middle of them. A sanctuary is a holy or sacred place but if we recall what it says in the book of Revelation John tells us there will be no temple in the New Jerusalem.
22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. Revelation 21:22-23 KJV
As you see in verse 22 there is no temple in the New Jerusalem but it does say God and Jesus are the temple of it. So what does the word sanctuary actually mean in this case?
17 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O Lord, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established. Exodus 15:17 KJV
In this verse the sanctuary appears to mean the place where the Lord dwells or lives. It is a place which his hands have established. In the Old Testament the temple King Solomon built was the Lord’s home. He built it with money and the labor of men. It was even mobile for a time but in the future he will make Jerusalem his home. The sacred place where he will live and the nations will be able to come visit anytime. He built it with his hands. It has a foundation which is himself that means everything we believe in Jesus to save us. The pillars are the support that hold that belief up are the 24 saints that helped make it come to existence. The stones which are the support for the walls represent the saints that testified of him so others could be part of this sanctuary. If you recall there are twelve colors described in Revelation 21:19-20 for each of the families of Israel. There are also 12 gates which are also represented by the 12 sons of Israel. You can read more about this parallel description in a post called Old Testament Sanctuary vs the Heavenly Sanctuary.
24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. Revelation 21:24 KJV
All the people of the nations will be able to walk in the light of this sanctuary and bring their glory and honor into it. Praise the Lord! That is a wonderful view and promise, don’t you think? For the Lord is an awesome God.
