Ezekiel 48
Today’s topic will continue to expand on the Father’s house. In a previous post we read how the correlation of what Jesus spoke in John 14:2 also lines up with the holy city that descends from heaven. As I was reading more in Ezekiel 48 we find out more details that confirm the placement of the family of Israel (Jacob) in the kingdom. This kingdom we are referring to is the one that will physically be here on earth when Jesus lives and reigns with the saints on earth.
There are people who only think Jesus is reigning in heaven, which He is. Heaven is the spirit realm and rules over all that realm right now but Jesus will be here on earth, reigning in his glorious, resurrected body.
In Ezekiel 48 the prophet speaks of the 12 tribes and where their inheritance will be.
And for them, even for the priests, shall be this holy oblation; toward the north five and twenty thousand in length, and toward the west ten thousand in breadth, and toward the east ten thousand in breadth, and toward the south five and twenty thousand in length: and the sanctuary of the Lord shall be in the midst thereof. Ezekiel 48:10 KJV
As we read in the scripture, the Lord will be in the center of all of the tribes. The prophet Ezekiel goes on to tell us the sizes of the suburbs of the city and specific locations the tribes will be positioned.
And they that serve the city shall serve it out of all the tribes of Israel. Ezekiel 48:19 KJV
The tribes of Israel will serve the city and make oblations and the sanctuary [the dwelling place where the Lord Jesus will be] is located in the middle of all the families.
This is exactly how the ark of the covenant was situated with the families of Israel in the Old Testament. They surrounded the ark on all sides (north, south, east and west) when they rested in a place, as well as, when they were in transit. Each family positioned themselves with their family banner. Judah in the East, Reuben in the South, Ephraim in the West and Dan in the North. (Numbers 2,10,18, 25) There is always a reason the Lord did things in a certain way. Looking back, many times we can associate those things with future events. Those are often referred to as “shadows” of things to come.
The scripture goes on to mention that the priests, which were also known as the “Levites”, were the ones who surrounded the ark in close proximity. This is wonderful and interesting to see this same layout for the kingdom when the Lord Jesus will live with us forever on earth. I must emphasize “on earth” because there are people who teach it will be in heaven but this is not what the scriptures reveal to us. The land is actual property on earth. The Lord is indeed reigning in heaven now but He will come to reign on earth.
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 KJV
Jesus is reigning now in the spiritual realm but He is coming to claim His throne on earth too. He has a task to do for the Father and He will accomplish it. The Lord never fails. You can read more on the tasks the Lord Jesus has been assigned in a post called, “The Lord’s 3 Mandates.”
It shall be for the priests that are sanctified of the sons of Zadok; which have kept my charge, which went not astray when the children of Israel went astray, as the Levites went astray. And this oblation of the land that is offered shall be unto them a thing most holy by the border of the Levites. Ezekiel 48:11-12 KJV
In the diagram of the Father’s house, you will notice the “Holy of holies” was the place where the ark of the covenant was kept. In the new kingdom, as mentioned earlier, this place will be where the Lord Jesus will actually live. The second place which was known as the “holy place” was where the priests were allowed to enter and present the offerings to the Lord. In the new kingdom, this holy place will be occupied or inhabited by the priests. According to the scriptures, they will be in the area bordering the Holy of holies (the Lord’s house) and the rest of the tribes a little further back from the priests.
Moreover from the possession of the Levites, and from the possession of the city, being in the midst of that which is the prince’s, between the border of Judah and the border of Benjamin, shall be for the prince. Ezekiel 48:22 KJV
The prince mentioned in the scripture is referring to the Lord Jesus. Jesus is known by many names and one of them is the Prince of Peace. But in this particular case, He is referred to as simply the prince. The Levites will live right next to Him, then Judah and Benjamin on each side. The rest of the chapter goes on to explain the divisions of land between the tribes.
We hope you got something good out of this study. This was a short but hopefully an insightful overview for you. Stay tuned for more insights! Thank you for reading this post and wanting to learn more about the Lord.
