The Blessings of New Creation in Ezekiel’s Temple

The Blessings of New Creation in Ezekiel’s Temple

Ezekiel 48:35

Speaker: Senior Pastor, Reverend Philip Lee

Service: Moriah, Summer Conference Closing Service

Date: July 29, 2020

The Inerrant Word of God

The Bible is the inerrant Word of God from the book of Genesis to Revelation. Every single word and number in the Bible is recorded by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Tim 3:16). The Bible declares, “No prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God” (2 Pet 1:21). Thus the Bible is the “perfect” Word of God; even the “numbers” written in the Bible are the Word of God.

We Must Not Add or Take Away From the Bible

Because the Bible is the perfect Word of God, we must not add or take away from the Word of God (Deut 4:2). We, therefore, must not depart from the Bible by adding or taking away from God’s Word, for if we do, we cannot stand before the Tree of Life which is Christ Jesus (Rev 22:19). God says we must be careful not to add to nor take away from His Word (Deut 12:32). Ref: (Prov 30:6; Rev 22:18; Gen 30:6).

The Representative Meaning of the Number 8

There are various meanings for the number “8” but among them, we are going to look at the representative meanings of the number “8.” The number “8” speaks of a “new start” and a “new creation.” First, in the Old Testament, circumcision was done on the 8th day (Gen 17:12). Thus on the 8th day, the foreskin of a male child was cut off, representing a new start. Also, Noah who came out of the ark to include his family totaled a number of “8” people (1 Pet 3:20). These “8” people who came out of the ark were starting anew in the new world. During the “Feast of Booths” on the 8th day, there is a gathering of a “solemn assembly” (Num 29:35). During the “Feast of Booths, on the 8th day, you come into the wilderness and pitch your tent, and experience the wilderness, and on the 8th day, you return back to your homeland with a new start and new heart.

Therefore, in the Old Testament, the number “8” speaks of a new start and new creation. Jesus in the New Testament gave the “sermon on the Mount” and proclaimed “8” beatitudes. The first and final beatitudes say, “For theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matt 5:3, 10). The greatest blessing for us is that the kingdom of heaven becomes ours. If someone becomes famous on this earth but goes to “hell,” then that life is a life of failure. Lazarus lived a life of a beggar but believed and was able to go into the “bosom of Abraham.” Therefore Lazarus the beggar lived a successful life (Luke 16:22). Thus, wherever we go we must always be thinking of heaven.

Secondly, Jesus spoke of being born again, and He proclaimed this message “8” times (John 3:3-8). Thirdly, Jesus was transfigured on a very high mountain on the 8th day (Luke 9:28). Fourthly, in Matthew 28:1 it says, “After the Sabbath.” Thus, Jesus resurrected on the first day after the Sabbath (7th day), which is the 8th day. And so this new start and creation, with relevance to the number “8,” Jesus actually carried out the number “8” in His ministry. By His resurrection, we were liberated from sin and death and Jesus gave us a new Sabbath. Therefore we do not observe the Old Testament Sabbath but we keep the Lord’s Day which is the new Sabbath.

The Relevance of the Number “8” in Ezekiel’s Temple

In Ezekiel’s temple, the number “8” appears. First, there were “8” tables for slaughtering sacrifices to the front and rear of the entrance of the gate facing north in the inner court (Ezek 40:41). Thus we must die in order for the number “8” to be manifested and fulfilled in our lives to have a new start and new creation (Gal 2:20; Gal 5:24). Secondly, in order to go into the “inner court” from the gates facing north and south, you must ascend “8” steps (Ezek 40:31, 34,37). In front of the temple, there is the “altar of burnt offering” with a total of 25 steps that lead up to the altar. The steps leading up to the outer court are “7” steps, and the steps leading up to the inner courts are “8” steps and then there is the temple. In order to go up to the temple, there are “10” steps. Thus, 7+8+10 equals 25 steps. This demonstrates that the basic number for Ezekiel’s temple is the number “25.”

Also, there are 25 steps leading up to the altar of burnt offering. The altar of burnt offering is at the center of Ezekiel’s temple and centered on the altar is the number “8” in the middle, and on either side, there is the number “10,” and the number “7.” Thus, the numbers “10” and “7” meet the number “8” and you get the number “25.” The number “7” is the perfect number, and the number “10” speaks of fullness; thus number “17” reveals victory. Through the cross of Jesus Christ, we have already received the victory! (Rom 5:8; Col 2:15). If we have received the blessing of victory through the cross of Jesus Christ, then daily we must live a life of being “renewed” (2 Cor 4:16; Eph 4:22-24). By doing this we can enter into Ezekiel’s temple.

The Blessing of Jehovah-Shammah and the Number “8”

Jehovah-Shammah means “The Lord is There.” The blessing of Jehovah-Shammah was not proclaimed in Ezekiel’s temple but in the city of Ezekiel where the chosen people of Israel worked. Therefore, God does not just dwell in the church but is there wherever we go, even when we proclaim the Word online and on the internet. In the city where Jehovah-Shammah was proclaimed, the city measured 4,500 cubits all around and on either side, there was an area of 250 long cubits for a total of 5,000 cubits. The perimeter of the city is 4,500 cubits x 4 = 18,000 long cubits. Interestingly, 18,000 cubits are 25 x 720 with the basic number being “25.”

Conclusion: In the end times, we must become the spiritual 144,000 and the first fruits that are able to sing the new song (Rev 14:3-4). Those who are renewed will become the 144,000 and sing the new song because they are renewed with the Word of God (Col 3:16). However, in order to become renewed, we must first repent of all of our transgressions (Ezek 18:31). This is what Ezekiel’s temple is asking us to do: repent and receive the blessing of the spiritual number “8.” 18,000 multiplied by “8” totals 144,000. Thus, the blessing of Jehovah-Shammah is the person who is renewed and becomes the 144,000, sing the new song, become the first fruits, and is moved into the hand of the Father. Only when we believe in Jesus can we repent and be renewed (2 Cor 5:17). So let us seek the Father’s kingdom first and his righteousness in faithfulness, and may our souls, spirits, and bodies become renewed in Jesus so that not one person be left behind and all of us will enter in the kingdom of heaven.