Congregation Book Study, Week of October 4-10, 2021, Chapter 14, Paragraphs 15-20, Underlined Answers.

Congregation Book Study, October 4-10, 2021, Chapter 13, Paragraphs 15-20, Underlined Answers.

Congregation Bible Study (30 min.): Rr ch. 14 paras. 15-20.

Standards for Pure Worship Today

15. What do we need to remember as we discuss some lessons from the temple of vision?

Let's now look at some specific details of Ezekiel's vision. Imagine accompanying Ezekiel on his tour of this great temple. Remember that what you are seeing is not the great spiritual temple, only lessons are being drawn that have to do with our worship of Jehovah. What are some of these lessons?

16. What do we learn from all the measurements that appear in Ezekiel's vision? (See the drawing at the beginning).

Why so many measures? Ezekiel watches the copper-like angel accurately measure every corner of the temple: the walls, the doors, the guard rooms, the courtyards, and the altar. The sheer amount of detail could overwhelm any reader (Ezek. 40: 1-42: 20; 43:13, 14). But think about the important lessons we can draw from all this information. By recording so many details, it is evident that Jehovah wants to emphasize the importance of his standards. It is he who sets the rules, not just humans. Those who claim that no matter how we worship God are very wrong. Furthermore, by measuring the temple with such precision, Jehovah guarantees that the restoration of pure worship is an absolute reality. The fulfillment of God's promises is as exact as all those exact measurements. With this,

ILLUSTRATION

Ezekiel observing how the man who looks like copper measures the temple of vision.

What have you learned from the exact measurements of the temple? (See paragraph 16)

17. What does the outer wall that surrounded the huge temple area remind us of?

The outer wall of the temple. As we have analyzed, Ezekiel saw a wall that surrounded the huge area of ​​the temple. This detail clearly reminds us that God's servants had to make sure that spiritual filth was kept far away from pure worship so that God's house would never be polluted (read Ezekiel 43: 7-9). How much we need that same advice today! In 1919, when God's people were released from their long spiritual captivity in Babylon, Christ appointed His faithful and wise slave. Especially since then, God's servants have struggled to rid themselves of false teachings and practices that are steeped in idolatry and pagan doctrines. So we make sure that spiritual dirt stays as far away from pure worship as possible.

18, 19. a) What do we learn from the huge doors that the temple of vision had? (b) How will we react when someone tries to lower Jehovah's high standards? Give an example.

The huge doors. What lessons can we learn from the high doors Ezekiel saw? This detail of the temple undoubtedly taught the exiled Jews that Jehovah's moral standards are very high. And in our day, does it teach us the same? As we worship Jehovah in the great spiritual temple, isn't it even more important now that we behave properly and not act hypocritically? (Rom. 12: 9; 1 Pet. 1:14, 15). During the last days, Jehovah has been leading his people to faithfully follow his moral standards. * For example, unrepentant sinners are expelled from the congregation (1 Cor. 5: 11-13). On the other hand, the guard rooms that were inside the structure of the doors remind us that if a person does not have God's approval, You will not be allowed to enter the spiritual temple to worship Jehovah. Someone living a double life may attend the Kingdom Hall, but they will not have Jehovah's approval until they do things his way. --Jas. 4: 8. This undoubtedly protects pure worship in an extraordinary way in this age of immorality and depravity.

The Bible predicts that this world would be corrupted before the end came. In it we read that "the wicked and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived" (2 Tim. 3:13). Today more and more people are misled by the misconception that Jehovah's high standards are too restrictive, outdated, or even useless. Will you be confused too? For example, God's Word makes it clear that those who practice homosexuality are doing something "that is obscene." Jehovah warns us about the danger of condoning immoral conduct. --Rom. 1: 24-27, 32. If someone tries to convince you that God's standards are wrong, will you end up thinking the same, or will you rather support what Jehovah God says? When we find ourselves in a similar situation, It will help us to think about the image of the temple that Ezekiel saw with those huge doors. This will remind us that no matter what this wicked world does or says, Jehovah does not lower his righteous standards. Are we on our heavenly Father's side and standing up for what is right?

20. What details of Ezekiel's vision strengthen the “great crowd”?

Playgrounds. When Ezekiel saw that huge outer courtyard, he must have been very moved: how many happy servants of Jehovah could worship him there together! Christians today worship Jehovah in a much holier place. Ezekiel's vision strengthens the “great crowd,” God's servants in the outer courtyard of Jehovah's spiritual temple. --Rev. 7: 9, 10, 14, 15. Ezekiel saw that the courtyards were filled with dining rooms where the Jews could eat together part of the peace sacrifices they presented (Ezek. 40:17). In a sense, it was as if they were eating with Jehovah, a sign of peace and friendship. Now we no longer offer the sacrifices required by the Mosaic Law, as the Jews did. But we do offer “a sacrifice of praise” when we engage in pure worship, for example, making comments and showing our faith in meetings or in preaching (Heb. 13:15). In addition to that, we nourish ourselves with the spiritual food that Jehovah gives us. No wonder we felt like the sons of Korah when they sang to Jehovah: “One day in your courtyards is better than a thousand anywhere else!” (Ps. 84:10).