Congregation Bible Study (30 min.): Rr ch. 14 paras. 21-25 and Box 14A, Responses.
21. What can anointed Christians learn from the priests of this vision?
The priests. Ezekiel saw that the doors to the inner courtyard, through which only the priests and Levites entered, were identical to the doors to the outer courtyard, through which people who did not belong to the tribe with priestly rights passed. That was a good way to remind the priests that Jehovah's standards for pure worship were for them too. How does this affect us today? Although the priesthood is no longer hereditary among God's servants, anointed Christians are told, “You are 'a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation'” (1 Pet. 2: 9). In ancient Israel, the priests worshiped God in a separate courtyard. Today anointed Christians are not literally separated from their godbrothers, but they do have a special relationship with Jehovah: they are his adopted children. --Gal. 4: 4-6). And for this group there are also very useful ideas in Ezekiel's vision. For example, they take into account that priests could also be advised and corrected. It is important for all Christians to remember that they are part of “one flock” serving under “one shepherd” (read John 10:16).
ILLUSTRATION
Brothers and sisters greeting each other outside a Kingdom Hall.
What do the huge gates and courtyards teach us about pure worship? (See paragraphs 18-21).
22, 23. (a) What can the elders learn by thinking of the chief who appears in the vision? b) What could happen in the future?
The boss. In Ezekiel's vision, the chief is a really important person who oversees the people and helps them make sacrifices. But since he is not from the priestly tribe, he must submit to the authority of the priests within the temple grounds (Ezek. 44: 2, 3; 45:16, 17; 46: 2). So he is a good example for those who have some degree of responsibility in the congregation. In reality, all elders, including circuit overseers, must be obedient and submissive to God's appointed faithful slave (Heb. 13:17). Elders strive to help God's servants offer sacrifices of praise in congregation meetings and in preaching (Eph. 4:11, 12). And they also take note of how Jehovah rebuked the chiefs of Israel for abusing their power (Ezek. 45: 9). Equally, the elders know that they can also receive advice and correction. Furthermore, they appreciate it and see it as an opportunity Jehovah gives them to move forward and become better pastors and overseers. --Read 1 Peter 5: 1-3.
Jehovah will continue to provide loving and skillful overseers in the future Paradise. In fact, many of the elders are already receiving training to be good shepherds there (Ps. 45:16). Isn't it exciting to think that those same men will be a blessing in the new world? Later, when Jehovah sees fit, we may better understand Ezekiel's vision and the other promises of restoration. Perhaps some details will be fulfilled in the future in a surprising way; in a way that we can't even imagine now. Time will tell.
Jehovah Blesses Pure Worship
24, 25. What prophetic images in the vision describe Jehovah's blessings for his faithful people?
Finally, let's recall the most impressive event in Ezekiel's vision: Jehovah himself goes to the temple and promises his people that he will stay with them, as long as they stick to his standards for pure worship. --Ezek. 43: 4-9). What effect would Jehovah's presence have on the people and the country?
In this vision some divine blessings are described by these two comforting prophetic images: 1) a river that comes from the temple sanctuary and turns the ground into fertile and full of life, and 2) a country divided in an orderly and precise way, with the temple and its terrain in the central zone. These passages have a lot to do with us. Why? For we live in a time when Jehovah has entered, so to speak, a much more sacred system of worship — the great spiritual temple — which he himself has purified and approved (Mal. 3: 1-4). In chapters 19-21 of this book we will discuss these two prophetic images.
INFORMATIVE BOX 14A: Lessons from Ezekiel's Temple Vision
Aerial view of the Temple of the Vision of Ezekiel.
Pure worship rises and protects
The temple of vision is set on "a very high mountain" (1). Have we put pure worship high and does it rank first in our lives?
The outer wall (2) surrounded a huge area of land (3); in the center of that area was the temple precinct. We draw an important lesson from this: Let us not let anything contaminate our worship of Jehovah. If even "common use" must be far from pure worship, even more so impure or immoral conduct must be outside the lives of those who worship Jehovah (Ezek. 42:20).
Eternal blessings
From the sanctuary of the temple comes a stream of water that increases until it is a torrent that turns the ground into fertile land full of life (4). In chapter 19 of this book we will discuss those blessings.
The same rules for everyone
The enormous outer (5) and inner (9) doors remind us that Jehovah has set high standards of conduct for all who wish to give him pure worship. Note that the interior and exterior doors are identical, the same size. And it is logical, because Jehovah's righteous commands are the same for all his servants, regardless of their responsibilities or position in the congregation.
A meal at Jehovah's table
The dining rooms (8) remind us that, in ancient times, people could eat part of the sacrifices that they brought to the temple; in that sense they shared a meal with Jehovah. Today is different. Christians worship in the spiritual temple, where “one sacrifice” has already been offered (Heb. 10:12). However, we do offer sacrifices of praise (Heb. 13:15).
A guarantee from God
Reading so many measurements and details in the vision may make you feel somewhat overwhelmed. But all of this teaches us a very important lesson: it assures us that Jehovah's purpose of restoring pure worship is something certain, something as unalterable and exact as those measures. Although Ezekiel does not say that there are other people in the vision, he wrote down the firm correction that Jehovah gave to the priests, the chiefs, and the people. All of God's servants must abide by his righteous standards.
PURE WORSHIP AND YOU
What practical lessons did the exiled Jews perhaps learn when they studied the vision of the temple?
They learned that all Christians are one, we all form one flock and that only one shepherd serves.
Why can we say that vision also has to do with us?
Because in the vision, Jehovah rebukes the chiefs of Israel for abusing their power. Likewise, we can see that the elders learn from this vision that they can also receive advice and correction. And we brothers can also learn that everyone in the congregation supports each other, we give each other advice that can help us improve as a congregation.
As you study the box “Lessons from Ezekiel's Temple Vision,” what lessons have you thought about putting into practice in your personal worship of Jehovah?
We could put into practice that receiving advice and correction is not a bad thing, rather it helps us to be better and learn more from our mistakes.
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