What connections exist between Ezekiel 41:20 and the temple descriptions in Revelation? Looking at the Texts Side by Side • Ezekiel 41:20 – “From the floor to the area above the entrance, cherubim and palm trees were carved on the wall of the inner sanctuary.” • Revelation 4:6–8 – “…Around the throne were four living creatures…Day and night they never stop saying: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty….’” • Revelation 7:9 – “…a great multitude…standing before the throne…holding palm branches in their hands.” • Revelation 11:1 – “Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, ‘Go and measure the temple of God….’” • Revelation 21:22 – “I saw no temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.” Shared Imagery: Cherubim/Living Creatures • Ezekiel’s cherubim guard the Most Holy Place, emphasizing God’s holiness. • John sees four living creatures performing the same role—perpetual worship and guardianship of the throne’s holiness (Revelation 4:6–8). • Both visions place these beings closest to God, underlining that access to Him is always mediated through divinely appointed guardians. Palm Trees and Palms • In Ezekiel, palm trees decorate every section of the inner sanctuary wall, symbolizing victory and life. • In Revelation 7:9, redeemed saints wave palm branches, declaring the Lamb’s victory. • The consistent use of palm imagery in both books links the Millennial Temple’s décor to the eternal celebration in heaven, pointing to uninterrupted life and triumph in God’s presence. Measuring the House • Ezekiel 40–42 records exact measurements of every wall, gate, and chamber. • Revelation 11:1 mirrors this with the command to “measure the temple,” stressing precision, ownership, and divine order. • The measuring acts in both prophecies affirm that God Himself defines sacred space and controls who may enter it (cf. Zechariah 2:1–5). Holiness and Separation • Ezekiel 41:20 notes art “from the floor to the area above the entrance,” indicating that every vertical inch proclaims holiness. • Revelation 15:5–8 pictures the heavenly temple filled with God’s glory so intensely that “no one could enter” until judgment is complete—another declaration that holiness saturates the whole structure. Progressive Revelation of God’s Dwelling 1. Ezekiel — A physical, earthly temple promised for the future kingdom (Ezekiel 43:7). 2. Revelation 11 — A heavenly temple opened for judgment. 3. Revelation 21 — No distinct temple at all, because the Father and the Lamb themselves are the temple. • The decor of cherubim and palms in Ezekiel foreshadows the living creatures and palm-bearing saints in Revelation, showing a movement from symbolic carvings to living realities, and finally to God Himself as the ultimate sanctuary. Key Takeaways for Today • God’s holiness is unchanging: whether in carved cherubim or living creatures, He is always surrounded by praise. • Victory and life belong to those in covenant with Him: the palm trees of Ezekiel blossom into the palm branches of redeemed worshipers in Revelation. • Divine order brings security: the measured walls of both visions remind us that God’s plan is precise and trustworthy. • The end goal is fellowship: every temple detail points forward to a day when “the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb” are our direct dwelling place forever (Revelation 21:22). |
    |