What significance does the "inner sanctuary" hold in Ezekiel 41:3 for believers today? Setting the Scene “Then he went into the inner sanctuary and measured the jambs of the entrance; each was two cubits thick. The entrance was six cubits wide, and the walls on each side were seven cubits wide.” (Ezekiel 41:3) What the Inner Sanctuary Was • Also called the Most Holy Place—an exact, cube-shaped room (cf. 1 Kings 6:20) • Separated from the Holy Place by a thick wall and a heavy door (Exodus 26:33) • Reserved solely for the manifest presence of God; only the high priest could enter, and only once a year (Leviticus 16:2, 34) Why It Mattered in Ezekiel’s Vision • Ezekiel’s temple blueprint comes after chapters of judgment; the restored inner sanctuary proclaims God’s intention to dwell among His repentant people (Ezekiel 43:5–7). • Precise measurements highlight holiness—every cubit declares, “No impurity enters here.” • The thickness of the walls (two and seven cubits) signals complete separation from sin and perfect security in God’s presence. Fulfilled and Surpassed in Christ • At the moment of Jesus’ death, “the veil of the temple was torn in two” (Matthew 27:51), opening the way into the true inner sanctuary (Hebrews 10:19-20). • Jesus entered the “greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made by hands” and sprinkled His own blood, securing eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:11-12). • He is now “a high priest over the house of God,” inviting believers to “draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10:21-22). Significance for Believers Today • Access: The once-exclusive room is now open; every believer enjoys direct, continuous access to the Father (Ephesians 2:18). • Identity: In Christ, we have become “a temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19). The inner sanctuary moves from stone walls to the believer’s heart. • Holiness: Just as the Most Holy Place was walled off from defilement, we guard our lives from sin, pursuing purity that befits God’s dwelling (1 Peter 1:15-16). • Worship: Awareness of being God’s sanctuary fuels reverent, joyful worship—our daily lives become offerings “acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5). • Hope: Ezekiel’s vision will culminate in the future, literal millennial temple (Ezekiel 43–48). Our present fellowship is a foretaste of the unbroken, physical presence we will enjoy when the Lord reigns on earth (Revelation 21:3). Living Out the Reality 1. Guard the heart—maintain the “thick walls” of holiness through repentance and obedience. 2. Cherish open access—approach God confidently and frequently, knowing the veil is gone. 3. Reflect His presence—let speech, conduct, and love align with the sacred space you now are. The inner sanctuary of Ezekiel 41:3 is more than ancient architecture; it is a living picture of our present privilege and future hope: God dwelling within and among His redeemed people, now and forever. |
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