What connections exist between Ezekiel 43:26 and New Testament teachings on holiness? Looking Closely at Ezekiel 43:26 “ ‘For seven days they shall make atonement for the altar and cleanse it; so they will consecrate it.’ ” (Ezekiel 43:26) Three Key Actions: Atonement, Cleansing, Consecration • Atonement – removal of guilt through a substitutionary sacrifice • Cleansing – washing away defilement so that what was unfit becomes pure • Consecration – setting apart exclusively for God’s use How the New Testament Echoes These Themes • Atonement fulfilled in Jesus – “He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” (Hebrews 9:12) – “The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7) • Cleansing applied to believers – “You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (1 Corinthians 6:11) – Christ “gave Himself up for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word.” (Ephesians 5:25-26) • Consecration of a new temple – “You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood.” (1 Peter 2:5) – “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.” (Romans 12:1) Jesus, the Ultimate Seven-Day Consecration • The seven-day ritual in Ezekiel points to completeness; Christ’s single, perfect offering accomplished in real history what seven days of animal sacrifice only anticipated (Hebrews 10:10-14). • Whereas priests labored through an entire week, Jesus declared, “It is finished.” (John 19:30) Living Out Holiness Today • Because atonement and cleansing are complete, believers are already “sanctified in Christ Jesus” (1 Corinthians 1:2). • Yet we pursue practical holiness: “Let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1) • The consecrated altar symbolizes lives wholly yielded for continual worship and service (Hebrews 13:15-16). Summary Connections Ezekiel 43:26’s week-long atonement, cleansing, and consecration ceremony foreshadows New Testament holiness. Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice secures complete atonement, His blood cleanses believers, and the Spirit consecrates us as God’s living temple, calling us to embody the holiness already secured for us. |
    |