How does God's glory filling the temple in Ezekiel 43:5 inspire worship today? The Scene of Overwhelming Glory Ezekiel 43:5: “The Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and the glory of the LORD filled the temple.” • A literal moment: God’s tangible presence returned to a rebuilt temple after the prophet had watched it depart in chapters 8–11. • The inner court—closest access to God—overflows with His brightness, weight, and holiness. • Not mere symbolism; the passage anchors worship in a real, historical display of divine glory. God’s Glory: Unchanging and Near • Exodus 40:34–35; 1 Kings 8:10–11 show the same glory cloud. God’s nature does not shift with time. • John 1:14—“The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us, and we beheld His glory.” Christ embodies the same glory Ezekiel saw. • Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Worship today rests on this continuity. A Call to Reverent Awe • Isaiah 6:1–4 underscores the tremor of holiness; Ezekiel echoes that scene. • Worship is not casual; when glory fills the temple, priests cannot stand (2 Chronicles 5:13–14). Practical outflow: – Approach gatherings mindful of God’s blazing holiness. – Guard hearts from flippancy; allow silence and stillness to acknowledge His weight. A Call to Holiness • Ezekiel 43:7–9 confronts sin immediately after the glory appears—God will not share space with idolatry. • 1 Peter 1:15–16: “Be holy, because I am holy.” Practical outflow: – Personal repentance prepares the “inner court” of the heart. – Churches pursue purity in doctrine and conduct, honoring His presence. A Call to Personal Surrender • Romans 12:1: “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice.” The temple imagery shifts from stone walls to yielded lives. • 2 Corinthians 3:18: beholding the Lord’s glory transforms believers “from glory to glory.” Practical outflow: – Daily devotions become meetings in the “inner court.” – Obedience is offered not as duty but as delight in His nearness. A Call to Corporate Worship • Psalm 95:6 invites, “Come, let us bow down in worship.” Glory-filled worship is communal. • Acts 2:1–4: the Spirit fills gathered believers, echoing temple filling. Practical outflow: – Expect God to manifest His presence when the church meets. – Use songs, Scripture reading, and sacraments that spotlight His majesty, not human performance. Living as Temples Filled with His Glory • 1 Corinthians 6:19: “Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.” • Ephesians 2:21–22: believers grow into a holy temple in the Lord. Practical outflow: – Carry worship beyond Sunday; every sphere (home, work) becomes sacred space. – Radiate His character—love, truth, righteousness—to a watching world. Responding in Hope and Expectation • Habakkuk 2:14: “The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD.” • Revelation 21:22–23: the New Jerusalem needs no temple because “the glory of God illuminates it.” • Ezekiel’s vision whets the appetite for that ultimate fulfillment; worship now rehearses eternity. |
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