How does Ezekiel 43:20 connect to Christ's ultimate sacrifice for our sins? The verse itself “You are to take some of its blood and put it on the four horns of the altar, on the four corners of the ledge, and on the rim all around. In this way you shall purify the altar and make atonement for it.” Where Ezekiel is standing • Ezekiel has been led, step by step, through a visionary temple (Ezekiel 40 – 48). • After God’s glory returns (43:1-5), the altar is the first object consecrated. • A sin offering bull is sacrificed; its blood is applied to every edge of the altar so that the entire structure is declared clean and fit for fellowship with God. Why blood on the altar mattered • “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22). • Blood represented life (Leviticus 17:11). By placing life-blood on the altar, sin’s death-sentence was answered. • Covering all four horns, all four corners, and the rim showed that atonement had to be total—nothing left untouched by cleansing. How this points forward to Jesus • The bull’s blood was limited; Christ’s blood is unlimited. – “He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:12). • The altar needed cleansing; Jesus Himself became both sacrifice and altar (Hebrews 13:10-12). • Four horns and four corners hint at a universal reach. Christ’s cross is proclaimed to the “ends of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6; Acts 1:8). • The bull’s blood purified a symbolic structure; Christ’s blood purifies people—heart, conscience, and future (Hebrews 9:14; 1 John 1:7). • Ezekiel’s altar was inaugurated on day one of temple worship; Calvary inaugurated a new covenant the very moment Christ died (Matthew 27:51; Hebrews 10:19-20). Key parallels • Atonement required – Ezekiel: “make atonement for it.” – Christ: “He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 2:2). • Blood applied once – Ezekiel: one application consecrated the altar. – Christ: one sacrifice “for all time” perfected those who are sanctified (Hebrews 10:14). • Complete coverage – Ezekiel: horns, ledge, rim. – Christ: every sin, every sinner who believes (Colossians 1:20). Living in the light of the finished work • Confidence—“We have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus” (Hebrews 10:19). • Cleansing—no spot or stain remains (Ephesians 1:7). • Commission—because atonement extends to all four corners, the gospel goes to all four corners (Matthew 28:19). Ezekiel 43:20 shows that God always intended a perfect, blood-sealed altar. In Jesus, that intention became history, and the way into His presence stands forever open. |
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