The glorified Temple is a vision of heaven on earth. The complex is about a square mile, with over-sized versions of the Temple and altar. It is a place where God's glory will dwell with mankind forevermore!

John's first epistle ends with admonition and encouragement to llive victoriously in Christ! This life is struggle and pain. But in Christ Jesus, we have the victory of eternal life!

When we look at the dimensions of the Temple, we see a place of perfect proportions and order. When God dwells with His people, they dwell in harmony and peace. We look forward to that day, knowing that Jesus has punched our ticket for us by HIs life, death and resurrection.

Ezekiel spends many chapters describing the perfect Temple that he sees in heaven. It is an oversized version of the earthly tabernacle and temple (which were built and rebuilt at least three times). Here, we will see a heavenly reality of the earthly reality.

John reminds us of the most basic truth that God loves us first! Too many mistakenly think that God loves only those who love Him. That God chooses those who choose Him. No. We love God because He first loved us. We choose Him because He has chosen us!

The strongest of nations is little more than a minnow compared to God. Ezekiel here describes the enemies of God's people rising against Israel. Despite all their power and pride, they will be dashed to pieces when God restores His people.

This legendary chapter of Ezekiel is more than a prophetic vision of the restoration of the nation of Israel. This is God showing the prophet that He will physically raise all from the dead. In redeemed bodies, God's people will enjoy the blessings of life in His presence forevermore.

In the sinful world we live in, we are taught that "freedom" is the ability to do whatever we want. No. That is confusion that leads to hurt. Instead, we who know God's love and wisdom understand that God orders His universe to work in certain ways. Only then we love and respect each other, and serve sacrificially as Christ has, do we begin to know true freedom.

God promises to give us a new heart and spirit. Indeed, it is His own Holy Spirit that cleanses our hearts and purifies our minds. Cleansed by the blood of Christ, and renewed by His Spirit, we follow the Lord in faith.

We hear echoes of Psalm 23 and John 10, where Jesus identifies Himself as, "the Good Shepherd." Israel's shepherds seemed concerned about anything and everything but caring for their flock. When Christ came, He came as the good and perfect Shepherd, who loved His sheep with an unconditional and undying love.