The Promised Return of the Lord (Ezekiel 43:1-12; Matthew 24:29-31, 25:31)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
17 October 2021
It’s not easy to be corrected for one’s faults. Ask Israel. She suffered dearly for her sins. But chastisement was corrective and not destructive. The story of Israel proves this.
The Israelites were taken captive by the Babylonians. Their temple was destroyed. But here in Ezekiel 43:1-12 the Lord promised he would return to a new Jewish temple.
Observe some of the characteristics of the Lord's promised return to this new temple and its New Testament parallel---the promised second coming of Jesus Christ to his church.
The Lord would return the same way he left it, that is, via the east gate. Jesus will return the same way he left, that is, from heaven.
It is the same Lord who will return to the Jewish temple. It is the same Jesus who will return to the church.
When the Lord returns to the temple there will be sound and light. The sound will be like the sound of many waters and the light will be the glory of God lighting up the earth. When Jesus returns there will be the sound of the trumpet and Jesus who is the light of the world will be seen by everyone.
The return of the Lord will bring awe and holy fear. When Ezekiel saw the vision he fell on his face. When Jesus returns every knee shall bow before him. Every tongue shall be silenced.
From the temple the Lord shall speak his word and everyone must listen. When Jesus returns his voice shall be heard everywhere. Even the dead will hear and be raised.
When the Lord returns he will be enthroned in the temple. When Jesus returns he will come as King of kings and Lord of lords. He will be enthroned as the Lord of the universe.
When the Lord returns Israel will be sanctified. They will have put away their idolatry and the Lord will dwell in their midst forever. The second coming of Jesus inspires the believer to be holy. Peter in speaking about the last days says what manner of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness (2 Peter 3:11).
Israel will be ashamed of its past and will henceforth obey the law of God. It will seek to rebuild the temple according to the divine prescription. Christians will be ashamed of their past ungodly lives but rejoice in the salvation given them through Jesus. They shall obey the law of God through Jesus Christ.
The lesson for us is that the new temple was the hope of Israel in captivity. The second coming of Jesus is the hope of the church as she passes through this world of woe.
In all this we note the patience, mercy and commitment of the Lord. He is patient and merciful to his wayward people. And all this because of his unshakeable commitment to them. No one will snatch believers from the hand of the Lord. When he returns the work of his hands will be completed. Praise his name. Amen