Will there be sacrifices at a temple in Messiah’s Kingdom? Ezek. 46:1-8 (Literal Interpretation)

This might seem a strange question.  For some their first thought is, “Of course there won’t be sacrifices offered in the Kingdom of Christ; He has brought an end to the need for sacrifices.”  That seems not only reasonable but impossible to deny and thus for many there is no need to think any more on the subject.

On the other hand, if you are pre-millennial (i.e. you believe there will be an earthly kingdom of Christ and that He will establish that kingdom when He returns) you are probably aware that in that time, at Jerusalem, there will be a temple.  The nature of that future temple is often the subject of conversation in pre-millennial thought.  But did you ever allow yourself to wonder what would be the purpose of that temple?  In Israel, in olden days, the temple served as the place for worship and at the heart of Israelite worship was the sacramental system.  So if you think there is a temple, it is proper to ask if there will be sacrifices; and if you already think there can’t be sacrifices after the cross of Christ then you should at least wonder why there will be a temple.  After all, God needs no dwelling place on earth (the fundamental purpose of a temple is to provide a place where God can dwell with His people) since He dwells in the hearts of believers from Pentecost onward.

So let us begin with a literal interpretation of Biblical prophecy about the Messianic Kingdom.  When we say literal we don’t mean literalistic as some might say, meaning an interpretation that does not recognize the presence of allegory and symbolism.  What I mean is, “Let us read the Old Testament as we read any literature, allowing the words to mean what they mean, and recognizing allegory and symbolism when it is called for.”  It’s the way we read the non-prophecy parts of the Bible and the only way we can read with understanding anything someone has written for us, including God’s word given to us through His apostles and prophets.

You may wonder why we have even mentioned this matter of interpretation.  The reason is because one of the significant passages on the subject of the Messianic temple and its purpose (Ezekiel 40-48) is considered by many to be allegory or symbolism.  It does not say that it is; it is not necessary to read it in such a way; and it does not come from a prophet known for an apocalyptic style of writing (Ezekiel did use allegory, as in Ezek. 17 and 37; but he called it allegory and interpreted it for us).  But Ezekiel 40-48 is hard for people to put together the so they assume that it should be taken as symbol.  For that reason, as we talk about Messiah’s temple, we will reference other passages with Ezekiel.  

But let us remember that what we need is what the disciples had in Jesus: Someone to open our eyes to the Scriptures (Luke 24:25-27,44-45).  God has given us His Spirit for just such a purpose (1 Cor. 2:12).