[blue-duncan]

"And with that single verse we dispatch the foolish and anti-Scriptural deceit that directs the rebuilding of an actual temple."

I agree. I just don't understand why the Thompson publishing people keep trying to sneak the 40-48 chapters on to the end of Ezekiel. I mean all that trouble measuring a Temple and city that is just fantasy. One would think Ezekiel had better things to do than waste his time with this "deceit".

By the way, another problem I have is why the Jerusalem Church and Paul were still offering sacrifices (burnt and sin)in the Temple over thirty years after the resurrection and after Hebrews was written. Do you suppose they didn't get the letter to the Hebrews?

Another problem that is bothering me is why I am still up at this late hour?

[topcat54]

I agree. I just don't understand why the Thompson publishing people keep trying to sneak the 40-48 chapters on to the end of Ezekiel. I mean all that trouble measuring a Temple and city that is just fantasy.

Is it literal or figurative? See here.

By the way, another problem I have is why the Jerusalem Church and Paul were still offering sacrifices ...

Well, first of all there is no indication the "Jerusalem church" was still offering temple sacrifices "thirty years" after the resurrection.

Do you suppose they didn't get the letter to the Hebrews?

No, they just didn't read more into Paul actions than was there.

We know very well why Paul was found in the temple at time, though it was not recorded as being "thirty years". He did it in limited cases in order to win his brothers Jews to Christ. Paul testifies himself:

"and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law;" (1 Cor. 9:20).

We know that Paul placed no faith in the sacrifices themselves.

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." (Rom. 12:1)

As the writer of Hebrews said:

For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: "Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. (Heb. 9:1-6)

But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, (Heb. 10:12)

Paul knew that the earthly temple is Jerusalem was no more of interest in the kingdom of Christ. That what matters was the "third temple" which was the body of Christ being raised up even in that and continuting until He returns.

"If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are." (1 Cor. 3:17)

Besides, it would be dispensationally inconsistent for Paul to still be offering sacrifices after the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. He was now in the "church age", the dispensation of grace. The kingdom ordinances of Israel were put on hold and the clock had stopped ticking. Paul knew that, right?

[.30Carbine]

Another problem that is bothering me is why I am still up at this late hour?

LOL - I know why I'm up. Knowing why doesn't stop the problem from bothering me (in my case, a cat ;)

[HarleyD]

I agree. I just don't understand why the Thompson publishing people keep trying to sneak the 40-48 chapters on to the end of Ezekiel. I mean all that trouble measuring a Temple and city that is just fantasy.

LOL!!! If memory serves me correctly, I believe the non-dispensation folks would say that this temple in Ezekiel is conditional; hinging on a promise that God would build them the Ezekiel temple IF the people would return to Him. They didn't so He didn't. This may seem like a cop out and too easy of an answer but there are many such promises in scripture. (Think of God promising to remove all of Israel's foe from them if they but cleanse the land. They didn't, He didn't.)

By the way, another problem I have is why the Jerusalem Church and Paul were still offering sacrifices (burnt and sin)in the Temple over thirty years after the resurrection and after Hebrews was written.

Young Christians do things that, as they mature in their faith, they no longer do. Paul was no different. He had to be taught and instructed. And, occasionally, "caught up into the 'third heaven'" (2 Cor 12). He saw the futility of the sacrificial system.

Christ is the High Priest in the order of Melchizedek, not the Levites.

Heb 5:5-6 So also Christ did not glorify Himself so as to become a high priest, but He who said to Him, "YOU ARE MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU"; just as He says also in another passage, "YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK."

The writer of Hebrews goes on to explain how being a priest in the order of Melchizedek is far superior to the Levites.
Heb 6:20 where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Heb 7:11 Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron?

Perfection doesn't come from the sacrificial and legal system of Aaron. Perfection comes from the priesthood of Melchizedek which is far superior to Aaron.

Will the temple be rebuilt? I don't know. Perhaps. But there remains no longer a sacrifice of men. God will not be any more pleased if they start sacrificing billy goats in a prefabbed theater than if a person burns incense to Buddha.