Ezekiel 40:24–49 The Vision of the Temple – Part II

[Study Aired December 23, 2024]

INTRODUCTION

In Today’s study of the second part of Ezekiel chapter 40, we shall look at the measurements of the south gate, the inner court, the chamber for the priests and the vestibule of the temple. To get a clearer understanding of Today’s study, we need to know what the outer court and the inner courts represent.

The outer courts is where everyone can enter and worship the Lord. The inner court, however, is where the priests worship and it is where the table, showbread and incense are located. The inner court of the temple is therefore known as the court of the priests.  This is because it is only those who are designated as priests who can have access to the inner court. The inner court experience is therefore deep, personal and intimate. It is there that the Lord meets His elect, speaks to them, touches them, blesses them and shows them His glory.

The outer Court is the largest section and it is dedicated to ritual and performance. All those who worshipped in the outer court never saw the glory veiled on the other side. They represent our brothers and sisters in the physical churches of this world, who worship the Lord but are not given to know the mind of Christ. We were part of this multitude until the Lord came with the spirit of His mouth and His brightness to deliver us. It is worth noting that the measurements of the gateway to the outer courts are six, ten, thirteen and sixty cubits which represent our sinful nature as man, as we start our journey with Christ to make our temple habitable by Him.

These two courts are clearly seen in the story of Zachariah who was ministering to the Lord in the inner court while the people were in the outer court worshipping the Lord.

Luk 1:8  And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course,
Luk 1:9  According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
Luk 1:10  And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.
Luk 1:11  And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
Luk 1:12  And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

The whole multitude of the people praying refers to those serving in the outer court who are not given to hear the voice of the Lord. Zachariah, in this case, represents the Lord’s elect who are called and chosen as royal priesthood. Because the multitude are not given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, all that they know is praying and worshipping the Lord through music. I remember during my time in the churches of this world that we were praying and singing worship songs all night on most Fridays. That brings to mind the story of Elijah and the Baal worshippers, who were praying all day to make fire come down from heaven to burn the wood. These Baal worshippers represent Babylonian worshippers while Elijah signifies the elect. It is insightful to note that when it was the turn of Elijah to make fire come down from heaven, his prayer was straight to the point and it yielded result.

1Ki 18:25  And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under.
1Ki 18:26  And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.
1Ki 18:27  And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.
1Ki 18:28  And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.
1Ki 18:29  And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.

1Ki 18:36  And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.
1Ki 18:37  Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.
1Ki 18:38 Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

Today’s study focuses on the journey through the south gate to the inner court, the chambers of the priest and the passageway or the vestibule of the temple.

The South Gate

Eze 40:24  After that he brought me toward the south, and behold a gate toward the south: and he measured the posts thereof and the arches thereof according to these measures. 
Eze 40:25  And there were windows in it and in the arches thereof round about, like those windows: the length was fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits. 
Eze 40:26  And there were seven steps to go up to it, and the arches thereof were before them: and it had palm trees, one on this side, and another on that side, upon the posts thereof. 
Eze 40:27 And there was a gate in the inner court toward the south: and he measured from gate to gate toward the south an hundred cubits. 

Here in verse 24, we are brought to the south to begin our entry into the temple of the Lord. As we are aware, the south is always towards the sea which means spiritually, that we are dominated by the flesh.

Jos 15:2  And their south border was from the shore of the salt sea, from the bay that looketh southward:

Jos 15:4 From thence it passed toward Azmon, and went out unto the river of Egypt; and the goings out of that coast were at the sea: this shall be your south coast.

Entering the temple through the south gate implies that we start our walk with Christ to make our bodies (the temple) habitable by the Lord from a position where we are full of the flesh. This is the same as saying that the man of sin is occupying our temple and claiming to be God.

2Th 2:3  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
2Th 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

Being in the south also means that we are in the land of trouble and anguish where we are under the domain of the devil and his cohorts as they feed on our flesh.

Isa 30:6  The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them.

It is this situation that we find ourselves in that the Lord comes to us with the spirit of His mouth and His brightness to drag us through the seven steps of the temple (verse 26), to cleanse our temple for Him to dwell in.

2Th 2:7  For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
2Th 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

In verse 24, we are told that the gateway towards the south has the same measurement as the gateway from the north and the east that we have discussed in the previous study. This is to let us know that no matter our situation and where we are coming from, our encounter with the Lord is the same for every person.

Ecc 9:2  All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.

The windows and the arches are all part of the pathway into the temple. In verse 25, the windows were fifty cubits in length and the breadth were all twenty-five cubits. All of this is to show us that as we enter the church of the firstborn through the Lord’s intervention, after our sojourn in Babylon, we are being liberated from our flesh through the Lord’s judgement and it is this liberation which enables us to begin our rulership of the flesh and later the kingdoms of this world.

The seven steps in verse 26 refers to the complete stages of our walk with Christ after our deliverance from the churches of this world. The palm trees posted alongside the pathways are to remind us of the help we receive from the Lord’s elect along the way. This help is what every joint supplies.

Eph 4:11  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:13  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Eph 4:14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Eph 4:15  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Eph 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

As shown in verse 27, the southern gate to the inner gate measured 100 cubits. The number 100 is 10 x 10, which implies the fulness of our flesh. It is when our sins have reached the heaven or its fulness that Christ comes to us to drag us to Himself with His judgement, to prepare a habitation for Himself with our bodies which is the temple of the Lord.

Rev 18:5  For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

Rev 18:8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.

The Inner Court

Eze 40:28  And he brought me to the inner court by the south gate: and he measured the south gate according to these measures; 
Eze 40:29  And the little chambers thereof, and the posts thereof, and the arches thereof, according to these measures: and there were windows in it and in the arches thereof round about: it was fifty cubits long, and five and twenty cubits broad. 
Eze 40:30  And the arches roundabout were five and twenty cubits long, and five cubits broad. 

Going through the south gate to the inner courts in verse 28 means we are coming from a position of being troubled and in anguish as we come to seek refuge in Christ.

Isa 30:6  The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them.

The land of trouble and anguish is Babylon, or the physical churches of this world, where we were carrying heavy burdens until the Lord intervened by coming to us with His judgement to deliver us.

Mat 11:28  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

The little chambers, the uprights and the covered ways, which constitute the gateway from the south gate to the inner court in verse 29, have the same measurement as the other north and east gates. As indicated in the previous study, no matter our background, we all share the same experience as the Lord drags us to Himself.

Ecc 9:2  All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.

There were windows along the gateway and the measurement were fifty cubits by length and twenty-five cubits by breadth.  The measurement of 50 cubits therefore signifies our liberty in the Lord as He drags us to Himself and the twenty-five cubits indicates the beginning of our reign over our flesh and later the kingdoms of this world as we enter the inner court to communicate with the Lord.

2Ki 14:2  He was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.

2Ki 15:33  Five and twenty years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jerusha, the daughter of Zadok.

2Ki 18:1  Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.
2Ki 18:2 Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah.

The arches in verse 30 also had measurement of twenty five cubits in length, emphasizing the importance of the reign over the flesh as the Lord judges us in this life. The width of the arches being five cubits is showing us that it is grace through faith that we are being saved by the Lord.

Eze 40:31  And the arches thereof were toward the utter court; and palm trees were upon the posts thereof: and the going up to it had eight steps. 
Eze 40:32 And he brought me into the inner court toward the east: and he measured the gate according to these measures. 

As indicated in verse 31, the description of the gateway through the south gate is not different from the other gates. However, we have eight steps which leads us to the outer court. The number eight means new beginnings. Our entry into the outer court is the start of a new beginning as our old man begins the dying process and our new man starts to gain ascendency within us. We are therefore the seventh beast that goes to perdition and are now the eighth.

Rev 17:11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.

Although we entered the inner court through the south gate, our coming through the outer court to the inner court starts from the east as indicated in verse 32. The east signifies the beginning of the rise of the sun which represent Christ beginning to rise in our lives.

Heb 12:22  But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
Heb 12:23  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
Heb 12:24  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
Heb 12:25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:

Eze 40:33  And the little chambers thereof, and the posts thereof, and the arches thereof, were according to these measures: and there were windows therein and in the arches thereof round about: it was fifty cubits long, and five and twenty cubits broad. 

As indicated earlier, the measurements of the gateway to the inner court are the same from every gate.  There were windows along the gateway and the measurement were fifty cubits by length and twenty-five cubits by breadth.  The measurement of 50 cubits therefore signifies our liberty in the Lord as He drags us to Himself and the twenty-five cubits is indicating the beginning of our reign over our flesh and later the kingdoms of this world as we enter the inner court to communicate with the Lord.

Eze 40:34  And the arches thereof were toward the outward court; and palm trees were upon the posts thereof, on this side, and on that side: and the going up to it had eight steps. 

The gateways with arches, all leads to the outer court where we start our cleansing process to be able to enter the inner court. The palm trees on the posts along the two sides of the gateway is to assure us that it is the Lord’s elect who are helping us with our walk in Christ, as the palm trees symbolize the Lord’s elect.

Psa 92:12  The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

As indicated, the eight steps to the outer court is to show us that our entry into the outer court is the starting of the process of making us a new man or the starting of a new beginning.

Eze 40:35  And he brought me to the north gate, and measured it according to these measures; 
Eze 40:36 The little chambers thereof, the posts thereof, and the arches thereof, and the windows to it round about: the length was fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits. 

As we have indicated in the previous study, the north spiritually represents the judgement of the Lord. Being brought to the northern gate in verse 35 signifies the beginning of the judgement of the Lord as we enter through the north gate to the outer court. As we have indicated, the outer court of the temple was the place for atonement, worship, and cleansing in preparation to meet God.

Jer 1:13  And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying, What seest thou? And I said, I see a seething pot; and the face thereof is toward the north.
Jer 1:14 Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land.

Jer 4:6  Set up the standard toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction.

The measurement of the northern gateway has the same dimensions as the other gateways with fifty cubits in length and twenty-five cubits in breadth. As we have shown, the number fifty means our liberty in Christ and twenty-five means the beginning of our reign over our flesh and ultimately over the kingdoms of this world.

Eze 40:37  And the posts thereof were toward the utter court; and palm trees were upon the posts thereof, on this side, and on that side: and the going up to it had eight steps. 
Eze 40:38  And the chambers and the entries thereof were by the posts of the gates, where they washed the burnt offering. 

Like the other gateways, the northern gateway to the outer court in verse 37 had pictures of palm trees that were carved on the walls and eight steps leading to the outer court. As indicated, the number eight represents new beginnings or the new man which is being born through the Lord’s judgement as the old man is dying. The pictures of palm trees are to assure us that our progress of making our bodies or temples habitable by the Lord is aided by what every joint supplies.

In verse 38, we are told that there is a room whose door opened towards the outer court. The room is where the animals for the burnt offering are washed. The room therefore represents the beginning of our cleansing as we are washed with water which is the word of the Lord, in readiness to be offered as living sacrifices to the Lord.

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Eze 40:39  And in the porch of the gate were two tables on this side, and two tables on that side, to slay thereon the burnt offering and the sin offering and the trespass offering. 
Eze 40:40  And at the side without, as one goeth up to the entry of the north gate, were two tables; and on the other side, which was at the porch of the gate, were two tables. 

In verses 39 and 40, there were two tables on one side leading to the entrance of the outer court and two tables on the entrance towards the north gate. These tables were used for the slaying of the animals for the burnt, sin and trespass offerings. Tables have many uses. One of the key uses is that it serves as a place for eating as shown in the following verses:

2Sa 9:11  Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king’s sons.

2Sa 19:28 For all of my father’s house were but dead men before my lord the king: yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table. What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the king?

Spiritually, our gathering together serves as the platform for eating and therefore we can say that the two tables represent the gathering of the Lord’s elect. Our hearing of the word of the Lord from what every joints supplies and putting it into practice is what slays our old man or flesh to prepare our bodies as a living sacrifice.  Thus, the eating is the same as the washing of the animals for offerings. As the Lord stated, where two or three are gathered together in His name, there He is in their midst. The two tables therefore represent the Lord’s elect as witnesses. It is the word spoken in our midst that kills us and makes us ready to be offered as a living sacrifice.

Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. 

Eze 40:41  Four tables were on this side, and four tables on that side, by the side of the gate; eight tables, whereupon they slew their sacrifices. 
Eze 40:42  And the four tables were of hewn stone for the burnt offering, of a cubit and an half long, and a cubit and an half broad, and one cubit high: whereupon also they laid the instruments wherewith they slew the burnt offering and the sacrifice. 
Eze 40:43 And within were hooks, an hand broad, fastened round about: and upon the tables was the flesh of the offering. 

In summary, there were four tables on one side along the gateway and another four tables on the other side, making a total of eight tables, used for the slaughtering of the animals being offered for sacrifice. The number four means the whole of the matter under discussion. As shown earlier, the tables represent the assembly of the elect. Thus, the four tables on one side represent the whole of the assembly of the Lord’s elect. It is in the assembly of the Lord’s elect that the beast within us are slain by the sword, which is the word of the Lord which every joint supplies.

The total number of eight tables implies that the assembly of the Lord’s elect represent those who are beginning anew as the new man within us is on the ascendency and our old man or flesh is dying.

Rev 17:11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.

In verse 42, we are told that the dimensions of the tables which were of hewn stones for the burnt offering were one and half cubits long and one and half in width. The number one means unity. The church or the assembly of the Lord’s elect must be united as one, having the same mind and the same judgement. The table being one cubit in height is to let us know that as we grow, we become more united as one. The half of the measurement implies that it is a work in progress and that we are not perfected yet.

1Co 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

The tables made of hewn stone is to let us know that the church of the Lord’s elect is not perfected yet, as we are in a rebuilding process after our sojourn in Babylon.

Isa 9:10  The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars.

2Ki 22:6  Unto carpenters, and builders, and masons, and to buy timber and hewn stone to repair the house.

In verse 43, we are informed that the tables were for the meat of the animals. It is in our gathering that we are given the meat of the word through what every joint supplies.

Chambers for the Priests

Eze 40:44  And without the inner gate were the chambers of the singers in the inner court, which was at the side of the north gate; and their prospect was toward the south: one at the side of the east gate having the prospect toward the north. 
Eze 40:45  And he said unto me, This chamber, whose prospect is toward the south, is for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the house. 
Eze 40:46  And the chamber whose prospect is toward the north is for the priests, the keepers of the charge of the altar: these are the sons of Zadok among the sons of Levi, which come near to the LORD to minister unto him. 
Eze 40:47 So he measured the court, an hundred cubits long, and an hundred cubits broad, foursquare; and the altar that was before the house.

Outside the inner gate were the rooms for the singers which signifies our worship. One of the rooms was on the side of the north gate and it faces the south and the other room was on the side of the south gate, facing north.  The one on the side of the north gate facing the south signifies the elect who are being judged as they go through the land of trouble and anguish. The room facing south is also for the Lord’s elect or priests who serve the temple. As priests who minister in the temple, we must face trouble and anguish as we are being judged by the Lord.

Isa 30:6  The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them.

The other room which was on the side of the south gateway facing north, suggests that as priests, we are still dominated by the flesh and must therefore face the Lord’s judgement in this life. In verse 46, we are made aware that it is through the Lord’s judgement that we come near to the Lord to minister to Him.

In verse 47, our Lord measured the outer courtyard, and the measurements were one hundred cubits in length and also one hundred in breadth. Thus, the outer courtyard was a square. The square means that we all go through the same experience as we come to the outer courtyard to begin the cleansing process regardless of the situation we find ourselves. The hundred (10×10) cubits suggests that our sins have reached the heavens, that is, the fulness of the flesh and the Lord is about to judge us.

The Vestibule of the Temple

Eze 40:48  And he brought me to the porch of the house, and measured each post of the porch, five cubits on this side, and five cubits on that side: and the breadth of the gate was three cubits on this side, and three cubits on that side. 
Eze 40:49 The length of the porch was twenty cubits, and the breadth eleven cubits; and he brought me by the steps whereby they went up to it: and there were pillars by the posts, one on this side, and another on that side. 

The measurement of the posts of the covered way of the house of the Lord was five cubits on one side and another five cubits on another side. According to Strong’s, the post in verse 48 means “strong support of the covered walkway”. In verse 49, we are told that there were pillars by the posts on each side. This is to let us know that the posts are the pillars which supports the walkway. The pillars or posts supporting the walkway represent the Lord’s elect as shown in the following:

Gal 2:9  When they saw the grace which was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who had the name of being pillars, gave to me and Barnabas their right hands as friends so that we might go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision;

Our walk with Christ is supported by what every joint supplies. Without this support, we cannot get to the holy of holies to commune with the Lord.

As mentioned in the previous study, the covered walkway or the porch means that we are protected by the Lord in our walk with Him as He cleanses us to make our bodies, the temple of the Lord.

Psa 91:1  He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Psa 91:2  I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Psa 91:3  Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

1Co 3:16  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1Co 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

The number five means grace through faith. This implies that our walk through the covered way to the outer court and the inner court is through the grace of the Lord and the faith that the Lord has given to us.

Rom 5:1  Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rom 5:2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

It is instructive to note that the doorway was three cubits on one side and another three cubits on another side. This is to let us know that our journey with Christ is a process where we spiritually mature through His judgement.

In verse 49, we are told that the length of the covered walkway was twenty cubits. The number twenty represents those who are ready to make war or engage the flesh with the desire to overcome it.

Num 1:3  All those of twenty years old and over, who are able to go to war in Israel, are to be numbered by you and Aaron.

Num 1:22  The generations of the sons of Simeon were numbered by their families and their fathers’ houses, every male of twenty years old and over, who was able to go to war;

The breadth of the covered walkway was eleven cubits. The number eleven means ruin and disintegration of the flesh. These measurements are therefore to let us know that those who are privileged to walk with Christ in this life to bring us to the holy of holies, that is, make our temple or bodies habitable by Him, are those who are ready to make war with the flesh with the goal of ruin and its disintegration.

Bringing us up by the steps in verse 49 means that our walk with the Lord is a process which takes a lifetime. This process spiritually signifies a three-day journey.

Luk 13:32  And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.

May the Lord continue to uphold us go through this process of spiritual maturity through His judgement. Amen!!

Ezekiel 40:1–27 The Vision of the Temple Part 1

[Study Aired December 16, 2024]

Introduction

Ezekiel chapter 40 is looked at as one of the most difficult sections of scripture in the Bible. According to Matthew Henry Commentary, the Jews will not allow any to read this portion until they are thirty years old and tell those who do read it that, though they cannot understand everything in it, “when Elias comes he will explain it”. However, if we believe that the mysteries of the kingdom of the Lord has been given to us, His elect, then it means that we already have the keys to unlock what the Lord is telling us here in Ezekiel chapter 40.

Mat 13:11  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
Mat 13:12  For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

Mat 13:16  But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
Mat 13:17  For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

Mat 16:19  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Isa 22:22  And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.

To understand this chapter, we need to note that this chapter deals with the measurement of the temple in Jerusalem. However, this temple is as large as a city. Thus, the city is the same as the temple in this case. If we look at the description of the New Jerusalem in Revelation chapter 21, we can see that there is no temple within the city.

Rev 21:2  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.   

Rev 21:22  And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

In other words, the temple of the Lord is the same as the city of the New Jerusalem. This is to let us know that Jerusalem above which is the city of the living God is what is being measured here in Ezekiel chapter 40.

Gal 4:25  For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
Gal 4:26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

The New Jerusalem in Revelation chapter 21 is the final representation of the church which includes all humanity. However, what is presented here in Ezekiel chapter 40 shows us what we go through to become part of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21.

As we are aware, this temple or city refers to the assembly of the Lord’s elect or our gathering together now. In Hebrews chapter 12, we are told that this assembly is the church of the firstborn and we are given additional information that this church is not perfect yet in the sight of God and therefore He is shaking us once more. This shaking of the earth and our heavens is the judgement of our old man or flesh which shall result in the cleansing of our hearts and minds and the destruction of our flesh. That is how we come to see the Lord as a consuming fire. The fire is the word of the Lord which destroys our old man or flesh.

Heb 12:22  But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
Heb 12:23  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
Heb 12:24  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
Heb 12:25  See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
Heb 12:26  Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
Heb 12:27  And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
Heb 12:28  Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
Heb 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.

In Ezekiel chapter 40 that we are going to review, we are given information to show us that this city is not perfect yet as we shall see by the measurements given. On the other hand, the city of the New Jerusalem in Revelation chapter 21 is perfection at its best. It gives us glimpses of our perfection as we unite with our Lord Jesus Christ. The measurements of the New Jerusalem are based on twelve or multiples of 12 which signify Christ.

Rev 21:10  And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
Rev 21:11  Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
Rev 21:12  And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
Rev 21:13  On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
Rev 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

On the other hand, the measurements of this city in Ezekiel chapter 40 are based mainly on the numbers 6 and 10 which refer to man with all his weaknesses because of the flesh. A key therefore to understanding this chapter is knowing the spiritual significance of numbers as we shall see shortly.

The Vision of the City

Eze 40:1  In the five and twentieth year of our captivity, in the beginning of the year, in the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after that the city was smitten, in the selfsame day the hand of the LORD was upon me, and brought me thither. 

The number twenty five on a positive note, signifies the time to start reigning as a royal priesthood. That means the beginning of our obedience to the Lord as we learn righteousness through His judgement of our flesh.

2Ki 14:2  He was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.

2Ki 15:33  Five and twenty years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jerusha, the daughter of Zadok.

2Ki 18:1  Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.
2Ki 18:2 Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah.

The twenty-fifth year of the captivity of the people of Israel in this case implies the time that the Lord comes to us with the spirit of His mouth and His brightness to liberate us from our captivity to the false doctrines of Babylon and to make us obedient to Him so that we can start reigning over the flesh. The tenth day of the month is to show us that it is when our flesh has reached its fulness in terms of sin that the Lord comes to us with His judgement. The fourteenth year means that we are beginning to make spiritual progress with the Lord’s coming to us. In other words, we have not attained yet but we are definitely on our way.

Gen 31:41  Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times.

Php 3:12  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Php 3:13  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Eze 40:2  In the visions of God brought he me into the land of Israel, and set me upon a very high mountain, by which was as the frame of a city on the south. 
Eze 40:3 And he brought me thither, and, behold, there was a man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed; and he stood in the gate. 

When the Lord comes to us and delivers us from our captivity to the false doctrines of Babylon, and causes us to see the church of the firstborn, it is the same as the Lord lifting us up in the spirit and setting us upon a very high mountain to see the New Jerusalem which is described in verse 2 as the frame of a city on the south. In the Bible, high mountains represent the assembly of the Lord’s people. Thus, this high mountain is the gathering of the Lord’s elect that we see as the structure on the mountain representing a city on the south. The fact that the city is “on the south” means that the church of the Lord is not yet perfected as we are still closer to the sea, that is, we are still battling with the flesh of humanity.

Isa 40:9  O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!

Isa 13:2  Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.
Isa 13:3 I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger, even them that rejoice in my highness.

The man whose appearance was like that of brass is our Lord Jesus Christ who is standing at the gate.

Rev 3:20  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

In the Book of Revelation, we also see Jesus with His feet like fine brass, which is consistent with our assertion that the man whose appearance was like brass is Jesus Christ.

Rev 1:15  And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

Jesus standing by the gate in the vision in verse 2 means that Jesus is the gateway to the New Jerusalem or the church of the firstborn. This implies that salvation is through Him alone.

Act 4:12  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

In verse 2, the Lord was carrying a tape measure and a measuring stick. That is to show us that it is the Lord who is always measuring us to see if we are conforming to His image or standard. For example, when the Lord appeared to John at the island of Patmos, He showed John that the complete church system of this world has fallen short of His standards. For example, let’s take a look at what He said regarding the church in Ephesus.

Rev 2:1  Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
Rev 2:2  I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
Rev 2:3  And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
Rev 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Dan 5:27  TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.

It is as we leave Babylon to enter the gate of the assembly of the elect that we are measured and found wanting by the Lord.

Eze 40:4  And the man said unto me, Son of man, behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee; for to the intent that I might shew them unto thee art thou brought hither: declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel. 

As our eyes are being opened by the Lord to see and our ears are hearing the mysteries of the kingdom of the Lord, we are to declare them to the house of Israel which represents the Lord’s elect.

Exo 19:3  And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel;
Exo 19:4  Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself.
Exo 19:5  Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
Exo 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

Setting our heart upon all that the Lord is showing us means that we must obey His words. Obedience to the Lord’s words is how we progress spiritually.

Jer 42:5  Then they said to Jeremiah, “May the LORD be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act according to all the word with which the LORD your God sends you to us.
Jer 42:6 Whether it is good or bad, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God to whom we are sending you, that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.”

The Gateway that Faced East

Eze 40:5  And behold a wall on the outside of the house round about, and in the man’s hand a measuring reed of six cubits long by the cubit and an hand breadth: so he measured the breadth of the building, one reed; and the height, one reed. 

The first structure to be measured was the wall that surrounded the city or temple. Our Lord Jesus Christ has a measuring reed of six cubits by the cubit and an hand breadth. It is the Lord’s elect that are being measured to ensure that we attain the standards of Christ. All others are not being measured in this life.

Rev 11:1  And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
Rev 11:2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

In verse 5, the man who represents our Lord Jesus has a measuring reed of six cubits long. It is important to note that this measurement was not based on the common cubits but the cubits of the sanctuary, which was different. Here in verse 5, we are told that the cubits of the sanctuary is a hand breadth (approximately 4 inches) longer than the common cubits that was used as a measure in those days. The common cubit was eighteen inches. The outer wall of the house measured one reed in thickness and one reed in height. That is to say that the thickness and height of the wall were all six cubits.

It is important to note that the number six is the number of man. What this means is that when the Lord calls us from the churches of this world to come to the church of the firstborn or temple to worship, we were frail men and women with all kinds of weaknesses. However, through the Lord’s judgement of our old man or flesh, we gradually become like Christ. As explained earlier, the New Jerusalem in the Book of Revelation shows us where we are going, that is, becoming like Christ. Here the wall’s measurement is 144 cubits (12×12 cubits). The number 12 is the number of Christ and therefore in the final analysis, we shall be like Christ. The number of Christ in this case refers to His obedience to God while He lived here on earth. As He is, so are we. That is to say that we shall all bear the image of Christ in this life.

Rev 21:17  And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

Eze 40:6  Then came he unto the gate which looketh toward the east, and went up the stairs thereof, and measured the threshold of the gate, which was one reed broad; and the other threshold of the gate, which was one reed broad. 
Eze 40:7  And every little chamber was one reed long, and one reed broad; and between the little chambers were five cubits; and the threshold of the gate by the porch of the gate within was one reed. 
Eze 40:8 He measured also the porch of the gate within, one reed. 

Our Lord went up the steps to the gateway that faced east and measured the entrance which was one reed broad. The other threshold of the gate was also one reed broad. The east gate means that it is where the sun rises. That is to say that our entering through the gate after our captivity in Babylon is the beginning of the rising of Christ in our lives.  It is worth noting that in verse 6 and 7, the measurement is given in reed but the distance between the little chambers is given in cubits. What this implies is that we must pay attention to the numbers and not to the unit of measurement. The number ‘one’ means ‘unity’. What this suggests is that as His elect, we are required to be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgement for the building of the city or the church of the firstborn.

1Co 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

The little chamber here refers to our heart and mind or the temple within each of us which together forms part of the New Jerusalem. The fact that we have a distance of five cubits between the little chambers is to suggest to us that each of us is separate from one another by the grace through faith that we have received (the significance of the number 5).

Eph 4:7  But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

In verse 8, the porch of the gate within also measures one reed. The porch here refers to a covered area that joins the entrance or gate of a city. When we are given the privilege of entering Jerusalem which is above or the church of the firstborn, we are sheltered by the Lord from the world and all that may destroy us during this initial period as we are given to have the same mind and judgement.

Psa 91:1  He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Psa 91:2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

Eze 40:10  And the little chambers of the gate eastward were three on this side, and three on that side; they three were of one measure: and the posts had one measure on this side and on that side. 
Eze 40:11  And he measured the breadth of the entry of the gate, ten cubits; and the length of the gate, thirteen cubits. 
Eze 40:12 The space also before the little chambers was one cubit on this side, and the space was one cubit on that side: and the little chambers were six cubits on this side, and six cubits on that side. 

It is significant to note in verse 10 that the little chambers of the gate were three on one side and three on another side. This is to let us know that the process of our spiritual maturity is through the Lord’s judgement (the significance of the number 3).

In verse 11, the measured breadth of the entry of the gate was ten cubits with the length being thirteen cubits. The number ten means the fulness of the flesh and the number thirteen signifies rebellion. This suggests that it is when our rebellion has reached its climax that the Lord comes to us to usher us into the city of the living God.

In verse 12, we are made aware that the little chambers were six cubits or one reed on each side. The measurement of six cubits is to emphasize that we are dealing with man with all his flaws.

Eze 40:13  He measured then the gate from the roof of one little chamber to the roof of another: the breadth was five and twenty cubits, door against door. 
Eze 40:14  He made also posts of threescore cubits, even unto the post of the court round about the gate. 
Eze 40:15  And from the face of the gate of the entrance unto the face of the porch of the inner gate were fifty cubits. 
Eze 40:16  And there were narrow windows to the little chambers, and to their posts within the gate round about, and likewise to the arches: and windows were round about inward: and upon each post were palm trees. 

The measurement of twenty five cubits of the gateway from the top of one little chamber to the top of the opposite little chamber in verse 13 indicates that entering the gateway to the church of the firstborn is the beginning of our kingship as shown in the following verses:

2Ki 14:2  He was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.

2Ki 15:33  Five and twenty years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jerusha, the daughter of Zadok.

2Ki 18:1  Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.
2Ki 18:2 Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah.

What we are therefore being told is that what links us from one to another (from the top of one little chamber to the top of another) is the fact that our entering of Jerusalem above or the church of the firstborn is the beginning of our reign over the flesh and the subsequent reigning over the kingdoms of this world.

2Ti 2:12  If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

In verse 14, the room at the far end which led out to the court was measured to be sixty cubits. The number sixty (60 = 6 x 10) signifies the fulness of the flesh in man and therefore the measurement of 60 cubits affirms that the Lord comes to us when our sins have reached the heavens to lead us into His court for cleansing.

As stated in verse 15, the open space of the gate without to the open space of the porch of the gate is fifty cubits. The number fifty means liberty. This verse is therefore to remind us that as we enter the church of the firstborn, we are on our way to be liberated from the shackles of the flesh.

Gal 5:1  Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

2Co 3:17  Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

The narrow windows of verse 16 is to remind us of the narrow road that leads to our reigning with Christ.

Mat 7:13  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there at:
Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

The posts which were palm trees is to indicate that this narrow road is preserved for only the Lord’s elect who are symbolized as palm trees.

Psa 92:12  The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

The Outer Courts

Eze 40:17  Then brought he me into the outward court, and, lo, there were chambers, and a pavement made for the court round about: thirty chambers were upon the pavement. 
Eze 40:18  And the pavement by the side of the gates over against the length of the gates was the lower pavement. 
Eze 40:19 Then he measured the breadth from the forefront of the lower gate unto the forefront of the inner court without, an hundred cubits eastward and northward. 

Our journey through the temple of the Lord starts from the gate of the entrance, through the porch of the inner gate which leads to the outer court. The outer court of the temple was the place for atonement, worship, and cleansing in preparation to meet God. As we have seen from the beginning of the journey through the temple, the measurements we observed were mainly 6 cubits, 10 cubits, 13 cubits, 60 cubits and fifty cubits. With the exception of the 50 cubits which speaks of our liberty in Christ, all the other measurements show us man’s frailties, our rebellion and the fulness of our flesh. It is at the outer courts that we start the process of cleansing as we are judged by the Lord.

It is therefore instructive to note in verse 17 that there were thirty chambers upon the pavement that surrounds the inner court. The number thirty represent our rulership over our flesh and later the kingdoms of this world. This is because both Joseph and David became kings at the age of thirty. The number thirty therefore symbolizes the time that our new man starts to reign in our lives as our old man has commenced the dying process. The fact that there were thirty chambers on the pavement is to tell us that Christ has started his work in us to judge us first in this life by beginning the process of putting the old man to death for the birth of the new man who is to reign in our lives.

Gen 41:46  And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.

2Sa 5:4  David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.

Num 4:23  From thirty years old and upward until fifty years old shalt thou number them; all that enter in to perform the service, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.

We are informed in verse 18 that the pavement in the lower courtyard ran alongside the gateways. It was as wide as it was long. This implies that all that we go through in the outer court in terms of cleansing is part of the entry process to meet the Lord in the holy of holies. The fact that the pavement in the lower courtyard was wide and long means that there are many who are called but only few are chosen to proceed to the holy of holies.

The fact that in verse 19, we are told that the distance from the inside of the lower gateway to the outside of the inner courtyard is measured as hundred (10×10) cubits eastward and northward is to let us know that at this point of our walk with Christ, we are yet sinners as our sins have reached their fulness and our judgement has begun.

Rev 18:5  For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

Rev 18:8  Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.

The North Gate

Eze 40:20  And the gate of the outward court that looked toward the north, he measured the length thereof, and the breadth thereof. 
Eze 40:21  And the little chambers thereof were three on this side and three on that side; and the posts thereof and the arches thereof were after the measure of the first gate: the length thereof was fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits. 

The north spiritually represents the judgement of the Lord. The gate to the outward court looking towards the north in verse 20 therefore signifies the beginning of the judgement of the Lord as we enter through the north gate to the outward court. As we have indicated, the outer court of the temple is the place for atonement, worship, and cleansing in preparation to meet God.

Jer 1:13  And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying, What seest thou? And I said, I see a seething pot; and the face thereof is toward the north.
Jer 1:14 Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land.

Jer 4:6  Set up the standard toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction.

This process of cleansing is symbolized by the judgement of our old man or flesh and is affirmed by the fact that there were three little chambers on one side and another on the other side. The number three means spiritual maturity through judgement. The three little chambers, the arches, and the entrance hall were the same size as those in the east gateway. This northern gateway was fifty cubits in length and twenty five cubit in width. As we have shown earlier, the number fifty means liberty and that of twenty five signifies the beginning of our reign as kings. This implies that the judgement of the Lord is to liberate us from the chains of the flesh and to begin to reign over it. In the fulness of time, we shall reign as kings over the kingdoms of this world.

Rev 11:15  And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Eze 40:22  And their windows, and their arches, and their palm trees, were after the measure of the gate that looketh toward the east; and they went up unto it by seven steps; and the arches thereof were before them. 
Eze 40:23  And the gate of the inner court was over against the gate toward the north, and toward the east; and he measured from gate to gate an hundred cubits.

Here in verse 22, we are told that the windows, the arches, and palm tree pictures were the same size as those in the east gateway and that there were seven steps which lead to the inner court.  The fact that the measurement of the windows, and their arches and the palm trees were the same as those in the east gate spiritually signifies that whether we come through the north gate or the east gate the experience is the same. In other words, we all go through the same spiritual experience.  This experience is the seven steps indicated in verse 22.

Ecc 9:2  All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.

In verse 23, we are told that the inner courtyard had a gateway opposite the north gate just like the east gateway and the measurement from gate to gate was an hundred cubits. As indicated, the northern and the eastern gateways being alike means that our experiences are the same in terms of our walk with Christ. The measurement being one hundred (10×10) cubits implies that we come through the gateway to the inner court being full of the flesh and needing to be judged by the Lord.

We therefore thank God for His mercies towards us in choosing us in Him before the foundation of the world.

Eph 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Amen!!