Rewarding patient toll, and faith, and zeal.
To those thus seeking her, she ever yields
Her richest treasures for their lasting weal.
Ezekiel 40-48—God's Temple And River Of Truth
This vision of the prophet Ezekiel depicts the established theocratic Kingdom of God on earth, civil and religious, spiritual and earthly. While the Temple is an architectural possibility, as shown in the accompanying illustrations, (and may be erected at Jerusalem), it, in its various parts, surroundings, rites and worshippers, is a type and symbol of “better things to come,” after the wars, revolutions and anarchy of the period from 1914 to 1925 have passed.
The Time of the establishment of the Kingdom in power is indicated as “in the fourteenth year after that the city (Christendom) was smitten”—or thirteen years after 1918, viz., in 1931.—Ezek. 40:1.
Place.—The Temple was seen in the “land of Israel”—in Palestine. As a place types a condition, the land of Israel is typical of the condition of the whole world of mankind; and the city, at the south side of a very high mountain, is symbolic of the established earthly phase (south) of the Divine Government overshadowed by the autocratic (very high) spiritual phase of the Kingdom (mountain).—Ezek. 40:2.
By Whom.—The one who showed the Temple to the Church, the Elijah class, was “the man in linen”—Pastor Russell. The brass (copper) of vs. 3 represents his justification. In his power (hand) were the Divine standards of measurement—the reed (Word of God) and the “line of flax” (linen, righteousness). His standing was in the east gate of the Sanctuary—in Christ (gate). With the Word he measured the Temple (the Church, and the subsidiary classes) and with the standard of perfect Divine righteousness (flax, linen) he measured the progress of the life-giving River of Truth.—Ezek. 40:3; 43:6; 44:4; 47:1-3.