Ezekiel 46:3
Likewise the people of the land shall worship at the doore of this gate before the Lord, in the Sabbaths, and in the New moones. Ezekiel 46:3 (KJV)
This verse is part of a larger passage in the book of Ezekiel that describes the future temple and its regulations. In this particular verse, the prophet Ezekiel is envisioning the worship practices that will take place in the restored temple during the millennial reign of Christ. The verse begins with the phrase “Likewise the people of the land shall worship.” This emphasizes that the people who dwell in the land, presumably Israel, will have a specific place and manner of worship in the future temple. This suggests that the restored temple will serve as a central place of worship and a focal point for the people of Israel. The verse continues by specifying that this worship will occur “at the door of this gate.” The gate referred to here is likely the eastern gate of the temple, which is also known as the “Gate Beautiful.” This gate was significant in Jewish worship and was associated with the coming of the Messiah. It is worth noting that historically, this gate has been sealed shut, but according to biblical prophecy, it will be opened when the Messiah returns. The worship described in this verse is to take place “before the Lord.” This signifies that the worship will be directed towards God, highlighting the centrality of God in the worship practices of the future temple. The verse further specifies that worship will occur “in the sabbaths and in the new moons.” The sabbaths refer to the weekly Sabbath observance, which was a day of rest and worship for the Israelites. The new moons, on the other hand, were significant monthly observances in the Jewish calendar. These occasions marked the beginning of each new month and were also associated with special sacrifices and worship. Overall, Ezekiel 46:3 portrays a future scene in which the people of the land (Israel) worship before the Lord at the eastern gate of the restored temple. This worship takes place on the sabbaths and new moons, emphasizing the regularity and significance of these worship practices during the millennial reign of Christ. This verse highlights the importance of communal worship and the central role of the temple in the future worship of God.
