“In the twenty-fifth year of our captivity, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after the city was captured, on the very same day the hand of the Lord was upon me; and He took me there. 2 In the visions of God He took me into the land of Israel and set me on a very high mountain; on it toward the south was something like the structure of a city. 3 He took me there, and behold, there was a man whose appearance was like the appearance of bronze. He had a line of flax and a measuring rod in his hand, and he stood in the gateway.” Ezekiel 40:1-3 NKJV
“Afterward he brought me to the gate, the gate that faces toward the east. 2 And behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east. His voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth shone with His glory. 3 It was like the appearance of the vision which I saw—like the vision which I saw when I came to destroy the city. The visions were like the vision which I saw by the River Chebar; and I fell on my face. 4 And the glory of the Lord came into the temple by way of the gate which faces toward the east. 5 The Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the temple.” Ezekiel 43:1-5
Glorious Lord God of Israel,
There is so much in the book of Ezekiel but we need to move on in our quest to cover the Bible’s history in a year. Ezekiel ends his book with an amazingly detailed vision of a land, a city (40:2) and a Temple within the city (43:5). Is this literally the Temple to be rebuilt or a vision of the Temple in Your new earth? (Revelation 21:1).
This year it was verse 43:4 that caused me to stop and wonder. Ezekiel has talked about the glory leaving the Temple earlier (10:18). An overwhelming life stopping vision showing You God removing Your presence from them. It took the depths of their depravity to cause this. It was no small disagreement. Here the glory, Your Shekinah glory Lord once again filled the Temple. Ezekiel saw the visible, physical manifestation of Your presence and divine radiance God among humanity. And he fell on his face.
It is all about You God, history showing the constant calling out to Your people and always providing a way back to You and a new start. Even our betrayal and killing of Your Son did not stop You pouring out Your Spirit to find us, heal our sin and bring us back to You. It is all about You and this passage for me reassures me that heaven and earth are not airy fairy places but as certain and measured as this vision. You are a God who creates order and yet such beauty. Yes there is a city and an amazing Temple but for Ezekiel and the most awesome moment is Your glory returning to fill it. Do we treasure You, Your glory within us?
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Monday 17th August 2026
We have had both of these recently, within the last three weeks, but I couldn’t get them out of my mind so here they both are.
I caught a glimpse of Your splendour
In the corner of my eye
The most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen
And it was like a flash of lightning
Reflected off the sky
And I know I’ll never be the same
[Chorus]
Show me Your glory, Send down Your presence
I want to see Your face
Show me Your glory, Majesty shines about You
I can’t go on without You, Lord
When I climb down the mountain
And get back to my life
I won’t settle for ordinary things
I’m gonna follow You forever
And for all of my days
I won’t rest ’til I see You again
Chorus
Lyrics: Mark Lee, Marc Byrd, and Third Day