Seven Massive Problems With a Literal Ezekiel 40-48

THE LAST JUDGMENT
Finally, we believe, according to the Word of God, when the time appointed by the Lord (which is unknown to all creatures) is come, and the number of the elect complete, that our Lord Jesus Christ will come from heaven, corporally and visibly, as He ascended, with great glory and majesty to declare Himself Judge of the quick and the dead, burning this old world with fire and flame to cleanse it …

The “Notes” (below) contain the critique of the “Literal Interpretation of Ezekiel 40-48,” in David J. Engelsma, “The Church’s Hope: The Reformed Doctrine of the End,” vol. 1, pp. 263-266 (www.cprc.co.uk/product/the-churchs-hope-the-reformed-doctrine-of-the-end).

Three Arguments Against Literalism in Ezekiel 40-48

THE LAST JUDGMENT
Finally, we believe, according to the Word of God, when the time appointed by the Lord (which is unknown to all creatures) is come, and the number of the elect complete, that our Lord Jesus Christ will come from heaven, corporally and visibly, as He ascended, with great glory and majesty to declare Himself Judge of the quick and the dead, burning this old world with fire and flame to cleanse it …
Off-site maps or diagrams (not the ones used in the class)
1. Land divisions – https://thebookwurm.com/eze-map.jpg
2. Sacred reserve (or central portion) – https://thesecondcomingofchrist.org/images/ezekiel-ch48-schem.gif
3. Temple compound – https://i.pinimg.com/originals/de/4a/85/de4a85bd6b38a5d25ad6a9cc05ac376d.jpg

Land Divisions, Sacred Reserve, Temple Compound and Healing River

THE LAST JUDGMENT
Finally, we believe, according to the Word of God, when the time appointed by the Lord (which is unknown to all creatures) is come, and the number of the elect complete, that our Lord Jesus Christ will come from heaven, corporally and visibly, as He ascended, with great glory and majesty to declare Himself Judge of the quick and the dead, burning this old world with fire and flame to cleanse it …

Off-site maps or diagrams (not the ones used in the class)
1. Land divisions – https://thebookwurm.com/eze-map.jpg
2. Sacred reserve (or central portion) – https://thesecondcomingofchrist.org/images/ezekiel-ch48-schem.gif
3. Temple compound – https://i.pinimg.com/originals/de/4a/85/de4a85bd6b38a5d25ad6a9cc05ac376d.jpg

Introducing Ezekiel 40-48

THE LAST JUDGMENT
Finally, we believe, according to the Word of God, when the time appointed by the Lord (which is unknown to all creatures) is come, and the number of the elect complete, that our Lord Jesus Christ will come from heaven, corporally and visibly, as He ascended, with great glory and majesty to declare Himself Judge of the quick and the dead, burning this old world with fire and flame to cleanse it …

Vern Poythress: “Some interpreters are inclined to treat this vision of the new temple [in Ezekiel 40-48] as if it were a photographic description of a stony replacement for the Solomonic temple. But it is a vision, not a photograph. God gives Ezekiel a vision that uses the symbolism belonging to the Mosaic order of things, both the Mosaic tabernacle and the Solomonic temple. This whole order provides shadows of the final salvation that is to come, and the final presence of God that is to be manifested in the future. The use of such symbolism is fully appropriate to the times in which Ezekiel ministered and the people to whom God was speaking” (Theophany: A Biblical Theology of God’s Appearing [Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2018], p. 326).

Covenant and Chronology in Daniel 9

THE LAST JUDGMENT
Finally, we believe, according to the Word of God, when the time appointed by the Lord (which is unknown to all creatures) is come, and the number of the elect complete, that our Lord Jesus Christ will come from heaven, corporally and visibly, as He ascended, with great glory and majesty to declare Himself Judge of the quick and the dead, burning this old world with fire and flame to cleanse it.

The Nearness AND the Delay of the Lord’s Return

THE LAST JUDGMENT
Finally, we believe, according to the Word of God, when the time appointed by the Lord (which is unknown to all creatures) is come, and the number of the elect complete, that our Lord Jesus Christ will come from heaven, corporally and visibly, as He ascended, with great glory and majesty to declare Himself Judge of the quick and the dead, burning this old world with fire and flame to cleanse it …
Therefore we expect that great day with a most ardent desire, to the end that we may fully enjoy the promises of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus (Rev. 22:20).

Three More Arguments and the Unknown Day of Christ’s Return

THE LAST JUDGMENT
Finally, we believe, according to the Word of God, when the time appointed by the Lord (which is unknown to all creatures) is come, and the number of the elect complete, that our Lord Jesus Christ will come from heaven, corporally and visibly, as He ascended, with great glory and majesty to declare Himself Judge of the quick and the dead, burning this old world with fire and flame to cleanse it …
Therefore we expect that great day with a most ardent desire, to the end that we may fully enjoy the promises of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus (Rev. 22:20).

Christ’s Soon Coming: Preaching and Filling

THE LAST JUDGMENT
Finally, we believe, according to the Word of God, when the time appointed by the Lord (which is unknown to all creatures) is come, and the number of the elect complete, that our Lord Jesus Christ will come from heaven, corporally and visibly, as He ascended, with great glory and majesty to declare Himself Judge of the quick and the dead, burning this old world with fire and flame to cleanse it …
Therefore we expect that great day with a most ardent desire, to the end that we may fully enjoy the promises of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus (Rev. 22:20).

The Nearness of Christ’s Return and Time

THE LAST JUDGMENT
Finally, we believe, according to the Word of God, when the time appointed by the Lord (which is unknown to all creatures) is come, and the number of the elect complete, that our Lord Jesus Christ will come from heaven, corporally and visibly, as He ascended, with great glory and majesty to declare Himself Judge of the quick and the dead, burning this old world with fire and flame to cleanse it …
Therefore we expect that great day with a most ardent desire, to the end that we may fully enjoy the promises of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus (Rev. 22:20).

Did Paul Predict That He Would Be Alive at Christ’s Return?

THE LAST JUDGMENT
Finally, we believe, according to the Word of God, when the time appointed by the Lord (which is unknown to all creatures) is come, and the number of the elect complete, that our Lord Jesus Christ will come from heaven, corporally and visibly, as He ascended, with great glory and majesty to declare Himself Judge of the quick and the dead, burning this old world with fire and flame to cleanse it …