First, this is a tough chapter to reconcile with our modernized Christian worldview.
Second, there are many details that paint a clouded picture of what a fulfillment would look like. We can rest assured that God’s prophecies will be fulfilled, however, it’s difficult to speculate exactly what that means. For example, John Trapp understood verse 12 to illustrate a weekly church gathering where someone would preach and then the doors would be closed and everyone would return to their jobs.
“When the ruling prince wants to make a voluntary offering to the LORD, either an offering to be burned whole or a fellowship offering, the east gate to the inner courtyard will be opened for him. He is to make the offering in the same way he does on the Sabbath, and the gate is to be closed after he goes back out.”
Ezekiel 46:12 GNB
When I read this chapter, I can’t help but notice how the social and spiritual realms overlap. People are mingling together, worshiping the Lord, making sacrifices in the temple, cooking and eating, and engaging in prayer. Today we would call it “body life.” A church that does not integrate social aspects into their spiritual ministries will fail to translate in today’s world.
The church is not a place to punch a time card. Body life is a 24/7 calling. When we become part of the body of Christ, we bring everything to the table. This includes our social and private lives. This includes our spiritual gifts. This also includes our personality flaws and failures. Unfortunately, the church today has not become this kind of family for so many spiritual orphans.
But, this is how God built the church to function. Many people who are not involved in body life give up on friendships, marriages, and even the church in general. I believe part of this is due to a lack of emphasis on social activities by spiritual leaders. The other part is the fact that people simply don’t want to invest. Think about it. We want friendships on our terms. We want marriages where we get what we want. We desire a church that feeds us without requiring us to sacrifice anything.
When I picture Ezekiel’s new temple with all of the festivities, I picture people being fully invested on both a spiritual and social level. I picture leaders drawing people in with the structure that was provided by God Himself. I see needs being met and people investing. I wish I saw more of this in the church today.