Letter Answering Department Survey--Sacrifices in the Millennium

SUBJECT: Sacrifices in the Millennium

QUESTION: Will the sacrificial system be reinstated in the Millennial reign of Jesus Christ

ANSWER:

Yes, they will. Notice the key verses:

Zechariah 14:20-21

20 In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD's house shall be like the bowl's before the altar.

21 Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts.

Now the commentary:

First the Book of Zechariah written by God. The JFB gives this heading to the commentary for chapter 14:

Zechariah 14:1-21. LAST STRUGGLE WITH THE HOSTILE WORLD POWERS: MESSIAH-JEHOVAH SAVES JERUSALEM AND DESTROYS THE FOE, OF WHOM THE REMNANT TURNS TO THE LORD REIGNING AT JERUSALEM.

Sacrifices After Christ Returns

Could this be? Why? Why was there a sacrificial system in the first place? Maybe if one can answer this question you will know why there will be such a system in the Millennium.

Notice this quote from our Doctrinal Statement on the Law:

---And I quote...

A look at law in the Old Testament would not be complete without examining certain prophetic Old Testament passages which indicate the reinstitution of a temple and regular sacrificial system during the Messiah's—Christ's—reign in the millennium (Isaiah 66:20-23; Ezekiel 40-48; Zechariah 14:20-21; Malachi 3:1-4; etc.). Why should such physical rituals have a place when Christ Himself is ruling?

There seem to be three interdependent reasons for a temple and sacrificial system. First is because, in addition to allowing Jerusalem to serve as a religious center, such a system shall enable a restored Israel to serve as an example to the world. The priesthood, which in times past did not consistently execute its duties with the proper care and willingness, shall now show the world how those duties should be carried out (Ezekiel 44:5 ff). Israel as a model physical nation shall also have an important part in setting the social, ethical and religious examples.

The second reason is somewhat similar. Christ shall have established His rule over physical, unconverted nations. They must be led gradually to the place of repenting, being converted and receiving the Holy Spirit. Just as the temple ritual was important to the ancient Israelites without God's Spirit, so the reestablished ritual of sacrifices shall give them a physical means of growing towards a spiritual understanding of God. The necessary education shall take a good deal of time. The temple shall serve as an important part—the center—of religious education.

Thirdly and finally, just as the sacrifices of ancient Israel pointed forward to a coming Savior who was to pay the supreme sacrifice for the sins of the world, so in the millennium the sacrifices will point back to that sacrifice and give people a greater understanding of Christ our Savior (in much the same way as the Passover service does today), the consequences of sin, and the meaning of salvation.

---end quote---

Notice the verses given that indicate a temple and sacrifices in the Kingdom of God:

(Isaiah 66:20-23; Ezekiel 40-48; Zechariah 14:20-21; Malachi 3:1-4; etc.)

Isaiah 66:20-23

20 And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.

21 And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the LORD.

22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.

23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.

Note: Clearly talking about the Millennium.

Ezek. chapters 40-48

Well, I will not paste all that in here but notice this from my Hebrew-Greek Study Bible for the book of Ezekiel

---and I quote---

The New Jerusalem section in chapters 40-48 held out hope for restoration of the land and the temple after the exile. Ezekiel forms the important background for many passages in the New Testament, but this is perhaps true more of Revelation (book of) than any other book. Material from most of Ezekiel's chapters is quoted or alluded to in all but one chapter in Revelation

---end of quote---

Makes you want to ask, "Why would the book of Revelation quote an Old Testament, Old Covenant, old man (with old eyes) that could not possibly understand the New Testament, New Covenant and the Kingdom of God?"

Our doctrinal statement did quote Ezek 44:5ff

Ezekiel 44:5

And the LORD said unto me, Son of man, mark well, and behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears all that I say unto thee concerning all the ordinances of the house of the LORD...

Referring to the sacrifices among other things in the Millennium.

Zechariah 14:20-21

20 In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD's house shall be like the bowls before the altar.

Malachi 3:1-4

1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:

3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.

4 Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years.

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So we see that it is clear that we will have sacrifices in the Millennium of Jesus Christ.

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