Q: Why will people offer animal sacrifices in the Millennial Temple?
People often ask, “If Jesus’ sacrifice was the only efficacious, once-for-all sacrifice to expiate sin (Heb. 9:12), why should animal sacrifices, which could never take away sin (10:4), be offered in the Millennial Temple during the Millennium?” It is true the sacrifices in the Millennial Temple will not expiate sin, just as the Mosaic offerings could not take away sin (v. 4). Many conserGet More Articles—Subscribe Today!
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Why would we need the sacrifices as a memorial when Lord Jesus is physically in our presence?
The Mosaic Law required animal sacrifices for sin even though these sacrifices could not take away sin. (Heb. 10:4). Christ said that God the Father was not pleased with these animal sacrifices even though they were required. (Heb. 10:5-7 quoting Psalm 40:6-8).
So what was the purpose of animal sacrifice in the Mosaic law? Mr. Hullinger, cited above, states “For Ezekiel the concept of atonement is the same as it was in the Book of Leviticus, namely, an act that wipes away and purges uncleanness.” But the Burnt, Guilt and Sin offerings in Leviticus were specifically directed to sin–not ceremonial uncleanness. “The Hebrew verb kaphar means ‘to pass over, to overlay, to cover.’ Atonement, accordingly, refers to a covering for sins.” THIEME’S BIBLE DOCTRINE DICTIONARY 278 (1st ed. 2022). “These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.” (Col. 2:17, see also Heb. 10:1).
Animal sacrifices under the Mosaic Law, therefore, pointed to the future reality of the cross. They were also a public affirmation of faith in Christ as He was presented in the Old Testament. That expression of faith was efficacious for salvation. “God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in His blood. He did this to demonstrate His justice , because in His forbearance He had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished–He did it to demonstrate His justice at the present time, so as to be just and the One who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.” (Rom. 3:25-26).
Animal sacrifices in the Millennial Temple (Ezekiel 40-48) serve a purpose similar to those under the Mosaic Law, except they look to the past reality of the cross as a memorial. They are also a public and efficacious affirmation of faith in Christ. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross provided unlimited atonement for all so that personal sin is never an issue in salvation. (1 Tim. 2:6, John 1:29, Heb. 2:9). The only sin that could not be judged on the cross was rejection of Christ. (John 16:8-9, Matt. 12:31, Acts 7:51). Id. at 279. Salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone. (John 14:6).
The blood sacrifices of the millennial temple seem to contradict the whole book of Hebrews. For instance, Hebrews 7:27 says, “He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for the sins of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.”
There is another interpretation of Ezekiel’s temple vision that may be helpful.
Ez 43:10-11 states “.. describe the temple to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities and measure the pattern. And if they are ashamed of all that they have done, make known to them the design of the temple and it’s arrangement..”
These verses indicate that what follows is not a prescriptive future but rather a conditional picture of what could happen IF the house of Israel were fully repentant.
Sadly, history reveals that only a small remnant returned to rebuild Jerusalem, with most preferring to stay in the relative comfort of Babylon. The second temple was not as big or elaborate as what it could have been had the whole community been obedient and repentant and helped to fulfil the potential of Ezekiel’s vision.
That this vision did not come to pass does not mean it wasn’t (potentially) true, it just reinforces like so many other examples from Jewish history, the conditional nature of the Old Covenant exposed our sinful nature and the fact that we needed a better covenant established by Jesus’ once and for all sacrifice.
As for the view that this page represents a future age with Jesus presiding as prince, if Jesus is the prince then why would he offer a sin offering for himself (Ez 45:22)?
That this vision may never be realised shouldn’t cause us to be alarmed or to doubt God’s word. Instead we should be even more grateful for Jesus and his coming kingdom, which supersedes even the best possible version of the Old Covenant system in every way.
Is Ezekiel really prophesying about the millennial temple? What he says is so clear. In my mind this should have been taken place before Jesus came. Herod’s temple?
<🙏✝️ = ❤️😀☮️
Amen so all the people who survived the great tribulation (after the sheep and goats are separated) those believers who remain on earth, will all have children… these people will need to deal with the sin from the mortal bodies they live in to be able to be in God’s presence at the Temple
Mmmmm….. interesting
No clear answer for me.
After reading all of the above, I still don’t have a clear understanding of the reason for having a millennial temple but I guess there’s some comfort in knowing that many others have the same problem.
Amen, brother Steve!
Why were James and other devout Jews still going to the temple for sacrifice in Acts 21? They had trusted in Christ. Paul paid for the sacrifices of certain men he had taken a vow with at the Temple. The gospel of the circumcision was committed to Peter, James and John(Galatians 2) Perhaps it is the same as The Gospel if the Kingdom, which is primarily to Israel. Point is Christ had already died, rose again and ascended by Acts 21. This gospel was ultimately rejected by Israel as a nation and they were temporarily set aside as the Age of Grace was ushered in and Paul preached the gospel of the circumcision. In the tribulation the gospel of the Kingdom will be preached and the long promised redemption of the remnant, all true, spiritual Israel will be saved.
I need to remember that like Daniel, who couldn’t understand his own prophecy and made himself sick trying to figure it out, there are some Scriptures written to serve another people at another time and thus it is sealed to me until the time comes. For some reason, I couldn’t rest thinking about these chapters of Ezekiel. But here is a thought that satisfied me after praying over it, which allowed me to let it go. Maybe it’s not right, but it gave me peace of mind. Here it is: Ezekiel’s language is literal, in great detail – not metaphorical. He writes not in the form of commands from God but in the form of a prophecy – a vision, where he describes what he sees in the future. What I think he sees is a national turning back to God by Israel, to roots, to the law of God established eternally under the Old Covenant (never abolished but fulfilled in all its requirements by Christ). The law will be a means of a national coming to recognize the Messiah – a schoolmaster to bring Israel to Christ as was always intended. Ezekiel sees Israel picking up again where they left off after the axe was put to the root of the tree (to use John the Baptist’s words) or the unfruitful branch removed from the vine to use Jesus’s words, when the Gentiles were grafted in and actually became the temple of God, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, but now the Jews pick up the law where they left off in their idolatry and will be grafted in again, with the eventual result of being cut to the heart in seeing Him whom they pierced as the true sacrifice for their sins.
I appreciate your explanation Bro Steve. Thank you for sharing.
This has been the best explanation so far. I totally agree for there will be animal sacrifices again…it has been prophesied but I think it needs to be understood that the Jewish people still believe that the blood of animal sacrifice is necessary and is still atonement for sin because they never accepted Jesus Christ as the messiah.
This is the only reasoning I see as well & the fact that when the AntiChrist takes over for 7 years – at the beginning of the second 3@ 1/2 years, he will offer a swine upon the alter, it is then that the Jews will realize that he is not their true Messiah & also all Hell in earth will break loose at this particular time, read Daniel 9!
No explanation I’ve seen given on this topic has satisfied me thus far. I mean, my reaction has been, ‘What on earth are animal sacrifices doing in what appears in context of the Book of Ezekiel to be the Millennial age? Hebrews 10: 11-18 makes it clear Jesus has provided one sacrifice for all sins, and there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin. Hebrews 10:4 clearly states it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.
This sounds more like a move backwards into legalism than forward into the deliverance and salvation and grace provided by our savior Jesus and I just cant see myself in the kingdom age that Jesus would want me to participate in that. For the situation where there are still unbelievers living into the kingdom age, I can’t see why they wouldn’t come under the new covenant (Jesus as only High priest and sacrifice as described in Hebrews 8) since it supersedes the old covenant. What on earth good will that do for them to do an animal sacrifice when Jesus forgiveness and redemption is available?
No other place that I’m aware of in the Bible specifically states that animal sacrifices are still needed after Jesus made His perfect sacrifice for all sin. I believe in the inerrancy of scripture, but I think this area of Ezekiel (Chapter 40 and beyond ) is something I do not (yet) understand.
Just a thought, Hebrews 9:15 says Jesus is the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament. Possibly the sacrifices have to be made until the times of refreshing come, in which national Israel’s sins will be blotted out.
You would not be participating……
only the people born during the Millennial reign
Is there a scripture verse in regards to the Animal sacrifices will be reinstated as in the days of old.
I remember reading that years ago. Not sure if it was in the Bible or a book on Judaism that I read.
Thank you for your help on this one.
Shalom,
David
Hi David, I am no expert, but this video was pretty good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoVUnGITMbE&vl=en-US
Shalom, Bobbi
Not all people living in the Millennial Kingdom will be saved. There will be those who enter the kingdom in their earthly bodies and continue to marry and have children. Those children will have to come to faith like anyone else. Many will continue to reject Christ.
I don’t see how animal sacrifices help with defilement or uncleanliness. At least taking a shower has medical benefits. We know eating kosher is healthy. I see no benefit in sacrificing animals aside from food.
I wonder if God allowed animal sacrifices because of hardness of heart. Namely, in a time where human sacrifices were prevalent. This could’ve been a substitute. I don’t know. I’m not saying I’m right. We don’t really know. Personally, I think sacrificing animals for ritual uncleanliness is silly…
I think animal sacrifice is silly since Yeshua already gave His life once and for all. I pray that does not happen during His reign. I love animals and it seems cruel to kill them. I love God YHWH but this is the only thing that bothers me out of the whole Bible.
Me too! Thank you!
I definitely have a hard time wrapping my head around all this. but I personally tend to agree with this comment myself that why would we need any more sacrifices of animals since Christ said it was finished.
Fourteen times in Ezekiel (40:39; 42:13; 43:19, 21, 22, 25; 44:27, 29; 45:17, 19, 22, 23, 25; 46:20) the text calls for a “sin offering.” Leviticus (4:20, 26, 31, 35, etc.) clearly describes the sin offering as “making an atonement” . Ezekiel’s animal sacrifices are to atone for sin not “ceremonial uncleanness”. “Many conservative commentators believe these offerings will be memorials, similar to communion that Christians take in remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.” Seriously? If Christ is ruling on earth, why is there any need for any “memorial” animal sacrifice? Are not the print of the nails in His hands and feet sufficient (Jn.20:24-28)? The whole confusing series of events with this temple view stems from an eschatological view that disregards the appropriate interpretation of literal scripture literally and figurative scripture figuratively. It also presupposes a highly contrived theological system of interpretation in contrast to the Bible’s clear teaching of God’s willingness to condescend to bring man back into favor through the ONE and ONLY acceptable sacrifice for sin -HIS ONE AND ONLY SON!! No other blood is any longer qualified to atone for sin or make ceremonially unclean.
I wonder if not everyone going into the millennium is saved, that is, in particular the Jews. Perhaps they recognize Jesus as their Messiah and world ruler but not yet as God; and this is a progressive revelation during the time they minister at their promised temple during their promised world reign.
We need to remember that NON-GLORIFIED people who live on into the Millennial kingdom will be able to reproduce and have children. There will be millions or billions of normal people born during the kingdom age. These descendants still have to personally choose to accept or reject the salvation provided by Jesus.
I understand what you’re saying. The sheep and the goats does not talk about saved vs unsaved, but those who had helped the brethren and those who had not. Certainly, all of these do not have the mark of the beast. But some helped and protected and some did not. Helping the brethren, ie., recognizing the Jews for who they are in God’s eye, seems to be the requirement from that passage for gentiles to enter the Kingdom who had survived the tribulation. Their eternal salvation does not seem to be addressed.
Excellent points.
I understand most of premillennial TEACHINGS but continuation of animal sacrifice I cannot wrap my head around. A memorial? No, I need clearer Scripture texts please.
I don’t understand sacrifices of animals, how in the world could someone like me who Loves animals be expected to kill an animal in a violent way when it’s not necessary,I just can’t wrap my head around that, please explain that for me.
Amen Why?
Are you proposing that this material should not be taken as clearly describing a literal temple to built during a literal thousand year reign? I don’t see how this can be anything other, I mean there are triple the number of times that the angel is discussing literal measurements for the building as there are texts calling for a “sin offering”. Don’t get me wrong, you voiced exactly my challenge with the text. What followed confuses me, I can’t follow what you propose as the proper way to handle the text.
1. It does seem as if this is necessary to God and that is a mystery in part. I can see it in part but not fully. When I am with him fully then I will fully know. The reasons offered do have merit and I see the arguments. Revelation is progressive and for some things we have to trust until we see.
2. We don’t as yet have a new heaven and a new earth. Perhaps the Millenial reign is still only partial completion of God’s plan to restore all things. I sense in me a resistance to the need for sacrifices in the MR, as if I have any right to question the Almighty’s plans. Not only trust but humility is needed.
If the very detail description of the Temple in Jerusalem pictured Christ and the Church, why could the very detail description of the Temple in Ezekiel not picture the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem? The man without the Spirit cannot understand the spiritual, so God gave the Israelites who didn’t have the Spirit, a physical picture of that which is spiritual. There are many parallels between Ezekiel and Revelation, including the measuring of the sanctuary and the worshippers. (How do you measure worshippers? Maybe they are measured to see if they measure up to the fullness of the stature of Christ? ) Just a thought.
I agree the post does seem to be, as you said, a “ highly contrived theological system.” I’ve been a Christian for more than 60 yrs. The more I study the Old Testament, the more I wonder if we are trying to read Jesus into things that have nothing to do with Him.
We, Christians, start with the assumption that Jesus is Messiah and God, and then try to make Him fit Old Testament prophesy, often in very contrived ways, as this article/post demonstrates.
God freely forgives sin throughout the Old Testament without any sacrifice. Jesus forgave sins in the New Testament without ever telling anyone to go and offer a sacrifice.
John the Baptist preached baptism for the forgiveness of sins, with no instructions for sacrifice. In the Lord’s Prayer, we ask for forgiveness of sins, without sacrifice and without praying “in the name of Jesus.”
How can this be, if there is no forgiveness of sins without the shedding of blood?
In Matthew chapter 9, Jesus said,
13 Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
I am now looking at Old Testament prophesy without assumptions and asking God to lead me to the truth of these prophesies. Im finding a shocking number of things that just do not add up.
May God reveal His truth to us all and grant us the strength to face and accept His truth.
The sacrifices are all brought by the Prince (Jesus) and He forgives the trespasses the animals represent. This means there is no actual killing of the animals, which is why there are no lavers in the temple since there is no blood that has to be washed from the hands.
Remember the verse – Isaiah 65:25 “They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,” says the LORD.”
John the Baptist baptised to repentents not salvation
Hey Gary Seems Christian these days will believe any thing that is taught over the pulpit or on the radio or tv .Even that animal sacrifices will start up again but only for one thousand years and then we all get taken back to heaven .If you dig deep into how these wacky ideas come from ,you will be shocked just like I was .goggle counter reformation movement by the jesuits
I have struggled with the sacrifices since I learned of them, and at least the cleansing of defilement gives a reasonable reason for them. However, I too have a question as to the need for cleansing of those who survive the tribulation, the millennium reign and refuse Satan’s ploy to oppose Jesus. I would think standing with Jesus would constitute salvation, thus cleansing. I know, I know — too much earthly logic. I hope I will be given a chance to see the answers to these questions.
Mr. Levy, this is a great read as I am noticing some very stark differences in the sacrificial statutes between Ezekiel’s account vs the Mosaic account. If you don’t mind, I have a quick question and anyone that reads this can offer input as well.
In Ezekiel’s account it appears the Prince (I believe to be Jesus) will be offering the sacrifices Himself. The animal’s sacrificed are different, the Passover is different and it also says the gentiles will be priests. All of which are in direct contrast to the sacrificial statutes that Moses implimented.
So it does appear that this is an entirely new sacrificial system in the millennial kingdom. That being said, as I prayerfully try to understand, can you provide additional clarity regarding the sacrifice and covering of sin for those who survive the tribulation in leu of Matthew 24:13 which says “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”
If they who come out of the tribulation are saved and made fully righteous, why would any “finite cleansing of impurities from everyone who survived the Great Tribulation” be needed?
Thanks for your response and anyone who responds. Much appreciated 🙂
Best,
That was my first thought too. Why would we need cleansing? We been made clean. Unless it might be the earth itself is unclean? That’s why He re-creates the earth?
in the old test the Holy spirit did not indwell a person permanently. this happened only during
the church age. perhaps this is the reason for the animal sacrifice during the mill.
just a thought. maybe somewhere in this fact is the answer.
margie monroe
Sacrifices as a form of outward ritual cleansing for pre-millennial converts, is not much different than water baptism as a form of outward ritual cleansing for church-age converts. Neither are salvific, and neither compete with salvation by faith.
Excellent article as always!
James
Thank you very helpful.
Joseph Porter