Refutation of the Doctrine Called The Age to Come

§ 4. THE CITY AND SANCTUARY OF Ezekiel 40-48

It has been urged that the city described in the vision of Ezekiel is the same as the New Jerusalem of Revelation, and the sacrifices there spoken of signify the restoration of the sacrificial system of Leviticus, and of course, the restoration of the Jewish people. We consider that this was a conditional prophecy, the promises of which have been forfeited. Notice chap. 43:9-11. “Now let them put away their lewdness, and the carcasses of their kings far from me, and I will dwell in the midst of them forever.” (Comp. Jeremiah 17:19-27.) “Thou son of man, show the house to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities; and let them measure the pattern. And if they be ashamed of all which they have done, show them the form of the house, and the structure thereof, and the goings out thereof, and the entrances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof,” etc.-Bernard’s Bible. RDAC 91.3

Though there are points of similarity between the visions of Ezekiel and John, yet similarity does not prove identity. In this case there are also points of dissimilarity, which of course forbid identity. RDAC 92.1

It is claimed that Christ is now preparing a people out of all nations to be priests in the future age. But the priests of Ezekiel’s vision were all Levites. Chap. 43:19; 44:15. RDAC 92.2

It is admitted that those prepared for a place in that are immortalized at the second advent; after which they will neither marry nor be given in marriage. Luke 20:34, 35. But there marriages of the priests are spoken of. Ezekiel 44:21, 22. RDAC 92.3

These cannot die any more, but there they could, for the priest was allowed to marry “a widow that had a priest before.”—Ibid. RDAC 92.4

It is claimed that “David 2nd, Christ,” is the ruling Prince spoken of by Ezekiel. But the prince in that city was to offer a sin-offering for himself; and to refer this to Christ is not only absurd, but blasphemous. Chap. 45:22. RDAC 92.5

Christ will have the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession; but the prince there was forbidden to oppress the people, or take their possessions for his sons, but should give his sons inheritance of his own possession. Chap. 46:18. RDAC 93.1

The revival of the types here spoken of is impossible. The types were shadows of things to come. No sin was remitted by means of the blood offered by the Levitical priesthood, as it only pointed to a future fact: that fact being reached by faith, and realized when all the righteous, with Daniel, stand in their lot in the person of their Advocate when he makes atonement. But such an order of things cannot exist after the priesthood of Christ closes, and we have shown that his ministration is in Heaven, and closes previous to his coming. The fact cannot go before the figure or type, or the thing signified before the sign thereof; so it would be absurd to make an atonement in figure, or typically, for a sin which had already been atoned for in fact. In the gospel, repentance and confession must precede remission (Mark 1:4; Acts 2:38; 1 John 1:9); therefore a revival of the Levitical system is impossible, as it would require a new system to admit an atonement by type or in figure after the sin was committed, when, in the ministration of Christ, the atonement had been made in fact, and remission granted, before it was committed! RDAC 93.2

These reasons are quite sufficient to show that their view of Ezekiel cannot be correct. RDAC 93.3