Ezekiel 40:24

Ezekiel 40:24 says, After that he brought me toward the south, and behold a gate toward the south: and he measured the posts thereof and the arches thereof according to these measures.  Ezekiel was then brought to the gate on the south side and shown the posts and arches and the size of the gate and arches.

Verse twenty-five adds, And there were windows in it and in the arches thereof round about, like those windows: the length was fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits.  The arches of the gate also had windows in it, which would imply that a person could either get inside the arch or there was a walkway behind it so they could see out.  This would allow them to see who was at the gate if it was closed.  When Jesus stands at the gate of our heart and knocks, faith is the window that allows us to see Who He is.

Verse twenty-six continues, And there were seven steps to go up to it, and the arches thereof were before them: and it had palm trees, one on this side, and another on that side, upon the posts thereof.  Matthew Henry points out that all the gates had seven steps leading up to them, which he says some see as indicating that we move up step-by-step in grace, but I believe that we are completely under God’s grace when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  We may then grow in our spiritual life one step at a time.   \

Ezekiel 40:20

Ezekiel 40:20 says, And the gate of the outward court that looked toward the north, he measured the length thereof, and the breadth thereof.  Now, Ezekiel gave the dimensions of the gate to the north.  

Verse twenty-one adds, And the little chambers thereof were three on this side and three on that side; and the posts thereof and the arches thereof were after the measure of the first gate: the length thereof was fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits.  This verse and the next give details about the little chambers and their position and size.  

Verse twenty-two continues. And their windows, and their arches, and their palm trees, were after the measure of the gate that looketh toward the east; and they went up unto it by seven steps; and the arches thereof were before them.  Matthew Henry says that the gate to the north and south were to admit ordinary people, whereas the gate to the east was to admit those who were famous for their wealth and wisdom.  I don’t know if this is true or not, but I do know that all people, whether they are rich and wise or are just ordinary people have to come to God through the same gate, which is faith in Jesus Christ as one’s Savior and Lord.  

Verse twenty-three concludes, And the gate of the inner court was over against the gate toward the north, and toward the east; and he measured from gate to gate an hundred cubits.  Ezekiel then gave the size of the courtyard between the north and east gates.

Ezekiel 40:15

Ezekiel 40:15 says, And from the face of the gate of the entrance unto the face of the porch of the inner gate were fifty cubits.  This verse tells the distance from the gate and to the porches and the size of the area surrounding them.  This would give the size of the porch.

Verse sixteen adds, And there were narrow windows to the little chambers, and to their posts within the gate round about, and likewise to the arches: and windows were round about inward: and upon each post were palm trees.  Ezekiel then returns to the little chambers and speaks about their windows and the arches and windows that seemed to look inward.  God will cause us to look inward at our lives to see if we are being obedient to Him, no matter what we may see in the world outside.  Ezekiel also said that the posts were engraved with palm trees.  Matthew Henry says that these palm trees signified that the righteous would flourish like palm trees.  I believe that this would tell us as righteous people, those who are made righteous by accepting God’s gift of salvation and not those who are self-righteous, that we should be flourishing spiritually today and every day.  

Verse seventeen continues, Then brought he me into the outward court, and, lo, there were chambers, and a pavement made for the court round about: thirty chambers were upon the pavement.  Ezekiel said he was then brought into the outward court, the one where the people would gather.  There were also thirty chambers there and a paved area.  Matthew Henry says the courtyard was paved with prophyry-stone, which would glow like burning coals.  I am not sure what this stone was, but I do know that when we are indwelled with the Holy Spirit that our lives should shine for God. 

Verse eighteen states, And the pavement by the side of the gates over against the length of the gates was the lower pavement.  This verse and the next continue to give the size of the paved courtyard.  

Verse nineteen adds, Then he measured the breadth from the forefront of the lower gate unto the forefront of the inner court without, an hundred cubits eastward and northward.   These dimensions were set by God and not Ezekiel or anyone else.  We should never try to limit the size of God’s kingdom to what we or anyone else might want it to be but must accept the fact that God alone can set the dimensions.  

Ezekiel 40:11

Ezekiel 40:11 says, And he measured the breadth of the entry of the gate, ten cubits; and the length of the gate, thirteen cubits.  Ezekiel then gives the dimensions of the gate, as determined by the man of brass and not by Ezekiel himself.  It will always be God Who determines the size of heaven, but it will be more than large enough, and Jesus Christ will always be the only gate that we can enter by.  

Verse twelve adds, The space also before the little chambers was one cubit on this side, and the space was one cubit on that side: and the little chambers were six cubits on this side, and six cubits on that side.  Ezekiel then stated the size and location of the little chambers, once more stating that they were to be of equal size.  I don’t know if there will be different size dwelling places in heaven, but I do know that they will be what God declares them to be.  

Verse thirteen continues, He measured then the gate from the roof of one little chamber to the roof of another: the breadth was five and twenty cubits, door against door.  This verse and the next give the size of the gate measured from the roof of one chamber to another.  

Verse fourteen concludes, He made also posts of threescore cubits, even unto the post of the court round about the gate.  Here, Ezekiel gives the height of the posts of the temple, which were to be quite tall.  When we get to our heavenly home, it will be more than ample to meet the needs of all the people there.

Ezekiel 40:6

Ezekiel 40:6 says, Then came he unto the gate which looketh toward the east, and went up the stairs thereof, and measured the threshold of the gate, which was one reed broad; and the other threshold of the gate, which was one reed broad.  The man of brass continued to measure the size of the temple.  He began by measuring the east gate, because, as Matthew Henry says, that was the normal way to enter the temple.  Today there is only one gate to the kingdom of God, and that is faith in Jesus Christ.   

Verse seven continues, And every little chamber was one reed long, and one reed broad; and between the little chambers were five cubits; and the threshold of the gate by the porch of the gate within was one reed.  Ezekiel then specified the size of and distance between the little chambers in the temple.  These were for those who served in the temple and were all of the same size.  We as followers of Christ will one day have a home in heaven, and whatever that may be, we will all enter the same way, and that is by faith in Jesus Christ and we will be content no matter how big or small it may be.  

Verse eight states, He measured also the porch of the gate within, one reed.  Then the porch was measured.  

Verse nine adds, Then measured he the porch of the gate, eight cubits; and the posts thereof, two cubits; and the porch of the gate was inward.  This continues with listing the size of the porch and the height of the posts, which was said to be two cubits.  When we enter God’s promised land of heaven, it will not matter what size it is, because it will be large enough for all of God’s people.  

Verse ten continues, And the little chambers of the gate eastward were three on this side, and three on that side; they three were of one measure: and the posts had one measure on this side and on that side.  Ezekiel continued by listing the number of chambers and their location and noted once more that they were of equal size. Spiritually, none of us should consider himself or herself to be greater than any other Christian, since we are all sinners saved by grace.