Audio Download

Ezekiel 40:1–27 The Vision of the Temple Part 1

[Study Aired December 16, 2024]

Introduction

Ezekiel chapter 40 is looked at as one of the most difficult sections of scripture in the Bible. According to Matthew Henry Commentary, the Jews will not allow any to read this portion until they are thirty years old and tell those who do read it that, though they cannot understand everything in it, “when Elias comes he will explain it”. However, if we believe that the mysteries of the kingdom of the Lord has been given to us, His elect, then it means that we already have the keys to unlock what the Lord is telling us here in Ezekiel chapter 40.

Mat 13:11  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
Mat 13:12  For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

Mat 13:16  But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
Mat 13:17  For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

Mat 16:19  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Isa 22:22  And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.

To understand this chapter, we need to note that this chapter deals with the measurement of the temple in Jerusalem. However, this temple is as large as a city. Thus, the city is the same as the temple in this case. If we look at the description of the New Jerusalem in Revelation chapter 21, we can see that there is no temple within the city.

Rev 21:2  And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.   

Rev 21:22  And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

In other words, the temple of the Lord is the same as the city of the New Jerusalem. This is to let us know that Jerusalem above which is the city of the living God is what is being measured here in Ezekiel chapter 40.

Gal 4:25  For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
Gal 4:26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

The New Jerusalem in Revelation chapter 21 is the final representation of the church which includes all humanity. However, what is presented here in Ezekiel chapter 40 shows us what we go through to become part of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21.

As we are aware, this temple or city refers to the assembly of the Lord’s elect or our gathering together now. In Hebrews chapter 12, we are told that this assembly is the church of the firstborn and we are given additional information that this church is not perfect yet in the sight of God and therefore He is shaking us once more. This shaking of the earth and our heavens is the judgement of our old man or flesh which shall result in the cleansing of our hearts and minds and the destruction of our flesh. That is how we come to see the Lord as a consuming fire. The fire is the word of the Lord which destroys our old man or flesh.

Heb 12:22  But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
Heb 12:23  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
Heb 12:24  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
Heb 12:25  See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
Heb 12:26  Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
Heb 12:27  And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
Heb 12:28  Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
Heb 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.

In Ezekiel chapter 40 that we are going to review, we are given information to show us that this city is not perfect yet as we shall see by the measurements given. On the other hand, the city of the New Jerusalem in Revelation chapter 21 is perfection at its best. It gives us glimpses of our perfection as we unite with our Lord Jesus Christ. The measurements of the New Jerusalem are based on twelve or multiples of 12 which signify Christ.

Rev 21:10  And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
Rev 21:11  Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
Rev 21:12  And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
Rev 21:13  On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
Rev 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

On the other hand, the measurements of this city in Ezekiel chapter 40 are based mainly on the numbers 6 and 10 which refer to man with all his weaknesses because of the flesh. A key therefore to understanding this chapter is knowing the spiritual significance of numbers as we shall see shortly.

The Vision of the City

Eze 40:1  In the five and twentieth year of our captivity, in the beginning of the year, in the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after that the city was smitten, in the selfsame day the hand of the LORD was upon me, and brought me thither. 

The number twenty five on a positive note, signifies the time to start reigning as a royal priesthood. That means the beginning of our obedience to the Lord as we learn righteousness through His judgement of our flesh.

2Ki 14:2  He was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.

2Ki 15:33  Five and twenty years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jerusha, the daughter of Zadok.

2Ki 18:1  Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.
2Ki 18:2 Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah.

The twenty-fifth year of the captivity of the people of Israel in this case implies the time that the Lord comes to us with the spirit of His mouth and His brightness to liberate us from our captivity to the false doctrines of Babylon and to make us obedient to Him so that we can start reigning over the flesh. The tenth day of the month is to show us that it is when our flesh has reached its fulness in terms of sin that the Lord comes to us with His judgement. The fourteenth year means that we are beginning to make spiritual progress with the Lord’s coming to us. In other words, we have not attained yet but we are definitely on our way.

Gen 31:41  Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times.

Php 3:12  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Php 3:13  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Eze 40:2  In the visions of God brought he me into the land of Israel, and set me upon a very high mountain, by which was as the frame of a city on the south. 
Eze 40:3 And he brought me thither, and, behold, there was a man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed; and he stood in the gate. 

When the Lord comes to us and delivers us from our captivity to the false doctrines of Babylon, and causes us to see the church of the firstborn, it is the same as the Lord lifting us up in the spirit and setting us upon a very high mountain to see the New Jerusalem which is described in verse 2 as the frame of a city on the south. In the Bible, high mountains represent the assembly of the Lord’s people. Thus, this high mountain is the gathering of the Lord’s elect that we see as the structure on the mountain representing a city on the south. The fact that the city is “on the south” means that the church of the Lord is not yet perfected as we are still closer to the sea, that is, we are still battling with the flesh of humanity.

Isa 40:9  O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!

Isa 13:2  Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.
Isa 13:3 I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger, even them that rejoice in my highness.

The man whose appearance was like that of brass is our Lord Jesus Christ who is standing at the gate.

Rev 3:20  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

In the Book of Revelation, we also see Jesus with His feet like fine brass, which is consistent with our assertion that the man whose appearance was like brass is Jesus Christ.

Rev 1:15  And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

Jesus standing by the gate in the vision in verse 2 means that Jesus is the gateway to the New Jerusalem or the church of the firstborn. This implies that salvation is through Him alone.

Act 4:12  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

In verse 2, the Lord was carrying a tape measure and a measuring stick. That is to show us that it is the Lord who is always measuring us to see if we are conforming to His image or standard. For example, when the Lord appeared to John at the island of Patmos, He showed John that the complete church system of this world has fallen short of His standards. For example, let’s take a look at what He said regarding the church in Ephesus.

Rev 2:1  Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;
Rev 2:2  I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
Rev 2:3  And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
Rev 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Dan 5:27  TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.

It is as we leave Babylon to enter the gate of the assembly of the elect that we are measured and found wanting by the Lord.

Eze 40:4  And the man said unto me, Son of man, behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee; for to the intent that I might shew them unto thee art thou brought hither: declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel. 

As our eyes are being opened by the Lord to see and our ears are hearing the mysteries of the kingdom of the Lord, we are to declare them to the house of Israel which represents the Lord’s elect.

Exo 19:3  And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel;
Exo 19:4  Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself.
Exo 19:5  Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
Exo 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

Setting our heart upon all that the Lord is showing us means that we must obey His words. Obedience to the Lord’s words is how we progress spiritually.

Jer 42:5  Then they said to Jeremiah, “May the LORD be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act according to all the word with which the LORD your God sends you to us.
Jer 42:6 Whether it is good or bad, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God to whom we are sending you, that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.”

The Gateway that Faced East

Eze 40:5  And behold a wall on the outside of the house round about, and in the man’s hand a measuring reed of six cubits long by the cubit and an hand breadth: so he measured the breadth of the building, one reed; and the height, one reed. 

The first structure to be measured was the wall that surrounded the city or temple. Our Lord Jesus Christ has a measuring reed of six cubits by the cubit and an hand breadth. It is the Lord’s elect that are being measured to ensure that we attain the standards of Christ. All others are not being measured in this life.

Rev 11:1  And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
Rev 11:2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

In verse 5, the man who represents our Lord Jesus has a measuring reed of six cubits long. It is important to note that this measurement was not based on the common cubits but the cubits of the sanctuary, which was different. Here in verse 5, we are told that the cubits of the sanctuary is a hand breadth (approximately 4 inches) longer than the common cubits that was used as a measure in those days. The common cubit was eighteen inches. The outer wall of the house measured one reed in thickness and one reed in height. That is to say that the thickness and height of the wall were all six cubits.

It is important to note that the number six is the number of man. What this means is that when the Lord calls us from the churches of this world to come to the church of the firstborn or temple to worship, we were frail men and women with all kinds of weaknesses. However, through the Lord’s judgement of our old man or flesh, we gradually become like Christ. As explained earlier, the New Jerusalem in the Book of Revelation shows us where we are going, that is, becoming like Christ. Here the wall’s measurement is 144 cubits (12×12 cubits). The number 12 is the number of Christ and therefore in the final analysis, we shall be like Christ. The number of Christ in this case refers to His obedience to God while He lived here on earth. As He is, so are we. That is to say that we shall all bear the image of Christ in this life.

Rev 21:17  And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

Eze 40:6  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. 
Eze 40:7  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. 
Eze 40:8 He measured also the porch of the gate within, one reed. 

Our Lord went up the steps to the gateway that faced east and measured the entrance which was one reed broad. The other threshold of the gate was also one reed broad. The east gate means that it is where the sun rises. That is to say that our entering through the gate after our captivity in Babylon is the beginning of the rising of Christ in our lives.  It is worth noting that in verse 6 and 7, the measurement is given in reed but the distance between the little chambers is given in cubits. What this implies is that we must pay attention to the numbers and not to the unit of measurement. The number ‘one’ means ‘unity’. What this suggests is that as His elect, we are required to be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgement for the building of the city or the church of the firstborn.

1Co 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

The little chamber here refers to our heart and mind or the temple within each of us which together forms part of the New Jerusalem. The fact that we have a distance of five cubits between the little chambers is to suggest to us that each of us is separate from one another by the grace through faith that we have received (the significance of the number 5).

Eph 4:7  But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

In verse 8, the porch of the gate within also measures one reed. The porch here refers to a covered area that joins the entrance or gate of a city. When we are given the privilege of entering Jerusalem which is above or the church of the firstborn, we are sheltered by the Lord from the world and all that may destroy us during this initial period as we are given to have the same mind and judgement.

Psa 91:1  He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Psa 91:2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

Eze 40:10  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. 
Eze 40:11  And he measured the breadth of the entry of the gate, ten cubits; and the length of the gate, thirteen cubits. 
Eze 40:12 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. 

It is significant to note in verse 10 that the little chambers of the gate were three on one side and three on another side. This is to let us know that the process of our spiritual maturity is through the Lord’s judgement (the significance of the number 3).

In verse 11, the measured breadth of the entry of the gate was ten cubits with the length being thirteen cubits. The number ten means the fulness of the flesh and the number thirteen signifies rebellion. This suggests that it is when our rebellion has reached its climax that the Lord comes to us to usher us into the city of the living God.

In verse 12, we are made aware that the little chambers were six cubits or one reed on each side. The measurement of six cubits is to emphasize that we are dealing with man with all his flaws.

Eze 40:13  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. 
Eze 40:14  He made also posts of threescore cubits, even unto the post of the court round about the gate. 
Eze 40:15  And from the face of the gate of the entrance unto the face of the porch of the inner gate were fifty cubits. 
Eze 40:16  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. 

The measurement of twenty five cubits of the gateway from the top of one little chamber to the top of the opposite little chamber in verse 13 indicates that entering the gateway to the church of the firstborn is the beginning of our kingship as shown in the following verses:

2Ki 14:2  He was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.

2Ki 15:33  Five and twenty years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jerusha, the daughter of Zadok.

2Ki 18:1  Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.
2Ki 18:2 Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah.

What we are therefore being told is that what links us from one to another (from the top of one little chamber to the top of another) is the fact that our entering of Jerusalem above or the church of the firstborn is the beginning of our reign over the flesh and the subsequent reigning over the kingdoms of this world.

2Ti 2:12  If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

In verse 14, the room at the far end which led out to the court was measured to be sixty cubits. The number sixty (60 = 6 x 10) signifies the fulness of the flesh in man and therefore the measurement of 60 cubits affirms that the Lord comes to us when our sins have reached the heavens to lead us into His court for cleansing.

As stated in verse 15, the open space of the gate without to the open space of the porch of the gate is fifty cubits. The number fifty means liberty. This verse is therefore to remind us that as we enter the church of the firstborn, we are on our way to be liberated from the shackles of the flesh.

Gal 5:1  Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

2Co 3:17  Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

The narrow windows of verse 16 is to remind us of the narrow road that leads to our reigning with Christ.

Mat 7:13  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there at:
Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

The posts which were palm trees is to indicate that this narrow road is preserved for only the Lord’s elect who are symbolized as palm trees.

Psa 92:12  The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

The Outer Courts

Eze 40:17  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. 
Eze 40:18  And the pavement by the side of the gates over against the length of the gates was the lower pavement. 
Eze 40:19 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. 

Our journey through the temple of the Lord starts from the gate of the entrance, through the porch of the inner gate which leads to the outer court. The outer court of the temple was the place for atonement, worship, and cleansing in preparation to meet God. As we have seen from the beginning of the journey through the temple, the measurements we observed were mainly 6 cubits, 10 cubits, 13 cubits, 60 cubits and fifty cubits. With the exception of the 50 cubits which speaks of our liberty in Christ, all the other measurements show us man’s frailties, our rebellion and the fulness of our flesh. It is at the outer courts that we start the process of cleansing as we are judged by the Lord.

It is therefore instructive to note in verse 17 that there were thirty chambers upon the pavement that surrounds the inner court. The number thirty represent our rulership over our flesh and later the kingdoms of this world. This is because both Joseph and David became kings at the age of thirty. The number thirty therefore symbolizes the time that our new man starts to reign in our lives as our old man has commenced the dying process. The fact that there were thirty chambers on the pavement is to tell us that Christ has started his work in us to judge us first in this life by beginning the process of putting the old man to death for the birth of the new man who is to reign in our lives.

Gen 41:46  And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.

2Sa 5:4  David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.

Num 4:23  From thirty years old and upward until fifty years old shalt thou number them; all that enter in to perform the service, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.

We are informed in verse 18 that the pavement in the lower courtyard ran alongside the gateways. It was as wide as it was long. This implies that all that we go through in the outer court in terms of cleansing is part of the entry process to meet the Lord in the holy of holies. The fact that the pavement in the lower courtyard was wide and long means that there are many who are called but only few are chosen to proceed to the holy of holies.

The fact that in verse 19, we are told that the distance from the inside of the lower gateway to the outside of the inner courtyard is measured as hundred (10×10) cubits eastward and northward is to let us know that at this point of our walk with Christ, we are yet sinners as our sins have reached their fulness and our judgement has begun.

Rev 18:5  For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

Rev 18:8  Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.

The North Gate

Eze 40:20  And the gate of the outward court that looked toward the north, he measured the length thereof, and the breadth thereof. 
Eze 40:21  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. 

The north spiritually represents the judgement of the Lord. The gate to the outward court looking towards the north in verse 20 therefore signifies the beginning of the judgement of the Lord as we enter through the north gate to the outward court. As we have indicated, the outer court of the temple is the place for atonement, worship, and cleansing in preparation to meet God.

Jer 1:13  And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying, What seest thou? And I said, I see a seething pot; and the face thereof is toward the north.
Jer 1:14 Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land.

Jer 4:6  Set up the standard toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north, and a great destruction.

This process of cleansing is symbolized by the judgement of our old man or flesh and is affirmed by the fact that there were three little chambers on one side and another on the other side. The number three means spiritual maturity through judgement. The three little chambers, the arches, and the entrance hall were the same size as those in the east gateway. This northern gateway was fifty cubits in length and twenty five cubit in width. As we have shown earlier, the number fifty means liberty and that of twenty five signifies the beginning of our reign as kings. This implies that the judgement of the Lord is to liberate us from the chains of the flesh and to begin to reign over it. In the fulness of time, we shall reign as kings over the kingdoms of this world.

Rev 11:15  And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Eze 40:22  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. 
Eze 40:23  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.

Here in verse 22, we are told that the windows, the arches, and palm tree pictures were the same size as those in the east gateway and that there were seven steps which lead to the inner court.  The fact that the measurement of the windows, and their arches and the palm trees were the same as those in the east gate spiritually signifies that whether we come through the north gate or the east gate the experience is the same. In other words, we all go through the same spiritual experience.  This experience is the seven steps indicated in verse 22.

Ecc 9:2  All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.

In verse 23, we are told that the inner courtyard had a gateway opposite the north gate just like the east gateway and the measurement from gate to gate was an hundred cubits. As indicated, the northern and the eastern gateways being alike means that our experiences are the same in terms of our walk with Christ. The measurement being one hundred (10×10) cubits implies that we come through the gateway to the inner court being full of the flesh and needing to be judged by the Lord.

We therefore thank God for His mercies towards us in choosing us in Him before the foundation of the world.

Eph 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Amen!!