“Now there was a wall (U) all around the outside of the temple. In the man’s hand was a measuring rod six cubits long, each being a cubit and a handbreadth; and he measured the width of the wall structure, one rod; and the height, one rod.” (Ezek 40:5)

The outer wall types the Ancient Worthies who will then be under the headship of Christ. As anyone approaching the literal sanctuary would first see the high outer wall, which will surround it, so resurrected mankind will first see, realize, and appreciate, God’s Kingdom on earth when they come in contact with those perfect human beings, the Ancient Worthies, glorious in the fullness of their earthly perfection.  D626, par. 1, 2.  D628, par. 2, 3.  Mankind will recognize them as the embodiment of faith, and their position as the visible rulers of earth, as the reward of faith. (Heb 11:4-40).

The measurements of the wall, one reed high and one reed thick, suggest that the condition of the perfect human nature will be in accord with the “full measure of the word of God” regarding it, or in other words, that all of God’s promises regarding the restitution to perfect human nature and perfect earthly environment will be fulfilled. (See Isa 35 and comments, Rev 21:1-7 and comments).

There are two pavements in the sanctuary, the upper pavement being the outer portion of the inner court, fifty cubits in breadth and the lower pavement being the outer portion of the outer court, also fifty cubits in breadth. Walls, gates and buildings will occupy both pavements. They typify conditions and activities in connection with the establishing of the Kingdom. The lower pavement is referred to in Ezek 40:17.18. The upper pavement is not specifically mentioned, but is inferred from the term “lower pavement”.

The outer court typifies the condition of actual or heart perfection of mankind. The Ancient Worthies will symbolically be on that plane of life at their resurrection. (Heb 11:35. F699, par. 2.) At the close of the Millennial age all the ransomed human race will have attained to that plane. (Isa 35:10; 51:11; Rev. 21:7 “All things”, should read “these things”, see margin.)

Some through zeal and diligence will reach the outer court condition quickly; others, who make no progress toward that condition during one hundred years, will be cut off in second death. (Isa 65:20. A144, par, 1. F699, par. 3).

The outer court will be elevated the height of seven steps above the surrounding land, seven symbolizing the perfection of those who enter the outer court condition. Climbing the seven steps denotes the development and progress of mankind from the debased to the perfect condition. Naaman was washed in the Jordan seven times, picturing the progress of mankind as they get rid of the defilements of sin. (2 Kings 5:9-14. Ezek 40:26).

The inner court proper will be situated at the center of the sanctuary and will be one hundred cubits square. Ezek 40:47. The space generally referred to, as the “inner court” will be the whole of the space enclosed by the inner wall 200 cubits wide by 300 cubits long. The inner court typifies the condition of the Great Company, spirit beings.

The Western building Ezek 41:12, representing the condition of angles, is on the same level as the inner court, suggesting that the condition of the resurrected Great Company will be similar to that of angles. (Rev 7:13-17. F127, par.2. Psa 45:14, 15. F121, top.)

The higher elevation of the inner court types that the Great Company (and angels) have a higher plane of life than perfect humanity. The steps, eight in number, intimate that while the spirit nature of the Great Company is perfect (seven) it is only one-step higher than that of the perfect human nature (7+1=8). Ezek 40:37. Perfect man is only a little lower than angels (one step lower). Psa 8:4, 5. A174, par. 4, A175, par. 2. Deut 32:4).

The separate place will be an open space twenty cubits wide around the temple platform, separating it from all else (Ezek 41:10), representing the exclusiveness of the Christ, Head and Body, again pictured by Aaron. 1 Chron 23:13, Eph. 1:20-23.

The Priest chambers (Ezek 42:1-14) are exclusively for the use of the Priest where they will eat the most Holy things and where the Priest will lay the different offerings. They are referred to as Holy chambers and the Priest will wear special garments when they occupy these chambers.

The Priest accepting and eating the offerings types that the Christ will accept the consecrations of the people and appropriate them to themselves. (Isa 60:14. Isa 45:11-14. Rev 3:9 Dan 7:13, 14).

The holy garments type the glory of the Divine immortal nature with which the Little Flock will then be clothed. (2 Cor 5:2. 1 Cor 15:53). The full glory of the Divine nature cannot be beholden by any finite being whether angelic or human. (1 John 3:2, comments). “We must all be changed and made spirit beings like our Lord before we can ever do this,” see Him as he is. Those who are made spirit beings but unlike our Lord (Great Company), will not see him in the fullness of His glory. They will see Him “afar off” as it were. This thought is typed by the Priest wearing their Holy garments only in the seclusion of the Priest’ Chambers, where none others may intrude.

The Priest putting on other garments before they approach the people types that they will direct the restitution work of hope and blessing without revealing the fullness of their glory. They will only be able to direct mankind through the medium of the Ancient Worthies. (D619, par. 3. Ezek 42:14; 44:19).

The thirty chambers found along the outer wall, on the lower pavement, typify different activities of perfect humanity. They also typify the co-operation of the Great Company (Levites) with mankind in connection with these different activities. Some of the activities are suggested in the following Scriptures: Isa 65:21, 22. Rev 15:4. Zeph 3:9. Psa. 51:19. The method of co-operation is suggested in Rev 18:1.

The life-giving river symbolizes, restitution blessings; the benefits of Divine love flowing to save and bless all the willing and obedient of mankind. (Rev 22:1, 17 and comments on both verses) The source of the river is under the temple on the right side (Ezek 47:1, Rev. 22:1), picturing that the Christ, head and body, constitutes the source or fountain from whence restitution blessings will flow to the people. The Church is called wells or fountains, and 144,000 of these wells gathered together will constitute the source of this mighty river of blessing. (Isa 12:3, John 4:7-15; 7:37, 38, Joel 3:18, Lam. 4:12, 15)

The river flows from the right side of the temple, passing out of the sanctuary on the right side of the gate (Ezek 47:2), the right being the side of favor. This would symbolize that the Little Flock will realize that the work of greatest importance during the millennial age will be the work of blessing mankind, i.e., this work will then have the favor of the Christ.

Flowing eastward (toward the sunrise), the river will pass the altar on the south side, picturing that restitution blessings can only reach mankind (south side) as they recognize our Lord’s ransom sacrifice and the sin offering of the Christ (altar) and the resurrection of our Lord and His Bride (east). (Mal 4:2, John 3:16).