In Ezekiel 43:7-9, God explains the purpose of the temple vision: “This is the place of my throne… where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever.”
But Israel never obeyed God fully. They left the “carcasses of their kings” (tombs and idolatry) in the city. Because of their disobedience, this temple was never constructed on earth. The blueprint was heavenly in nature, pointing beyond the ruins of Jerusalem to the heavenly Jerusalem, which the writer of Hebrews describes: “Ye are come unto Mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusa-lem” (Heb. 12:22).
Thus, what Ezekiel saw was not meant to be a literal temple of stone, but a prophetic shadow of God’s eternal dwelling with His people. The true temple is spiritual, and its builder is Christ Himself.
-Anthony D. Booker
The GATHERING Place 