THE GEOGRAPHICAL CONDITIONS OF THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM
The warfare, invasion, and judgment of God of the great tribulation will all leave their mark upon the land. The first that comes to mind is, the Mount of Olives will split in two when the Lord returns.
Zech 14:4
4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.
KJV
There will be great topographical changes to the center of the land of Palestine. A great plain will be raised up.
Zech 14:10
10 All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem….
KJV
Geba is about six miles north of present-day Jerusalem and Rimmon, thirty miles south of Jerusalem. This evidently will be referred to as the mountain of the Lord’s house.
Isa 2:2
2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
KJV
[See also Mich. 4:1]. Those geographical changes seem to be in preparation for the building of the millennial temple and the New Jerusalem described in Ezekiel.
DIVISION OF THE LAND
God promised Abraham that He would give him the land (Gen. 15:18). In Ezekiel 47:13-48:35 He gives detailed instruction concerning this division. The northern border is at Hamath, which is about 160 miles north of Jerusalem (47:15-17). The southern border is “from Tamar unto the waters of strife in Kadesh, and to the river towards the great sea” (48:28). The western border is the great sea or the Mediterranean (47:20). The eastern border appears to run along a line from Damascus to the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River to the Dead Sea (47:18). Clarence Larkin, because of God’s promise to Abraham, extends these grants to the river Euphrates (Gen. 15:18) - [Dispensational Truth, Pg. 95].
The reed and the cubit. In understanding the exact divisions of the land it is necessary to know that the cubit was used in Egypt, Israel, Greece and Babylon, but the exact length differed. There was the normal cubit and the royal cubit, which was longer by about a hand breadth. Unger says the ancient Babylon used three cubits. The smallest was 10.8 inches or three palms, the second was four palms or 14.4 inches, and the third was five handbredths or eight inches. He says:
“As the prophet was very specific in stating the unit of measurement in his vision as a “cubit and a hand breadth” (40:5; 43:13), he, no doubt, meant the smaller cubit of three hand breadths as a basic measure, plus one hand breadth, or what is equivalent to the middle cubit of 14.4 inches. Upon his calculation the reed would be 7.1 inches.” [Merrill F. Unger, Great Neglected Bible Prophecies, Pg. 67]
There are several reasons for choosing this size cubit, the most important being that of measurements given for the division of the land fit within the boundaries of the land to be divided.
Tribal divisions. In the division of the land among the twelve tribes, Levi has no part, but Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, each has a part. Levi will receive his inheritance in the part set aside as the holy oblation. The northern tribe is Dan, followed by Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, Reuben and Judah (Ezek. 48:1-7). Under the holy oblation came the tribe of Benjamin, Simeon, Issachar, Zebulun and Gad (48:23-29). It is interesting that the last two tribes to go into captivity, Judah and Benjamin, are given land adjoining God’s portion. At the time the kingdom was disrupted under Rehoboam they remained true to the house of David, so perhaps this is their reward. The land itself within the tribal protions is to be divided by lot (48:29).
Holy oblation. In the midst of the land will be the holy oblation, which is to be 25000 reeds long and 25000 reeds high. Using a 7.2 foot reed, it would be about 34 miles each way. The top section, which will be given to the Levites, is 10000 reeds wide and 25000 long (48:13-14). The center section 10000 reeds wide, is given to the priests (48:10-12). In the center of the priest’s section the temple is built. The southern section, which is 5000 reeds wide, is set aside as a profane (common) place for the city, the suburbs, and farming areas. The city with its suburbs will be about six-miles square (48:15-17). In Bible times, Jerusalem was never over one mile wide. The farming area on each side of the city will be 5000 reeds wide, and 10000 reeds long (48:18). This makes the total holy oblation 25000 reeds square (48:20).
Location of the New Jerusalem. If the holy oblation is located upon the great plain mentioned in Zechariah 14:10, New Jerusalem will be south of the present site. Note that the new temple will not be located in New Jerusalem. Isaiah describes the New Jerusalem (65:18-23); it should not be confused with the heavenly Jerusalem described by John in Revelation 21:2. During the Millennial Kingdom the new city of Jerusalem will have twelve gates named after the twelve tribes of Israel (Rev. 21:12).
While the temple will not actually be built within the city limits, Jerusalem will be capital of Israel and, because Israel will be the foremost nation in the world, it will be the most important city in the world because it will be where the Lord’s throne is.
The river of the sanctuary. From the temple will flow a river of living water which will go down to the city of Jerusalem and divide, with one part going to the Mediterranean Sea and one to the Dead Sea. On each bank of the stream will grow trees, the fruit of which will be for meat (food), and whose leaves that never fade can be used for medical purposes. When the waters enter the Dead Sea it will make it fruitful so that fish can live there in abundance (Ezek. 47:1-12). Some feel that there will be a literal highway called “the Way of Holiness” from Jerusalem to the Millennial Temple.
Isaiah 35 speaks of the beauty and wonders of the kingdom after the curse of nature has been lifted.
Isa 35:8-10
8 And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.
9 No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:
10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
KJV
Prince’s portion. The area between the holy oblation and the Great Sea on the west and between the holy oblation and Jordan on the east will be given to the prince and is called the prince’s portion (Ezek. 45:7-9).
Jerusalem described. The city itself will be a square of 4500 cubits. There is a space of 250 cubits on each side, making a total of 5000 cubits per side. Residence in the city will be an honour and will be regarded as a public service. The twelve gates are named after the twelve tribes of Israel, and the population will represent all twelve tribes (48:19). Whether they will reside permanently in the city or not, is not stated. Alfred Ederaheim in his book, The Temple, Its Ministries and Services Pg. 83: describes Christ’s reign:”The number of priests to be found at all times in Jerusalem must have been very great, and Ophel a densely inhabited quarter. According to Jewish tradition, half of each the twenty-four courses into which the priesthood were divided, were permanently resident in Jerusalem; the rest scattered over the land. It is ordered, that about one-half of the latter had settled in Jericho and were in the habit of supplying the needful support to their brethren while officiating in Jerusalem.”
Ezekiel, in speaking of the city lands adjacent to the city, says that they “shall be for food unto them that serve the city” (48:18).
After the Babylonian captivity there was a problem in peopling Jerusalem:
Neh. 11:1-2
11:1 And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts to dwell in other cities.
2 And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.
KJV
John Skinner in his work: The Book of Ezekiel, The Expositor’s Bible, Pg. 495 says, “There may have been causes for this general reluctance which are not known to us, but the principle reason was doubtless the one which has been hinted at, that the new colony lived mainly by agriculture, and the district in the immediate vicinity of the capitol was not sufficiently fertile to support a large agricultural population.” While there was reluctance after the Babylonian captivity, probably there will be an eagerness to live in Jerusalem during the kingdom. Perhaps again lots will be cast to determine who will dwell and serve at Jerusalem among Israel. This would be apart from any assigned positions that the Lord might give His resurrected believers.
The warfare, invasion, and judgment of God of the great tribulation will all leave their mark upon the land. The first that comes to mind is, the Mount of Olives will split in two when the Lord returns.
Zech 14:4
4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.
KJV
There will be great topographical changes to the center of the land of Palestine. A great plain will be raised up.
Zech 14:10
10 All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem….
KJV
Geba is about six miles north of present-day Jerusalem and Rimmon, thirty miles south of Jerusalem. This evidently will be referred to as the mountain of the Lord’s house.
Isa 2:2
2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
KJV
[See also Mich. 4:1]. Those geographical changes seem to be in preparation for the building of the millennial temple and the New Jerusalem described in Ezekiel.
DIVISION OF THE LAND
God promised Abraham that He would give him the land (Gen. 15:18). In Ezekiel 47:13-48:35 He gives detailed instruction concerning this division. The northern border is at Hamath, which is about 160 miles north of Jerusalem (47:15-17). The southern border is “from Tamar unto the waters of strife in Kadesh, and to the river towards the great sea” (48:28). The western border is the great sea or the Mediterranean (47:20). The eastern border appears to run along a line from Damascus to the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River to the Dead Sea (47:18). Clarence Larkin, because of God’s promise to Abraham, extends these grants to the river Euphrates (Gen. 15:18) - [Dispensational Truth, Pg. 95].
The reed and the cubit. In understanding the exact divisions of the land it is necessary to know that the cubit was used in Egypt, Israel, Greece and Babylon, but the exact length differed. There was the normal cubit and the royal cubit, which was longer by about a hand breadth. Unger says the ancient Babylon used three cubits. The smallest was 10.8 inches or three palms, the second was four palms or 14.4 inches, and the third was five handbredths or eight inches. He says:
“As the prophet was very specific in stating the unit of measurement in his vision as a “cubit and a hand breadth” (40:5; 43:13), he, no doubt, meant the smaller cubit of three hand breadths as a basic measure, plus one hand breadth, or what is equivalent to the middle cubit of 14.4 inches. Upon his calculation the reed would be 7.1 inches.” [Merrill F. Unger, Great Neglected Bible Prophecies, Pg. 67]
There are several reasons for choosing this size cubit, the most important being that of measurements given for the division of the land fit within the boundaries of the land to be divided.
Tribal divisions. In the division of the land among the twelve tribes, Levi has no part, but Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, each has a part. Levi will receive his inheritance in the part set aside as the holy oblation. The northern tribe is Dan, followed by Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, Reuben and Judah (Ezek. 48:1-7). Under the holy oblation came the tribe of Benjamin, Simeon, Issachar, Zebulun and Gad (48:23-29). It is interesting that the last two tribes to go into captivity, Judah and Benjamin, are given land adjoining God’s portion. At the time the kingdom was disrupted under Rehoboam they remained true to the house of David, so perhaps this is their reward. The land itself within the tribal protions is to be divided by lot (48:29).
Holy oblation. In the midst of the land will be the holy oblation, which is to be 25000 reeds long and 25000 reeds high. Using a 7.2 foot reed, it would be about 34 miles each way. The top section, which will be given to the Levites, is 10000 reeds wide and 25000 long (48:13-14). The center section 10000 reeds wide, is given to the priests (48:10-12). In the center of the priest’s section the temple is built. The southern section, which is 5000 reeds wide, is set aside as a profane (common) place for the city, the suburbs, and farming areas. The city with its suburbs will be about six-miles square (48:15-17). In Bible times, Jerusalem was never over one mile wide. The farming area on each side of the city will be 5000 reeds wide, and 10000 reeds long (48:18). This makes the total holy oblation 25000 reeds square (48:20).
Location of the New Jerusalem. If the holy oblation is located upon the great plain mentioned in Zechariah 14:10, New Jerusalem will be south of the present site. Note that the new temple will not be located in New Jerusalem. Isaiah describes the New Jerusalem (65:18-23); it should not be confused with the heavenly Jerusalem described by John in Revelation 21:2. During the Millennial Kingdom the new city of Jerusalem will have twelve gates named after the twelve tribes of Israel (Rev. 21:12).
While the temple will not actually be built within the city limits, Jerusalem will be capital of Israel and, because Israel will be the foremost nation in the world, it will be the most important city in the world because it will be where the Lord’s throne is.
The river of the sanctuary. From the temple will flow a river of living water which will go down to the city of Jerusalem and divide, with one part going to the Mediterranean Sea and one to the Dead Sea. On each bank of the stream will grow trees, the fruit of which will be for meat (food), and whose leaves that never fade can be used for medical purposes. When the waters enter the Dead Sea it will make it fruitful so that fish can live there in abundance (Ezek. 47:1-12). Some feel that there will be a literal highway called “the Way of Holiness” from Jerusalem to the Millennial Temple.
Isaiah 35 speaks of the beauty and wonders of the kingdom after the curse of nature has been lifted.
Isa 35:8-10
8 And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.
9 No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:
10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
KJV
Prince’s portion. The area between the holy oblation and the Great Sea on the west and between the holy oblation and Jordan on the east will be given to the prince and is called the prince’s portion (Ezek. 45:7-9).
Jerusalem described. The city itself will be a square of 4500 cubits. There is a space of 250 cubits on each side, making a total of 5000 cubits per side. Residence in the city will be an honour and will be regarded as a public service. The twelve gates are named after the twelve tribes of Israel, and the population will represent all twelve tribes (48:19). Whether they will reside permanently in the city or not, is not stated. Alfred Ederaheim in his book, The Temple, Its Ministries and Services Pg. 83: describes Christ’s reign:”The number of priests to be found at all times in Jerusalem must have been very great, and Ophel a densely inhabited quarter. According to Jewish tradition, half of each the twenty-four courses into which the priesthood were divided, were permanently resident in Jerusalem; the rest scattered over the land. It is ordered, that about one-half of the latter had settled in Jericho and were in the habit of supplying the needful support to their brethren while officiating in Jerusalem.”
Ezekiel, in speaking of the city lands adjacent to the city, says that they “shall be for food unto them that serve the city” (48:18).
After the Babylonian captivity there was a problem in peopling Jerusalem:
Neh. 11:1-2
11:1 And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts to dwell in other cities.
2 And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.
KJV
John Skinner in his work: The Book of Ezekiel, The Expositor’s Bible, Pg. 495 says, “There may have been causes for this general reluctance which are not known to us, but the principle reason was doubtless the one which has been hinted at, that the new colony lived mainly by agriculture, and the district in the immediate vicinity of the capitol was not sufficiently fertile to support a large agricultural population.” While there was reluctance after the Babylonian captivity, probably there will be an eagerness to live in Jerusalem during the kingdom. Perhaps again lots will be cast to determine who will dwell and serve at Jerusalem among Israel. This would be apart from any assigned positions that the Lord might give His resurrected believers.
With all the difficulties that we might undergo during this age, be encouraged; there is a great day coming when those that have overcome will experience great joy in the presence of Christ.
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