As we continue considering the layout of the temple in Ezekiel’s vision, the focus now goes to the inside. As we consider the dimensions of the temple, there are challenges in knowing what all the different dimensions mean, but they appear to be similar to the dimensions of Solomon’s temple. What this signifies is a restoration to the worship that was so awesome in the glory days of the previous temple.

The focus on the inside of the temple appears to be a lot on cherubim and palm trees (v18-20, 25-26). The cherubim were present when Adam and Eve we expelled from the Garden of Eden. They protected the way to the tree of Life with flaming swords (Gen. 3 v24). Very different from the picture of the cute little cherubs who float about in modern myth.

The significance of the cherubim in the temple, and particularly on the entrance into the holy of holies, is that they protect the holiness of God and the way into His presence. The message of the cherubim is clear, God is holy, you are sinful and you can only enter His closer presence in the right way, through the blood of Jesus cleansing you.

Palm branches were symbols of victory, waved at the return of an all conquering king. We think of Jesus coming into Jerusalem with the waving of Palm branches. He is the victorious King, but not through His strength or might, but rather through His amazing sacrifice for sin.