THE ALTAR OF SACRIFICE
The altar of sacrifices’ design and statutes for its sanctification
are given in Ezekiel 43:13–27. The altar sits in the inner court before the
temple proper (Ezek 40:47). The base is one and one-half feet high. It is
surrounded by a one and one-half foot wide trench or gutter, with a nine inch
high top edge, undoubtedly for draining blood and water (v. 13; cf. 1 Kgs
18:32, 34–35). The base supports three tiers, one on top of another. The first
is three feet high and twenty-four feet square (v. 14). The second is six feet
high and twenty-one feet square (vv. 14, 17). This tier also has a gutter with
a nine inch top edge (vv. 14, 17). The top tier is the hearthstone, measuring
six feet high and eighteen feet square. Four horns will extend from the top of
its corners (vv. 15–16). Eastward facing steps ascend the altar (v. 17). This
creates the first of many contrasts with the Mosaic sacrificial system, within
which a staircase climbing the altar was prohibited (Exod 20:26). This altar
will be the largest, measuring approximately thirty feet square at its base and
eighteen feet in height. Thomas Constable noted that the design makes the altar
resemble a small ziggurat.
The cleansing of the altar calls for the first animal sacrifices in
the Millennium. This is yet another parallel with the Tabernacle and Solomon’s
temple in the purification of their sacrificial altars (Exod 29:36–37; Lev
8:15–16; 2 Chr 7:9). On the first of seven days, a young bull is to be brought
before the Zadokite priests so that some of the blood can be applied to the
altar’s four horns, the corners, and the border (vv. 19–20). On the second day,
an unblemished male goat is to be sacrificed and used to cleanse the altar in
the same manner as the bull (v. 22). On all seven days, a goat, a young bull,
and a ram will be prepared as an offering (vv. 21, 23, 25). This process
purifies, consecrates, and makes atonement for the altar (v. 26). It will then
be ready to receive the burnt and peace offerings, so that God may accept the
people (v. 27). (Matthew Bryce Ervin, One Thousand Years with Jesus: The
Coming Messianic Kingdom [Eugene, Oreg.: Resource Publications, 2017], 97)
