Study Audio Download

Ezekiel 48:1–35 The Inheritance of the Saints

[Study Aired February 17, 2025]

Introduction

In today’s study, we are given directions of the distribution of the land to the twelve tribes of Israel. Seven tribes’ allotment was to the north of the sanctuary and five had their allotment to the south. The study also focuses on the allotment of land for the sanctuary, the priests, the Levites, the city and the prince. The chapter concludes with the city, its gates, and the new name given to it which concludes the vision that the Lord gave to Ezekiel.

Eze 40:1  In the twenty-fifth year of our exile, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after the city was struck down, on that very day, the hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me to the city.
Eze 40:2  In visions of God he brought me to the land of Israel, and set me down on a very high mountain, on which was a structure like a city to the south. (ESV)

Dividing the Land Among the Tribes

Eze 48:1  Now these are the names of the tribes. From the north end to the coast of the way of Hethlon, as one goeth to Hamath, Hazarenan, the border of Damascus northward, to the coast of Hamath; for these are his sides east and west; a portion for Dan. 

In a positive sense, we are the twelve tribes of Israel. The dividing of the land among the tribes of Israel therefore represents the reward we shall receive from the Lord. The mention of the names of the cities serving as boundaries to the inheritance in verse 1 gives us insight into what the Lord has in store for us. Hethlon means a hiding place and Hamath signifies a fortress. What these names suggest is that those who are qualified to receive a reward from the Lord are those who have taken refuge in Christ as their fortress.

Psa 32:7  Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. 

Psa 18:2  The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

Hezarenan means village of fountains. This suggests that those who overcome to inherit the Lord’s promise are those who have been given eyes to see and ears to hear the mysteries of the kingdom of Heaven. In other words, the fountain of the Lord’s words is available to the overcomers. 

Psa 36:9  For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. 

Damascus signifies the silence of the sackcloth weaver. It is the Lord who is the sackcloth weaver as He comes with His judgment in our lives. The Lord is our example of one who was oppressed and afflicted, and yet He did not open His mouth as He endured to the very end. As He is, so are we. Those who are to receive an inheritance are those who do not complain but endure to the very end the tribulation marked out for us.

Isa 53:7  He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. 

Eze 48:2  And by the border of Dan, from the east side unto the west side, a portion for Asher. 
Eze 48:3  And by the border of Asher, from the east side even unto the west side, a portion for Naphtali. 
Eze 48:4  And by the border of Naphtali, from the east side unto the west side, a portion for Manasseh. 
Eze 48:5  And by the border of Manasseh, from the east side unto the west side, a portion for Ephraim. 
Eze 48:6  And by the border of Ephraim, from the east side even unto the west side, a portion for Reuben. 
Eze 48:7  And by the border of Reuben, from the east side unto the west side, a portion for Judah. 

The tribes in this case represent the Lord’s elect scattered in the nations of the world. All the tribes, except that of Joseph, were to be given a portion of the land. This is telling us that we shall all receive the same reward as we can see from Revelation chapters 2 and 3. Here are some examples of the reward that every elect shall receive, if we overcome:

Rev 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Rev 2:26  And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 
Rev 2:27  And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.  

Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 

To be given to eat of the tree of life in the paradise of God means being given to know Christ fully as our Lord Jesus Christ is the tree of life. As Paul said, in this life, we know Him partially but when we see Him face to face, we shall know Him even as we are known.

1Co 13:12  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 

Sitting on the throne with Christ means being given a kingship status together with judging the whole of the human race beginning from Adam. 

Rev 20:4  And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 

The reward that awaits us as we overcome is the same as the joy that was set before our Lord Jesus Christ, and as a result, he endured the cross. As He is, so are we. We are therefore to endure what we are going through in this life in order to overcome. 

Heb 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

It is worth noting that each of the tribes received a portion of the land except Joseph, who is a type of Christ. He was given a double portion. Joseph is represented by his sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, who received a portion each and therefore represent the double portion for Joseph or our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Eze 47:13  Thus saith the Lord GOD; This shall be the border, whereby ye shall inherit the land according to the twelve tribes of Israel: Joseph shall have two portions.  

It is our Lord Jesus Christ who has been given a double or two portions for being the firstborn of all creation.  

Col 1:15  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 

It is also significant to note that for each of the tribes, their inheritance was given starting from the east side and ending in the west side. It shows us that those who are destined to receive an inheritance are those whom Christ, representing the sun, has risen in the lives (east) and has set in the west. Setting in the west implies being faithful to the very end of our lives. 

2Pe 1:19  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 

The allotment of land for the Sanctuary and the Priests

Eze 48:8  And by the border of Judah, from the east side unto the west side, shall be the offering which ye shall offer of five and twenty thousand reeds in breadth, and in length as one of the other parts, from the east side unto the west side: and the sanctuary shall be in the midst of it. 
Eze 48:9  The oblation that ye shall offer unto the LORD shall be of five and twenty thousand in length, and of ten thousand in breadth. 
Eze 48:10  And for them, even for the priests, shall be this holy oblation; toward the north five and twenty thousand in length, and toward the west ten thousand in breadth, and toward the east ten thousand in breadth, and toward the south five and twenty thousand in length: and the sanctuary of the LORD shall be in the midst thereof. 

Apart from the land being our inheritance, the land also represents our bodies, which we must possess as an offering to the Lord. The dimensions of 25,000 cubits in length and 10,000 cubits in width is significant. The number 25,000 is the same as 25 multiplied by three tens (25,000 = 25x10x10x10). Twenty-five symbolizes our reign over the flesh, and the number ten signifies the fullness of the flesh. The three tens denote the process of spiritual maturity through judgment. What we are therefore being told is that it is those who recognize the fullness of their flesh who are being judged by the Lord with the purpose of reigning over the flesh. It is these people who represent the Lord’s elect, who are offering their bodies as living sacrifice to the Lord as a prerequisite to obtaining an inheritance.

2Ki 14:2 He was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.

2Ki 15:33 Five and twenty years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jerusha, the daughter of Zadok.

2Ki 18:2 Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah.

2Ki 23:36 Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Zebudah, the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah.

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 
Rom 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 

The number 10,000 is the same as ten multiplying itself four times (10,000 = 10x10x10x10). The 10,000 width of the land offered as a special gift to the Lord shows us that it is the whole of the Lord’s elect who are being judged because of the fullness of their flesh. It is through this judgment that they are able to offer their bodies as living sacrifice to the Lord.

Eze 48:11  It shall be for the priests that are sanctified of the sons of Zadok; which have kept my charge, which went not astray when the children of Israel went astray, as the Levites went astray. 

In verse 11, we are shown that it is only the priests, representing the Lord’s elect, who are sanctified by the Lord through His judgment, to keep charge of His business in this age. On the other hand, it is our brothers and sisters in the churches of this world, represented by the children of Israel who have gone astray from the Lord and who therefore cannot offer their bodies as living sacrifice to the Lord. 

The Allotment for the Levites

Eze 48:12  And this oblation of the land that is offered shall be unto them a thing most holy by the border of the Levites. 
Eze 48:13  And over against the border of the priests the Levites shall have five and twenty thousand in length, and ten thousand in breadth: all the length shall be five and twenty thousand, and the breadth ten thousand. 

It will be the holiest part of land, next to the land belonging to the Levites. 

Verse 12 indicates that the portion of the land belonging to the priests shall be the most holy place, and it shall be next to the land belonging to the Levites. The most holy place is our hearts and minds where our Lord Jesus has His throne. It is from our hearts and minds that we offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, which is holy and acceptable to the Lord. The fact that the most holy place is adjacent to the Levites is to let us know that our hearts and minds are within this body of flesh (next to the flesh) which dominates our brothers and sisters in Babylon, symbolized as Levites.

Alongside the territory of the priests, the Levites shall have an allotment measuring 25,000 cubits in length and 10,000 cubits in width or breadth. The negative application of the number 25 signifies those who are being slain or destroyed by false doctrines (sword). The Levites given a separate territory implies that our brothers and sisters in Babylon are not going to share our inheritance with us because they are spiritually dead through the false doctrines. As indicated earlier, the 10,000 (10,000 = 10x10x10x10) signify the whole of the Levites whose sins have reached the heavens as a result of false doctrines.

Jdg 20:35  And the LORD smote Benjamin before Israel: and the children of Israel destroyed of the Benjamites that day twenty and five thousand and an hundred men: all these drew the sword.

Jdg 20:46  So that all which fell that day of Benjamin were twenty and five thousand men that drew the sword; all these were men of valour.

Eze 48:14  And they shall not sell of it, neither exchange, nor alienate the firstfruits of the land: for it is holy unto the LORD.   

The Levites cannot sell or exchange the land because it is holy unto the Lord. Being holy means being set apart for the Lord. The Levites not being able to sell or exchange their portion means that it is the Lord that has set our brothers and sisters apart for His own purpose, and therefore it is impossible for them to change their status as sons in this life unless the Lord intervenes. We, the Lord’s elect, are the first fruits of the land and therefore our brothers and sisters cannot alienate us or isolate us, since it is through us that salvation shall come to them.

Rom 11:30  For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
Rom 11:31  Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. 
Rom 11:32  For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

The Allotment for the City

Eze 48:15  And the five thousand, that are left in the breadth over against the five and twenty thousand, shall be a profane place for the city, for dwelling, and for suburbs: and the city shall be in the midst thereof. 
Eze 48:16  And these shall be the measures thereof; the north side four thousand and five hundred, and the south side four thousand and five hundred, and on the east side four thousand and five hundred, and the west side four thousand and five hundred. 

The remainder of 5,000 cubits by 25,000 cubits land is a profane place designated for the city of Jerusalem. The number 5 on a positive note means grace through faith. However, here in verse 15, we have a negative application of the number five as the area of land is declared a profane place. The negative application of the number 5 refers to the principalities that rule over the people of the world and war against the Lord’s people, as demonstrated in the verses below:

Jos 10:5  Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it. 

Jos 13:3  From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:  

These principalities serve the devil who is the god of this world. Thus, what we are being told of the 5,000 cubits length of land is that the people of this world are blinded by the devil to receive the gospel of Christ and therefore have profaned their inheritance. The negative application of the number 10,000 (10x10x10x10) signifies the whole of the people of the world whose sins have reached the heavens as a result of false doctrines perpetuated by the devil.

2Co 4:3  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 
2Co 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.  

In verse 16, the plot of land where the city (Jerusalem) shall be situated is a square measuring 4,500 cubits on each side. In the Bible, cities represent churches and in this case we are speaking of Babylon or Jerusalem which is in bondage with her children. The number 4,500 (9x5x10x10) can be decomposed into  9, 5 and 2 tens. The number 9 signifies the Lord’s judgment. The number 5 is grace through faith, and the number 10 is the fullness of the flesh. We need to be reminded that grace also means chastening. Thus, what we are being told is that the deeds of the churches of this world bear witness to the fullness of the flesh of its worshippers. However, our brothers and sisters in Babylon shall be saved by grace through faith as they are judged by the Lord.

Eze 48:17  And the suburbs of the city shall be toward the north two hundred and fifty, and toward the south two hundred and fifty, and toward the east two hundred and fifty, and toward the west two hundred and fifty.
Eze 48:18  And the residue in length over against the oblation of the holy portion shall be ten thousand eastward, and ten thousand westward: and it shall be over against the oblation of the holy portion; and the increase thereof shall be for food unto them that serve the city. 
Eze 48:19  And they that serve the city shall serve it out of all the tribes of Israel.  

In verse 17, the city shall have an open land of 250 cubits on the east, west, north and south. The measurement of 250 cubits on every side informs us of the nature of the city of Jerusalem which is in bondage with her children. The number 250 in a negative context signifies the leaders of the churches of this world who are well-known in this world and bear rule over the Lord’s people.     

Num 16:2  And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown:

2Ch 8:10  And these were the chief of king Solomon’s officers, even two hundred and fifty, that bare rule over the people. 

These leaders are false apostles who transform themselves as angels of light.

2Co 11:13  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 
2Co 11:14  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 
2Co 11:15  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.  

Verse 18 shows us that the remainder of the length alongside the holy portion of the land shall be 10,000 cubits to the east and 10,000 to the west, and it shall be alongside the holy portion. Its produce shall be food for the city. This land is part of the city or Jerusalem which is in bondage with her children. The measurement of 10,000 (10,000 = 10x10x10x10) cubits is to show us that it is the whole of our brothers and sisters in Babylon whose lives depict the fullness of the flesh. The measurement also shows us that the food for the city comes from the flesh. That means the false doctrines of man’s wisdom and tradition is what is served in Babylon as food for our brothers and sisters. 

Heb 13:9  Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. 

In verse 19, the workers of the city, from all the tribes of Israel, shall till it means that all over the world, the workers of the churches of this world are working so hard, but what comes out of their effort is the false doctrines of man’s wisdom and tradition.

Eze 48:20  All the oblation shall be five and twenty thousand by five and twenty thousand: ye shall offer the holy oblation foursquare, with the possession of the city. 

In verse 20, the total of the land set apart for the holy portion and the property of the city shall be 25,000 cubits square. As indicated earlier, what we are being told is that it is those who recognize the fullness of their flesh who are being judged by the Lord with the purpose of reigning over the flesh. The fact that the land here encompasses the holy portion and the property of the city is to let us know that in the fullness of time, the Lord’s elect shall reign over the people of the world represented by the city.

2Ki 14:2 He was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem.

2Ki 15:33 Five and twenty years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jerusha, the daughter of Zadok.

2Ki 18:2 Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah.

The Allotment for the Prince

Eze 48:21  And the residue shall be for the prince, on the one side and on the other of the holy oblation, and of the possession of the city, over against the five and twenty thousand of the oblation toward the east border, and westward over against the five and twenty thousand toward the west border, over against the portions for the prince: and it shall be the holy oblation; and the sanctuary of the house shall be in the midst thereof. 
Eze 48:22  Moreover from the possession of the Levites, and from the possession of the city, being in the midst of that which is the prince’s, between the border of Judah and the border of Benjamin, shall be for the prince.  

What remains on both sides of the holy portion and of the property of the city shall belong to the prince. The prince here is our Lord Jesus Christ and what belongs to Him also belongs to us, His elect. The fact that the remainder of the land belongs to our Lord Jesus Christ and that this land is a square with sides measuring twenty-five thousand cubits is to let us know that Christ shall reign over the kingdoms of the world together with His elect. 

This land (the remainder) shall be separate from the property of the Levites and the property of the city, which are in the midst of that which belongs to the prince. The portion of the prince shall lie between the territory of Judah and the territory of Benjamin. The prince’s portion is the portion of His elect. This is to make us aware that the Levites, who represent our brothers and sisters in Babylon and the people of the world, shall not be part of our inheritance. The portion of the prince lying between Judah and Benjamin is to affirm the fact that the Levites and the people of the world shall not be part of our inheritance, since the tribes of Judah and Benjamin represent the Lord’s elect as shown in the following verses:

Gen 49:10  The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. 

Gen 43:34  Portions were taken to them from Joseph’s table, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. And they drank and were merry with him.   

The Allotment for the Remaining of the Tribes

Eze 48:23  As for the rest of the tribes, from the east side unto the west side, Benjamin shall have a portion. 
Eze 48:24  And by the border of Benjamin, from the east side unto the west side, Simeon shall have a portion. 
Eze 48:25  And by the border of Simeon, from the east side unto the west side, Issachar a portion. 
Eze 48:26  And by the border of Issachar, from the east side unto the west side, Zebulun a portion. 
Eze 48:27  And by the border of Zebulun, from the east side unto the west side, Gad a portion. 
Eze 48:28  And by the border of Gad, at the south side southward, the border shall be even from Tamar unto the waters of strife in Kadesh, and to the river toward the great sea. 
Eze 48:29  This is the land which ye shall divide by lot unto the tribes of Israel for inheritance, and these are their portions, saith the Lord GOD. 

As we have indicated earlier, all the tribes represent the Lord’s elect from the nations of the world, except that of Joseph, and were to be given a portion of the land. This is telling us that we shall all receive the same reward. Joseph in this case, symbolizes our Lord Jesus Christ who has a double portion for being the first born of creation.

The inheritance starting from the east side and ending in the west side is to show us that those who are destined to receive an inheritance are those whom Christ, representing the sun, has risen in their lives (east) and have set in the west. Setting in the west implies being faithful to the very end of our lives. 

2Pe 1:19  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 

The Gates of the City

Eze 48:30  And these are the goings out of the city on the north side, four thousand and five hundred measures. 
Eze 48:31  And the gates of the city shall be after the names of the tribes of Israel: three gates northward; one gate of Reuben, one gate of Judah, one gate of Levi. 
Eze 48:32  And at the east side four thousand and five hundred: and three gates; and one gate of Joseph, one gate of Benjamin, one gate of Dan.
Eze 48:33  And at the south side four thousand and five hundred measures: and three gates; one gate of Simeon, one gate of Issachar, one gate of Zebulun. 
Eze 48:34  At the west side four thousand and five hundred, with their three gates; one gate of Gad, one gate of Asher, one gate of Naphtali. 
Eze 48:35  It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there. 

The exit from the city on the northern side is measured to be 4,500 cubits. We have already established that this city is Jerusalem which is in bondage with her children, that is, Babylon. As the Lord’s elect, we had spent our time in Babylon, thinking we were worshiping the Lord in truth and in spirit, but when Christ came to us with the spirit of His mouth and His brightness, we realized that we have to leave Babylon. The measurement of 4,500 cubits shows us what it takes to exit Babylon to be part of the Lord’s elect.

The number 4,500 (9x5x10x10) can be decomposed into  9, 5 and 2 tens. The number 9 signifies the Lord’s judgement. The number 5 is grace through faith and the number 10 is the fullness of the flesh. Grace means chastening. Thus, what we are being told is that our deeds bear witness to the fullness of our  flesh. However, in His mercy, the Lord comes to take us out of Babylon to become His elect by grace through faith as we are judged by the Lord. 

The verses above show us that we cannot escape the Lord’s judgment if we are to become part of the assembly of the Lord’s firstborn since there are three gates on every side. The three gates on each side of the city are to show us that leaving Babylon means going through the process of spiritual maturity through judgment. The fact that each gate is named after each of the twelve tribes of Israel is to let us know that the Lord is calling His elect from the nations of the world to exit Babylon to become part of the assembly of the firstborn or Jerusalem, which is above.   

In the final verse (35) of chapter 48 of Ezekiel, the city here is cast in a positive sense by the statement that the name of the city is “the Lord is there.” This is affirmed by the circumference of the city which is eighteen thousand (18,000) cubits. On a positive note, the number 18,000 signifies those who have overcome the flesh. This city in a positive sense is therefore the Jerusalem which is above, which is the mother of us all now.

2Sa 8:13  And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men.  

1Ch 18:12  Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah slew of the Edomites in the valley of salt eighteen thousand. 

When all human race are judged during the lake of fire age to learn righteousness by overcoming the flesh, then together, we shall all be the city where the Lord is there. The mention of “from that day” in verse 35 indicates the end of the lake of fire age when all humanity including the angels, the devil and his cohorts shall become part of this New Jerusalem. This city is the assembly of all God’s children which the Lord is showing us at the end of the Book of Revelation as follows:

Rev 21:9  And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife. 
Rev 21:10  And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 
Rev 21:11  Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; 
Rev 21:12  And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 
Rev 21:13  On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. 
Rev 21:14  And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 

Praise be to our Lord, who is worthy of all praise, for His wonderful plan of salvation. Amen!!