Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 167:665 (Jan 2010)
Article: The Function of the Millennial Sacrifices in Ezekiel’s Temple, Part 1
Author: Jerry M. Hullinger

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The Function of the Millennial Sacrifices in Ezekiel’s Temple, Part 1

Jerry M. Hullinger

Jerry M. Hullinger is Professor of Bible, Piedmont Baptist College and Graduate School, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Ezekiel 40-48 states that sacrifices will be offered during the millennial kingdom. Typically it has been argued by dispensationalists that these sacrifices will be memorial in nature or that a hypocatastasis is employed.1 However, dispensationalists are becoming more open to the idea that these sacrifices will actually make atonement as well as serving other functions during the millennium.2 If this can be shown to be true, difficulties in this area will be greatly reduced. Therefore the purpose of this study is to show how the five major offerings in Leviticus will function in the millennium. Part 1 of this study examines the prolegomena to the sacrificial system, the meaning of “atonement,” and the first two offerings in Leviticus. Part 2 of this study will examine the final three offerings in Leviticus.

A Theological Prolegomena To The Sacrificial System

A Covenant People

Israel was a redeemed and covenanted nation before the sacrificial system was instituted. As Vos observed, “The law was given after

BSac 167:665 (January-March 2010) p. 41

the redemption from Egypt had been accomplished, and the people had already entered upon the enjoyment of many of the blessings of the berith.”3 Thus the nation was in union with Yahweh by means of the covenant before the sacrificial system was given to them.4

By virtue of this covenant, a theocratic administration was instituted. The theocratic principle [is that] the deity [is] the supreme authority and power in national life. . . . In other words Jehovah in person performed the task usually falling to a human king. . . . The union of the religious lordship and the national kingship in the one Person of Jehovah involved that among Israel civil and religious

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life were inextricably interwoven. Theocracy typified nothing short of the perfected kingdom of God, the consummate state of heaven.5

In light of this form of administration in which each individual was not only related to God personally but also to his fellow man corporately, it becomes clear that thou...