Ezekiel 44:43 – “They will not come near to Me, to minister to Me as a priest. They'll not come near to My holy things, they'll not come near to the Most Holy Place. They will carry the shame of their conduct. Nevertheless, they will still work in the temple”
What is He saying then, with the sons of Levi? He's saying then, in the coming millennium kingdom, this is what'll happen... They will not receive a glorified resurrected body that can go backwards and forwards between heaven and earth - that's the body Jesus had. The cost to any believer, of dishonouring God, and not being faithful in their priesthood to Him, is they will not receive that glorified, resurrected body. They will not be able to pass back and forth between heaven and earth, just as Jesus was able to do. They will not have access into the throne of God. They will not reign with Him on earth, and they will have a limited role serving in the earthly realm. They will have a role serving in the church, but they will not have the realm of being able to move and enter into the very throne room of God, and bring the supernatural life and power of God in a massive way back into the earth. They represent believers who are legalistic; there's no transformation, they dishonour God. They dishonour God; and they've refused heart transformation. I see a lot of people like that - legalistic people, dishonouring to God in the way they conduct themselves, and not letting God into their heart to bring about transformation. It says: they will not come near to Me, to minister to Me as a priest. They will not come near any of My holy things. They will not enter the Holy Place.
The language He's using is the language of the temple. There was a Holy Place, where the glory of God dwelt; and what He's saying is: the priests go in there, and then they come out; and He said: these guys will not be allowed in there to Me. They will be not allowed near Me. They will not come into the glory. They will not come into the resurrection. They will not come into ruling and reigning. They will have to stand at the outside. That's a very serious loss! So we understand then, that when the Bible is talking about inheritance, the inheritance of the priests was God Himself.
Numbers 18:20 – “The Lord said to Aaron: you will have no inheritance in the land, you will have no portion with them. I'm your portion, I am your inheritance.”
To inherit God means: I receive that ‘first resurrection’ glorified body; and it means I have face-to-face access to God. Imagine that! God is my inheritance. It's why nothing you've got on earth can hold us. There's nothing you can be attached to, compared to loving Him, and knowing Him, and having Him as your inheritance - access to Him. It's like if you have the money, then the money runs out. If you have the source, you've got an endless supply. You've got to put your eyes on the source. He's saying that, to be faithful as a priest means: access into the very glorious presence of God's throne, and fellowship and friendship with Him. To not be faithful as a priest now disqualifies you from that. The loss is enormous.
He said, of the sons of Zadok: they were faithful, when there was the transition of power from David to Solomon. They remained faithful to God, and faithful to God's calling.
Ezekiel 44:5 – “The priests, the Levites, the sons of Zadok who kept the charge of My sanctuary, when the children of Israel went astray - they will come near to Me, to minister to Me. They will stand before Me. They will offer Me the fat, and the blood. They will enter My sanctuary. They will come near My table, and minister to Me. They will keep My charge.”
He's using Old Testament language to say these people: They have failed to honour Me. They ha0ve failed to keep the responsibilities of priesthood. I will not let them near Me. I will not let them access into My Holiest of Holies. I will not let them fellowship with Me, closely and intimately. They will stay at a distance, and they will have an inferior role.
But He said the sons of Zadok: They were faithful. They will come near to Me. They will minister to Me. They will dine at My table. They will have friendship, and fellowship, with Me. Notice what else it says here, and here's we get the garments…
Ezekiel 44:17 – “Whenever they enter the gates of the inner court, they shall put on linen garments. No wool shall come upon them, while they minister within the gates of the inner court. They will have linen turbans on their head, linen trousers on their bodies. They will not clothe themselves with anything causing sweat. When they go to the outer court, where the people are, they will take off those linen garments, and leave them in the holy chambers. They will put on other garments, and then they will go out to them.”