THE RESTORATION OF THE TEMPLE

THE BOOK OF EZRA CHAPTER 4 TO 6

The Bible is filled with encouraging stories of restoration, restitution, and reimbursement. In the book of Ezra, we can read the story of the restoration of the temple after the Babylonian captivity of the Jews. The Jews had lost the Kingdom and had been in Babylon for seventy years according to the prophecy of Jeremiah. 

Jer. 29:10 For thus says the Lord: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place.

Daniel read this prophecy of the prophet Jeremiah and started to activate this prophecy by praying and fasting. Prophecies will not be fulfilled automatically or by itself but need to be activated by somebody with faith in God’s Word. 

Dan. 9:2-3 in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the Lord through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. 3 Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.

Daniel believed in the prophecy of Jeremiah and prayed and fasted. Daniel also started to confess his sins and the sins of his ancestors to receive forgiveness and to take away the legal rights and accusations of the Accuser of the brethren. We first have to deal with God, the Judge of all, in the court of heaven before we can move on in our destiny. 

Daniel 9:4-6 And I prayed to the Lord my God, and made confession, and said, "O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments, 5 we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments. 6 Neither have we heeded Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings and our princes, to our fathers and all the people of the land.

Repentance and the confession of sin were the activations for the prophecy of Jeremiah the prophet. Repentance is the beginning of turning back to God’s plan and walking in God’s destiny. The activation of the prophecy through repentance opened the way for the Jews to go back to their land, purpose, and destiny. The Jews could go back to restore the kingdom of Israel, build the Temple, and restore all things according to God’s plan. 

Acts 3:19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,

After seventy years, a part of the Jews under the leadership of Ezra went back to Jerusalem to restore the temple. The first thing that needed to be restored was the worship to God and invite and attract the Presence of God. In the book of Ezra, starting in chapter 4, we find that when we begin a new restoration work for God, the enemy will have strategies to hinder or even stop the restoration of God’s work. 

Ezra 4:1-2 Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the descendants of the captivity were building the temple of the Lord God of Israel, 2 they came to Zerubbabel and the heads of the fathers' houses, and said to them, "Let us build with you, for we seek your God as you do; and we have sacrificed to Him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here."

The enemy tried to infiltrate and work together with God’s people. The enemy's purposes are to sabotage, frustrate, and slow down God’s work. The Jews could distinguish this threat and were smart enough not to allow them to work together with them. (See v. 3)

Ezra 4:4-6  Then the people of the land tried to discourage the people of Judah. They troubled them in building, 5 and hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia. 6 In the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.

After that, the enemy tried to hinder the work by not allowing the Jews to get licenses for rebuilding the Temple and the city of Jerusalem. They even hired counselors to find legal rights to stop the rebuilding of the Temple. After a thorough research by professionals, they found an accusation that would stop the rebuilding of the Temple. The devil, the Accuser of the brethren, is a professional in finding out your sins or finding the sins of your ancestors to accuse you in the courts of heaven and hinder your work for the Lord. 

Ezra 4:11-15  (This is a copy of the letter that they sent him) To King Artaxerxes from your servants, the men of the region beyond the River, and so forth: 12 Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us at Jerusalem, and are building the rebellious and evil city, and are finishing its walls and repairing the foundations. 13 Let it now be known to the king that, if this city is built and the walls completed, they will not pay tax, tribute, or custom, and the king's treasury will be diminished. 14 Now because we receive support from the palace, it was not proper for us to see the king's dishonor; therefore we have sent and informed the king, 15 that search may be made in the book of the records of your fathers. And you will find in the book of the records and know that this city is a rebellious city, harmful to kings and provinces, and that they have incited sedition within the city in former times, for which cause this city was destroyed.

The adversaries hired counselors who wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes. The letter brought an accusation against Jerusalem which had been known to be a rebellious and evil city. This letter was not just based on rumors or opinions. They asked that a search should be made in the book of records of your fathers. The enemy will have done its homework when he comes with an accusation to disrupt the work of God. The enemy even finds the records of your ancestors to bring an accusation against you. 

Ezra 4:19-21  And I gave the command, and a search has been made, and it was found that this city in former times has revolted against kings, and rebellion and sedition have been fostered in it. 20 There have also been mighty kings over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all the region beyond the River; and tax, tribute, and custom were paid to them. 21 Now give the command to make these men cease, that this city may not be built until the command is given by me.

They found in the records that Jerusalem was a rebellious city in former times. That made the king decide to give the command to stop rebuilding the city of Jerusalem including the Temple of God. The enemy had now a legal right to stop the work of God from the court. We find in history that the work of God was now delayed for 18 years!

24 Thus the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem ceased, and it was discontinued until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

This chapter makes us aware of the legal rights the enemy can have through bringing accusations in the courts of heaven. At the beginning of our study, we saw that Daniel repented on behalf of his ancestors so that the way was opened to let the Jews go back to Jerusalem. We also know that it was God’s will to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple. But the enemy still found a legal right to stop and delay God’s work, purpose, and destiny. 

We all can personally experience delays and setbacks when we follow God and work for His Kingdom. Sometimes we think that we do something good for God when the devil attacks us. Could it not be that the devil found a legal right to stop or delay your work? When we find out that the devil has a legal right to stop our work, we have to discover how we can break the devil’s legal right in the courts of heaven. 

Ezra 5:1-2 Then the prophet Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophets, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them. 2 So Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak rose up and began to build the house of God which is in Jerusalem; and the prophets of God were with them, helping them.

God sent His prophets to the Jews who lived in Jerusalem and its surroundings. The prophet Haggai and Zechariah prophesied a message to the Jews to start rebuilding the house of God in Jerusalem. This is interesting because we just studied that the enemy had a legal right to stop the rebuilding of the Temple. 

We know from the book of Haggai that Haggai had a straightforward personality with a strong practical message to the Jews. The prophet Zechariah was mystical and heavenly-focused with visions, angelic visitations, and mysterious revelations. Through the book of Zechariah, we discover how the legal right of the enemy was taken away, and why these prophets boldly prophesied to start rebuilding the Temple. 

In chapter three of the book of Zechariah, Zechariah describes what he saw in the heavens. Zechariah saw that Joshua the high priest came to take away the legal right of the enemy by repenting for Jerusalem’s sin. (Zech. 3:2) The Lord took away Joshua’s dirty clothes and clothed him with new clean clothes to make a new start. Joshua the high priest was even promised access and a position in heaven with the authority to judge God’s house. (Zech. 3:1-8)

11 And thus they returned us an answer, saying: "We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the temple that was built many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and completed. 12 But because our fathers provoked the God of heaven to wrath, He gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this temple and carried the people away to Babylon. 13 However, in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, King Cyrus issued a decree to build this house of God.

Through repentance, the sin and iniquity were taken away from Jerusalem. This lifted and broke the legal right of the devil to stop and delay the work of God. Now they could shift gears to go back to the original plan, the original plan was the decree made by King Cyrus to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. (Ezra 1:1-4)

Ezra 5:17  Now therefore, if it seems good to the king, let a search be made in the king's treasure house, which is there in Babylon, whether it is so that a decree was issued by King Cyrus to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send us his pleasure concerning this matter.

The original plan, the decree issued by King Cyrus, was also in the records and had to be found through a search in the archives to make it official. 

God’s original plan for you is written in the destiny scroll, written before you were born. (Ps. 139:16) God’s original plan for your life has to be activated in the court of heaven. Only Christ is worthy to open your scroll and break the seals, which brings judgment on the enemy. 

Ezra chapter 6:1 Then King Darius issued a decree, and a search was made in the archives, where the treasures were stored in Babylon. 2 And at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of Media, a scroll was found, and in it a record was written thus: 3 In the first year of King Cyrus, King Cyrus issued a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem: "Let the house be rebuilt, the place where they offered sacrifices; and let the foundations of it be firmly laid, its height sixty cubits and its width sixty cubits, 4 with three rows of heavy stones and one row of new timber. Let the expenses be paid from the king's treasury.

When the original decree came to light, we saw that a flood of restoration, restitution, and reimbursement had to be given to the Jews. Firstly, we see that the expenses of rebuilding the temple had to be paid from the king’s treasury. 

(When you do a project of restoration for the Lord it will be paid from the king’s treasury). 

5 Also let the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple which is in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, be restored and taken back to the temple which is in Jerusalem, each to its place; and deposit them in the house of God"—

Secondly, all the gold and silver articles of the House of God had to be restored and brought back to the temple in Jerusalem. Everything had to be legally restored to its original state. 

The original wealth and spiritual gifts of the Church need to be restored to start the end-time revival. God will not restore this world in our time but wants to restore the Church and make her a shining Bride without any spot or wrinkle. God wants to prepare the Church, the Temple of God, as a Bride for His Son Jesus Christ. 

6 Now therefore, Tattenai, governor of the region beyond the River, and Shethar-Boznai, and your companions the Persians who are beyond the River, keep yourselves far from there. 7 Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God on its site.

Thirdly, the enemy was commanded to stay far away from the restoration of the Temple. This was a legal command from the king. 

We should not allow the enemy to attack us when we do God’s work. This is illegal and should be punished accordingly. Know your authority and rights as a son of God and tell the enemy to back off. 

8 Moreover I issue a decree as to what you shall do for the elders of these Jews, for the building of this house of God: Let the cost be paid at the king's expense from taxes on the region beyond the River; this is to be given immediately to these men, so that they are not hindered. 9 And whatever they need--young bulls, rams, and lambs for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the request of the priests who are in Jerusalem--let it be given them day by day without fail, 10 that they may offer sacrifices of sweet aroma to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king and his sons.

Fourthly, the cost of the building of God’s house, including all the daily sacrifices the Jews offered to God, should be paid at the king’s expense. (Prov. 13:22 But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous).

11 Also I issue a decree that whoever alters this edict, let a timber be pulled from his house and erected, and let him be hanged on it; and let his house be made a refuse heap because of this. 12 And may the God who causes His name to dwell there destroy any king or people who put their hand to alter it, or to destroy this house of God which is in Jerusalem. I Darius issue a decree; let it be done diligently.

Fifthly, the death penalty should be given to the person, people, or king who wants to alter or destroy this edict or who wants to destroy the house of God. 

Know your rights as a son of God. Don’t allow the enemy, the devil, to disturb the work of God. Go to the court of heaven to activate the punishment on the enemy and his works. 

Through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we have the full rights of restoration, restitution, and reimbursement. We can claim our rights before God to get back what the enemy has stolen from us. We can ask for restitution for the delays the enemy has caused in our lives. 

We can stop the enemy from attacking us!

Repentance and the confession of sins are the keys to opening the doors to restoration. The Blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. 

Luke 18:7-8 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?"