Encounter Christ in Scripture. Every Day.
Encounter Christ in Scripture. Every Day.
Journey through the Bible in one year with Hunter and Heather Barnes. About 20 minutes of Scripture, Christ-centered reflection, and prayer each day.

September 16th, 26: Ezekiel 40–41; Psalm 128; Revelation 21: From Sacred Temples to New Beginnings

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 40–41; Psalm 128; Revelation 21 One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on the Daily Radio Bible, a daily Bible‑in‑a‑year podcast with 20‑minute Scripture readings, Christ‑centered devotion, and...

Key Takeaways

  • In Ezekiel's vision, the detailed temple measurements represented the sacred space where heaven and earth met and humanity approached God through sacrifice.
  • Revelation 21 reveals that the old temple structures have been fulfilled in Christ, as John sees no physical temple in the New Jerusalem because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
  • When familiar seasonal patterns, buildings, and institutions pass away, believers can find stability in knowing that God's faithfulness remains unchanged.
  • Life is not secured by holding tightly to past structures, but is instead found completely in Christ, who is our temple, light, and life.
  • Believers do not need to fear seasons of change because the same God who held them in the past will remain faithful in the future.

One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on the Daily Radio Bible, a daily Bible‑in‑a‑year podcast with 20‑minute Scripture readings, Christ‑centered devotion, and guided prayer.This daily Bible reading and devotional invites you to live as a citizen of Jesus’ kingdom, reconciled, renewed, and deeply loved.

TODAY'S EPISODE:

Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible. Today is September 16th, and our readings are Ezekiel 40–41, Psalm 128, and Revelation 21.

In Ezekiel, we are given a detailed vision of a restored temple. The prophet is led through gates, courtyards, rooms, walls, and sacred spaces. Everything is measured with care.

This temple represented the place where heaven and earth met, where God dwelt among his people, and where humanity approached the presence of God through sacrifice.

Psalm 128 offers a picture of blessing, flourishing, family, and peace.

Then Revelation 21 carries us into an entirely new vision.

John sees a new heaven and a new earth. The holy city descends from God, and a voice announces that God’s home is now among his people.

There will be no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain.

And remarkably, John sees no temple in the city.

There is no longer a separate sacred building because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. There is no need for sun or moon because the glory of God illuminates everything, and the Lamb is its light.

The sacred space toward which the temple always pointed has opened wide.

God is making his home with humanity.

Today’s readings invite us to trust God through seasons of change. Buildings change. Institutions change. Familiar patterns pass away. But the presence and faithfulness of God remain.

The Lamb is our temple.

The Lamb is our light.

And the One seated upon the throne declares, “Look, I am making everything new.”

TODAY'S DEVOTION:

The Lamb Is Our Temple

The story of sacrifice is finished.

That is what stands out to me in today’s readings.

In Ezekiel, we are given a painstaking description of a temple.

There are gates, rooms, walls, courtyards, and exact measurements.

This is sacred space.

This is the place where heaven and earth meet.

This is where the presence of God dwells among the people and where broken humanity approaches God through sacrifice.

Every room matters.

Every measurement matters.

Every altar and sacred space belongs to a much larger story.

But it is a story that is always pointing beyond itself.

It is pointing toward Jesus.

Then John sees something entirely new.

A new heaven.

A new earth.

A new Jerusalem.

And he says, “I saw no temple in the city.”

No temple.

No altar.

No sacred building separating the holy from the ordinary.

Why?

Because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.

Everything the old temple represented has been fulfilled in Christ.

The place where heaven and earth meet is Jesus.

The sacrifice is Jesus.

The presence of God among humanity is Jesus.

The light of the city is Jesus.

Even the sun and moon are no longer needed because the glory of God fills everything, and the Lamb is its light.

The old structures have served their purpose.

The signs have given way to the reality.

The symbols have given way to the One they were always pointing toward.

And this can be hard for us because we often become attached to the structures.

We become attached to the familiar.

We find comfort in the way things have always been.

But life changes.

Seasons change.

Our families change.

Our bodies change.

Churches and institutions change.

Sometimes the things that once gave us stability disappear.

But the faithfulness of God does not disappear with them.

God is not contained within the old structures.

God is making all things new.

And we are being invited to live in that newness.

Our life is not secured by holding tightly to everything that once was.

Our life is found in Christ.

The Lamb is our temple.

The Lamb is our light.

The Lamb is our life.

And your life has been woven into his.

Your story has been gathered into his story.

Your name is written in the life of the Lamb.

So when seasons change and familiar things pass away, we do not have to be afraid.

The One who held us in the last season will hold us in the next.

The One who was faithful yesterday will be faithful tomorrow.

The Lamb remains.

And he is making all things new.

That’s the prayer I have for my own soul.

That’s the prayer I have for my family, for my wife, my daughters, and my son.

And that’s the prayer I have for you.

May it be so.

TODAY'S PRAYERS:

Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.

Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

And now Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. And where there is sadness, Joy. Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in the giving that we receive, in the pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in the dying that we are born unto eternal life. Amen

And now as our Lord has taught us we are bold to pray...

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not unto temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image. And nourishing us with spiritual food, now send us forth as forgiven people, healed and renewed, that we may proclaim your love to the world, and continue in the risen life of Christ. Amen.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the scripture readings for the September 16th episode of Daily Radio Bible?

The daily readings cover Ezekiel 40–41, Psalm 128, and Revelation 21, focusing on themes of restored sacred spaces and new beginnings.

Why is there no temple in the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21?

There is no separate physical temple in the New Jerusalem because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple, fulfilling everything the old structures pointed toward.

How should believers respond when familiar institutions and structures change?

Believers are invited to trust God through seasons of change, remembering that God's faithfulness does not disappear when old structures pass away because our life is found in Christ.

Related to this Episode

Why Revelation 21 Says There Is No Temple in the New Jerusalem

When reading John's breathtaking vision of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21, a striking detail often surprises readers: there is no temple in the city. Unlike the meticulously measured architectural layout given to Ezekiel, the final dwelling plac…