Certainly the Temple that Ezekiel saw in his vision has not yet been built, so it must refer to a future time. Most Bible students interpret this to be a great millennial Temple that will be filled with God's glory during Christ's 1,000 year reign on earth. Ezekiel was told to reveal these plans to the people to make them ashamed of their sins and rebellion (chapter 43:10,11). It is not necessary to go into detail in our comments, but we should note that the sizes are all increased so that the entire sacred area is almost fifty square miles. Just how all of this is going to fit into the land and the city of Jerusalem we are not told. Perhaps there will be changes in the land, or perhaps these dimensions are an expression of the greatness of the Temple when it is built.
Since Christ has fulfilled the Old Testament type (sacrifices, priesthood, etc.), then why should they be reinstituted and practiced for 1,000 years? Some believers think these practices will be, for the Jews in the Kingdom, what the Lord's Supper is to the Church today--a memorial of the work of Christ. However, it is likely that Ezekiel is using the language that the people would understand, because they knew the truth about the future worship in the Temple.
What will happen to this Temple? When God creates a new heaven and earth, there will be no need for a Temple (Revelation 21:1-5). The New Jerusalem that John described in Revelation 21 and 22 will far surpass anything Ezekiel ever saw. The entire Holy City will be a Temple to the glory of God.
