Holiness requires a Difference

Read Ezekiel 42.

In this vision of the future Temple in Jerusalem, the angel provided exact measurements that will be followed.  The walls, the gates, the doors, the rooms, the inner court, and outer court are all detailed.  Several times in this chapter the word "holy" is used.  The Hebrew word means sacred, consecrated, dedicated.  Something holy is set apart, dedicated to the LORD, and treated in a special manner because it belongs to God.

1. There will be holy chambers. (v.13a)
The priests will use these rooms to eat.  Because the meat will be that which was sacrificed to the LORD on the altar, the very room is to be treated as sacred.

2. There will be holy offerings. (v.13b)
The people will come with their animals they wish to give to the LORD as a sacrifice.  Since the offering for sin has been paid on the cross, such offerings would of necessity be ones of thanksgiving and celebration.  These offerings are to be treated as belonging to the LORD and handled in a prescribed, holy way.

3. There will be a Holy Place. (v.14a)
Within the Temple will be an area that is called holy.  This is where the sacrifices and offerings are made on the burning altar on behalf of the people.  This is not to be confused with the Holy of Holies.  The holiest of places was a smaller area behind a thick curtain that housed the Ark of the Covenant and the very presence of God.  That place was so holy that only the High Priest could enter and that only once a year.  When Jesus died on the cross, God tore the curtain of the Holy of Holies, allowing all access to Him (Matthew 27:51).  There is no mention of the Ark of the Covenant here.

4. There will be holy garments. (v.14b)
As the priests minister, they will wear special clothing that is not to be worn at any other time.

The main idea of declaring something holy is to separate it from common usage (v.20).  The Apostle Paul quoted the living God in calling upon believers in Jesus to live as a holy people.  There should be a noticeable difference in the followers of Jesus and everyone else.  "'Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.'  Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God." (2 Corinthians 6:17-7:1)