What is represented by the altar that Ezekiel saw in vision?

Answer 1

If the question is about Ezekiel 43: This wonderful prophecy is speaking of a REAL ALTAR that shall be constructed [the specifications given in the chapter] for the Millennial Rule of Christ:

"...the LORD said to me, 'Son of man, this is the place of My throne [David's throne, returned to Jerusalem] and the place where I WILL REST MY FEET. I WILL REMAIN HERE FOREVER, living among the people of Israel...' " (verse 7; NLT New Living Translation)

While most modern professing Christians think of "going to heaven"... few consider that Christ speaks of His coming back to rule the earth and the mortal nations on earth. They don't expect Christ to BE HERE ON EARTH.

The altar in Ezekiel 43 SHALL BE constructed in the millennium, according to the specs detailed. It's the plans for its FUTURE CONSTRUCTION!

"...Write down all these specifications and directions as they watch so THEY WILL BE SURE TO REMEMBER THEM." (verse 11)

Well... Ezekiel wrote them down... and they are preserved and ready for the world-ruling Jesus Christ to command its construction... along with the "regulations" for its function and operation:

"...'These WILL BE the regulations for the burning of offerings and the sprinkling of blood WHEN THE ALTAR IS BUILT." (verse 18)

Few people consider that when Christ returns... He's not coming back as a meek Lamb for the world to slaughter all over again. He's returning as its Sovereign, All-Powerful, Ruling KING!

The sins He's borne for the present time dispensation have been and are for the saints: those whom His Father has been and is calling; given to Christ to train for their offices, positions and jobs of co-rulership with Him in the Kingdom over the nations of the earth when the King returns. These saints of God have suffered and are suffering for Christ... learning, developing and growing in Christ... being tested and proving themselves in Christ for the task ahead of them. To teach the world the Righteous... sinless ways of God.

Even King David [one of God's saints], in his prayer for God's Mercy, spoke of the reinstitution of the sacrifice, when the LORD reigns on the earth -- and of the need for the future "altar" of Ezekiel 43:

"Have Mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing Love... blot out the stain of my sins... You would not be pleased with sacrifices, or I would bring them. If I brought you a burnt offering, you would not accept it. The sacrifice you want is a broken spirit. A broken and repentant heart, O God, you will not despise. Look with favor on Zion and help her; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Then you will be pleased with WORTHY SACRIFICES and with OUR WHOLE BURNT OFFERINGS; and bulls WILL BE AGAIN sacrificed ON YOUR ALTAR." (Ps.51:1 & 16-19 NLT)

Jesus Christ will not be anyone's "sacrificial Lamb" when He returns. He will be the world's All-Powerful King who shall have removed Satan from deceiving and influencing the nations of the world. He shall have placed the sins of the world that He has borne during this time dispensation... solely upon the head of him whose sins they are -- Satan the Devil [see Rev.20:1-3 & Lev.16]. And the sins of the people of the mortal nations on earth, uninfluenced by Satan or his demons, during His thousand year reign, will each be responsible for their own sins before God; and cry out to their King for His Grace, Mercy and Everlasting Love for His Forgiveness.

The "altar" in the vision of Ezekiel 43 represents a literal, "future altar" that shall be constructed on earth when Christ establishes His Kingdom upon it.

"On the eighth day, and on each day afterward [for a thousand years], the priests will sacrifice on the altar the burnt offerings [see Ps.51, again] and Peace offerings OF THE PEOPLE [of the nations of the world]. Then I will accept you, says the Sovereign LORD." (Ez.43:27 NLT)