These chapters describe a rebuilding of a temple. Many theologians and scholars seem to agree in stating that this vision was not fulfilled in the return from the Babylonian captivity. If this is the case, then what are these chapters describing?
You see, there are two main theories, both of which fail in their interpretation of these chapters.
AGE TO COME / NEW HEAVENS AND NEW EARTH
These nine chapters cannot be describing a temple and sacrifices come the new Heaven and new Earth. Why? Because sin will be done away with, therefore there is no need to make a "sin offering" (Ez. 40:39; 42:13; 43:19, 21-22, 25; 44:27, 29; 45:17, 19, 22-23, 25; 46:20) or "to make atonement" (Ez. 45:15, 17). Also, because Christ fulfilled the sacrifices "once for all" and they have been done away with (Heb. 10-10-18).
RESTORED ISRAEL / MILLENNIAL KINGDOM
These nine chapters cannot be describing a temple and sacrifices of a restored Israel. Why? Because, primarily, Christ fulfilled the sacrifices "once for all" and they have been done away with (Heb. 10-10-18). The sacrifices cannot be for a "memorial" because the passages clearly mention "sin offering" (Ez. 40:39; 42:13; 43:19, 21-22, 25; 44:27, 29; 45:17, 19, 22-23, 25; 46:20) and "to make atonement for" (Ez. 45:15, 17). Believers are being built up into a holy temple (Eph. 2:19-22). What would be the point in ethnic Israel returning to a system that never worked in the first place and was nothing more than a foreshadow of the sacrifice of Christ? That would not be a returning to God with their whole heart; it would be returning to idols.
These chapters have nothing to do with a rebuilt temple in a millennial kingdom nor in the age to come. So if this vision has nothing to do with the temple to be rebuilt after the return from captivity, what does it have to do with? Three literal interpretations are inadequate to explain these chapters: (1) a re-built temple after the Babylonian captivity, (2) a re-built temple in a millennial kingdom, and (3) a re-built temple in the new Heavens and new Earth. There is no mention of Jerusalem anywhere in these nine chapters. Unlike with Moses and the tabernacle and Solomon and the temple, there is no mention of construction supervisors or builders.
I do not know how to interpret these passages. But what I do know is simple, and it is this: if these passages do not describe the rebuilding of the temple after the Babylonian captivity, based on everything the New Testament has to say, they for sure have nothing to do with a rebuilding of a temple in a millennial kingdom or the age to come. Any interpretation that attempts either of these is false and they are ignoring and denying a vast portion of what the New Testament teaches in order to force these interpretations.
Perhaps it should be interpreted symbolically, emphasizing the return
and permanent dwelling of the divine presence among His people?