THEOSISTheodoret of Cyrus
The Prophet revealed to me that the gates facing east were to be kept closed, a command that should remain in effect indefinitely. This measure was intended for the Lord, the sovereign of all, who has no need for physical doors, given that He is the omnipresent and eternal God. If it were His custom to enter through doors, how could He even approach locked gates? Nevertheless, out of grace, He condescends to our limited understanding, offering us an image that likely symbolizes the virgin womb, through which only the Lord Himself has passed—never any other.
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At this gate, He instructed the high priest to partake, requiring him to enter and exit through the vestibule, referred to as Elam. Following this divine instruction, the Prophet witnessed the glory of God at the northern gate and was directed to convey a message to a people consumed by anger, curiosity, or obstinacy, involving the forgiveness of their prior transgressions—specifically for their continual disregard for His commandments by allowing the uncircumcised and outsiders into the temple. Their most significant transgression was not merely physical uncircumcision, but more critically, an uncircumcised heart. This illustrates that true circumcision, the circumcision of the heart, embodies the essence of truth, while the physical act is merely a symbol and sign of this deeper spiritual reality.
Therefore, the Almighty mandates that those who are spiritually uncircumcised, akin to foreigners in body, are to remain distant from His sanctuary. He further decreed that Levites who have engaged in the people's iniquities and harbored a love for idolatry shall be dismissed from their positions and barred from the temple gates. They neglected to offer the burnt and sin offerings and remained uninvolved with sacrifices; instead, they suffered dishonor as a consequence of their wicked deeds. However, there was a lineage of the Sadducees who upheld righteous practices; they faithfully served in ministry and upheld the temple's sanctity.
As the Prophet records, they shall not don woolen fabrics but shall wear linen garments exclusively during their service. Each priest will wear a covering on his head and secure his garment with a belt. The people are instructed to leave the temple confines, change out of their priestly vestments, and re-enter through the gates in different attire, as it is prohibited for anyone not ordained in the priesthood to come near the sacred garments.