Daily reading
Today’s reading is: Ezek. 10-13
Video
Ezekiel Chapter Ten
- In Chapter 10 Ezekiel gets his closest look at the Lord’s chariot-throne and the cherubim that carried it.
- A comparison of Ezekiel 1:10, 10:14, & Revelation 4:7.
- Ezek. 1:10 Four wings & four faces: man, lion, bull, eagle.
- Ezek. 10:14 Four wings & faces: cherub, man, lion, eagle.
- Rev. 4:7 Four six-winged living creatures: lion, calf, man, eagle.
- It was necessary for God’s glory to depart for an even greater glory to appear.
- The burning coals served to purify the defiled land (Mal. 3:1-4).
Ezekiel Chapter Eleven
- The shekinah glory of the Lord has entered His throne-chariot, and has paused at the eastern gate of the temple (Ezek. 10:18-19).
- Ezekiel is then spiritually transported to that eastern gate, in order to see why the Lord delayed His departure out of Jerusalem (Ezek. 11:1).
- Ezekiel observes a false assembly, which is convened to replace the legitimate priestly assembly of 25.
- This false assembly is gathered under Satanic leadership communicating Satanic messages to lead Israel into rebellion against God.
- Two ring-leaders are highlighted. This is a common feature of Satanic rebellions:
- Jaazaniah & Pelatiah against Jeremiah.
- Jannes & Jambres against Moses (2nd Tim. 3:8).
- Hymenaeus & Alexander (1st Tim. 1:20) and Hymenaeus & Philetus (2nd Tim. 2:17) in the ministry of Paul.
- The two beasts of the Tribulation (Rev. 13).
- Messengers of Satan often resort to murder, in order to maintain their false message (Ezek. 11:6,7).
- Ezekiel delivers his message against the ringleaders and Pelatiah fell dead (Ezek. 11:13a), prompting Ezekiel’s fervent intercession (Ezek. 11:13b).
- The message of judgment is followed by a message of restoration (Ezek. 11:14-21). This restoration does not refer to the Z/E/N returnings, but to the regathering of Israel at the 2nd Advent of Jesus Christ.
- The glory of the Lord departed from Jerusalem, and hovered over the Mount of Olives to the east of the city (Ezek. 11:22-23).
- Ezekiel is returned to his body, and communicates the entire contents of Chapters 8-11 to the exiles in Babylon (Ezek. 11:24-25).
Ezekiel Chapter Twelve
- Ezekiel’s rebellious audience is incapable of perceiving spiritual truth (Ezek. 12:2).
- Ezekiel is instructed to perform two more instructive skits (Ezek. 12:3-7).
- The matinee: packing for exile (vv.3,4a).
- The evening show: sneaking out of the house (vv.4b-6).
- Ezekiel faithfully executes his instructions, although he has no idea why (v.7).
- Ezekiel receives a four-part explanation for his skit, and how to use that skit to teach the coming captivity of Zedekiah to the exiles in Babylon (Ezek. 12:8-28).
- Part One (vv.8-16): This skit is a picture of Zedekiah sneaking out of Jerusalem between the walls and getting caught (2nd Kgs. 25:4).
- Part Two (Ezek. 12:17-20): Eat & drink nervously—this is probably your last meal.
- Part Three (Ezek. 12:21-25): Your false proverb is going to be done away with.
- Part Four (Ezek. 12:26-28): Past proffered prophecies presently performed.
- Bottom lines to this message:
- God’s Word will be fulfilled (Isa. 55:11).
- God’s timetable is not our timetable (Isa. 55:8-9; Psa. 90:4; 2nd Pet. 3:8).
- Our responsibility is to be found faithfully waiting (Ps. 27:14; 130:5-6; Isa. 30:18; Lam. 3:25-26; Hab. 2:3; Mic. 7:7; Matt. 24:45-51; 1st Thess. 1:9-10; 2nd Pet. 3:12-13; Jas. 5:7-8).
Ezekiel Chapter Thirteen
- Ezekiel is charged to rebuke the false prophets of his generation who were delivering false messages to the exiles (Ezek. 13:2-16).
- False prophets communicate “their own spirit” from the lusts of their own heart (Ezek. 13:2-3) under demonic influence (Ezek. 13:6-7).
- False prophets are like scavengers in the ruins when they should be soldiers on the wall (Ezek. 13:4-5).
- The Lord is the adversary to those who serve the Adversary (Ezek. 13:8-16).
- The Adversary’s primary message is a message of peace (Ezek. 13:10a).
- False teaching builds an artificial wall that looks good, but cannot withstand the judgment coming against it (Ezek. 13:10b-16).
- The Lord also condemns the women who promote witchcraft among His people (Ezek. 13:17-24).
- They are hunters of souls as they ensnare their men in their webs (Ezek. 13:18,20-21).
- They are not help-mates in serving the Lord, but are encouragers to keep doing evil (Ezek. 13:22).