WEBVTT 00:00:05.347 --> 00:00:11.555 Good evening, brothers and sisters, and welcome to the next episode of the Route 66 series. 00:00:11.555 --> 00:00:18.807 Tonight, we are going to be looking at the book of Ezekiel, and it is an honor and a privilege to be able to serve the Lord in this manner. 00:00:18.807 --> 00:00:21.047 Before we get started, let's pray. 00:00:21.047 --> 00:00:33.040 Heavenly Father, we thank you for the Old Testament prophets whom you ordained to send a message to the people of Israel and, in turn, send a message to us believers through your word. 00:00:33.040 --> 00:00:39.301 Help us to gain a clear understanding of what you're trying to tell us and help us to apply it to our lives. 00:00:39.301 --> 00:00:41.585 In Jesus' name, we pray amen. 00:00:44.209 --> 00:00:45.229 Now the book of Ezekiel. 00:00:45.229 --> 00:00:53.771 The name Ezekiel means strengthened by God, which is indeed appropriate for the work that God commissioned him to do. 00:00:53.771 --> 00:01:03.582 His authorship is declared in the first verse of the book, where he references himself in regards to his age. 00:01:03.582 --> 00:01:09.941 He says in my 30th year, which is the age that priests started their ministry. 00:01:09.941 --> 00:01:17.334 Chapter 1 and verse 3 says the word of the Lord came to Ezekiel, the priest. 00:01:17.334 --> 00:01:29.522 Now, a priest was a man that represented the people to God, yet he was also a prophet, a person that God used to represent him to the people. 00:01:29.522 --> 00:01:34.272 This would put him in the rare company of men who functioned in both roles. 00:01:36.780 --> 00:01:49.325 Ezekiel received his call to prophesy in 593 BC in Babylon, during the fifth year of King Jehoiakim's captivity, which would have taken place in 597 BC. 00:01:49.325 --> 00:01:56.623 This was the second of three deportations led by Nebuchadnezzar as he took possession of Jerusalem. 00:01:56.623 --> 00:02:02.560 In that year, ezekiel, along with 10,000 other Jews, were exiled. 00:02:02.560 --> 00:02:06.599 10,000 other Jews were exiled. 00:02:06.599 --> 00:02:12.304 His ministry lasted about 22 years, ending in approximately 571 BC. 00:02:12.304 --> 00:02:24.219 He was a contemporary of Jeremiah, who was about 20 years older, and of Daniel, who was about the same age. 00:02:24.219 --> 00:02:33.873 Now, ezekiel is a unique book in that he uses visions, prophecies, parables, signs and symbols to proclaim and dramatize the message of God to the exiles in Israel. 00:02:33.873 --> 00:02:50.931 But if we look closely, god is also speaking to us and in our talk tonight we're going to cover certain key sections, discussing not only their original meaning but also the significance and how they relate to us in today's world. 00:02:50.931 --> 00:02:58.453 We'll start with chapters one to three, which cover the preparation and commission of Ezekiel. 00:03:00.580 --> 00:03:06.013 The opening verse in the book identifies Ezekiel as being among the exiles. 00:03:06.013 --> 00:03:15.991 The Israelites had been ripped from their homeland and stripped of everything they knew, and the concept that God would come to them was foreign. 00:03:15.991 --> 00:03:19.586 But indeed God does speak to them. 00:03:19.586 --> 00:03:27.641 While they're in exile and despite the judgment that lies ahead, there is hope that God will restore them as a nation. 00:03:27.641 --> 00:03:31.508 But what of us living in today's world? 00:03:31.508 --> 00:03:36.581 We know nothing of being in exile, or do we? 00:03:36.581 --> 00:03:45.814 Yes, israel lived in a land that was not their own, but are we ourselves really at home in this world? 00:03:45.814 --> 00:03:55.781 The Israelites felt isolated in their exile, but do we as Christians not experience isolation in the same way? 00:03:55.781 --> 00:04:01.549 In reality, we are citizens in a foreign land. 00:04:01.549 --> 00:04:10.205 We are exiled here on earth, but God promises to restore us to our true home, which is waiting for us in eternity. 00:04:10.205 --> 00:04:15.600 In the past, god spoke to the exiles through his prophets. 00:04:15.600 --> 00:04:20.747 Today, he speaks to us through his son, the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:04:20.747 --> 00:04:32.449 Just as the Israelites could not see the restoration that was prophesied, we cannot comprehend the full glory that awaits us as we begin. 00:04:32.509 --> 00:04:41.334 Chapter one, ezekiel sees a stunning vision of the majesty of God, with a chariot of living creatures and a glorious throne. 00:04:41.334 --> 00:04:49.483 The chariot is made up of four living winged creatures, each with a wheel that can move in any direction. 00:04:49.483 --> 00:04:54.533 These creatures symbolize God's majesty and glory. 00:04:54.533 --> 00:05:07.012 The fact that their movement has no limit means that God is not confined to the temple, but in the same way, his judgment is not confined either. 00:05:07.012 --> 00:05:10.444 The wheels of the chariot are covered with eyes. 00:05:10.444 --> 00:05:15.399 The significance is that God knows all and sees all. 00:05:15.399 --> 00:05:19.004 We cannot run or hide from God's wrath. 00:05:19.004 --> 00:05:30.617 Now, before we look further at Ezekiel's calling, I wanted to find the term son of man, which God uses to address Ezekiel 93 times in the book. 00:05:30.617 --> 00:05:37.293 The Hebrew translation is ben adam, which simply means human being. 00:05:37.293 --> 00:05:41.670 Now, this is different from how the term is used in the New Testament. 00:05:41.670 --> 00:05:48.562 Here Christ uses the term the Son of man to describe himself as the Messiah. 00:05:51.326 --> 00:05:56.375 Ezekiel's first vision begins the process of communicating God's judgment to Israel. 00:05:56.375 --> 00:06:08.281 They saw God as limited to a box in the temple, but here we see he is right there in their midst, in the temple. 00:06:08.281 --> 00:06:09.262 But here we see he is right there in their midst. 00:06:09.262 --> 00:06:11.867 However, his presence among his people is not always good news, as we shall see later in the book. 00:06:11.867 --> 00:06:21.793 God goes on to explain to Ezekiel that he is sending him to prophesy to the Israelites who are rebellious to God. 00:06:21.793 --> 00:06:26.610 They are obstinate and stubborn and they are not likely to listen to him. 00:06:26.610 --> 00:06:31.310 First he warns Ezekiel not to be afraid of them. 00:06:31.310 --> 00:06:40.029 Then he hands Ezekiel a scroll and commands him to eat it and then go and speak what God says to the people. 00:06:40.029 --> 00:06:44.529 Now, ezekiel did not eat this scroll in a literal sense. 00:06:44.529 --> 00:06:53.211 This was part of a vision, and there is a lesson in here for us in order to speak God's word, we have to know it. 00:06:53.211 --> 00:07:04.185 The symbolic eating of the scroll in this vision is telling us that we must internalize the word of God by reading and studying in order to proclaim the truth of the gospel. 00:07:04.185 --> 00:07:13.884 God knows that the Israelites will be stubborn and stiff-necked, so he must strengthen Ezekiel to deal with this. 00:07:13.904 --> 00:07:17.112 And what of our calling to evangelize in the world today? 00:07:17.112 --> 00:07:23.360 Is it much different? 00:07:23.360 --> 00:07:30.240 Just as Ezekiel was, we are called and sent to a people who are stubborn and obstinate. 00:07:30.240 --> 00:07:36.964 God moves us to be obedient to his call, but our evangelism does not always provide a happy outcome. 00:07:36.964 --> 00:07:49.980 Sometimes he will save someone in spite of our meager efforts, while other times, even the most eloquent presentation will fall on deaf ears. 00:07:49.980 --> 00:07:54.966 Now it is important for us to pray before we evangelize, or we may become self-reliant instead of depending on God. 00:07:54.966 --> 00:07:57.632 We need to pray and seek the power of the Holy Spirit. 00:07:57.632 --> 00:08:04.033 It is not about being more active, but for the Spirit to become more active in and through us. 00:08:04.033 --> 00:08:06.264 But for the Spirit to become more active in and through us. 00:08:06.264 --> 00:08:08.848 And what about this responsibility God gives to us? 00:08:08.848 --> 00:08:10.372 To evangelize the lost. 00:08:17.519 --> 00:08:21.298 At the end of chapter 3, god calls Ezekiel to be a watchman for the house of Israel. 00:08:21.298 --> 00:08:32.335 Now, what's interesting about this passage is not so much the change in the people who hear his message, but the responsibility laid on Ezekiel to preach to all, regardless of their response. 00:08:32.335 --> 00:08:38.952 He is commanded to bring the message of judgment to all people, whether wicked or righteous, whether they listen or not. 00:08:38.952 --> 00:08:49.082 And along with this command, god sets the consequences for Ezekiel should he fail to carry out his responsibility For the people. 00:08:49.082 --> 00:08:54.234 They either hear, respond and live, or they ignore and die. 00:08:54.234 --> 00:09:02.073 But inside the message is hope for those who ignore that there is still time for them to hear the word and live. 00:09:02.073 --> 00:09:06.240 It's time for them to hear the word and live. 00:09:06.240 --> 00:09:12.322 In the same way, the righteous must continue to listen and heed the warning given to them lest they die. 00:09:12.322 --> 00:09:13.946 Ezekiel must practice what he preaches. 00:09:13.946 --> 00:09:19.653 If he is faithful and obeys God's command to proclaim the warning, he will live. 00:09:19.653 --> 00:09:29.403 But if he fails to warn them. 00:09:29.403 --> 00:09:33.380 God will hold him responsible for the people he failed to warn and he too will die Like Ezekiel. 00:09:33.380 --> 00:09:34.000 We are the watchmen of today. 00:09:34.000 --> 00:09:48.083 God calls us not only to proclaim the good news of the gospel, but also to warn people of the bad news that time is running out and that judgment is coming, and we are to bring this news to everyone without distinction. 00:09:48.083 --> 00:09:52.173 It is not ours to decide who is deserving of it and who is not. 00:09:52.173 --> 00:09:54.364 It is God's work to sort that out. 00:09:54.364 --> 00:10:00.690 We must be faithful heralds of God's word, or the blood of the people will be on our hands. 00:10:00.690 --> 00:10:03.841 Moving along. 00:10:04.102 --> 00:10:07.349 Chapters 8 to 11 contain the second of Ezekiel's visions. 00:10:07.349 --> 00:10:15.552 While he is living in exile in Babylon, ezekiel is transported in a vision to the temple in Jerusalem by God himself. 00:10:15.552 --> 00:10:23.413 God intends to show Ezekiel and the leaders in the exile community why he will not save Jerusalem. 00:10:23.413 --> 00:10:29.522 In this vision, there are four examples of idolatry that God finds detestable. 00:10:29.522 --> 00:10:34.389 Ezekiel has been shown the sinful nature of Jerusalem. 00:10:34.389 --> 00:10:40.065 Their sin extends from outside the city gate to the inner courtyards of the temple. 00:10:40.065 --> 00:10:46.134 It involves both men and women, including the 70 elders of the temple leadership. 00:10:47.821 --> 00:10:53.734 It includes idolatrous worship imported from the surrounding nations, involving all kinds of gods. 00:10:53.734 --> 00:10:59.753 It is a mix of many religions, similar to a multi-faith worship service. 00:10:59.753 --> 00:11:05.532 It is an offensive rejection of God that is a foretaste of the future. 00:11:05.532 --> 00:11:08.168 So let's fast forward to today. 00:11:08.168 --> 00:11:13.711 How many times do we hear people tell us but we all serve the same God? 00:11:13.711 --> 00:11:15.625 Well, we don't. 00:11:15.625 --> 00:11:22.953 Christianity is radically different from the world and our God is a jealous God commanding us to serve no other. 00:11:22.953 --> 00:11:26.927 Ezekiel's vision condemns such idolatry. 00:11:26.927 --> 00:11:36.110 Everything he sees is an example of people turning their backs on the Lord, and we see this in many so-called churches that claim obedience to the Bible. 00:11:36.110 --> 00:11:40.129 There should be no compromise in our church. 00:11:40.129 --> 00:11:43.600 We must be totally committed to the Lord in every way. 00:11:43.600 --> 00:11:55.113 We must preach biblical truth that confronts the comfortable idolatry of a multi-faith religion, or we will face the same judgment that will come upon all idolaters. 00:11:55.113 --> 00:12:00.350 And we see the result of this idolatry at the end of chapter 11. 00:12:00.350 --> 00:12:05.671 God's glory rises up from the temple and exits the city. 00:12:05.671 --> 00:12:14.173 His chariot transports him to the Mount of Olives, where he makes his final departure from Jerusalem before heading east towards Babylon. 00:12:16.179 --> 00:12:22.825 Israel's idolatry became so blatant and offensive that God decided to leave his own temple, the. 00:12:22.825 --> 00:12:28.418 The Israelites had driven their God away and he gave the city and temple over to destruction. 00:12:28.418 --> 00:12:31.793 But God has not abandoned his people. 00:12:31.793 --> 00:12:42.437 Rather, he goes into exile with them and at the end of the vision, god promises that he will return a remnant of Israel back to the land. 00:12:42.437 --> 00:12:52.340 He will transform them by removing their heart of stone and giving them a new, soft heart of flesh so that they can love and follow their God. 00:12:52.340 --> 00:13:03.072 But let us not be fooled into thinking, as the Israelites did, we come to church here in a building. 00:13:03.072 --> 00:13:06.705 But just as the temple was, it is just a building. 00:13:06.705 --> 00:13:08.386 But just as the temple was, it is just a building. 00:13:08.386 --> 00:13:15.514 How many so-called churches are out there, filled with people of an idolatrous nature worshiping and praising an idolatrous God? 00:13:15.514 --> 00:13:21.701 Because the true God of the universe has abandoned that building, just as he abandoned the temple. 00:13:21.701 --> 00:13:27.947 If we turn our backs on God, he will turn his back on us. 00:13:27.947 --> 00:13:33.418 God's presence can be in this building, but only through the Holy Spirit that indwells in us. 00:13:33.418 --> 00:13:41.073 He will reside in us wherever we go, even into exile, and that is a promise we can count on. 00:13:45.546 --> 00:13:49.856 Chapters 12 to 24 focus on God's coming judgment for Israel. 00:13:49.856 --> 00:13:56.945 There are several sign experiences in this section where Ezekiel acts out the message God wants him to deliver. 00:13:56.945 --> 00:14:00.975 But in the interest of time, we're just going to focus on the main two. 00:14:00.975 --> 00:14:07.716 Chapter 12 starts off with a dramatic demonstration of how the exile will occur. 00:14:07.716 --> 00:14:12.725 Chapter 12 starts off with a dramatic demonstration of how the exile will occur. 00:14:14.085 --> 00:14:18.124 Ezekiel was to pack sparingly during the day, as if trying to escape captivity. 00:14:18.124 --> 00:14:24.778 In the evening he was to go out and dig through the wall of his house by hand and crawl through it with his belongings, all while the Israelites were watching. 00:14:24.778 --> 00:14:29.615 This was to depict the attempted escape and capture of Zedekiah. 00:14:29.615 --> 00:14:38.116 We're going to read verses 10 to 14, and the AB team was gracious enough to put the scriptures up on the screen. 00:14:38.116 --> 00:14:43.796 Say to them this is what the Lord, god, says. 00:14:45.368 --> 00:14:50.234 This pronouncement concerns the prince in Jerusalem and the whole house of Israel living there. 00:14:50.234 --> 00:15:06.899 You are to say, the prince, who is among them, will lift his bags to his shoulder in the dark and go out. 00:15:06.899 --> 00:15:10.389 They will dig through the wall to bring him out through it. 00:15:10.389 --> 00:15:20.275 He will cover his face so he cannot see the land with his eyes, but I will spread my net over him and he will be caught in my snare. 00:15:20.275 --> 00:15:23.748 I will bring him to Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans. 00:15:23.748 --> 00:15:26.793 Yet he will not see it and he will die there. 00:15:26.793 --> 00:15:38.270 I will also scatter all the attendants who surround him and all his troops to every direction of the wind, and I will draw a sword to chase after them Now. 00:15:38.370 --> 00:15:47.758 In addition, god tells Ezekiel to eat and drink, with trembling and shuddering, showing the anxiety that the inhabitants of Jerusalem and Judah will feel. 00:15:47.758 --> 00:15:52.072 Showing the anxiety that the inhabitants of Jerusalem and Judah will feel Through Ezekiel's actions and God's words. 00:15:52.072 --> 00:16:02.181 A message of judgment was made clear to those listening and that God was the one who brought it about. 00:16:02.181 --> 00:16:08.604 We need not dig through a wall like Ezekiel in order to get the message of the gospel across. 00:16:08.604 --> 00:16:13.472 God's word explains the meaning of our actions, while our actions underline the reality of God's word. 00:16:13.472 --> 00:16:18.688 It shows that the word and deed can work together to penetrate the heart. 00:16:21.413 --> 00:16:32.960 And in chapter 24, as this section ends, we see the death of Ezekiel's wife ends, we see the death of Ezekiel's wife. 00:16:32.960 --> 00:16:34.105 It is the only mention of her in the book. 00:16:34.105 --> 00:16:40.966 God describes her to Ezekiel as the delight of your eyes. 00:16:40.966 --> 00:16:46.498 God tells him in advance that his wife will die and instructs him on how to act In verses 16 and 17,. 00:16:46.498 --> 00:16:48.506 God tells him how to act In verses 16 and 17,. 00:16:48.506 --> 00:16:54.378 God tells him Son of man, I am about to take the delight of your eyes away from you with a fatal blow. 00:16:54.378 --> 00:17:04.028 But you must not lament or weep or let your tears flow. 00:17:04.028 --> 00:17:11.409 Groan quietly, do not observe mourning rites for the dead, put on your turban and strap your sandals on your feet, do not cover your mustache or eat the bread of mourners. 00:17:13.393 --> 00:17:16.825 Now, this strange behavior is a sign to the people of what is to come. 00:17:16.825 --> 00:17:21.433 The temple in Jerusalem was the delight of their eyes. 00:17:21.433 --> 00:17:26.971 It was to be destroyed along with the families of the exiles that had been left behind. 00:17:26.971 --> 00:17:37.713 Yet the people would not weep outwardly, because the judgment would be so overwhelming that only inward grief would be possible. 00:17:37.713 --> 00:17:39.198 But what does that have to do with us? 00:17:39.198 --> 00:17:47.310 When judgment comes, it will always be a shock, no matter how clearly and often we have been warned. 00:17:47.330 --> 00:17:50.894 And God, as our Creator, has the right to do that. 00:17:50.894 --> 00:18:05.997 And he has that right because he willingly gave up the delight of his eyes, his only son, the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:18:05.997 --> 00:18:14.556 Since God did not spare his own son, the Lord Jesus Christ, since God did not spare his own son, we should be willing to spare whatever is the delight of our eyes. 00:18:14.556 --> 00:18:20.256 Sometimes God takes from us what is most precious to us. 00:18:20.256 --> 00:18:27.765 It is in those times that his grace will enable us to say not my will, but yours be done, lord. 00:18:27.765 --> 00:18:34.565 Grace will enable us to say, not my will, but yours be done, lord. 00:18:34.565 --> 00:18:41.009 So we see that God is tough on the people of Israel, just as he is tough on us. 00:18:41.009 --> 00:18:46.298 But as we move to the next section of the book in chapters 25 to 32, he is also tough on the enemies of Israel. 00:18:46.298 --> 00:18:48.390 He is also tough on the enemies of Israel. 00:18:48.430 --> 00:18:59.680 God judges the nations that surround Israel, specifically Ammon, moab, edom and Philistia. 00:18:59.680 --> 00:19:06.460 All of these nations, at some point in time, had mocked and fought against Israel and therefore against God himself. 00:19:06.460 --> 00:19:17.537 When Israel was judged by God, some of these nations rejoiced in her downfall and also added to that by stepping on Israel when she was down. 00:19:17.537 --> 00:19:20.372 So how does that apply to us? 00:19:20.372 --> 00:19:27.778 Let's look at ourselves for a moment and understand that we may have acted like these nations. 00:19:27.778 --> 00:19:35.498 So I'm going to throw out a few questions for us to consider, and I'll confess to you that they cut me to the core. 00:19:37.526 --> 00:19:40.809 So have we ever rejoiced at the judgment of others. 00:19:40.809 --> 00:19:46.838 Have we ever said good for them or they deserve it? 00:19:46.838 --> 00:19:55.614 When someone gets taken down, do we sometimes have a righteous pride that we are better than those who have fallen? 00:19:55.614 --> 00:19:58.486 Sadly, I know what my answers would be. 00:19:58.486 --> 00:20:03.071 The nation of Tyre was also like this. 00:20:03.071 --> 00:20:09.740 They not only kicked Israel when she was down, but sought to replace her as the center of the universe. 00:20:09.740 --> 00:20:29.875 The seductive lure of beauty, power and wisdom made Tyre an attractive alternative to the fallen Jerusalem, and in chapter 28, in verse 2, god admonishes the king of Tyre your heart is proud and you have said I am a God. 00:20:29.875 --> 00:20:33.766 I sit in the seat of gods in the heart of the sea. 00:20:33.766 --> 00:20:41.019 Yet you are a man and not a God, though you have regarded your heart as that of a God. 00:20:42.945 --> 00:20:44.369 So here are a few more questions. 00:20:44.369 --> 00:20:52.869 Do we ever look at a person or a situation and make a judgment based on looks instead of substance? 00:20:52.869 --> 00:20:56.457 How about power? 00:20:56.457 --> 00:21:06.615 Does our quest for power in any situation ever cause us to stumble into sin and the folly of wisdom? 00:21:06.615 --> 00:21:12.453 Worldly wisdom how often do we blindly follow it? 00:21:12.453 --> 00:21:15.471 And what about our wisdom? 00:21:15.471 --> 00:21:19.032 How often do we proudly brag about it? 00:21:19.032 --> 00:21:23.294 And then there is God's wisdom. 00:21:23.294 --> 00:21:26.113 How often do we ignore it? 00:21:26.113 --> 00:21:27.286 Again? 00:21:27.286 --> 00:21:29.453 For myself, the answer is hurt. 00:21:32.205 --> 00:21:36.034 And finally, we look at Egypt With this illusion of a superpower. 00:21:36.034 --> 00:21:45.646 It was an attractive ally for Israel, but when it came time to back up that alliance, egypt was nowhere to be found, leaving Israel to its fate. 00:21:45.646 --> 00:21:53.099 The problems came in that Israel placed its trust in Egypt instead of in God. 00:21:53.099 --> 00:22:04.643 There were numerous times in history that this idolatrous relationship caused problems for the nation of Israel, and now God would judge Egypt for its hand in that. 00:22:04.643 --> 00:22:07.933 So too for us. 00:22:07.933 --> 00:22:14.958 The world has many powerful attractions that seem to offer us easy routes to security and success. 00:22:14.958 --> 00:22:23.798 Again, I ask how often do the pursuits of security and success have us look to the world instead of God? 00:22:23.798 --> 00:22:31.377 Are we sacrificing for worldly gain rather than taking up our cross and following Jesus? 00:22:31.377 --> 00:22:37.115 On the dollar bill, it says in God we trust. 00:22:37.115 --> 00:22:39.709 But what do we trust more? 00:22:39.709 --> 00:22:43.176 The slogan or the paper that it's printed on? 00:22:43.176 --> 00:22:46.574 Again, my answers can be very sad indeed. 00:22:49.486 --> 00:23:00.117 Now, while a good deal of Ezekiel deals with God's wrath and judgment, the remaining third of the book speaks of restoration, hope and the promise of new life. 00:23:00.117 --> 00:23:06.057 Let's look at God's promise in chapter 36, verses 24 to 30. 00:23:06.057 --> 00:23:14.198 For I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and will bring you into your own land. 00:23:14.198 --> 00:23:19.676 I will also sprinkle clean water on you and you will be clean. 00:23:19.676 --> 00:23:24.836 I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols. 00:23:24.836 --> 00:23:29.996 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you. 00:23:29.996 --> 00:23:34.435 I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 00:23:34.435 --> 00:23:42.778 I will place my spirit within you and cause you to follow my statutes and carefully observe my ordinances. 00:23:42.778 --> 00:23:47.444 You will live in the land that I gave your ancestors. 00:23:47.444 --> 00:24:01.095 You will be my people and I will be your God. 00:24:01.095 --> 00:24:10.722 I will save you from all your uncleanness, and then in verses 33 to 36, so that you will no longer experience reproach among the nations on account of famine. 00:24:10.722 --> 00:24:14.530 And then in verses 33 to 36,. 00:24:14.530 --> 00:24:25.037 This is what the Lord, god, says On the day I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will cause the cities to be inhabited and the ruins will be rebuilt. 00:24:25.037 --> 00:24:32.137 The desolate land will be cultivated instead of lying desolate in the sight of everyone who passes by. 00:24:32.137 --> 00:24:38.097 They will say this land that was desolate has become like the Garden of Eden. 00:24:38.097 --> 00:24:54.160 The cities that were once ruined, desolate and demolished are now fortified and inhabited, then the nations that remain around you will know that I, the Lord, have rebuilt what is demolished and have replanted what was desolate. 00:24:54.160 --> 00:24:58.394 I, the Lord, have spoken and I will do it. 00:25:00.445 --> 00:25:01.932 Judgment followed by mercy. 00:25:01.932 --> 00:25:09.738 God did not destroy Israel completely, but his mercy was not done out of compassion, as one might think. 00:25:09.738 --> 00:25:13.308 It was done out of concern for his holy name. 00:25:13.308 --> 00:25:19.227 The Lord will act not for Israel's sake but for the sake of his own name. 00:25:19.227 --> 00:25:26.446 His action of restoring his people is not grounded in love but in a demonstration of his holiness. 00:25:29.172 --> 00:25:37.392 And that brings us into chapter 37 and probably the most well-known portion of scripture in the book, and that is the valley of the dry bones. 00:25:37.392 --> 00:25:46.093 He takes Ezekiel in a vision to a scene of total desolation where he is confronted with a scene of total death. 00:25:46.093 --> 00:25:50.160 He is led back and forth over piles of bones. 00:25:50.160 --> 00:25:58.673 The valley is not filled with slain corpses but with skeletal remains, and those bones were very dry. 00:25:58.673 --> 00:26:04.833 The bones signify God's people who have been utterly destroyed for their sin. 00:26:04.833 --> 00:26:08.065 No life remains in those bones. 00:26:08.065 --> 00:26:10.548 No life remains in those bones. 00:26:10.568 --> 00:26:14.998 In verse 3, god asks Ezekiel, son of man can these bones live? 00:26:14.998 --> 00:26:20.087 Now imagine being confronted by God with that question. 00:26:20.087 --> 00:26:29.938 Although the scene tells him otherwise, ezekiel is afraid to give a negative answer, but in view of God's overwhelming wrath, he cannot simply say of course. 00:26:29.938 --> 00:26:43.875 So he turns it back over to God by responding O sovereign Lord, you alone know God certainly has the power to bring the dry bones back to life. 00:26:43.875 --> 00:26:48.464 Regeneration is brought about through the infusion of the Holy Spirit. 00:26:48.464 --> 00:26:57.336 In response to the prophecy of God's word, ezekiel is told to prophesy to the bones and require them to listen to God's word. 00:26:57.336 --> 00:27:07.440 In response, the Lord will make breath, enter them and bring them back to life, not as a ghostly skeleton, but as living flesh. 00:27:07.440 --> 00:27:10.152 Now there is a precedent for this. 00:27:10.724 --> 00:27:13.074 Let's look at Genesis, chapter 2 and verse 7. 00:27:13.074 --> 00:27:28.872 And how does this relate to us? 00:27:28.872 --> 00:27:31.832 We were those dry bones. 00:27:31.832 --> 00:27:35.575 We were dead in our transgressions and sin. 00:27:35.575 --> 00:27:39.935 It is a spiritual condition that, by nature, we all share. 00:27:39.935 --> 00:27:49.612 We were alive physically, but cut off from the life-giving presence of God and therefore without hope. 00:27:49.612 --> 00:27:54.127 From the life-giving presence of God and therefore without hope. 00:27:54.127 --> 00:27:56.090 No matter how we felt physically, good or bad, we were all equally dead. 00:27:56.090 --> 00:28:03.167 So the question is not can God raise us to life, but will he raise us to life? 00:28:03.167 --> 00:28:09.817 And that answer is yes, just like it was for Israel, and it is through our union with Christ. 00:28:09.817 --> 00:28:16.308 In Christ, there is life for the spiritually dead. 00:28:16.308 --> 00:28:19.355 Jesus himself took on our death when he died on the cross. 00:28:19.355 --> 00:28:24.685 He took on our sins and was cut off from God for them. 00:28:24.685 --> 00:28:31.232 But just as the dry bones in Ezekiel did not remain dead, so also did Christ not remain in the tomb. 00:28:31.232 --> 00:28:47.227 He burst forward with resurrection power, raised from the dead by God, and because of that we are now made alive in Christ. 00:28:47.227 --> 00:28:47.868 Our sins are forgiven. 00:28:47.868 --> 00:28:51.438 Nailed to the cross, we are not dry bones any longer, but living, breathing, spirit-infused children of God. 00:28:51.438 --> 00:28:56.656 What Ezekiel saw in his vision has now become a reality. 00:28:56.656 --> 00:29:05.278 So, yes, god has restored Israel, but there will be no end to the attacks on this nation. 00:29:05.278 --> 00:29:09.789 In fact, these attacks will continue until the second coming of Christ. 00:29:09.789 --> 00:29:11.332 In fact, these attacks will continue until the second coming of Christ. 00:29:11.352 --> 00:29:17.339 In chapters 38 and 39, we see Ezekiel prophesied to Gog from the land of Magog. 00:29:17.339 --> 00:29:26.967 In chapter 38, verses 14 to 16, god speaks of this coming invasion. 00:29:26.967 --> 00:29:30.329 Therefore, prophesy, son of man, and say to Gog. 00:29:30.329 --> 00:29:37.494 This is what the Lord, god, says On that day when my people, israel, are dwelling securely. 00:29:37.494 --> 00:29:53.404 Will you not know this and come from your place in the remotest parts of the north, you and many peoples with you, who are all riding horses, a huge assembly, a powerful army. 00:29:53.404 --> 00:29:57.170 You will advance against my people, israel, like a cloud covering the land. 00:29:57.170 --> 00:30:07.179 It will happen in the last days, gog, that I will bring you against my land so that the nations may know me when I demonstrate my holiness through you in their sight. 00:30:07.179 --> 00:30:13.800 So who is this Gog and where is Magog Now? 00:30:13.800 --> 00:30:22.986 There are no historical records of such a person or place, but the term Gog has come to refer to a title for an enemy of God's people. 00:30:24.729 --> 00:30:37.577 Now, the battle that is spoken of could be seen as the final battle of Armageddon and Gog as the Antichrist, but we can also see it as the ongoing battles that believers face from day to day. 00:30:37.577 --> 00:30:49.011 Gog and his army seek to destroy the restored Israel are simply the ultimate expression of Satan as he seeks to destroy Christians in the present day. 00:30:49.011 --> 00:30:53.326 So why should we feel confident in this battle? 00:30:53.326 --> 00:30:59.777 First, although this world is in tribulation, god is in control. 00:30:59.777 --> 00:31:04.769 Satan can achieve nothing other than what God allows for his purpose. 00:31:04.769 --> 00:31:16.894 Second, god has the victory, no matter how strong the opposition, no matter what Satan throws at the church, his plans will come to nothing. 00:31:16.894 --> 00:31:24.397 Third, God's victory will mean the ultimate destruction of all those who oppose him. 00:31:24.397 --> 00:31:28.575 Satan and his minions will be cast into the lake of fire. 00:31:28.575 --> 00:31:34.376 And lastly, god's victory means security for those who trust in him. 00:31:34.376 --> 00:31:39.036 The God who will defeat Satan will take care of his people. 00:31:40.726 --> 00:31:45.613 Romans, chapter 8 and verse 35 asks who can separate us from the love of Christ? 00:31:45.613 --> 00:31:47.971 The answer is nobody. 00:31:47.971 --> 00:31:57.852 Now, as we come to the last nine chapters, we see Ezekiel's final vision, and it is the climax of the entire book. 00:31:57.852 --> 00:32:09.877 In chapters 40 to 48, we see a detailed description of a future temple where genuine worship will take place and where God's presence will be. 00:32:09.877 --> 00:32:13.344 Where genuine worship will take place and where God's presence will be. 00:32:13.344 --> 00:32:18.837 This is and will be fulfilled in the coming of the true temple and true place of eternal worship, jesus Christ. 00:32:18.837 --> 00:32:24.016 This description does not point to some physical temple structure. 00:32:24.016 --> 00:32:30.438 Instead, god always intended these chapters to literally point to Jesus himself. 00:32:30.438 --> 00:32:46.997 Unlike a physical temple, there are no walls or curtains that keep us out of God's presence, not because we are more holy than the people in Ezekiel's time, but because of the once and for all sacrifice of our Lord, jesus Christ. 00:32:46.997 --> 00:32:51.156 But let us ask ourselves is he our true focus? 00:32:51.156 --> 00:32:55.588 Are we examining our hearts to see where our true focus is? 00:32:55.588 --> 00:33:01.199 Do we live our lives for our own glory or for God's glory? 00:33:03.806 --> 00:33:09.858 Now, in chapter 47, we see Ezekiel's focus turn from the temple to the surrounding land. 00:33:09.858 --> 00:33:11.307 We see Ezekiel's focus turn from the temple to the surrounding land. 00:33:11.307 --> 00:33:16.698 This is expressed in a vision of a life-giving river that flows out from the temple. 00:33:16.698 --> 00:33:27.444 It starts out as a trickle and gradually grows to a river deep enough to swim in. 00:33:27.444 --> 00:33:28.916 So we have this swelling water flowing from the temple. 00:33:28.916 --> 00:33:29.763 But that is still not the best part. 00:33:29.763 --> 00:33:35.569 God then tells us the purpose of the water In chapter 47. 00:33:35.569 --> 00:33:46.457 In verse 9, it says Every kind of living creature that swarms will live wherever the river flows, and there will be a huge number of fish because this water goes there. 00:33:46.457 --> 00:33:52.705 Since the water will become fresh, there will be life everywhere the river goes. 00:33:52.705 --> 00:33:59.558 And in verse 12, all kinds of trees providing food will grow along both banks of the river. 00:33:59.558 --> 00:34:05.634 Their leaves will not wither and their fruit will not fail Each month. 00:34:05.634 --> 00:34:09.646 They will bear fresh fruit because the water comes from the sanctuary. 00:34:09.646 --> 00:34:13.391 Their fruit will be used for eating and their leaves. 00:34:14.112 --> 00:34:24.902 In John, chapter 2 and John 4, jesus strongly points us to seeing him as the fulfillment of God's promised temple. 00:34:24.902 --> 00:34:39.574 He says he's the temple, the giver of living water and the Messiah who brings in the time where people no longer worship in the physical temple but in him, in spirit and in truth. 00:34:39.574 --> 00:34:43.335 So undoubtedly he is God's temple. 00:34:43.335 --> 00:34:50.376 In Revelation, chapter 21, the Apostle John refers to the main street of the heavenly city. 00:34:50.376 --> 00:34:57.657 He says I did not see a temple in it, because the Lord, god the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 00:34:57.657 --> 00:35:05.826 This then brings us to Revelation 22 and begins with a description of the river of the water of life. 00:35:05.826 --> 00:35:22.572 In verses one to two of this final chapter of the Bible, john writes then he showed me the river of the water of life, clear as a crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb, down the middle of the city's main street. 00:35:22.572 --> 00:35:30.795 The tree of life was on each side of the river, bearing 12 kinds of fruit, producing its fruit every month. 00:35:30.795 --> 00:35:35.010 The leaves of the tree are for healing the nations. 00:35:35.010 --> 00:35:42.708 This water is the fulfillment of the water which flowed from the temple in Ezekiel 47. 00:35:42.708 --> 00:35:46.173 The water is flowing from Christ. 00:35:46.173 --> 00:35:49.760 He is the temple from where the water flows. 00:35:49.760 --> 00:35:56.547 From Christ, he is the temple from where the water flows. 00:35:56.567 --> 00:35:58.050 Now, in conclusion, we must realize that this world is not our home. 00:35:58.050 --> 00:36:04.085 Like the exiles of Ezekiel, we are resident aliens whose hearts and home are elsewhere. 00:36:04.085 --> 00:36:12.179 As we wait, we are to live lives completely centered on the new covenant temple, the Lord Jesus Christ himself. 00:36:12.179 --> 00:36:14.972 It's truly wonderful, isn't it? 00:36:14.972 --> 00:36:17.594 It's truly all about Jesus. 00:36:17.594 --> 00:36:21.175 This is why the Old Testament promises exist. 00:36:21.175 --> 00:36:30.240 This is why the book of Ezekiel exists, with its description of judgment, restoration, god's presence and God's glory. 00:36:30.240 --> 00:36:38.626 We can look forward to the day when we will sit down to feast with one another in the heavenly city and God will be in our midst. 00:36:38.626 --> 00:36:45.387 Then, indeed, the new Jerusalem will bear the name that Ezekiel gave it Yahweh Shammah. 00:36:45.387 --> 00:36:47.269 The Lord is there. 00:36:47.269 --> 00:36:50.715 Let's pray, heavenly Father. 00:36:50.715 --> 00:36:52.860 We thank you, lord, for this time spent in your word. 00:36:52.860 --> 00:37:01.306 We thank you for giving us clarity and understanding to see that all things point to Jesus and that, in the end, he has the victory. 00:37:01.306 --> 00:37:05.971 In this, you will receive all the honor and all the glory, amen.