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Introduction to Ezekiel

A.   The Author

1.      Written by the prophet Ezekiel, whose name probably means "God Strengthens."

2.      He was a priest in training, son of a priest (Buzi) and was preparing for Temple service.

a)      Temple priests began serving at the age of 30

b)      He was captured by the Babylonians at the age of 25, in 597 BC

3.      He was married and maintained a household.  No children are known to been born to them.  His wife dies during his ministry.

4.      He was a contemporary of Jeremiah, who was a little older than Ezekiel, and Daniel, who was a little younger.  Jeremiah stayed behind in Judah during the captivity, Daniel arrived in Babylon nine years before Ezekiel was brought there.

B.   Dates and sequences

1.      The dating of this book and the events described are fairly easy to establish from within and without the scriptures, because Ezekiel was very good at recording exact dates.

a)      He begins each oracle with a year, day, and month

b)      Only two of the prophecies do not include a specific month

2.      It was written during the period of Judah's captivity in Babylon, in the years 591 BC to 571 BC

a)      Israel fell to the Assyrians between 734 and 701 BC

b)      Judah fell to the Babylonians between 606 and 586 BC

3.      The major historical event around which Ezekiel centers is the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC.  

a)      He began prophesying six years before and continued 16 years later

b)      Prior to the destruction, he predicted it would happen

c)      After its destruction, he predicted what God would do to its enemies.

C.   Themes and Topics

1.      Although Ezekiel is considered one of the "Apocalyptic" books, like Daniel and Revelation, there is more here than a glimpse of end-time events.

2.      He speaks to the glory and majesty of the Spirit of God.  It has been said that if Isaiah was the prophet to the Son, Jesus, and if Jeremiah was the prophet to the Father, God, then Ezekiel would be the prophet to the Holy Spirit.

3.      A dominant theme repeated throughout is "They shall know that I am God."  The book appears to be an explanation to the people of Israel and Judah why God has allowed their captivity to take place -- idolatry.

a)      Up until the Babylonian captivity, idol worship was a common sin among the Jews.

b)      This 70-year period of captivity cured them of it.  From then till now, idol worship ceased to exist among them.

Ezekiel's Call to Service

Background from the OT: Ezekiel 1 - 3:27

A.   His Situation at the time when God calls him

1.      When:  5th day of the 4th Month.  The Jewish calendar begins around mid-April to mid-July, so this would be somewhere around July.  He was 30 years old.  It was 592 BC.

2.      Where:  Among the Israelites held captive by the Babylonians, by the river Chebar.  The Chebar was probably an irrigation canal feeding off the Euphrates river in what is now Iraq. 

3.      What:  The heavens were opened and he saw vision of God.

B.   A Vision of the Heavenlies  (1:4-28)

1.      He receives this vision in the form of a "theophany" -- a divine appearance in the midst of a storm.  Other instances of theophanies may have occurred in Amos (7:15), Jeremiah (1:1-10), Daniel (7:9), Isaiah (6), and to Moses in Exodus ch 24.  See also Mark 4.

2.      He sees four living creatures -- cherubim.

a)      Face of Man: indicator of rational intelligence

b)      Face of Lion: indicator of majesty

c)      Face of Ox: indicator of servanthood

d)      Face of Eagle: indicator of swift, all-seeing justice

3.      He sees Wheels … full of eyes

a)      The movement of God

b)      Omniscient, all-know, ever-present

4.      He hears the noise of their wings

a)      Like mighty rushing waters

b)      Symbolic of God's unlimited strength and power

5.      He hears a command and the cherubim let down their wings in obedience

6.      He sees the Glory of God, not God himself, but His Glory

C.   The Call (2:1 - 3:3)

1.      The voice calls him Son of man

a)      Only Ezekiel and Daniel were called "son of man" in the Old Testament

b)      This is God's emphasis on Ezekiel's humanity.  Jesus used the same term to describe himself.

2.      He is to be sent to a rebellious nation, the Israelites.  They thought they were living right, but in God's eyes they were in disobedience.

3.      He's instructed to "be not afraid", but to speak God's words always.

4.      He's given his first assignment: obey and eat the scroll. 

D.   The Commission (3:4 - 27)

1.      Go to Israel, and speak my words  (3:4)

2.      Receive for yourself my words (3:10)

3.      Be a watchman (3:17)

4.      You'll only speak when I have something to say (3:26)

The Destruction of Jerusalem

Background from the OT: Ezekiel 4 - 7

A.   The Siege (ch 4)

1.      God tells Ezekiel to make a miniature model of the city of Jerusalem to demonstrate the point.  The iron pot demonstrates the barrier between God and the Jews

2.      Ezekiel is to lay on his left side 390 days, representing 390 years of punishment for Israel's disobedience.

3.      Ezekiel is then to lay on his right side 40 days, representing 40 years of punishment for Judah's disobedience.

4.      The barley cakes mixed with (or perhaps baked with) dung represent the coming food rationing, starvation and defilement in store for the Jews.

B.   The Downfall (Ch 5)

1.      God tells Ezekiel to shave his head and beard and divide the hair into three equal measures.  What happens to the hair is an accurate portrayal of what will happen to the people.

a)      1/3rd is to be burned up in the city

b)      1/3rd is to be chopped into pieces with a knife

c)      1/3rd is to be scattered into the wind

d)      only a remnant remains -- that which was stuck in his clothing

2.      The remainder of Ch 5 is a graphic portrayal of exactly what will happen

a)      Cannibalism

b)      Pestilence

c)      Violence

d)      Wild animals

e)      Famine

C.   The Desolation (Ch 6 - 7)

1.      Both chapters contain the chilling, authoritative word of God: the land will be made utterly desolate. 

2.      It comes in two messages, one in chapter 6, the other in chapter 7.

3.      The first message is directed primarily against the city of Jerusalem, the second, against the whole land of Israel.

4.      Both messages state the purpose: "…and they shall know that I am the Lord."

5.      Everyone, near and far, will suffer. 

6.      Altars will be destroyed, graven images cast down, slain men laying dead in front of the very altars they worshipped in vain.

7.      The temple will be destroyed

8.      The people will seek a prophet, but none will be found

9.      Yet God will preserve a remnant…

Visions of September

Background from the OT: Ezekiel 8 - 10

This series of visions begins on Sept 5th, 592 B.C., when Ezekiel is picked up by the hair and taken to a place "between heaven and earth."  This happens while he's sitting at home amongst the captive elders of Judah.  He is shown four abominations, each greater in offense than the one previous.  

Incidentally, we read in chapter 5 that Ezekiel shaved his head.  Between then and now, about 14 months, his hair has grown back out.

A.   The Four Abominations of Jerusalem

1.      Overt idol worship, the "image of jealousy" (8:5-6)

a)      Situated at the north gate

b)      Possibly one of the idols placed during the reign of King Manasseh (II Kings 21)

2.      Secret inner idol worship (8:7-13)

a)      An inner chamber hidden behind a wall

b)      Beasts and creeping things

c)      Incense and "spiritualism"

d)      "The Lord seeth us not…"

3.      Not trusting God's provision (8:14-15)

a)      Women weeping -- formally mourning the death of Tammuz

b)      Tammuz was a Babylonian fertility god associated with early summer rains and new growth.  The pagans believed that mourning his death at the beginning of each dry season would bring him back to life.

4.      Outright rejection of God (8:16)

a)      Their backs to the temple

b)      Their faces to the east -- worshipping that which God created

B.   God's Shekinah Glory Departs the Temple

1.      Six avenging angels approach the city (9:1-11)

a)      One is told to mark the foreheads of the righteous

b)      The others are told to kill everyone not marked, beginning in the Temple

2.      Coals of fire to be scattered over the city (10:1-7)

3.      God's Glory leaves the temple (10:18-22)

a)      This point marks the beginning of "The Time of the Gentiles" which will last until the Second Advent.

b)      The Glory of the Lord first appears at the completion of the tabernacle in the wilderness (Exodus 40:33–35)  BC 1405 - BC 1445

(1)               It appeared again when Solomon's Temple was built (I Kings 8:6, 10, 11)  BC 1005 - BC 592
(2)               Zerrubbabel’s Temple (Ezra)  lacked five glories which were present in Solomon’s temple:  the ark of the covenant; the holy fire; the shekinah glory; the spirit of prophecy (The Holy Spirit); and the Urim and Thummim.  BC 520 - BC 15
(3)               Herod's Temple BC 20 - AD 70

Visions of September (pt 2)

Background from the OT: Ezekiel 11 - 14

Following the dramatic departure of God's Glory from the Temple, Ezekiel is given several more visions and prophecies in quick succession.  These all occur as part of the vision that opened Chapter 8.  The theme is consistent throughout:  judgment is coming to Jerusalem.

A.   Condemnation of the Wicked Rulers (11:1-13)

1.      apparently directed to specific, named individuals

2.      they are of the opinion that God has punished the wicked with captivity and given the city to them

3.      God's message to them is just the opposite

B.   A Promise of Hope (11:14-21)

1.      He promises to be with them in captivity, and even provides for temple-less worship.  This is a foreshadowing of the communion we now have with God through the Holy Spirit.

2.      He promises to restore them.  It's estimated that only 60,000 people returned to Israel following the 70 years of captivity.

C.   The Shekinah Glory leaves Jerusalem (11:22-24

1.      Similar to events when God departed the Temple.  Notice where it goes - the Mount of Olives. 

2.      Outbound, the Shekinah moved from the temple, from there to the Eastern Gate, from there to the Mount of Olives.  Upon Jesus' second coming, His path will be the reverse.

D.   A Parable of Israel's Captivity (12:1-20)

1.      God has Ezekiel pack his bags and move out so everyone can see

2.      He also has him act out what King Zedekiah will do, right down to the blindness he'll suffer (see also II Kings 25:1-7)

E.   God's Word will Come to Pass -- Soon (12:21-28)

1.      God rebukes a popular saying of the day

F.    False Prophets (13:1-22)

1.      Strong condemnation of the "Peace & Prosperity Prophets" of the day

2.      Curious account of women who are selling good luck charms and holy handkerchiefs

G.  Repent and Return to God (14:1-11)

1.      God responds to a question of a few men indirectly, by telling Ezekiel what to say to all the people -- Repent!

H.   Judgment is coming to a Sinful People (14:12-21)

1.      Israel has become a nation that even the likes of Noah, Daniel and Job can't help. 

Visions of September (pt 3)

Background from the OT: Ezekiel 15 - 18

Continuing the series of visions and prophecies concerning the destruction of Israel.  Theme: God explains through parable and metaphor what Israel has become and why He must judge it.

A.   Parable of the Vine (ch 15)

1.      Israel as compared to a vine, rather than a tree

2.      Vines are supposed to bear fruit, trees are used for wood

3.      When the vine no longer bears fruit, it's only use is as fuel

B.   The abandoned Child (16:1-14)

1.      Israel as compared to an abandoned child left to die

2.      God takes the child in and causes it to grow and prosper

3.      As the child grows, he adorns it and makes it beautiful

C.   The Child Grow up to Become a Harlot (16:15-34)

1.      As the child reaches maturity, she begins to play the harlot

2.      She uses the things God gave her in her pursuits

3.      She leads her children into her own lifestyle

4.      She begins to "give it away", not even charging for her services

5.      Ultimately, she pays her customers

D.   The Harlot is Judged (16:35-58)

1.      God will assemble witnesses against the harlot

2.      Everything will be taken away from her and given to her customers

3.      Her customers will stone her to death

4.      Comparison of Jerusalem to Sodom

5.      But God keeps His promises -- HIS covenant will someday be established

E.   The Eagle and the Vine (17:1-24)

1.      The great eagle is Babylon and Nebuchadnezzar (Jer 48:40, Dan 7:4)

2.      The other great eagle is Egypt

3.      King Zedekiah breaks his covenant with Babylon, sides with Egypt, and loses

F.    Fairness in God's Judgment (ch 18)

1.      Reward to the Just

2.      Judgment to the unjust

3.      Forgiveness to the Repentant

4.      Judgment to the backslider

G.  Israel's Funeral Song (ch 19)

1.      The House of Israel as a captured lion

2.      The House of Judah as the second cub

3.      The plucked-up vine

Visions of August

Background from the OT: Ezekiel 20 - 22

The next several visions occur beginning about a year later than the previous set, probably in August of 590 or 591 B.C.  Chapter 24 tells us the siege of Jerusalem begins in December of 588 B.C.

A.   The Historical Rebellion of Israel (20:1-32)

This is similar to the beginning of Chapter 14, where Ezekiel is found sitting among the elders and they inquire of him for a word from the Lord, but God says "I'm not listening to their request."

1.      God describes Israel's unfaithfulness in the wilderness

2.      He describes the further unfaithfulness of the children of that generation, and the next generation as well

3.      In each case, however, He preserves them, not for themselves, but for the sake of His own good name

B.   God's Promise of Restoration (20:33-44)

1.      Most likely a Millennium event, which would happen something like this:

a)      Some will be present, even in unbelief

b)      Of these, only a third will survive the Tribulation and be saved at His second coming

c)      Surviving Jews from all over the world will return to Israel

d)      The Lord will plead with them face to face to accept him

e)      The rebels will be purged out

f)       The House of Israel will be restored in repentance

C.   Punishment to come (20:45 - 21:17)

The punishment is first described as a fire, then later restated as a sword because Ezekiel feared they'd reject his continued talking in parable

D.   Babylon Comes to Destroy the Davidic Line (21:18 - 30)

Led by divination, the king of Babylon strikes at Jerusalem prior to striking Ammon. Here, God is letting the king, who is led by a false spirit, do His will.  In the destruction, both the offices of king and prophet are removed. But these offices will be restored in the future to a man whose right it will be to possess them -- Jesus.  “The times of the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24) begins at this time when both king and priest are removed from Jerusalem.

Ammon, who rejoiced to see Jerusalem’s destruction, will also be judged in the Lord’s time. This occurs just a few years after the destruction of Jerusalem.  Unlike Jerusalem's, the destruction of the Ammonites is permanent.

E.   Review of Abominations of Jerusalem (22:1-30)

Jerry Falwell writes of this passage, "A stronger indictment against a city, people, and land wholly gone into moral decay could not be expressed. They have served idols instead of the Lord; by bloodshed they have despised the sanctity of life; by sexual perversion they have despised the highest form of creation, man’s body; by seeking material gain at any cost, they have put the material above the spiritual. All segments of the social structure have become involved in this decay: prophet, priest, prince, and people. Therefore, the Lord must bring judgment by dispersion to a remnant, and fire, sword, and plague to the others. God’s holy purpose in this is to purge out filthiness and dross, appease His wrath against sin, and bring His people back to Himself." 

Note the sadness of verse 30 -- God found no one to stand in the gap.

Visions of August (pt 2)

Background from the OT: Ezekiel 23 - 25

F.    Parable of the Two Sisters (ch 23)

1.      Two sisters, both became harlots

a)      Aholah: the northern kingdom, Israel.  Her name means "her own tent"

b)      Aholibah: the southern kingdom, Judah.  Her name means "my tent is in her"

c)      "tent" is a reference to the tabernacle of the wilderness, later the temple of Solomon.  The tent was first raised in Judah, later, the northern kingdom rebelled and set up their own tabernacle to worship idols

2.      Israel's sin was outright idolatry, Judah's was more hypocritical

3.      Israel was conquered by the Assyrians, Judah, by the Babylonians

G.  Parable of the Boiling Pot (24:1 - 14)

1.      This date marks the time in history when Nebuchadnezzar is breaking through the city walls of Jerusalem -- December/January 588 B.C.   God tells Ezekiel it's happening.  Remember that Ezekiel is currently hundreds of miles away in Babylon.

2.      The Pot is an allegory for Jerusalem.  The choice meats are its inhabitants, which become scum that floats to the top of the boiling mix.

3.      Ultimately the pot and its contents are completely consumed in the fire.

H.   The death of Ezekiel's wife (24:15 - 27)

1.      God takes away Ezekiel’s wife suddenly and tells him not to mourn publicly over her. His silence is to be sign that the exiles would lose Jerusalem and their loved ones.

2.      The scope of the disaster would be so huge that the normal ways of expressing grief would be inadequate. Through Ezekiel's example, the people would understand that they must go on in life in obedience to God’s purposes for them, despite their own sorrow.

3.      Verse 27 foretells a future escapee relating the story of the destruction.  See Ezekiel 3:26 and 33:21

I.      Prophecies against the Enemies of Israel (ch 25)

1.      The Ammonites: a race of nomads descended from Lot and his younger daughter (see Gen 19:33-38)   Destroyed because they applauded the destruction of Jerusalem.  (25:1-7)

2.      The Moabites: a somewhat civilized people located east of Israel and north of the Dead Sea.  They were descended from Lot and his older daughter.  Destroyed because of their low regard for Israel.  (25:8-11)

3.      The Edomites: descendents of Esau, from Genesis 25.  Destroyed for taking vengeance on Israel.  (25:12-14)  The book of Obadiah details the account of the prophesied destruction of Edom.

4.      The Philistines:  precise origins unclear, but they migrated in from the Mediterranean Sea, possibly Crete.  Destroyed because they were just plain mean.  Nebuchadnezzar captured many of them along with the Jews, and they eventually disappeared completely.  (25:15-17)

Destruction of Tyre and Sidon

Background from the OT: Ezekiel 26 - 28. 

A cluster of prophecies and lamentations occurring 588 B.C., the same year of Jerusalem's downfall

A.   Prophecies against Tyre (ch 26)

1.      Tyre, or Tyrus, was a coastal/island city on the northern end of Israel, near what is now Lebanon.   It was a Phoenician trading center and very wealthy

2.      Judgment pronounced because they welcomed the destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon -- they thought it would help business by reducing competition perhaps

3.      It was conquered by Nebuchadnezzar  shortly after he took Jerusalem

4.      The destruction takes place in several phases:  first destruction by Babylon, then a partial rebuilding after they return from exile.  Later, final destruction by Alexander the Great about 333 B.C.   It was the later that made the city like "the top of a rock" (v 14), because he used the ruins from Nebuchadnezzar's conquest to build a causeway out to the island.

5.      Today, just as is pictured in verse 14, it's an uninhabited fishing village where fishermen spread their nets to dry.

B.   Lamentation for Tyre (ch 27)

1.      The chapter is a song of mourning for what used to be a great city.  Its destruction is compared to a great shipwreck.. 

2.      The chapter is rich in historic detail of the kinds of trade and commerce that took place there.  It was a very important merchant center.

3.      The picture of utter destruction and the mourning that takes place for her, and for the loss of revenue she generated, compares closely to the destruction of the revived Babylon prophesied in Revelation 18.  (See also the words of Jesus in Matthew 11:20-24)

C.   Judgment against the Prince of Tyre (28:1-10)

1.      Directed against the political ruler of Tyre, Ethbaal III.

2.      His sin was making himself equal to God

D.   Judgment against the King of Tyre (28:11-19)

1.      Look at the clues and discern who this is addressed to

a)      28:2 refers to the prince, but 28:12 refers to the King

b)      descriptions of his beauty, calling him a cherub (v14)

c)      created perfect until iniquity entered in (v15)

2.      His system of government is one of complete iniquity (v18)

3.      His end is sure (v19)

4.      Compare this passage to Isaiah 14:12 & following

E.   Proclamation against Sidon (28:20-24)

1.      Whereas Tyre was judged and destroyed, Sidon was merely judged.  It still exists today, about 20 miles north of Tyre.  Its sins were like that of Tyre, but lesser, apparently, although it was an important center of Baal worship.

2.      Judgment came in the form of pestilence and sword.

F.    Future Blessing of Israel (28:25-26)

1.      Ultimate restoration of the Promised Land

2.      "…and they shall know that I am the Lord their God."

Seven Oracles Against Egypt

Background from the OT: Ezekiel 29 - 32

A series of seven prophecies and lamentations against Egypt and its Pharaoh of the time, Hophra.  All but one of them occur in chronological order (29:17), and all but one are explicitly dated (30:1).  They're given in the period 587-589 B.C., during the final siege and destruction of Jerusalem.

A.   Judgment of Pharaoh (29:1-16)

1.      given January 589 B.C.

2.      pronounced because Egypt had failed to come to Israel's aid as promised, and because Pharaoh set himself up as a god.

3.      note the description of Pharoah's resting place (v 5) -- a huge dishonor to a "Prince of Egypt"

B.   Nebuchadnezzar as God's Instrument of Judgment (29:17-21)

1.      given out of chronological sequence, about April 571 B.C.

2.      pronounced at the end of Babylon's 13-year siege against Tyre.  The spoils of that campaign were meager, so Nebuchadnezzar plundered Egypt as well to make the trip worthwhile.

C.   The Desolation of Egypt (30:1-19)

1.      no date given, but probably associated with the 571 B.C. prophecy

2.      Egypt and all her allies and mercenaries to be destroyed

3.      No more Prince of Egypt, no more pharaoh, Egypt to be ruled by a foreign hand (Nebuchadnezzar)

D.   More on the Defeat of Egypt by Babylon (30:20-26)

1.      given April 588 B.C.

2.      Pharaoh's arms broken -- can't hold a sword or scepter

E.   Egypt Compared to Assyria (31:1-18)

1.      given June 588 B.C.

2.      the King of Assyria was tall and proud; God brought him down.

3.      Pharaoh will end up just like him

F.    Lamentation for Egypt (32:1-16)

1.      given March 1st, 587 B.C.

2.      compares the people to fish caught up in a net and thrown on the shore to die

3.      Egypt's destruction will be a terrible, world-altering event

G.  Lamentation for Pharaoh (32:17-32)

1.      given March 15th, 587 B.C.

2.      a glimpse into hell, or Sheol, for Pharaoh and other godless men.  (see also Jesus' description in Luke 16)

3.      Role call of Hell's inhabitants: Assyria, Elam, Meshech, Tubal, Edom, Zidonians… all in good company with Pharaoh.

The Future of Israel

Background from the OT: Ezekiel 33 - 36

Beginning at Chapter 33 and onward, God gives Ezekiel words to speak concerning the future of Israel, most of which has not yet been fulfilled in our time.  Careful study can reveal a glimpse of what God still has in store for His chosen people, as well as His Church.

A.   Transitional Thoughts from God (ch 33)

1.      A Warning to the Watchmen (v 1 - 9)

a)      If the watchman sounds the alarm, but the warning is not heeded, then he is not at fault.

b)      If the watchman does not sound the alarm, he is at fault.

2.      God's response the those who question His Justice (v 10 - 20)

a)      Key idea: God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but His ways are perfect, whereas man's ways are not.

b)      Past righteousness won't save you if you backslide and turn to wickedness

c)      Past wickedness won't condemn you if you repent and turn to righteousness

d)      This is similar to the precepts God described earlier in chapter 18, verses 23-30

3.      Ezekiel is now free to speak on his own (v 21 - 22)

a)      Approx Jan, 588 B.C., an escapee from the siege of Jerusalem brings word of the news back home to those exiled in Babylon. 

b)      The next morning, God lifts the prohibition that was set originally back in Chapter 3, verse 26.  He was 30 years old at the time.  It's now about 5 years later.

4.      A warning to the people that just because they think they are the rightful inheritors of the land doesn't mean they'll receive it (v 23 - 29)

5.      A warning for Ezekiel: the people you're preaching to will smile and nod, but that doesn't mean they're listening to you . (v 30 - 33)

B.   Strong Words for False Shepherds ( ch 34 )

1.      The nature of false prophets and preachers  (v 1 - 8)

2.      The One True Shepherd says "I Will!" (v 9 - 31)

a)      The reference to David in verses 23-24 is a foreshadow of Jesus, who comes from the line of David, and also perhaps to the idea that David himself will rule in some way at the time of the Millennial kingdom

3.      The prophecy as a whole suggests realities that have not yet come to pass, so must be interpreted as Millennial in nature

C.   Coming Judgment Against Esau's Descendents (ch 35)

1.      A generalized picture of the land of Edom, and Israel's close neighbors who have been her enemies

2.      The "Idumea" referenced in v 15, is the area south of Judea over to Gaza.   It just so happens that Herod the Great (the one who murdered the babies after Jesus' birth) was from there.  Read verse 5 again with that in mind.

D.   A Promise of Comfort for Israel (ch 36)

1.      The heathen will bear their own shame

2.      The land will become rich and prosperous, cities inhabited

3.      Better than it ever was before.  Why?  For His name's sake (v 22)

4.      Their hearts and minds will turn toward God (v 26 - 31)

5.      The empty, desolate cities will be filled with those who love the Lord

The Future of Israel (pt 2)

Background from the OT: Ezekiel 37 -39

E.   Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones (ch 37)

1.      First stage of the vision: dry loose bones, scattered about

a)      Verses 2 - 5 depict the scattered nation of Israel

b)      Post-exile era up until the future restoration

2.      Second stage: complete bodies, but without life

a)      Verses 6 - 8 depict the physical Restoration of Israel

b)      Currently underway, but not complete

3.      Third stage: a living army

a)      Verses 9 - 14 depict the spiritual Restoration of Israel

b)      Will happen after the Tribulation

4.      The example of the two sticks (v 16 - 23) is another description of the Restoration.  First the northern 10 tribes (Israel/Ephraim) are at last reunited with the southern 2 (Judah), then beginning at verse 24 we see the Lordship of Christ ruling forever. 

a)      The Abrahamic Covenant is fulfilled  at verse 26

b)      The Davidic Covenant is fulfilled at verse 27

c)      The New Covenant is fulfilled at verse 28

F.    The Invasion of Gog and Magog (38:1-16)

1.      Three keys to understanding:  Who, When and What

2.      Who: Gog, Magog, Meshech, Tupal

a)      Probably Russia, or at least a confederation of Baltic-area states

b)      Philosophically supported because God is against them (v 3), and they are against God

c)      Linguistically supported because Meshech becomes Muscovy which becomes Russia.  Also, Megog means 'head' or 'chief' and in Hebrew it's 'Rosh'

d)      Geographically: verse 6, Gomer is Germany, Togarmah is Turkey, these and the others are due North of Israel

3.      When: the most likely scenario in my opinion is after the Rapture of the Church and before or near the mid-point of the Tribulation

a)      It happens when the land dwells safely (v 8), after the peace treaty established near the beginning of the Tribulation (Dan 9:27, Rev 6:1-2)

b)      Probably after the Rapture, because at verse 13 we see diplomatic activity from Spain and Saudi Arabia and their allies, but no one else significant is mentioned.  I don't think the United States will be an international player at this time.  Plus, who else but the U.S. could really prevent a Russian invasion of Israel.  U.S. gone, Israel at peace = perfect time to invade

4.      What: utter destruction for the invading forces

G.  The Judgment of Gog and Magog (38:17 - 39:29)

1.      When all looks hopeless for Israel, God will intervene in a supernatural way and protect them.  (v 38:18 -  39:3)

2.      The birds & beasts will eat their carcasses (39:4)

3.      The military hardware will take seven years to burn up (v 9)

4.      People won't need firewood, they'll be able to burn the enemy flak jackets (v 10) (the armor composite will burn, much like wood)

5.      It will take at least seven months to bury the dead (v 11- 16)

6.      Verse 17 and following might imply a prophetic skip toward the end of the tribulation.  Either that, or it means the Gog/Magog invasion takes place later rather than sooner

The Future Kingdom

Background from the OT: Ezekiel 40 - 48

The last of Ezekiel's visions and prophecies occur probably around April 574 B.C.  These are a little different from the previous because in addition to simply showing us what will be, there is also specific instruction meant for the Jews of the future about how to order and conduct temple worship and certain other affairs during the 1000-year reign of Christ on Earth.

A.   The Millennial Temple  (ch 40 - 43)

God gives a very detailed plan of a temple that will be built someday in Jerusalem

1.      The new sanctuary  (40:1 - 42:20)

a)      Rev 21 describes the New Jerusalem where there will be no temple (v 22)

b)      This temple will be on earth prior to the coming of the New Jerusalem

2.      Return of God's Shekinah Glory (43:1–12)

a)      Note that this is a reversal of the vision seen by Ezekiel in chapter 11. 

b)      Also supported Zec 14, Matt 26 and Rev 19

3.      Dedication of the altar  and temple  (43:13–27)

a)      "That they may be ashamed of their iniquities" (v10-11)

b)      The basic law of the Temple:  Holiness (v12)

B.   A new service of  worship  (ch 44 - 46)

These will all be, in my opinion, a kind of memorial remembrance for what Christ did for them, much like the Lord's Supper for us today.

1.      Descriptions of leaders  44:1–31

2.      Portions of land  45:1–12

3.      Offerings and  feasts  45:13–46:24

C.   A new land  47:1–48:35

1.      Rivers of Living Water -- compare to John 4 & 7

2.      The Lord is There (48:35)

Copyright 2005 Leon V. Smith. All rights reserved.