Prophecy
Ezekiel in Brief
And he said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of
Israel, and speak with my words unto them.—Ezekiel 3:4
By James Parkinson
The first half of the Book of Ezekiel tells Jerusalem’s people of their sins
and explains why the city of the LORD‘s
people is about to be destroyed. Once Jerusalem is under siege, the next
quarter of Ezekiel’e message recounts the sins of the other nations and
foretells their fate. The last quarter promises the regathering of all of
Israel, the LORD‘s final defense of them,
and then the Ezekiel’s Temple foregleam of the thousand-year Kingdom of Christ
and beyond.
There are messages for fleshly Israel of old to repent, and similarly for
Christians today to repent. Punishment is decreed. Toward the end there are
promises: of heavenly work for the church with Christ, and bringing back Israel
to their land, and ultimately of the resurrection and restoration to perfection
of the whole world.
Jerusalem’s Sin and Imminent
Fate
When King Jehoiachin was captured and taken to Babylon, Ezekiel was among
the captives of Judah exiled to the River Chebar (modern Khabur River in
Northeast Syria, between Harran and the Tigris River). It appears that when
Ezekiel turned thirty years of age he became eligible for the priesthood, and
the LORD promptly used him to deliver his
message to Jerusalem (Ezek. 1:1-3; Num. 4:2, 46). Judah;s capitol had been
filled with corruption and innocent blood—utter destruction is now on the way
[spoken a mere four a half years before the siege and six years before the fall
of the city].
The character of the LORD had once
been described as four attributes upholding his throne: Power and Justice
behind hjm, with Love and Truth (Wisdom) leading the way (Psa. 89:14). We see
these attributes twice more in Ezekiel and once again in Revelation. In
sequence, leading the way first was love [Ezek. 1:10, the face of a man],
manifest in God’s creation of the human family; then is Justice [Ezek. 10:14, a
cherub], manifest in his sending Jesus Christ. who died once for all; and
ultimately will be Power [Rev. 4:7, a lion], to be manifest in the resurrection
and reformation of "all the families of the earth."
Those mysterious wheels within wheels likely refer to the hubs of the
wheels. Earthly impediments, suggested by bumps and hills, or potholes and
streams, are no barriers to the spirit of God, which lifts the LORD‘s chariot above them all (1:15-21).
When God addresses Ezekiel as Son of man (2:1, 8; 3:1, etc.), we are to
understand that Ezekiel represents our Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. 9:6; 16:27,
etc.). This expression is equivalent to the finest among men (cf. "the
daughter of women in Dan. 11:17). Only Jesus Christ fully qualifies for this
role. (The church may be included by implication, as in Ezek. 37:3-9).
The lesson of the scroll is that we must appropriate the Word of God to
ourselves before teaching it to others (2:8-3:3; Rev. 5:1, 10:8-11). The
outside of the scroll can be read right away, although the message on the
inside can be read only after all seven seals are loosed. The inside divides
the Gospel Age into seven parts of lamentation or mourning or woe.
Each day symbolizes one year as Ezekiel symbolically bears the iniquity of
Israel and then of Judah (4:4-9). Dating from the fall of Samaria, capitol of
the ten-tribe kingdom of Israel, reckoning back 390 years would reach to at
least the eighth year of Saul, the first king of all Israel (possibly beginning
with Saul’s disobedience regarding Amalek, and the LORD‘s rejection of him); reckoning forwards would reach nearly
to the end of Persian dominion.
The fearfulness of Jerusalem, All hands shall be feeble, and all knees shall
be weak as water, sounds like people today in the age of nuclear weapons.
Casting silver in the streets might almost call to mind the modern cost of
automobiles and highway programs. But silver and gold could not save Jerusalem
any more than it can save this present evil world today (7:17-19).
About four hundred days late the LORD
speaks again concerning religious sins. First, an image in the gate (north of
the altar before the Temple) provoking the LORD
to jealousy. Should an organization control who shall have access to the way of
sacrifice, saying, you must join us to be saved. Second, pictures of idols and
unclean things, and the straying son of a faithful scribe leading seventy
elders in praising these things with their incense. Would we be ashamed for
everybody to know what we do when we think nobody is watching? Third, the women
weeping for Tammuz. Do we year for tranquility, even if it were imposed by the
peace of Rome? Fourth, men worshiping the sun, who have turned their backs to
the Temple of the LORD. Does knowledge of the truth sometimes seem more
important than practicing the truth? Truth, apart from the love of the truth,
may itself become an idol (8:5-18).
The man with the writer’s inkhorn (9:2-4) sounds similar to the angel
ascending from the sun-rising, having the seal of the living God (Rev. 7:2-8).
We should be sealed in our foreheads with the holy Spirit of God . . . unto the
day of redemption by heavenly resurrection (Eph. 4:30), so much so that we
should be grieved at anything done to our advantage if it should hurt someone
else. King Zedekiah will be captured, blinded, and taken away to Babylon to
die, and the people will be dispersed among the nations (12:2-16). Only three
years were left for anyone to repent. It is the false prophets who say,
"Not in our day." Even in 1994 this world’s wise say,
"Peace," and there is no peace (13:10-16). Whitewash is no protection
against hailstones. Noah, Daniel, and Job each saved three men, but they could
save no one today (14:13-20). Jerusalem’s destruction was certain (15:1-8),
typifying a destruction of this present evil world.
Jerusalem’s history is unlovely. It was founded by the Canaanites and later
destroyed. It was rebuilt by the Hittite subtribe and again suffered
destruction. It was then rebuilt by the Amorite sub-tribe (Josh. 10:5), and by
the Jebusites likewise (Josh. 15:63). When wretched Sodom and Samaria are
resurrected in the thousand-year kingdom of Christ, they will put Jerusalem
[and Rome] to shame (16:46-56; Matt. 10:15, 11:24). But the LORD will establish an everlasting covenant to
reform Jerusalem.
The king of Babylon is as a great eagle who planted Zedekiah as King of
Judah and made swear allegiance. But Zedekiah looked to Egypt to help him rebel
(in spite of his oath); so the LORD let
Nebuchadnezzar take him and all his mighty men. Jerusalem would be destroyed,
but Israel in captivity will afterwards flourish (17:2-24). The sinner who
reforms himself will be spared, while the righteous turning to corruption will
not be spared: the soul that sinneth, it shall die (18:1-4, 20-28).
Judah is like a lioness who raised tyrants. King Jehoahaz was taken and brought
bount to Egypt. King Jehoiachin was taken and brought bound to Babylon.
Zedekiah is about to be taken, and there will be no successor, and Jerusalem
will be destroyed (19:1-14).
With only two and a half years to go, the LORD
refuses to speak to the elders of Israel. His goal is their repentance, not
their destruction (20:1-4). The Law should help them want life and point them
to their need for the promised Redeemer (20:11; Gal. 3:23, 24). In the
thousand-year kingdom of Christ the children of the resurrection will be
humbled as sheep in order to be brought to perfection and everlasting life on
earth, while the wilfully-wicked will in time be destroyed (20:37, 38; Matt.
25:31-45; Rev. 20:11-15).
Zedekiah was the last king of Judah/Israel, and the kingship will not be
restored until Jesus the Messiah comes in the throne of his glory (21:25-27).
All the mighty men of Judah have robbed the poor, slain the righteous to the
extent of their ability, etc. (22:6-12). The penalty will be dispersion, or a
Diaspora, among the nations worldwide (22:15). As the dross of silver they are
unfit for heavenly resurrection and work (22:17). Forsaking the LORD, Samaria
curried favor with Egypt and Assyria, while Jerusalem curried favor with Egypt,
Assyria, and Babylon (Chaldean rulers, Semites, descended from Arphaxhad, as
was Abraham) (23:1-49).
It is now the ninth year of captivity, month ten, day ten. Too late! The
nineteen-month siege began today. Blood they shed, their blood will be shed
(24:1-14).
Sins and Punishments of the
Other Nations
However the other nations will receive the rewards of their misdeeds too.
Ammon exulted when the LORD was profaned
against and when the LORD‘s people were
taken captive. They will be humbled and given to the Arabs. Moab said the LORD‘s people are no different from anybody
else. They, too, will be given up to Ammon’s captors. Edom took revenge against
the LORD‘s people. It will be made
desolate. [Ammon, Moab, and Edom are now the three parts of modern Jordan,
which were all once related to Jacob.] (25:2-14). The Philistines took
vengeance against the LORD‘s people with
mortal hatred; greater vengeance will be upon them, and the Cherethites (Crete)
will be taken away from them (25:15-17). But these nations will thereby learn
that the LORD is God.
Tyre originated as Tiras, or Thrace (Gen. 10:2), as a breakaway nation of
Japheth, on the west side of the Black Sea, including Troas (Troy, the
Trojans). From their colonizations we find Tyre north of Israel; Iter-Tiras
("the way of Tiras"), or the Etruscans (first inhabitants of Italy),
and the Tyrrhenian Sea ("Tyr waters") on the west coast of Italy.
Hence Tyre is commonly used as a symbol of Rome. Tyre exulted at the pending
destruction of the LORD‘s people and at the chance to take their place.
Therefore Tyre (including Rome) will be made eternally desolate (26:1-5).
Tyre profited by many nations: Tarshish (the Celts in westernmost Europe,
including Celitberians, Britons, Welsh, Irish, Scots, Belgae, but also Galicia
in southern Poland and even Galatia in central Turkey) brought in silver, iron,
and lead from the Spanish peninsula and tin from Cornwall in England (still the
major European source.) Meshech (Armenia) mined the copper ore. Tubal
(Kartavelian people with their capitol Tbilisi; In English, Georgia, at the
south of the Caucasus mountains) refined it, and Javan (Ionians, or Greeks who
colonized the Black Sea coasts, including those of Georgia and Armenia)
fabricated the copper wares. Togarmah originated as a breakaway nation of
Kimmer (Gen. 10:3), probably originating when the Scythians (a tribe of Gog)
conquered and destroyhed the Kingdom of Kimmer/Gomer). (Tocharian is an East
European language that lasted as late as the ninth century in Sinkiang,
Northwest China. The Septuagint calls the people Thergama, from which comes the
name Turk. The Phrygians, Finns, and Estonians are also from this tribe.)
Turkestan was famous for raising and breeding horses, primarily for war (as was
Magog also) (27:12-14). Among the many others contributing to Tyre’s wealth
were Judah and Israel.
The prince of Tyre speaks the words of Antichrist (28:1-10; Dan. 7:8, 25; 2
Thess. 2:3-4). But the real power behind Tyre is Lucifer/Satan himself
(28:12-19). The LORD had appointed
Lucifer the anointed cherub that covereth to protect Adam and Eve in the garden
of Eden. He had been perfect until pride arose to cause the sin in Eden, but
extinction will be his end.
Sidon also did despite to the LORD‘s
people; but from pestilence and blood they will learn a lesson (28:20-24).
After the LORD has regathered Israel,
after the Day of Wrath they will dwell securely in his kingdom (28:25, 26).
The great nation of Egypt will also be destroyed for its selfishness
(29:1-32:21).
Asshur (Assyria, 32:22, 23) was a terrorist nation. They will die by the
sword. Elam (like the Hebrew olam, to a vanishing point; that is, the
easternmost peoples—the Chinese, but including Southwestern Iran; 32:24, 25)
were also terrorists. They too will die by the sword. Similarly for Meshech
(Armenia), Tubal (Caucasian Georgia), Edom (Southwest Jordan) and Sidon (North
of Israel) (32:26-30).
Speak the Word of the LORD, whether
people hear it or reject it. Their blood will be upon your head if you faill to
tell it out (33:1-16).
Pastors, take care that ye care for the flock, and not for yourselves at the
expense of the flock (34:1-24).
Mt. Seir (originally Hurrians/Horite, a Caucasian people) in Edom, hated and
slew the LORD‘s people and sought ton take over their Promised Sand. Slaughter
will pursue them to extinction (35:1-15).
The scattered remnant of the LORD‘s
people can take comfort. Those nations will bear the consequences of their
shameful deeds. The LORD will restore the land of Israel, not because the LORD‘s people have been so honorable (they were not),
but for his own sake. He will then cleanse his people from their abundant
iniquities (36:1-38).
The Valley of Dry Bones
The LORD draws us to see the apparent hopelessness of fleshly Israel for the
1845 years of disfavor during the Gospel Age, typified apparently by the
location in the Kidron River valley with its tombs. Dry bones symbolizedd the
lifelessness of Israel as a nation in Diaspora (dispersion). The church since
the nineteenth century has been commanded to prophesy the restoration of Israel.
Enabled by the French Revolution and the Turko-Russian war, the new town of
Petah Tikvah ("Door of Hope") in 1878 began the return of the Jews to
their land, as the bones began to come together. The sinews, and then the flesh
suggest the Jews in their land beginning to work together and beginning to
function as an independent society. The skin came symbolically over them when
they became a nation in 1948 (with definable boundaries). The LORD‘s people are to prophesy again that the
Ancient Worthies and the rest of Israel will be resurrected, so that the Spirit
of God will lead and empower the nation of Israel, while bringing the people
back to the perfection lost in Eden (Rom. 11:26, 27). (37:1-14).
As the two sticks of Judah (head of the Southern kingdom) and Joseph (head
of the ten-tribe kingdom) were to be united, no such division is known any more
in fleshly Israel today. David’s Lord, Jesus Christ, the Lion of the tribe of
Judah, the Root of David, will be their prince/governor in his kingdom forever
(37:15-28; Hos. 3:4, 5; Rev. 5:5; cf: 1 Chron. 28:4, 5).
From Blitzing Gog to Burial
in Hamon-Gog
Finally Gog as the capitol of the eastern bloc, will rule over Great Russia,
Armenia (Meshech) and Tubal (Caucasian Georgia, with its capitol Tbilisi), and
will assemble alliances with Iran (Persia), Black Africa (Cush, not just
Ethiopia), and North Africa (Phut: Libya to Mauritania), plus North Europe
(Gomer, at the Black Sea and its northern tributaries, includian Germans
{Ashkenaz} and Slavs {Riphath} from Gen. 10:3) and the Turkic tribes
(Togarmah). The pipeline for the western bloc will continue to be Israel—a
prize too tempting for a resurgent Gog to resist (38:1-12).
Arabia will become head of the western block—Western Europe and its former
colonies (see above, under chapter 27). These will protest/fight the threat to
their economic existence (38:13).
Israel will be the initial battleground and will be badly shaken. But the LORD will stir up others to send bombs of
destruction against Gog and stir up confusion among his invading armies
(38:14-23). The LORD will see an exchange
of thermonuclear fire between Russia and the West (39:6), which will suddenly
leave their seemingly-invincible armies in Israel unsupported and ready prey
for destruction.
Afterwards the lightweight composite structures of 21st-century weaponry
will make good fuel for seven years. The mass of foreign soldiers’ corpses will
take seven months for burial (in the wasteland on the east side of the Dead
Sea) (39:9-16). Armies will have as field day with deadly weaponry (39:17-20).
The whole world will then finally learn that it was the LORD who expelled Israel from their land because
of their sins, but now it is he who has restored Israel again (39:21-29).
Ezekiel’s Temple
Ezekiel’s Temple, which was never built, is a vision of Christ and the
faithful church (John 2:19-21; 1 Cor. 3:16), and the blessing of fleshly Israel
and the whole world in the thousand-year kingdom of Christ and beyond. (This
vision was given in Ezekiel’s last year as priest, when he was age fifty.)
(Num. 4:3, 47).
The dimensions of this symbolic Temple are the same as those of Solomon’s
Temple, although Ezekiel’s outer court may appear somewhat larger. Comparing
Ezekiel’s prophetic Temple with Isaac Newton’s model of Solomon’s Temple, the
former has added a western building and ovens behind the Temple house (41:12
and 46:19, 20); the latter has cloisters on either side of the three inner
gates, with pillars to support the building for the priests, on the north,
east, and south side of the Court of the Priests.
The main features of each temple are identical: the Holy of Holies (Most
Holy) is 20 cubits square; before the veil, adjoining on its east side, is the
Holy, 20 cubits wide by 40 cubits long; together they comprise the Temple
house. In front of the door to the Holy is a porch 20 cubits wide by 10 or 11
cubits long, with steps leading up to it from the Court of the Priests, which
contained the brazen (copper) altar. The periphery of this court had several
rooms for the priests, and gates on the north, east, and south leading up from
a second court, the Inner Court of the People. The inner court was surrounded
by a wall on the west, and ten roms for the people on each of the other three
sides, each with a gate leading up from the Outer Court of the Gentiles. (The
angel appeared to Zacharias in the Holy (Luke 1:11); the widow’s mite would
have been contributed in the Court of the People (Mark 12:42), while the
parable of the Pharisee and the publican would be more appropriate to the Court
of the Gentiles (Luke 18:10-14; cf. Rev. 11:2).
If the holy area around the temple is 500 reeds on a side (=3000 cubits, per
40:5), then the perimeter would be 12,000 cubits (45:2). In the grand symbolic
vision of Revelation 21:9-16 the New Jerusalem, or government of Christ’s
kingdom, the twelve edges add up to 144,000 stadions, translated
furlongs. Of similar character in Rev. 22:2, twelve kinds of fruit for each of
twelve months over a thousand years is 144,000 fruits: By their fruits ye shall
know them (Matt. 7:15-20; Rev. 7:4-8).
A goat was offered for a sin offering one each of seven days to show that
the Great Atonement Day of the Gospel Age is divided into seven parts. (The
priesthood was consecrated for seven days; Joshua {Greek, Jesus} marched seven
days around Jericho, with seven priests and seven trumpets; again, there were
seven messengers and seven trumpets in Revelation.) (Lev. 8:33; Josh. 6:2-21;
Rev. 2:1-3:22; 8:6-11:19). After the sacrificing of Christ and his church is
completed, in the thousand-year kingdom of Christ the people and their
offerings will be acceptable to the LORD
(43:25-27).
The priests who had been faithful, those who had followed in
the way of David’s and Solomon’s faithful priest, Zadok, are contrasted with
the Levites, who had compromised and strayed badly. (Even Moses’ own grandson
had greedily ministered before idols, first to one man’s house, and then to the
tribe of Dan {Judg. 17:7-18:30); Amos 8:14}). The Levites were to be teachers,
but they led Israel astray. Therefore they shall bear the iniquities which they
caused Israel to commit, just as the scape goat bore the iniquities of the
children of Israel (Lev. 16:21). In the terms of the Gospel Age, do we teach
people to worship prominent Christians: Martin Luther or C. T., Russell; John
Calvin or Jim Jones; or organizations, such as Rome, Salt Lake or Brooklyn? The
issue is not whether the idol is a good idol or a bad idol, because every idol
is forbidden! Those who do so will throw away their hoped-for part in the
priesthood (44:13), but by the LORD‘s
mercy they shall receive life and shall minister in the kingdom of Christ
(44:11-14). As characteristic of the typical Levites, they will symbolically
wash their clothes and will have no inheritance in the land (Num. 8:7, 21;
18:20-24), even as in reality the Great Multitude will the have washed their
robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, and they, too, will be in
heaven—I heart as it were a great voice of a great multitude in heaven (Rev.
7:14; 19:1). But those who remain faithful when everyone else is going astray
will, under Jesus Christ, become the priesthood of the coming age, and they
shall offer unto [the LORD] the fat and
the blood [of Christ’s sacrifice, on behalf of the world]. That will be their
part in the offering for sin, or sin offering (44:10-14, 15, 16).