BIBLE STUDY: DANIEL, EZEKIEL, and REVELATION WEEK # 4

Part II        Continue:            

 

Ezekiel:       Outstanding Events:

 

This prophecy, like Daniel and Revelation, might be termed a mystery book It contains much imagery which is difficult of interpretation Nevertheless, many of its teachings are clear and of the highest value.

 

Key Note: "I am Jehovah."

 

Section I, The preparation of the call of the prophet (chapters 1-3)

(a.)       Son of a priest (chapters 1-3)

(b.)       Carried away captive to Babylon (chapter 1:1, 2 Kings 24:11-16)

(c.)       His vision of God (chapter 1)

(d.)       His call (1:3)

(e.)       His commission and enduement,  (chapters 2, 3)

(f.)        Spiritual Food (3:1-3, Revelation 10:10)

(g.)       His Task, a spiritual watchman, (3:4  -11, 17-21)

(h.)       Ezekiel claims the highest degree of Inspiration. The words "Thus said Jehovah" are reiterated over and over again throughout the entire book.

 

Section II, A portrayal of the Apostate condition of Judah before the captivity:

(a).       Largely visions, warning, and predictions concerning the guilt of the people, and the coming destruction of Jerusalem, (chapters 4-24).

(d).       Divine judgement upon the Seven Surrounding Nations, (chapter 25-32).

 

Section III, Chiefly Predictions and Promises concerning the means by which the glory of the nation is to be restored, (chapters 33-48).

(a).       By heeding the warning of the spiritual watchman, and repenting of sin (chapter 33).

(b).       By displacing the False Shepherd, and the coming of the Good Shepherd, who will feed the flock (chapter 34).

(c.)       By a National Revival, and a Spiritual Resurrection in the Valley of Dry Bones, (chapters 36-37).

(d).       By the Overthrow of the Enemies of the Nation, (chapters 38, 39).

(e).       By the Building of a New Sanctuary, (chapter 40-42).

(f).        By the returning of the Glory of the Lord, (chapters 43:4,5; 44:4).

(g).       By the Ministry of the Loyal Priesthood, (chapter 44:9-31).

(h).       By Life-giving Waters issuing from the Sanctuary, (chapter 47, see also Revelation 22:1, 2).

 

Outstanding Events in this book:

1.      The Departure of the Glory of the Lord from the Temple (chapters 10:16-18; 11:23)

2.      The Fall of Jerusalem (chapter 33:21).

3.      The Return of the Shekinah Prophesied (chapter 44:4).

Choice Selections:

1.      The New Heart (chapter 11:19; 36:25-28)

2.      Personal Responsibility (chapter 18:20-32).

3.      Un-tempered Mortar (chapter 13:10-15).

4.      The Search for a man of Integrity (chapter 22:30), see also Jeremiah 5:1.

5.      Sentimental Hearers, (chapter 33:30-32).

6.      Chapters for Ministers, (chapter 13, 33, 34).

7.      Revival Chapter, (chapter 37).

 

For the first-time reader of the Bible, the book of Ezekiel is mostly a perplexing maze of incoherent visions, a kaleidoscope of whirling wheels (chapter 1) and dry bones (chapter 37) that defy interpretation. This impression often causes readers to shy away from studying the book and miss one of the great literary and spiritual portions of the Old Testament. The book is named after the author, Ezekiel, whose name means "strengthened by God." As you read and study this amazing book, draw strength as Ezekiel did from the One who is Himself strength.

Ezekiel grew up in Jerusalem, served as a priest in the temple and was among the second group of captives taken to Babylon along with King Jehoiachin. While in Babylon he became a prophet of God, and his ministry began with condemnation and judgment of the nation Judah. After the destruction of Jerusalem, Ezekiel's perspective changed to a glimmer of hope shining through for the future. Ezekiel wanted to help the people learn from their failures and announced impending judgment upon the nations that surrounded Judah and reestablished hope for the restoration of Israel. His vision of the valley of dry bones pictures new life being breathed into the nation which will occur in the Millennial Reign of Christ on earth.

Ezekiel continues to have detailed visions of the New Temple (chapters 40-43), the New Jerusalem (Ezekiel 48:30-35), the Millennium (chapter 44) and the new land in which the people will reside (Ezekiel 47:13-23). Israel and Judah will once again be restored to unity from the ends of the earth as God's glory also returns and God dwells among His people. These beautiful and unusual visions of Ezekiel concern both the immediate and the long-term plans of God. They help to establish Ezekiel as watchman (chapter 33), not only to warn the people but to be an encouragement. He minces no words and he delivers God's messages with straightforward language that everyone could understand, whether they listened or not (Ezekiel 2:7). Ezekiel himself received a warning from God that if he did not tell everyone he was sent to about the punishment for not following God, he would be held accountable for the blood of those who died in their sins (Ezekiel 33:8-9). He did not hesitate in his mission and is the one man in the Bible in whom we can find no fault as he steadfastly followed God's instructions. He had a passionate view of judgment and hope and displayed his closeness to God's own sorrow over the people's sins.

The prophet experienced considerable opposition during his own lifetime, yet he doggedly expressed God's desire that the wicked not die but turn from their wicked ways and live. His periodic speechlessness during his early years was broken when God empowered him to speak, and his tongue was loosened to speak the longest passage of sustained hope in the Bible. The burning, chopping and scattering of his hair represented the fall of Jerusalem and the bringing back of God's remnant (chapter 5). The hopeful words climax in the promise of everlasting possession of the land, an everlasting Davidic prince, an everlasting covenant, and an everlasting sanctuary in Israel (Ezekiel 11:16-21). He leaps ahead to a time after Israel has been restored to the mysterious invasion from the north which will be brought by Yahweh against Israel, but then will be utterly defeated. This demonstrates that no enemy nation will ever invade the Holy Land again with success, and the glory of the God of Israel returns, entering through the east gate of the temple Ezekiel envisions.

Ezekiel has shown all Christians that we are to be watchmen on this earth, speaking the truth of the gospel to everyone we meet. We cannot possibly turn our backs on the perishing and go our own righteous way without being held accountable for those who die in sin that we could have reached. God told Ezekiel to groan with a broken heart and bitter grief for the coming judgment, and through his dramatic book, Ezekiel is telling us the very same thing. This judgment is coming! It will surely take place, declares the Sovereign Lord!

Ezekiel's vision of the four wheels dramatically illustrates the omnipresence and omniscience of God. These wheels were associated with the "four living creatures" (Ezekiel 1:4), who were later described (Ezekiel 10:5, 20) as cherubim, angelic beings appointed as guardians of the holiness of God.

Each wheel was actually two in one, with one apparently set inside the other at right angles which enabled the "living creatures" to move in any direction instantly without having to turn, like a flash of lightning. These wheels had the appearance of chrysolite, which may have been a topaz or other semiprecious stone. The outer rim of the wheels was described as high and awesome with the outer edge of the rims inset with "eyes" (Ezekiel 1:14-18).

The Spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels (Ezekiel 1:20-21). As a result, the creatures were able to move any direction the wheels moved. Most biblical scholars hold to the idea that the Spirit of God gave direction to the wheels through direct knowledge of and access to the will of God. The mobility of the wheels suggests the omnipresence of God; the eyes, His omniscience; and the elevated position, His omnipotence.

This vision appeared to Ezekiel as a powerful imagery of movement and action demonstrating the characteristics of God's divine nature. It presented God as being on a chariot-like throne, His glory both supreme and immanent, existing in and extending into all the created universe. As such, the whole revelation by God in this vision to Ezekiel, i.e., the cherubim, the chariot, the Spirit, and the wheels, emphasized their unity and coordination.

As terrifying as this vision was, it vividly displayed the majesty and glory of God (Ezekiel 1:28), who came to Ezekiel and the children of Israel in the midst of their Babylonian exile. It reminded them of His holiness and power as the Lord of all creation. The message was clear: though His people were in exile and their nation was about to be destroyed, God was still on the throne and able to handle every situation. The lesson for us today is that, through His marvelous providence, God moves in the affairs of all nations to work out His own unseen plan, always at work, intricately designed, never wrong, and never late (Romans 8:28).

 

At first glance, the prophecy in Ezekiel 28:11–19 seems to refer to a human king. The city of Tyre was the recipient of some of the strongest prophetic condemnations in the Bible (Isaiah 23:1–18;Jeremiah 25:22;27:1–11; Ezekiel 26:1– 28:19;Joel 3:4–8; Amos 1:9,10). Tyre was known for building its wealth by exploiting its neighbors. Ancient writers referred to Tyre as a city filled with unscrupulous merchants. Tyre was a center of religious idolatry and sexual immorality. The biblical prophets rebuked Tyre for its pride brought on by its great wealth and strategic location. Ezekiel 28:11–19 seems to be a particularly strong indictment against the king of Tyre in the prophet Ezekiel's day, rebuking the king for his insatiable pride and greed.

However, some of the descriptions in Ezekiel 28:11–19 go beyond any mere human king. In no sense could an earthly king claim to be "in Eden" or to be "the anointed cherub who covers" or to be "on the holy mountain of God." Therefore, most Bible interpreters believe that Ezekiel 28:11–19 is a dual prophecy, comparing the pride of the king of Tyre to the pride of Satan. Some propose that the king of Tyre was actually possessed by Satan, making the link between the two even more powerful and applicable.

Before his fall, Satan was indeed a beautiful creature (Ezekiel 28:12–13). He was perhaps the most beautiful and powerful of all the angels. The phrase "guardian cherub" possibly indicates that Satan was the angel who "guarded" God's presence. Pride led to Satan's fall. Rather than give God the glory for creating him so beautifully, Satan took pride in himself, thinking that he himself was responsible for his exalted status. Satan's rebellion resulted in God casting Satan from His presence and will, eventually, result in God condemning Satan to the lake of fire for all eternity (Revelation 20:10).

Like Satan, the human king of Tyre was prideful. Rather than recognize God's sovereignty, the king of Tyre attributed Tyre's riches to his own wisdom and strength. Not satisfied with his extravagant position, the king of Tyre sought more and more, resulting in Tyre taking advantage of other nations, expanding its own wealth at the expense of others. But just as Satan's pride led to his fall and will eventually lead to his eternal destruction, so will the city of Tyre lose its wealth, power, and status. Ezekiel's prophecy of Tyre's total destruction was fulfilled partially by Nebuchadnezzar (Ezekiel 29:17–21) and ultimately by Alexander the Great.


DID YOU KNOW?

The prophet Ezekiel identifies a coalition of nations that will invade Israel. This invasion is usually referred to as the "prophecy of Gog and Magog" since they are the first proper names mentioned in 38:2. The challenge today is to identify the modern descendants of Gog, Magog, and the other nations Ezekiel lists. Gog is mentioned 11 Times in Ezekiel 38-29. Gog was not a nation but the ruler of a land called Magog. Magog is the region on a world map where the "stan" countries exist today-the states of the former Soviet Empire: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and perhaps Afghanistan. These nations, while independent today, were once satellite states of the former Soviet Empire.  Next mentioned is "the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal" (38:2). The people of Rosh in Ezekiel's day lived beyond the modern Black Sea-in the realm of modern of Russia, Meshech and Tubal refer to regions that are part of modern Turkey.  Ezekiel lists "Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya" (38:5); the latter two still exist today under their ancient names. Persia is the ancient name for the modern nation of Iran, the name change occurring in March 1935. Four decades later, Iran changed its name again to the Islamic Republic of Iran. Finally, Ezekiel mentions Gomer (38:6), which is also known to have been in the region of Turkey, as is "the house of Togarmath."  The tiny nation of Israel is surrounded by these much larger nations. Any of them alone would constitute a major threat-but combined?  There would be little hope on a purely human basis for Israel surviving an attack from such a coalition. Israel, against overwhelming odds, won wars against enemies who attacked in 1967 (the Six Days War) and in 1973 (the Yom Kippur War)-but the coalition described in Ezekiel 38 would be like nothing she has faced before.

 

 

QUESTION:       WEEK # 4

1).        What is the key note in this book of Ezekiel?

2).        What was his commission?

3).        What is the spiritual food in (Ezekiel 3:1-3; Revelation 10:10)?

4).        What was the apostate condition of Judah before the captivity?

5).        What were the predictions and promises concerning the means by which the glory of the nation is to be restored? (Chapters 4-24)

6).        What are the outstanding events in this book?

7).        What are the choice selections in this book?

8).        The book of Ezekiel is name after its author, which mean what?

9).        Give a brief summary of who Ezekiel was.

10).      Did Ezekiel talk about the millennial reign of Christ?

11).      What other visions did Ezekiel have?

12).      Why do you suppose Ezekiel ministered with steadfastness as he did?

13).      As being a watchman on the wall what are we responsible for?

14).      Ezekiel's vision of the four wheels dramatically illustrates what?

15).      The city of Tyre is known for what?

16).      Explain how and by who was the city of Tyre was destroyed.

 

 

SALVATION PRAYER:

 

Heavenly Father, I confess that I have sinned against You and need Your salvation. Please forgive me. I believe Jesus died for my sins and rose from the dead.  I receive Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, fully trusting in the work He accomplished on the cross on my behalf.  Thank You for saving me, accepting me, and adopting me into Your family. Guide my life and help me to do your will, and walk in close step with You, amen.

 

In your name, Amen:

 

Reading Assignment:            Week # 4        Daniel 10-12   Monday-Wednesday-Friday

BIBLE STUDY "DANIEL, EZEKIEL, and REVELATION" SHARING

Reading Assignment:  Memorize the Twelve Tribes of Israel

 

Twelve Tribes of Israel:

 

Reuben: one of the 12 tribes of Israel that in biblical times comprised the people of Israel who later became the Jewish people. The tribe was named after the oldest of Jacob's sons born of Leah, his first wife.

After the Exodus out of Egypt, Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land and divided the territory among the 12 tribes. The tribe of Reuben apparently settled east of the Dead Sea in the same general area occupied by the tribe of Gad  and played a secondary role in the history of the Jewish people. After the death of King Solomon (922 b.c.), the 10 northern tribes formed the Kingdom of Israel under Jeroboam I that in (721 b.c.) fell to Assyrian conquerors. In time these northern tribes lost their identity through assimilation with other peoples, and thus the tribe of Reuben became known in legend as one of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel.

 

Simeon: one of the 12 tribes of Israel that in biblical times comprised the people of Israel who later became the Jewish people. The tribe was named after the second son born to Jacob and his first wife, Leah. Following the Exodus out of Egypt and the death of Moses, Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land and divided the new territory among the 12 tribes. Though sources do not clearly indicate where the tribe of Simeon settled, it seems to have been in the south of Palestine beyond the powerful tribe of Judah. In time, part of the tribe of Simeon was apparently absorbed by Judah, while other members possibly relocated in the north. After the death of King Solomon (922 bc), Palestine split into the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah. If the tribe of Simeon is counted among the tribes that formed the northern kingdom, then it too was assimilated by other peoples after the Kingdom of Israel was conquered by the Assyrians in 721 bc. One way or another, the tribe of Simeon disappeared from history and is thus numbered among the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel.

 

Levi: (this priestly tribe did not receive a territory, and sometimes is not listed when the tribe of Joseph is listed as two separate tribes).

 

Judah: one of the 12 tribes of Israel, descended from Judah, who was the fourth son born to Jacob and his first wife, Leah. It is disputed whether the name Judah was originally that of the tribe or the territory it occupied and which was transposed from which.

After the Israelites took possession of the Promised Land, each was assigned a section of land by Joshua, who had replaced Moses as leader after the latter's death. The tribe of Judah settled in the region south of Jerusalem and in time became the most powerful and most important tribe. Not only did it produce the great kings David and Solomon but also, it was prophesied, the Messiah would come from among its members. Modern Jews, moreover, trace their lineage to the tribes of Judah and Benjamin (absorbed by Judah) or to the tribe, or group, of clans of religious functionaries known as Levites. This situation was brought about by the Assyrian conquest of the Kingdom of Israel in 721 bc, which led to the partial dispersion of the 10 northern tribes and their gradual assimilation by other peoples. (Legends thus refer to them as the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel.) The southern Kingdom of Judah thrived until 587/586 bc, when it was overrun by the Babylonians, who carried off many of the inhabitants into exile. When the Persians conquered Babylonia in 538 bc, Cyrus the Great allowed the Jews to return to their homeland, where they soon set to work to replace the magnificent Temple of Jerusalem that the Babylonians had destroyed. The history of the Jews from that time forward is predominantly the history of the tribe of Judah. Jesus came through Judah

 

Dan: one of the 12 tribes of Israel that in biblical times comprised the people of Israel who later became the Jewish people. The tribe was named after the first of two sons born to Jacob (also called Israel) and Bilhah, the maidservant of Jacob's second wife, Rachel. Nine of the other 11 tribes were also named after sons of Jacob, while two bear the names of Jacob's grandsons, children of Joseph.

After the death of Moses, the Israelites were led into the Promised Land by Joshua, who divided the territory among the 12 tribes. The portion assigned to the tribe of Dan was a region west of Jerusalem. At least part of the tribe later moved to the extreme northeast and took the city of Laish, renaming it Dan. As the northernmost Israelite city it became a point of reference in the familiar phrase "from Dan to Beersheba."

The great hero of the Danites was Samson, who, until his betrayal by Delilah, used his mighty strength against the Philistine invaders. Dan was one of the 10 northern tribes that disappeared from history after the Assyrian conquest of the kingdom of Israel in 721 bc. They are known in Jewish legends as the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel.

 

Naphtali: one of the 12 tribes that in biblical times constituted the people of Israel who later became the Jewish people. The tribe was named after the younger of two sons born to Jacob and Bilhah, a maidservant of Jacob's second wife, Rachel. After Joshua led the people of Israel into the Promised Land, he divided the new territory among the 12 tribes, assigning a region northwest of the Sea of Galilee to the tribe of Naphtali. After the death of King Solomon (922 bc), the 10 northern tribes established an independent Kingdom of Israel. In 734 bc the Naphtalites were conquered by the Assyrian king Tiglath-pileser III, whose armies in 721 bc gained control over the entire northern kingdom. Israelites who were deported into slavery and those who remained behind were gradually assimilated by other peoples. The tribe of Naphtali thus lost its identity and became known in Jewish legend as one of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel.

 

Gad: one of the 12 tribes of Israel that in biblical times comprised the people of Israel who later became the Jewish people. The tribe was named after the first of two sons born to Jacob (also called Israel) and Bilhah, the maidservant of Jacob's second wife, Rachel. Nine of the other 11 tribes were also named after sons of Jacob, while two bear the names of Jacob's grandsons, children of Joseph. After the death of Moses, the Israelites were led into the Promised Land by Joshua, who divided the territory among the 12 tribes. The portion assigned to the tribe of Dan was a region west of Jerusalem. At least part of the tribe later moved to the extreme northeast and took the city of Laish, renaming it Dan. As the northernmost Israelite city it became a point of reference in the familiar phrase "from Dan to Beersheba."

The great hero of the Danites was Samson, who, until his betrayal by Delilah, used his mighty strength against the Philistine invaders. Dan was one of the 10 northern tribes that disappeared from history after the Assyrian conquest of the kingdom of Israel in 721 bc. They are known in Jewish legends as the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel.

 

Asher: One of the 12 tribes of Israel that in biblical times constituted the people of Israel who later became the Jewish people. The tribe was named after the younger of two sons born to Jacob (also called Israel) and Zilpah, the maidservant of Jacob's first wife, Leah. After the Israelites took possession of the Promised Land, Joshua assigned territory to each of the 12 tribes. The tribe of Asher apparently settled among the Phoenicians in the upper region of Palestine, beyond the tribe of Zebulun and west of the tribe of Naphtali.

Following the death of King Solomon (922 bc), the Israelites separated into the northern Kingdom of Israel (representing 10 tribes) and the southern Kingdom of Judah. When the northern kingdom was conquered by the Assyrians in 721 bc, the 10 northern tribes, including Asher, were partially dispersed. In time they were assimilated by other peoples and thus disappeared as distinctive units. Jewish legends refer to them as the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel.

 

Issachar: One of the 12 tribes of Israel that in biblical times constituted the people of Israel who later became the Jewish people. The tribe was named after the fifth son born to Jacob and his first wife, Leah. After the death of Moses, Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land and apportioned the territory among the 12 tribes. The tribe of Issachar settled on land lying west of the Jordan River and southeast of the southern tip of the Sea of Galilee. After the death of King Solomon (922 bc), Issachar was one of the 10 northern tribes that established the independent Kingdom of Israel that survived until the Assyrian conquest of 721 bc. These 10 tribes, partially dispersed to other regions, eventually lost their identity and became known as the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel.

 

Zebulun: One of the 12 tribes of Israel that in biblical times constituted the people of Israel who later became the Jewish people. The tribe was named for the sixth son born of Jacob and his first wife, Leah. After the Israelites took possession of the Promised Land, Joshua divided the territory among the 12 tribes, assigning to the tribe of Zebulun a fertile section of land roughly northeast of the Plain of Jezreel. After the death of King Solomon (922 bc), the Israelites separated into the northern Kingdom of Israel (representing 10 tribes) and the Kingdom of Judah in the south. The northern kingdom was conquered by the Assyrians in 721 bc, and its tribes dispersed. Jewish legends thus consider the tribe of Zebulun as one of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel.

 

Joseph……..Manasseh and Ephraim

 

Ephraim: One of the 12 tribes of Israel that in biblical times comprised the people of Israel who later became the Jewish people. The tribe was named after one of the younger sons of Joseph, himself a son of Jacob. After the death of Moses, Joshua, an Ephraimite, led the Israelites into the Promised Land and assigned territory to each of the 12 tribes. Members of his tribe settled in the fertile, hilly region of central Palestine. They gradually gained great power, for the Ephraimites acted as hosts to the tribal assemblies and had within their borders such religiously important centres as Shiloh and Bethel. In 930 bc the tribe of Ephraim led the 10 northern tribes in a successful revolt against the south and established the Kingdom of Israel, with Jeroboam I, an Ephraimite, as king. The seventh king of Israel, Ahab (reigned c. 874–c. 853 bc), was also an Ephraimite. His generally peaceful reign was marred by the worship of the Canaanite god Baal by his wife, Jezebel. From about 745 bc, the northern kingdom was often referred to as the Kingdom of Ephraim, a reflection of the tribe's importance. Assyrian conquerors overran the kingdom in 721 bc, dispersing some of the inhabitants and gradually assimilating others, occurrences that account for the eventual disappearance of the tribe of Ephraim along with the nine other northern tribes. They have become known in legend as the  Ten Lost Tribes of Israel.

 

Manasseh: One of the 12 tribes of Israel that in biblical times comprised the people of Israel. The tribe was named after a younger son of Joseph, himself a son of Jacob.

After the Exodus from Egypt and the death of Moses, the Israelites entered the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua, who assigned a territory to each of the 12 tribes. The tribe of Manasseh settled in central Palestine—some to the east, some to the west of the  Jordan River, when the independent kingdom of Israel, established by the 10 northern tribes after the death of King Solomon... (100 of 171 words)

 

Benjamin: according to biblical tradition, one of the 12 tribes that constituted the people of Israel, and one of the two tribes (along with Judah) that later became the Jewish people. The tribe was named after the younger of two children born to Jacob (also called Israel) and his second wife, Rachel. After the death of Moses, Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land and, dividing the territory among the 12 tribes, assigned south-central Palestine to the tribe of Benjamin. Members of the tribe were separated when two distinct kingdoms were established after the death of King Solomon (922 bc) and the territory of Benjamin was divided between them. Jews belonging to the 10 tribes of the northern kingdom of Israel disappeared from history after the Assyrian conquest of 721 bc and are known in legend as the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel. Benjaminites in the southern kingdom of Judah were assimilated by the more powerful tribe of Judah and gradually lost their identity. Modern Jews thus consider themselves to be descendants of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin or are classed as Levites to indicate an affinity with the religious functionaries who at one time exercised the priesthood in ancient Israel. Saul, the first of Israel's kings, and St. Paul the Apostle were both of the tribe of Benjamin.

READING ASSIGNMENT WEEK # 3

I have finished reading Daniel 7-9 for this week's reading

BIBLE STUDY "DANIEL, EZEKIEL, and REVELATION"

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS:       WEEK # 3

 

1).  Who is called the watchman of Israel?

Ezekiel is called the watchman in (Ezekiel 3:17; 33:7)

 

2).  Who is the eagle eye prophet?

Ezekiel, Isaiah, and Jeremiah are called the eagle eye prophets because of their prophetic prediction of what will happen in the future.

 

3.  )What did the Prophet Ezekiel teach his people during his time?

Ezekiel ministered to his generation who were both exceedingly sinful and thoroughly hopeless. By means of his prophetic ministry he attempted to bring them to immediate repentance and to confidence in the distant future. He taught that: (1) God works through human messengers; (2) Even in defeat and despair God's people need to affirm God's sovereignty; (3) God's Word never fails; (4) God is present and can be worshiped anywhere; (5) People must obey God if they expect to receive blessings; and (6) God's Kingdom will come.

4).  What are the key verses of the book of Ezekiel?

Ezekiel 2:3-6; 18:4; 28:12-14; 33:11; 48:35

 

5).  What was Lucifer's job in heaven?

I have not read that he had a job in heaven, but Lucifer was above every other angel in heaven. His appearance was beautiful and dazzling. He radiated light and glory. He was covered with gold and shimmering jewels. Lucifer was the Chief Covering angel and he worked in the throne room of God.  "You were the seal of perfection, Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. 
You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The sardius, topaz, and diamond, Beryl, onyx, and jasper, Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold.
The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes  Was prepared for you on the day you were created.
You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones." (Ezekiel 28:12-14). Lucifer spent a lot of time with God the father and Jesus Christ. They met together frequently to share ideas and make plans. They were very close to each other and were in perfect harmony.

 

6).  In Ezekiel 38 who are the army and malice of Gog today?

Most Bible commentators interpret "Magog" as Russia—and, indeed, Russia is straight north of Israel, all the way up to the Arctic Circle. According to this view, "Rosh" is a reference to Russia, "Meshek" is either Moscow or the people north of the Black Sea (the area of southern Russia and Ukraine), and "Tubal," which is always listed with Meshek in Scripture, is identified as a city in Siberia or an area in central Turkey. I would also add Iran and Iraq to this list.

 

 7).  Where is Israel located among these nations?

Israel is surrounded by all these nations; (Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Libya, Syria, and Cuba)

 

8).  Is Gog a nation or a person?

Gog is an individual rather than a nation because God addresses him as such several times in the prophecy of Ezekiel 38:14; 39:1). Furthermore, Gog is explicitly called a prince and a ruler in Ezekiel 38:2 and 39:1).

 

9).  These nations will invade Israel, what is the purpose?

There are three primary goals for the future invasion of Israel. The first goal will be to seize her land; the second goal of the invaders will be to steal Israel's wealth; third goal, and most well-known one is to slaughter Israel's people. (Ezekiel 38:11, 12, 16).

 

10). True or False, was Ezekiel a priest?

True, Ezekiel was a priest and a prophet

 

11).  Ezekiel's messages concentrate on four themes, briefly, what are they?

Holiness, because God is holy and He want His people to be holy; Visions, judgment, and consolation. Ezekiel's prophecies are filled with promises of rebuilding and restoration, which He had promised to David concerning his throne as an everlasting throne.

 

12).  Ezekiel's book can be divided into four sections, what are they?

Chapters 1-24: prophecies on the ruin of Jerusalem
Chapters 25-32: prophecies of God's judgment on nearby nations
Chapter 33: a last call for repentance to Israel
Chapters 34-48: prophecies concerning the future restoration of Israel

 

13).  Explain the valley of dry bones, (Ezekiel 37:1-14)

The reviving of the dry bones signified God's plan for Israel's future national restoration. The vision also, and most importantly, showed that Israel's new life depended on God's power and not the circumstances of the people. Putting "breath" by God's Spirit into the bones showed that God would not only restore them physically but also spiritually. The Israelites residing in the Holy Land today are not the fulfillment of this prophecy. It will be fulfilled when God re-gathers believing Israelites to the land (Jeremiah 31:33; 33:14–16) and Christ returns to establish His Millennial Kingdom (Matthew 24:30–31).

 

14).  What is the practical application of the book of Ezekiel?

The Book of Ezekiel calls us to join in a fresh and living encounter with the God of Abraham, Moses and the prophets. We must be overcomers or we will be overcome. Ezekiel challenged us to experience a life changing vision of God's power, knowledge, eternal presence and holiness; to let God direct us; to comprehend the depth of and commitment to evil that lodges in each human heart; to recognize that God holds His servants responsible for warning wicked men of their peril; to experience a living relationship with Jesus Christ, who said that the new covenant is to be found in His blood.

BIBLE STUDY: DANIEL, EZEKIEL, and REVELATION WEEK # 3

Date:    8/25/15

Part II        Week 3 and 4

Ezekiel:      The eagle eye prophet  

Outline of Ezekiel:

Author: The Prophet Ezekiel is the author of the Book (Ezekiel 1:3). He was a contemporary of both Jeremiah and Daniel.

Date of Writing: The Book of Ezekiel was likely written between 593 and 565 or 571 B.C. during the Babylonian captivity of the Jews.

Purpose of Writing: Ezekiel ministered to his generation who were both exceedingly sinful and thoroughly hopeless. By means of his prophetic ministry he attempted to bring them to immediate repentance and to confidence in the distant future. He taught that: (1) God works through human messengers; (2) Even in defeat and despair God's people need to affirm God's sovereignty; (3) God's Word never fails; (4) God is present and can be worshiped anywhere; (5) People must obey God if they expect to receive blessings; and (6) God's Kingdom will come.

Key Verses: Ezekiel 2:3-6, "He said: 'Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their fathers have been in revolt against me to this very day. The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, "This is what the Sovereign LORD says." And whether they listen or fail to listen - for they are a rebellious house - they will know that a prophet has been among them.'"

Ezekiel 18:4: "For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son - both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die."

Ezekiel 28:12-14, "'You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz and emerald, chrysolite, onyx and jasper, sapphire, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared. You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones."

Ezekiel 33:11, "Say to them, 'As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel?'"

Ezekiel 48:35, "And the name of the city from that time on will be: THE LORD IS THERE."

Brief Summary: How can you cope with a world gone astray? 

 

Ezekiel, destined to begin his life's ministry as a priest at age thirty, was uprooted from his homeland and marched off to Babylon at age of twenty-five. For five years he languished in despair. At age thirty a majestic vision of Yahweh's glory captivated his being in Babylon. The priest/prophet discovered God was not confined to the narrow strictures of Ezekiel's native land. Instead, He is a universal God who commands and controls persons and nations. In Babylon, God imparted to Ezekiel His Word for the people. His call experience transformed Ezekiel. He became avidly devoted to God's Word. He realized he had nothing personally to assist the captives in their bitter situation, but he was convinced God's Word spoke to their condition and could give them victory in it. Ezekiel used various methods to convey God's Word to his people. He used art in drawing a depiction of Jerusalem, symbolic actions and unusual conduct to secure attention. He cut his hair and beard to demonstrate what God would do to Jerusalem and its inhabitants.

Ezekiel's messages concentrate on four themes:

·         Holiness:  God's response to sin is predictable and consistent. Some Israelites, even in captivity, thought their lineage or heritage would stand them in good stead with God. But God said clearly, "The soul who sins shall die" (18:20). God judges sin not only corporately-as in the removal of His presence from the temple (10)-but individually.

·         Visions: The quantity, creativity, and intensity of the visions throughout the Book of Ezekiel are equaled only by those of Daniel and the apostle John: fiery wheels (1). A valley of dry bones coming to life (37), a gigantic temple that fills the entire land (40-48), and the symbolic signs (4-5) are among the most notable.

·         Judgment: God is not a passive God who steps back to let human affairs take their course. He stepped in to judge Judah (24:21), permitting the desecration of His own house (temple) (7:22; 24:21, 25, 26) and the captivity of His own people (5:12-17; 6:8-10). He judged leaders (11:1-15; 34:1-10) and nation (25-32; 38-39).

·         Consolation: Ezekiel's prophecies are filled with promises of rebuilding and restoration: the nation (11:16-21; 20:33-44), David's throne (34:23, 24; 37:24-28). The covenant (36:25-28), the temple (40-43), and worship (44; 45:13-46:24).

Ezekiel's book can be divided into four sections:
Chapters 1-24: prophecies on the ruin of Jerusalem
Chapters 25-32: prophecies of God's judgment on nearby nations
Chapter 33: a last call for repentance to Israel
Chapters 34-48: prophecies concerning the future restoration of Israel

Fore-shadowing: Ezekiel 34 is the chapter wherein God denounces the leaders of Israel as false shepherds for their poor care of His people. Instead of caring for the sheep of Israel, they cared for themselves. They ate well, were well-clothed and well-cared for by the very people they had been placed over Ezekiel 34:1-3. By contrast, Jesus is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep and who protects them from the wolves who would destroy the flock John 10:11-12. Verse 4 of chapter 34 describes people whom the shepherds failed to minister to as weak, sick, injured and lost. Jesus is the Great Physician who heals our spiritual wounds Isaiah 53:5 by His death on the cross. He is the one who seeks and saves that which is lost Luke 19:10.

Practical Application: The Book of Ezekiel calls us to join in a fresh and living encounter with the God of Abraham, Moses and the prophets. We must be overcomers or we will be overcome. Ezekiel challenged us to experience a life changing vision of God's power, knowledge, eternal presence and holiness; to let God direct us; to comprehend the depth of and commitment to evil that lodges in each human heart; to recognize that God holds His servants responsible for warning wicked men of their peril; to experience a living relationship with Jesus Christ, who said that the new covenant is to be found in His blood.

DID YOU KNOW?

Ezekiel was a young man, not an old man. He was married and had a house in his place of exile, and he lost his wife by a sudden and unforeseen stroke, date not sure. The last date mentioned in his prophecy is the twenty-seventh year of the captivity, so it is certain that his ministry lasted over twenty years. Tradition asserts that he was murdered in Babylon by some Hebrew prince whom he had convicted of idolatry, and was buried on the banks of the Euphrates. Ezekiel's prophecy is characterized by the frequency of visions and fantastic symbolical acts which were witnessed or performed by the prophet.

 

QUESTION:       WEEK # 3

1.  Who is called the watchman of Israel?

2.  Who is the eagle eye prophet?

3.  What did the Prophet Ezekiel teach his people during his time?

4.  What are the key verses of the book of Ezekiel?

5.  What was Lucifer's job in heaven?

6.  In Ezekiel 38 who are the army and malice of Gog today?

7.  Where is Israel located among these nations?

8.  Is Gog a nation or a person?

9.  These nations will invade Israel, what is the purpose?

10. True or False, was Ezekiel a priest?

11. Ezekiel's messages concentrate on four themes, briefly, what are they?

12. Ezekiel's book can be divided into four sections, what are they?

13. Explain the valley of dry bones, (Ezekiel 37:1-14)

14. What is the practical application of the book of Ezekiel?

 

 

SALVATION PRAYER:

 

Heavenly Father, I confess that I have sinned against You and need Your salvation. Please forgive me. I believe Jesus died for my sins and rose from the dead.  I receive Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, fully trusting in the work He accomplished on the cross on my behalf.  Thank You for saving me, accepting me, and adopting me into Your family. Guide my life and help me to do your will, and walk in close step with You, amen.

 

In your name, Amen:

 

Reading Assignment:            Week # 3        Daniel 7-9       Monday-Wednesday-Friday