God's Touchpoints - The Prophetic Era (Part 4)Sample

EZEKIEL, THE WATCHMAN Right preaching and teaching God’s word evokes mixed responses, often negative. Ezekiel, carried captive in 597 B.C. to Babylon, begins preaching in 592 B.C., at 30 years of age. The situation on the River Chebar in Babylon is mixed: • Some are pious (Psa 137) • Others are idolatrous (Ezek 14:4; 20:30) • Many reject Ezekiel (Ezek 14:1-3; 18:19,25; 20:49; 33:32) • Most think their stay would be short (Ezek 13:16-19; see Jer 29:5) This is very similar to the situation today. We are too caught up with God’s creation that we miss out the essence – the Creator Himself. God calls Ezekiel to be a watchman (3:17). He renews the call later (Ch. 33) to: • Demolish delusions –that Jerusalem could never be destroyed; that the exile would end soon • Expose apostasy – showing why God is punishing Judah (and the nations) with judgment • Awaken repentance –to inherit future promises • Stimulate hope – for a restored future The Watchman Through Preaching • Responsibility of the evangelist – to preach the gospel or carry responsibility for their “blood.” (3:18) • Responsibility of individual – for personal salvation (18:1-4) Through Actions He has to lie on his side (4:4-6) representing punishment of a day for a year for: • 390 days for Israel • 40 days for Judah The Visionary Ezekiel has visions of the world belong as he describes in detail angelic beings like the cherubim (1:5-8) and events like the fall of Lucifer (28:12-17). Daniel (Dan 11) describes two major attacks from the “king of the north,” one before Christ first coming, and the next before His second coming. Ezekiel describes a third attack (Ezek 38:39) when they are “dwelling securely” – probably towards end of millennium corresponding to Christ’s final battle with Satan (Rev 19:11-21:8). Ezekiel prophesies the regeneration of Israel in the future. • A new heart (36:24) - a regathered nation totally cleansed • Dry bones coming to life (37:4-6) • The temple restored in the millenium (40) • The millennial rule of Christ (40) with the saints (Rev 20:4-6) • Satan bound for 1,000 years (20:1-3) Are we “watching over” God’s people and demolishing delusions in a world where tolerance is rampant? Do we preach to the lost as if “their blood is on our heads”? Are we sharing and bearing the burden of the sins of others?