Ezekiel
General
Ezekiel
ranks amongst the great prophets. Most realistic were his visions and
powerfully described. A portion of his prophecy was written before the final
serious troubles upon the kingdom of Judah, which resulted in the overthrow of
the kingdom. The entire prophecy was given in Babylon, Ezekiel himself residing
there and ministering as a Prophet chiefly to the captives, arousing their
hearts to an appreciation of their situation and to a hope of return in God's
appointed time to their own land. Ezekiel stood for, or represented the Son of
Man, the great Teacher, the Redeemer; he also represented the members of the
Bride of Christ whom the glorious head may from time to time use as his
mouthpiece. R4881:1,5
Ezekiel's prophecy is full of symbolism, and has appropriately been
termed the apocalypse of the Old Testament. It was written in Babylonia in the
Chaldaic language. Ezekiel was one of the captives of Judah taken to Babylonia
by King Nebuchadnezzar on the occasion of his first invasion, when he placed
Zedekiah on the throne, eleven years before his later invasion, when the city
was destroyed. The captives taken at that time included many of the chief men
of the Jewish nation... some of them, as in the case of Daniel, rising to
positions of very high honor in the kingdom. Ezekiel had great liberty, and his
prophesying was done for the Jews of the captivity--exiles. The Lord's
testimony through this prophet was undoubtedly intended to cheer and comfort
those of his people who were Israelites indeed, and to fan the spark of faith
which still remained in their hearts--to lead them, as in the case of Daniel,
to hope for the return of God's favor and the end of their captivity with the
end of the appointed seventy years' desolation of the land. R3624:3
But although multiplied were their iniquities and their crimes, the Lord
did not utterly cast away his people, but in great mercy remembered them, even
in the land of their captivity, where he was represented in their midst by the
prophet Ezekiel, who for twenty-two years delivered unto them the Word of the
Lord--words of reproof and denunciation, and also words of promise and hope. As
we peruse these words of promise and call to mind the miserable idolatries,
licentiousness and ingratitude of this hardhearted and stiff-necked people, let
us not fail to mark the lovingkindness of our God, his mercy and faithfulness,
his slowness to anger and his plenteous grace. And while we do so, let us not
forget the typical character of his dealings with Israel. R1373:4
Ezekiel 1
Ezekiel 1:1
It came to pass -- A portion of this prophecy was written before the final
troubles upon Judah; the remainder, after the complete overthrow. The entire
prophecy was given in Babylon. R4881:1
Written in the Chaldaic language,
this prophecy is full of symbolism and has been termed the apocalypse of the
Old Testament. R3624:3
As I was -- Carried miraculously forward to some of the captives
residing by the river Chebar. R4881:5
Heavens were opened -- Ezekiel, like John, seems to represent the living
saints. (Rev. 4:1) R530:4*
Visions of God -- Related not only to natural Israel, but also to
spiritual Israel. R3624:6
Ezekiel 1:3
Ezekiel -- Ranks amongst the great prophets. R4881:1
Represented the Son of Man, the
great Teacher, the Redeemer; and also the members of the Bride of Christ, used
as his mouthpieces. R4881:5
Ezekiel 1:4
Out of the north -- The seat of divine empire. D653
Ezekiel 1:5
Living creatures -- Cherubim are always connected with the immediate
presence or throne of God. R529:6*
Personifying the attributes of
God: Power, Wisdom, Justice and Love. R529:6*
We can hear the Power, Wisdom,
Justice and Love of God proclaiming in perfect harmony the glory and honor of
our Father. R530:5*, R2372:4
Ezekiel 1:13
Coals of fire -- Or like fire, as all spirit beings are described in
Scripture. R2350:1
Went forth lightning -- Diffusions of knowledge. R511:2
Ezekiel 1:26
A throne -- Or chariot, supported by the living creatures, or
cherubim; also represented in the Mercy Seat of the Tabernacle. R529:6*
Ezekiel 2
Ezekiel 2:5
Hear, or...forbear -- Heed or refuse to heed. R3280:1
Ezekiel 2:9
A roll of a book -- The plan and purpose of God, as written in the Law and
the prophets. (Rev. 10:2) R530:3*
Ezekiel 2:10
He spread it -- It was sealed until Christ began to open it. (Rev. 5:5)
R530:3*
Lamentations -- We are sent to preach a message that is offensive to
"a rebellious house," the nominal "Israel of God." (Verse
5) R530:4*
Ezekiel 3
Ezekiel 3:3
As honey -- A blessed feast; but, having been digested, leads to
self-denial, crucifixion, death. (Rev. 10:9) R530:4*
Ezekiel 3:10
Hear with thine ears -- Few have hearing ears and understanding hearts. R5768:4
Ezekiel 3:17
Watchman -- The prophets and others. R1795:6
Every member of the Body of
Christ. R4881:6
House of Israel -- Even though today Zion be in Babylon, as were those
typically addressed by the Prophet. R4881:6
Warning -- Going forth since the Gospel has been preached: "He
that hath an ear, let him hear." (Rev. 3:22) R4881:5
Ezekiel 3:18
Wicked -- Wilfully or intentionally wicked. R4881:5
Shalt surely die -- All of God's consecrated people are duty-bound to make
clear this feature of the divine program-- that all wilful sin will bring
death. R4881:6
To save his life -- The evildoer, coming to God with full repentance and
change of heart, is forgiven and received into God's family. R5781:2
His blood will I require -- With knowledge comes responsibility. R5781:2
Ezekiel 3:20
Turn from his righteousness -- The fact that the Lord has richly blessed us in the
past, while we were yet in the way with him, is no guarantee that he will
continue his favor to us after we have forsaken him. R1869:5
A stumblingblock -- "God shall send them strong delusions that they
shall believe a lie." (2 Thes. 2:11, 12) R1869:5
He shall die -- "Because they received not the love of the truth
that they might be saved." (2 Thes. 2:10) R1869:5
Ezekiel 3:21
Warn the righteous -- A fitting description of how the Lord has used the Vow.
R4717:1*
Ezekiel 4
Ezekiel 4:1
Take thee a tile -- The use of such signs was common with the prophets of
olden times. R2223:4
Even Jerusalem -- Although the trouble is divided into two portions, it is
all represented as coming against one people, as illustrated by the one capital
city. C295; R1341:4
Ezekiel 4:5
390 days -- Some suppose this dates from the revolt, when they went
into idolatry, about 390 years before the desolation of Jerusalem. C295;
R1341:4
Ezekiel 4:6
40 days -- Some suppose the wrath against the two tribes dated from
40 years before the desolation when, under Manasseh, the two tribes became
idolaters. R1341:4; C295
Each day for a year -- Time has its type and antitype, like every other part.
HG49:3
The word day often stands for
epoch or period. Thus the creative days were not 24-hour days. F19
A literal year, Jewish reckoning,
contains 360 days; and since in prophecy a day represents a year of actual
time, each symbolic "time" would be 360 years. R5564:3
A prophetic year of 360 days, used
to symbolize 360 years, is an arbitrary arrangement peculiar to its intended
use. It is neither a Lunar year of 354 1/3 days nor a Solar year of 365
1/4 days. R1979:6
A day for a year is Bible usage in
symbolic prophecy. B91, B66; Q846:2; OV81:1; HG519:5
Ezekiel 7
Ezekiel 7:7
Of the mountains -- Kingdoms. A318
Ezekiel 7:8
Recompense -- We are already entering the great Day of Recompense.
R3619:2
Ezekiel 7:12
The seller mourn -- For trouble will be on the entire multitude and there
will be no security of property. A315
Ezekiel 7:16
Like doves -- Symbols of peace and purity. E212
Ezekiel 7:17
Shall be feeble -- Helpless to turn aside the trouble. A315
Of little avail will be the
protection which any government can provide, when the judgments of the Lord and
the fruits of their folly are precipitated upon them all. D149
Ezekiel 7:19
They shall cast -- The animosities of the masses will be exercised with
violence against the rich. R1690:3, R2904:3
The rich will suffer most. D273
Their silver -- The demonetization of silver seems to be referred to.
OV339:1; SM691:1; D472
In the streets -- Miller Bartella offered the mob, in vain, his fortune
for his life--a picture throwing lurid light upon the situation. R2384:2
Financial institutions, including
insurance companies and beneficial societies, will go down; and "treasures"
in them will prove utterly worthless. D45
Treat it as a commodity and not as
money. OV339:1
Shall be removed -- "As though it were unclean." (Margin) D45
Become scarce and eventually be
completely withdrawn by the people; hiding it as though it were an unclean
thing, as the Hebrew text implies. SM691:1; OV339:1
Silver and their gold -- And bank notes and bonds. F554; D329
Neither silver nor gold will be
available. OV339:1
Not be able to deliver -- Procuring neither protection, comforts nor luxuries. F554
The character of the trouble will
be one in which the animosities of the masses will be exercised with violence
against the rich. R1690:3
Day of the wrath -- This is the predicted time of distress of nations with
perplexity. (Luke 21:25) D149
They shall not satisfy -- With their wealth. D45
Because it -- The idolatry of money. B139
Is the stumblingblock -- The spirit of acquisitiveness which lies at the
foundation of all the trouble is to be found in every land, but nowhere more so
than in so--called "Christendom." R2904:4
Those who worship idols of gold,
silver, stocks or bonds, will receive severe chastisement before being granted
a share in the coming blessings. SM482:1
Ezekiel 7:21
The strangers -- Others, beyond the revolting hosts of Christendom, will
also form a part of the Lord's great army. D549
Anarchists outrivaling heathendom
in barbarity; or, possibly, uprisings of the peoples of India, China and Africa
against Christendom. D550
Ezekiel 7:23
Make a chain -- Bind, unite them together, let them make common cause.
D550
The city -- Christendom. D550
Ezekiel 7:24
Worst of the heathen -- Probably those in Christendom without God and without
Christian sentiments or hopes. D550
Their holy places -- Their honored or sacred places, their religious institutions,
etc. D550
Ezekiel 9
Ezekiel 9:1
Charge over the city -- Babylon, Christendom. D527
Ezekiel 9:2
And one man -- Pastor Russell. R6011:5*
Ezekiel 10
Ezekiel 10:1
Of the Cherubims -- Symbols of God's love and power. T125
Always connected with the immediate
presence or throne of God. (Rev. 4:6) R529:6*
Likeness of a throne -- Symbol of authority and rulership. A92
Ezekiel 10:2
Over the city -- Babylon, Christendom. D527
Ezekiel 11
Ezekiel 11:17
Even gather you -- Even now beginning to be fulfilled. R1630:2
Not only out from among all
nations, but also out of your graves. R1630:2
Ezekiel 11:19
I will give -- The King of Glory, the Good Physician, will fulfill
God's promise to Israel, and from Israel to all the families of the earth.
R4674:2
Them -- A promise to natural Israel. SM368:T
I will take -- In the incoming age, man's likeness of Satan will give
place to the original likeness of God. R376:5
Stony heart -- Of selfishness. R1244:6
An heart of flesh -- Proper fleshly minds. R376:5
Restore the original image of
God--restitution. A333; R4729:4, R5068:4
Tender, sympathetic, generous,
God-like. R3202:6, R1244:6, R4777:2
The work of the Kingdom when set
up in power and great glory. R5886:1
During the Millennial reign of
Christ. R1617:5
Ezekiel 11:20
That they may walk -- Under the New covenant--the real Law covenant. R5071:3
The heart of flesh will enable
them to keep his covenant, and walk before him with a perfect heart, and be a
channel of blessing to all the families of the earth. R1617:5
Ezekiel 11:22
The Cherubims -- Representing the divine attributes. R4787:2
Ezekiel 11:23
Upon the mountain -- Kingdom. A318
On the east side -- Open to the Sun of Righteousness. D653
Ezekiel 12
Ezekiel 12:13
Not see it -- Zedekiah never saw Babylon. His eyes were put out before
he was taken there. R2402:1, R4866:3; PD47/59
Ezekiel 12:23
Days are at hand -- The vision is to be made clear at the appointed time.
R5374:3
And the effect -- At the time of the Millerite movement in 1844. C90*
Matter or thing (as spoken).
R5375:4
Vision -- The fact that the vision is now speaking, made plain
upon tables, is very convincing. R5375:4
Ezekiel 13
Ezekiel 13:3
Follow their own spirit -- Instead of saying with confidence: "Thus saith the
Lord, and here are the chapter and verse; and thus and so it harmonizes with
every other chapter and verse of the Word." R1357:4
Have seen nothing -- No man has a commission to teach divine truth who has
not first learned what the truth is. R1357:4
Ezekiel 13:6
Lying divination -- "Lying wonders" (1 Tim. 4:1); and
"seducing spirits" (2 Thes. 2:9); deceptions of the fallen angels.
R2173:4
Ezekiel 13:9
Writing of the house of
Israel -- The same book as in Dan.
12:1, "thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found
written in the book." HG66:2, HG82:4
Ezekiel 14
Ezekiel 14:14
Noah -- This commendation shows that God did not hold Noah's act
of drunkenness against him, but indicates that Noah did it in ignorance.
R3044:2
Daniel -- Daniel was in a position of great prominence in Babylon
at the time these words were written. R2492:3, R3630:3
And Job -- Indicates that the narrative of Job is not a parable.
R1505:3, R5401:3; Q793:2
Ezekiel 14:20
Job -- One whom God especially loved. R5878:5
Ezekiel 14:22
The evil -- Calamities and judgment. R1299:6*
Ezekiel 16
Ezekiel 16:2
Son of man -- Ezekiel represented the Son of Man, and also the members
of the Bride of Christ, every member of which is a watchman on the walls of
Zion. R4881:5,6
Ezekiel 16:7
Waxen great -- Compare the description here given with that of the rich
man in Luke 16:19-31. R802:3*
Ezekiel 16:32
Her husband -- Here the word "husband" means caretaker,
referring to a union or covenant between Jehovah and Israel. R1388:6
Ezekiel 16:47
Corrupted more than they -- "It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah
in the day of judgment" than for Capernaum. (Matt. 11:23) HG149:6
Ezekiel 16:49
Sodom -- The Sodomites possessed a very rich valley, making hard
work unnecessary, which induced much idleness. PD24/35
Sin there reached the enormity
referred to by Paul in Rom. 1:18-32. R1617:6
Pride -- Prosperity develops pride, instead of gratitude to God
and a realization of increased responsibility as a steward. Pride begets
misrule, arrogance, injustice and tyranny. R2306:1
Fulness of bread -- Abundance of idleness is disastrous, making the downward
course more rapid. SM157:1; PD24/35
Neglecting the poor and the needy.
R3948:4
Some modern instances: jewels
worth $1,000,000 on one costume, $50,000 for two vases, $350,000 for a horse,
$50,000 for a coffin, $5,000 for burying a dog, $50,000 for a single
entertainment. D294
Such displays of luxury and
extravagance will surely excite the envy and hatred of the poor against the
wealthy. R2105:3; D295
Ezekiel 16:50
Took them away -- Not to eternal torment, but from present life with its
privileges and advantages. R1617:6
The death of the Sodomites was
merely the Adamic Death hastened, not the Second Death. OV43:2
Temporarily destroyed by fire as
an example of the absolute annihilation which will ultimately come upon all
wilful sinners, the Second Death. R4599:5, R5083:5
All human right in the earth was
abrogated by the death sentence upon the sinner. R5335:6
As I saw good -- Good, because it made an example of them for those who
should afterward live ungodly. R1779:2, R1270:4
As with the Canaanites, their
further continuance would be neither for their good nor for the Lord's glory.
R5335:6
In all these things God had a wise
purpose; and in his own time he will make that purpose manifest to all, as he
even now makes it manifest to the saints. R675:5
If death ends all probation, why
did God see good to take this people away without giving them a chance of
salvation through "the only name?" R259:2; A111
Because it was not yet their due
time. In "due time" they will be awakened from death, come to a
knowledge of the truth, and have a full opportunity for life everlasting. A111;
R5083:5, R1779:2, R1270:5, R545:5, R259:2; PD24/35
Ezekiel 16:51
Samaria -- God here speaks of Israel and compares her with her
neighbor Samaria. R259:2
Half of thy sins -- The chastisement and discipline necessary to Sodom's and
Samaria's restoration to righteousness will be less severe than for some who
are of the natural lineage of Abraham. R1374:2, R5363:5
Ezekiel 16:53
When I shall -- Under the New covenant, under Messiah's Kingdom. PD24/35
Bring again -- The Sodomites will be raised from death and brought to a
knowledge of God. R5179:6, R4881:3
The Sodomites could not have had
their judgment yet--their second judgment. Like the rest of us, they suffered
in the first judgment which came upon Father Adam. HG223:2
Future probation is a doctrine of
the Bible. R477:1*
Their captivity -- In death, all are captives. R7:6, R259:3, R545:6,
R236:1; A112
Captivity of Sodom -- "There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of
the just and of the unjust." (Acts 24:15) R351:1*
In selecting so extreme an example
of clemency, our Lord evidently intended that we should see that the sacrifice
which he gave was unquestionably "a ransom for all." HG336:3
Since Jesus says they were all
destroyed (Luke 17:29), this must be by a restoration of life from the dead.
R413:2
In the midst -- Sodom, Samaria and Israel will all be raised together.
R8:1
Ezekiel 16:55
Thy sisters -- The Lord will humble their pride by restoring peoples
whom Israel detested as inferiors and sinners. SM211:2
Shall return -- Even the Sodomites who are held up, all through the
Bible, as examples of wickedness, and "as suffering the vengeance of
eternal fire" (Jude 7), are to share in the restitution. HG17:3, HG14:5
Their former estate -- To open the prison doors of the grave--restitution.
R8:1, R259:3, R4881:3; A112
The Sodomites will be sharers in
that restitution. R4594:4
Not to judgment merely, and then
to heaven or hell. HG39:5
Of human perfection--to all who
will receive Christ and obey him. R1718:4, R3452:5
Your former estate -- Their former estate is as much beneath the Kingdom,
which flesh and blood cannot inherit, as our present position is beneath that
of the angel Gabriel. HG36:5
Ezekiel 16:60
Remember my covenant -- "For the gifts and callings of God are without
repentance." (Rom. 11:29) R8:1, R259:3
I will -- Showing that the Lord was not speaking ironically to the
Jews. (Matt. 11:23) He was not saying that he would just as willingly bring back
the Sodomites as them, but had no intention of restoring either. OV227:6;
HG346:1
Establish unto thee -- The Lord's dealings with other nations will be through
natural Israel. R4464:5; CR59:5; PD24/35
Everlasting covenant -- The Lord will restore Sodom, Samaria and Israel, and
establish his covenant with them through Messiah in the Millennial Age. R4599:5
As the old Law covenant was with
Israel only, so the New (Law) covenant will be with Israel only. Other nations
will share it by becoming Israelites. R4321:1
Jesus is the Mediator of the New
(Law) covenant, under which he will establish his Mediatorial Kingdom for the
blessing of Israel and the world. R4476:1
Ezekiel 16:61
Shalt remember -- Raised with the same nature and personality and able to
recall their former degraded condition. R360:5, R604:3*
Be ashamed -- "They shall look upon him whom they pierced and
mourn." (Zech. 12:10) R517:1*
If our ways are not right, they
should be amended and not justified by saying, "It is my way." R705:3
Christ will set men's sins in
order before them, and they must freely confess their sins and bear their
shame. R1646:4
Shalt receive -- The Lord's dealings with other nations will be through
natural Israel. F4464:5
Thy sisters -- Sodom and Samaria, representing other nations of the
world. R4464:5
I will -- God is not here speaking ironically, as some suggest.
R259:3
Give them unto thee -- The Lord clearly indicates that his dealings with
outside nations will be through natural Israel. CR59:5
For daughters -- The nations are to be instructed and blessed under the
New covenant by becoming "daughters" to Israel. R4464:6, R4371:3,
R4575:4, R130:5
"Thy sons shall come from
afar, and thy daughters to be nursed at thy side." (Isa. 60:4) D638
Other nations will become
Israelites, "proselytes of the gate," not under the Old, but under
the New covenant. R4321:1
They will enjoy, as
"daughters of Judah," the highest degree of happiness they are
capable of appreciating. HG27:4
That she may instruct them and
bring them into harmony with God's plans. R447:4*, R659:4*
Not by thy covenant -- Not by the Law covenant, but by the New covenant.
R4464:6, R4371:3, R4575:4, R236:1; CR59:5; SM212:T, Q622:1
Israel's Old covenant will cover
them until they are brought under the new Mediator of the New covenant. Q134:2
Ezekiel 16:62
I will establish -- The Jews are to be the first to experience restitution
favor. OV120:5
My covenant -- The New Law covenant. SM212:T, CR59:5; R4354:6, R4575:4
Ezekiel 16:63
That -- In order that. SM212:T
Confounded -- Ashamed. R4881:4
Open thy mouth -- In boasting or complaint. R4881:4
Pacified -- In the redemption accomplished by our Lord. R4881:4
"And so all Israel shall be
saved." (Rom. 11:26) OV228:1
The promised restitution is not
based on the merits of Israel, the Samaritans or the Sodomites. R259:4, R546:1
That thou hast done -- Which he declares to be worse than Sodom had done (see
verses 47 and 48). R1618:1
Saith the Lord GOD -- When God signs his name to a statement this way we must
believe it. R259:4, R8:1, R546:1
Ezekiel 17
Ezekiel 17:13
Taken an oath -- Of faithfulness as a vassal to the king of Babylon.
R3623:2
Ezekiel 17:16
Oath he despised -- The taking of that oath was the immediate cause of
Zedekiah's downfall. R3623:2
Ezekiel 18
Ezekiel 18:1
The word of the LORD -- The 18th chapter of Ezekiel relates specially to the
time when the Adamic transgression will be offset by the New covenant. Naught
will remain against believers but their own misconduct. R2017:3
Ezekiel 18:2
The fathers -- Adam and his descendants, our ancestors. A109; R2220:2,
R2608:5
Have eaten -- Those who claim that God directly creates every human
being, make out that God is responsible for all the idiocy, insanity and
imbecility in the world. E309
Sour grapes -- Of human sin and weakness. R4881:2, R2050:6, R3133:6;
E309
And -- In consequence. R2220:2
Children's teeth -- By heredity, from their parents. R4881:2
Are set on edge -- Now all suffer for what their fathers sowed. OV392:3
By sickness, misery and death
which follows. A109
They are all depraved. E309
All of Adam's posterity are
fallen, depraved, dying, as a result of his transgression. R2398:6
Illustrated by the nearly one-half
of the human family who die in infancy--thus obviously not for their own sins.
E331
Ezekiel 18:3
Ye shall not -- During the Millennial age. R4971:4; E331; Q288:6
Any more -- No longer will men be held accountable for Adam's sin.
R5292:3; A143
The parents' sins will not be upon
the children. R381:2
The Adamic sin and curse being
canceled by the Redeemer, men will be freed from that condemnation. R492:5
The weakness of heredity shall no
longer weigh men down. R892:4
Ezekiel 18:4
All souls are mine -- God does not leave the eternal destiny of a single soul
to the faithfulness of parents, or pastor, or any one. R944:6
The soul -- The being. E465; R282:1, R1221:5, R1377:6, R3027:5,
R5578:6, R205:4, R277:1
It was not Adam's hand nor his
body that sinned, but his soul, his intelligent will. CR170:1; R5611:3,
R3174:1; Q835:T
Because of sin, all souls die. To
redeem our souls, our Lord became a human soul and "made his soul an
offering for sin." (Isa. 53:12) Therefore there is a resurrection of the
soul, not of the body. R3027:5, R3854:5; HG135:3
That sinneth -- Not the innocent children, as at present. E331
Wilfully and deliberately against
full light and ability. R892
An individual and deliberate act.
R649:5
All the wicked--not all the
ignorant--will God destroy. HG197:2
It shall die -- The Second Death. R3175:6, R381:2, R553:5, R5292:5;
HG283:6
Not suffer eternal torment.
R4982:5, R5318:2, R1039:6, R1196:1, R2607:3, R5753:5; CR269:6, CR293:4,
CR492:1, CR498:6; OV362:3, OV376:2; SM86:3, SM171:T, SM520:2, SM663:2; HG394:6,
HG707:2*; A128
The penalty for sin was not dying,
but death. E465
The spark of life produced the
soul, so taking away the spark of life extinguishes the soul. R5611:3
"The wrath of God abideth on
him." (John 3:36) E404
This scripture is not generally
applicable to the present time because all now die--saints and sinners; it is
expressed as a second sentence based on individual action and the context
refers to those who are free from Adamic sin. E330
A truth applicable to the Gospel
Church now and to the world during the Millennial reign, but not applicable to
the Jews at the time of the utterance. R4881:1
The sinning soul, but none other.
R363:1
It is the soul, the living,
intelligent being, which enters into death. Q834:3; SM86:3; HG654:1
It was the soul that died; it is
the soul that is to be resuscitated. Q836:4
The full penalty of the divine
law. OV16:1
The just penalty for the unworthy.
E404
The only penalty expressed against
sin by the Creator and Lawgiver. R1983:3
God's law is that any creature who
will not live in harmony with his law shall not live at all. R282:1
Everlasting punishment, but not
everlasting torment. R2611:4; HG224:1
This shall always be the divine
standard. HG233:1
Death is the absence of life, the
loss of life. R3754:6
God gave us our existence and he
has the power to deprive us of it if we do not use it properly. R363:1, R1882:1
If it dies it does not have any
punishment, or any more pain after that. It has had its punishment. It is a
great punishment to die. HG221:6
But the breath of life (the
spirit), the energizing of life principle, was removed from the body and
returned to God. Q837:4
Death is the sentence, and it is
from death that the world must be awakened in order to know the privileges of
divine grace. HG115:2
In direct opposition to Satan's
lie to Eve, "Ye shall not surely die." R910:5
The first death, Adamic Death, was
the death of the soul. HG356:5
Never in the chemical laboratory,
with analysis, microscopes or scalpel, has any scientist ever been able to
discover that a man has a soul that could not die. CR209:1*
"God is able to destroy both
soul and body." (Matt. 10:28) CR169:6
That God could create a human
soul, but could not destroy one, is absurd and unscriptural. OV34:1; HG334:5
"All the wicked will God
destroy." (Psa. 145:20) R2607:3
"The wages of sin is
death." (Rom. 6:23) R2607:3
The Second Death is not an enemy,
but a friend. R3175:6, R1219:4, R1511:4, R4999:6; Q261:1, Q623:6
None but wilful sinners will die
in the Millennium. R1073:2
Ezekiel 18:8
Usury -- The meaning of the English word "usury" has
somewhat changed--now it indicates oppressive interest. Formerly its meaning
was, simply, interest. R1995:1
We do not understand the taking of
a reasonable interest to be usury. R1994:5
A reasonable proportion of the
profit would not be usury; but there might be circumstances where even a small
interest might mean oppression and injury. R1994:6
Ezekiel 18:20
The soul that sinneth -- See comments on verse 4. Verses 20 to 32 give the rules
of the coming age. R2613:3
The son shall not bear -- Each will have an individual trial, just as in Adam's
case, and each will be sentenced for himself. R1222:4, BR2117:4, R2606:3
No one will die again on account
of another; no one live again on account of another. R527:6*
Ezekiel 18:21
Keep all my statutes -- Implies also the pondering and study of them. R2016:6
Shall surely live -- The evildoer, coming to God with full repentance, is
forgiven and received into God's family. R5781:2
Verses 21 to 24 present the
principle of divine justice. R4986:5
Ezekiel 18:23
Have I any pleasure -- The destruction of the incorrigible shows God's
unceasing hatred of sin. R1782:1
Ezekiel 18:24
Not be mentioned -- If he sins wilfully, his past good deeds will not be
remembered. R5781:2
Every act, down to the last, has
to do with the sentence of the trial. R4986:5
Differing from the reasoning that
a man's life should be judged by the whole, and not by the failures in it.
R2016:6
Contradicting the concept of
"once in grace, always in grace." R4971:2
Ezekiel 18:26
Dieth in them -- Unrepentant. R2017:1
Ezekiel 18:32
I have no pleasure -- Ours is a merciful God. CR277:4
He desires to "have all men
to be saved." (1 Tim. 2:4) E466, E467
The destruction of the
incorrigible shows God's unceasing hatred of sin. R1782:1
He willeth not the death of him
that dieth, but would (prefer) that all should turn unto him and live. R1026:5,
R2398:6
Nevertheless, when Adam chose
disobedience, God pronounced the penalty. E468
Not that he does not
"will" the death of the sinner, for it is his will that the
"soul that sinneth, it shall die." R1449:6*
God changes not. He has always had
this good will toward his creatures. E467
Him that dieth -- The Second Death is not an enemy, but a friend. R3175:6,
R1219:4, R4999:6, R1511:4; Q261:1, Q623:6
Turn yourselves -- Choose life by complying with the conditions on which
God says we may have it. R363:1
Ezekiel 20
Ezekiel 20:5
In the day -- The day of the Passover, the first feature of the Law.
R1731:2,1
Ezekiel 20:11
I gave them -- So far as the Ten Commandments are concerned, there is
no question that they were given only to Israel after the flesh. R1726:5,
R971:4
Live In them -- Jesus' life was not taken from him because of
disobedience. He laid it down voluntarily that it might become an asset in the
hands of divine justice to be used for mankind. R5342:4
Ezekiel 20:12
Also I gave them -- It was given to Israel. It was something new to the
Israelites, not previously known among them or their fathers. R1731:3, R3752:3
To be a sign -- In all ages God has made covenants, with visible signs
thereof. R2032:1*
Ezekiel 20:20
And you -- You Israelites. R1731:2, R3752:6
Ezekiel 20:34
Will gather you -- Even now beginning to be fulfilled. R1630:2
Ezekiel 20:37
Under the rod -- Israel's experiences under the chastening rod have been
painful and humiliating, but her buffeting is almost over and soon the blessings
of the new everlasting covenant will begin to be showered upon her. PT369:5
Ezekiel 20:43
Shall ye remember -- Restored or re-created beings will recognize themselves,
and also neighbors or former acquaintances. R604:3*
Ezekiel 20:49
Not speak parables -- "Not unto themselves but unto us did they
minister." (1 Pet. 1:12) B23
They were stated in dark and
symbolic language, and linked with events then future. To understand them then
was impossible. B23
The prophets acknowledge their own
ignorance of what they wrote. It was not for themselves, but for the
instruction of the Gospel Church, and especially for the two ends--the opening
and the closing end of the Gospel age. R1418:6
Ezekiel 21
Ezekiel 21:25
And thou -- Zedekiah, the last king of the Jewish nation. A248;
R2401:2, R3616:1; SM416:1; PD47/59
Profane wicked prince -- "Death-deserving wicked one." (Leeser) R1372:6
Whose day is come -- 3520 years after the fall in the Garden of Eden, and
3520 years before the end of the Millennial age in 2914 AD. R3460:3,4*
"Seven Times," or seven
symbolic years, began on the day of Zedekiah's overthrow and are due to end
October 1914. OV80:10
Not that the Gentiles would be
fully out of power by 1914, but, their lease expiring, their eviction would
begin. Biii Have an end -- Termination of the typical kingdom of
God. R1372:6
Ezekiel 21:26
Take off the crown -- The Davidic crown. OV52:4; PD47/59
The crown and diadem of authority
and power. R3687:4
Because of sin, God removed his
throne from the Davidic line. R507:2
The typical crown of the typical
kingdom of God. A248; B76, B79; Q80:1, Q93:8, R507:2
Israel had proven themselves unfit
for exaltation to universal dominion, having become corrupt, vain and
idolatrous. B75
From king Zedekiah in 606 BC.
R5598:6, R5406:2; SM416:2; Q80:1; B79
God gave the lease of earthly
power to Nebuchadnezzar and his successors. SM478:T, R5328:5, R5526:1
God actually removed his typical
kingdom to permit Nebuchadnezzar's government to become universal; for it would
be impossible for the Gentiles to have universal sway so long as God's kingdom,
even in a typical form, existed. R1979:1
In 606 BC, at the midpoint between
the ending of Adam's 1000-year day and the 1000-year day of the second Adam.
R3460:3*
Not be the same -- I will discontinue this order of things. Q79:2; R166:1*,
R419:5
Him that is low -- Humble. R2401:2
The line of Nathan. E133
Him that is high -- Proud. R2401:2
The line of Solomon. E133
Ezekiel 21:27
Overturn, overturn -- Satan's earthly empires. R362:5
Completely overturn Solomon's line.
E133
The typical kingdom of God. A248;
R1979:1, R4497:3, R4833:4, R5673:4; Q83:1
First to Babylon, then to
Medo-Persia, then to Grecia, then to Rome. B76, B79; R5673:4
First at the Babylonian captivity,
606 BC; second at the destruction of Jerusalem, AD 70; third will be the one
spoken of in Zech. 14. R107:6*
The new King (The Christ,
complete) will dethrone and bind the former prince of the power of the air,
Satan, and accomplish the final overturning. R362:1
The overturning of Zedekiah's
government until the establishment of Messiah's Kingdom, corresponding to the
2520 years' lease to the Gentiles. R5526:2, R2977:1, R4867:2, R5564:3, R5598:6,
R5710:3, R1979:2, R4497:3; CR41:3; PD47/59; HG48:1
Shall be no more -- It shall not belong to anyone. R1372:6
There has been no king of Israel
from Zedekiah's day to the present--the overturning has been very thorough. The
kings of Israel at the first advent were not Israelitish nor of Israelitish
birth, but appointees of Gentile governments. R3259:5, R4867:4; Q79:2, Q93:8;
OV52:4; CR139:4
It was to remain overturned until
Christ, the rightful heir, should claim it. Thus, inferentially, any claims by
others to be "kingdoms of God" are spurious. A249
There has been no earthly kingdom
of God from that time onward. Q79:2
During which time kings and
emperors did not reign by the grace of God, though he permitted various
experiments at self-government for an appointed time. R1094:5
Though restored to national
existence by Cyrus, they were subjects and tribute-payers to the successive
empires of Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome. A248
Until he come -- Until Messiah himself, at his second advent, shall take
the throne as the antitypical Son of David. CR41:3
The Christ, Messiah. R166:1,
R419:5, R5328:4, R5589:3; SM478:T; Bix The glorified Christ, Jesus and the
Church. R3616:2, R1979:1; SM416:1; HG675:6
The great Prophet, Priest, King
and Judge. R2609:1
The immediate beginning of the
legal restoration of the Jews by the Anglo-Saxon treaty is circumstantial and
visible evidence that "he whose right it is" has come. R82:2*
The "Times of the
Gentiles" applying to the interval between the removal of the typical
kingdom and the establishment of its antitype, the true Kingdom, when Christ
comes to be glorified in his saints. B73; A249
The treading down of Jerusalem
would then cease. R5328:5
Whose right it is -- In whose hands is the shaping of the destinies of
nations and individuals. R1619:3
I will give it him -- The dominion is about to be given. R5489:4
We believe that the time for the
giving of the Kingdom to the Messiah is near at hand. (1915 comment) R5680:2
1914 is the date when Christendom
will lose its crown and when he "whose right it is" will take his
great power and reign. R3574:1*, R4867:5
Speedily following the
introduction of the Millennial judgment reign. R2609:1
We are not to expect that this
transfer will come as a flash of lightning it will require a little time.
R5328:5
The time of trouble will be the
natural consequence of the transfer of rulership from the devil, the prince of
this world, to "him whose right it is." R592:2
For an inheritance. (Psa. 2:8) D12
At, or during, the sounding of the
seventh and last trump. (Rev. 11: 15) HG20:1
Has the Kingdom begun in any sense
of the word? We so believe. The light now going forth is under the direction of
the Captain of our Salvation. R5567:3
"And there was given him
dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all people, nations and languages should
serve him." (Dan. 7:14) R2609:1; OV83:4
"And the time came that the
saints possessed the kingdom." (Dan. 7:22) R2609:1
Ezekiel 22
Ezekiel 22:4
A reproach -- This is Christendom's unhappy lot at the present time.
D72
Ezekiel 22:28
Thus saith the Lord -- The Lord reproves very sharply some who recklessly use
this expression to give weight to their own imaginings or opinions. R1481:4*
Ezekiel 28
Ezekiel 28:2
Prince of Tyrus -- Verses 1 to 10 give an exact description of the Pope of
Rome, who is Satan's vicegerent on earth. R1237:1*
Tyre represents the kingdom of
Satan. R1237:1*
Ezekiel 28:3
Than Daniel -- Whose great wisdom is thus acknowledged by Ezekiel,
Daniel's contemporary. R3630:3
Ezekiel 28:12
The king of Tyrus -- Symbolizing Satan. R3187:2*
Verses 11 to 19 give a description
of Satan. R1237:1*
Ezekiel 28:14
Anointed cherub -- Satan was created an angel of a very high order.
OV298:2; R3187:2*
Ezekiel 28:15
Iniquity was found -- Then estrangement from God becomes rapid. OV298:3
Ezekiel 28:16
Mountain of God -- Kingdom of God. A318
Covering cherub -- Of the highest order of angels, glorious and beautiful.
OV15:3; SM95:1; Q826:T
Ezekiel 28:25
When I shall -- Very shortly to be brought to pass, and is even now
beginning to be fulfilled. R1630:2
Ezekiel 28:26
Executed judgments -- Under the righteous reign of "The Christ"
before the great "white throne" of truth. R541:5*
Ezekiel 29
Ezekiel 29:6
Of Egypt -- Of the world. R1828:2
A staff of reed -- Better far will be those who lean not upon Egypt for
help, but who lean upon the Lord. R1828:2
Ezekiel 29:21
I cause the horn -- Power. T42
Ezekiel 31
Ezekiel 31:15
In the day when he -- Literal and modern mystic Babylon. E372; R2599:5
Down to the grave -- Sheol, oblivion, death, not torment. E372; R2599:5,
R2600:3
In it (Sheol) the dead are spoken
of as asleep or inert, or as deprived of the honor and power which they had in
life. R828:6*
Sheol--variously translated
"hell," "grave" and "pit." There is no evidence
that the word had more than one significance or that its later signification
was different from its earlier. R828:6*
The old-time nation of Babylon was
overthrown by the Medes and Persians and went into oblivion, into the death
state as a nation. E372
Ezekiel 31:16
Down to hell -- Sheol, oblivion, death. E372; R2599:5
And all the trees -- Showing that not only people are to be found in
"hell." HG556:2, HG734:5*
Ezekiel 32
Ezekiel 32:7
Cover the heaven -- The powers of spiritual control. A318; D591
Make the stars -- The apostolic lights. D591
Will cover the sun -- The Gospel light, the Truth--Christ Jesus. D590
And the moon -- The light of the Mosaic Law. D590
Not give her light -- Truth. A20
Ezekiel 32:21
The strong -- El, mighty ones, a name sometimes applied to Jehovah.
E69, E66
"El" is sometimes, as
here, used in connection with inanimate things. E69
Among the mighty -- The mighty nations which perished previously. E372
Shall speak to him -- To Egypt, by the voice of history. E372
The midst of hell -- Sheol, oblivion, death, not torment. E372; R2599:5
Representing Egypt's overthrow as
a nation to join Babylon in destruction--buried. R2599:5
Ezekiel 32:27
Gone down to hell -- Sheol, oblivion, death, not torment. E372; R2599:5
With their weapons -- "He maketh wars to cease." (Psa. 46:9) E372
Showing that they take these
weapons with them into "hell." HG556:2, HG734:5*
Under their heads -- The grave is the only "hell" where fallen ones
lie with their weapons of war under their heads. R2599:5
Ezekiel 33
Ezekiel 33:6
The watchman -- When the foundations of all our faith are assailed, we
lay aside mildness and cry aloud so as at once to arouse all Israel to the
danger of the hour. R425:6, R431:6
Be not warned -- It is our duty to warn against selfishness, our most
imminent danger--our greatest enemy. R548:3
Ezekiel 33:7
O son of man -- Applying to any steward of the Lord. R1558:6
Ezekiel 33:8
If thou dost not speak -- There can be no compromise of truth, no mixing of it
with human philosophies to make it more palatable or to avoid any measure of
otherwise inevitable persecution. R1558:6
His blood will I require -- "I am pure from the blood of all men, for I have
not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God." (Acts 20:26, 27)
R1558:6
Ezekiel 33:11
Say unto them -- The world of mankind in the incoming age. R2613:3
I have no pleasure -- "The Lord is not willing that any should
perish." (2 Pet. 3:9) R1449:6*
Not that he does not
"will" the death of the sinner, for it is his will that the
"soul that sinneth, it shall die." R1449:6*
Death of the wicked -- Second Death. R904:3
In mercy God will blot such out of
existence. R605:5, R3083:5
Only when they absolutely refuse
to be rightly exercised by the discipline of the Lord will he administer the
final punishment which forever blots them out of existence. R904:3
This will be the last unpleasant
duty of the Creator. R1834:1
The destruction of the incorrigible
will be in demonstration of God's unceasing hatred of sin. R1782:1, R1273:5
Turn ye -- If men in this life repent of sin and continue the work
of reformation to the best of their ability, they will reap the benefit of so
doing in the age to come. R722:5, R2613:3
Why will ye die -- "See, I have set before thee this day life and
death." (Deut. 30:19) R401:1*
Ezekiel 33:12
His transgression -- If he sin wilfully, his past good deeds shall not be
remembered. R5781:2
That he turneth -- The evildoer, coming to God with full repentance, is
forgiven and received into God's family. R5781:2
Ezekiel 33:13
Not be remembered -- The crown of life is promised to those who shall prove
themselves faithful, even until death. R1699:6
He shall die for it -- There is a possibility of failure in the Millennial age.
R401:2*
If one should make a covenant with
God and then fail to keep that covenant he would lose his covenant relationship
with God as soon as he abrogated the contract. Q288:5
Ezekiel 33:15
If the wicked restore -- Godly sorrow for the wrong, turning from the wrong, and
then, as far as possible, making the wrong right--that is repentance. R747:6*
Shall surely live -- This principle applies at the present time to those who
pass from death unto life as New Creatures; but it especially applies to the
Millennial age. R4971:2; Q288:5
Ezekiel 33:16
Shall be mentioned -- His past evil is entirely ignored, except as it may bear
its fruit in certain weaknesses of mind and body. R5781:2
Ezekiel 34
Ezekiel 34:2
Shepherds of Israel -- All who accept the position of elders are, to some
extent, representing the Lord, who is the Great Shepherd of the flock. R5389:4
Hireling shepherds of the pulpit.
D62; HG715:6
Greedy, ignorant, lazy teachers.
F287
Feed themselves -- Divide amongst themselves the spoils of filthy lucre,
honors, reverence, titles, etc. R1895:6
Many preachers have discerned the
Plan but, instead of preaching it, have hidden it, to cause themselves to
shine. R3138:4
These are warned by the Lord of
his displeasure, and could not be expected to thrive spiritually. R3138:5
Feed the flocks -- Not nominal Christians, but the true saints of God.
R5693:3
Leading them to the "green
pastures" of God's Word and to the "still waters" of divine
truth. R5693:2
Ezekiel 34:3
Ye kill -- Slaughter their influence, cast out their names as evil.
R633:2
Them that are fed -- They that find pastures of truth and feed, despite the
neglect of the shepherds. R633:2
Feed not -- Their church arrangements are often especially for the
goat or tare class. R5693:3
Very few of the flock of the
Lord's consecrated people any longer seek spiritual food at their hands.
R5693:6
Ezekiel 34:6
All the mountains -- Kingdoms. A318
The Lord's sheep are intermixed
with various nations. R633:2
Every high hill -- Societies of earth--churches. R633:2
Or seek after them -- The shepherds sanction the scattered and divided
condition of the Lord's sheep, and claim that it is the Chief Shepherd's will
that they should be separated in various sects. R633:2
Ezekiel 34:8
There was no shepherd -- Preferring to act a lie, to destroy the faith of the
too-confident sheep whom they lead and whose praise and money they enjoy.
SM298:1
Ezekiel 34:10
The shepherds -- Theological professors and pastors, by not explaining
the meaning of the Hebrew and Greek words Sheol and hades, have permitted God's
character and plan to be traduced. R2598:6
Require my flock at -- Take my flock from. R633:1, R2599:1
Cease from feeding -- They shall not continue to be God's mouthpieces, nor
shepherd his flock. R2599:1
Feed themselves -- Upon the husks of science and man-made theology, and in
honoring each other with titles. R633:2
Ezekiel 34:11
Behold, I, even I -- Behold I am here and will enquire for my flock. R633:1
Ezekiel 34:12
In the day -- The "Day of the Lord." R487:3
He is among -- Present among. R487:3
Will I seek out -- This is having a fulfillment in the gathering of the
sheep of both folds, natural and spiritual Israelites, out of their respective
bondages and dispersions. R487:3
Will deliver them -- Mark well that this will be when he is present,
"here," and "among his flocks that are scattered." R633:2,
R5693:6
Cloudy and dark day -- The Day of the Lord, the time of trouble. R487:3, R633:2
Ezekiel 34:13
Gather them -- He is about to complete his flock of this Gospel age.
R5693:6
Their own land -- The homeland of the Lord's sheep of this Gospel age is
heaven itself. R5694:1
Ezekiel 34:14
A good fold -- The whole world will become "the fold."
R5694:6
Ezekiel 34:15
Will feed my flock -- This promised feeding of the Lord's flock is now taking
place. R633:4
Ezekiel 34:16
With judgment -- A righteous recompense. R5694:3
Ezekiel 34:17
O my flock -- The beguiling of the attention of the flock from the one
true shepherd to a fellow sheep is not always the fault of the leaders. There
is a tendency of those of the sheep nature to follow one another. R2080:2,
R5694:3
The rams -- Elders in the church. R5389:1
The he goats -- Whenever any one manifests the goat disposition the
ecclesia should strictly avoid making him a leader. R5389:4
Owners of sheep sometimes use a
goat as leader of the flock because a goat is more combative than a sheep, and
thus supplies the sheep courage. R5389:4
Ezekiel 34:18
The deep waters -- Of truth. R3076:1; C65
Ezekiel 34:19
They eat that -- Each sheep must see to it that he eats only "clean
provender" and drinks only "pure water" as directed by the
Shepherd. R2080:4
Ezekiel 34:20
I, will judge -- This already has begun in respect to the Gospel Church.
R5694:4
The fat cattle -- Some who have been considered quite prominent in
Christendom, pushing and managing its affairs, will be reproved by the Lord in
this day. R5694:4
The lean cattle -- The poor, the outcasts, the peculiar, are styled his
flock, which he is now gathering and feeding. R5694:4
Ezekiel 34:22
I will judge -- See comments on verse 20.
Ezekiel 34:23
My servant David -- The Christ, Head and Body. R5694:5
Ezekiel 34:25
The evil beasts -- The evildoers, those who will devour, destroy and do
harm. R5694:6
In the woods -- A quiet and restful condition. R5694:6
Ezekiel 34:27
Yield her increase -- In the "Times of Restitution" of Messiah's
reign. R4674:1, R1248:3; A192; HG515:1
Already we have evidence of how
these scriptures may be fulfilled. R4431:5
For the microbes of destruction
and disease shall be restrained. R1771:6
Ezekiel 36
Ezekiel 36:17
Son of man -- Ezekiel, representing the Lord in their midst, even in
the land of their captivity--for 22 years delivering unto them the word of the
Lord. R1373:4, R2503:1
Ezekiel 36:20
Profaned my holy name -- They brought disgrace upon the name of the Lord in all
the countries whither they went. R1373:5
Ezekiel 36:24
From among the heathen -- Out of all nations. OV67:1
And gather you -- This great regathering of all Israel to the land of promise,
which shall by and by include their risen dead, is already begun. R1374:1
Out of all countries -- From every quarter of the world. OV67:1
Into your own land -- Not all Jews, but some of the most pious and zealous,
will gather in Palestine. OV67:1
This unquestionably refers to the
literal and final regathering of Israel to Palestine. R1373:6
Ezekiel 36:25
Then will I -- Through the Millennial reign of Christ. A333
Not before, but after, their
return. R101:6, R1373:5
Sprinkle clean water -- Pure truth and righteous influence. R1374:2, R101:6
Would seem to signify the
application of the truth. R2503:5
Had some fulfilment in those who
returned from Babylonian captivity, who were influenced by the truth of the
promises made to the fathers. R2503:6
Cleanse you -- There will be no desire nor temptation to idolatrous
worship then. Satan shall be bound. R1374:2
In chastising, correcting,
forgiving, restoring and promising to reinstate them to his favor, he is
illustrating his great love and mercy toward the whole world. R1373:4
Ezekiel 36:26
A new heart -- Renewed, or repaired; such as belongs to perfect
manhood. R636:6, R1374:2, R5164:4
God purposes to settle the whole
matter for rich and poor in his own way--and his way must be the best way. He
purposes to change the hearts of men. R5154:6; HG578:3
The work of re-writing the divine
character in the heart, which will progress in the world for 1000 years, is
already begun in the Church. We write these qualities within our own hearts.
R5309:5
The new heart condition is
essential also to spiritual Israel--to be free from idols and separated to the
Lord God. R2505:1
The creating of man was a
momentary act, but the re-creating, the re-generation, the re-newing, the
re-storing of the heart will be a gradual work. R1374:4, R2503:6
Will I give you -- Jesus did not do this at the first advent. This was to
be still a future work, the work of the Kingdom. R5886:1
A new spirit -- Such as Adam had before sin entered. R111:1
New will, new mind, new
disposition. This must come first before the new heart condition can be
attained. R2504:3, R2503:1
I will take away -- By means of the afflictions of the time of trouble.
R2504:1
The gradual work of the
Mediatorial Kingdom by instruction in righteousness. R5292:3, R2504:2
Sin is now written on the hearts
of all humanity. This must first be blotted out and the former image--the law
of God-- reinstated before men will be perfect men. R276:4
Through the better sacrifices, the
antitypical Mediator will have the power to start the people with a clean
slate. R5292:3
The stony heart -- Of self-will and self-gratification; calloused and
depraved. R2504:1, R636:6
The stony heart condition means
"me," "my," "mine," "right if I can, wrong
if I must." R2504:1
Not take away their flesh and make
them spiritual beings. R276:4
It will be a time for melting and
mellowing all hearts. R1655:3
Israel is probably as much, and
probably no more, affected with the stony heart condition than any other
nation. R2504:1
I will give you -- Under the New covenant, the Lord will take away the sins
and stony hearts of mankind. But the New covenant does not become personal
between God and mankind until the Mediator steps out of the way. R4903:4
This change of heart is entirely
aside from the making of the New covenant. It will take 1000 years to remove
the stoniness out of the hearts of man and to make them stand without a
mediator. R5164:4
An heart of flesh -- The restored image of God. A310; R276:4, R2504:2
Tender, sympathetic, generous,
godlike. R3202:6, R1374:2, R4777:2, R5154:6
Under the gracious terms of the
New covenant during the Millennium. R5947:1, R4903:4, R4309:6
This work will proceed from Israel
to all the families of the earth. R5058:5
The Mediator will have the power
to start the people with a clean slate. R5292:3
With spiritual Israel the new
heart is not a heart of flesh, for they are begotten unto the high calling to
partake of the divine nature. R2505:4
Ezekiel 36:27
Put my spirit -- A new will, mind or disposition, in harmony with God;
the spirit of righteousness, truth and love; the spirit of grace and
supplication. R2504:3,5, R1374:4
This does not refer to spiritual
Israel, although spiritual Israel has a somewhat similar experience in advance.
R2504:5
The same outpouring of the holy
Spirit upon fleshly Israel is referred to by the Prophet Zechariah (Zech.
12:10) and directly applied to the end of this age. R2504:5
Cause you to walk -- Inclining and enabling them to be obedient. R1374:4
Ezekiel 36:28
Ye shall be my people -- All who, under the New covenant, shall become his
people, typified by Israel. R1655:3
After he has made provision for
all, only those who accept of those New covenant favors will be recognized by
him as "my people." R1374:4
Ezekiel 36:29
Will increase it -- The land, which has been so long desolate and
unproductive, will return to its former fertility. R107:4*
Artesian wells, irrigating canals,
miracle wheat, the draining of marshes are all evidences of how these
scriptures may be fulfilled. R4431:6
In connection with the transformation
of heart and will, will come the blessing which the Lord promised upon the
earth--it shall yield its increase. R2504:6
Many fold. R4431:6
Ezekiel 36:30
Multiply the fruit -- Burbank and others have, under divine guidance, worked
miracles in horticulture. R5058:2
Increase of the field -- In a larger sense, the renewed earth, Paradise restored.
R1374:4
Ezekiel 36:31
Shall ye remember -- The restored being will recognize himself and neighbors
of former acquaintance. R604:3
The restored ones will be reminded
of their unworthiness of the free, unmerited gifts of God. R1374:5
Ezekiel 36:32
Be ashamed -- React with confusion and repentance. R1374:5
Ezekiel 36:35
Land that was desolate -- The land of Israel--the blessings beginning there will
illustrate divine providence operating on behalf of those who are influenced by
the truth and its spirit. R2504:6
The garden of Eden -- The word "paradise" signifies "a
delightful garden, park or pleasure ground." The Garden of Eden was the
original Paradise, and mankind will be restored to that Edenic condition.
Q845:1
Ezekiel 36:36
Then -- In the Millennium. A333
Shall know -- As these blessings progress, all will be witnesses of
God's faithful goodness to his people. R1374:5
Ezekiel 36:37
Be inquired of -- Cooperation necessary, prayer being a token of the
soul's sincere desire. R1374:5
Like a flock -- Every soul that longs for the truth is one of the Lord's
lost sheep, and will be found during the Millennium. R1374:5
Ezekiel 36:38
Flocks of men -- "Other sheep I have that are not of this fold; them
also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one flock
and one shepherd." (John 10:16) R1374:5
Ezekiel 37
Ezekiel 37:1
The hand -- Power. R2505:3
This passage of Scripture
regarding the dry bones was addressed to fleshly Israel when in Babylon.
R2505:2
Midst of the valley -- The valley of Jehoshaphat, typifying Adamic Death.
R2908:2
Representing the captivity in
Babylon. R2505:2
Was full of bones -- Captive Israelites, the whole twelve tribes. R2505:3
This was a vision, not literal.
R2505:3
This vision does not refer to the
literal resurrection of the dead, but to the restoration of the dead hopes of
the Jewish nation and their gradual reanimation as a people. Q584:4
The dry bones represented the
Israelites themselves. R2505:2
Ezekiel 37:3
Can these bones live? -- Is there any hope for the scattered people of Israel
that they will ever be restored as a nation? R2505:5
Lord...thou knowest -- Any hope must come from God. R2505:5
Ezekiel 37:4
Prophesy -- Ezekiel was to declare the divine message, foretelling
what was to come to pass. R2505:5
Ye dry bones -- Of hope of again becoming a nation. PD53/65
Ezekiel 37:5
Cause breath -- Ruach, spirit of life, life-energy. E315
Ye shall live -- Not referring to a literal resurrection, but to the
revival of Israel's hopes in the divine promises. R5503:3; Q584:4; PD53/65
Ezekiel 37:6
Sinews -- Of strength. PD53/65
Flesh -- Of comeliness. PD53/65
Skin -- Completion. PD53/65
And put breath -- Ruach. E316
Be infused with the spirit of the
Lord as the breath or energy of national life, begotten of faith in the
promises, and standing again as a nation. R2505:6
Ye shall live -- Though a symbol, it shows that a human organism has no
life until it receives the ruach, the breath of life, which is common to all
animals--none of them can live without it. E316
Ezekiel 37:7
A noise and...a shaking -- The Revised Version renders this: "Thunder and an
earthquake." R2505:6
The commotions incident to the
fall of Babylon and the transfer of the empire to the Medes and Persians,
typifying the coming time of trouble. R2505:6
There is a commotion amongst those
who are spiritual Israelites indeed, whose Kingdom hopes are now being revived.
R2506:4
The great noise is the
"seventh trumpet" which has begun to sound. R2506:1
The bones came together -- Now in progress among the Jewish people through Zionism.
PD53/65
Ezekiel 37:8
No breath -- Ruach. E317
Ezekiel 37:9
Unto the wind -- Ruach, spirit of life, life-energy--margin, breath. E317
Four winds -- Ruach. E317
O breath -- Ruach. E317
Ezekiel 37:10
Great army -- A nation. R2505:6
Ezekiel 37:11
Whole house of Israel -- The whole twelve tribes. R2505:3
No longer to be considered as two
distinct nations. R2505:3
The rest of the world is typified
by the "whole house of Israel." R1377:2*
Our hope is lost -- Does not refer to the literal resurrection, but to the
revival of Israel's hopes in the divine promises. R5503:3; Q584:4; PD53/65
Of being God's favored people and
the heir of the promises made to Abraham. R2505:3
Of ever again becoming a nation.
PD53/65; R2505:3
We have lost heart, our ambitions
are all gone, or are asleep. R4788:5, R2505:2
A lesson might also be drawn for
spiritual Israelites, who, for centuries, lost sight of Kingdom hopes for
blessing the whole world of mankind. R2506:2
For our parts -- From our parts, from all tribal and national union.
R2505:3
Ezekiel 37:12
I will open your graves -- Where the dead sleep, waiting for an awakening. SM39:T
Blinded, stumbled Israel is still
there. R4781:2
Restitution is spoken of by the
mouth of all the holy prophets. R545:3
The various provinces of Babylonia
in which your national hopes are buried by your captivity; foreshadowing the
general scattering among all nations. R2506:1
Out of your graves -- Israel will be regathered out from all the nations
whither they have been scattered, and also come out from the graves. R1630:2,
R1652:4
The fulness of Israel will finally
embrace the dead as well as the living. R107:3*, R1378:4, R1466:6
The power is with God to bring men
to life again. R536:4
They go into the tomb as
individuals, as everyone else; but as a nation also they have gone into the
tomb--especially since AD 70. R4788:5
The land of Israel -- Then Abraham will realize the reward of his faith.
R1652:4
The present land of Palestine is a
very small part of the promised land, which is to stretch from the Nile to the
Euphrates (Gen. 15:18), and appears to include Arabia, as well as parts of
Egypt and the Sudan--an area equal to the half of Europe. Q792:2
Ezekiel 37:13
Ye shall know -- Be delivered from blindness and brought to that full,
clear knowledge which will render every man without excuse and fully
responsible for his choice of life through obedience to Christ. R4781:3
When -- During the Millennial day. C260; A108
Ezekiel 37:14
Put my spirit -- Ruach. E317
In your own land -- The land of Palestine. C260; R1373:6
Ezekiel 37:17
Join them -- No longer to be considered as two distinct nations, but
henceforth as a reunited nation. R2505:3
Shall become one -- This was done to show that the exiles of Israel (carried
away to Babylon BC 722, when Samaria was destroyed) were to unite with the
captives of Judah. R4893:5
Ezekiel 37:20
The sticks -- Two sticks representing the divided people. R2084:4
Ezekiel 37:21
Will gather them -- With the fulfilment of their "double." SM398:T
This verse of Scripture appears on
the official medal for the second Zionist conference in 1898. R2362:5*
Ezekiel 37:22
One nation -- No "ten lost tribes," for whom there has been
so much seeking. R4893:5
Ezekiel 37:24
David my servant -- David's posterity, Christ. C257
Ezekiel 37:25
Given unto Jacob -- Natural Israel. A300
Ezekiel 37:26
Covenant of peace -- The New covenant. R101:6, R282:6, R4371:3
Sanctuary -- Dwelling--the Church. R102:1, R111:1
Ezekiel 38
Ezekiel 38:2
Gog -- The merciless plunderers of regathered Israel. D554
Representing the "all
nations" of Zech. 14:2. D555
Magog...Meshech...Tubal -- Descendants of Japheth, Europeans. D556
Ezekiel 38:5
Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya -- The very ones now occupying Egypt, Palestine and the
east--and all these nations are Mohammedans. HG89:4
Ezekiel 38:6
Gomer...Togarmah -- Descendants of Japheth, Europeans. D556
Of the north quarters -- Possibly Russia. HG89:5
Ezekiel 38:8
After many days -- Gathering of Israel to Palestine within this Harvest
period. D553
Gathered out -- Indicating that Palestine would be released from Turkish
oppression, and the Jews persecuted and driven out of various countries, before
the great climax of trouble. R2056:1
During the Day of the Lord when
the first return of the Israelites to Palestine shall have taken place (a
second and greater returning evidently will not take place until after the time
of trouble). R286:3
Dwell safely -- At the time when the rest of the world is in its wildest
confusion. D553
Ezekiel 38:11
And thou -- Gog--Europeans, with Asiatic and African allies. D555,
D556
Unwalled villages -- An open, defenseless condition. D554
That are at rest -- Regathered Israel during the time of trouble. D553
Ezekiel 38:12
To take a spoil -- Toward, or at the close of the time of trouble. R148:4,
R410:1
For "the day of the Lord
cometh, when thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee." (Zech.
14:1) R148:4
Many Jews have doubtless gone to
Palestine, not out of respect to God's promises, but, realizing the dangers to
which property will be exposed, have chosen to be far away from the strongholds
of communism. R26:5, R410:1, R593:1
Their wealth and prosperity excite
the cupidity of the nations. R286:3, R2056:1
To pillage and rob the wealthy
Jews. R26:4, R410:1
Palestine must become wealthy to
permit fulfilment. R1846:4
Ezekiel 38:13
Sheba and Dedan -- Descendants of Ham, North Africans. D556
Tarshish -- Descendants of Japheth, Europeans. D556
Ezekiel 38:15
The north parts -- Europe and Asia. D555
Ezekiel 38:16
In the latter days -- Literally, the last of the days. D555
The closing scenes of the day of
trouble. D555
Sanctified in thee -- Set apart, distinguished as thy conqueror. D555
Ezekiel 38:18
My fury shall come up -- The destruction of Israel's enemies can only be compared
to the terrible overthrow of Pharoah and his hosts when seeking to repossess
themselves of Israel whom God was delivering. D556
Ezekiel 38:20
The fishes -- The men. C214
Of the sea -- Masses of mankind not under religious restraint. R333:1
Fowls of the heaven -- Satan and his agents. R2634:6, R817:3; C162
Beasts of the field -- Symbol of Gentile governments. A261
The mountains -- Kingdoms. A318; R5992:1
And every wall -- Civil power. D40
Ezekiel 38:21
I will call -- The Lord shall again fight for Israel. R1747:1
Every man's sword -- National animosities will become personal animosities.
R5852:5
The disconcerted hosts will effect
the complete disruption of the present order of things. R5604:5, R5790:6
Against his brother -- An outbreak of jealousy, revolution and anarchy amongst
the various elements composing the mixed army, which will complete the
universal insurrection and anarchy--the great earthquake of Rev. 16:18-21. D557
The spirit of anarchy will spread
from nations to individuals. OV419:4
Ezekiel 38:23
They shall know -- The miraculous overthrow of Gog will demonstrate to the
world that Christ's Kingdom has come. R4751:3*
Ezekiel 39
Ezekiel 39:1
Gog -- Russia. R107:5*
That Russia and Great Britain were
likely to come into conflict before the end of Gentile times was noted in
Scripture in association with the prophecy of this chapter. R2056:6
Ezekiel 39:21
See my judgment -- In the deliverance of regathered Israel. D557, R4751:3*
Ezekiel 39:23
Heathen shall know -- The purpose of the trouble is for Israel's own good and
the good of the nations. R107:5*
Against me -- In rejecting Christ. D557
Of their enemies -- For all the centuries of the Christian dispensation.
D557
Ezekiel 39:25
Therefore -- Now that the punishment is completed. D557
Captivity of Jacob -- Natural Israel. A300
The whole house -- Living and dead. D557
Ezekiel 39:26
They have borne -- They have (thus) borne. D558
Ezekiel 39:28
Led into captivity -- Exiled. D558
Ezekiel 40
Ezekiel 40:2
Very high mountain -- Kingdom. A318
On the south -- Symbol of restitution to perfect humanity. D653
Ezekiel 41
Ezekiel 41:1
To the temple -- The fourth temple. R1297:1
Ezekiel 43
Ezekiel 43:4
Into the house -- Representing the glorification of the Church. R3625:1
Ezekiel 44
Ezekiel 44:1
And it was shut -- Representing the closing of the door in the parable of
the ten virgins. R3625:1
Ezekiel 44:11
Ministers -- The Great Company, servants of the true Church, on a
heavenly plane of existence. R4079:6*
Ezekiel 44:14
Keepers -- The Great Company. R4079:6*
Ezekiel 46
Ezekiel 46:24
Boil the sacrifice -- In the beginning of the Millennial age, God may restore
some of the features of the Jewish Law to serve as object lessons. R1732:6,
R2488:6
We think it unlikely that typical
sacrifices will be restored. R2488:6
Ezekiel 47
Ezekiel 47:1
Afterward -- During the Millennial day. D655
After the closing of the door to
the High Calling shown in Ezek. 44:1. R3625:1
Not until the glory of the Lord
shall have entered the Temple, not until the Church will be glorified, not
until the door will be forever shut, will the water of life issue forth.
R3625:2
Of the house -- The Temple of God, the Church glorified. R3625:1,
R4882:3
Waters issued out -- Truth; blessings of refreshment and restitution.
R5846:2, R4882:3, R2508:3
Not the Gospel, flowing at the
present time, but Millennial age blessings. R3625:1, R2507:5
"There is a river, the
rivulets of which shall spring from the city of God, the holy place of the
tabernacle of the Most High." (Psa. 46:4) R2508:5
"Living waters shall go out
from Jerusalem." (Zech. 14:8) D650
"Water of life, clear as
crystal" (Rev. 22:1)--Restitution blessings. D665
"He that believeth on me, as
the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living
water." (John 7:38) R2508:4
Under the threshold -- There was a fountain connected with the Temple hill but
it never was of any considerable size and never will be without a miracle.
R2507:3
From the right side -- The Temple, the Church, is not yet completed; so there
is no river yet. R2508:2
Ezekiel 47:5
Waters were risen -- Rapidly increasing; the rapid increase of the blessings
of the Lord as soon as his time shall have come. R3625:2
Ezekiel 47:7
Very many trees -- The description of the river and trees is so similar to
the Millennial age blessings of Rev. 21 and 22
as to leave no doubt that the same
thing is referred to. R3625:1
Ezekiel 47:8
Toward the east -- Open to the Sun of Righteousness. D653
Go into the sea -- The restless, turbulent masses of mankind. A318
Dead Sea, representing a class
submerged in ignorance, superstition and degradation. R4882:6,3
The vast multitude of mankind
which has gone into the tomb. R3625:4, R2508:2
Shall be healed -- Revived, recovered from its deadness. The water of life,
flowing from the church, shall reach even those in the tomb, awakening them to
opportunities of restitution. R4882:3, R3625:4, R2508:1,2
A possible literal fulfilment of
this may be the opening of a channel from the Mediterranean to the Dead Sea.
R3625:4, R2507:2,3,5
Ezekiel 47:9
That every thing -- Nephesh, soul, sentient being. E335
Multitude of fish -- Men-those reached by the Gospel. R3625:4
Whither the river cometh -- The wilderness east of Jerusalem, representing the
condition of all the families of the earth. R2508:2
Ezekiel 47:12
Grow all trees -- Seems to demand a literal interpretation as well as a
symbolic one--a return to Paradisaic conditions. R2507:5
Refers to the Millennial age.
R2508:4
Also see comments on Ezek. 47:7
Whose leaf -- Representing restitution. R3625:4
The fruit -- Representing the abundance of instruction and
encouragement--mental, moral and physical. R3625:4
For meat -- For the sustenance of everlasting life. R4882:6
For medicine -- Healing the repentant peoples of earth of all
imperfections. D656
Ezekiel 48
Ezekiel 48:1
From the north -- A new division of the land of Canaan among the twelve
tribes. R2507:2
Ezekiel 48:35
The LORD is there -- Jehovah-shammah, the Wonder of Jehovah. E43