Last eight chapters of Ezekiel.

Thanks Marilyn.

What you appear to have done to arrive at your conclusion is to put together verses from old & New Testaments without regard to the context. This breaks the rules of hermeneutics and leads to error. Look at the verses you cite and ask yourself, when was this written, to whom, why was it written and in what circumstances. These are not my rules but Miles Coverdale's. However, I do find them invaluable for determining context. Thanks for your reply and contribution to the thread.

Hi Seedsower,

Yes I understand concerning context, who written to, etc plus we also need to keep in mind the subject being discussed & that can range through out God`s word. As I was referring to Christ`s authority that subject spans the entire word of God. Perhaps you may like to refer to one scripture I have quoted & discuss from there?

Marilyn.
 
'It shall greatly help you to understand Scripture
if you mark,
not only what is spoken, or written,
but of whom,
and to whom,
with what words,
at what time,
where,
to what intent,
with what circumstances,
considering what goes before,
and what follows.'
Miles Coverdale.

-------------------------------

Hello @Seedsower,

I agree that this is a wonderful aid to Bible Study, but why do you assume that Marilyn has not taken consideration of context in her reply? What is it within the context of either verse which shows it to be inappropriate?

In Christ Jesus
Chris

 
Hi Seedsower,

Yes I agree that the Lord Jesus Christ will be upon the throne of David, (Is. 9: 7) however it does not say where He will be reigning from. You would need more scriptures to establish that, I believe.

Marilyn.

Isaiah 2:2-4 ...........
"Now it will come about that In the last days The mountain of the house of the LORD Will be established as the chief of the mountains, And will be raised above the hills; And all the nations will stream to it. And many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; That He may teach us concerning His ways And that we may walk in His paths." For the law will go forth from Zion And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And He will judge between the nations, And will render decisions for many peoples; And they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks Nation will not lift up sword against nation, And never again will they learn war. "

Doesn't that indicate that Jesus will be sitting on the throne of David in Jerusalem to you?
ALL nations will come to Jerusalem.
WHY?????

HE, Christ will be teaching and giving forth judgments between the nations.

Psalms 132:11-12.............
"The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy (David's) throne. If thy children will keep My covenant and My testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore".

Psalms 132:12, 17..................
"For the Lord hath chosen Zion; He hath desired it for His habitation....There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for Mine anointed.

Jeremiah 22:2, 4............
"And say, Hear the word of the LORD, O king of Judah, that sittest upon the THRONE OF DAVID, thou, and thy servants, and thy people that enter in by these gates: For if ye do this thing indeed, then shall there enter in by the gates of this house kings sitting upon the THRONE OF DAVID, riding in chariots and on horses, he, and his servants, and his people".

Jeremiah 22:30..............
"Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David and ruling any more in Judah".
 
'It shall greatly help you to understand Scripture
if you mark,
not only what is spoken, or written,
but of whom,
and to whom,
with what words,
at what time,
where,
to what intent,
with what circumstances,
considering what goes before,
and what follows.'
Miles Coverdale.

-------------------------------

Hello @Seedsower,

I agree that this is a wonderful aid to Bible Study, but why do you assume that Marilyn has not taken consideration of context in her reply? What is it within the context of either verse which shows it to be inappropriate?

In Christ Jesus
Chris

Hi,
Maybe I've been too dogmatic on this, something I try not to be. What I meant was that if the context was applied correctly then the outcome would follow ie our Lord reigning from Jerusalem in the millennium. There are questions that I have too, I've already posted a thread on that. Of the three main views I favour Pre-millenninmism and that's because it makes more scriptural sense to me. That is it doesn't spoil the prophetic harmony between prophecy and fulfilment. So far all prophecy concerning Christ have been literally fulfilled so why not the rest. He will literally return, judge and reign in the millennium and then into eternity.
 
Is the last eight chapters of Ezekiel to be interpreted literally or symbolically? If literally then we have the reintroduction of animal sacrifices. If stated that these would serve as a reminder, we would have the literal presence of Jesus bearing five eternal wounds. So why would we need reminding? If symbolic, then what of? I invite your thoughts.

Blessing: Pete

Hi @Seedsower,

Have you settled in your own mind the answers to the questions posed in your OP?
- Do you believe Ezekiel 40-48 should be taken literally or symbolically?
- Have you satisfied your mind concerning the question of animal sacrifices?

In Christ Jesus
Chris
 
Hi @Seedsower,

Have you settled in your own mind the answers to the questions posed in your OP?
- Do you believe Ezekiel 40-48 should be taken literally or symbolically?
- Have you satisfied your mind concerning the question of animal sacrifices?

In Christ Jesus
Chris
Well, the short answer to that is no. The sacrifices; if they are commemorative and The Lord Himself is there with five wounds in His glorified body, then what's the point of them? I understand the literal interpretation I've read various commentators over the years and still am not comfortable with the literal interpretation. I am a Pre-millenniumist for reasons stated in another post. If these chapters are indeed symbolical then of what? These are questions I've had for many years now. I was hoping for some fresh insight but I suppose I'll have to wait until I can ask our Lord Himself.
 
Hello @Seedsower
I thought it may be worth starting an investigation into this, by looking up the word translated, 'sacrifice', in Ezekiel. I found that there are several words in either Hebrew or Greek translated 'sacrifice': the one used in Ezekiel is:-

'Zebach' (zeh'-bakh) - Strong's H2077 - from H2076;
properly a slaughter, that is, the flesh of an animal;
by implication a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
Translated:- offer (-ing), sacrifice.

* It is used approx. 155 times by the Holy Spirit as 'sacrifice' and 9 times 'offering', it's meaning is, 'to slay' (2 Kings 23:20), and every sacrifice which translates this Hebrew word, involves the death and the shedding of the blood of the victim.

'And the four tables were of hewn stone
for the burnt offering,
of a cubit and an half long,
and a cubit and an half broad,
and one cubit high:
whereupon also they laid the instruments
wherewith they slew the burnt offering and the sacrifice.'
(Heb. 'zebach')
(Eze.40:42)

'Yet they shall be ministers in my sanctuary,
having charge at the gates of the house,
and ministering to the house:
they shall slay the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people,
(Heb. 'zebach')
and they shall stand before them to minister unto them.'
(Eze.44:11)

'Then said he unto me,
These are the places of them that boil,
where the ministers of the house
shall boil the sacrifice of the people.'
(Heb. 'zebach')
(Eze.46:24)

* This does not explain anything, but it may be the basis upon which to build.
For it is not man's explanation that we want, but what is written, isn't it?

In Christ Jesus
Chris
Thanks Chris, much appreciate!
 
Well, the short answer to that is no. The sacrifices; if they are commemorative and The Lord Himself is there with five wounds in His glorified body, then what's the point of them? I understand the literal interpretation I've read various commentators over the years and still am not comfortable with the literal interpretation. I am a Pre-millenniumist for reasons stated in another post. If these chapters are indeed symbolical then of what? These are questions I've had for many years now. I was hoping for some fresh insight but I suppose I'll have to wait until I can ask our Lord Himself.

Hi @Seedsower,

I have been thinking on your topic & here are some more thoughts. I know that the millennium is for Israel to learn to rule over the nations of the earth. It will also show that mankind, not influenced by Satan, still desires to go their own way. Thus God is shown righteous in that He has given man every opportunity - to rule the world (Gentiles), to come under Christ`s rulership through Israel & yet many do not want to bow the knee.

So I read in the prophet Micah, chapter 4 concerning the latter days, the millennium. The nations have to go up to Jerusalem to learn the law of God so they can live in right relationships, in peace & not come under Christ`s judgment of the `rod of iron.`

`Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord`s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, & shall be exalted above the hills; & peoples shall flow to it. Many nations shall come & say, "Come & let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, & we will walk in His paths."

For out of Zion the law shall go forth, & the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between many peoples, & rebuke strong nations afar off;.....` (Micah 4: 1 - 3)

So the nations are under the law of God, they are to learn what it is to walk in God`s ways. When they disobey then no rain comes upon their land. This brings, famine, death, sickness, disease etc. As they learn what the law of God is they also learn what sin is & the need to cover sin. thus the animal sacrifices are showing what God requires for the punishment of sin.

It is a strong lesson, but it is needed for sinful, carnal man to understand - God`s perfect law, their sinfulness, & the requirement to cover sin. This leads many to an understanding of Christ`s work on the cross. But there are generations throughout the millennium that need to be taught.

We need to remember that they are not being fashioned into the Body of Christ but are of the nations. Those who choose to follow God from the heart are still from the nations. It may seem hard for us to understand this as we are in a special time of grace when the Holy Spirit is building us into the Body of Christ out of all the nations. But when this amazing Body has come to maturity, & caught away to its eternal setting then there are still the nations & Israel in God`s plans.

Marilyn.
















 
Hi @Seedsower,

I have been thinking on your topic & here are some more thoughts. I know that the millennium is for Israel to learn to rule over the nations of the earth. It will also show that mankind, not influenced by Satan, still desires to go their own way. Thus God is shown righteous in that He has given man every opportunity - to rule the world (Gentiles), to come under Christ`s rulership through Israel & yet many do not want to bow the knee.

So I read in the prophet Micah, chapter 4 concerning the latter days, the millennium. The nations have to go up to Jerusalem to learn the law of God so they can live in right relationships, in peace & not come under Christ`s judgment of the `rod of iron.`

`Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord`s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, & shall be exalted above the hills; & peoples shall flow to it. Many nations shall come & say, "Come & let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, & we will walk in His paths."

For out of Zion the law shall go forth, & the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between many peoples, & rebuke strong nations afar off;.....` (Micah 4: 1 - 3)

So the nations are under the law of God, they are to learn what it is to walk in God`s ways. When they disobey then no rain comes upon their land. This brings, famine, death, sickness, disease etc. As they learn what the law of God is they also learn what sin is & the need to cover sin. thus the animal sacrifices are showing what God requires for the punishment of sin.

It is a strong lesson, but it is needed for sinful, carnal man to understand - God`s perfect law, their sinfulness, & the requirement to cover sin. This leads many to an understanding of Christ`s work on the cross. But there are generations throughout the millennium that need to be taught.

We need to remember that they are not being fashioned into the Body of Christ but are of the nations. Those who choose to follow God from the heart are still from the nations. It may seem hard for us to understand this as we are in a special time of grace when the Holy Spirit is building us into the Body of Christ out of all the nations. But when this amazing Body has come to maturity, & caught away to its eternal setting then there are still the nations & Israel in God`s plans.

Marilyn.















Thanks Marilyn,

Could you supply more details please concerning people being punished with death, famine etc... During the Millennium when paradise conditions exist on earth once again.
Pete.
 
Hi,
Maybe I've been too dogmatic on this, something I try not to be. What I meant was that if the context was applied correctly then the outcome would follow ie our Lord reigning from Jerusalem in the millennium. There are questions that I have too, I've already posted a thread on that. Of the three main views I favour Pre-millenninmism and that's because it makes more scriptural sense to me. That is it doesn't spoil the prophetic harmony between prophecy and fulfilment. So far all prophecy concerning Christ have been literally fulfilled so why not the rest. He will literally return, judge and reign in the millennium and then into eternity.

Agreed. The Pre-millennial view allows all the pieces to fit together without any work to make them fit, IMO.

Over the years I have considered every single view and the Pre-millennial one works the best for me.
 
Thanks Marilyn,

Could you supply more details please concerning people being punished with death, famine etc... During the Millennium when paradise conditions exist on earth once again.
Pete.

Hi @Seedsower,

I don`t really think `Paradise` conditions will exist on earth during the millennium. I know people have been taught this but a closer look at God`s word reveals differently.

`For the child shall die at a hundred years old, but the sinner being a hundred years old shall be accursed......
the wolf & the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox, & dust shall be the serpent`s food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in ALL MY HOLY MOUNTAIN.` (Isa. 65: 20 & 25)

`And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, on them there will be no rain. ........they shall receive the plague with which the Lord strikes the nations who do not keep the Feast of Tabernacles.` (Zech. 14: 17 & 18)

Thus we can see there is death, no rain & plagues. No rain brings famine, which brings death & disease. This is the ruling of the `rod of iron,` as the Lord rules, teaching the nations that they need to obey the law & walk in God`s ways.

You will also notice that the `lion & lamb` part is ONLY on God`s holy mountain where the glory of the Lord rests.

Hope that explains what I mean for you bro.

Marilyn.
 
Is the last eight chapters of Ezekiel to be interpreted literally or symbolicallyk? If literally then we have the reintroduction of animal sacrifices. If stated that these would serve as a reminder, we would have the literal presence of Jesus bearing five eternal wounds. So why would we need reminding? If symbolic, then what of? I invite your thoughts.

Blessing: Pete

Hi @Seedsower,

I read this scripture today in the Phillips translation & it really stuck out to me in relation to what you are talking about.

`In practice, however, the sacrifices amounted to an annual reminder of sins; for the blood of bulls & goats cannot really remove the guilt of sin.` (Heb. 10: 3 & 4)

Thus because there are carnal, sinful people in the millennium, there is need of a `reminder of sin,` & that a blood sacrifice is necessary. People will be taught by the priests in Israel of the ways & laws of God. Then it is up to them to receive or reject God`s provision.

Marilyn.
 
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