No one shall escape the wrath of God. Where on earth would a person go to hide?
This is the date of the taking of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. (See note in Companion Bible, pg. 1153.)Ezekiel 33:21
And it came to pass in the twelfth year of our captivity, in the tenth month, in the fifth day of the month, that one that had escaped out of Jerusalem came unto me, saying, The city is smitten.
During the "evening" before the king of Babylon took Jerusalem, the "hand of the LORD" was upon Ezekiel and gave Him understanding (as in verse 24) and "opened his mouth" so that he could now speak that which is to be spoken after he learns that the city has been smitten, i.e. taken over by the king of Babylon and his locust army. He will give "them" God's testimony against them, which God speaks through the mouth of his watchman, Ezekiel, whom He once again strengthened on the "eve" of the siege of Jerusalem.[22] Now the hand of the LORD was upon me in the evening, afore he that was escaped came; and had opened my mouth, until he came to me in the morning; and my mouth was opened, and I was no more dumb.
"They that inhabit" are, as Dr. Moffat describes them, "those who haunt the ruins in the land of Israel", even the kenites, who dwell among the "Babylonians" who have also come with their "king". They have come to steal the land that is not theirs, but has been given to Abraham, the rightful heir.[23] Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,[24] Son of man, they that inhabit those wastes of the land of Israel speak, saying, Abraham was one, and he inherited the land: but we are many; the land is given us for inheritance.
Note: The children of Israel, God's people, will be addressed in verse 30.
"You guys violate all My laws like eating meat that has not been properly bled according to the health laws, and you worship idols, and you murder people, and you think you should possess the land given to Abraham? Not for long!"Ezekiel 33:25
Wherefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Ye eat with the blood, and lift up your eyes toward your idols, and shed blood: and shall ye possess the land?
You believe in the power of the arm, i.e. force, and break even the basic 10 Commandments, and you think you should possess the land? Not for long!"[26] Ye stand upon your sword, ye work abomination, and ye defile every one his neighbour's wife: and shall ye possess the land?
"Ezekiel, give these clowns the following testimony from Me", saith the Lord GOD:
No one shall escape the wrath of God. Where on earth would a person go to hide?[27] Say thou thus unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; As I live, surely they that are in the wastes shall fall by the sword, and him that is in the open field will I give to the beasts to be devoured, and they that be in the forts and in the caves shall die of the pestilence.
There will be a great cleansing when Jesus Christ returns.[28] For I will lay the land most desolate, and the pomp of her strength shall cease; and the mountains of Israel shall be desolate, that none shall pass through.
Every knee shall bow to the king of Kings and Lord of lords. Every knee![29] Then shall they know that I am the LORD, when I have laid the land most desolate because of all their abominations which they have committed.
The people were talking about Ezekiel and saying to one another things like:Ezekiel 33:30
Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the LORD.
"What do want to do today, honey?"
"I dunno. Let's go listen to Ezekiel preach the Word of God."
"Hey, great idea! Let's go."
"Wasn't that a great sermon, honey? Boy, Ezekiel sure can preach. He really knows his Bible, too."[31] And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.
"Did you catch the part where he said you must "hunger and thirst" after God's Word and study it to show yourself approved?"
"Yeah, I heard that, but he obviously doesn't know that I have a business to run and I don't have that kind of time to study the Bible."
I guess it is now obvious that what the apostles Paul and James said concerning being "doers" wasn't just New Testament stuff![32] And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.
This should put to rest the theory that just going to church and listening to the Word of God (which probably isn't even spoken there) is good enough? So if you think going to church is good enough, you are sorely deceived indeed! That's man's way. That's man's ideas and traditions! They seem good and they seem religious, but they lead to death!Romans 2:13
(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.James 1:22
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Nevertheless, Ezekiel, you keep telling it like it is, for that which the Lord GOD has said "will" come to pass, SHALL COME TO PASS! There is no "maybe", the king of Babylon "is" coming!
There will be not doubt that the Word of God was truly spoken by His watchman!Ezekiel 33:33 And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them.
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