Summer Nights 2014 “Profiting from the ”

Session 6 - , the of the Weird

The prophet & his visions

Ø See the Thompson Chain Reference outline

Ø Distinctive reference to God

Ø Extensive use of “street theater” style

Ø Elaborate visions described

1 The

An analysis from J. Sidlow Baxter’s Explore The Book :

THE BOOK OF EZEKIEL

OPENING VISION AND CALL OF EZEKIEL (Chs. 1-3)

1. THE PRESENT JUDGMENTS ON (Chs. 4-24) Similes and prophecies of imminent doom (4-7) Vision of temple and city: glory departs (8-11) Further types and messages of judgment (12-24)

2. THE FUTURE DESTINIES OF THE NATIONS (Chs. 25-39) Prospective judgments on Gentile powers (25-32) After present judgments restored (33-37) Gog and destroyed: Israel exalted (38-39)

3. THE FINAL TEMPLE, WORSHIP, AND CITY (Chs. 40-48) The re-erected temple, and new glory (40:1-43:12) The renewed worship, and holy river (43:13-47:12) The redivided land, and city of God(47:13-48:35)

Ø Some amazing predictions

Ø A closer look at Ezekiel’s three main visions

ü The first vision (chs 1-3) - God’s ______

2 ü The second vision (chs 8-11) - God’s ______

Deuteronomy 32:16 (HCSB)6 They provoked His jealousy with foreign gods; they enraged Him with detestable practices.

Exodus 20:2-6 (HCSB) “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of , out of the place of slavery. 3 Do not have other gods besides Me. 4 Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. 5 You must not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God…”

ü The third vision (chs 40-48) - God’s ______

Ø Considering prophetic perspectives of future glory

3 A quick glimpse at some of the Minor Prophets

Optional assignment for next session:

Peruse the to get a feel for his unique style and differences of this prophet from the other major prophets before him.

4 The Book of Ezekiel

AUTHOR: Ezekiel, whose name means "God strengthens."

DATE WRITTEN: Probably recorded over the 22year ministry of the prophet and completed around 565 B.C.

PURPOSE: To relate a sovereign, holy God's condemnation of sinful ways and His continuing efforts to restore His people. He wants them to know that He is the Lord.

TO WHOM WRITTEN: Jewish exiles in and God's people everywhere. MAIN THEMES: This prophecy, like Daniel and Revelation, might be termed a mystery book. It contains much imagery that is difficult to interpret. Nevertheless, many of its teachings are clear and of the highest value. Two primary themes stand out: condemnation (-32) and consolation (-48). Other CHOICE SELECTIONS of the book are the following:

1. The new heart,—:19; 36:25-28. 2. Personal responsibility,—:20-32. 3. Untempered mortar,—:10-15. 4. The search for a man of integrity,—:30. See 5:1. 5. Sentimental hearers,—Ezekiel 33:30-32. 6. Chapters for ministers,—Ezekiel 13; 33; 34. 7. Revival chapter,—.

OUTSTANDING EVENTS:

1. The departure of the glory of the Lord from the temple,—:16-18; 11:23. 2. The fall of Jerusalem,—Ezekiel 33:21. 3. The return of the glory of the Lord prophesied,—:4.

KEY WORDS: "Then they will know that I am the LORD."

KEY VERSES: :24-26. SYNOPSIS:

I. The Preparation and Call of the Prophet,—Ezekiel 1-3. 1. Son of a priest,—Ezekiel 1:3. 2. Carried away captive to Babylon,—Ezekiel 1:1,—2 Kings 24:11-16. 3. His vision of God,—Ezekiel 1. 4. His call,—Ezekiel 1:3. 5. His commission and empowerment,—-3. 6. Spiritual food,—:1-3. See Revelation 10:10. 7. His task, a spiritual watchman,—Ezekiel 3:4-11,17-21. 8. Ezekiel claims the highest degree of inspiration. The words "Thus says the Lord God" are reiterated throughout the entire book. II. A Portrayal of the Apostate Condition of before the captivity. 1. Largely visions, warnings, and predictions concerning the guilt of the people and the coming destruction of Jerusalem,—-24. 2. Divine judgments upon the seven surrounding nations,—-32. III. Chiefly Predictions and Promises concerning the means by which the glory of the nation is to be restored,—Ezekiel 33-48. 1. By heeding the warnings of the spiritual watchmen and repenting of sin,— Ezekiel 33. 2. By displacing the false shepherds; the coming of the good shepherd, who will feed the flock,—. 3. By a national revival and a spiritual resurrection in the valley of dry bones,— Ezekiel 36,—Ezekiel 37. 4. By the overthrow of the enemies of the nation,—,—. 5. By the building of a new sanctuary,—-42. 6. By the returning of the glory of the Lord,—:4-5; 44:4. 7. By the ministry of a loyal priesthood,—Ezekiel 44:9-31. 8. By Life-giving waters issuing from the sanctuary,—. See Revelation 22:1-2.

PROMINENT PEOPLE: Ezekiel, Israel's leaders, Ezekiel's wife, Nebuchadnezzar, Prince of Tyre.

Taken from the Thompson Chain Reference .

EZEKIEL’S DATED PROPHECIES Ezekiel’s Groups of Dated Modern Calendar Passages Calendar by Messages Year Year First 1:1-3:15 5 593 Second 3:16-7:27 5 593 Third 8:1-19:14 6 592 Fourth 20:1-23:49 7 591 Fifth 24:1-25:17 9 588 Sixth 26:1-28:26 11 587 or 586 Seventh 29:1-16 10 587 Eighth 29:17-30:19 27 571 Ninth 30:20-26 11 587 Tenth 31:1-18 11 587 Eleventh 32:1-16 12 585 Twelfth 32:17-33:20 12 585 Thirteenth 33:21-39:29 12 585 Fourteenth 40:1-48:35 25 573

Based on calculations by Dr. Thomas Constable