#463 14-May-08 11:08 a.m.

Ezekiel 9: Reading #463 The sealing

While was being shown the depths of the degradation in the city, its probation closed, and the nation was reluctantly given over to its choice. As we read we will notice the similarity of these events to those of the final end time. In fact, the resemblance sways more to our time than theirs! All we have to do is substitute “church” for “city” to get a horrific view of what lies ahead.

***************(Begin Quote) Ezekiel 9: 1 He cried also in my ears with a loud voice, saying, “Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand”.

2 And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lies toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side [he was the recording angel]: and they [seven in total] went in, and stood beside the brass altar [of sacrifice, which stood in the courtyard]. ***************(End Quote)

In the vision the “men” (who were really angels representing humanity in its destroying characteristic), came into view with their weapons already drawn. They too, came from the “north”, from behind the “image”. They were of course, loyal angels acting out the events of destruction of the city. They were not responsible for the carnage which was to come, but depicting that as God had to withdraw so sin would take its toll.

However, amongst them was the one clothed in the garment of righteousness, whose job it was to record the names of those who were to be sealed, and then redeemed from among men.

***************(Begin Quote) Ezekiel 9: 3 And the glory of the God of was gone up from the [in the second apartment], whereupon He was [had been], to the threshold of the house. ***************(End Quote)

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Ezekiel saw the Son of God move out of the second apartment of the sanctuary to the outer door of the sanctuary building because the first trial/judgment was now finished, and he listened intently as Christ called first to the “sealer” (aka the angel from the east, :2) and then to the “destroyers”.

***************(Begin Quote) Ezekiel 9: And He called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by his side; 4 and the LORD said to him, “Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of , and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men [and women] that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof”. ***************(End Quote)

In these words we get a clear picture of those who were to be sealed; where and why. In their foreheads because that is the seat of the intellect, and in their hearts (signified by their tears) because they were feeling what God feels – utter helplessness in the face of human choices.

The “mark” of protection was to be the result of their choice. However, courage, fortitude, faith, and implicit trust in God's power to save from temptation do not come in a moment. These heavenly graces are acquired by years of experience. By a life of holy endeavour and firm adherence to the right, these children of God had been sealing their destiny. Beset with temptations without number, they knew they must resist firmly or be conquered, and now they merely received the final touch.

Thus it has always been. Those who would follow Christ today must be grounded upon the principles of truth. We need to understand what the teaches in regard to faith, and sanctification through the truth.We must be so established in this knowledge that we cannot be moved to take false positions on the doctrine of holiness, but will be able to illustrate in our lives the practical workings of the heaven-given principle, “the Sabbath rest”. We must be able to distinguish between the genuine and the spurious, for that will be the major test. Just as soon as we are sealed in our foreheads – it is not any seal or mark that can be seen, but a settling into the truth, both intellectually and spiritually, so that we cannot be moved – just as soon as we are individually sealed and prepared for the shaking, it will come. The angel said, “Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, TILL we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads”. Revelation 7:3.

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The days are fast approaching when there will be great perplexity and confusion. Satan, clothed in angel robes, will deceive, if possible, the very elect before they are sealed. 2 Corinthians 11:14; Matthew 24:24. There will be gods many and lords many to choose from. 1 Corinthians 8:5. Every wind of doctrine will be blowing. Ephesians 4:14.

The mark of the beast will be urged upon us by the civil powers. Those who have step by step yielded to worldly demands and conformed to worldly customs will not find it a hard matter to yield to the powers that be, rather than subject themselves to derision, insult, threatened imprisonment, and death. The contest will be between the commandments of God and the commandments of men. In this time the gold will be separated from the dross in the church. :18-19. True godliness will be clearly distinguished from the appearance and tinsel of it. Many a star that we have admired for its brilliancy will then go out in darkness. Chaff like a cloud will be borne away on the wind, even from places where we see only floors of rich wheat. All who had assumed the ornaments of the sanctuary, but were not clothed with Christ's righteousness, will appear in the shame of their own nakedness. Revelation 3:18.

But there are men and women outside of the church who will have received the truth up to that time, and these will take the places made vacant by those who become offended and leave it.

As we read the verses below we know that they describe the last “sealing”, but the principle is the same on every occasion. We must do as the remnant in Jerusalem had done.

***************(Begin Quote) Revelation 7: 1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind [of strife] should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3 saying, “Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads”. ***************(End Quote) John saw the elements of nature – earthquake, fire and tempest etc., as well as political strife – represented as being held by “four” loyal angels. These

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“winds” (aka the “four” disloyal angels, :14), are under their control until the Son of God reluctantly gives the word to let them go, and there is the safety of His people. However, Satan is using every device in this present sealing time to keep the minds of God's people from the present truth and to cause them to waver. But there is a covering that God is drawing over His own to protect them in the time of trouble; and every soul that is decided on the truth and is pure in heart is to be covered with the covering of the Almighty. Satan knows this, and he is at work in mighty power to keep the minds of as many people as he possibly can wavering and unsettled on the truth until it is too late.

The people of God are described as sighing and crying for the abominations done in the land. With tears they had warned the rejecters of their danger in trampling upon the divine law, while with unutterable sorrow they had humbled themselves before the LORD on account of their own transgressions. (Consider Jeremiah’s “Lamentations”.) The rejecters mocked their sorrow, ridiculed their solemn appeals, and sneered at what they termed their weakness. But the anguish and humiliation of God's people was unmistakable evidence that they were regaining the strength and nobility of character lost in consequence of sin.

While Satan was urging his accusations, holy angels, unseen, were passing to and fro, placing upon them the final seal of the living God. In like manner, those who will be true to God and to duty in the future will be menaced, denounced, and proscribed. They will be betrayed “both by parents, and brothers [and sisters], and kinsfolks, and friends”. Luke 21:16. Their only hope will be in the mercy of God; their only defence will be prayer. As Joshua was pleading before the Angel, so the remnant of the church, with brokenness of heart and earnest faith, will plead for pardon and deliverance through Jesus their Advocate. Note 1.

Satan will urge his accusations against them before God, declaring that they have by their sins forfeited the divine protection, and claiming the right to destroy them as transgressors. But while the followers of Christ have committed actions of sin since their conversion, they have not given themselves back to the control of evil. Since then they have put away their sins, and have sought the LORD in humility and contrition, and the divine Advocate has pleaded in their behalf.

Now all was decided. ***************(Begin Quote) Ezekiel 9:

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5 And to the others [the destroyers] He said in my hearing, “Go you after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have you pity: 6 slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women:

“but come not near any man [or woman] upon whom is the mark;

“and begin at My sanctuary”.

Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house. ***************(End Quote)

Because He must, the LORD will give the OK for the nations to have their own way. From this time on there will be no mercy at all, for it would not be accepted, which is why the Son of God says “neither have you pity”, not even on little children. Only those who have committed to Him will be able to be protected. It will begin amongst those who have most fully professed to be His followers, the ancient men of the tabernacle. The “image of jealousy” will act out its character in that they will bicker and fight amongst themselves, and then attempt to kill each other!

***************(Begin Quote) Ezekiel 9: 7 And He said to them, “Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go you forth”. And they went forth, and slew in the city [as well]. ***************(End Quote)

The laity of each religion will then see that they have been deluded. True to their natures, they will accuse one another of having led them to destruction; but all will unite in heaping their bitterest condemnation upon the leaders of their religions. The “rivers” of will dry up.

Unfaithful pastors, shamans, priests, and gurus etc., have prophesied smooth things; they have led their hearers to make void the law of God and to persecute those who would keep it holy. Now, in their despair, these teachers will confess before the world their work of deception. The multitudes will be filled with fury. “We are lost!” they will cry, “and you are the cause of our ruin;” and they will then turn upon the false shepherds. The very ones that once admired them most will pronounce the most dreadful curses upon them. The very hands that once crowned them with laurels will be raised for their destruction. The weapons which were to slay God's people will then employed to destroy their enemies.

Everywhere there will be strife and bloodshed.

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***************(Begin Quote) Ezekiel 9: 8 And it came to pass, while they were slaying them, and I was left, that I fell upon my face, and cried, and said, “Ah LORD GOD! Will you destroy all the residue of Israel in Your pouring out of Your fury upon Jerusalem?”

9 Then said He to me, “The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, ‘The LORD has forsaken the earth, and the LORD sees not’. 10 And as for Me also, My eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, but I will recompense their way upon their head”. ***************(End Quote)

Like Elijah, Ezekiel was tempted to believe that there was no one left! That’s how few there were at that last day – that’s how few there will be on our last day! God’s answer is that all those who die at that time have chosen their fate by their refusal to be saved. In the mad strife of their own fierce passions, and by the awful outpouring of God's “wrath” unmingled with mercy, the wicked inhabitants of the earth fall – priests, rulers, and people, rich and poor, high and low. “And the slain of the LORD shall be at that day from one end of the earth even to the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried”. Jeremiah 25:33.

“Behold, the LORD makes the earth empty, and makes it waste, and turns it upside down, and scatters abroad the inhabitants thereof”. “The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the LORD has spoken this word”. “Because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore has the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned”. Isaiah 24:1, 3, 5, 6.

***************(Begin Quote) Ezekiel 9: 11 And, behold, the man clothed with linen, which had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, “I have done as You have commanded me”. ***************(End Quote) The sealing time is very short.

Now is the time, while the four angels are holding the four winds, to make our calling and election sure. Just before the world’s last time of trouble (the

6 #463 14-May-08 11:08 a.m. seven last plagues), the living Christians will all receive the final seal of the living God. But we are also admonished to believe that we have the beginning of it before that. “Now He which establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, is God; who has also sealed us, and given the earnest [the first payment] of the Spirit in our hearts”. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22. “Blessed be the God and Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ ... In whom you also trusted, after that you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that you believed, you were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory”. Ephesians 1:3; 13-14.

After that the four angels will cease to hold the four winds.

Famine, pestilence and sword will be everywhere, nation rising against nation, and the whole world will be in terrible confusion. The angel with a writer's inkhorn by his side will return from the earth and report to Jesus that his work is done, that the saints are numbered and sealed. Jesus, who has been ministering before the ark containing the Ten Commandments, will throw down the censer. He will raise His hands, and with a loud voice say, “It is done”. Consider :8 where it is written, “Behold, it is come, and it is done”, says the Lord GOD; “this is the day whereof I have spoken”. It has taken a long time, but this delay has allowed the righteousness of God’s judgments to be fully shown. “Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil”. Ecclesiastes 8:11. For the third time God has been fully vindicated!

And all the angelic host will lay off their crowns as Jesus makes the solemn declaration, “He that is unjust, let [allow] him [to] be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let [allow] him [to] be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let [allow] him [to] be righteous still: and he that is holy, let [allow] him [to] be holy still”. :11.

Bye for now, RonP

Some of the comments in these readings are adapted from books in my library. No recognition is given because they are not intended as authorities, but are used because they express my understanding clearly. All the ideas expressed in these readings, right or wrong, are my own. Some of these readings are available at http://www.geocities.com/weprotest.geo/BibleReadings/books_index.html

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Note 1: ***************(Begin Quote) Joshua 3: 1 And he [an angel] showed me Joshua the standing before the Angel of the LORD [as the representative of all God’s true people in the judgment], and Satan standing at his right hand to resist [accuse] him [in the final days of the first judgment/trial].

2 And the LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, O Satan; even the LORD that has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?”

3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments [as a picture of their past and forgiven sins)], and stood before the Angel. 4 And He answered and spoke to those that stood before Him [some angel spectators], saying, “Take away the filthy garments from him”. And to him He said, “Behold, I have caused your iniquity to pass from you [forever], and I will [now] clothe you with [a permanent] change of raiment”. [The judgment was over.]

5 And I [Zechariah] said, “Let them set a fair mitre [crown] upon his head” [too, which made him a king/priest]. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the Angel of the LORD stood by [while this was going on].

6 And the Angel of the LORD protested to Joshua, saying, 7 “Thus says the LORD of hosts; If you will [continue to] walk in My ways, and if you will [continue to] keep My charge, then you shall also judge [lead] My house, and shall also keep My courts, and I will give you places to walk among these that stand by [the attending angels].

8 “Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, you, and your fellows that sit before you [the 144,000]: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth My Servant the BRANCH [in them].

9 “For behold the [Foundation] Stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one Stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the engraving thereof, says the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. 10 In that day, says the LORD of hosts, shall you call every man his neighbour [brother] under the vine and under the fig tree”. ***************(End Quote)

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