People of the Promise: Exile & Return – Lesson 2

 

God’s Purpose Revealed – Ezekiel 36:1-6-37:28-37

Ezekiel 36:16-23

God poured out His wrath on the Israelites because they defiled their own land by their conduct and their actions.  They defiled it with idols and profaned the Lord’s Name.

God exiled them from their land.  When they were among other nations, they profaned God’s Name and didn’t glorify Him.  The other nations questioned the power and reputation of God.  They saw this as God’s rejection of His people, which probably looked like Israel’s God was weak and that He didn’t keep His promises.  God risked His own reputation in the world for the sake of Israel.

God intervened on His people’s behalf  for the sake of His Holy Name so the nations would know that He is Lord.

Sin impacts the world today and it impacts God’s reputation. It affects us as individual and as a society.  Scriptures tell us over and over that sin leads to death and destruction because there are consequences when going against the grain regarding how God designed us to live and obey Him.  Sin is seen in the moral decay of society as corruption, greed, and injustice. Then when God deals with our sin, it makes God look like the bad guy.  We need to be ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor. 5:20).  Others look to Christians as examples.  When we act right and do right because of Jesus, we are building the reputation of God.  When we don’t do right, we are damaging His reputation because we are supposed to be like Him.

God’s holiness and the greatness of His name should change the way we live.  We should be more loving, more patience, show more kindness, gentleness and self-control.  We need to be more like Jesus. 

Principle: God loves us and never gives up on His people. 

God’s Promises Give Hope – Ezekiel 36:24-38

God promised physical and spiritual blessings to His exiled people.  He said He would take them out of the nations and bring them into their own land.  He would make them clean from all impurities and idols.  He would give them a new heart and put a new spirit in them causing them to follow His decrees and to keep His vows.  He would be their God and they would be His people.  He would make them prosperous. (Ezekiel 36:24-30)

These promises relate to salvation in Christ.  When we accept Him as Savior we are a new person; the old self is dead and we have a new heart and a new spirit.  He forgives us for all sin and makes us pure.  This love and mercy cause us to follow His commands; we are now part of His people.

Ezekiel 36:31-32 – Grief over our sins is profitable.  When we are truly sorry over our sins, it brings repentance.  Then it brings happiness, comfort, change, healing and spiritual growth.  “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” – Matt. 5:4. 

Principle:  Repentance from sin brings salvation, comfort, change, and healing.

God’s Promise of Restoration – Ezekiel 37:1-14

Ezekiel had a vision.  By the Spirit of the Lord he was set in the middle of a valley full of dry bones.  The Lord asked him if these bones can live.  Ezkiel answered, “O Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” – Ezekiel 37:3  He knew the bones had no hope of living, but he was confident God did know.  He had faith in God.  This reveals that God is omniscience; He knows all things.  He knows the past, present, and the future.  He even knows our thoughts and intentions.

God told him to prophesy to theses bones.  “Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!” – Ezekiel 37:4.   God told the bones they would live.  Then the bones began to rattle and come together with tendons and flesh but there was no breath in them.  (Ezekiel 37:4-8)

Ezekiel prophesied a second time.  Then breath entered the bones and they came to life.  They stood up on their feet into a vast army.  (Ezekiel 37:9-10)

God interpreted the vision.  He said these bones are the whole house of Israel.  These bones were dry with no hope.  Their only hope for life and restoration was in God.  Our bones are dry and our hope is lost without Jesus. (Ezekiel 37:11-14)

Principle:  Our only hope is in Jesus Christ.

God’s Promise of Unity – Ezekiel 37:15-28

God commanded Ezekiel to perform a dramatic, prophetic visual.  He told him to take a stick of wood and write on it that it belonged to Judah and the Israelites associated with him.  Then He told him to take another stick and write on it that it was Ephraim’s stick belonging to Joseph and all the house of Israel associated with him.  Then he was to join the sticks together to become one stick.

God said his visual illustrated that God would bring Joseph’s stick and the Israelite tribes associated with him and join it to Judah’s stick making them a single stick.  God would take the Israelites out of the nations and bring them back to their own nation.  They would be a single nation under one king.  They would no longer defile themselves with idols and He would save them from all their sinful backsliding.  They would be cleansed.  They would be His people, and He would be their God. (Ezekiel 37:18-23)

Ezekiel 37:24-26 points to Christ.  Christ is the true David, Israel’s King of old.  Jesus is a descendant of David.  Jesus is the eternal King who reigns over God’s people forever.

Ezekiel 37:27-28 offers hope.  God said His dwelling place will be with them and He will be their God and they will be His people.  Then the nations will know that He, the Lord will make Israel holy.  His sanctuary will be among them forever.

God’s presence and work within His people provide a witness to the world by believers who follow His teachings and show acts of compassion, justice, worship, and devotion under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  These actions attract others and draws them to Jesus.

Principle:  God promises to unify His people under one king, King Jesus.

Next week we will continue our study in the book of Daniel.  Hope to see you here.  -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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People of the Promise: Exile & Return – Lesson 1

 

 

We begin with the book of Ezekiel.  Who was Ezekiel?  His name means “God is strong”.  He grew up in Jerusalem and was trained to be a priest in the temple.  He was exiled to Babylon along with other fellow Jews.  While in Babylon, he became a prophet of God.  The 1^st chapter relates how the prophet received his divine commission when the glory of the Lord appeared to Him.

Ezekiel 1-2

God Called Ezekiel As His Prophet – Ezekiel 1:1-3

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon sieged Jerusalem and took everyone captive leaving only the poor.  Among those captured was the priest Ezekiel.  His day in captivity must have been dark, but he was not forgotten; God had plans for him.  While in exile Ezekiel saw visions of God. 

His circumstances might have impacted him personally.  Since he was a priest, his being exiled from the temple might have caused him to lose his faith and even doubt God.  Life was probably hard and challenging.  He was unfamiliar with the culture and probably stressed with his situation.

Two phrases in verse 3 reveal the Lord’s involvement in Ezekiel’s life -- the Word of God came to him and God’s hand was upon him. 

These phrases are significant and teach us that we need to be open and listening for what God has for us.  We are to stay in His Word and in prayer to help us navigate through any of life’s difficult situations.

Principle:  God has a plan for each of us.

Ezekiel’s Vision – Ezekiel 1:4-21

In Ezekiel’s vision he saw a windstorm from the north, a cloud with flashing lightning surrounded by a brilliant light.  The center of fire looked like glowing metal.  In the fire it looked like four living creatures.

The four creatures – their form was that of a man with four faces, legs were straight, feet were like a calf and gleamed like bronze, under their wings they had hands of a man, four had faces and wings, wings touched one another, each went straight and did not turn as they moved.  Each face had a face of a man, on the right side was a face of a lion, on the left a face of an ox, each also had a face of an eagle.  The wings spread upward. These creatures’ appearance was like burning coals of fire and moved back and forth. 

The wheels – a sparkling wheel on the ground beside each creature, each wheel looked like a wheel intersecting a wheel, as they moved in the direction the creatures faced, their rims were full of eyes.  When the creatures rose, the wheels also rose.  The spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.

His vision displayed the majesty and glory of God.  It illustrates the omnipresence and omniscience of God.  Later in Ezekiel 10, Ezekiel identified these creatures as cherubim, angels of unique power and glory surround God.

The kind of impact the vision had on him was so overwhelming that he fell to the ground in shock and  reverence.  It was a humbling surrender to God’s glory.  This was probably encouraging and strengthening to see the mighty God.

The symbolism in Ezekiel’s vision reveals the majestic power of God.  He is not confined to any one place; He is active and the sovereign ruler of the universe.

Principle:  God is stronger, greater, and mightier; He still rules over all domains.

Ezekiel Humbled Before God’s Glory – Ezekiel 1:22-2:2

He looked up into the sky above the creatures which looked like sparkling ice or crystal.  He heard the sound of their wings which sounded like rushing waters, like the voice of the Almighty.  Then he heard a voice from above.  The creatures responded by lowering their wings.  Over their heads was the likeness of a throne of sapphire and above was a figure of a man looking like glowing metal, full of fire and with brilliant light surrounding him.  This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord.

When Ezekiel heard a voice speaking, he fell facedown.  As God spoke to Ezekiel, He told him to stand up so He could speak to him.  To stand is to give his utmost attention so he could receive the Spirit and to courageously proclaim His Holy Word.  Then the Spirit came into him and raised him to his feet.  He didn’t have strength of his own until the Spirit entered him.

This illustrates a believer’s position before God.  Christ is found in every believer.  Christ has made the believer righteous.  A believer doesn’t have it on his own, but through faith in Christ that comes from God alone. (Phil. 3:9)

Principle:  God will speak to us, when we stand ready to do what He commands us.

God Commissioned Ezekiel – Ezekiel 2:3-10

God told Ezekiel He was sending him to the Israelites who were rebellious, obstinate and stubborn toward Him.  God told him to not be afraid but speak boldly and to speak to them whether they listened of not.  This prepared Ezekiel for the rejection he would face.

Ezekiel was handed a scroll.  On both sides were written words of lament and mourning and woe.  This was God’s complete message.

We can be encouraged by God’s words to Ezekiel.  People today are also rebellious and stubborn.  It’s our responsibility to share God’s message to others whether they listen or not.

Principle:  God always equips those He calls.

The truth about God is revealed in Ezekiel 1-2.  He has not been defeated or turned away from His people.  He loves us no matter what we’ve done.  There is hope for us today even amid difficult circumstances, we can know that an all-powerful God is active and present in our lives.

Next week we will continue our study in Ezekiel 36.  Hope to see you here.  -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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People of the Promise: Exile & Return - Introduction

 

 

Introduction to People of the Promise:  Exile & Return - Lesson 0

This year Bible Study Fellowship will explore the Exile and Return of Israel to their promised homeland.  You can find an in-person class in your area or an online class at https://www.bsfinternational.org/ .  Follow the weekly class format along with me as we study the books Ezekiel, Daniel, Ezra, Esther, Haggai, Zechariah, Nehemiah, and Malachi.   We will see God work as we learn about the kings, the empires, the prophets, and the promises.

We will be reminded of God’s faithfulness and love for Israel.  Israel had inconsistent obedience and lack of gratitude for God.  They disobeyed Him and even worshiped pagan gods.  God allowed them to be exiled and held in captivity for 70 years in Babylon in order to bring them to repentance and humility before the one true God.

God never gave up on them, because He had a plan.  He sent prophets to speak the them during their exile.  Then as promised, He caused them to be released from exile and journey back home to Jerusalem.  Through this study we will see how God restores and rebuilds their lives in Jerusalem.  He returns them to their land.  He sends faithful prophets and leaders to encourage and help them rebuild.  God worked behind the scenes through leaders like Daniel, Ezra and Esther just as He works behind the scenes through faithful followers today.

The study speaks to anyone today who feels captive and waiting for something more to happen in their lives.  Today there are many people who live in exile from their homeland.  Christians are waiting for their homeland in God’s kingdom.  Israel had hope and we have hope as we wait for Jesus’ return to take us home.

There are many lessons to be learned from this study.  Here are only a few:

God loves us no matter what we’ve done.

God is faithful and keeps His Word.

God influences people to bring about His plan.

God raises up leaders to bring about His plan.

God restores repentant sinners.

God is present with His people wherever they are.

God alone gives and sustains life.

God’s restoration of Israel displays His power and glorifies Him before all nations.

God is our provider and gives us everything we need for salvation and faithful living.

God is present and purposeful in every circumstance.

God’s kingdom is greater and more powerful than any earthly kingdom.

God’s Word guides His people to love and worship Him.

God reveals our sin to lead us to repent and obey.

God positions His people to accomplish His purposes.

God’s enemies will never stop His perfect plan.

God will end evil and rule over all.

God sent His Son, Jesus to die on the cross for us.

Jesus will return and rule eternally as conquering King.

This will be an informative and exciting study.  Next time we will start our study in the book of Ezekiel.  Hope to see you here.  -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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Revelation 22:6-21 – Lesson 29

 

Revelation 22:6-11 – The Truth

The angel told John, “These words are trustworthy and true.  The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.  Behold, I am coming soon!  Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book.” – Revelation 221:6-7.  Here the angel refers to the entire book of Revelation.  He shows the authenticity of the book and is reinforcing the importance of all that is in it.  Everything John saw will come to pass.  This prophecy is true and we must believe it.  We don’t know when these things will happen, but we know they will.  We know because Jesus is Faithful and True (Revelation 19:11).

We know that all the Bible is trustworthy and true, because there are all kinds of evidence.  There are archeological finds; it records incredible accuracy; it was written by over 1500 years ago by over 40 different writers and over 3 different continents.  2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

“Behold, I am coming soon!  Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book.” – Revelation 22:7   Three times Jesus says He is coming, Revelation 22:7, 12, 20.  He will be coming suddenly and without warning.  There are clearly blessings for those who obey.  Revelation 1:3 tells us we will be blessed when we read the words of this book.  “Blessed” implies that there will be great benefit to those who study and understand this writing.  We will be blessed if we “take to heart what is written”.  In other words we should pay careful attention and be spiritually alert and recognize the end is near.  Then we will be blessed and ready.

John testified that he actually heard and saw and saw these things.  He didn’t imagine it.  It came from the Lord.  John fell down and to worship the angel who showed him all these things, but the angel responded by saying, “Do not do it!  I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers the prophets and of all who keep the words in this book.  Worship God!” – Revelation 22:9 

“Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near.  Let him who does   wrong continue to do wrong; let him who is vile continue to be vile; let him who does right continue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy.” – Revelation 22:10-11.  Verse 11 seems confusing.  It means that people can do as they choose, but God will not change His plans.

In Daniel 12, Daniel had to close the words of the scroll and seal them until the time of the end.  Now the Messiah has come and the time is much closer so now John was told to not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book but to keep everything he saw open.  Nothing is this book is secret.  The Lord wants us to read it and understand what these things mean.  We know that Jesus will return at any time and the events in Revelation will happen, but we don’t know when.  There will come a time when it will be too late to repent and change.  The person who does wrong will not change.  But for now, we have time to repent and change.

We are sometimes tempted to worship things or people in our thoughts words and actions.  This is because we live in a corrupt world and we have a sinful nature.  If we’re spending too much time in things that are not of God, we should stop and take inventory of our lives.  Go to God in prayer and to our Bible for guidance and strength to recognize and resist these temptations.

Principle:  The Bible is trustworthy and true.

Revelation 22:12-16 – Jesus Is Coming Soon

“Behold, I am coming soon!  My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.”  – Revelation 22:12.  Jesus said He is coming soon and when He does He will be the judge.  He will punish those who have done evil things and reward those who serve Him.  The reward for believers will be in heaven based on their faithful work here in this life. 

Jesus revealed this about Himself, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Revelation 22:13.  These words describe His completeness, timelessness and sovereign authority.  Jesus was there before creation and will be there after the old earth and old heaven has gone.  He is one with God.  He is God.

Jesus tells us that we must be holy and ready for His return.  He lists two groups of people; those who have white clean robes and those who do not.  Clean white clothes are believers who have lived holy lives.  We can’t do that by ourselves.  Only the death of Jesus can we be made holy.  His blood has washed our clothes clean.  If you have accepted Him into your life, you will be accepted in the holy city.  The other group are those who don’t accept Him and will not be able to come into the city  – the dogs who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.  (Revelation 22:14-15). 

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches.  I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” - Revelation 22:16.  This is the 1^st time “I, Jesus” appears in the Bible.

Principle:  We must be holy and ready for Jesus’ return.

Revelation 22:17-21 – Final Invitation and Warning 

“The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.” – Revelation 22:17  This is the final invitation to salvation.  It is an invitation from the Holy Spirit and the church.  They work together to bring people to Christ.  The Holy Spirit woos us to come to Him.  Christ offers eternal life to those who really want it.  It is a free gift from God.  You can’t work for or earn it.  It comes by faith in the Lord Jesus alone.  We all hunger and thirst for God even though some don’t really know what they are hungering and thirsting for.  They are really hungering for peace, joy and life that lasts forever.  Jesus will give this to everyone who believes.

He gives a final warning that anyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book and adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book.  If anyone takes away words, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life.  He will take away your part of the book and tree of life, the holy city, and the things written in this book.  (Revelation 22:18-19) 

Believers are called to guard and protect this book.  We are to defend it from those who deny its relevance, authority, and also those who misinterpret its meaning.  God’s Word is already perfect as He is perfect.  If we add or take words away from the Bible, we corrupt it.  Then it may cause someone to believe things that are not true.

Jesus gives us His final words that He is coming soon.  John expected Him to come – “Amen.  Come, Lord Jesus.” – Revelation 22:20b  We should have the same anticipation and attitude, too.  We should live holy lives and be ready for Him.

Principle:  Jesus is coming soon!

Revelation is a book from God telling us that Christ will return.  Everything revealed to John will come to pass, because God is the author.  His Words are trustworthy and true!  “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him.” – Revelation 1:7

Well, we have finished the book of Revelation. WOW!  What a book!  What a description John has given us on Heaven.  Heaven is a physical place and a joyful place.  I believe we will recognize our loved ones and all the saints there.  We will eat together and fellowship together.  In Matthew 8:11 Jesus tells us, “I say to you that many will come from the east and the west and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.”  It will be heaven because Jesus will be there with us.  Hallelujah!

Have a great summer and join me in the fall for study on “People of the Promise: Exile and Return”.  Until then I will be posting throughout the summer on a variety of subjects so I hope to see you here.  Stay firm and stay awake until He comes.  – I encourage you to trust in Jesus and pray for each other.

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