QT 6/28/2023 Ezek 12:21-28, Are we living as if judgment was soon?

Ezekiel 12:21–28 (ESV) —

21 And the word of the Lord came to me: 22 “Son of man, what is this proverb that you have about the land of Israel, saying, ‘The days grow long, and every vision comes to nothing’? 23 Tell them therefore, ‘Thus says the Lord God: I will put an end to this proverb, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel.’ But say to them, The days are near, and the fulfillment of every vision. 24 For there shall be no more any false vision or flattering divination within the house of Israel. 25 For I am the Lord; I will speak the word that I will speak, and it will be performed. It will no longer be delayed, but in your days, O rebellious house, I will speak the word and perform it, declares the Lord God.”

26 And the word of the Lord came to me: 27 “Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say, ‘The vision that he sees is for many days from now, and he prophesies of times far off.’ 28 Therefore say to them, Thus says the Lord God: None of my words will be delayed any longer, but the word that I speak will be performed, declares the Lord God.”

 

NOTE: There were two ways people responded to the visions of Jeremiah and Ezekiel. The first "the days grow long and every vision comes to nothing." In our generation, we might say, "yeah, yeah, yeah, I've heard the doom and gloom, it's been almost 2000 years and I don't see any return of Christ." This first response is to reject the message because it tarries so long. The second response is to say, "ok, I believe it is coming, but it won't affect me, it is still for another time."

 

The problem is that both responses are wrong. Whether the prophecy is fulfilled now or tomorrow, we should act as if it will be assumed in our day.

 

Sometimes, I make the mistake of only seeing the world through the events in USA. Certainly, as our pride month indicates, we are glorying in our shame. Our movies depict evil and sin as good, and good as evil. We have destroyed marriage and the sanctity of marriage. Pornography has ruined the intimacy and sacredness of marriage. Sexual dysphoria is rampant and is being brought on by our culture. Sexual grooming is occurring in our classrooms and safe places. Men are taught to be feminine and women are taught to be masculine. And I am not sure that the rest of the world is any better. The end days are near.

 

What is my response? I must reject sin in my life and repent when I fall into sin. I can't change people's behavior (God says in Ezekiel, "he who has ears let him hear, and he who refuses to hear, let him refuse.") But, I can tell them the good news of the gospel. There is a different way that offers hope, peace, and real joy -- Jesus died in our place for our sins so that we can be right with God. Jesus says "come to me all who I weary … and I will give you rest."

 

PONDER:

1. The rapture may come today, 10 years from now, or even longer, but if I knew it was tomorrow or next month, what am I doing differently?

 

PRAYER: Father, help me to be bold. As I am free from the shackles of the demonic-controlled work environmental, give me the boldness, kindness, and respect to share the gospel as I should.