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Book of Ezekiel
Chapter 9
The prophet had seen in a vision, the wickedness that was committed at the Temple in Jerusalem in Chapter 8, and we can be sure that it was not represented to him worse than it really was. Chapter 9 follows with a representation of the ruin that is approaching . . . because when sin goes before . . . the judgments of God follow.
Here is,
(1). Preparation being made of the instruments that were to be used in the destruction of the city (9:1-2).
(2). The removal of the Shekinah from the cherubim to the threshold of the Temple (9:3).
(3). Orders given to the man with the inkhorn, who is distinguished from the rest, to mark a remnant to be preserved from the common destruction (9:3-4).
(4). The warrant signed for the execution of those that were not marked, and the execution begun accordingly (9:5-7).
(5). The prophet intercedes to try for the easing of the sentence, and a denial of any easing, the decree having now gone forth (9:8-10).
(6). The report made by him that was to mark the pious remnant of what he had done in that matter (9:11). This reveals a usual method of Providence in the government of the world.
Chapter 9 . . . About the same time as the departure of GOD’S Presence from the Temple, Ezekiel saw six men come from the higher gate with swords in their hands; and one among them had an inkhorn. It was then the Divine Presence left the cherubim, and took position at the entrance of the Temple, and gave orders to the man with the inkhorn to put a mark on the foreheads of those who sighed and prayed because of the abominations of the land; and then commanded the men with the swords to go forward, and slay every person who did not have this mark (Rev.14:9-11). The prophet, while they were slaying them, fell up his face, and made intercession for the people. The LORD gives him the reason of his conduct; that being that 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; and the man with the inkhorn returns, and reports to the LORD what was done. These are the general contents of the ninth chapter.
Theme: Shekinah glory prepares to leave Temple; Shekinah glory fills the Holy Place; Shekinah glory departs. In chapter 9 the Shekinah glory prepares to leave the temple at Jerusalem.
See more on Shekinah in Special Comments at the end of this chapter.
Shekinah Glory Prepares To Leave the Temple (9:1-11)
Ezekiel 9:1 He cried also in mine 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. (KJV)
He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice . . . this is still the LORD GOD of Israel, whom the prophet saw in the Temple, and who directed him from place to place, and showed him all the abominations committed there. This loud voice of the LORD was not to get the attention of the prophet, for I am sure that Ezekiel is paying close attention! The LORD’S loud voice was to call together the ministers of His vengeance; and to show just how great was His outrage, and the intensity of His wrath, which was stirred up by the terrible sins of the people.
Saying, cause them that have the charge over the city to draw near . . . one version is, draw near, ye avengers of the city; and another version is the vengeance of the city draws nigh.
Even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand . . . weapons of war, such as bows and arrows, sword and spear (Jer.6:22-23).
*****This chapter is closely connected with Chapter 8, and carries specifically the threat of Ezekiel 8:18 into immediate action. Ezekiel 8:18 Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them. (KJV) This chapter presents a picture of coming judgment. After Ezekiel had seen just how corrupt Jerusalem had become, God called one man to spare the small minority that had been faithful. Then he called six men to slaughter the wicked people in the city. This judgment was ordered by the LORD GOD Himself (9:5-7).
Ezekiel 9:2 And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth 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: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar. (KJV)
And, behold, six men . . . different interpretations: (1) angels in the form of men; (2) angels of wrath, symbolic of destruction; (3) the generals of Nebuchadnezzar's army, whose names are, Nergalsharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, Rabsaris, Nergalsharezer, Rabmag (Jer.39:3), these six executioners of God's vengeance are, in the Talmud called wrath, anger, fury, destruction, breach, and consumption.
Came from the way of the higher gate . . . this is the eastern gate called the higher or upper gate, because it was above the court of the Israelites. It is called the higher gate because it was above the court of the women (2 Ki.15:35).
Which lieth toward the north . . . the six men come from the north (Jer.6:22), the direction from which invading armies entered the Holy Land. These six, with the one among them, being superior over the six, make up the number seven, a number symbolic of God’s covenant with His people.
Toward the north iswhere the image of jealousy (8:3) was, and the women weeping for Tammuz, and other repulsive idolatrous practices were committed; which is the reason why these destroyers were coming was.
And every man a slaughter weapon in his hand . . . as ordered (9:1). Destroying weapon is in verse 1, here it is a slaughter weapon; a different word suggests a hammer, with which rocks are broken in pieces, some render it an axe or hatchet.
And one man among them . . . NOT one of the six, but the one who made a seventh man. The Jews say this was Gabriel, but others say this was not a created angel, nor the Holy Spirit as one thinks, but that this was indeed the SON OF GOD, in a Human form . . . He was among the six, and was at the head of them, as their Leader and Commander.
Was clothed with linen . . . this clothing was NOT what a warrior wore, but was that of a priest. Priesthood of Christ Jesus: (Heb.2:17-18; 4:14-15; 5:4-6; 6:20; 7:1-3, 13-16, 24-25; 8:1; 9;24) Clothed with linen . . . linen was the priestly garment (Ex.28:6, 8; Lev.6:10; 16:4). This One Man (Dan.10:5; 12:6-7; Rev.1:13-15) was the angel of the covenant, the Great High Priest (Heb.4:14), FAR superior to those by whom He was surrounded, taking the coals of vengeance from between the cherubim (10:2), coming with mercy to the repentant ones but with vengeance to the unrepentant ones. These are attributes only of Christ Jesus (Mat. 9:13; Lk.2:34; Jn.5:30; 6:39), who had made atonement for the sins of His people, and intercession for them; and this may also mean the purity of His Human nature, and His unblemished righteousness, the fine linen, clean and white, which is the righteousness of the saints (Rom.5:1; 1 Cor.1:30).
With a writer's inkhorn by his side . . . or at his loins. This was NOT a slaughter weapon, as the others had, but was a writer's inkhorn. Some think this one was the king of Babylon's scribe; but it seems to me that something much greater is meant here . . . it seems to me that the ONE is HE who writes down the names of God's elect in the book of life (Dan.12:1; Lk.10:20; Rev.3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12,15; 21:27; 22:19; Phil.4:3); and who also keeps an account, and a book of the words, and even thoughts, of His people (Ps.56:8; 139:16; Isa.65:6; Dan.7:10; Mal.3:16; Mat.10:30; Rev.20:12) . . . but now His business was to mark His people, and separate them from others, and keep and preserve them from the general ruin and destruction that was coming upon Jerusalem.
And they went in . . . all seven went into the Temple.
Aand stood beside the brasen altar . . . the altar of burnt offering, so called to set it apart from the altar of incense, which was of gold. It was here where they stood . . . NOT to offer sacrifice, but waiting for their orders, to take vengeance for the sins committed in the Temple, and at this altar . . . near to which stood the image of jealousy (8:5).
*****There is no doubt that Ezekiel meant that God’s command would have an immediate effect, because as soon as the LORD cried out (verse 1), six men were right there to obey Him, which he later expresses more clearly when he says that they stood near the altar. For it was a sign of their readiness to obey God’s commands when they placed themselves before the altar.
This Passage is well worthy of our consideration, because it shows us how anxious we SHOULD BE to pay attention to God’s threats and warnings, for they are usually directed against us. In order that we may learn to rouse ourselves from our indifference, we should consider that the combination of God’s vengeance with His threats is aimed at us. For as soon as the LORD had spoken, we see that there were six men armed and ready to destroy the city. But
I think that the LORD GOD wanted to show His prophet this vision, because His business was with a hard, rebellious and stupid people, as we have already seen. God’s Voice at this time was their final doom. God exclaimed with a loud voice, and this was no empty cause of terror, for He Himself directly joined the carrying out of it, when six men appeared before the altar.
Ezekiel 9:3 And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by his side; (KJV)
And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was . . . that is, the glorious God of Israel; or the glorious Shekinah, and divine Magnificent Presence of Almighty God, which dwelt between the cherubim over the mercy seat in the most Holy Place, removed from there, as a sign that He was about to depart from the Temple, which in a short time would be destroyed. The Targum is, the glory of the God of Israel departed in the cherub on which he dwelt, in the house of the holy of holies; the cherubim went with Him, and were His chariot in which He rode (10:18). Glory of God gone: (9:3; 10:4, 18; 11:22). Cherub . . . the singular is put collectively for the cherubim, which were upon the mercy-seat of the ark in the Holy of Holies, the proper seat of the glory of the LORD in the midst of Israel. The glory of the LORD is represented as arising from between the cherubim to scatter His enemies (Num.10:35).
To the threshold of the house . . . of the Holy of Holies, as one interprets it; and so was nearer to the brasen altar, where the seven men stood, waiting for their orders; of which an account follows:
And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by his side . . . He, being the main person, is called first; and it is His business to preserve the LORD'S people shows that this was the first concern of God.
*****As soon as the command was given, the ministers of God's displeasure appear. Men, as they appeared in the vision, they seemed to be men, and the prophet calls them as he saw them. The north implies from where their destruction would come. One man, not a companion but as one of authority over them, clothed with linen, a garment proper to the priesthood.
Ezekiel 9:4 And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. (KJV)
And the LORD said unto him . . . this is still the LORD GOD of Israel, whom the prophet saw in the Temple, and who directed him from place to place, and showed him all the abominations committed there (8:5).
Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem . . . midst of the city, midst of Jerusalem . . . this twofold description marks the exact place of the divine judgments; it was the city the six men had charge of (9:1).
And set a mark upon the foreheads . . . the reference is either to the marking of servants in their foreheads, by which they were known who they belonged to (Rev.7:3); or to the sprinkling of the posts of the Israelites’ houses with blood, when the firstborn of Egypt were destroyed (Ex.12:22). God will protect His people from the common ruin. God will take special care as to their safety before He orders the punishment of the rest (Ps.31:20; Isa.26:20-21); so it was in the case of Lot and Sodom (Gen.19:22); and too, the Egyptian first-born were not slain until Israel had time to sprinkle the blood-mark, ensuring their safety (Ex.12:22; 7:3; Am.9:9).
Of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof . . . the abominations were those abominable idolatries mentioned in Chapter 8, and those dreadful immoralities not explicit in (9:9); all the horrible atrocities which grieved and distressed godly minds, because they opposed the nature and will of God. So many transgressions of the LORD GOD’S Holy and righteous law; of which His Name was dishonored, and His ways were blasphemed and spoken evil of. These few (Mat.7:14) sighed and groaned in private, and mourned and lamented in public; bearing their testimony against them with bitter expressions of grief and sorrow, by groans, words and tears (Ps.69:9-12; 1 Jn.5:19). The LORD comforts those that mourn in Zion and would preserve them; as He does to us today.
*****The unique character of this remnant that is to be saved is that they sigh in themselves, as men in pain and distress, and cry to God in prayer, because of all the abominations that are committed in Jerusalem. It was not only the idolatries they were guilty of, but all their other wickedness, that were abominations to God. These pious few had witnessed against those abominations and had done what they could to suppress them; but, finding all their attempts for the reformation of manners fruitless, they sat down, and sighted, and cried, wept in secret, and complained to God, because of the dishonor done to His Holy Name by their wickedness and the ruin it was bringing upon the entire nation.
Ezekiel 9:5 And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: (KJV)
And, to the others he said in mine hearing . . . now that the man with the inkhorn had done as he was commanded, the LORD now speaks to the other six men that had the slaughter weapons in their hands (verse 2).
Go ye after him through the city . . . they were to follow after the man clothed with linen; for he was sent out first to take care of the righteous, and preserve them; and the rest were not supposed to stir until he was gone; and then they are bid to go after him.
And smite . . . kill all the inhabitants of the city that did not have the mark on their forehead.
Let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity . . . the Chaldeans were not inclined to mercy and pity, for they were a cruel and barbarous people . . . this is said to show the utter resentment of God against the sins of the Jews. It was His will they should act as severely as they did.
*****The six men are ordered to destroy all, with NO exception and NO compassion. They must go through the city, and they must slay to destruction. There was to be NO difference of age or sex, but cut off old and young; neither the beauty of the virgins, nor the innocence of babies shall secure them. This was fulfilled in the death of multitudes by famine and pestilence, especially by the sword of the Chaldeans, as far as the military execution went. What a horrible evil thing is sin, which incites the wrath of God, Who is of infinite mercy, to such severity!
There is NONE more merciful than GOD is; but He had said: Ezekiel 8:18 Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them. (KJV) . . . Dear one, consider . . . those that are determined to live in sin, and refuse to change to God’s way of doing things, shall perish in sin, and deserve not to be pitied; for they might very easily have prevented the ruin, and would not . . . . . . . . . . . . . http://www.godcannotlie.org/truth_about_salvation.htm
Ezekiel 9:6 Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house. (KJV)
Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women . . . all of them objects of compassion, because of their age and sex; but NONE were to be spared; and which orders were exactly obeyed (2 Chron.36:17).
But come not near any man on whom is the mark . . . those that had the mark on their forehead (9:4) were NOT to be slain; even though some were carried captive. It may be objected that Daniel, Jeremiah and others were carried away, while many of the most vile were left in the land . . . but God does NOT Promise believers exemption from all suffering, but only from what will prove really and lastingly hurtful to them. When GOD spares the ungodly, it ends with their destruction and leaves them without excuse. On the other hand, the prophecy waits a fuller and final fulfilment (Rev.7:3-8), in ages long after Babylon, and foretells, as still future, the same sealing of a remnant (one hundred forty-four thousand) of Israel, before the final outpouring of wrath on the rest of the nation. The message is exact; the same pouring of fire from the altar follows the marking of the remnant in both (Eze.10:2; Rev.8:5).
So too, the Scriptures below separate the remnant from the rest of Israel.
Zechariah 13:9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God. (KJV)
Zechariah 14:2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. (KJV)
And begin at my sanctuary . . . the Temple, the House of God, and the priests and Levites that dwelt there. Begin at my sanctuary . . . from where wickedness went into the whole land (Jer.23:15). These sanctuary men were a sick generation; so it is with them that the judgment begins. God will be sanctified in all that draw near to Him. Nadab and Abihu found the flames of jealousy hottest about the altar (Lev.10:1-2). Uzzah and Ahio felt that justice as well as mercy is most active about the ark (2 Sam.6:3-7). Murderers must be drawn from the altar to the slaughter (Ex.21:14). Holy places were used for refuges; not so here, but the opposite.
Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house . . . the seventy elders of Israel, who offered incense to the idols portrayed upon the walls of the chambers of the Temple (8:10-11), these ancient men they slew first.
*****The six men are directed to start at the sanctuary, that same sanctuary which, in Chapter 8, Ezekiel had seen the horrid sacrilege . . . they must begin there because it was there that the wickedness began which provoked God’s wrath to send these judgments. The sins of the priests were poisoning the springs, to which all the corruption of the streams was owing. The evil in the sanctuary was of all the wickedness, the most offensive to God, so it was there the slaughter would begin. When judgements are everywhere, they usually begin at the house of God (1 Pet.4:17-18). God's Temple is a Sanctuary, a refuge and protection for penitent sinners, but NOT for any that insist to keep on in their trespasses; neither is it a sacred place for their iniquities.
Ezekiel 9:7 And he said unto them, Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth. And they went forth, and slew in the city. (KJV)
And he said unto them, Defile the house . . . the Temple; do not be afraid of slaying any person in it, for fear of defiling it; for THEY have defiled it with their abominations, and now you shall defile it with their blood.
And fill the courts with the slain . . . the court of the priests, and the court of the Israelites, the court of the women and all the chambers where the priests and Levites were, and had all their abominable images portrayed (8:10).
Go ye forth . . . from the brasen altar by which they stood, and out of the Temple, after they had done what was commanded of them, and had slain all they should.
And they went forth, and slew in the city . . . then they went out of the Temple, and slew in the city all those that did not have the mark.
*****Defile the house. The worst possible pollution under the Mosaic economy was to touch a dead body (Num.9:6, 10; 19:11, 16). It might be thought that the Temple would be spared this defilement; but not only must the execution of justice override all technicalities, as at the execution of Joab (1 Kings 2:28-31), but in this case the very defilement itself was a part of the judgment, since God was about to forsake His Sanctuary, and give over even this to the desolations of the heathen. From the Temple the destroying angels passed out into the city.
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! wilt thou destroy all the residue of Israel in thy pouring out of thy fury upon Jerusalem? (KJV)
And it came to pass, while they were slaying them . . . killing them that were in the city:
And I was left . . . Ezekiel is in the Temple; and the only one that was left there, the rest were killed; for there were NONE that were marked in the Temple, only in the city (verse 4). He was left there alone, possibly to think (Rom.11:3). The slaughter seemed so universal that Ezekiel thought himself the only one left.
That I fell upon my face . . . as a petitioner, with great humility to intercede for his countrymen (Num.16:22).
And cried, and said . . . being greatly distressed with this awful judgment.
A Lord GOD! wilt thou destroy all the residue of Israel . . . the ten tribes had been carried captive before; there remained only the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and these were now threatened with an utter destruction. All the residue of Israel . . . a plea drawn from God‘s covenant Promise to save the elect remnant.
In thy pouring out of thy fury upon Jerusalem? . . . shown in the destruction of men, both in the city and Temple, by famine, pestilence and sword.
Wilt thou destroy all the residue of Israel, On thy pouring out of thy fury upon Jerusalem? . . . These destroyers had slain the seventy elders (8:11), the twenty-five adorers of the sun (8:16), and the women that mourned for Tammuz (8:14); and on seeing this slaughter the prophet fell on his face, and began to make intercession for his people.
*****This Passage shows how wrong are those who say that Ezekiel was only a merciless religious fanatic. I believe that all the prophets of God had a heart for the people to whom they had to preach condemnation and judgment. Ezekiel loved his people and their sacred city Jerusalem and the Temple; and maybe he was thinking that the righteous remnant mentioned by Isaiah, 15 times, 19 times in Jeremiah, and which also vividly appears 6 times in his own writings, would undoubtedly be found in Jerusalem.
But, the events which Ezekiel saw in this vision seemed to the prophet as the end of any such possibility of a righteous remnant remaining in Jerusalem. No! The righteous remnant would be found among the captives in Babylon, not in Jerusalem; and the complete end of Jerusalem, as it began to unfold before the eyes of Ezekiel, broke his heart, because he most likely thought there might not be left any remnant at all; and that appears to be the reason for his passionate, tearful and heartbroken intercession.
Ezekiel 9:9 Then said he unto 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 hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not. (KJV)
Then he said unto me . . . the LORD spoke to Ezekiel again, in order to satisfy and put him at ease, and show him the fairness and justice of the Divine proceedings.
The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great . . . exceeding great, very, very bad! Gotten completely out of hand; far beyond what GOD’S justice and mercy could tolerate. Full of blood, much innocent blood is spilt, there being many blood-shedders among them.
And the land is full of blood . . . of murders, as the Targum interprets it; of shedding of innocent blood; and also all the other terrible and capital crimes.
And the city full of perverseness . . . distortion and falsifying of judgment, as the Targum; the city of Jerusalem, where was the highest court of judicature, where the sanhedrim of seventy one sat to do justice and judgment, have nothing but perversion and injustice; perverseness or apostasy or snatching aside of justice.
For they say, the LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not . . . the LORD does not concern Himself with human affairs, and takes no notice of what is done below; and, having absorbed such ungodly principles, were hardened in sin, and gave themselves over to all iniquity; having no restraints upon them from the consideration of the providence of God, and His government of the world. Ezekiel 8:12 Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, The LORD seeth us not; the LORD hath forsaken the earth. (KJV)
*****It was as if the people were saying, God is blind, and He cannot make it to the Earth. That is the same attitude as those who today say that God is dead. It may be easy to say that God is not out there and He does not know what is going on in the Earth, but IF you really think about this, it is ridiculous. Dear one, just because you have NOT literally seen God . . . is NOT proof that He does not exist. Just because I have never been to Australia, dos NOT mean that that nation is not there! Just because we have never had a face to face relationship with God, as Moses did (Ex. 33:11) does not mean that God does not exist. Those rebellious people were saying that God had forsaken the Earth. WHY? Because THEY had forsaken God.
Ezekiel 9:10 And as for me also, mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, but I will recompense their way upon their head. (KJV)
And as for me also . . . as they had not spared the poor and the needy, the widow and the fatherless, but have perverted their judgment, and shed innocent blood,
Mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, but I will recompence their way upon their head . . . mine eye shall not spare . . . how often this terrible statement is repeated. They say, the LORD seeth not . . . THAT is NOT true! The LORD has seen ALL their iniquities, and sees ALL their abominations; and He will bring deserved judgment upon them. Mine eye shall not spare (5:11; 7:4, 9; 8:18; 9:10). Also see Jeremiah 9:3-17.
The LORD would deal with them by the law of retaliation, and reward them according to their deserts (7:4). Recompense their way upon their head . . . retribution in kind. Proverbs 1:31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. (KJV)
*****The destruction of Jerusalem at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar and the burning of the Temple were terrible things. Why did God do it? He has said, I will recompense their way upon their head. The Almighty LORD GOD is in control of things, and IF you do things YOUR way, you are out of step with Him, it would be wise indeed to do things HIS way or expect a verdict you do NOT want to hear! You can defy and rebel against God if you want to, but you will NOT like the end result.
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 thou hast commanded me. (KJV)
And, behold, the man clothed with linen, which had the inkhorn by his side . . . (9:2); to whom the orders were given to mark the mourners in the city (9:4). One version is, then I saw the man, which must direct him to observe and call to mind the characteristic goodness of God to His own people.
Reported the matter, saying, I have done as thou hast commanded me . . . meaning that the righteous remnant were marked, and had been preserved, while all the others were slain. Christ, as Man and Mediator, bears the character of a servant; as such He has commands given to Him, which He has obeyed. He has done all that He was supposed to do! He has fulfilled the entire will of God, and worked out the complete salvation of His people. I have done as thou hast commanded . . . the characteristic of Messiah. John 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. (KJV)
And of the angels. Psalm 103:21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. (KJV)
And the apostles report their fulfilment of their orders. Mark 6:30 And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. (KJV)
And the LORD JESUS shall do it again at the last day; when all His people will be gathered in, and He shall deliver the Kingdom to the Father, and present them all to Him, having been kept by His power, saying, lo, I and the children thou hast given me (Isa.8:18).
1 Cor. 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. (KJV)
*****This is a welcome end to the subject. Jesus as Mediator (Gal.3:20; 1 Tim.2:5; Heb.9:15; 12:24), the Christ of God (Lk.9:20), is said in the New Testament, to deliver up the kingdom to God (1 Cor.15:24) even the Father: when He shall have put down all rule, and all authority, and power. For having received from the Father, the Kingdom of grace, when grace is completed in glory, and the Kingdom of glory in perfection begins (Rev.20). So that our awesome Triune GOD, in His threefold character of Persons, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, having commissioned, and set up, Christ the Glory-Man Mediator, it becomes needful that the Mediator should be faithful to Him that appointed Him. And here, having marked and secured His people, and seen the destruction of His enemies, returns with the report, saying, I have done as Thou hast commanded Me.
SPECIAL COMMENTS
EZEKIEL'S JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM (Ezekiel Chapters 8-11)
Ezekiel's prophecy in these four chapters form ONE connected whole prophecy.
<><><>Chapter 8 gives in detail the horrible defilement of God's Holy Temple by apostate Israel, which God forewarns will cause Him to remove His Presence from it (8:6).
<><><>The supernatural ministers of instruments of Israel's punishment appear in Ezekiel 9. <><><>The cherubim make preliminary movements to depart the Temple in Ezekiel 10.
<><><>The definite departure of God's Holy Presence from the Temple occurs in Ezekiel 11:22-25. The one topic here is the defilement of the Temple and God's removal from it.
Chapter 9 . . . About the same time as the departure of GOD’S Presence from the Temple, Ezekiel saw six men come from the higher gate with swords in their hands; and one among them had an inkhorn. It was then the Divine Presence left the cherubim, and took position at the entrance of the Temple, and gave orders to the man with the inkhorn to put a mark on the foreheads of those who sighed and prayed because of the abominations of the land; and then commanded the men with the swords to go forward, and slay every person who did not have this mark (Rev.14:9-11). The prophet, while they were slaying them, fell up his face, and made intercession for the people. The LORD gives him the reason of his conduct; that being that 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; and the man with the inkhorn returns, and reports to the LORD what was done. These are the general contents of the ninth chapter.
Chapter 10 . . . The LORD commands the same person to go in between the wheels of the cherubim, and take his hand full of live coals, and scatter them over the city. He went as commanded, and one of the cherubim gave him the coals; at the same time the glory of the LORD, that had removed to the threshold of the house, now returned, and stood over the cherubim. The cherubim, wheels, wings, etc., are here described as in Chapter 1. This is the bulk of the tenth chapter.
Chapter 11 . . . The prophet then finds himself transported to the east gate of the Temple, where he saw twenty-five men, and among them Jaazaniah the son of Azur, and Pelatiah the son of Benaiah, princes of the people, against whom the LORD commands him to prophesy, and to threaten them with the utmost calamities, because of their crimes. After this GOD Himself speaks, and shows that the Jews who would be left in the land, whould be driven out because of their iniquities, and that those who had been led captive, and who acknowledged their sins and repented of them, would be restored to their own land. Then the glory of the LORD arose out of the city, and rested for a time on one of the mountains on the east of Jerusalem, and the prophet being carried in vision by the Spirit to Chaldea, lost sight of the chariot of the Divine glory, and began to show to the captivity what the LORD GOD had shown to him. This is the substance of the eleventh chapter.
We may see from all this, was what prompted the LORD to abandon His people, His city and His Temple; were the abominations of the people in public and in private. But because those carried away captives with Jeconiah acknowledged their sins, and their hearts turned to the LORD, GOD informs them that they shall be brought back and restored to a happy state both in temporal and spiritual matters, while the others, who had filled up the measure of their iniquities, would be quickly brought into a state of desolation and ruin. This is the sum and intent of the vision in these four chapters.
What is the Shekinah Glory?
What is Shekinah Glory? Is This In The Bible?
Glory of God, Shekinah: (Eze.1:28; 3:12, 23; 8:4; 9:3; 10:19; 11:22-23; 39:21; 43:2, 4-5; 44:4)
Jesus’s glory as God was veiled in human flesh but at times His glory, the so-called Shekinah glory, was revealed. What is the Shekinah glory of God?
Shekinah
What does the word “Shekinah” mean? It is not in the Bible, so why do we need to know what this word means regarding God’s Glory? The word Shekinah is from the Hebrew word “shekinot” and actually is in the Bible where God is said to “settle in” or “dwell with.” This word means where God is dwelling, settling or where His Divine Presence is. This Glory is seen when God’s glory filled the Temple and even in the wilderness where He was a light during the night and the Shekinah cloud of His Glory shaded Israel in the scorching sun of the desert. His Presence was revealed by the intense light that filled the Tabernacle, the Temple in Jerusalem and even in the Transfiguration on the Mount (Mat. 17), where Jesus shone as bright as the sun when He spoke with Moses and Elijah.
Jesus’ Glory of the Transfiguration
Jesus partially revealed His Shekinah Glory on a mountain and allowed Peter, James and John to see this awesome Glory. This is why the Apostle John said that Jesus “dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father” (Jn.1:14); and that Jesus is “the light of men.” John 1:4-7 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. (KJV) . . . Christ Jesus is the very essence and nature of God as light and that is part of His Shekinah Glory which was why John said “we have seen his glory.”
The Transfiguration is where Jesus allowed Peter, James and John to see His Glory in Matthew 17:1-8. It is where Jesus for a very short time, peeled back His humanity to allow the disciples to see the very Shekinah Glory of God. It overwhelmed them just as it does to anyone where God reveals His Glory. Humans are like dead men when they see this awesome Glory of God!
Genesis 17:3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, (KJV)
Leviticus 9:24 And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces. (KJV)
Ezekiel 1:28 As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake. (KJV)
Ezekiel 3:23 Then I arose, and went forth into the plain: and, behold, the glory of the LORD stood there, as the glory which I saw by the river of Chebar: and I fell on my face. (KJV)
Daniel 8:18 Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright. (KJV)
Daniel 10:8-9 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.
9 Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground. (KJV)
Daniel 10:17-19 For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me. 18 Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me, 19 And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me. (KJV)
Habakkuk 3:16 When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops. (KJV)
Matthew 17:2-6 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. 4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. 6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. (KJV)
Acts 9:4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? (KJV)
Revelation 1:17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: (KJV)
Everyone will see the LORD someday in all His splendor, majesty and Shekinah Glory and ALL will fall down before Him on bended knees.
Isaiah 45:23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. (KJV)
Romans 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. (KJV)
Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; (KJV) . . . Some (a few Mat.7:14), will do so willingly as He is their Saviour, LORD and King but for others, they will wait until He becomes their Judge (Jn.5:22, 27; 2 Tim.4:1, 8; 1 Pet.4:5; Rev.19:11), when He shall send them off into eternal torment (Rev 20:11-15). God CANNOT dwell where there is unconfessed sin or where someone has not repented and trusted in Christ. It is YOUR decision which of two places you will spend eternity: Heaven or Hell! That day to decide should NOT be put off because today is the day of salvation (2 Cor. 6:2), for tomorrow you may not be here . . . and it will be your day of condemnation (Jn.3:18, 36; 8:24).
The LORD GOD’S Shekinah Glory
Most people have little, or NO understanding of what the Shekinah Glory of the LORD GOD is, let alone realize the prophetic importance of this awesome Appearance of Almighty God. The Jewish rabbis invented this extra-biblical expression, and it is form of a Hebrew word that literally means "he caused to dwell" suggesting that it was/is a Divine Visitation of the awesome Presence or Dwelling of the LORD GOD on this Earth. In order to fully understand the prophetic Passages in the Book of Revelation, we need to carefully understand the idea of the physical appearances or displays of our Creator God.
Revelation 21:22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. (KJV) http://www.godcannotlie.org/rev_ch21.htm
The city has no need for the sun or the moon to shine in it, because God’s Shekinah gives it light, and its Lamp is the Lamb. This is very important. The word Shekinah (Sh'khinah) was devised from related words in the Bible which describe the PRESENCE of Jehovah. The word Shekinah is not found in the Bible, but the idea clearly is. Shekinah is also used to describe the spiritual Shekinah Presence in the Tabernacle and later in the first and second Temples.
The word Shekinah is defined in the Encyclopedia Judaica as the Divine Presence, the numinous (spiritual) immanence of God in the world . . . a revelation of the holy in the midst of the profane. The Encyclopedia goes on to say: One of the more prominent images associated with the Shekhinah is that of light.
Throughout the Bible the LORD GOD speaks of His desire to have a close relationship with His people. During the time of Moses the added PHYSICAL Shekinah Presence was evidence of the REAL Presence which is omnipresent and unseen. During the Mosaic dispensation the Shekinah was physically disturbing. The Presence then was NOT spiritual . . . it was a PHYSICAL APPEARANCE of the actual Presence of the LORD GOD among His people.
We are to know that there is a difference from the Shekinah and the angel of the LORD. The Shekinah was first apparent when the Israelites set out from Succoth in their escape from Egypt. There it appeared as a cloudy pillar in the day and a fiery pillar by night.
Exodus 13:21-22 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: 22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people. (KJV)
The physical Shekinah was also evident at the crossing of the Red Sea.
Exodus 14:24-25 And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians, 25 And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians. (KJV)
The Israelites were led by the physical Shekinah for 40 years, after which the Holy Presence of the omniscient God inhabited the Tabernacle and the land of Israel. The Shekinah was not always afterwards physically manifested.
Numbers 35:34 Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel. (KJV)
Exodus 25:8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. (KJV)
When Moses and the Israelites finished erecting the Tabernacle, the Shekinah of JEHOVAH filled it (Ex.6:3; Ps.83:18; Isa.12:2; 26:4).
Exodus 40:33-38 And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work. 34 Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 35 And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 36 And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys: 37 But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up. 38 For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys. (KJV)
Whenever that Presence was physically manifested, it terrified those who experienced it.
Exodus 24:15-17 And Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount. 16 And the glory of the LORD abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud. 17 And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel. (KJV)
When Moses went to the mountain to get the Ten Commandments, the appearance of the physical Presence of the LORD GOD on Mount Sinai is described as fire and cloud and thick darkness.
Exodus 24:15-18 And Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount. 16 And the glory of the LORD abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud. 17 And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.
18 And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights. (KJV)
Earlier, the seventy elders had gone up into the cloud and actually saw the Shekinah Glory, and they were so afraid they could not eat or drink (Ex.24:10-11).
The Psalms contain a description of the Shekinah Presence:
Psalm 68:16-18 Why leap ye, ye high hills? this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the LORD will dwell in it for ever. 17 The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place. 18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them. (KJV) . . . God’s chariots (angels): (Deut.33:2; 2 Ki.2:11; 6:1617; Ps.18:10; Eze.1:15-28; Dan.7:10; Mat.26:53; Rev.9:16).
There are many other times when the direct intervention of the LORD GOD was manifest in a Shekinah Presence to Moses.
After Israel entered the Promised Land, the LORD GOD’S Presence was revealed spiritually in the Tabernacle, but not often in a physical manner. GOD’S actual Presence was always accepted by the Israelites as being in the Tabernacle (and later in the Temple), but was not always physically confirmed by the visible Shekinah.
Whenever the LORD GOD makes a forever Promise in the Bible, there are always conditions connected to it, and the Shekinah is no different. When He said He would dwell in the Temple forever, there were conditions to this Promise. Therefore, at the destruction of the First Temple, He did NOT allow His Shekinah Presence to stay in the Holy of Holies (inner sanctuary of the Temple) because so much abominable corruption had taken place. It is very surprising that the LORD stayed in the Temple as long as He did! Clearly, His love for His people is such that He endures far more than any human judge would think possible. Even with all the abominations that occurred during the last days of Jehoiakim and Jehoiachin (and most of the reign of Zedekiah); Ezekiel's vision of the departure of the LORD’S Shekinah from the Temple and city did not take place until after the beginning of the final siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar and his army.
Ezekiel's description of the LORD GOD’S "Shekinah" is more detailed but very similar to what the 70 elders saw on Mount Sinai, as recorded in Exodus 24. Ezekiel's description of the Shekinah in EZEKIEL Chapter one of his prophecy is described as fire enfolding itself borne by cherubim whose appearance pulsated with surging light, themselves borne by seemingly gyroscopic wheels within wheels. Ezekiel 1:5 Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man. (KJV)
There are other descriptions of the nature of the LORD GOD’S Shekinah that Ezekiel saw LEAVING a then desolate Temple. The building was still standing but no longer had the LORD’S Glory before it was destroyed.
The Jewish calendar has the following months:
1. Nissan 30 days March-April
2. Iyar 29 days April-May
3. Sivan 30 days May-June
4. Tammuz 30 days June-July
5. Av 30 days July-August
6. Elul 29 days August-September
7. Tishri 30 Days September-October
8. Cheshvan 29 or 30 days October-November
9. Kishlev 30 0r 29 days November-December
10. Tevet 29 days December-January
11. Shevat 30 Days January-February
12. Adar I (leap years only) 30 days February-March
13. Adar (leap years only) 29 days February-March
Book of Ezekiel
Eze.Ch.1 . . Eze.Ch.2 . . Eze.Ch.3. . Eze.Ch.4 . . Eze.Ch.5 . . Eze.Ch.6 . . Eze.Ch.7 . . Eze.Ch.8 . . Eze.Ch.9 . . Eze.Ch.10 . . Eze.Ch.11 . . Eze.Ch.12 . . Eze.Ch.13 . . Eze.Ch.14. . Eze.Ch.15 . . Eze.Ch.16 . . Eze.Ch.17 . . Eze.Ch.18 . . Eze.Ch.19 . . Eze.Ch.20 . . Eze.Ch.21 . . Eze.Ch.22 . . Eze.Ch.23 . . Eze.Ch.24 . . Eze.Ch.25 . . Eze.Ch.26 . . Eze.27 . . Eze.28 . . Eze.29 . . Eze.30 . . Eze.31 . . Eze.32 . . Eze.33 . . Eze.34 . . Eze.35 . . Eze.36 . . Eze.37 . . Eze.38 . . Eze.39 . . Eze.40 . . Eze.41 . . Eze.42 . . Eze.43 . . Eze.44 . . Eze.45 . . . Eze.46 . . . Eze.47 . . . Eze.48 . . . Eze. Millennial Temple . . . Eze.Special Comments . . . Eze.What is Shekinah Glory? . . . Home Page
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