After the fall of Jerusalem to Babylon (from Ezekiel 35 to the end of the book) Ezekiel’s message shifts from an indictment of Israel to a focus on the latter days. These include the restoration of the House of Israel, the efforts of the ungodly in opposing the Lord’s work, the destruction of the wicked prior to Christ’s coming in glory, and His glorious reign as Israel’s Millennial King – with an emphasis on His House on earth, the Temple.
A New Heart
READ Ezekiel 36:30-32
What is the Lord describing
here?
READ Ezra Taft Benson quote:
“Lehi taught that "no
flesh can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and
mercy and grace of the Holy Messiah" (2 Nephi 2:8). Even the most just and
upright man cannot save himself solely on his own merits, for, as the Apostle
Paul tells us, "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God"
(Romans 3:23). Therefore, repentance means more than simply a reformation of
behavior. Many men and women in the world demonstrate great will-power and
self-discipline in overcoming bad habits and the weaknesses of the flesh. Yet
at the same time they give no thought to the Master, sometimes even openly
rejecting Him. Such changes of behavior, even if in a positive direction, do
not constitute true repentance. Repentance involves not just a change of
actions, but a change of heart. As we
seek to qualify to be members of Christ's Church -- members in the sense in
which He uses the term, members who have repented and come unto Him -- let us
remember these principles. The gospel is the Lord's plan of happiness and
repentance is designed to bring us joy. True repentance is based on and flows
from faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no other way. True repentance involves
a change of heart and not just a change of behavior (see Alma 5:13). Part of
this mighty change of heart is to feel godly sorrow for our sins. This is what
is meant by a broken heart and a contrite spirit. God's gifts are sufficient to
help us overcome every sin and weakness if we will but turn to Him for help…It
is not uncommon to find men and women in the world who feel remorse for the
things they do wrong. Sometimes this is because their actions cause them or
loved ones great sorrow and misery. Sometimes their sorrow is caused because
they are caught and punished for their actions. Such worldly feelings do not
constitute "godly sorrow" (2 Corinthians 7:10). Godly sorrow is a
gift of the Spirit. It is a deep realization that our actions have offended our
Father and our God. It is the sharp and keen awareness that our behavior caused
the Savior, He who knew no sin, even the greatest of all, to endure agony and
suffering. Our sins caused Him to bleed at every pore. This very real mental
and spiritual anguish is what the scriptures refer to as having "a broken
heart and a contrite spirit" (D&C 20:37). Such a spirit is the
absolute prerequisite for true repentance.”
("A Mighty Change of Heart," 1986.)
READ Mosiah 4:1-2 and Alma 36:12-16
How does one receive Godly
Sorrow?
What causes the “inexpressible
horror” of Godly Sorrow?
READ Ezekiel 36:26-29, 33-35
and Mosiah 4:3 and Mosiah 5:2
What is the Lord’s solution to
Godly Sorrow?
READ Alma 36:17-22
What is this mighty change
dependent on?
A Valley of Dry Bones
READ Ezekiel 37:1-11, 14
How does the Lord bring the
bones back to life?
What does this vision
symbolize?
If the light has just gone out
in a candle, how do you bring the flame back to life without using a match?
A Vision of Two Sticks
READ Ezekiel 37:15-17
What do these two “sticks”
symbolize?
The Winding Up Scene
READ Ezekiel 38:2, 8-9, 11,
What land or people is Gog
attacking “like a storm”?
READ Ezekiel 38:18 and Ezekiel
39:4, 7
Who will turn back Gog from
Zion?
A Vision of the Temple of
God
20 years earlier than this
prophesy, Ezekiel had received a similar apocalyptic vision where he saw the
glory of the Lord depart from the Temple (see Ezekiel 9:3, 10:18-19, 11:22-23).
READ Ezekiel 43:1-2, 4-7
What is Ezekiel seeing?
What does He tell Ezekiel the
Temple is?
READ Ezekiel 47:1-5
What happens the first time a
person goes to the Temple?
What is the symbolism in the
water getting deeper with each crossing?
Why does the water rise so
high that it cannot be passed over?
What is the symbolism of
“waters to swim in”?
READ Ezekiel 47:7-9
What is the impact of the
river?
Where does the living water or
river come from?
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