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?
Receiving the gift of godly
sorrow (see 2 Corinthians 7:9-10).
This is a spiritual gift but
we must choose to accept it; if we do, we see ourselves as we truly are – and our
need for Christ is fully exposed, which, when we also realize what it cost Christ
to resolve our fallen state, will break our hearts – which is the required
sacrifice. But we must be open to it.
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?
It is a gift of the spirit –
so through the Holy Ghost WHEN WE CRY UNTO THE LORD FOR IT.
Listening to an angel or true
messenger preach repentance and the words of Christ.
Seeing yourself through the
Lord’s spiritual eyes – “viewed self in carnal state”.
What causes the “inexpressible horror” of Godly Sorrow?
The thought of entering the
presence of God – it is not the fear of judgment (the Judgment is just the
occasion which enables the sinner to reenter God’s presence) – it is literally
the fear or inability to withstand the glory emanating from the Lord.
The Holy Spirit (mind of God)
is causing this to happen as it fills the wicked person, unprotected as they
feel/are at this point by Christ’s grace and mercy – because neither group is
actually standing in the presence of the Lord yet (Alma does later – after he
has been forgiven and cleansed); if they were actually standing in His presence
in His glory, they would be utterly wasted.
READ Ezekiel 36:26-29, 33-35
and Mosiah 4:3 and Mosiah 5:2
What is the Lord’s solution to Godly Sorrow?
To give us a new heart (a
mighty change of heart with no disposition to do evil but to do good
continually).
To give us a new spirit (the
Spirit of the Lord).
To give us a remission of our
sins (forgiveness – mercy).
To give us peace and joy (able
to stand in His presence – see Psalm 16:11, 3 Nephi 28:10, D&C 93:33 and
Alma 36:22).
READ Alma 36:17-22
What is this mighty change dependent on?
Understanding one’s true
standing before Christ – one’s desperate need for Him.
CRYING out for mercy to Christ
(Alma 36:18) – this is the true Hosanna shout: a cry or plea for saving help –
and it is a shout, of desperation.
Exceeding faith in Christ that
He will hear that cry and that through His Atonement, He has the power to save
even the vilest of sinners (Mosiah 4:3).
Offering one’s whole soul or a
broken heart and contrite spirit in sacrifice – the gift of the only thing that
is truly ours to give.
A Valley of Dry Bones
READ Ezekiel 37:1-11, 14
How does the Lord bring the bones back to life?
Through the “breath of life”.
“(I) shall put my spirit in
you and ye shall live”.
What does this vision symbolize?
It shows a resurrection.
But it symbolizes Israel
coming back to spiritual “life” after being spiritually dead and dry.
It is the Spirit that does
this.
So, it is a birth or rebirth
of the spirit.
If the light has just gone out in a candle, how do you
bring the flame back to life without using a match?
You blow the “breath of life”
on it.
Breath is often equated with
“spirit” (see Abraham 5:7, Job 27:3 and 14, Isaiah 42:5).
A Vision of Two Sticks
READ Ezekiel 37:15-17
What do these two “sticks” symbolize?
The Book of Mormon and the
Bible coming together to testify of the gospel of Christ.
The two peoples and their
cities coming back together – Ephraim and Judah: the modern day Zion and
Jerusalem; also, the translated City of Enoch/Melchizedek and the latter day
Zion.
The Winding Up Scene
READ Ezekiel 38:2, 8-9, 11,
What land or people is Gog attacking “like a storm”?
Zion.
This is not the modern day
state of Israel but the remnant of Zion in the New Jerusalem.
READ Ezekiel 38:18 and Ezekiel
39:4, 7
Who will turn back Gog from Zion?
The Lord – not the people of
Zion.
There will be no need for a
stockpile of arms in 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?
The Lord and His glory
returning to His temple.
What does He tell Ezekiel the Temple is?
His home on earth.
Where His throne is – where He
rules and reigns from.
READ Ezekiel 47:1-5
What happens the first time a person goes to the
Temple?
They “barely get their feet
wet”.
They experience the temple
from their own perspective and on their own terms (the Lord meets us where we
are and engages us there, if we will – think about the Road to Emmaus).
What is the symbolism in the water getting deeper with
each crossing?
The more we live (walk), the
deeper the meaning of the temple.
The more we return to the
temple, the more we get from it – the “bigger” it seems – the more we realize
we don’t know.
Why does the water rise so high that it cannot be
passed over?
The closer to the Lord we get,
the more we must receive Him on His terms – for His ways are not our ways; we
do not comprehend Him or what He has in store for those who wait for Him and love
Him.
What is the symbolism of “waters to swim in”?
We must be “immersed” in His
living waters.
We have the opportunity to
“lose our lives” in the swift waters – and by so doing find our life.
READ Ezekiel 47:7-9
What is the impact of the river?
It gives life.
It heals – even something that
is as dead and as large as the Dead Sea – it is a miracle of healing.
Where does the living water or river come from?
The Temple.
The House of the Lord.
The place where you can go to
see Him in the flesh.
