09/16/08: Ezekiel 40-42
The temple described in Ezekiel 40-42 is the future Millennial Temple, which will stand in Jerusalem for 1,000 years after Jesus returns.
09/16/08: Ezekiel 38-39
Ezekiel 38 & 39 describe one of the most important prophecies about the end times in the Bible. The attack on Israel by God/Magog never has taken place, so it definitely is a future event. Many people believe that this attack will take place at the beginning of the final seven years. On the other hand, I am convinced that it will take place at the very end, when Jesus returns to earth. More about this can be found in my Final Battles commentary here:
http://www.tedmontgomery.com/bblovrvw/GogAntichrist
http://www.tedmontgomery.com/bblovrvw/GogAntichrist
09/10/08: Ezekiel 8
Here is another appearance of the pre-incarnate Jesus, who simply is the physical manifestation of God in bodily form: "I looked, and I saw a figure like that of a man. From what appeared to be his waist down he was like fire, and from there up his appearance was as bright as glowing metal" (Ezekiel 8:2). This is similar to the "man" seen previously by Ezekiel (1:26,27).
God chose to have a personal, special, one-on-one relationship with Ezekiel, as He did with several others in the Old Testament. With our close friends, we tend to be willing to confide our deepest feelings, even of jealousy and anger. God did this with Ezekiel, describing ways the Israelites were worshiping and revering idols and others gods besides their one true God, provoking Him to jealousy and anger (Ezekiel 8:5-18).
God chose to have a personal, special, one-on-one relationship with Ezekiel, as He did with several others in the Old Testament. With our close friends, we tend to be willing to confide our deepest feelings, even of jealousy and anger. God did this with Ezekiel, describing ways the Israelites were worshiping and revering idols and others gods besides their one true God, provoking Him to jealousy and anger (Ezekiel 8:5-18).
09/03/08: Ezekiel 1-2
Ezekiel 1 describes probably the greatest and most amazing heavenly vision by anyone in the Bible. Included in it is a description of "what looked like a throne of sapphire, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD" (Ezekiel 1:2-28).
I believe that this was a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus. There even is another place in the Bible where Jesus is seen to be sitting on His throne, and a rainbow is encircling the throne: "At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne" (Revelation 4:2,3).
Following this remarkable vision is when Ezekiel is called by God to go to obstinate, stubborn, rebellious Israel (Ezekiel 2:4,5). He even is presented a prophetic scroll, probably containing the same messages as the one presented to John (Revelation 10:8).
I believe that this was a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus. There even is another place in the Bible where Jesus is seen to be sitting on His throne, and a rainbow is encircling the throne: "At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne" (Revelation 4:2,3).
Following this remarkable vision is when Ezekiel is called by God to go to obstinate, stubborn, rebellious Israel (Ezekiel 2:4,5). He even is presented a prophetic scroll, probably containing the same messages as the one presented to John (Revelation 10:8).
