Monthly Archives: August 2013

Ezekiel 45-46

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Ezekiel 45-46

Chapter 45: Offer sacrifices

Portions of land (inheritances of the Israelites) are appointed for the Temple, the city, and the prince. Regulations concerning weights and measures are given (see verses 10-17). Ordinances regarding provisions for the ordinary and extraordinary sacrifices (ie for the major feasts) are also given (see verses 18-25).

Chapter 46: Ordinances and sacrifices

The gate of the inner court facing eastwards is only opened on Sabbaths and new moons. The prince shall offer six lambs and a ram on the Sabbath. Further stipulations for new moon offerings are also given. The prince will leave by the gate he entered through, but at the big feasts, the people will leave by the opposite gate to the one they came in by. Stipulations are also given for princely peace offerings. Stipulations for daily offerings are also given. Ordinances prescribed for the gifts a prince may bestow on his sons and servants – a servant’s gift must be returned if the servant is set at liberty. Measurements of the courts appointed for boiling or baking of the holy oblations are also given.

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Ezekiel 43-44

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Ezekiel 43-44

Chapter 43: Ordinances of the Temple

The glory of the Lord fills the temple., His throne is there and He promises to dwell there (in the midst of Israel) forever. The measurements of the altar are given in cubits. Stipulations given for seven days of sin offerings when the altar is made.

Chapter 44: Temple = sacred

The glory of the Lord fills the entire Temple! Ezekiel continues to see the Temple and is instructed…the east gate is to be kept permanently shut, for the Lord has entered through it into the temple. The prince shall enter and leave via the porch of that gate. Strangers uncircumcised in heart or flesh are not to be admitted to the Temple.

This is something that I find very interesting “Thus saith the Lord God; No stranger, uncircumcised in heart… shall enter into my sanctuary…” (Ezekiel 44:9) Essentially no one, besides those who are authorized, shall enter the Temple. But why? Well that same question is asked about Mormon Temples today… why are only Members of the LDS church allowed to enter, and why only WORTHY members? The reason is simple… the Temple is SACRED. Some people have cried out saying the LDS Church keeps secrets in the Temple and that if the church has nothing to hide, they should allow anyone to enter. Well the LDS Church has nothing to hide and offers open houses for the newly built temples around the world. Remember, the Temple is NOT SECRET, BUT SACRED.

Ezekiel is told that the Levites will minister in the Temple. Regulations are given for the Levites – they must be clothed in linen while in the inner courts (not wool, which might make them sweat), no wearing of the garments they ministered in, while in the outer courts, no marrying of widows, no drinking of wine in the inner courts. The Levites will teach the people the difference between the clean and the unclean. The Lord will be their portion. Only the priests at the Temple in Jerusalem could fully carry out priestly duties.

Ezekiel 41-42

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Ezekiel 41-42

Chapter 41: Ezekiel sees the Temple

Ezekiel sees the inner Temple and the Holy of the Holies. The chambers and ornaments of palm trees and cherubim’s are described. The Temple is described in detail with measurements in the form of “cubits”

Chapter 42: Ezekiel sees the Temple

The priests’ chambers are described, along with the dimensions of the holy mount on which the temple stood.

Ezekiel 39-40

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Ezekiel 39-40

Chapter 39: Gog and Magog are destroyed

The slaughter and burial of the forces of Gog and Magog are described. For seven years they burn the weapons of war and for seven months they bury the dead. The Lord will have mercy on the whole house of Israel, and He shall restore it. The Lord will no longer hide His face from them.

Chapter 40: Ezekiel sees the Temple

In the fourteenth year after the destruction of Jerusalem, Ezekiel has a vision of a man with an appearance of brass, who had a line of flax in his hand and a measuring reed. The Temple is described: the exact dimensions of the east, north and south gates are given. There is further description of the eight tables for the preparation of sacrifices, the chambers, and the porch. All measurements are given precisely in cubits.

Ezekiel 37-38

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Ezekiel 37-38

Chapter 37: The Bible and the Book of Mormon

Ezekiel is taken in Spirit by the Lord and set in the midst of a valley full of dry bones. Ezekiel is told to prophesy to the dry bones, saying “…O ye dry bones hear the word of the Lord.” (Ezekiel 37:4) As Ezekiel prophesies, the bones are joined together, and covered with flesh. This is a representation of the joining together of Israel. Israel shall be brought from the graves and will have their lands restored in the Last days.

Here is where we learn something, VERY important. The Lord then turns to Ezekiel and tells him; “Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick and write upon it, For Judah and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions: And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand.” (Ezekiel 47:16-17)

Here the Lord is referring to two “sticks”, also known as “books” the one book is for Judah (the Old World- The Bible and the other book is for Joseph or the descendants of the Ancient Americas (the New World – The Book of Mormon)

“We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.” (Articles of Faith, 8)

                Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (more commonly known as Mormons); DO BELIEVE and USE the Bible.  We believe that just as the Lord told Ezekiel that both sticks would be joined together to become “one” in our hands. We believe that the Book of Mormon helps to understand our Savior Jesus Christ and does not take away from the Bible, nor do we place more emphasis on the Bible… they both build on each other. (See Isaiah 29:4, 11-18)

Chapter 38: Battle of Gog and Magog= the Last Days

The battle of Gog and Magog against Israel shall usher in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The Lord will intervene and execute furious judgment against Gog, when he seems about to defeat Israel. All creation will shake at the presence of the Lord. The Lord will be known in the eyes of many nations.

Ezekiel 35-36

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Ezekiel 35-36

Chapter 35: Judgment of Mt. Seir

The word of the Lord comes to Ezekiel and tells him to warn the people of Mount Seir of Idumea (Edom). Ezekiel warns them that their lands will be filled with the bodies of slain men, because of the blasphemies/and wrong doings that had been committed unto Israel. The people and lands of Mount Seir shall be desolate.

Chapter 36: New Heart, New Spirit

In the last days the house of Israel will be scattered back to their own lands… the mountains of Judah, occupied by the Idumeans, will be rid of their alien occupants and their idolatries. These same idolatries and other sins of the Jews are the cause of their dispersion and captivity. The Israelites will be restored after the Babylonian captivity.

“…the desolate land shall be tilled… And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced…” (Ezekiel 36: 34-35)

The Lord shall give the Jews a new heart and a new spirit and they shall have the Gospel Law in the Last days.

Ezekiel 33-34

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Ezekiel 33-34

Scripture Thought (What I Learned):

The following two chapters talk a lot about “Watchmen”, “Prophets” and “Pastors”. One important thing to know about the LDS Church is that we believe that there exist Modern Day Prophets! Just like in the days of Moses, today we have a Living Prophet. When you have a Prophet on the Earth, you also have God’s True Church on the Earth.

Today we have thousands of churches, with dozens of different teachings… but you must remember that God is one. His teachings are one. Therefore He will only have one Prophet. Because of the confusion of the world, we see many “prophets”, unfortunately many of the churches in the world are built for gain, and therefore you have “Pastors” lining their pockets, and not returning anything to the people. The Lord commands that we “feed his flock” and that Authorized Prophets of the Lord, raise a warning to the people.

Chapter 33: Watchmen raise a voice of warning

In chapter 33, we learn once again about the importance of the “watchman”, otherwise known as a prophet. Those who in the wrath and destruction of God, listen to the counsel and words of an Authorized Prophet of God shall be saved from that wrath and destruction. However, if a man does not listen to the words of God’s Authorized Prophet then the sin and blood will be upon that man’s head.

We learn something interesting, if the Authorized Prophet of God, does not warn the people to repent or change their ways… the blood, sin and destruction will fall upon the head of the Prophet. However, if the Prophet does his job and preaches and warns the people and the people do not listen… the Prophet is free from the sins of the people. The blood, sin and destruction will not befall him.

The Lord speaks to Ezekiel (who is an Authorized Prophet of God) and tells him; “…if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou has delivered thy soul.” (Ezekiel 33:9) This can be applied to not only Authorized Prophets of God, but also those who preach the Gospel: Bishops, Missionaries…etc.

Ezekiel receives news of the destruction of Jerusalem at the hands of the Chaldeans. The hypocrisy and abominations of the people are recounted. When the Lord is destroying these hypocrites, they will know that a prophet has been among them.

Chapter 34: Feed my flock

The word of the Lord came unto Ezekiel. The Lord tells Ezekiel that He is not pleased with how the “shepherds” are handling His flock. By Shepherds, I believe the Lord is referring to “pastors”, who are essentially taking gain for their preaching and not returning the money or goods to the people.

“…Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! Should not the shepherd feed the flocks?” (Ezekiel 34:2).

The Lord then sets an example; “…Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.” (Ezekiel 34:11) This is the Lord speaking about Missionary Work… we must be constantly seeking those in need of God and to help them along their journey in life.

Ezekiel 31-32

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Ezekiel 31-32

Chapter 31: Pharaoh’s glory and fall

The Assyrian empire was like a tall and strong cedar tree, which the very trees of Eden envied. The tree was brought down, just as Egypt shall be.

Chapter 32: Ezekiel laments for Egypt

Egypt is described as a large and somewhat dangerous animal, such as a lion or a whale. This animal is caught, slain and left exposed to the elements! On the day that Egypt shall be “exposed to the elements” the sky will be darkened, and surrounding nations will be filled with terror. Egypt will be left so desolate, that its rivers shall run as smooth as oil, with nobody to disturb them.

God orders the slain Pharaoh and his host to be dragged down to the lower regions of the earth. The Pharaoh will share these regions with uncircumcised tyrants and oppressors. The Pharaoh’s particular region is for those who have been slain by the sword.

Ezekiel 29-30

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Ezekiel 29-30

Chapter 29: Egypt shall be overthrown

The Lord will put a hook in the jaws of the Pharaoh, like a fish in the river. The river (i.e. the Nile) is the Lord’s, not Pharaoh’s. The Egyptians will be scattered, but after captivity they will be restored. God promises Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar after the long and disappointing siege of Tyre.

Chapter 30: Egypt made desolate by Babylon

Ezekiel prophesies the ruin of Egypt and her allies, including the Ethiopians by the hands of the Chaldeans.

Ezekiel 27-28

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Ezekiel 27-28

Chapter 27: Ezekiel is sad for Tyrus

Tyre’s beauty and commercial prosperity is described but Ezekiel laments the fall of Tyrus and all of the commercial prosperity.

Chapter 28: Tyrus and Zidon shall be destroyed

Tyre has said; “I am a God, I sit in the seat of God…”(Ezekiel 28:2). Strangers will be brought against it. The corrupting influence of its material wealth and beauty is described. Tyre will be devoured in fire and Sidon will be destroyed.  The Jews will be restored after the Babylonian captivity.