God keeps His Promises

 

Ezekiel 12:17-27

 

November 14, 2023

 

And the word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, eat your bread with quaking, and drink water with trembling and with anxiety.  And say to the people of the land, Thus says the Lord God concerning the inhabitants of Jerusalem in the land of Israel: They shall eat their bread with anxiety, and drink water in dismay. In this way, her land will be stripped of all it contains, on account of the violence of all those who dwell in it.  And the inhabited cities shall be laid waste, and the land shall become a desolation, and you shall know that I am the Lord.”

And the word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, what is this proverb that you have about the land of Israel, saying, ‘The days grow long, and every vision comes to nothing’?  Tell them therefore, ‘Thus says the Lord God: I will put an end to this proverb, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel.’ But say to them, The days are near, and the fulfillment^] of every vision. For there shall be no more any false vision or flattering divination within the house of Israel.  For I am the Lord; I will speak the word that I will speak, and it will be performed. It will no longer be delayed, but in your days, O rebellious house, I will speak the word and perform it, declares the Lord God.”

And the word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say, ‘The vision that he sees is for many days from now, and he prophesies of times far off.’  Therefore, say to them, Thus says the Lord God: None of my words will be delayed any longer, but the word that I speak will be performed, declares the Lord God.”

How should the people who go by the title Christian deal with these verses, are we much different than the Jewish people of Ezekiel's day?  We are told in Scripture, to be watchful, and look at the signs of our Lord’s return.  We believe He is coming back, but how many are watching and waiting with hope that it will be today?

The Scripture is full of verses about that glorious day our Lord Jesus Christ returns.  Shall we look at a few; “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Matthew 24:36 (NIV)

“Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”  Matthew 25:13 (NIV)

“So, Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him.” Hebrews 9:28 (ESV)

“Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of Him. Even so. Amen.”  Revelation 1:7 (ESV)

Many in the Church, have said and righty so that Paul and the early disciples were expecting Christ to return in their day.  But that does not change what you and I have been told in Matthew 25:13, let me close with this, are you watching for the sign and season, and are you excited about His soon return?

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice