For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God. (1 Peter 4:17)

I talked about the Spirit in the wheels in chapter 1. In this chapter, Ezekiel stands on his feet by the power of the Spirit.

Then He said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.” And as He spoke to me the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet; and I heard Him speaking to me. (v.1-2)

Until the Spirit comes, we do not understand God’s words. All people are born lame. Only when the Spirit comes, we can stand on our feet and hear God’s words. Therefore, it is impossible to know God of His words before the Spirit comes. God knows whom He has chosen before creation. God knows each person before he/she is born. He gives the Spirit to His chosen people at an appointed time. Only then His saints can stand before God and hear His voice and understand His words. No one can make the Spirit come to them. The Spirit is not something earned by human works.

God sends Ezekiel to speak God’s messages to people of Judah. The Northern Israel was destroyed beforehand. However, God’s messages are to all Israelites who claim that they believe in God of their ancestors. Ezekiel speaks to all Christians especially those in the Protestant churches. The people of the kingdom of Judah was proud of their city, Jerusalem, where God’s temple and tabernacle were. They boasted that they worship God right and were children of God. They misunderstood the shadow as the eternal Kingdom. And they reshaped the shadow that did not reflect the reality. Judah is to be destroyed like the Northern Israel. And the Protestant churches will be rejected like the Roman Catholic church.

God, as the just judge, makes it sure that everyone hears of their sins before the judgement day. God sent many other prophets in the past, but people did not listen. It is the same today. In fact, the Book of Ezekiel, with other prophetic books of the Bible, speaks directly to churches at present. Judgment will start from the house of the Lord.

Even now, God sends His people to prophesy. I am not talking about new prophesies or talks about future events. True Christians speak truths in churches whether others listen to them or not.

So I am sending you to those who are impudent and obstinate children, and you shall say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says:’ As for them, whether they listen or not—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them. (v. 4-5)

By sending His prophets, God completely removes any excuses from the reprobate people. There is no one who can defend themselves on the judgement day of the Lord. Prophets do not persuade but simply speak truths. They understand what the Bible says by the power of the Spirit. Ezekiel is given the task of prophesying against Israelites (Christians) and people who follow other gods. He is not to persuade or rebuke them. And we will read later that God makes Ezekiel mute.

Those who think that we now live in the age of grace and can persuade others by their elaborate speeches should read the OT again. The Book of Ezekiel and Revelation have similarities because the OT is the direct reflection of the NT era. Ezekiel is given the scroll in chapter 2. And this scroll reappears in Revelation.

Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?”But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” (Revelation 5:1-5)

For God to end the world and to bring new heaven and new earth, His people must be redeemed first. And that is what Christ did on the earth. Because He was slain, He opens the scroll. Christ announces judgement on the whole world.

Revelation 10 also speaks that John is given a scroll to eat. And the scroll is related to prophesying.

I took the small scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it. It was as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, it was bitter in my stomach. The seven thunders told me, “Again you must speak what God has revealed in front of many people, nations, languages, and kings. (Revelation 10:10-11)

Revelation tells us a lot about future. However, the book is not much different from other prophetic books in the OT. God does not change because He is not a man.

He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind. (1 Samuel 15:29)