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The Abiding Gift of Prophecy

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    Ezekiel—Foreteller of Strange Things

    Some nine years after Daniel and his companions had been carried to Babylon, Ezekiel, a priest of Judah, was carried away to the land of Chaldea. When he was thirty years of age, he was called to the prophetic office. Like Isaiah, he was first given a vision of the glory of God, and bidden to bear testimony against the “rebellious” house of Israel. In words of most solemn import the fearful responsibilities of the prophetic call were set forth:AGP 148.2

    “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at My mouth, and give them warning from Me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.” Ezekiel 3:17, 18.

    Ezekiel was bidden not only to bear testimony to the captives in Chaldea, but to send messages to his fellow countrymen in Judah. In vision he seemed to be in the city of Jerusalem beholding the iniquities of the inhabitants, particularly of the priests and princes. Some of these were called by name. Chapter 11:1.AGP 148.3

    Of the prince, Zedekiah, he declared that he would be brought to Babylon, yet should not behold the city. Chapter 12:13. This was later fulfilled; for his eyes were put out by the king before he left his native land.AGP 148.4

    Messages of stern rebuke were sent to the prophets who were falsely predicting peace, also to those who were saying, “The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth.” Verse 22. They were assured that the judgments spoken of by the prophets were imminent.AGP 148.5

    “It shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord God.” Chapter 12:25.AGP 148.6

    In the book of Ezekiel are found many very striking passages. Here a message is addressed to the prince of Tyre; but it is couched in such language as to give a graphic description of the glories of Lucifer in the courts of heaven, of his fall through pride, and of his final destruction.AGP 149.1

    Naming seven nations of his day, the prophet describes the future judgments that are to come upon them, not in general or ambiguous terms, but distinctive and detailed. These foretellings, compared with the fate of the city or country described, constitute remarkable examples of the accuracy of the divine prophecy. Much of the prophecy was fulfilled in the lifetime of those then living; but the fulfillment of some of it was not realized for Centuries.AGP 149.2

    There are also mysteries connected with the latter chapters of this remarkable prophecy. It may be reasonably maintained that in harmony with the principles of conditional prophecy (see Jeremiah 18:7-10) the prophet was bidden to write out a picture of the future history of Israel as it might have been, had they wholeheartedly accepted the opportunity granted them of returning to their land and re-establishing their kingdom and worship, and had they then continued in faithfully serving the Lord.AGP 149.3

    The closing chapters, speaking of the broad river, the great temple, and the city with its walls and twelve gates, are shown by the prophecy of John in Revelation (chapters 21, 22) to find their fulfillment in the new earth, with its capital city, New Jerusalem, which will come down from heaven to supplant the ancient city that was destroyed.AGP 149.4

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