April 7: BEFORE THE FINAL ASSAULT (part 3)
To the [six angels (v.2)] He said in my hearing, “Go after [the man clothed in linen] through the city and kill; do not let your eye spare, nor have any pity.” Ezekiel 9:5
Those who were praying for purity among God’s people and purity in their own lives are the ones who received a mark on their foreheads (v.4). “Utterly slay old and young men, maidens, and little children and women; but do not come near anyone on whom is the mark…” As Ezekiel hears the command of God in this vision, he is stunned… “and begin at My sanctuary.” (v.6a).
The Apostle Peter expressed it this way: For the time has come for judgement to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17) When wicked men stood around Mary, accusing her in the temple, Jesus stooped, silently writing their sins in the dust. Convicted . . . they went out one by one, beginning with the eldest even to the least (John 8:9).
Ezekiel’s vision continues: So they began with the elders who were before the temple (v.6b).
The word of God teaches us that His judgement begins with His professed people. God judges those who don’t know last, because He extends as much opportunity as possible to be saved. Those with abundant opportunity who have not embraced and appreciated the truth will be judged most severely, because they are not doing anything with what they have. Remember that many divine judgements that come into view are redemptive. Those who are marked by the LORD are those who yearn to be like Jesus.
The prophetic value of Ezekiel’s vision is highlighted in its timing (before the third and final assault by literal Babylon), as well as its harmony with other Scripture. Notice the LORD’s command to the angels with deadly weapons: “do not come near anyone on whom is the mark.” In the time of the end (Daniel 12:4), the days in which we now live, there are and will continue to be tribulations all around that will increase in frequency and intensity. Spiritual Babylon is in her heyday. All these things lead up to the time when God will put a stop to the wickedness of man. The seven plagues described in Revelation 16 will fall upon earth from heaven, but God’s people will take refuge under His wings (Psalm 91:4) A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked (vv.7-8)
At the end of the seventy years of literal Babylon’s captivity – which represents a lifetime – the Persian king Cyrus was stirred by the Spirit of God, and he made a written proclamation to rebuild the house of God that ended thusly: Who is among you of all His people? May the LORD his God be with him, and let him go up! (2 Chronicles 36:23b) Beloved, Babylon is fallen, is fallen (Isaiah 21:9; Revelation 14:8;18:2) just as proclaimed in the Word of God. Therefore…
Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house… 1 Peter 2:4-5a