The Prophet’s Pantomime, Ezekiel 12:1-16

The closer you get to your destination, the more signs you see. More frequent, more specific.

The closer you get to delivery, the more labor pains, more intense, more frequent.

The signs of the times work like that.

The Lord works like that. He did it back in the day, with Ezekiel and friends, and He’s still doing the same today. For those who have ears to hear and eyes to see.

For multiple chapters and months we’ve been seeing and hearing Ezekiel give warning, judgement is coming!

But did you notice, in the last chapter, the Lord actually, named, names. Ezekiel 11:1.

It’s getting more specific. More intense.

Today as we step into Ezekiel 12, we see a detailed prophecy pointing specifically to the last days of the last king of Judah, the weak, rebellious, Zedekiah.

Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying:

 2 “Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, which has eyes to see but does not see, and ears to hear but does not hear; for they are a rebellious house.

Based on the repeated rebellion of the people of Judah, this one statement from the Lord basically tells Ezekiel:

Son of man your house is weak, it’s a mess, it’s a wreck. Over and over we’ve warned, but they just won’t listen.

When we built a replica of Jerusalem under siege, showing exactly what was going to happen, did they humble themselves and turn to Me? No! They did not.

When you baked bread over fire made of dung, did they run from the stench of their sin? No! They wallowed deeper in the muck and mire.

When with a sword, you shaved your head and beard, did they turn from their shame to the Lord? No! They clung tighter to idols made of wood and stone.

They are a rebellious house!

They know better. They have eyes, to see My glory every evening and morning. They have ears to hear how I’ve blessed the nation from sea to shining sea.

Yet they reject Me, turn from Me. They refuse My Word, My prophets, My people and believe the lies of false prophets that tickle their ears and tell them all is well, peace and safety, king Zedekiah will save you, and make you healthy, wealthy and wise.  

They are a rebellious house!

Rebellious house is mentioned multiple times in the Bible, over a dozen times in Ezekiel and five times in this chapter alone.

Rebellion is devilish.

1 Samuel 15:23: For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you (Saul) from being king.

Rebellion is not done in ignorance but in defiance.

Rebellion is knowing the Way but turning away.

It’s knowing the Truth but accepting the lie.

It’s knowing Life but choosing death.

It willingly rejects the Way, the Truth, the Life, Jesus Christ.

So, does God say, “Stand back while I turn this rebellious house to rubble!”  

No, He does not.

The Lord repeatedly gives warnings, when and where and why, judgement will fall.

Amos 3:7
Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.

So none, be caught unawares.

So all, have opportunity to be spared.

2 Peter 3:9
It’s not His will for any to perish, but that all come to repentance.

Ezekiel 33:11
He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that all turn, from their wicked ways and live.

That’s the heart of the God of Israel.

That’s where Israel gets it from.

Today before Israel drops a bomb, they drop millions of leaflets, texts and calls, warning, judgement is falling, at this time, at this place, evacuate.

No other nation does so much to protect civilians.

Posted after our service. Was he watching? 

So, God does not tell Ezekiel to watch out while He sends fire from heaven on the rebels. 

Instead, once again, He tells him to give them a sign. But this time, put on a play, a skit, a mime. It may be that they will consider—and turn from their wicked ways and live.

But they’re pretty hard-headed, so probably not.

3 “Therefore, son of man, prepare your belongings for captivity, and go into captivity by day in their sight. You shall go from your place into captivity to another place in their sight. It may be that they will consider, though they are a rebellious house. 4 By day you shall bring out your belongings in their sight, as though going into captivity; and at evening you shall go, in their sight like those who go into captivity.

Ezekiel (Savannah) packing belongings

NOTE: During our Sunday morning service as we talked this out, we simultaneously walked out what Ezekiel may have done, in their sight. Special thanks to our extraordinarily gifted and talented actors, Savannah and Luke.

By this time folks had grown accustomed to gathering by Ezekiel’s place to see and hear what the Lord had to say. Or what peculiar thing the Lord might have him do.

Imagine the discussion while they watched Ezekiel packing his belongings in their sight.

What’s he doing? What’s he trying to show us?

I know. He’s reenacting when we were taken captive and brought here to Babylon.

No that’s not it. It’s a sign, soon we’ll be packing up too, and going home to Jerusalem. I heard king Zedekiah was about rise and revolt against Nebuchadnezzar. Zedekiah will set us free. We won’t be here long.

But wait. That can’t be it. Don’t you remember, Jeremiah said the Lord told us to build houses, grow crops, settle in, have kids, make the most of it because we’re going to be here awhile—seventy years. (Jer. 29:5-10).

Nonsense. How can you listen to what Jeremiah says? He said we’re to pray for the peace of the place where we’re carried away captive, for in its peace you will have peace (Jeremiah 29:7). Ha! How crazy is that? Can you believe it? Pray for our enemies? Who in the world would ever say anything like that?

JESUS:
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. Matthew 5:44

Back to our text.

⁵ Dig through the wall in their sight and carry your belongings out through it.

Ezekiel (Savannah) digging through wall

 ⁶ In their sight you shall bear them on your shoulders and carry them out at twilight; you shall cover your face, so that you cannot see the ground, for I have made you a sign to the house of Israel.”

I have made you a sign.

You are a sign.

Are you pointing to Jesus? 

When folks see you, hear you, watch you, do they draw closer to Jesus?

Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

⁷ So I did as I was commanded. I brought out my belongings by day, as though going into captivity, and at evening I dug through the wall with my hand. I brought them out at twilight, and I bore them on my shoulder in their sight.

⁸ And in the morning the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ⁹ “Son of man, has not the house of Israel, the rebellious house, said to you, ‘What are you doing?’

So I did as I was commanded. Obey right away. Seek first the kingdom of God. Matthew 6:33.

This is what Jesus is talking about when He said, I’ve come to give you life (zoe) more abundantly (John 10:10).

He wants His family so full of zoe life (the God kind of Life) that folks ask, “What are you up to now?”

A life where you never get bored and never run out of things to do.

A life of liberty even in captivity.

Did you notice he said, “as though going into captivity”.

As though? Doesn’t he know, he’s been a captive in Babylon for five years already?

Or maybe he knows these timeless Truths:

Whom the Son sets free is free indeed. John 8:36.

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Galatian 5:1.

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound. Isaiah 61:1.

¹⁰ Say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “This burden concerns the prince in Jerusalem (king Zedekiah) and all the house of Israel who are among them.” ’ ¹¹ Say, ‘I am a sign to you. As I have done, so shall it be done to them; they shall be carried away into captivity.’ ¹² And the prince who is among them shall bear his belongings on his shoulder at twilight and go out. They shall dig through the wall to carry them out through it. He shall cover his face, so that he cannot see the ground with his eyes. ¹³ I will also spread My net over him, and he shall be caught in My snare. I will bring him to Babylon, to the land of the Chaldeans; yet he shall not see it, though he shall die there. ¹⁴ I will scatter to every wind all who are around him to help him, and all his troops; and I will draw out the sword after them.

"caught in My snare"

2 Kings 25:1-10, and, Jeremiah 52:7-11, document these events happened just as the Lord had said through His prophets.

For well over a year, Jerusalem was surrounded by the Babylonian army. Just as the Lord had said.  

The Jews were starving captives inside their own city. Resulting in some eating their own young.

They dug a hole in the city wall and king Zedekiah and his men escaped. Just as the Lord had said.

But Nebuchadnezzar’s army pursued Zedekiah and crew and in the plains of Jericho (15-20 miles away) they caught them. Just as the Lord had said. 

Zedekiah’s army scattered. Just as the Lord had said.  

They took king Zedekiah to king Nebuchadnezzar’s military headquarters at Riblah, on Israel’s northern border, (Syria, today).

There they pronounced judgment on Zedekiah, killed his men (that were caught), killed all his sons before his eyes, then took out his eyes, bound him with bronze fetters, and took him to Babylon. Where he remained prisoner until the day he died. Just as the Lord had said.

It all happened exactly as the Lord had said.

God’s Word is HIStory told in advance.

God’s Word is the most relevant, current, accurate, Truth, ever written.

About 27% of the Bible is prophecy.

8,352 verses out of the 31,102 verses of the Bible, are prophetic.

Out of the 2,500 Bible prophecies, 2,000 have already been fulfilled.

The rest, every single jot and tittle, will be fulfilled, just as the Lord had said. Matthew 5:18.

¹⁵ “Then they shall know that I am the Lord, when I scatter them among the nations and disperse them throughout the countries. ¹⁶ But I will spare a few of their men from the sword, from famine, and from pestilence, that they may declare all their abominations among the Gentiles wherever they go. Then they shall know that I am the Lord.”

Repeatedly, over 60 times in Ezekiel the Lord reveals His heart’s desire:

Then they shall know that I AM the LORD.

One day all will know that I AM is LORD.

One day all will see that everything came to pass just as the Lord had said.

Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Philippians 2:10-11.

The closer we get to our destination, the more signs we see; more frequent, more specific. The closer we get to delivery, the more labor pains we feel; more intense, more frequent.

The signs of the times work like that.

The Lord works like that.

He did it back in Ezekiel’s day and is doing the same today.

Prophetic Warning Signs and Next Big Events in HIStory:

RAPTURE.

·       1 Thes. 4:16-17

·       1 Corinthians 15:51-52

·       John 14:3

·       Matthew 24:4-14

7 YEAR TRIBULATION

·       Jeremiah 30:7

·       Daniel 9:27

·       Daniel 12:11

·       Revelation 13:5

Ezekiel 38-39 WAR - Russia, Iran, Sudan, Turkey, Libya.

DAMASCUS DESTROYED - Isaiah 17:1

Consider the names of the current military operations:

Epic Fury, in a name describes exactly what the seven-year tribulation will be— the ultimate Epic Fury. NOTE: It began, 2.28.26. If it ends 4.18.26, that’d be seven weeks, perhaps prophetically foreshadowing seven years. Not prophesying, just saying we should have our eyes and ears open to what the Spirit may be saying to the Church. Be alert. Watch and pray.

Roaring Lion, in a name describes exactly what Jesus second coming will be like. His first was meek and mild as a Lamb in a manger. However, at the end of the Tribulation He returns roaring like a lion. Revelation 19:11-21.

Conclusion:

Did you hear about the near miss of a missile on the temple mount? What was Iran thinking? What if they destroyed the Dome of the Rock? Would that set the stage for some charismatic world leader to rise to power and rebuild the 3^rd temple? An event that will happen at the hands of the antichrist.

The Ezekiel 38-39 war is taking shape quicker than we may think.

Arab nations turning against Persia (Iran), pulls Russia with a hook in the jaw to bail out the bully little brother. (Ezekiel 38:4-5).

He who has ears to hear let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus, thank You for giving us a multitude of signs so all who are willing are able to find their way to You. Help us shine as a sign pointing to You. So that of all those You’ve given us, none will be lost.

Thank You.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

Prayer Requests:

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Email: pray4measap@aol.com

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Thank you for sharing.

 

Every Good and Perfect Gift, James 1:16-21

James opens telling us to count it all joy when we fall into temptation, knowing that it is an opportunity for promotion and completion.

If we lack wisdom, ask of God who gives to all who ask in faith.

We’re blessed by enduring temptation and the crown of life, awaits those who love Him.

Temptation never comes from God.

Temptation always comes from our own desires, and if allowed to grow, ends in death.

So...

¹⁶ Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 

Don’t be deceived like Eve. Gen. 3:6.

Don’t doubt the Word of God, the Word of Truth.

Don’t fall for the forbidden fruit that looks so good, so pleasant to the eyes and so desirous to make one wise.

The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life, are poisonous imposters of the pure and precious gifts of God. 1 John 2:16.

Remember yielding to temptation only leads to destruction, darkness and death.

Therefore, let’s move forward in our journey through James, and life, by considering a better Way.

Look up.

^17a Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above...

Ah, that’s refreshing.

Last week we read:

¹³ Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 

And we said:

If it's sin—it’s not from God. Period.

If it’s evil—it’s not from God. Period.

Today, let’s soar to a new level.

Rather than looking at what’s not from God, let’s look at what is.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.

So, we can say:

          If it’s good and perfect—it’s from God.

These words in the original Greek text have a poetic rhythm, and some say they are a fragment of an ancient Christian hymn.

Our English word, “gift” is two Greek words in the original text.

Every good gift (dosis) and every perfect gift (dōrēma) is from above.

The first “gift” refers to the act of giving, the second to the gift itself.

Gift (dosis) = the act of giving

Gift (dōrēma) = the gift itself

Notice the two lovely gifts are preceded by a couple of handsome escorts, good and perfect.

Good (Greek: agathos), which means, good.

Perfect (Greek: teleios), which means, mature, full-grown, complete. Like a pirate’s telescope extending, step by step, stage by stage, strength by strength, until full capacity, full extension, full strength, completeness, clarity.

Teleios should sound familiar, this is the third time in James we’ve heard that word.  

You may remember when we discussed it in verse 4.

But let patience have its perfect (teleios) work, that you may be perfect (teleios) and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:4.

If you are born again, you are a gift. Growing like good Seed in good soil. Telescoping, extending, step by step with the Word as a lamp; strengthened day after day with His daily Bread. Beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory. 2 Corinthians 3:18.

Now if we add all the definitions we just discussed, we can say:

God is ever giving goodness, and His Gifts are always perfect.

Okay, let’s get back to our text.

Every good gift and perfect gift comes down from above...

^17b ...and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 

People need to know this.

Tell them.

Help them see, Him, in you.

There are no shadows in God. No dark side. No downside. He’s an ever-present Good Father in good times and bad—no absentee dad. Never moody. Never drunk. You never have to walk on eggshells around Him.

He’s not out looking for a fight.

He doesn’t take pleasure in punishing people, but in giving good gifts.

Do our lives reflect this about Him?

Serving and following and loving Him is always good.

No matter the circumstance. He is never changing, ever faithful, strong and stable.

On dreary days, during the darkest night, the sun still shines just as bright.

It gets that from its Creator. Our Father.

God is good. All the time. Period.

Malachi 3:6, He states clearly: “I AM the Lord, I change not...”

Hebrews 13:8, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

¹⁸ Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.

Of His own will

He wants you, alive, at such a time and place as this.

Are you living out your mission? Your Divine Eternal Calling?

He brought us forth. He gave us birth.

In the beginning God spoke, “let us make man in Our image.” Genesis 1:26-27.

The Love that flowed from His lips from that day to this, echoes from countless multitudes of husbands and wives whispering, “let’s make a baby.”

John 3:3
Unless born again, no one can see the Kingdom of God

His Divine Eternal Purpose from those words in the beginning to The Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us (John 1:14), was so we could be (brought forth) born into His glorious family. 

Jesus is the Word of Truth.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God...and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. John 1:1, 14.

I AM the Way, the Truth, the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Me...(John 14:6).

In the volume of the Book (Word of Truth) is written of Me. Psalm 40:7, Hebrews 10:7

A kind of firstfruits. The Feast of Firstfruits is when Israel takes a sheaf from the first crop and brings it to the priest as a wave offering to the Lord. Showing thanksgiving for the first fruit and faith for much more to come.

Now check out the cool part.

The Feast of Firstfruits is celebrated in the spring, (this year it’s, April 4-5, 2026).

It is the day after the Sabbath following Passover.

Jesus died on Passover. Then was Sabbath, the next day was Sunday, the first day of the week and the first day of The Feast of Firstfruits.

Jesus resurrected on the Feast of Firstfruits.

Jesus is the Firstfruit from the dead, with much more to come.

If you are born again, you are part of the much more to come.

He is the Firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8:29

1 Corinthians 15:20-23
But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.

¹⁹ So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; ²⁰ for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

So then, my beloved, I said all that to say this.

Listening is a part of communication.

God gave two ears, one mouth.

Do the math. 

Communication should be, at least, two parts listening to one part speaking.

Let patience have her perfect work. Before speaking, pray for wisdom. Listen for the Word of Truth.

Count it all joy, endure temptation, look toward the crown of life.

Doing that will take care of being slow to wrath and produce the righteousness of God.

Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

Psalm 141:3
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.

Ephesians 4:26
Be angry and sin not; do not let the sun go down on your wrath,

²¹ Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

Heb. 12:1 ...lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

Okay, the Holy Spirit is moving us to teleios quickly, kindly.

However, this verse smells like Luke 15:11-32.

When the prodigal son came home, he stunk. Imagine, pig manure in his hair, his clothes stained with all kinds of muck. 

Yet, his father gave him the biggest hug of his life and said, let’s have a feast.

But dad didn’t stop there. He gave his son a robe, and a ring and some shoes and... probably a bath.

God loves us just the way we are, but too much to keep us that way.

We need to be continuously growing closer to the Lord, further from the world.

We should be laying aside the filthiness of the flesh, the overflow of wickedness from the world.

That pig slop we brought in with us should be replaced as we receive with meekness the implanted Word, that cleanses us from all unrighteousness.

Receive with meekness the implanted Word, is a picture of good soil receiving good Seed.

Mark 4:14-20
¹⁴ The Sower sows the word.

¹⁵ And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.

¹⁶ These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; ¹⁷ and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble.

¹⁸ Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, ¹⁹ and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

²⁰ But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”

How do we get good soil?

Great question. The answer can be seen if we glance over our shoulder at the highlights the Holy Spirit has already shown us in this dynamic little book of James.  

Count it all joy when temptations come.

Let patience have her perfect work.

Ask for wisdom, in faith.

Endure temptations.

Be not deceived

Focus on every good and perfect gift that comes from the Father of lights.

Be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.

Lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus, thank You for every good and perfect gift You’ve given us. We offer them as a wave offering back to You only asking You use them for Your glory, to bring many into Your Harvest.

Lord, how can we love and serve You, better?

We love You, forever.

Amen.

Prayer Requests:

Call or text: 612-554-2522

Email: pray4measap@aol.com

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Books: amazon.com/author/dougspurling

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This was feed for you to read. Now it’s Seed for you to sow.

Thank you for sharing.

A Little Sanctuary, Ezekiel 11:13-25

Repeatedly through Ezekiel, and HIStory, the Lord warns, judgement is coming, justice will be served. All will know I AM the Lord.

This last section of Ezekiel 11 is the conclusion of a vision that started in chapter 8. The vision exposes why judgement must come.

It started with the image of jealousy by the front gate—like having a fat little statue of buddha by the front door. Or more like having an affair and keeping a picture of the person on the nightstand by your side of the bed. (Good way to wake up dead.)

To God, idolatry is like adultery.

Next thing in the vision Zeke saw inside the temple walls crawled, with every kind of unclean creepy crawly creature they worshipped.

Outside the women wept for Tammuz, a false fertility god, whose worship involved sinful sexual rituals.

Then, he saw twenty-five priests, who should’ve been examples of holiness, but instead turned their backs to the Lord, faced east and bowed to the sun.

That was the last straw.

The Lord called for an angelic delta force. A half dozen warriors appeared carrying battleaxes. One had an inkhorn to seal the righteous, the others followed to slay the wicked.

Then the presence of the Lord departed from the temple to the East Gate.

From there the Lord showed Ezekiel twenty-five princes who devise iniquity and give wicked counsel. (Corrupt political leaders).

Note:

 First the Lord exposed the corruption of the religious, the worshippers, those supposed to be righteous. Then, He exposed corrupt politicians.

As goes the Church, so goes the nation (government).

1 Peter 4:17
Judgement must begin at the house of God.

More important than calling on our congressman is calling on our God for preachers to rightly divide the Word of Truth.

God told Ezekiel these crooked politicians claim to be the elite, the meat, the muscle, the might of the city. Ezekiel 11:3.

“Therefore, prophesy against them, prophesy O son of man.”  Ez. 11:4.

Then, Ezekiel 11:5-12, the Lord told Zeke to speak and tell them, they are not the elite, the meat, the muscle the might, of the city.

Their thoughts and words and deeds have been seen and the blood of the slain cries out against them.

They will be drawn out of the city, slain by the sword, and on the wrong side of the border, find out that I AM THE LORD. Ezekiel 11:10-12.

Ezekiel 11:13
Now it happened, while I was prophesying, that Pelatiah the son of Benaiah died...

Ezekiel’s prophecy, in the vision, showed immediate manifestation.

Revealing, it won’t be long before fulfilled. (592-586 BC = 6 yrs).

Then I fell on my face and cried with a loud voice, and said, “Ah, Lord God! Will You make a complete end of the remnant of Israel?”

I fell on my face and cried... I know it’s a vision, and serious subject matter, but whenever I read that I see one of my grandkids collapse to the floor in the middle of the store because... “No, you can’t have that—thingamawhatever.”

Recap:

God told Zeke to prophesy the bad guys are gonna die.

Zeke prophesied.

Pelatiah died.

Zeke cried.

On the floor.

With a loud voice!

Oh God! Are You gonna destroy the whole nation?

Oh, for Pete’s sake Zeke. Get up. Big baby.

When God’s Word comes to pass, we ought not be surprised, but nod our head and say, yep, exactly as He said. When God answers prayer, we ought not be surprised but nod and say, yep, God answers prayer.

But we’ll cut Ezekiel some slack. For one reason, this was a vision, he may not have reacted that way in real life. Plus, he was still a beginner in the office of Prophet.

Plus, we’re no better.

Somebody needs to do something about Iran. Ain’t right. Slaughtering civilians. Funding terrorists. Threatening U.S. What’re we waiting for? Trump must be chicken. We need to take’em out. Dear God please help.

Then, we strike.

A week later, what’s takin’ so long?!?!

THEN, the price of gas goes up a penny.

Oh God! You’re gonna destroy the whole nation!

Oh, for Pete’s sake. Grow up.

The love and patience of God is amazing.

That He chooses to work with us, is overwhelmingly mind boggling.

It’d be soooo much easier for Him if He just did it Himself.

But, for whatever reason, He chooses to work with and through His creation.

Amos 3:7
Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.

John Wesley said, "God will do nothing on earth except in answer to believing prayer." (John Wesley, not Scripture, not doctrine, but generally true).

God is sovereign and can do whatever He wants. However, He willingly chooses to work in and through me and you.

Count how many times you see “pray” in this Scripture:  

James 5:13-18
¹³ Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. ¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. ¹⁶ Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. ¹⁷ Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. ¹⁸ And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

Seven, a number of completion.

That passage pretty much sums it up.

Just think. Elijah, powerful prophet and prayer warrior... a man with a nature like ours.

Let that sink into your soul.

Prayer in the hands of Love is the most powerful force on earth.

Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

A few days ago, in our Prayer Meeting, we were remembering recently answered prayers, as per Psalm 103, forget not all His benefits.

JJ was addicted and missing, his life was crumbling. We prayed. He’s home, excelling at work and on fire for Jesus.

Deb, Pat, Larry, battling cancer. We prayed. Today they’re cancer free!

Specific prayer for our Church family: Ever increasing hunger and wisdom for His Word. Ministers rising in our midst. Soul winners, disciple makers.

Suddenly while we were still speaking, the Lord interrupted with the sound of an abundance of rain.

We laughed and remembered a week or so ago we prayed for rain at the start of our service. A few hours later we were smiling, listening to the sound of an abundance of rain. From that day to this it has continued to fall, again, and again. The Lord reminding us the drought we were in is broken.

Remember. We not only prayed for physical rain, but for an outpouring of His Spirit. The harvest is plentiful, the laborers few, therefore, go and be soul winners and disciple makers. Luke 10:2-3, Matthew 9:37-38, John 4:35.

Mark 11:24
Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

If the answer isn’t what you expect, ask the Lord for wisdom. He will give it. James 1:5-6.

Or just fall on the floor and cry with a loud voice. It worked for Zeke.

Notice the compassion in the following words. It’s like the Lord got down on the floor with Zeke to speak, calmly, encouragingly.

¹⁴ Again the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ¹⁵ “Son of man, your brethren, your relatives, your countrymen, and all the house of Israel in its entirety, are those about whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said, ‘Get far away from the Lord; this land has been given to us as a possession.’

The Good Shepherd, protects, provides for, talks to, cares for, abides with, His own.

The Lord explains to Zeke (and us), simply, clearly, that those left-behinders, are not the remnant of Israel.

They only, arrogantly, temporarily, think they are.

Not all inhabitants of positions of power are rightful residents of that position. They fill a void the rightful owners failed to fill.

They devise iniquity and give wicked counsel. They soak the soil with the blood of the slain.

They are of those who applaud slaughtering babies, mutilating children and rejecting God’s Divine Design for marriage. They think they are God’s chosen. They worship the altar of replacement theology, and pervert God’s Word to fit their sinful lifestyle, lust and pleasure.

Dear son of man, perhaps the captives were taken (carried away, caught up, raptured) for both justice and judgement to occur concurrently, for discipline, and deliverance from the wrath which is to come on those left behind.

 ¹⁶ Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Although I have cast them far off among the Gentiles, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet I shall be a little sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone.” ’ 

What an amazing turn of events.

The exiles were not exiled from God.

Up until now they all thought God only resided in the temple in Jerusalem. But now He lets them know, I went into exile with you.

Just ask Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, when they went into the fiery furnace, I was right there with them.

Just ask Daniel, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, was right there with him in the Lion’s Den.

And dear Zeke and every captive, every exile, everyone who’s ever felt like you were on the outside looking in. You can know for sure and certain, I AM is right there with you. In that hospital bed, that prison cell, that lonely room staring at that empty chair where the one you miss and love so much, used to be.

He is near the brokenhearted, delivers the crushed in spirit. Ps. 34:18.

He will never leave you nor forsake you. Dt. 31:6, Heb. 13:5

From this very verse birthed the concept of synagogues, which means, Church in the Clubhouse. Just kidding. Kind of. It means, house of gathering.

The Lord says to them, and us: No matter where you’re scattered, if you gather in My name, I AM there.

Jesus confirms this Divine promise in:

Matthew 18:20
 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

¹⁷ Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “I will gather you from the peoples, assemble you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.” ’ 

About a half-dozen years after this vision, Babylon’s third siege (586 BC) would destroy Jerusalem and the wicked, and just as prophesied, the sealed would be saved.

About 47 years later king Cyrus of Persia (Iran) conquered Babylon and set the captive Jews free and assisted their return to Jerusalem.

The prophetic reflection today is the Jews returning the favor. After 47 years of captivity, the Persians are being set free. Leading the charge is Cyrus #47, Trump.

¹⁸ And they will go there, and they will take away all its detestable things and all its abominations from there.   

When the Jews returned to Israel, the nation never again returned to the detestable abominations of idol worship.

Okay, hang on, we’re going to do some major time travel.

Next, we see the prophecy not only reflects today but projects into our future.

¹⁹ Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, ²⁰ that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.

We’re still waiting for this to happen.

It will, at the end of the Tribulation. When Jesus appears and descends upon the Mount of Olives.

Israel will recognize Him as the One they pierced, their Messiah. They will mourn Him as one would mourn the loss of a firstborn.

Then, all Israel will be saved.

Zechariah 12:10
Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look on Me, the One they have pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son.

John 19:37
 And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”

Revelation 1:7
Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

Romans 11:26
 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:

“The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob

 ²¹ But as for those whose hearts follow the desire for their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their deeds on their own heads,” says the Lord God.

New Testament counterpart:

Galatians 6:7
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap.

Justice is rising.  Judgement is coming.

Two sides of same coin.

Justice for one. Judgement for the other.

²² So the cherubim lifted up their wings, with the wheels beside them, and the glory of the God of Israel was high above them. ²³ And the glory of the Lord went up from the midst of the city and stood on the mountain, which is on the east side of the city.

Mount of Olives.

The mount on the east side of Jerusalem is the Mount of Olives.

The Mount of Olives seems to be His favorite launching and landing pad.

From there the Lord ascended to His heavenly Home, only to return about 600 years later. Not riding His Cherubim Chariot, but a donkey, on a day prophesied 483 years in advance; 173,880 days to be exact. Daniel 9:25.

That prophecy was so remarkable, that day so amazing, that around the world we still remember and celebrate that Palm Sunday.

7 days from that day, Jesus had already gone through death, burial and resurrection.

Then, for 40 days He showed Himself alive with undeniable proofs to hundreds of eyewitnesses.

Then, on the 47^th day, from the Mount of Olives, He ascended into heaven while His disciples watched—probably with their mouths hanging open.

But that’s not all. A couple of angels appeared and said something like this: “What are you guys doing, standing here, staring into the sky with your mouths open wide? This same Jesus you saw go into heaven, will come again in like manner.” Acts 1:11.

Jesus has one more scheduled landing on the Mount of Olives. This may be the last one, because this time, He’s going to bring the house down.

Zechariah 14:4
And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, from east to west, making a very large valley; half of the mountain shall move toward the north and half of it toward the south.

²⁴ Then the Spirit took me up and brought me in a vision by the Spirit of God into Chaldea, to those in captivity. And the vision that I had seen went up from me. ²⁵ So I spoke to those in captivity of all the things the Lord had shown me.

The mission continues for Zeke and for us, to speak, all the things the Lord has shown us.

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus, thank You that no matter where we are, we can be in a little Sanctuary with You. Thank You for planting Your Word in our souls just now. Thank You like the rain, it won’t return void but will prosper and grow to the saving of souls. Help us, like Zeke, to speak all the things You show us. So that of all those You’ve given us, none will be lost.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

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This was feed for you to read. Now it’s Seed for you to sow.

Thank you for sharing.