[1] Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, [2] Now, thou son of man, wilt thou judge, wilt thou judge the bloody city? yea, thou shalt show her all her abominations. [3] Then say thou, Thus saith the Lord GOD, The city sheddeth blood in the midst of it, that her time may come, and maketh idols against herself to defile herself. [4] Thou art become guilty in thy blood that thou hast shed; and hast defiled thyself in thine idols which thou hast made; and thou hast caused thy days to draw near, and art come even unto thy years: therefore have I made thee a reproach unto the heathen, and a mocking to all countries. [5] Those that be near, and those that be far from thee, shall mock thee, which art infamous and much vexed.
Verse 1 Expanded Bible Comments
| Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| In this verse, who is "me?" | For literal understanding: Ezekiel. For spiritual understanding: The seventh messenger as indicated in verse 2. |
| (1) What is it that "came unto me" and (2) of what importance is that to us? | (1) "The word of the LORD came unto me." (2) This tells us that we should pay attention! It also reminds us that the work of "the man clothed with linen, which had the writer's inkhorn by his side" was not a work independent of the Lord but was actually following the LORD's instructions. So much so that at the end of his earthly ministry he could say "I have done as thou hast commanded me." |
Verse 2 Expanded Bible Comments
| Now, thou son of man, wilt thou judge, wilt thou judge the bloody city? yea, thou shalt show her all her abominations. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| In this verse, who is "thou son of man?" | Son of Man. |
| What is the meaning of the word "judge?" | Strong's H8199 שָׁפַט shâphaṭ shaw-fat' A primitive root; to judge, that is, pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication to vindicate or punish; by extension to govern; passively to litigate (literally or figuratively): - + avenge, X that condemn, contend, defend, execute (judgment), (be a) judge (-ment), X needs, plead, reason, rule. |
| Why does verse 2 repeat "wilt thou judge?" | The doubling of a word or phrase indicates a special emphasis. In this case it also clarifies the target of this judgment. Additionally this may also refer to the judgment of the two primary parts of Christendom, i.e., Religious (1878) and Civil (1914). |
| What is "the bloody city?" | Christendom. See Rev. 6:9-10; Rev. 16:4-7; Nahum 3:1-5 |
| What is the "son of man" told to do, and what does that mean? | "Show her all her abominations." This time the job of the 7th messenger is to show to Christendom (falsely so-called) the errors of her ways. |
| How was this accomplished? | By all the various publications and discourses from Pastor Russell (especially the Fourth Volume) and those who carried the message of "present truth" throughout the world. |
Verse 3 Expanded Bible Comments
| Then say thou, Thus saith the Lord GOD, The city sheddeth blood in the midst of it, that her time may come, and maketh idols against herself to defile herself. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| Why does this verse begin with "Then say thou" and then follow with "Thus saith the Lord GOD?" | At the minimum this is reminds us that while the message was spoken by "thou son of man," it did not originate with him. Instead the message originated from "the Lord GOD" who instructed "thou son of man" to deliver it. |
| What is "the city that sheddeth blood?" | Christendom. See Rev. 6:9-10; Rev. 16:4-7; Nahum 3:1-5 |
| Where was this blood shed and what does that tell us? | It was shed "In the midst of it," i.e., in the midst of the city (Christendom – Christ's Kingdom falsely so-called.) This tells us that the shedding of blood (taking of life) was done primarily against its own parishioners. |
| What is indicated by "that her time may come?" | The time of Harvest. Matt. 13:29-30. This is the time of judgment and separation. |
| What are idols? | According to Dictionary.com: 1. an image or other material object representing a deity to which religious worship is addressed. 2. Bible. 2a. an image of a deity other than God. 2b. the deity itself. 3. any person or thing regarded with blind admiration, adoration, or devotion: Madame Curie had been her childhood idol. 4. a mere image or semblance of something, visible but without substance, as a phantom. 5. a figment of the mind; fantasy. 6. a false conception or notion; fallacy. The primary idols of Christendom were her false doctrines, especially "the abomination that maketh desolate." Dan. 11:31; 12:11; Matt. 24:15; Mark 13:14 |
| How can she "make idols against herself to defile herself." [MKJV] | Not only did she make these false doctrines but she caused all within her to worship (practice) these and, like King Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 3), commanded that all within her realm fall down and worship these idols (false doctrines.) |
Verse 4 Expanded Bible Comments
| Thou art become guilty in thy blood that thou hast shed; and hast defiled thyself in thine idols which thou hast made; and thou hast caused thy days to draw near, and art come even unto thy years: therefore have I made thee a reproach unto the heathen, and a mocking to all countries. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| "Thou art become guilty.." What does this phrase tell us? | That at one time they were not guilty. Please see C155-156 for a good answer to this question. |
| "In thy blood which thou has shed." What type of a person would this be describing? | A masochist: "a person who is gratified by pain, degradation, etc., that is self-imposed or imposed by others." |
| How did they defile themselves? | In the idols (false doctrines) they made (and worshipped) themselves. |
| "Thou hast caused thy days to draw near, and art come even unto thy years." What does this mean? | Their own actions have caused the LORD to bring upon them His judgments. It would also seem to indicate that there was a set date (number of years) for this judgment to take place. This would then be an example of God exercising His foreknowledge. |
| "Therefore have I made thee a reproach unto the heathen, and a mocking to all countries." Is this past, present or future? | Yes. Past – consider the 1893 World Parliament of Religions. Present – No one today believes that Christ's Kingdom is currently united with the State in Europe or anywhere else in the "western world." – It will be so in the future when "the knowledge of the LORD shall cover the earth as the waters cover the sea." R5829 |
Verse 5 Expanded Bible Comments
| Those that be near, and those that be far from thee, shall mock thee, which art infamous and much vexed. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| Who are those that are (a) near, and (b) far from the city? | First we need to remember that "the city" is described as "the bloody city" (vs. 2). We also notice that these are not in the city, i.e., not among those who dwell in Christendom. These are outside of her. Those "near" would likely be those who do not oppose her, but rather they deal with her on a regular basis. Those who are "far" from her would likely be those of the world who do oppose Christendom and her claims of being "Christ's Kingdom" reigning over the earth. |
| What do both the near and far do? | They "shall mock thee." |
| Why do they do it? | Because this city (Christendom) was famous as being the city (government) of God, ruling by "divine right." But now it had become infamous. infamous
adjective 1. having an extremely bad reputation: an infamous city. 2. deserving of or causing an evil reputation; shamefully malign; detestable: an infamous deed. 3. Law. a) deprived of certain rights as a citizen, as a consequence of conviction of certain offenses. b) of or relating to offenses involving such deprivation. |
| What is the meaning of the word "vexed" and how does this apply to "the bloody city?" | Vexed Strong's H4103 Vexed means "confusion." Babylon also means "confusion."מְהוּמָה mehûmâh meh-hoo-maw' From H1949; confusion or uproar: - destruction, discomfiture, trouble, tumult, vexation, vexed. They (Babylon, "the bloody city") acted like any other liar who gets caught in their lie. They attempt to tell another lie, and another until their whole story becomes so non-sensical that it deceives no one. No wonder the name Babylon indicates confusion. – Please see D164. |
[6] Behold, the princes of Israel, every one were in thee to their power to shed blood. [7] In thee have they made light of father and mother: in the midst of thee have they dealt by oppression with the stranger: in thee have they vexed the fatherless and the widow. [8] Thou hast despised mine holy things, and hast profaned my sabbaths. [9] In thee are men that carry tales to shed blood: and in thee they eat upon the mountains: in the midst of thee they commit lewdness. [10] In thee have they discovered their fathers' nakedness: in thee have they humbled her that was set apart for pollution. [11] And one hath committed abomination with his neighbor's wife; and another hath lewdly defiled his daughter in law; and another in thee hath humbled his sister, his father's daughter. [12] In thee have they taken gifts to shed blood; thou hast taken usury and increase, and thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbors by extortion, and hast forgotten me, saith the Lord GOD.
Verse 6 Expanded Bible Comments
| Behold, the princes of Israel, every one were in thee to their power to shed blood. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| Who are "the princes of Israel?" | The leaders in Christendom. This seems to include both civil and religious leaders. |
| In verse 6, who is "thee?" | "Thee" is Christendom. Isa. 1:21-23 |
| What does it mean "to shed blood?" | Exactly that, to cause someone to bleed. This usually indicates murder. This likely refers to both the literal and the symbolical shedding of blood as in Rev. 6:9-10. |
| What is meant by "were in thee to their power..?" | Other translations indicate: "according to their power.." - "each one according to his strength.." In other words, these were guilty of shedding blood, each one according to their ability to do so, mis-using their position and power. |
Verse 7 Expanded Bible Comments
| In thee have they made light of father and mother: in the midst of thee have they dealt by oppression with the stranger: in thee have they vexed the fatherless and the widow. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| Reminder question: Who are "they?" | "The princes of Israel." (verse 6) – the religious and civil leaders in Christendom. |
| "They made light of father and mother." Is that really so bad? | Exo. 20:12; 21:17; Lev. 19:3; 20:9; Mark 7:9-13 |
| In what manner have "They made light of father and mother?" | These have despised what God has said in His Word, replacing the Truth with their abominable doctrines, and then acting on those false doctrines have tortured the Lord's people for hundreds of years. For the true church, God is our Father and the Grace Covenant (Sarah feature of the Abrahamic Covenant) is our mother. R5909 |
| What is indicated by "in the midst of thee..?" | This seems to be saying that the place to look for the fulfillment of these things is in the territory of "Christendom," i.e., the area of "The Holy Roman Empire." In the United States the union of church and state has been forbidden by law ever since December 1791 when "The Bill of Rights" was passed. The result has been that while the churches still have attempted to "oppress" and "vex" those who do not agree with them, there is no force of law behind it and thus the horrors seen in Europe have not been seen in the U.S. |
| How have "they dealt by oppression with the stranger?" | Many, who were not a part of Christendom, were forced by various pressures ("oppressions") to tolerate what was done to them by Christendom. – See "Man of Sin" chapter in Volume II. |
| How have "they vexed the fatherless and the widow?" | Hos. 14:3 R4811 See also Exo. 22:22-24; Deu. 27:16; Matt 23:14; Mark 12:40; Luke 20:47 |
Verse 8 Expanded Bible Comments
| Thou hast despised mine holy things, and hast profaned my sabbaths. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| What are "mine holy things?" | Things set apart or consecrated to the Lord. For examples see 1 Kings 7:51; 15:15. These items primarily represented the Truths of God's holy word. |
| In what manner might these have been "despised?" | By rejecting God's wonderful teachings and substituting instead the "doctrines of devils." 1 Tim. 4:1 |
| What are the Lord's "sabbaths" and how were they "profaned?" | This would seem to be the Lord's Sabbath system, i.e., the Jubilees. Christendom made no attempt to "return every man unto his possession" nor "return every man unto his family." Lev. 25:10,13 |
Verse 9 Expanded Bible Comments
| In thee are men that carry tales to shed blood: and in thee they eat upon the mountains: in the midst of thee they commit lewdness. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| What does it mean to "carry tales to shed blood?" | Compare Matt. 26:59 |
| Of what significance is it that "they eat upon the mountains?" | Those within Christendom who have become gluttonous (living on the fleshly spirits) of her false teachings. These do so upon the kingdoms (mountains) of Christendom. |
| How did "they commit lewdness?" | See the next two verses. |
Verses 10-11 Expanded Bible Comments
| In thee have they discovered their fathers' nakedness: in thee have they humbled her that was set apart for pollution. [11] And one hath committed abomination with his neighbor's wife; and another hath lewdly defiled his daughter in law; and another in thee hath humbled his sister, his father's daughter. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
While these two verses have to do with fleshly immoral behavior and many of the leaders of nominal fleshly Israel were guilty of these, our focus is on how these may apply in the symbolic sense to the leaders of Christendom. |
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| How did they "discover their fathers' nakedness?" | Please see Lev. 20:11. We might, however, consider "who is their father?" It was supposed to be God, but as it became true of the leaders of the fleshly house, "ye are of your father, the devil." John 8:41-44. Remember the true relation between the Pope and Satan is shown in Eze. 28:2,12. In the case of Christendom this may apply to their father the Pope. As the truth came out, it exposed their false doctrines, laying bare the truth about the pope and the other false claims of Christendom [three unclean spirits like frogs]. |
The terms used here (humbled, defiled, etc.) all refer in some way to the mistreatment of women. While not wishing to get into much detail on these, we also do not want to ignore what the Lord has presented for our benefit. With this in mind, let us consider what the symbolic meaning of each might be. |
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| What does it mean to be "set apart for pollution?" | The word "pollution" is Strong's H2931 which is almost always translated as "unclean." This phrase refers to a woman during her monthly cycle. During that time, under the law, she was to be considered as being unclean for seven days (Lev. 15:19). These seven days are referred to as the time of "her separation" vss 20, 25. |
| What might be the symbolic meaning of "they humbled her that was set apart for pollution?" | Might this have reference to their treatment of the true church, those who were considered by Christendom to be "unclean?" |
| Who, or what, might be referred to by "his neighbor's wife?" | ¿¿ Russian Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, etc. ?? |
| ".. his daughter in law?" | |
| ".. his sister, his father's daughter?" | |
Verse 12 Expanded Bible Comments
| In thee have they taken gifts to shed blood; thou hast taken usury and increase, and thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbors by extortion, and hast forgotten me, saith the Lord GOD. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| How did they "take gifts to shed blood?" | In other words, take a bribe or some kind of profit by causing the death of others. Consider the Spanish Inquisition. |
| What is meant by "thou hast taken usury and increase?" | The law of God to Israel told them not to take usury (interest on a debt.) Lev. 25:35-38. |
| How "hast thou greedily gained of thy neighbors by extortion?" | Extortion: "the crime of obtaining money or some other thing by the abuse of one's office or authority." – Dictionary.com. The church of Rome used various means of extortion for earthly gain (both financially and politically.) |
| In what manner did they forget the LORD? | By all of the above. |
[13] Behold, therefore I have smitten mine hand at thy dishonest gain which thou hast made, and at thy blood which hath been in the midst of thee. [14] Can thine heart endure, or can thine hands be strong, in the days that I shall deal with thee? I the LORD have spoken it, and will do it. [15] And I will scatter thee among the heathen, and disperse thee in the countries, and will consume thy filthiness out of thee. [16] And thou shalt take thine inheritance in thyself in the sight of the heathen, and thou shalt know that I am the LORD.
Verse 13 Expanded Bible Comments
| Behold, therefore I have smitten mine hand at thy dishonest gain which thou hast made, and at thy blood which hath been in the midst of thee. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| "Therefore.." What does this say to us? | Consider what has just previously been said and then remember cause and effect. |
| What is indicated by "I have smitten mine hand..?" | First we should notice that this is different from chapter 21 where it was the Lord clapping His hands (likely to get their attention.) This appears to be singular, "hand" or "palm." This seems to suggest something like a slap or striking a table with the palm of your hand, etc., a stronger, perhaps violent way of getting attention. |
| ".. at thy dishonest gain which thou hast made." What gain and where is the dishonesty? | The gain they received was similarly to that of the hypocrites of our Lord's day. Matt. 6:2,5. The gain is dishonest because they are not proclaiming the Truth but lies designed not to comfort but to intimidate. |
| What is meant by "thy blood which hath been in the midst of thee?" | "Thy blood" was once in the midst of Christendom implies that it is no longer in the midst of her. This would seem to reference the blood of the saints. At this point, this class (the saints) has left Christendom in obedience to the command to "come out of her my people." |
Verse 14 Expanded Bible Comments
| Can thine heart endure, or can thine hands be strong, in the days that I shall deal with thee? I the LORD have spoken it, and will do it. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| "Can thine heart endure?" To whom is this addressed? | Christendom, although one may question, did Christendom really have a heart?(tic) |
| Were the hands of Christendom ever strong? | Yes. During their long reign. |
| Does this verse give a time period for the questions asked here about heart and hands? | "In the days that I shall deal with thee." |
| Is this really going to take place? | "I the LORD have spoken it, and will do it." |
Verse 15 Expanded Bible Comments
| And I will scatter thee among the heathen, and disperse thee in the countries, and will consume thy filthiness out of thee. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| Natural fleshly Israel was scattered among the heathen, and dispersed in the countries. Does this passage refer to natural Israel? | Perhaps in some sense, however, along with the declaration that the LORD would indeed disperse them among the nations, we usually find some indication that the LORD would remember His promise to their fathers and re-gather them into the land of promise. We find no such indication in these verses. |
| How has Christendom been scattered among the heathen? | Yes. Christendom formerly consisted primarily of the "ten toes" or ten kings which made up the (so-called) "Holy Roman Empire" and resided primarily in western Russia and Europe. This (the "image" of Daniel 2) has been broken into pieces and "the wind" has carried it away. Also we find now (2021) that Europe is having problems with the Muslim population which has immigrated into its midst. |
| .. and dispersed in the countries? | This may have reference to the fact that several new nations appeared after WWI. The Treaty of Versailles alone created 9 new nations and other treaties followed. |
| What is meant by I "will consume thy filthiness out of thee?" | "filthiness" Strong's H2932 Of the 36 times this word is used in the Old Testament, it is translated "filthiness" only 7 times; all the remaining times it is either "uncleanness" or "unclean."טֻמְאָה ṭûm'âh toom-aw' From H2980; religious impurity: - filthiness, unclean (-ness). The word "consume" is also translated: "the end," "were spent," "is accomplished," etc. This may refer to Christendom's view of the saints (heretics) leaving her. |
Verse 16 Expanded Bible Comments
| And thou shalt take thine inheritance in thyself in the sight of the heathen, and thou shalt know that I am the LORD. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
(Darby) And thou shalt be polluted through thyself in the sight of the nations, and thou shalt know that I am Jehovah. |
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| Is "Thou shalt take thine inheritance" the best translation? | First of all this phrase is the translation of Strong's H2490. This is the ONLY time it is so translated. In the book of Ezekiel it is translated: pollute, polluted, defile, defiled, profane, profaned, slayeth, slain, begin, began [the last 4, one time each.] Of the various translations, Darby seemed to be most accurate while maintaining the sense of the passage. |
| What does "thou shalt be polluted through thyself" mean? | They (Christendom) brought this "pollution" or "defilement" upon themselves, it was not imposed upon them from the outside. |
| Who recognizes this pollution? | "In the sight of the nations." |
| "Thou shalt know that I am the LORD." When? | |
[17] And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, [18] Son of man, the house of Israel is to me become dross: all they are copper, and tin, and iron, and lead, in the midst of the furnace; they are even the dross of silver. [19] Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye are all become dross, behold, therefore I will gather you into the midst of Jerusalem. [20] As they gather silver, and copper, and iron, and lead, and tin, into the midst of the furnace, to blow the fire upon it, to melt it; so will I gather you in mine anger and in my fury, and I will leave you there, and melt you. [21] Yea, I will gather you, and blow upon you in the fire of my wrath, and ye shall be melted in the midst thereof. [22] As silver is melted in the midst of the furnace, so shall ye be melted in the midst thereof; and ye shall know that I the LORD have poured out my fury upon you.
Verse 17 Expanded Bible Comments
| And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| What should we glean from this verse? | That this is yet another prophetic instruction from the Lord to the seventh messenger. This does NOT mean it is not related to the instructions given in the earlier part of this chapter. |
Verse 18 Expanded Bible Comments
| Son of man, the house of Israel is to me become dross: all they are copper, and tin, and iron, and lead, in the midst of the furnace; they are even the dross of silver. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| Who is "Son of man?" | Son of Man. |
| Is this referring to the natural, the nominal or the spiritual "house of Israel?" | Please see R2464 |
| What is pictured by: Copper, Tin, Iron and Lead? | Copper – human nature Tin – Strong's H913 – righteousness, judgment? [Zech. 4:10] Iron – Civil power of the Roman Empire Lead – A metal which survives the furnace but is still considered impure.Consider Num. 31:13-24 and Isa. 1:25 |
| When, according to this verse, does this take place? | When they are "in the midst of the furnace," i.e., during the great Time of Trouble. |
| Why are they "the dross of silver?" | Because the Lord has put them into the furnace with the intent of purifying the Truth [silver] and also His people, both Little Flock [gold] and Great Company [silver.] Compare Mal. 3:3. |
Verses 19-20 Expanded Bible Comments
| Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye are all become dross, behold, therefore I will gather you into the midst of Jerusalem. [20] As they gather silver, and copper, and iron, and lead, and tin, into the midst of the furnace, to blow the fire upon it, to melt it; so will I gather you in mine anger and in my fury, and I will leave you there, and melt you. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| "Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD.." What is the mathematical number which describes the possibility of what is said next failing to come to pass? | Zero! |
| According to verse 19, how many have become dross? | "Ye all are become dross." |
| What is the consequence of them becoming dross in the LORD's sight and what does that mean? | "My determination is to gather the nations.." Zeph. 3:8 "I will gather you into the midst of Jerusalem." Since it is God who gathers them, this can only refer to what He has said elsewhere, i.e., He will gather them to "the battle of that great day of God Almighty.. to Armageddon." Rev. 16:14,16 |
| Verse 20 tells us that silver, copper, iron, lead, and tin are gathered into the fire – for what purpose? | Purpose: "to blow the fire upon it, to melt it." |
| What does it mean "to blow the fire upon it, to melt it?" | "So will I [Jehovah God] gather you in mine anger and in my fury, and I will leave you there, and melt you." See also Zeph. 3:8 and Isa. 34:3 God is going to turn up the heat. Isa. 54:15-16 |
Verses 21-22 Expanded Bible Comments
| Yea, I will gather you, and blow upon you in the fire of my wrath, and ye shall be melted in the midst thereof. [22] As silver is melted in the midst of the furnace, so shall ye be melted in the midst thereof; and ye shall know that I the LORD have poured out my fury upon you. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| "I will gather you.." Who is "you?" | "The house of Israel." vs. 18 |
| What is the meaning of "blow upon you in the fire of my wrath?" | "Blow upon you" seems to have reference to the loosing of the four winds in 1914. "In the fire of my wrath" would refer to the "seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God." Rev. 15:1. Interesting to note that the loosing of the four winds and the pouring out of the seventh plague (Armageddon) both take place at the same time, 1914. |
| Please explain "ye shall be melted in the midst thereof." | Psa. 46:6; 97:5; 107:26-27; Isa. 34:3 |
| What is symbolized by silver? | Truth, Great Company. |
| What is the purpose of melting silver in a furnace? | To purify it. To remove the dross. |
| Which of these (Truth or Great Company) would this seem to be talking about? | Both. The Truth is purified with a view to helping the Great Company realize the situation and "come out of her my people." See Rev. 7:9,14While the above seems accurate, it may be considered as more of a secondary application. "Ye shall be melted.." tells us that it is not the Great Company that is melted but rather it is Christendom, including its inhabitants. |
| What is it that "Ye shall know..?" | "that I the LORD have poured out my fury upon you." |
[23] And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, [24] Son of man, say unto her, Thou art the land that is not cleansed, nor rained upon in the day of indignation. [25] There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof. [26] Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they showed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. [27] Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain. [28] And her prophets have daubed them with untempered mortar, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken. [29] The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully. [30] And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. [31] Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord GOD.
Verses 23-24 Expanded Bible Comments
| And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, [24] Son of man, say unto her, Thou art the land that is not cleansed, nor rained upon in the day of indignation. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| Did the words that follow originate with either Ezekiel or with Brother Russell? If not, from whom? | No. They originated from "the LORD." They were From God to the "Son of Man." |
| Who is being referred to by "thou art the land that is not cleansed" and what does that mean? | The entire system of Christendom was based on false premises, they built upon the sand. Their claims that their kings ruled by "divine right," and their religious teachers (clergy) likewise spoke by the same "divine right" are without any true foundation. Of course their "land" is not clean since they have taught the "doctrines of men" and not of God. Col. 2:20-23 |
| Why is this "land" not "rained upon?" | In Israel rain means blessing. Heb. 6:7; Deut. 28:12 |
| When does this condition (not cleansed and without rain) take place? | "In the day of indignation." |
Verse 25 Expanded Bible Comments
| There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| Who are "her prophets?" and what is their "conspiracy?" | The religious teachers, priests, popes etc. of the false church systems. They conspired to make sure nothing is taught in opposition to their approved doctrines. |
| Where are "her prophets?" | "In the midst" of her (Christendom.) |
| Why are they described as "like a roaring lion ravening the prey?" | Because their God is the Devil. 1 Pet. 5:8 |
| Have they really "devoured souls?" | Please see Rev. 18:4-13 [especially the end of vs. 13] |
| Have they really "taken the treasure and precious things?" | See the same Revelation 18 reference above. |
| Who has made "many widows in the midst" of Christendom? | Consider Study IX of Volume II – The Man of Sin. |
Verse 26 Expanded Bible Comments
| Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they showed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| Who are "her priests?" | The religious leaders of Christendom. |
| In verse 26 they (1) "violated my law" and (2) "profaned mine holy things." What is meant by (1) "my law?" and (2) "mine holy things?" | 1) Think "thou shalt," "thou shalt not." 2) Proper religious doctrine and practice. |
| They (priests) make no difference "between the unclean and the clean." What do these represent? | The clean are those who are justified before God. The unclean are not. The same is also true of the Doctrines. |
| How have they "hid their eyes from my sabbaths?" | Not only did they fail to consider the purpose of the Sabbath days (Mark 2:27) but they totally ignored the Sabbath system (the Jubilees) in which every man was returned to his own land. Instead they (like the Jewish leaders during our Lord's first advent) used the Sabbath as a club to drive the people to do the will of the (false) church. |
| What is the result of all this behavior? | "I am profaned among them." |
Verse 27 Expanded Bible Comments
| Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| Who are "her princes?" | This would seem to be the civil leaders in Christendom but may also include religious leaders.. In Zeph. 3:3-4 the Lord breaks down Christendom's leaders into 4 categories: Princes, Judges, Prophets and Priests. In that context it is the "judges" who are compared to "evening wolves." |
| "In the midst thereof" – In the midst of what? | Christendom. |
| How do these "princes" behave? | "Like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls." |
| What is their "dishonest gain?" | The gain they received was similarly to that of the hypocrites of our Lord's day. Matt. 6:2,5. The gain is dishonest because they are not proclaiming the Truth but lies designed not to comfort but to intimidate. |
Verse 28 Expanded Bible Comments
| And her prophets have daubed them with untempered mortar, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| Who are "her prophets?" | The religious leaders of Christendom. |
| What does it mean to daub "with untempered mortar?" | To cover or repair something (a surface, a wall) with un-tried or faulty material. |
| How are they "seeing vanity?" | What could be more vain than saying "we speak with the authority of God?" – "Divine right of the clergy." |
| What is meant by "divining lies?" | "saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken." |
Verse 29 Expanded Bible Comments
| The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| Who are "the people of the land?" | Remember the definition of the land or earth: R498. The people of the land would be its inhabitants, i.e., those who desire to live there and basically endorse its practices. Please see also Earth-dwellers of Revelation |
"The people of the land" (not the princes or leaders, but the people) are found guilty of the following 4 things. In what way have they.. |
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| "Used opression?" | The oppression done by these earth-dwellers usually is in the form of peer pressure. If you do not agree with the false doctrines (trinity, hell fire, etc.) you are not really a Christian. Basically you will be shunned by the community. |
| "Exercised robbery?" | They stole the opportunity of entering the narrow way by loudly proclaiming that what you need is total dedication to Christendom. |
| "Vexed the poor and needy?" | The poor and need are supposed to have the Gospel preached unto them, allowing them to spiritually prosper. |
| "Oppressed the stranger wrongfully?" | They boycotted businesses of outsiders and lead them to believe that the average was the standard, they kept them from seeing any difference between being a true Christian and being any other worldly person. |
Verse 30 Expanded Bible Comments
| And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| What is suggested by "I sought for a man among them?" | This sounds much like when Abraham asked the LORD to spare Sodom if even ten righteous men could be found in the city. There were none save Lot. Gen. 18:32 |
| What is referred to by "that he should make up the hedge?" | Hedges were used as part of a defensed area such as a camp or even a small city (in connection with its walls.) This has reference to a man who is willing to build up the defenses of something (in this case, the defenses of "the land.") |
| What does it mean to have a man "stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it?" | This sounds a lot like the time when God said to Moses that He would destroy Israel and "I will make of thee a nation mightier and greater than they." Deu. 9:14 Moses prayed and fasted before the LORD to spare the children of Israel, and he was heard by the LORD. Deu. 9:18-19. In this Moses became a type of Jesus. |
| "But I found none." What does this suggest about the timing of this? | It suggests that all the saints have already left that system. There is none of its inhabitants who will try to be like Moses or Abraham and plead with the LORD to save Christendom. All those with that kind of spiritual courage had obeyed the command to "come out of her my people." Rev. 18:4. Jer. 51:6-10 |
Verse 31 Expanded Bible Comments
| Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord GOD. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| "Therefore have I .." Why does this verse begin with these words? | Cause and effect. Because of what has gone before, the LORD is about to take action. |
| What is God's "indignation?" | The Seven last plagues. Rev. 15:1 |
| In this verse, who is "them?" | "The people of the land," "those who dwell on the earth." Rev. 16:1-2 |
| What is "the fire of my wrath?" | Please see Suggested Answer vs 21. We might also notice that this is now given in the past tense – "I have consumed then.." |
| Which of God's attributes is primarily involved in the statement "Their own way have I recompensed upon their heads?" | Clearly the attribute of Justice. Rev. 15:7 |