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Expanded Comments | Additional Comments |
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| 1 And it came to pass in the sixth year, in the sixth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I sat in mine house, and the elders of Judah sat before me, that the hand of the Lord GOD fell there upon me. |
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I sat in mine house – Br. Russell was NOT in the nominal house (Christendom) but was in his own house – separate from the church nominal.
The elders of Judah – As the nation of Israel was split into Judah and Israel (also called Ephraim,) so too was Christendom's religious element split into two, i.e., Catholic and Protestant. Judah refers to the Protestant element.
The Lord often uses a part as representing the whole. Here the Protestant clergy of Christendom are represented by "the elders" of Judah.
Sat before me – It was in 1878 that Pastor Russell called the religious leaders of Pittsburgh together to show them the evidences that the Lord had returned. They accepted his invitation but rejected the evidence. If they had accepted the evidence they may have "walked" in the light and "run" for the prize. Instead they "sat" in place, holding to their false doctrines.
The hand of the Lord GOD – The power of God's right hand (His Son, our Returned Lord Jesus.)
Fell there upon me – When Br. Russell, being so moved with the Holy Spirit based on the evidence he had recently obtained concerning the overall Plan of God and of Our Lord's Presence, he called together "The elders" of the nominal Christian church in Pittsburgh and Allegheny and presented the Truth to them with the invitation to join with him in spreading these wonderful tidings. – They missed their opportunity and were rejected by the Lord. |
| 2 Then I beheld, and lo a likeness as the appearance of fire: from the appearance of his loins even downward, fire; and from his loins even upward, as the appearance of brightness, as the colour of amber. |
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Then I beheld – Apparently it was at this time (1878) that Br. Russell saw the true import of Our Lord's second advent.
A likeness as the appearance of fire – Rev. 1:14,15; Eze. 1:4
From his loins even downward – This seems to picture our Returned Lord Jesus.
Fire – Those looking downward (earth-ward) see only the fire of trouble associated with His return.
From his loins even upward – Towards Heaven, towards God. What follows would thus seem to be describing the view of the Heavenly minded new creation.
As the appearance of brightness – The word for "brightness" is Strong's H2096.
This seems so appropriate. Not only the brightness of heaven but the root word seems to include the thought of instruction. The Lord's people receive special instruction in Righteousness and Truth because of the Lord's presence. Please also see Rev. 1:16.
This thought seems to be verified by the fact that the only other place in Scripture where this word "brightness – H2096" is used is: Dan.12:3.
It would appear that all of God's angels (messengers) are described in similar fashion. – This, however, does not diminish the symbolic meaning given here.
The colour of amber – See Additional Comments for 1:4.
This is almost identical to what he saw in Chapter 1 verse 1:27. |
| 3 And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looketh toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy. |
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The form of an hand – Compare with Dan. 5:5. God's hand there wrote His judgment on the walls of Babylon. The hand pictures strength, power, activity. At our Lord's Return uses His strength in dealing with the church class, here represented by Ezekiel (picturing the messenger to the church of Laodicea – Rev. 3:14.)
A lock – This is Strong's 6734 - "Feminine of H6731; a floral or wing like projection, that is, a fore lock of hair, a tassel: - fringe, lock." The only other place this word occurs (in its feminine form) is Numbers 15:37-41 "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [38] Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue: [39] And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring: [40] That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God.[41] I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the LORD your God." This instruction from the LORD was given immediately following a case where a man was found gathering wood on the sabbath, was brought before Moses who inquired of God what to do. God said he should be stoned without the camp (vss 32-36). It was clearly intended to help them remember that they were a covenanted people. Since this fringe or tassel had on it a blue chord, the Lord's people were thus reminded to be faithful to Him.
That this was in regard to a Sabbath Day event seems to strengthen our time setting as being in the Seventh 1,000 year day from Adam, the beginning of the antitypical Sabbath day, the "Times of Restitution of all things." Acts 3:21
Of mine head – Clearly Ezekiel was not wearing a tassel on his head. This was a way of indicating a lock of his hair. Since the word here used is in the feminine it would seem to imply a connection with Ezekiel here representing the Church (the bride of Christ). We may assume there is a reason for the language stating "a lock of mine head" as opposed to "a lock of my hair." We suggest this as being a way of saying that the Lord's people are indeed being faithful (the blue chord on the tassel), remembering that they are a covenanted people, and these "look upon it [the fringe or tassel], and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them."
The spirit – God's Holy Spirit was most definitely guiding Brother Russell.
Lifted me up – Pastor Russell at one point had been an infidel, but he still believed in God, just not the god of the churches.
Between the earth and the heaven – This was the position Pastor Russell found himself in. He was in between the symbolic earth (organized society under religious restraint) and the symbolic heaven (ecclesiasticism), not really belonging to either.
He also was in the spirit-begotten condition, thus he was (on the Chart of the Ages) on Plane M, between Plane N (justified human or earthly nature) and Plane L (Spirit or heavenly nature.)
Brought me in the visions of God – Lest we should ever doubt that these visions were of Pastor Russell's own invention. No, they were indeed "the visions of God" made so plain as for Br. Russell to be able to "Write the vision, make it plain upon tables." – Hab. 2:2
To Jerusalem – The antitypical Jerusalem, picturing the Kingdom of God. In this case it is referring especially the religious elements of the false city, Christendom.
The door of the inner gate – The entrance to their "inner" circle if you will. In other words, he was able to see (understand) the inner workings, the false reasonings of the nominal church.
That looketh toward the north – It looks (to the worldly observer) as though this entrance into the false kingdom is looking God-ward, to heaven as "north" is a picture of the Divine seat of power.
But instead of finding the way to God we find something else, i.e. … (next phrase.)
Where was the seat of the image of jealousy – The seat (throne) of the image ("Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image" Exo. 20:4) of jealousy ("I the LORD thy God am a jealous God" Exo. 20:5)
Which provoketh to jealousy – The true church is to "provoke unto love and good works" (Heb. 10:24) not jealousy. But Christendom taught to worship their temples, idols, doctrines and clergy when they should have been leading men to the Lamb of God. |
| 4 And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel was there, according to the vision that I saw in the plain. |
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The glory of the God of Israel – The Truth AND the SPIRIT of the Truth. This is what constitutes "The glory of God" in prophecy. Eze. 1:28
The Truth is where the power of Spirit Begettal dwells. (James 1:18)
Was there – i.e., in the nominal temple, near "the door of the inner gate that looketh toward the north." (vs. 3)
The vision that I saw in the plain – Chapter 3:23 says "I .. went forth into the plain: and, behold, the glory of the LORD stood there, as the glory which I saw by the river of Chebar." Chapter 1 verse 1 tells us that as Ezekiel was "by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw the visions of God." Chapter 1.
We note that there is a clear purpose the LORD is demonstrating here. He is showing the contrast between His Glory (THE Truth and its Spirit, the Revealed Divine Plan of the Ages) and this disgusting image of jealousy just described in verse 3. They claim to be the gateway to God but deny the Truth which is embodied in His Son Jesus – "I am the way the truth and the life." – R3274:4 (September 23 Manna) |
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| 5 Then said he unto me, Son of man, lift up thine eyes now the way toward the north. So I lifted up mine eyes the way toward the north, and behold northward at the gate of the altar this image of jealousy in the entry. |
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Son of man – Pastor Russell as the earthly representative during the Presence of the true Son of Man – our Lord Jesus.
The command
Lift up thine eyes – Closely examine what you are about to see, but do it from the Divine or heavenly standpoint, i.e., in the light of the unfolding Plan of God.
The way towards the north – Not to the north (the Divine seat) but the way towards the north. We should remember that Christendom claimed that they were the only way to God.
The result
So I lifted mine eyes – Br. Russell took a close look at the claims of Christendom, mystic Babylon, to be "the gate of God" and found them to be false. D26:1
Behold northward – People want to find God. So they naturally look to the church, the followers of Christ and upholders of the Word of God. This is where people would expect to find the doorway to God. At this time (circa 1874-78) they do not yet realize the true condition of the church nominal.
At the gate of the altar – This claimed "gate" of God was indeed where the people fell down before (as bowing before an altar) to worship.
This image of jealousy in the entry – Exo. 20:5. Remember our Lord's words in John 14:6. This image is a false image (likeness) of God.
Christendom painted a completely false image of God and told the people that this is where they were to worship. – Exo. 20:5. – See also Isa. 42:8; 48:11
Compare this thought with the foundation doctrine of the Catholic Church – the Trinity.
When we contrast God's true character with that which has been attributed to Him by Christendom's leaders, is it any wonder why it is referred to as the "image of jealousy?" |
| 6 He said furthermore unto me, Son of man, seest thou what they do? even the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary? but turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations. |
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Seest thou what they do? – The question is NOT "Does everyone see what they do?," but "Do YOU see what they do?"
The house of Israel – The nominal house of spiritual Israel, Babylon, Christendom.
Committeth here – They are guilty of committing "great abominations" and they do it "here," in (what is supposed to be) My House (temple.) – Remember that during the bulk of the Gospel Age the wheat (sanctuary) and the tares (the host) were to grow together.
That I should go far off from my sanctuary? – These abominations are so great that they cause God to leave His sanctuary. What does that mean? His sanctuary is where He dewlt, where the Ark of the Covenant was. (2 Kings 19:15; Psa. 80:1; Isa. 37:16) During the Gospel Age it had been within the nominal church (because it contained the wheat.) But these great abominations reach the point where God removes His Spirit from the church nominal.
Thou shalt see greater abominations – What abominations could be greater than that which caused God to remove His spirit from them? |
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| 7 And he brought me to the door of the court; and when I looked, behold a hole in the wall. |
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It might be helpful here to reference a map of Ezekiel's temple. See Ezekiel's Temple.
He brought me to – There is nothing that indicates Pastor Russell desired to "air out the dirty laundry" of Christendom. It is important to remember that he was following the leading of God.
The door of the court – In the Tabernacle then this would be the entrance "gate" or "veil" leading from the Camp into the Court. In Ezekiel's temple this appears to be the same, i.e., the entrance into the (tentatively) justified condition.
I looked – Pastor Russell did indeed examine, as instructed.
A hole in the wall – Walls are symbolic of protection. (D40:1; R5487) Babylon's protection was not complete (indicated by the hole in the wall.) |
| 8 Then said he unto me, Son of man, dig now in the wall: and when I had digged in the wall, behold a door. |
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He said unto me – Once again, it is God who was instructing the "Son of man" to do these things. They were not done of his own volition.
Dig now in the wall – Dig (investigate) deeply into the cause of there being a hole in Christendom's protection.
When I had digged in the wall – After doing his investigation into the protection of Christendom.
Behold a door – Christendom had yet another entrance (door) into their "inner sanctum" (as opposed to the Lord's sanctuary.) |
| 9 And he said unto me, Go in, and behold the wicked abominations that they do here. |
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He said unto me – Same as in verse 8.
Go in and behold – Look, but do not become involved in these practices yourself.
The wicked abominations that they do here – Where they do them is in the place that those who are seeking after God would expect to find holy men doing holy service to God. This is the great sin against the religious leaders of Christendom. They both practiced and taught things which indicated they followed their god, their father the devil. John 8:44
Isn't it interesting that Jesus said that "their father the devil.. abode not in the truth.. for he is a liar, and the father of it." So, what was the first lie ever told? "Ye shall not surely die." Gen. 3:4-5. This first lie is still believed by the vast majority of nominal Christians. They believe it when their ministers tell them "The Bible says that when you die, you're more alive than ever!" The lie was made to be believable by including it with some truth, i.e., "your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." – God said they would die. Satan said they would not die. The nominal church seems to believe what Satan said and they reject what God said. |
| 10 So I went in and saw; and behold every form of creeping things, and abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, portrayed upon the wall round about. |
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So I went in and saw – The seventh messenger examined the teachings and practices of Christendom, but did not participate in them.
Creeping things – Not all creeping things were unclean to Israel. Thus it would seem that while much of what is being described here is unclean (un-truths) it may be mingled with some creeping things that were clean (i.e., with some truths.) This is how they made their doctrines of devils appear to be true.
Abominable beasts – Like the papal beast, the Roman beast, etc.
All the idols of the house of Israel – Not just of Jerusalem (the capital city – government) but of all nominal spiritual Israel. All the false doctrines and practices that they worshiped, making excuses for and re-defining the second commandment – "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.." Exo. 20:4-6
Portrayed on the wall round about – These were displayed on (or by) the wall (the civil power) protecting mystic Babylon. Compare Rev. 16:13-14. |
| 11 And there stood before them seventy men of the ancients of the house of Israel, and in the midst of them stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan, with every man his censer in his hand; and a thick cloud of incense went up. |
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There – In that inner sanctum of Churchianity.
Stood before them – Stood as the leaders upholding and representing these false doctrines and practices.
Seventy men of the ancients of the house of Israel – The 70 men of old Israel were the Sanhedrin. Since this prophetic picture is not way back at the time of old Israel but is at the time of the second advent of our Lord, we must look for an understanding in harmony with that time. Since the 70, the Sanhedrin, were the instructors of Israel concerning religious matters, the religious leaders of their day, it stands to reason that these 70 men would be the same except that they would be the religious leaders of Christendom, the DD's at the time of our Lord's return. See Expanded Comments for Isa. 56:10.
In the midst of them – In the midst or center of them. This seems to suggest the Pope who, like Caiaphas, twisted the truth for his own evil ends. He was the head of the Christendom.
Stood Jaazaniah –
Here is one who is supposed to be listening to Jehovah, but instead he is in the midst of the 70 men performing abominations in the (nominal) house of God. He has taken as part of his name, a contracted form of Jah, the sacred name of God. This seems to carry the thought of "the Lord, most vehement," i.e., his name suggests that he is "magnifying God's justice with a zeal He will not own." – see also Additional Comments 2 Thess. 2:4.
Son of Shaphan – He conceals the truth of God from his companions (or his "flock") and tries to hide himself in the rocks. – Possibly indicating a reference to Rev. 6:15-16.
Every man his censer in his hand – The censer (coal pan) contained the coals of fire upon which the incense was to be placed. This was only to be done by the priests. The scriptures describe God's word as "hail stones and coals of fire." Psa. 18:13
A thick cloud of incense went up – There is only one other place in the Old Testament where a cloud [H6051] of incense [H7004] went up. This was what the High Priest was to do on the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16:13.) So these 70 men were performing that which was only lawful for the One (not 70) High Priest (our Lord Jesus) to do. We saw something like this one other time in scripture, and we note the result. Lev. 10:1,2 – R3760 |
| 12 Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, The LORD seeth us not; the LORD hath forsaken the earth. |
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Then he brought me – It was not Pastor Russell who chose to go to (examine) the conditions in Christendom, it was God. "He brought me.."
Hast thou seen – Did you follow my instructions and dig into (investigate)?
The ancients of the house of Israel – The leaders of Ecclesiastism (the Gospel Age equivalent to the Sanhedrin.)
Do in the dark – Some things were in the open but that which is done in the dark (hidden from public view) would include their various scheming plots (as when they attempted to smear Br. Russell's reputation.)
In the chambers of their imagery – Surrounded and influenced by the false doctrines they worshiped.
For they say – Here comes their reasoning...
The LORD seeth us not – "We do not really believe in the True God. He does not see that we are scheming to defraud the people for our own selfish reasons."
The LORD hath forsaken the earth – "Either God does not care for the people of our society, or He does not even exist. If He did, we would not be able to get away with all we do." |
| 13 He said also unto me, Turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations that they do. |
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Turn thee yet again – Look again and examine still more closely.
Thou shalt see greater abominations that they do – What could be greater than they have already done?
It may be that what makes the abominations greater is that it is done during the time when the light is getting so much brighter making their responsibility that much greater. |
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| 14 Then he brought me to the door of the gate of the LORD'S house which was toward the north; and, behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz. |
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Then said he unto me – God said to the 7th Messenger – Son of man.
The door of the gate – The entrance into the "gateway to God" (what Christendom claimed to be.)
The LORD's house – The temple of God ("which temple ye are." 1 Cor. 3:17) We need to remember that Christendom (Christ's Kingdom falsely so-called) was Satan's counterfeit of the True.
Which was toward the north – The direction associated with God and His throne.
There sat women – Sat, i.e., not progressing – A25:2. Women = churches.
Weeping for Tammuz – R1990
From the secret abominations of the chambers of imagery, the prophet's eye is turned to the outer court at the north door; within the outer court women were not admitted, but only to the door. sat – the attitude of mourners ( Job 2:13; Isa 3:26). Tammuz – from a Hebrew root, "to melt down." Instead of weeping for the national sins, they wept for the idol. Tammuz (the Syrian for Adonis), the paramour of Venus, and of the same name as the river flowing from Lebanon; killed by a wild boar, and, according to the fable, permitted to spend half the year on earth, and obliged to spend the other half in the lower world. An annual feast was celebrated to him in June (hence called Tammuz in the Jewish calendar) at Byblos, when the Syrian women, in wild grief, tore off their hair and yielded their persons to prostitution, consecrating the hire of their infamy to Venus; next followed days of rejoicing for his return to the earth; the former feast being called "the disappearance of Adonis," the latter, "the finding of Adonis." This Phoenician feast answered to the similar Egyptian one in honor of Osiris. The idea thus fabled was that of the waters of the river and the beauties of spring destroyed by the summer heat. Or else, the earth being clothed with beauty, during the half year when the sun is in the upper hemisphere, and losing it when he departs to the lower. The name Adonis is not here used, as Adon is the appropriated title of Jehovah. – JFB
We suggest that an additional thought. They are "weeping for Tammuz" because they are mourning the loss of the kind of superstitious control they once had over the people (especially during the dark ages.) It has by this time become much more difficult to "pull the wool over their eyes."
The following reference on Tammuz was suggested by one of the brethren. Cross-Christian-Banner-Pagan-Relic.htm Once there look under the heading "Tammuz and the Cross." |
| 15 Then said he unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations than these. |
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See vs. 13. |
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| 16 And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD'S house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east. |
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He brought me – Same comment as in vs. 14.
The inner court – This seems to correspond to the Court of he Tabernacle.
Of the LORD's house – This was supposed to be the House of God but instead it became a counterfeit.
The door of the temple – In the Tabernacle, full consecration to God was indicated at the door to the Holy. This is where the priests were consecrated 7 days and also where the Lord's goat and the scape-goat were tied, picturing the same thing.
Of the LORD – This is God's temple. – "Which temple ye are." 1 Cor. 3:17
Between the porch and the altar – The altar is for sacrifices of various kinds made to God (on the Day of Atonement this is where both the Bullock and the Lord's goat were sacrificed.) The detailed explanation makes it clear where they are. In the Tabernacle there was no porch.
Twenty-five men – The twenty-five men could have reference to the 24 Elders (Topic: Twenty Four Elders) where the 24 prophets plus the pope.
If the "inner court" corresponds to the "court" of the Tabernacle, this is the place of the tentatively justified who are appreciating the sacrifice of Christ (on the altar) and are desireous of a closer relationship with God. They have already made the consecration to righteousness. (F124:2) They (during the Gospel Age) are progressing toward full consecration (shown at the "door" leading to the "Holy."
These are supposed to be consecrated to righteousness and progressing toward full consecration to the Lord.
With their backs toward the temple of the LORD – This is all wrong. If they were truly consecrated to God they would never turn their backs on Him or His true temple!
Their faces toward the east – In the Tabernacle a progression is shown from the east to the west, coming from the camp (world desirous of knowing God) to the court (condition of the tentatively justified) to the Holy (the spirit-begotten condition) to the Most Holy (the spirit-born condition, in the actual presence of God.) These 25 men are facing in the opposite direction.
They worshipped the sun towards the east – Worshiping not the true God but following after the worship of Egypt who worshiped the Sun-god. Rom. 1:22-25; Deut. 17:2-5; Jer. 8:1-2.
We have all seen pictures of Muslims at prayer, bowing down with their faces to the ground towards the east and their backsides to the west. In order to progress towards the Most Holy one must face the west. |
| 17 Then he said unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? for they have filled the land with violence, and have returned to provoke me to anger: and, lo, they put the branch to their nose. |
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Hast thou seen this – The Seventh Messenger was required to be observant. He needed to recognize what was taking place with the false doctrines and practices of those who had taken the name of Christ – Christendom (Christ's Kingdom, falsely so-called.)
Son of man – See Son of man.
Is it a light thing – A thing of little consequence.
To the house of Judah – Judah was the Royal tribe. The tribe of Judah often pictures the nominal Protestant church. – R2360; R2401
They – ?? Is this referring to "The house of Israel" or to the "twenty-five" men? It is difficult to verify from the various translations if this is done to the house of Judah or by the house of Judah. If the Standard Version is correct then it would seem that this is being done by the 25 men to the house of Judah.
Commit the abominations which they commit here – It would seem this text is not only letting us know of the LORD's disgust with the practices but there is a stress laid upon the location. "Which they commit here, in the court, in front of the temple." This is the place where His servants make consecration to the Lord.
Filled the land with violence – The territory of Christendom (basically Europe). They have, by attempting to hold on to their fraudulently obtained power and positions, aided in setting up the environment which leads to violence.
Have returned – To return is to go back to a place you have previously been. The religious leaders of the nominal church had been in their position throughout the Gospel Age. Now that the Harvest has come they were presented with the opportunity to join with Pastor Russell (see vs. 1) in presenting the Present Truth and in being used of the now reigning King. But they, instead of recognizing the change, attempted to go back (return) to that position of favor (from which they had been cast off in 1878.)
To provoke me to anger – This action (described above) is in opposition to the Lord's command to "come out of her my people" and this opposition is what provokes the Lord's anger.
They put the branch to their nose – According to Br. Fisher (FM416) – The last clause should read. "They send a stench to My nostrils."
The NLT reads "thumbing their noses at me."
CEV reads "They have disgraced and insulted me in the worst possible way."
The word "branch" is Strong's H2156. The first usage is in Num. 13:23 where, when they first came to the promised land, Israel's spies came to Hebron "and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff." – The point here is that this seems to be referring to a grapevine, i.e., the "vine of the earth," the false vine of church and state, Christendom. |
| 18 Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them. |
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Therefore – Because of all the continued defiance of the LORD...
Will I – God is about to take action.
Deal in fury – Strong's H2534God's fury, His wrath is shown in the pouring out of the Seven Last Plagues – "for in them is filled up the wrath of God." Rev. 15:1
It is worth noticing that the Septuagint translation (Greek Old Testament w/Strong's) uses G2372 for the Hebrew H2534. G2372 is the same word used in Rev. 15:1, referring to the "seven last plagues," where it is translated "wrath."
Mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity – Please see Additional Comments Eze. 7:4.
Though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice – Remember that they are the representatives of Mystic Babylon who did not listen to the cries of the saints when they were torturing them. Rev. 6:9,10
Yet will I not hear them – Why will not the LORD hear them when they thus cry? Because of all their abominations and because of their treatment of His saints. |