[1] Again in the ninth year, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, [2] Son of man, write thee the name of the day, even of this same day: the king of Babylon set himself against Jerusalem this same day. [3] And utter a parable unto the rebellious house, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Set on a pot, set it on, and also pour water into it: [4] Gather the pieces thereof into it, even every good piece, the thigh, and the shoulder; fill it with the choice bones. [5] Take the choice of the flock, and burn also the bones under it, and make it boil well, and let them seethe the bones of it therein.
Verses 1-2 Expanded Bible Comments
| Again in the ninth year, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, [2] Son of man, write thee the name of the day, even of this same day: the king of Babylon set himself against Jerusalem this same day. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| What literal event in Israel took place "in the ninth year, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month?" | "The king of Babylon set himself against Jerusalem this same day." 2 Kings 25:1; Jer. 52:4; Jer. 39:1 |
| What is the "Son of man" told to do? | "Write thee the name of the day, even this same day." |
| What is the significance of the day when the King of Babylon "set himself against Jerusalem?" | This was the day when God began the seige of Jerusalem to punish them for all their sins against Him and His laws. We should note: this is NOT the beginning of the desolation of the land. It is the beginning of God's retribution against Jerusalem. |
| How does the beginning of the final seige of Jerusalem relate to God's instruction to "the Son of man" to "write thee the name of the day?" | This would seem to be the beginning of the final judgment against Christendom. We have seen throughout the book of Ezekiel that Jerusalem pictures Christendom. While there is more than one candidate for the year involved here, it would appear the most likely date would be 1878 when the nominal church systems were cast off. If not 1878 then 1881 when the first of the seven last plagues was poured out. What is the name of this day? "The Day of the LORD;" "The Day of the LORD'S Wrath;" "The Day of Judgment;" "The Day of trouble." |
Verse 3 Expanded Bible Comments
| And utter a parable unto the rebellious house, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Set on a pot, set it on, and also pour water into it: | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| What kind of message is being given and what does that mean? | "A parable." R1000; R1086; R5707 |
| Who is "the rebellious house?" | Nominal Christendom. Note the punishment for a rebellious son in Israel. Deu. 21:18-21; Jer. 25:29 |
| What is the message Br. Russell gave them? | Nothing! The correct thought is: "Thus saith the Lord GOD." |
Verses 4-5 Expanded Bible Comments
| [vs 3 - Set on a pot, set it on, and also pour water into it:] Gather the pieces thereof into it, even every good piece, the thigh, and the shoulder; fill it with the choice bones. [5] Take the choice of the flock, and burn also the bones under it, and make it boil well, and let them seethe the bones of it therein. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| What is the message "the Lord GOD" told Br. Russell to give to "the rebellious house?" | Beginning from "Set on a pot.." through the end of verse 5. |
| What is suggested by "set on a pot, set it on?" | Think cooking. Get a pot and place it over a fire. In other words, prepare a meal. |
| What does that indicate? | Whatever is going into that pot is about to be cooked, it is going to get very hot. |
| What is the first thing placed into the pot and what might that picture? | Water. Water pictures Truth. It also pictures peoples. Rev. 17:15. |
| "Gather the pieces therof into it.." Pieces of what? | The beginning of verse 5 tells us it is "The choice of the flock." While it does specify what kind of animal, it does say "the flock" which seems to indicate sheep. |
| What kind of animal pieces are to go into the pot? | "Every good piece, the thigh, and the shoulder." |
| What is pictured by these pieces of the animal? | (1) Could this be picturing those within the false system who are desireous of learning more about the truth? Those who are in need of present truth (whether in the court or the holy) and may be of those who need to be sealed in the forehead? C211:2(2) If this is being prepared for a meal, these "pieces" would represent the best ("choice") doctrines of (so-called) Christendom. |
| As the Standard Version may not seem too clear, we include the RVIC in hopes it may be a little clearer. | |
| Set on the caldron, set it on, and also pour water into it: [4] gather the pieces thereof into it, even every good piece, the thigh, and the shoulder; fill it with the choice bones. [5] Take the choice of the flock, and also a pile of wood for the bones under the caldron; make it boil well; yes, let the bones thereof be boiled in the midst of it. | |
| What are the "choice bones" and what is done with them? | It would appear these are the larger, stronger bones (leg bones.) These are eventually boiled in with the choice parts of the animal. |
| "Let them seethe the bones of it therein." What is pictured by this? | |
[6] Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the bloody city, to the pot whose scum is therein, and whose scum is not gone out of it! bring it out piece by piece; let no lot fall upon it. [7] For her blood is in the midst of her; she set it upon the top of a rock; she poured it not upon the ground, to cover it with dust; [8] That it might cause fury to come up to take vengeance; I have set her blood upon the top of a rock, that it should not be covered. [9] Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the bloody city! I will even make the pile for fire great. [10] Heap on wood, kindle the fire, consume the flesh, and spice it well, and let the bones be burned. [11] Then set it empty upon the coals thereof, that the copper of it may be hot, and may burn, and that the filthiness of it may be molten in it, that the scum of it may be consumed. [12] She hath wearied herself with lies, and her great scum went not forth out of her: her scum shall be in the fire. [13] In thy filthiness is lewdness: because I have purged thee, and thou wast not purged, thou shalt not be purged from thy filthiness any more, till I have caused my fury to rest upon thee. [14] I the LORD have spoken it: it shall come to pass, and I will do it; I will not go back, neither will I spare, neither will I repent; according to thy ways, and according to thy doings, shall they judge thee, saith the Lord GOD.
Verse 6 Expanded Bible Comments
| Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the bloody city, to the pot whose scum is therein, and whose scum is not gone out of it! bring it out piece by piece; let no lot fall upon it. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| What is "the bloody city?" | Jerusalem, picturing Christendom. |
| Why is Jerusalem (Christendom) called "the bloody city?" | Rev. 18:21,24; Rev. 6:9-10 |
| To what does "the Lord GOD" compare this "bloody city?" | To a pot filled with scum. – Note: several translations translate "scum" as "rust." |
| What is to be done with its contents? | It is to be brought "out piece by piece." |
| What does that mean? | (1) Each individual Christian obeying the command to "come out of her my people." Rev. 18:4(2) Each of the major doctrines of Christendom being exposed for their falsehood, one by one, as is done in volumes 4 and 5. |
| What is meant by "let no lot fall upon it?" | Two goats were tied to the door of the Tabernacle, the Lord's goat and the scapegoat. (Lev. 16:7-8) Which became the Lord's goat and witch became the scape-goat was determined by casting lots. This is saying that none of the meat taken from within this pot shall be chosen to be of the spirit-begotten class. |
Verses 7-8 Expanded Bible Comments
| For her blood is in the midst of her; she set it upon the top of a rock; she poured it not upon the ground, to cover it with dust; [8] That it might cause fury to come up to take vengeance; I have set her blood upon the top of a rock, that it should not be covered. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| "Her blood is in the midst of her." To whom does this apply? | Christendom – Rev. 18:21,24 |
| What is meant by "she set it upon the top of a rock?" | In plain view where all can see it. |
| What's the big deal with her not pouring the blood "upon the ground, to cover it with dust?" What is pictured by "cover it with dust?" |
Please see Lev. 17:10-14. Note especially vs. 11, speaking of the blood – "I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls."Gen. 3:19 may have bearing here. |
| Why would setting her blood "upon the top of a rock" "cause fury to come up to take vengeance?" | According to the last line of Lev. 17:13 the blood of any animal "that may be eaten; he shall even pour out the blood thereof, and cover it with dust."Instead of covering up the blood, these set it upon the top of a rock, in plain view.Also the result of this action caused "fury to come up to take vengeance." God's fury, anger is displayed in the seven last plagues. – Rev. 6:10; 15:1. |
| Speaking of "her blood" in verse 7 we read "she set it upon the top of a rock." Here in verse 8 we read "I have set her blood upon the top of a rock." Did "she" do this or did "I"? – Please explain. | God used so-called Christendom to do this as She was a willing participant. |
| What is the importance of "it should not be covered?" | Looking again at Lev. 17:15-16 we find that for a man who has killed an animal for food to be clean he must pour out the blood and cover it with dust. Also "he shall both wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even: then shall he be clean. 16 But if he wash them not, nor bathe his flesh; then he shall bear his iniquity." |
Verses 9-10 Expanded Bible Comments
| Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the bloody city! I will even make the pile for fire great. [10] Heap on wood, kindle the fire, consume the flesh, and spice it well, and let the bones be burned. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| Did Brother Russell say that he would bring trouble upon Christendom? | No! "Thus saith the Lord GOD." |
| Is this a message of peace to Christendom? | It literally is a message of "Woe to the bloody city," to (so-called) Christendom. |
| Who is doing the work described in these verses? | "The Lord GOD." "I will even make.." |
| The first work described is: "make the pile for the fire great." Remembering that this message is given to "Son of Man" (verse 2), What does that tell us was about to happen? | "The bloody city" (Christendom) is about to be burned, destroyed. |
| What is symbolized by: "Heap on wood?" | This sounds a lot like D272:3. |
| ".. kindle the fire?" | Start the fire. Fire is symbolic of anarchy, destruction. This appears to have reference to the beginning of the pouring out of the seven last plagues – 1881. |
| ".. consume the flesh?" | "The flesh" refers to the fallen human (worldly) ideas of that being consumed. |
| ".. spice it well?" | Remember that this is a meal being prepared. Rev. 19:15-21 |
| ".. Let the bones be burned." What are "bones" symbolic of? | We suggest they symbolize hope. Eze. 37:11 |
Verse 11 Expanded Bible Comments
| Then set it empty upon the coals thereof, that the copper of it may be hot, and may burn, and that the filthiness of it may be molten in it, that the scum of it may be consumed. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| "Set it empty upon the coals.." What is "it?" | "It" refers to the "pot" mentioned in verse 3. |
| Why "upon the coals thereof?" What are pictured by "the coals?" | Present Truth, the 7 last plagues. Psa. 18:12-13 |
| What is pictured by this pot being made of copper? | Copper pictures perfect or justified human nature. R1849; T17:3 This pot pictures Christendom which claimed to be the true church (thus, supposedly containing all the justified) we can see why the pot is made of copper. |
| What is implied by "it may be hot, and may burn?" | It is about to be placed in the fire. |
| What is the purpose of this fire? | The same as it is with the Lord's people. We are to be tried by fire. Mal. 3:2-3 In other words, they are to be put to the test. |
| The results of this test are described in two ways. Please describe what is meant by (1) "That the filthiness of it may be molten in it?" and (2) "That the scum of it may be consumed?" |
(1) The "filthiness" appears to be more related to the false doctrines and practices of Christendom. This becoming "molten in it" is like something becoming baked in to a pot or pan so that it becomes part of it. (2) The "scum" appears to relate more to that which is being cooked, the people in the pews. These should have been consumed by the fire, i.e., they should have left these churches. |
Verse 12 Expanded Bible Comments
| She hath wearied herself with lies, and her great scum went not forth out of her: her scum shall be in the fire. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| What were her lies? | Her multitudenous false claims: She is the ony gateway to heaven; Divine right of clergy; Believe in us or go to hell, etc. |
| How did these lies cause her to become "wearied?" | These false claims became more and more difficult to support to a people now becoming more enlightened by the dawning rays of the new day. |
| "Her great scum went not forth out of her." What does this mean? | The lies and false doctrines should have been enough to drive out from Christendom all of her members. They, however, were more comfortable in their "social clubs" than in the Truth, so they remained in her. R2428; R4698; R4878 |
Verse 13 Expanded Bible Comments
| In thy filthiness is lewdness: because I have purged thee, and thou wast not purged, thou shalt not be purged from thy filthiness any more, till I have caused my fury to rest upon thee. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| What does "lewdness" mean? | Lewdness is Strong's H2154 Strong's H2154 The definition might lead one to think it is simply a plan. This will lead us astray. Consider how it is translated;זַמָּה זִמָּה zimmâh zammâh zim-maw', zam-maw' From H2161; a plan, especially a bad one: - heinous crime, lewd (-ly, -ness), mischief, purpose, thought, wicked (device, mind, -ness). In Leviticus, 4 times - wickedness Judges, 1 time - lewdness Job, 1 time - my purposes; 1 time - an heiness crime Psalms, 2 times - mischief Proverbs, mischef; a wicked mind; the thought (of foolishness) Isaiah, wicked devices Jeremiah, lewdness Ezekiel, 14 times - lewd; lewdly; lewdness Hosea, lewdness. In all the above cases the common element is some form of wickedness. The fact that "a plan" is part of this definition lets us know that this wickedness is deliberate. |
| How could this be true: "I have purged thee, and thou wast not purged?" If God has purged them, how could it be possible that they were not purged? Please explain. | Remember that fire is what is used to first purify the Truth which is then used to "Purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver." Mal. 3:2-3 |
| "Thou shalt not be purged from thy filthiness any more." Who is "thou?" | "The bloody city," Christendom. |
| What is the meaning of "Thou shalt not be purged from thy filthiness any more?" | They failed to respond with any repentance of their evil deeds. Because of this the Lord's patience with them is over. |
Verse 14 Expanded Bible Comments
| I the LORD have spoken it: it shall come to pass, and I will do it; I will not go back, neither will I spare, neither will I repent; according to thy ways, and according to thy doings, shall they judge thee, saith the Lord GOD. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| "I the LORD have spoken it: it shall come to pass, and I will do it; I will not go back." How certain are we that these things are to take place? | Much more than the phrase "You can take that to the bank." |
| "Neither will I spare, neither will I repent." Where else have we seen the LORD use this language in Ezekiel? | Eze. 8:18. Consider also Jer. 51:9 and Hos. 7:1-3 |
| "According to thy ways, and according to thy doings." Which of God's four attributes is involved here? | Justice. |
| "Shall they judge thee." Who is to "judge thee?" | By comparing a few translations it would appear that the thought here is that her ways and her doings are "they" which judge her. It is her own actions that judge her. |
[15] Also the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, [16] Son of man, behold, I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke: yet neither shalt thou mourn nor weep, neither shall thy tears run down. [17] Forbear to cry, make no mourning for the dead, bind the tire of thine head upon thee, and put on thy shoes upon thy feet, and cover not thy lips, and eat not the bread of men. [18] So I spake unto the people in the morning: and at even my wife died; and I did in the morning as I was commanded.
Verses 15-16 Expanded Bible Comments
| Also the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, [16] Son of man, behold, I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes with a stroke: yet neither shalt thou mourn nor weep, neither shall thy tears run down. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| What is implied by the fact that "the word of the LORD came unto me.." again, considering that this was also stated in verse 1? | This lets us know that this is a different vision also given to "Son of man." Additionally we should also note that, while this is a new vision, it still stands related to the previous vision (vss. 1-14). |
| What is "the desire of thine eyes?" | Strong's H4261 Of the 12 occurrences of this Hebrew word, the only place where "desire" is used as the translation of this word (in KJV) is here in Ezekiel 24. The other 9 refer to "pleasant," "goodly," "lovely," and once "beloved" (Hos. 9:16.) Translations include "pleasant in thine eyes"; "the goodly vessels"; etc.We suggest that "the desire" of his eyes was the nominal church vision of the Gospel of Christ. God removed that from him (in 1881) with a single stroke. See R5909. This thought will be discussed later, when we get to verse 21.מַחְמָד machmâd makh-mawd' From H2530; delightful; hence a delight, that is, object of affection or desire: - beloved, desire, goodly, lovely, pleasant (thing). Total KJV occurrences: 12 |
| "Neither shalt thou mourn nor weep, neither shall thy tears run down." Was this a command or simply a statement of fact? | In Lev. 10:1-7 is the account of Nadab and Abihu being slain by God because they offered "strange fire" unto the Lord. In vss. 6-7 Aaron and his two remaining sons were warned not to mourn for the loss of these family members "lest ye die." They were to accept the judgment of the LORD. |
Verse 17 Expanded Bible Comments
| Forbear to cry, make no mourning for the dead, bind the tire of thine head upon thee, and put on thy shoes upon thy feet, and cover not thy lips, and eat not the bread of men. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| Why was he not "to cry", nor to make "mourning for the dead?" | Because "the dead" were those false doctrines and practices of Christendom, and (by extension) those who had the opportunity to become the Lord's people in her. |
| What is "the tire of thine head?" | Strong's H6287 This had reference to the "linen bonnets" worn by the priests [the under-priests] (Exo. 39:28; Eze. 44:18).פְּאֵר pe'êr peh-ayr' From H6286; an embellishment, that is, fancy head dress: - beauty, bonnet, goodly, ornament, tire. We also note it had reference to decoration, to things of beauty. (Isa. 61:3,10. The word "beauty" in verse 3 and the word "ornaments" in verse 10 are the same Hebrew word: H6287.) |
| Why the instruction to "put shoes upon thy feet?" | Because he was to walk the narrow way (Matt. 7:14) and be prepared for this long journey "with the gospel of peace." – See also Isa. 52:7. |
| Why was he instructed to "cover not thy lips?" | Because it was his special mission to proclaim the True Gospel to the world, especially to the nominal church systems. See Eze. 9, especially verse 4. [For those interested in a detailed analysis of, see Bible Topics Ezekiel chapter 9.] |
| What is meant by "eat not the bread of men?" | The food (bread), this "pot scum" coming from mystic Babylon was the bread of men. It was not fit for consumption by even the tentatively justified. "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Matt. 4:4 |
Verse 18 Expanded Bible Comments
| So I spake unto the people in the morning: and at even my wife died; and I did in the morning as I was commanded. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| "I spake.." Who spoke? | "Son of Man," i.e., Pastor Russell being used as the Lord's mouthpiece. vss. 15-16. |
| To whom, and when did he speak? | To: "the people" When: "in the morning" of the new day, "the day of the Lord." |
| What happened "at evening?" | "My wife died." |
| What does this picture? | In a more literal sense it may have reference to Pastor Russell's wife Maria who had been such a wonderful help mate to him until she was influenced to turn against him. Certainly, as a helper in the Truth, she "died" to him.
For a detailed look at the painful trying experiences in this regard we refer to R3808 beginning with the heading "TRUTH IS STRANGER THAN FICTION." While quite lengthy it is helpful to read all the way to the end of that edition (on R3828.)Another suggestion is that the "wife" (Strong's H802) is also used simply as "woman" in scripture. His "woman" dying in the evening may have reference to those still in Babylon but not coming out in time to keep their crowns. |
| "I did in the morning as I was commanded." What does this last sentence mean? | That from the beginning of the new day (in the morning) he did as he was commanded to do. This should sound very familiar. Eze. 9:11. |
[19] And the people said unto me, Wilt thou not tell us what these things are to us, that thou doest so? [20] Then I answered them, The word of the LORD came unto me, saying, [21] Speak unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will profane my sanctuary, the excellency of your strength, the desire of your eyes, and that which your soul pitieth; and your sons and your daughters whom ye have left shall fall by the sword. [22] And ye shall do as I have done: ye shall not cover your lips, nor eat the bread of men. [23] And your tires shall be upon your heads, and your shoes upon your feet: ye shall not mourn nor weep; but ye shall pine away for your iniquities, and mourn one toward another. [24] Thus Ezekiel is unto you a sign: according to all that he hath done shall ye do: and when this cometh, ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD.
Verse 19 Expanded Bible Comments
| And the people said unto me, Wilt thou not tell us what these things are to us, that thou doest so? | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| Who are "the people" and who is "me?" | In Ezekiel's day "the people" referred to the fleshly house of Israel and "me" referred to the one delivering the message, i.e., the prophet Ezekiel. During the Second Presence of our Lord "the people" referred to the nominal spiritual house of Israel and "me" referred to the one delivering the message, i.e., Pastor Russell. |
| MKJV: "Will you not tell us what these things mean to us, that you do so?" What does this mean? | The sense of this seems to be: "What are you doing and what does this mean to those of us who are still in the nominal church and want to follow the Lord?" – This would seem to be the same class described in Eze. 9:4. |
Verse 20 Expanded Bible Comments
| Then I answered them, The word of the LORD came unto me, saying, | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| In what manner does the Seventh Messenger answer those remaining in the nominal church? | "The word of the LORD came unto me." A347:2 |
Verse 21 Expanded Bible Comments
| Speak unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will profane my sanctuary, the excellency of your strength, the desire of your eyes, and that which your soul pitieth; and your sons and your daughters whom ye have left shall fall by the sword. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| To whom does he speak? | "Unto the house of Israel," i.e., to the nominal Christian church. |
| By what authority does he speak? | "Thus saith the Lord GOD." This is why he constantly referred to Scripture for proof of what he taught, i.e., that it was not from him but from God. We again refer to A347:2 |
| "I will profane my sanctuary.." How can this be! How can God profane His sanctuary? | Actually it is the false (imitation) church which does this and God permits it to be done. The temple consisted of both the sanctuary class (the saints, the spirit begotten) and the host (all others.) Christendom claimed to be the Kingdom of God [Union of state (iron) and church (clay) Dan. 2:40-45] with the religious element (supposedly) being the true church. |
| What else is pictured by "my sanctuary?" | 1) "the excellency of your strength" 2) "the desire of your eyes" 3) "that which your soul pitieth" #3) is also translated as: the object of your affection the longing of your soul the desire of your soul your soul's longing the yearning of your soul Referring back to verse 16, the Lord said "Son of man, behold, I take away from thee the desire of thine eyes." In this verse He says the same thing to the nominal house in His explanation of what constitutes "my santuary," i.e., "the excellency of your strength," "the desire of your eyes," and "your soul's longing." While he already understood that Christendom had been cast off (1878), the importance of what he realized in 1881 (R5909) as it relates to God's true sanctuary and who makes up the classes in it (as pictured by the animals used in the Tabernacle) clarified his view of God's plan relative to His people. – "We would have healed Babylon but she is not healed.." Jer. 51:9 |
| Who are (1) "your sons and your daughters?" and what is meant by (2) "whom ye have left?" | 1) Those raised in those systems. 2) Those who did not leave. |
| How do they "fall by the sword?" | Heb. 4:12 |
Verse 22 Expanded Bible Comments
| And ye shall do as I have done: ye shall not cover your lips, nor eat the bread of men. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Suggested Answer |
| Why would "Son of man" tell the nominal "house of Israel" to "do as I have done?" | Because he is not a hypocrite. |
| Why did he tell them "ye shall not cover your lips?" | Because that is exactly what the Lord told him in verse 17. There is also a principle involved here. The nominal church systems were not telling the truth (how could they, for the most part they had lost it.) By speaking out (croaking like frogs - Rev. 16:13-14) the Lord would apply the principle found in Luke 19:22. |
| Why were they told not to "eat the bread of men?" Weren't their false doctrines "the bread of men?" | Yes but they still claimed that this was the Word of God and therefore they were supposed to speak it forth. |
Verse 23 Expanded Bible Comments
| And your tires shall be upon your heads, and your shoes upon your feet: ye shall not mourn nor weep; but ye shall pine away for your iniquities, and mourn one toward another. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| What is pictured by "your tires?" | Literally these were the "linen bonnets" worn by the under-priests who pictured the church. The high priest (picturing our Lord) did not wear a head covering, indicating that He was the head of the body. We should remember that this is the Lord's instruction to "me" (literally Ezekiel, symbolically Pastor Russell) to "Speak unto the house of Israel" (the nominal Christian house – vs 21). To the leaders of the false system he says, 'Wear linen bonnets which are indicators that you are submissive to the true head of the church and follow His instructions instead of following "cunningly devised fables."' In other words, 'Do not be hypocrites! Live up to your claims to be true followers of the Lamb.' |
| What is meant by "and your shoes upon your feet?" | They were supposed to "walk the narrow way." |
| "Ye shall not mourn nor weep?" What reasons would they have to weep and be mournful? | Because of God's declaration (via His messenger) in verse 21. |
| Why were they told to "not mourn nor weep?" | For the same reason that the "Son of man" was told the same thing in verse 16. All followers of the Lord should recognize His unerring love and judgment in all His ways. Again see Lev. 10:6-7. |
| Please explain "ye shall pine away for your iniquities." | To "pine away" is "to become thin and weak because of sadness or loss" – Webster. We note that this does not say "ye shall immediately become practically nothing," but instead will "pine away," indicating this happens rather gradually. "For your iniquities" relates to their false practices and misrepresentations of God and His character as taught in their false doctrines. |
| Please explain "ye.. shall mourn one toward another." | They are mourning (even though instructed not to do so) because "your sons and your daughters whom ye have left shall fall by the sword." |
Verse 24 Expanded Bible Comments
| Thus Ezekiel is unto you a sign: according to all that he hath done shall ye do: and when this cometh, ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD. | |
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| Question | Suggested Answer |
| We repeat, in essence, the same comment made in verse 19. In Ezekiel's day "Ezekiel" referred to the one delivering the message, i.e., the prophet Ezekiel. During the Second Presence of our Lord "Ezekiel" referred to the one delivering the message, i.e., Pastor Russell. |
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| How was Ezekiel or Pastor Russell "a sign" to the nominal house of Israel? | The same way any prophet of the Lord is a sign. When they speak concerning the Lord's word, their words come to pass. Eze. 2:5; Eze. 33:33 |
| What was it that Pastor Russell was to do that the nominal church was to do? Follow-up question: What does this entail? |
The verse says: "according to all that he hath done.." We suggest it means to use all means to spread the Gospel of the Kingdom, and especially the transfer of power from Satan to Christ, beginning in 1914. |
| Did they (the nominal church) really do "all that he (Seventh Messenger) hath done?" | They tried. Consider (for example) the Russell-Eaton and Russell-White debates. |
| "When this cometh, ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD." Please explain this part of the verse. | The following translations seem to clarify the meaning the first part: "when this takes place, you will be certain that I am the Lord." - BBE "then you will know the LORD God has made these things happen." - CEV "When this shall come to pass: and you shall know that I am the Lord God." - DRB "That time of punishment will come, and then you will know that I am the Lord GOD." - ERV The remainder of the verse tells us that when the nominal church (and especially the great company still in it) had to deal with "the Great War," they realized that it was indeed God who did it, and that the warning from the Lord through His prophet (Br. Russell) should have been heeded. |
[25] Also, thou son of man, shall it not be in the day when I take from them their strength, the joy of their glory, the desire of their eyes, and that whereupon they set their minds, their sons and their daughters, [26] That he that escapeth in that day shall come unto thee, to cause thee to hear it with thine ears? [27] In that day shall thy mouth be opened to him which is escaped, and thou shalt speak, and be no more dumb: and thou shalt be a sign unto them; and they shall know that I am the LORD.
Verse 25 Expanded Bible Comments
| Also, thou son of man, shall it not be in the day when I take from them their strength, the joy of their glory, the desire of their eyes, and that whereupon they set their minds, their sons and their daughters, | |
|---|---|
| Question | Suggested Answer |
| To whom is the LORD speaking? | Thou Son of Man." |
| What is the time period when this applies? | "In the day when I take from them their strength,.. glory,.. desire of their eyes," etc. All of this must be during the ministry of the Seventh Messenger (since he is the one being addressed.) |
| What is it that the LORD takes away from the nominal church? | The same things He did in verse verse 21. |
| Upon whom did "they set their minds?" | The same as in verse verse 21, "their sons and their daughters." |
Verse 26 Expanded Bible Comments
| That he that escapeth in that day shall come unto thee, to cause thee to hear it with thine ears? | |
|---|---|
| Question | Suggested Answer |
| Who is "he that escapeth in that day?" | The Lord's people responding to the call. Rev. 18:4; Isa. 52:11; Jer. 51:45 |
| When does he escape? | "In that day." |
| Where does he escape to? | He "shall come unto thee," i.e., unto the Seventh Messenger, or rather, to the Lord by coming to the message of Present Truth which the Seventh Messenger is proclaiming. |
| What does "to cause thee to hear it with thine ears" mean? | We suggest reading the "interesting letters" found scattered throughout the Towers. These gave the message to Br. Russell very clearly just how much the message of Present Truth meant to those who responded to it and "came out" of that false system. CR12:7 |
Verse 27 Expanded Bible Comments
| In that day shall thy mouth be opened to him which is escaped, and thou shalt speak, and be no more dumb: and thou shalt be a sign unto them; and they shall know that I am the LORD. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Suggested Answer |
| In verse 27, we have the pronouns "thy" and "thou." To whom do these refer? | Pastor Russell. |
| In verse 27, we also have the pronouns "him," "them" and "they." To whom do these refer? | Those who have escaped. |
| "In that day .." What period of time does this normally refer to in prophecy? | The Day of the Lord, i.d., to some part (or all) of the Millennial Age. |
| "Thy mouth be opened to him which is escaped." (1) Escaped from what? (2)What is meant by "thy mouth [shall] be opened to him?" |
(1) Escaped from mystic Babylon. (2) It is opened to "him" because of a desire for the Truth. This appears to be the same class which receives the "mark" of "seal" in the forehead. Eze. 9:4; Rev. 7:3 |
| What is meant by "Thou shalt speak, and be no more dumb?" | |
| How shall he "be a sign unto them?" | The same way any prophet of the Lord is a sign. When they speak concerning the Lord's word, their words come to pass. Eze. 2:5; Eze. 33:33 |
| When and how shall they "know that I am the LORD?" | Just as in verse 24, they will realize that the LORD has done all that He has said concerning the Time of Trouble and its relation to both the true and the false church. |