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Many a cute sermon has been preached on the subject of the dry bones of Ezekiel. Laughable messages have been heard on the subject strictly for entertainment purposes. However as we take a closer look at the message contained in the book of Ezekiel, we find that there is much more serious content for reflection contained in its sacred pages.

The first question is: What generation does the prophet Ezekiel speak to?

“And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man what is that proverb that ye have in the land of Israel, saying, The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth? Tell them therefore, Thus saith the Lord God; I will make this proverb to cease, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel; but say unto them, The days are at hand, and the effect of every vision…” Ezekiel 12:23

 “Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say, The vision that he seeth is for many days to come, and he prophesieth of the times that are far off” Ezekiel 12:27

Ezekiel saw our generation. Though his words had application for his times, his visions were less for his day and more for ours. “The days are at hand, and the effect of every vision” were his words. Ezekiel’s generation did not see the effects or the fulfillment of every vision.

Can it be that Ezekiel saw the second coming of Jesus?

Ezekiel indeed saw the second coming of Jesus, though he did not understand the full light of this great subject as it has been revealed to us today.

“Afterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that looketh toward the east: And behold, the glory of the God of Israel come from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory.” Ezekiel 43:1,2

Ezekiel stated here that he saw the glory of God coming from the “way of the east”, and that his voice was as the noise of many waters, and also that the whole earth shined with the glory of God.

Matt 24:27 tells us,

“For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”

When Jesus comes, he will be seen coming out of the eastern sky, and every person on earth will see him on that day. Ezekiel indeed represents those who will see Jesus coming in the east.

“For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel; So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth shall shake at my presence and the mountains shall be thrown down and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground…Thus I will magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know I am the Lord.” Ezekiel 39:23

Didn’t John see in Revelation the mountains disappearing at the great earthquake at the coming of the Lord.  Ezekiel sees what the final generation will see as did John.

It will be clear to any serious reader that Ezekiel is speaking to this generation.

The second question for consideration is, “What do the bones in Ezekiel 37 represent?”

“Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts” Ezekiel 37:11

The bones represent the “house of Israel”, which today represents the church. See Gal 3:29 and Romans 9.

Therefore just before the second coming of Jesus, the church will be in the same state spiritually as these dry bones.

What does it mean to be spiritually dead?

“And you hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins: Wherein in time ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.” Ephesians 2:1.2

These dry bones are a symbol of church that is walking “according to the course of this world.” It is a worldly church conducting itself after the ways of the world, because of sin in its midst, and its willful trespasses of the principles of God.

Did the bible ever speak about a church that was dead? Indeed it does.

“And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou has a name that thou livest, and art dead.” Revelation 3:1

The church of Sardis represents that time period just before the Second Advent Movement of the “Philadelphia” church. It was the church of the protestant reformation. This church was becoming more and more worldly just before the arrival of the Second Coming message of watchfulness.

How would that message bring a dead church to life (those who remain.)?

“But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased…And he said, Go thy way Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.” Daniel 12:4,9

The last portions of the book of Daniel’s prophecies were to be closed to the understanding until the time of the end. This book began to be opened during the last lap of the protestant reformation in the late 1700’s and the early 1800’s.

What was the church called upon to do with the open book at the time of the end?

“And he said unto me, take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey…And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again…” Revelation 10:10,11

John was here representing the Second Advent Movement, which was the remnant that came out of Sardis. Eating the book symbolized how they studied and prophesied. The sweet taste was the prospect of the joy of Christ Second Coming, and the bitter feeling/taste, was the disappointment of 1844 when he didn’t come.

What did God tell Ezekiel to do to those dry bones?

“Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.”

The question was asked concerning the church of the protestant reformation, “Can these bones live?” Not until they heard the prophecies from Ezekiel who represented the Second Advent Movement. Prophesy upon these bones.

How was Ezekiel able to prophesy upon the bones?

“Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel. So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll. And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness” Ezekiel 3:1,2

He had eaten/studied the open book, symbolizing the Advent Movement. It was also to him/them as honey for sweetness. This is how he was able to preach prophecy to the bones/dead church of Protestantism. He was able the to bring revival to the “few in Sardis” that had not been defiled. He was then able to “strengthen” those who remained.

The Holy Spirit attended the preaching of Ezekiel thus causing the dead church/dry bones to come alive.

“Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones; behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:” Ez. 37:5

“So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, and exceeding great army.” Ez. 37:10

Revival came to the Remnant in Sardis as the Holy Spirit attended the prophesying of men like Miller, Irving, and Wolff.

We have now come to a time where the remnant of the Advent Movement have become as dead man’s bones. Once again the call has come to “eat the little book” and to prophesy again. Why? Because the church has pursued a worldly course and has become dead in trespasses and sins. Revival and Reformation is our greatest need.

The time has come to “prophesy again.” The Holy Spirit will attend the words and dedication of the faithful messengers.

When the books of Daniel and Revelation are better understood, believers will have an entirely different religious experience. They will be given such glimpses of the open gates of heaven that heart and mind will be impressed with the character that all must develop in order to realize the blessedness which is to be the reward of the pure in heart. The Lord will bless all who will seek humbly and meekly to understand that which is revealed in the Revelation. This book contains so much that is large with immortality and full of glory that all who read and search it earnestly receive the blessing to those "that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein." One thing will certainly be understood from the study of Revelation--that the connection between God and His people is close and decided. {FLB 345.3}

     Let us give more time to the study of the Bible. We do not understand the Word as we should. The book of Revelation opens with an injunction to us to understand the instruction that it contains. . . . When we . . . understand what this book means to us, there will be seen among us a great revival. 346
{FLB 345.4}

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