I heard a preacher on tv say the book of Ezekiel is mostly "end time prophecy". What could end time mean? I have heard some say end time means after the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem 70 A.D. and I think I heard some others say the time we are now living in and I think I heard another say sometime around 1870 started end time. So what gives here? I know there are verses that tell us not to listen to a lot of these wanna be prophets. Right? It may be that I also read the commentary of Albert Barnes on Bible Hub concerning the book of Ezekiel and he states that the time it was written was very close to the time of the first destruction of the temple at Jerusalem. I think this is the reason that this book is considered prophetic for "end time"
Ezekiel is an awesome awesome book as well as zechariah look at it in light of the things Jesus and the apostles said afterwards the things that Jesus did in his life and said and then what e apostles revealed after that
one cool thing is this
“Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as
I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God. ( Ezekiel is on earth looking up into heaven )
And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a
great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire. Also out of the midst thereof came
the likeness of four living creatures.
And this was their appearance; they had the
likeness of a man. And
every one had four faces, and every one had four wings. As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a
man, and the face of a
lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an
ox ( calf ) on the left side; they four also had the face of an
eagle.
And the likeness of
the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the colour of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above. ( he’s looking up seeing a crystal like firmament above him and below the throne )
And
above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and
upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.
And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from
the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about.
As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about.
This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.”
Ezekiel 1:1, 4-6, 10, 22, 26-
now revelation when John is taken up from earth into heaven
“After this I looked, and,
behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said,
Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
And immediately
I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
And before the throne there was a
sea of glass like unto crystal: ( he is now above the firmament in heaven looking down so it looks like a crystal sea spread out before the throne )
and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were
four beasts full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast was like a
lion, and the second beast like a
calf, and the third beast had a face as a
man, and the fourth beast was like a
flying eagle.”
Revelation 4:1-3, 6-7 KJV
If you look further into Ezekiel you see a change in the four creatures at Gods throne
“Then I looked, and,
behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne.
And it came to pass, that when he had commanded
the man clothed with linen, ( high priest ) saying,
Take fire from between the wheels, from between the cherubims; then he went in, and stood beside the wheels.
And
their whole body, and their backs, and their hands, and their wings, and the wheels, were full of eyes round about, even the wheels that they four had. And every one had four faces: the first face was
the face of a cherub, and the second face was the face of a
man, and the third the face of a
lion, and the fourth the face of an
eagle.
And the cherubims were lifted up.
This is the living creature that I saw by the river of Chebar. ( chapter 1) When they stood, these stood; and when they were lifted up, these lifted up themselves also: for the spirit of the living creature was in them. Then
the glory of the LORD departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims. This is the living creature that I saw under the God of Israel by the river of Chebar; and
I knew that they were the cherubims.
Every one had four faces apiece, and every one four wings; and the likeness of the
hands of a man was under their wings. And the likeness of their faces was
the same faces which I saw by the river of Chebar, their appearances and themselves: they went every one straight forward.”
Ezekiel 10:1, 6, 12, 14-15, 17-18, 20-22
If you look even further you find out Ezekiel sees the heavenly kingdom also just as John had but from a distant perspective John was closer and saw more clear details
like the city John sees in revelation 21
“In the visions of God brought he me into the land of Israel, and set me upon
a very high mountain, by which was as the frame of a city on the south. And he brought me thither, and,
behold, there was a man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed; and he stood in the gate.
And the man said unto me,
Son of man, behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon
all that I shall shew thee; for to the intent that I might shew them unto thee art thou brought hither:
declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel.”
Ezekiel 40:2-4 KJV
remember this part
“And
there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.”
Revelation 11:1 KJV
Those ot prophets open up our eyes preparing us to understand revelation
“Then answered I, and said unto him,
What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? And I answered again, and said unto him,
What be these two olive branches which through the
two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?
And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my Lord. Then said he,
These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.”
Zechariah 4:11-14 KJV
you can see what I mean John doesn’t actually see candlesticks but references what zechariah saw in revelation a continuing added understandkng until it becomes clear
“
These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.”
Revelation 11:4 KJV
is there any event in scripture where Jesus appears on earth with two men standing with him in glory ?
“And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. And,
behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elijah : who appeared in glory, and
spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.”
Luke 9:29-31 KJV
moses wrote the law which witnesses of Christ and Elijah is considered the king of prophets who would announce Christs first coming the prophets also are a witness of Christ and the gospel
“But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being
witnessed by the law ( Moses ) and the prophets;”( Elijah )
Romans 3:21 KJV
“And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that
all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms,
concerning me.”
Luke 24:44 KJV
“And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and
testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.”
Acts 28:23
“Having therefore obtained help of God,
I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great,
saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:”
Acts 26:22 KJV
“For had ye believed
Moses, ye would have believed me: for he
wrote of me.”
John 5:46 KJV
“
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.”
Acts 10:43 KJV
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