Divine Revelation: A Call to Repentance and Hope

 

Summary

In the book of Ezekiel, we find a profound message that resonates with our current world. The phrase "the word of the Lord came unto me" is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, especially in the Old Testament prophecies. This phrase signifies a divine revelation, a message from God to His people. At the time of Ezekiel, the Israelites were in captivity, a result of their disobedience and rebellion against God. They had once experienced prosperity in their land, but their turning away from God led to their downfall and exile in Babylon. In their despair, they were surrounded by false prophets who offered false comfort, suggesting that minor adjustments would suffice to restore their fortunes. However, true prophets like Ezekiel, Isaiah, and Jeremiah delivered a starkly different message, calling for genuine repentance and a return to God.

This historical context mirrors our present situation. We live in a world filled with confusion and conflicting voices, much like the Israelites in Babylon. The media, politics, and entertainment often distract us from the seriousness of our spiritual condition. Yet, amidst this chaos, the word of God remains a beacon of hope and truth. It is a revelation from God, distinct from human wisdom and understanding. The Bible asserts that man, in his fallen state, cannot attain truth or salvation on his own. We are entirely dependent on God's revelation for understanding our true condition and the way to salvation.

The Bible's message is timeless and always relevant because it addresses the unchanging nature of God and the consistent sinfulness of humanity. It reveals the truth about God, ourselves, and the world. It calls us to repentance and offers the hope of deliverance through Jesus Christ. This message is not to be selectively accepted but embraced in its entirety. God's revelation is a complete message, encompassing His holiness, justice, and love. It is through acknowledging our sinfulness and need for a Savior that we can truly appreciate the salvation offered through Christ.

Key Takeaways:

1. Divine Revelation: The phrase "the word of the Lord came unto me" signifies a divine revelation, a message from God that is distinct from human wisdom. This revelation is crucial for understanding our true condition and the way to salvation. [16:09]

2. Historical Parallels: The situation of the Israelites in Babylon mirrors our current world, filled with confusion and conflicting voices. Just as they were misled by false prophets, we too are often distracted by the media, politics, and entertainment. [08:42]

3. Timeless Message: The Bible's message is timeless and always relevant because it addresses the unchanging nature of God and the consistent sinfulness of humanity. It reveals the truth about God, ourselves, and the world. [28:40]

4. Call to Repentance: The Bible calls us to repentance and offers the hope of deliverance through Jesus Christ. This message is not to be selectively accepted but embraced in its entirety. [41:01]

5. Complete Acceptance: God's revelation is a complete message, encompassing His holiness, justice, and love. It is through acknowledging our sinfulness and need for a Savior that we can truly appreciate the salvation offered through Christ. [42:07]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Ezekiel's Message
- [02:05] - Historical Context of Israel's Captivity
- [03:36] - False Prophets vs. True Prophets
- [06:39] - The Israelites' Despair in Babylon
- [08:42] - Modern Parallels to Israel's Situation
- [12:25] - Confusion in Today's World
- [15:06] - The Uniqueness of God's Revelation
- [20:38] - Human Limitations and the Need for Revelation
- [23:11] - Dependence on God's Revelation
- [28:40] - The Timelessness of the Bible's Message
- [32:23] - The Gospel in Ezekiel's Message
- [37:21] - Understanding Our Sinful Condition
- [41:01] - The Call to Repentance
- [45:14] - God's Offer of Salvation

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Ezekiel 36:16-38

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#### Observation Questions
1. What is the significance of the phrase "the word of the Lord came unto me" as used by Ezekiel and other prophets? [01:26]
2. How did the Israelites' situation in Babylon reflect their past actions and decisions? [03:06]
3. What were the contrasting messages delivered by the false prophets and the true prophets like Ezekiel? [04:50]
4. How does the sermon describe the modern world's situation as analogous to that of the Israelites in Babylon? [08:42]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the sermon suggest about the role of divine revelation in understanding our true condition and the way to salvation? [16:09]
2. How does the sermon interpret the historical context of the Israelites' captivity as a lesson for today's world? [08:42]
3. In what ways does the sermon argue that the Bible's message is timeless and relevant to every generation? [28:40]
4. How does the sermon explain the necessity of accepting God's revelation in its entirety, including the aspects of holiness, justice, and love? [42:07]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt surrounded by conflicting voices. How did you discern which voice to follow, and how might divine revelation guide you in similar situations today? [08:42]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of acknowledging our sinfulness. How can you create a habit of self-reflection to better understand your spiritual condition? [37:21]
3. Consider the distractions in your life that may be pulling you away from focusing on your spiritual health. What steps can you take this week to minimize these distractions? [10:19]
4. The sermon calls for a complete acceptance of God's message. Is there a part of the Bible's teaching that you struggle to accept? How can you seek understanding and acceptance of this teaching? [42:07]
5. How can you actively seek out and listen to God's revelation in your daily life, especially amidst the noise of modern media and entertainment? [11:34]
6. The sermon highlights the need for genuine repentance. What does repentance look like in your life, and how can you practice it more consistently? [41:01]
7. Identify one area in your life where you need to return to God. What practical steps can you take this week to begin that journey back to Him? [05:28]

Devotional

Day 1: Divine Revelation as a Guiding Light
The phrase "the word of the Lord came unto me" signifies a divine revelation, a message from God that is distinct from human wisdom. This revelation is crucial for understanding our true condition and the way to salvation. In a world filled with noise and distractions, God's word stands as a beacon of truth and clarity. It is through His revelation that we can discern the path to righteousness and salvation. The Israelites in Ezekiel's time were in captivity due to their disobedience, and it was only through divine revelation that they could understand their need for repentance and return to God. Similarly, today, we must seek God's revelation to navigate the complexities of life and align ourselves with His will. [16:09]

"For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity." (Proverbs 2:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to seek God's revelation to gain clarity and direction today?


Day 2: Recognizing Modern Parallels to Ancient Challenges
The situation of the Israelites in Babylon mirrors our current world, filled with confusion and conflicting voices. Just as they were misled by false prophets, we too are often distracted by the media, politics, and entertainment. These distractions can lead us away from the truth and cause us to lose sight of our spiritual condition. The Israelites were surrounded by voices that offered false comfort, suggesting that minor adjustments would suffice to restore their fortunes. However, true prophets like Ezekiel called for genuine repentance and a return to God. Today, we must be vigilant in discerning the voices we listen to and ensure that we are grounded in the truth of God's word. [08:42]

"Thus says the Lord of hosts: Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord." (Jeremiah 23:16, ESV)

Reflection: What are some voices or influences in your life that may be distracting you from God's truth, and how can you refocus on His word?


Day 3: The Timeless Relevance of Scripture
The Bible's message is timeless and always relevant because it addresses the unchanging nature of God and the consistent sinfulness of humanity. It reveals the truth about God, ourselves, and the world. Despite the passage of time, the core issues of human nature remain the same, and God's word continues to speak into our lives with authority and relevance. The Bible calls us to repentance and offers the hope of deliverance through Jesus Christ. This message is not to be selectively accepted but embraced in its entirety. By understanding the timeless nature of Scripture, we can apply its teachings to our lives today and find guidance and hope in its pages. [28:40]

"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." (Isaiah 40:8, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate the timeless truths of Scripture into your daily routine to ensure you are living in alignment with God's will?


Day 4: Embracing the Call to Repentance
The Bible calls us to repentance and offers the hope of deliverance through Jesus Christ. This message is not to be selectively accepted but embraced in its entirety. Repentance involves acknowledging our sinfulness and turning away from it to follow God's path. It is a call to transformation and renewal, leading to a deeper relationship with God. The Israelites in captivity were called to genuine repentance, not just superficial changes. Today, we are invited to examine our hearts and lives, to turn away from sin, and to embrace the salvation offered through Christ. This call to repentance is a gift, offering us the opportunity to experience God's grace and mercy. [41:01]

"Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord." (Acts 3:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: What specific sins or habits do you need to repent of today, and how can you take steps toward genuine transformation?


Day 5: Accepting the Fullness of God's Revelation
God's revelation is a complete message, encompassing His holiness, justice, and love. It is through acknowledging our sinfulness and need for a Savior that we can truly appreciate the salvation offered through Christ. The Israelites' experience in Babylon serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God, but also of His enduring love and desire for reconciliation. By accepting the fullness of God's revelation, we open ourselves to the transformative power of His grace. This acceptance requires humility and a willingness to submit to God's will, trusting in His perfect plan for our lives. [42:07]

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you more fully accept and embrace the entirety of God's revelation in your life, and how might this change your perspective and actions?

Quotes



The phrase "the word of the Lord came unto me" is found in many places in the Bible. It is one of the most characteristic statements of phrases, especially of the prophecies recorded in the Old Testament. It's a typical illustration, the kind of thing that not only Ezekiel keeps on saying but Jeremiah says it, Isaiah says it, they all say it. [00:01:01]

The children of Israel at this point, when this word of God came to Ezekiel, were not only in trouble but they were in captivity. Ezekiel is one of those prophets who writes in the midst of captivity. Now, some of the other prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah, they wrote before the Captivity while the children of Israel were still in their land. [00:02:01]

There were men whom they called prophets, teachers who claimed that they were profound students of Affairs and of history and that they, as the result of their study and their meditations, had arrived at certain conclusions and were able to offer advice to the people. They had been speaking and addressing the people, and their message was that though things were not all right, there was nothing very serious. [00:03:46]

On the other hand, there were certain men who claimed that they had been specially called and sent by God, men like Isaiah and Jeremiah and others whose works are recorded in this Old Testament Cannon. They had come and said something very different. Indeed, they had said that the situation was desperately serious and that unless the nation repented in sackcloth and ashes, calamity was bound to come. [00:04:30]

The position continued to degenerate from bad to worse until at last the predictions of the true prophets were very literally fulfilled, and the calamity came and attacked and demolished the city, as I say, and carried away the people captive into the land of Babylon. Now that was the thing which they saw when they looked back. [00:06:12]

Into the utter hopelessness of it all, there came to him this word of the Lord, opening a door, giving a hope, showing a way of deliverance. Now I am calling your attention to all this because I say it is so typical and characteristic of the whole of the biblical message. That is precisely what the Bible does at all times and in all generations. [00:08:05]

The uniqueness of this lies in the fact that it is a revelation from God. It is God himself speaking, and my dear good friends, if it's of interest to you, that's my only reason for being a preacher. I wouldn't insult you by standing in front of you and simply giving my own ideas in this modern and confused situation. [00:16:00]

Man as he is in his sin, in his misery, and in his shame cannot arrive at the truth about himself, his need, his way of deliverance. He cannot. Now that is something which I suggest to you the modern world is proving. The world has been trying to solve its problems now for a very long time, and is anyone foolish enough to suggest that it's any nearer to solving it tonight than it's ever been? [00:21:51]

The Bible starts by telling us all that. It says, look here, in your need, in your misery, in your helplessness, listen to the voice of God. That is to accept our utter dependence upon revelation. This book claims to be a revelation of God and his eternal mind. That's the first thing. The second thing is this: it is always a contemporary revelation. [00:28:10]

The Bible seems to go on saying the same thing always. It starts in the very beginning of Genesis. It says certain things: God made man, God spoke to him, man disobeyed, got into misery, and there he was helpless. God came and spoke to him. There it is at the beginning. Well, then go on to the time of the flood, same thing again. [00:29:04]

The fact of the matter is also that man doesn't change either. So here's another good reason why the message shouldn't change. Go through those illustrations I've just been giving. You don't see the same thing? Adam exercised his own will instead of obeying God's. That's the very thing we're all in our folly still doing. [00:30:46]

The word of the Lord came unto me, saying, and after it had told them about God and about themselves and why they were as they were and why God had punished them, it goes on to tell them that in spite of it, God is going to deliver them, not because they deserved it, but for his own glory's sake, for his own namesake. [00:39:23]

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Transcript
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