INTRODUCTION:
The book of Ezekiel has remained one of the most symbolic and difficult to understand of all the books of the Bible. Anciently, the Hebrew forbids anyone under the age of 30 to read it. This book has baffled and confounded scholars and theologians since it was written (597-588 B.C.) and has remained so until the latter days when “ knowledge shall increase” and an understanding should arise in God’s appointed way. This study will reveal a special 430 years prophecy and the meaning of this probationary period of time and its special significance to the SDA church in history.
PRAYER THOUGHT:
But the student of the word of God should seek to understand the bearing of one passage upon another until the chain of truth is revealed to his vision. As veins of precious ore are hidden beneath the surface of the earth, so spiritual riches are concealed in the passages of Holy Writ, and it requires mental effort and prayerful attention to discover the hidden meaning of the word of God. Let every student who values the heavenly treasure put to the stretch his mental and spiritual powers, and sink the shaft deep into the mine of truth, that he may obtain the celestial gold,–that wisdom which will make him wise unto salvation. {CE 100.2}
Is this Book Historic or Prophetic?
Read: Ezek. 4:1-8
Must be prophetic, message was directed to all 12 tribes, scattered since 721 B.C.
A future tense is used in verse 13.
Ezekiel himself, not a Gentile king, is told to besiege the city.
Ezekiel did not understand the vision himself, 3:15
Judah spent 70 years in captivity, not 40.
Why the symbolism of a siege and warfare?
The Jews of Ezekiel’s day had suffered bitter and traumatic experiences of siege and warfare because of their sins. God uses familiar experiences to teach and bring home vital truths.
The church is shown having rebelled and become so far separated from God that in order to save her, He has to do battle with her to effect a great revival and reform.
Symbol Key for verses 1-3
Jerusalem – city, the church (Matt. 5:14; Mic. 6:9)
Tile – everlasting material, a people (city) that shall live forever/
Lay Siege – invade with and army of reformers and compel it to surrender.
A Fort – make sure that none escape, good or bad.
Set a Camp – establish a HQ from which to carry on the work.
Battering Rams – leaders hammering/battering with clear, cutting, convincing truth.
Iron Pan – virtual wall of separation.
Israel and Judah – Protestants/SDA’s respectively.
Set Thy Face Toward the Siege – undertake this reform like a great army general. Stay focused and let nothing distract you.
Thine Arm…Uncovered – signifies that the might of the reformation would be revealed.
The time Prophecy of verses 4-6
A period of 430 years is shown in two sections: the 390 and 40 years, respectively, for Israel and Judah. Using the day for a year principles, Ezekiel’s lying down and bearing their iniquity during this time indicates a special of grace allotted to the church during which time God is also disciplining them for their unfaithfulness.
During this period God expects that the church will attain righteousness by faith. Ezekiel is a type of Christ who bears His children’s iniquity.
When did this Prophecy begin?
At the start of the reformation showing God attacking the church during the latter part of the Dark Ages to besiege and rescue her as she had grievously fallen from His grace. The reformation began in 1500 A.D. when Martin Luther began calling God’s people back to the truths that had been lost sight of.
The Meaning of the Six grains:
Grains represent spiritual food that was feed to God’s people in six stages (courses) during the time of the reformation. Christianity is mainly built upon these 6 doctrines. Food often represents Spiritual truths (Jer. 15:16; Ezek. 3:1-2).
Grains with its representation and brought by through a movement which is based on the scripture reference.
Wheat – Faith – Martin Luther – Lutherans – Heb. 11:6
Barley – Holy Spirit – John Knox – Presbyterians – Judges 7:13, 14
Beans – Grace – John Wesley – Methodist – Rom. 3:24
Lentils – Baptism – Alexander Campbell – Baptists – Matt. 3:16
Millet – 2300 days – William Miller – FDA’s – Dan. 8:14
Spelt – Sabbath – Ellen G. White – SDA’s – Gen. 2:1-3
The Meaning of the Grains
Wheat-Justification by Faith (Martin Luther – Lutherans)
As wheat is the first necessity to man’s physical diet to keep him healthy, just so faith is the first necessity in man’s spiritual diet, for “without faith, it is impossible to please God” (Heb. 11:6).
Barley – Holy Spirit (John Knox – Presbyterian)
As barley is the second necessity in man’s physical diet to keep him healthy, just so the Holy Spirit is the second necessity in man’s spiritual diet, for before He can work in our lives, we must believe that He exists. In Judg. 7:13, 14 a cake of barley overturn the Midianite tent, showing that God represents the barley as the Holy Spirit.·
Beans – Salvation by Grace (John Wesley – Methodist)
As beans are the third necessity in man’s physical diet to keep him healthy, just so Grace is the third necessity in man’s spiritual diet. Beans have been perverted by adding pork, and the meaning of grace has been perverted by so-called Christians which lead to a presumptuous trampling of His precepts.
Lentils – Baptism by Emersion (Alexander Campbell – First Day Baptists)
As lentils, the fourth variety of food in man’s physical diet is not so universally relished as beans, likewise Baptism by emersion is less commonly esteemed and practiced than Grace.
Millet – the 2300 days (William Miller – First Day Adventists)
Millet, the fifth grain, is neither commonly known nor used, and is generally regarded as of little worth, likewise the 2300 days is known and believed by only a few and considered of little value as a Bible doctrine.
Spelt – Sabbath in connection with the Sanctuary (Ellen White – Seventh-Day Adventist)
Spelt, the sixth grain, is an ancient cereal, and a little better known than is millet, likewise the Sabbath in connection with the Sanctuary is the most ancient of Bible doctrines and is a little better known than the 2300 days.
“All in one Vessel” (Purified/Triumphant Church)
The “one vessel” in which all of these doctrines were put into before being “baked” (revealed and interpreted) is the Bible; after being “baked,” the one “vessel” in which all of these doctrines are found is the Seventh-day Adventist church, which believes all of these doctrines.
Perfect match between the nature of these grains and the corresponding doctrine.
*FDA – First Day Adventist
*SDA – Seventh Day Adventist
Characteristics
“Eat as barley cakes” – barley symbolizes the Holy Spirit. Hence, these truths were to be received by the work of the Holy Spirit.
“One vessel” – that all truths were compiled in one church (SDA).
“Baked by dung fire” – defiled by private interpretations.
A great mistake has been made by some who profess present truth, by introducing merchandise in the course of a series of meetings and by their traffic diverting minds from the object of the meetings. If Christ were now upon earth, He would drive out these peddlers and traffickers, whether they be ministers or people, with a scourge of small cords, as when He entered the temple anciently “and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money-changers, and the seats of them that sold doves, and said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” These traffickers might have pleaded as an excuse that the articles they held for sale were for sacrificial offerings. But their object was to get gain, to obtain means, to accumulate. {1T 471.2}
I was shown that if the moral and intellectual faculties had not been clouded by wrong habits of living, ministers and people would have been quick to discern the evil results of mixing sacred and common things. Ministers have stood in the desk and preached a most solemn discourse, and then by introducing merchandise, and acting the part of a salesman, even in the house of God, they have diverted the minds of their hearers from the impressions received, and destroyed the fruit of their labor. If the sensibilities had not been blunted, they would have had discernment to know that they were bringing sacred things down upon a level with common. The burden of selling our publications should not rest upon ministers who labor in word and doctrine. Their time and strength should be held in reserve, that their efforts may be thorough in a series of meetings. Their time and strength should not be drawn upon to sell our books when they can be properly brought before the public by those who have not the burden of preaching the word. In entering new fields it may be necessary for the minister to take publications with him to offer for sale to the people, and it may be necessary in some other circumstances also to sell books and transact business for the office of publication. But such work should be avoided whenever it can be done by others. {1T 472.1}
God has not changed toward His faithful servants who are keeping their garments spotless. But many are crying, “Peace and safety,” while sudden destruction is coming upon them. Unless there is thorough repentance, unless men humble their hearts by confession and receive the truth as it is in Jesus, they will never enter heaven. When purification shall take place in our ranks, we shall no longer rest at ease, boasting of being rich and increased with goods, in need of nothing. {8T 250.1}
My Father’s house is made a house of merchandise, a place whence the divine presence and glory have departed! For this cause there is weakness, and strength is lacking.” {8T 250.2}
“By weight and measure” – sparingly, not all of the light on the subject given at once.
What took place at the end of the 390 days?
Adding 390 to 1500 the date Luther found the Bible at the University of Urfurt and began to his protest which brings us to the year 1890.
This is the date that the SDA church generally rejected the message of A.T. Jones and E. J. Waggoner that brought to Minneapolis GC in 1888 and was rejected by the leadership. By 1890 the message by the general body.
An unwillingness to yield up preconceived opinions, and to accept this truth, lay at the foundation of a large share of the opposition manifested at Minneapolis against the Lord’s message through Brethren {E.J.} Waggoner and {A.T.} Jones. By exciting that opposition Satan succeeded in shutting away from our people, in a great measure, the special power of the Holy Spirit that God longed to impart to them. The enemy prevented them from obtaining that efficiency which might have been theirs in carrying the truth to the world, as the apostles proclaimed it after the day of Pentecost. The light that is to lighten the whole earth with its glory was resisted, and by the action of our own brethren has been in a great degree kept away from the world. {1SM 234.6}
Finite men should beware of seeking to control their fellowmen, taking the place assigned to the Holy Spirit. Let no men feel that it is their prerogative to give to the world what they suppose to be truth, and refuse that anything should be given contrary to their ideas. This is not their work. Many things will appear distinctly as truth which will not be acceptable to those who think their own interpretations of the Scripture always right. Most decided changes will have to be made in regard to ideas which some have accepted as without a flaw. These men give evidence of fallibility in very many ways; they work upon principles which the word of God condemns. That which makes me feel to the very depths of my being, and makes me know that their works are not the works of God, is that they suppose they have authority to rule their fellowmen. The Lord has given them no more right to rule others than He has given others to rule them. Those who assume the control of their fellowmen take into their finite hands a work that devolves upon God alone. {TM 76.2}
That men should keep alive the spirit which ran riot at Minneapolis is an offense to God. All heaven is indignant at the spirit that for years has been revealed in our publishing institution at Battle Creek. Unrighteousness is practiced that God will not tolerate. He will visit for these things. A voice has been heard pointing out the errors and, in the name of the Lord, pleading for a decided change. But who have followed the instruction given? Who have humbled their hearts to put from them every vestige of their wicked, oppressive spirit?
These terrible predictions they have not as yet carried out to the full; but if God spares their lives, and they nourish the same spirit that marked their course of action both before and after the Minneapolis meeting, they will fill up to the full the deeds of those whom Christ condemned when He was upon the earth. {TM 79.2}
The perils of the last days are upon us. Satan takes the control of every mind that is not decidedly under the control of the Spirit of God. Some have been cultivating hatred against the men whom God has commissioned to bear a special message to the world. They began this satanic work at Minneapolis. Afterward, when they saw and felt the demonstration of the Holy Spirit testifying that the message was of God, they hated it the more, because it was a testimony against them. They would not humble their hearts to repent, to give God the glory, and vindicate the right. They went on in their own spirit, filled with envy, jealousy, and evil surmisings, as did the Jews. They opened their hearts to the enemy of God and man. Yet these men have been holding positions of trust, and have been molding the work after their own similitude, as far as they possibly could. . . . {TM 79.3}
The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious message to His people through Elders Waggoner and Jones. This message was to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour, the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. It presented justification through faith in the Surety; it invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God. Many had lost sight of Jesus. They needed to have their eyes directed to His divine person, His merits, and His changeless love for the human family. All power is given into His hands, that He may dispense rich gifts unto men, imparting the priceless gift of His own righteousness to the helpless human agent. This is the message that God commanded to be given to the world. It is the third angel’s message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice, and attended with the outpouring of His Spirit in a large measure. {TM 91.2}
There has been a departure from God among us, and the zealous work of repentance and return to our first love essential to restoration to God and regeneration of heart has not yet been done. Infidelity has been making its inroads into our ranks; for it is the fashion to depart from Christ, and give place to skepticism… The religion of many among us will be the religion of apostate Israel, because they love their own way, and forsake the way of the Lord. The true religion, the only religion of the Bible, that teaches forgiveness only through the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour, that advocates righteousness by the faith of the Son of God, has been slighted, spoken against, ridiculed, and rejected. It has been denounced as leading to enthusiasm and fanaticism. {TM 467.2}
This rejection caused Ezekiel to symbolically turn on his side which signified the withholding of new light for a time as he began to fast.
As the word of God is walled in with these books and pamphlets, so has God walled you in with reproofs, counsel, warnings, and encouragements. Here you are crying before God, in the anguish of your souls, for more light. I am authorized from God to tell you that not another ray of light through the Testimonies will shine upon your pathway until you make a practical use of the light already given. The Lord has walled you about with light; but you have not appreciated the light; you have trampled upon it. While some have despised the light, others have neglected it, or followed it but indifferently. A few have set their hearts to obey the light which God has been pleased to give them. {2T 606.1}
What is the significance of the fast?
It represent the absence of progressive truth(light) coming into the church during the 40 years from 1890-1930. A wandering in the wilderness.
What message came to the church in 1930?
The Shepherd’s Rod is the only message that arrived in 1930 and represents the return of the 1888 message of Christ’s righteousness.
Why do we need to feed on this spiritual food today?
To attain the righteousness of Christ by faith now that antitypical Ezekiel is no longer lying down, i.e. bearing the iniquity of God’s people. Since the period of grace is over we need to now walk by faith or perish (see: Heb. 10:38-39).
Those who fail to eat of this diet will remain in their Laodicean condition without the “gold tried in the fire” Being left without the seal of God they will perish in the judgment of Ezekiel 9. They will bear their own iniquity.
Summary:
We see that God cannot longer wink at our ignorance since we today have so much light. We must, therefore, walk by faith and reach the standard of righteousness in Christ that God desires for His people. The Shepherd’s Rod message came to help us walk by faith and become members of God’s kingdom of Glory.
Additional Readings:
There have been one and another who in studying their Bibles thought they discovered great light, and new theories, but these have not been correct. The Scripture is all true, but by misapplying the Scripture men arrive at wrong conclusions. We are engaged in a mighty conflict, and it will become more close and determined, as we near the final struggle. We have a sleepless adversary, and he is constantly at work upon human minds that have not had a personal experience in the teachings of the people of God for the past fifty years. Some will take the truth applicable to their time, and place it in the future. Events in the train of prophecy that had their fulfillment away in the past are made future, and thus by these theories the faith of some is undermined. {2SM 102.2}
In preaching the doctrine of the second advent, William Miller and his associates had labored with the sole purpose of arousing men to a preparation for the judgment. They had sought to awaken professors of religion to the true hope of the church and to their need of a deeper Christian experience, and they labored also to awaken the unconverted to the duty of immediate repentance and conversion to God. “They made no attempt to convert men to a sect or party in religion. Hence they labored among all parties and sects, without interfering with their organization or discipline.” {GC 375.1}
Meat In Due Season – 13. The Grains of Ezekiel 4 (google.com)