112
If we are to take the positive prophecies of Ezekiel and modernize them by exalting Israel, then lets be fair and include all of His prophecies in current events. The next proclamation from the Word of the Lord received by Ezekiel is focused directly on Jerusalem. It is against Israel and in particular directed toward the holy places. Eze. 21:1-2 The LORD is reported to have made a direct statement to Israel, alerting them to the fact that He is against them, and that He will draw His sword from its sheath and place it into action. Thus cutting off from them the righteous and the wicked. His sword will flourish against all flesh from the north to the south and will not be returned once it has been removed from its sheath. Eze. 21:3-5
It is not difficult to find a New Testament prophecy which has the same broad, world wide scope as that of Ezekielís mighty and effective sword. It is called a great sword, indicating its strength, its broad scope and its long endurance. It is wielded by the rider of the red horse, the horse and rider producing wars, insurrections, rebellions and murders, all of which have become a sign of the coming of the Lord. Rev. 6:4 With the loosing of this red horse a spirit of the shedding of blood was released on the earth. Let men try as they will to create peace, the prophetic declaration is, that peace has been removed from the earth. Jesus verified a season such as this preceding His second coming by stating that there would be wars and rumors of wars, but the end is not yet. Mt. 24:6 Jeremiah adds a very fitting thought for our time when he said, ìWe looked for peace, but no good came, and for a time of health and behold trouble.î Jer. 8:15 There could hardly be a scripture more fitting to describe the condition of our country today.
Ezekiel was commanded to sigh, literally to groan or mourn to travail for Israel because of the hand of the Lord and His sword which was to be against them. The intensity of his prayer is found in the statement, the breaking, the rupture of his loins. A sure sign that he was to enter into a spirit of prayer a kin to birth pangs. The burden was to be heavy, his spirit was to feel the bitterness which was the experience of the Lord in having to punish His people so harshly. Eze. 21:6 There is destined to be a time, not far hence, when the unsaved inhabitants of this world will exult in what they will feel is the accomplishment of the ages. A time of peace, a calm resting over the whole world. Mankind, under the leadership of the antichrist will have reached that long dreamed of, one world, one people, one language. That however is as yet an unfulfilled sign which will act as an introduction to the coming of the Lord Jesus. 1 Thess. 5:3 This precedes His coming, which will not happen until all the prophecies pertaining to that event have been accomplished.