The Prophecies of Ezekiel

By Kenneth Gillming, Th.M., D.D., Litt.D.
President, Baptist Bible Fellowship International
Senior Pastor, Cherry Street Baptist Church, Springfield, Missouri

Ezekiel was one of three prophets who were also priests; the others were Jeremiah and Zechariah: Jeremiah 1.1 and Zechariah 1.1/Nehemiah 12.16. Ezekiel was a contemporary of Daniel, the prophet in the court of Nebuchadnezzar and Jeremiah, who prophesied in Jerusalem before the city fell in 586 B.C. Ezekiel ministered to the people in captivity in Babylon for 24 years.

No prophet had a more dramatic call than Ezekiel, who saw the throne of God in a mysterious vision by the banks of the River Chebar, near the Euphrates in Babylon.

As a watchman, he warned of Jerusalem’s coming judgment. The prophet not only deals with Jerusalem and Judah prior to the destruction of the temple, but also prophesies against seven surrounding nations: Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, Tyre, Sidon, Babylon and Egypt. Judgments against these nations are now recorded in history books; Ezekiel 25 – 32

Ezekiel contains pertinent prophecy for Jews today. In Ezekiel’s book, there are prophecies of the restoration of the land, the city, temple and the glory of the Lord in Israel’s midst. Ezekiel is also relevant for Christians for it is through this book God reveals part of His plan for consummating history in the coming day of the Lord and in the glorious future world.

Four visions are recorded in Ezekiel. The most famous of these visions is likely “the valley of dry bones,” identified as the “whole house of Israel,” which will be restored in several stages: Ezekiel 37.1-14. The other three visions are found in chapters 1 – 3, 8 – 11 and 40 – 48. In addition to the four visions, there are six major parables: Ezekiel 15, 16, 17, 19, 23 and 24; and ten symbolic actions or signs: 4.1-3; 4.4-8, 9-17; 5.1-17; 12.1-7, 17-20; 21.1-17, 19-23; 22.17-31; 24.15-17 and 37.15-17.

The mysterious battles of God and Magog describe a vast confederacy of nations, directly north of Israel, poised for an invasion in which they will suffer ignominious defeat. While difficult to define, the nations are listed. It is possible the landmass to the North includes the modern nation of Russia. Whoever these nations are, the victory will belong to God: Ezekiel 38 – 39.

Climaxing the book is the description of a glorious temple: Ezekiel 40 – 48. Some think this is a symbolic presentation of an ideal center of worship. Others think the prophet relates to Solomon’s Temple, or Zerubbabel’s Temple, which was built after the return from captivity. It has been suggested this is Christ’s heavenly temple. However, the description of this temple suggests the magnificent structure will be the center of worldwide worship of the Lord in the coming Millennium, when Jesus reigns for a thousand years: Revelation 20.1-6.

This mighty prophet drew his strength from four sources: First, the visions of God and His throne were awesome and motivating. Second, “the Word of the Lord,” mentioned 50 times, came to him. Third, the “hand of the Lord,” occurs seven times, and fourth, “the Spirit of God,” mentioned 26 times, empowered him.

The book of Ezekiel ranks with Daniel and Zechariah in the Old Testament and the Revelation in the New Testament as one of the most apocalyptic books in the Bible. It’s no wonder the book of Revelation alludes to Ezekiel 64 times.