"But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone's life, that person's life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman ACCOUNTABLE for their blood." (Ezekiel 33:6, NIV)
The word, "accountable," is written is large caps in the online translation I used. Maybe it is more than the translators or editors. Maybe it is Our Father, Son Jesus, and Holy Spirit Himself. Accountability is something which most people and nations feel will by pass them. In last evening's debate, Carly Fiorina had a mantle of Ezekiel upon her when she spoke passionately about "the character of our nation" in regard to the murder of the unborn. I have never heard anyone put it that way; she was prophetic. Maybe we can say of her what one pastor once said of women in his congregation, "Some of my best men are women."
After a great conference in the Fall of 1972, Jesus spoke to my heart to "get into Ezekiel." Every time I read in Ezekiel I think of that. Ezekiel was commanded to be, "a watchman." He was told that if he warned the nation of their disobedience to the Lord God, he would be judged faithful; hence, not accountable for what happened to the nation. If he did not warn the people, he would be judged unfaithful, and held, "accountable." If the prophet warned the nation and the nation received the,"word of the Lord," and repented, the nation would be spared judgment. If they did not, they would be judged. If, however, the prophet did not warn the nation and the nation suffered the consequences of disobedience, then Jesus would hold the prophet, "accountable for their blood." There is a very sobering Biblical life principle here.
We know that Jesus Christ is "at work" in the earth, always has been and always will be until the close of the present age, then continue His work eternally. His judgment and blessings on the nations are based on their obedience to Him and His Law/Word, e.g., see Matthew 25. The same is true with individuals. Jesus, "Himself took our sin in His own Body on the tree," the Bible tells us. We are forgiven and delivered in Jesus' Blood from the power of sin to destroy. But men and nations which reject Jesus and His Words are still vulnerable to our text. The cross is not a "remedy" for disobedience. "God loved the world this way: He gave His one and only Son....Whoever believes in (obeys) Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe (obey) stands condemned already because they have not believed in (obeyed) the Name of God's one and only Son."
I read this yesterday from Psalm 78 in the NLT, "When God began killing them, they finally sought Him. They repented and took God seriously." Victory in our sojourn here depends upon a life style of, "They repented and took God seriously."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I confess that there have been "seasons" in my life when I did not take you seriously. I covered it up, and would have rationalized it. Thank You for Your Words which keep me in You. Amen.
*******************
If you want insight as to what is going on with the so-called "refugee crisis" in Europe, go to:
jhs58.blogsot.com
The word, "accountable," is written is large caps in the online translation I used. Maybe it is more than the translators or editors. Maybe it is Our Father, Son Jesus, and Holy Spirit Himself. Accountability is something which most people and nations feel will by pass them. In last evening's debate, Carly Fiorina had a mantle of Ezekiel upon her when she spoke passionately about "the character of our nation" in regard to the murder of the unborn. I have never heard anyone put it that way; she was prophetic. Maybe we can say of her what one pastor once said of women in his congregation, "Some of my best men are women."
After a great conference in the Fall of 1972, Jesus spoke to my heart to "get into Ezekiel." Every time I read in Ezekiel I think of that. Ezekiel was commanded to be, "a watchman." He was told that if he warned the nation of their disobedience to the Lord God, he would be judged faithful; hence, not accountable for what happened to the nation. If he did not warn the people, he would be judged unfaithful, and held, "accountable." If the prophet warned the nation and the nation received the,"word of the Lord," and repented, the nation would be spared judgment. If they did not, they would be judged. If, however, the prophet did not warn the nation and the nation suffered the consequences of disobedience, then Jesus would hold the prophet, "accountable for their blood." There is a very sobering Biblical life principle here.
We know that Jesus Christ is "at work" in the earth, always has been and always will be until the close of the present age, then continue His work eternally. His judgment and blessings on the nations are based on their obedience to Him and His Law/Word, e.g., see Matthew 25. The same is true with individuals. Jesus, "Himself took our sin in His own Body on the tree," the Bible tells us. We are forgiven and delivered in Jesus' Blood from the power of sin to destroy. But men and nations which reject Jesus and His Words are still vulnerable to our text. The cross is not a "remedy" for disobedience. "God loved the world this way: He gave His one and only Son....Whoever believes in (obeys) Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe (obey) stands condemned already because they have not believed in (obeyed) the Name of God's one and only Son."
I read this yesterday from Psalm 78 in the NLT, "When God began killing them, they finally sought Him. They repented and took God seriously." Victory in our sojourn here depends upon a life style of, "They repented and took God seriously."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I confess that there have been "seasons" in my life when I did not take you seriously. I covered it up, and would have rationalized it. Thank You for Your Words which keep me in You. Amen.
*******************
If you want insight as to what is going on with the so-called "refugee crisis" in Europe, go to:
jhs58.blogsot.com
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
