Have you lost Hope?

And I shall put my Spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land; then shall ye know that I, the Lord, have spoken it, and performed it, saith the Lord.”

Ezekiel 37:14

Ezekiel, who was a priest, was carried away into Babylon, but he stood strong in the Lord and prophesied. Ezekiel prophecy is to this day being debated as to its meaning and fulfillment. In essence it speaks to the glory of God and future events. Some of it has been fulfilled and some of it is still yet to come in the future. Many are asking if we have entered into the last days, and it may seem close, but not all prophecies have been fulfilled. This is the time to take up your Bible and dust it off and begin to read it with more fervor just to know about the prophecies it reveals. No matter what tribe you are from, you can be grafted into the vine again if you believe. The Apostle Paul spoke about the olive tree and how if God did not spare the natural branches so He will not spare those who live in unbelief. The Lord God is adamant about unbelief. The olive tree speaks to the promise of Abraham’s seed. Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness [see Galatians 3:6]. Paul also stated that He is an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham [see Romans 11:1].

The mystery is in the two houses that came from the 12 Tribes of Israel. The two nations known as the tribe of Judah and the tribe of Israel. The Jews are descended from Judah, who was the fourth son of Jacob. This is written down in Matthew chapter one in verse one through four and this genealogy is carried through to the time of Christ birth. Jerusalem was capital of Judah while the capital of Israel was Samaria. Today, this is still being debated as to its title that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. The Six-Day War after 1967 was when Israel seized all of Jerusalem. In 1980, Israel declared Jerusalem as its capital even when many did not consider this valid. So, the debate continues. However, in Ezekiel there is the vision of the bones who are for the whole house of Israel and God does not leave anybody out. The prophecy to Ezekiel is the sign of the two sticks for, one for Judah and for the children of Israel. Take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel [Ezekiel 37:16].

Join them one to another into one stick, and they shall become one in thine hand.

Ezekiel 37:17,19

Just read on and you will read about the covenant of peace, and it shall be an everlasting covenant. There is a specific order for Ezekiel prophecies. There is restoration of the land, then of the people, judgement, and worship of the Lord. Just remember that the 12 Tribes of Israel became two nations, the house of Israel and the house of Judah. Also, remember that there are 8 covenants that was given throughout the history of the Bible. Most of us are familiar with the Mosaic covenant because we have heard of the ten commandments. Let us also remember that there are conditional and unconditional covenants. In Ezekiel chapter 36, a new covenant is mentioned about God giving a new heart and a new spirit and taking away the stony heart [see Ezekiel 36:26]. There will come a time when national Israel comes to believe that Jesus is the Saviour and the final sacrifice for the remission of sins. The Apostle Paul states that some were blinded and that they are in a period of slumber. Paul also spoke about Elijah who spoke against Israel for killing the prophets and ignoring God’s covenant. Thus, Israel is only partially blinded, for some have received the gospel of Jesus Christ. In any case, God is able to graft them back in again.

The vision is in the future where the nation of Israel will be restored to its original glory with those 12 lost tribes that were taken into other nations. The Lord God is doing this for His own Holy names sake to bear witness of the fact that His name was profane by the house of Israel [see Ezekiel36:22]. God will bring them back into their own land and He will cleanse them from their filthiness. God has not forgotten his covenant with His people in regard to being alienated from the land of their inheritance. The 12 tribes of Israel that has been taken into captivity are mentioned in Revelation chapter 7 verses 1 to 8. However, lets back up to the warning the Lord gives to the shepherds of Israel in chapter 34 of Ezekiel. This is a clear warning to anyone who leads a flock as a pastor where the pastor only feeds himself and not the flock [see Ezekiel 34:2-6]. Take care of the flock that God has given you. God will gather up the lost sheep of Israel and he will make a covenant of peace. Those whom God gathers will know about the new Covenant.

The new Covenant is mentioned in Hebrew 8:8 of the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. This Covenant is new and not of the old covenant when they were taken out of Egypt. God knew that they did not continue in his covenant. In Hebrews verses10 to 11, it states that the Lord will put his laws into their minds and write them into their hearts. Plus, they will not have to teach their neighbor or brother anymore. This is an amazing thing that will happen, and it has not yet happened. Everyone will know the Lord. The realities of the new Covenant should be realized by those who call themselves Christians who are Gentiles and not of the nation of Israel. That Christ came and gave his own blood to obtain eternal redemption for us. We can read of the importance of it in Hebrew 9:14.

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”

No flesh can be justified by the works of the law [Galatians 2:16]. In fact, we should remember what the Apostle Paul was telling the churches at Galatia. Paul did not want to void the grace of God by going back into legalism of the written law. That is why Paul stated, “I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me,” Galatians 2:20. The law was added due to transgressions [wrongdoing, sin]. Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us; for cursed is everyone that hanged on a tree [see Galatians 3:13]. This was so that the Gentiles could receive the blessing of Abraham and that the promise through Jesus Christ might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Remember the law was the schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. But the law cannot justify a sinner or sanctify a believer. Only through Christ are we justified and sanctified. Justified by faith and sanctified by the Spirit through Christ Jesus.

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”

Romans 8:2

This was so that the righteousness of the law would be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. If your bones are dry, then come to the Lord who will give you fresh water to drink and renew the spirit in your mind to that of Christ. Jesus said, “come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest unto your soul,” [Matthew 11:28-29]. Let us all enter into His rest, and His peace. Let us remember how David exclaimed, “LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.” Yet, now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee, [Psalms 39:4,7]. Yes, my hope is in the Lord. There is hope in the Lord, let us place our life in the Lord’s hand and rest from our works and be cleansed and renewed in our mind and our spirit that we may see the glory of the Lord God where our hope is.