God's Judgment (Ezekiel 21)

By Benjamin H. Liles

          "You therefore, son of man, prophesy, and strike your hands together. The third time let the sword do double damage. It is the sword that slays, the sword that slays the great men, that enters their private chambers...I also will beat My fists together, and I will cause My fury to rest; I, the Lord, have spoken" (Ezekiel 21-14-17, New King James). The Lord, God of Israel is saying all of this to Israel due to her sins, and He plans to execute it and soon, both to the wicked and to the righteous. To Him, all sin will be punished, regardless how small or large the people see their sins.

          Maybe, right now, you are in a place where you don't feel you have done anything wrong, but you are seeing the cracks in your life; a marriage falling apart, a job you may end up losing, the health you have that is starting to fail. Some of these things may be due to what God is doing so you end up turning to Him. His glory and justice will end up coming forth. Some day. Christ told the disciples this: "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone" (Matthew 24:36, New American Standard).
          See, that's the thing, too. When we're told in scripture "no man knows the day...not the angels, nor the Son, but the Father alone," He means what He says. Not one of us down here alive knows when God will bring His just judgment on all peoples. He will punish sin and put an end to all corruption. He even declares it on the nations who stand against Him and His people: "And son of man, appoint for yourself two ways for the sword of the king of Babylon to go; both of them shall go from the same land. Make a sign; put it at the head of the road to the city...Because you have made your iniquity to be remembered, in that your transgressions are uncovered, so that in all your doings your sins appear—because you have come to remembrance, you shall be taken in hand" (Ezekiel 21:19-24, New King James).

         God even has justice coming to other nations as well. To Ammon--modern day Jordan--He says, "Thus says the Lord God concerning the Ammonites and concerning their reproach...You shall be fuel for the fire; your blood shall be in the midst of the land. You shall not be remembered, for I the Lord have spoken" (Ezekiel 21:28-32, New King James). Still God plans on giving everyone the right course of justice according to whom they know and have a relationship with. Jesus Christ used these words, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6, Holman Christian Standard).
          Friend, you have a decision to make with God, and only you can do it with Him and His help. Just as Peter said, "The Lord is not slow in doing what he promised--the way some people understand slowness. But God is being patient with you. He does not want anyone to be lost, but he wants all people to change their hearts and lives (come in repentance, meaning to turn away from sins, or a change in behavior towards sin--seeing sin as utterly sinful)" (2 Peter 3:9, Expanded). Jesus made atonement on your behalf so you wouldn't have to experience God's wrath and judgment. We will all face God's judgment, but if we're covered by the blood of Jesus, we get judged according to His work, not our own.
          I pray in the name of our Lord and Savior, this helps you today in making a decision in turning from you sin, away from a lifestyle of wrong choices. Believe me, God doesn't want you to go to Hell because no man was made for it. It is only meant for the most vile and corruptible who continue in sin against the Most High God--the angels who are now demons. I pray this sets you free from the power of sin and death, in the name of Jesus Christ, and that He be your Lord and Savior. In His name I pray this over you. Amen.