Ezekiel 9: God's "Mark" of Protection given before His Judgment occurs

In the Book of Ezekiel, we encounter a powerful narrative that unfolds against the backdrop of a society steeped in iniquity. It serves as a stark reminder of God's righteous judgment and His unwavering demand for repentance. Within this story, a significant symbol emerges: the mark placed upon the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over the abominations rampant in their city. This mark becomes a poignant representation of both their repentance and their plea for God's boundless mercy. These individuals, deeply aware of the pervasive iniquity surrounding them, are stirred to profound sorrow and contrition.

In response to the sincere repentance in their hearts, God is moved to grant them His divine protection. He safeguards those who are aligned with His heart, demonstrating His faithfulness as a loving Father. This divine intervention occurs before any impending slaughter or outpouring of His wrath.

Ezekial 9:4-6 (NIV), goes on to say, "He (The Lord) said to him, “Walk through the streets of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of all who weep and sigh because of the detestable sins being committed in their city.” Then I heard the Lord say to the other men, “Follow him through the city and kill everyone whose forehead is not marked. Show no mercy; have no pity! Kill them all—old and young, girls and women and little children. But do not touch anyone with the mark. Begin right here at the Temple.” So they began by killing the seventy leaders.

Severe judgment is declared not only upon those who persist in their iniquity but also upon those who remain indifferent and fail to seek mercy through repentance. God initiates judgment first within His temple, highlighting that His displeasure goes beyond merely detesting sin and iniquity. He also takes issue with those who ignore, overlook, or fail to confront sin. It's a reminder that we should not turn a blind eye to sin but expose it for what it truly is.

God's leaders were the first to face judgment, and this should serve as a powerful wakeup call for Christians. Leaders, it's time to examine your hearts and rectify any wrongdoings. Those who masquerade as righteous but conceal ulterior motives should tremble, knowing that God's judgment is on their heels.

It's time for those who haven't been praying for their families, cities, and nations through repentance to take action. Don't conceal your Christianity any longer. Begin speaking the truth and pleading for God's mercy.

Ezekiel 9:9-10 (Amplified Version) reveals the reason for the onset of God's judgment:

Then He said to me, “The wickedness (guilt) of the house of Israel and Judah is extremely great; the land is full of blood and the city is full of perversion and injustice; for they say, ‘The Lord has abandoned the land; the Lord does not see [what we are doing].’ But as for Me, My eye will have no pity, nor will I spare, but I will bring their [wicked] conduct upon their [own] heads.”

It is the same today, isn't it?

Here we witness a profound display of God's judgment upon the people of Israel and Judah. The reason for God's wrath, as eloquently portrayed in the Amplified Version above, is the overwhelming wickedness, guilt, and sin that had saturated the land. It's crucial to understand the specific deeds and attitudes that led to this catastrophic moment, as it serves as a stark warning for us today.

• Bloodshed: The passage mentions that the land is filled with blood. This bloodshed signifies violence, murder, and the disregard for human life. It's a reflection of a society that has lost its moral compass, where people shed blood without remorse.

• Perversion: The city is described as full of perversion. This includes moral corruption, sexual immorality, and a departure from God's righteous standards. Perversion distorts the natural order established by God, leading to chaos and moral decay.

• Injustice: Injustice prevails in the city. This involves the oppression of the weak and vulnerable, the denial of rights and fairness, and the absence of righteousness in legal and social systems. Injustice perpetuates suffering and inequality.

• Abandoning God: The people's declaration that "the Lord has abandoned the land" is a grave accusation against God. It reveals their spiritual rebellion and abandonment of faith in Him. Such apostasy indicates a society that has turned its back on God.

• False Beliefs: The people's false belief that God does not see their actions exposes their spiritual blindness and arrogance. It's a warning against adopting self-centered worldviews and dismissing God's omniscience.

Again, It is the same today, isn't it?

The message for us today is crystal clear: these same sins and attitudes can lead any society down a path of destruction. The warning from Ezekiel 9 serves as a timeless reminder that God's righteous judgment will ultimately fall upon those who persist in wickedness, injustice, and ungodliness.

As individuals and communities, we must heed this warning by embracing righteousness, seeking justice, and turning back to God, and seeking His mercy. In doing so, we can avoid the same tragic fate as the people in Ezekiel's time and find favor in the eyes of the Lord.

The decision lies within your grasp:

Will you embrace wickedness?

Will you remain the silent, oblivious Christian?

Will you be the ones who beseech mercy and repent on behalf of those entangled in sin?

Will your actions bring divine protection on you or Gods judgment and wrath?

Remember, the consequences are equally yours to bear.

Amanda Allen

www.KingdomRevelations.com