AForceOfOne

THIS STUDY REVEALS THE IDENTITY
OF THE DRY BONES IN EZEKIEL'S
VISION AND THEIR CONNECTION TO
THE MIGHTY INVADING ARMY SEEN
IN JOEL'S VISION.

There has been much teaching on Ezekiel 37 attempting to link the
restoration of the bones in the valley to the emergence of the secular
state of Israel as a nation. Similarly, the identification of the army
described by the prophet Joel spans the gamut from a swarm of
insects (locusts) to the Latter Rain and Manifest Sons Of God
doctrines which teach that the Church will forcibly move to control
government of the world in preparation for the millennial reign of
Jesus Christ.

However, because scripture interprets scripture, a study of passages
linking and connecting events and terms in prophecy can help us
understand who and what is being spoken of, and the prophetic
timing.

Let us first read chapter 37 of Ezekiel, to the left of this column. We
will focus on the highlighted text individually, then we will connect
the parts as a whole to obtain an entire picture.

Ezekiel 37:1

The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried
me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down
in the midst of the valley which was full of bones,

Ezekiel was told to prophesy to a vast valley of bones which were
very dry. The bones are commanded to "hear" the word of the Lord.
Now we must reflect to where in the word of God we have other
reference to that same term. It can be found in John 5:28-29 --
Marvel not at this: the hour cometh in which all that are in their
graves shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and come forth...

37:2

And caused me to pass by them round about: and,
behold, there were very many in the open valley;
and, lo, they were very dry.

37:3

And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones
live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest.

When will this event take place? At the second coming of the Lord
Jesus Christ at the LAST DAY. John 6:39- -- And this is the Father's
will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should
lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

37:4

Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones,
and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word
of the LORD.

John 6:40
And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth
the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will
raise him up at the last day. The second coming and resurrection of
the dead is also brought out further in Ezekiel 37:12-14 where key
words are opened your graves, my people, brought you up out of
your graves, and put my spirit in you, and you shall live.

37:5

Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I
will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:

37:6

And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up
flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put
breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know
that I am the LORD.

Also, let's look at the beginning of verse 13 in Ezekiel 37 -- And ye
shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your
graves...Strongs Heb/Chal 3045 defines "know" as YADA -- to
ascertain by seeing, to know of a certainty, as in conjunction with a
familiar friend or kinsman, to have understanding.

Now we must ask where scripture shows us that we will know God
with a certainty, as a familiar friend or kinsman? And, when. The
answer is found in I Corinthians 13:12 -- For now we see through a
glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall
I know even as also I am known...this "know" ginosko is defined as to
know absolutely, be resolved, be sure -- Strongs Greek 1097

37:7

So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I
prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a
shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his
bone.

37:8

And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the
flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered
them above: but there was no breath in them.

37:9

Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind,
prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus
saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O
breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they
may live.

We know I Corinthians is referring to when we (the "my people") see
the Lord Jesus Christ face to face.

37:10

Now, if you have always been of the persuasion that when God
speaks of "my people" He is only referring to the inhabitants of the
secular state of Israel, you need to realize that even though the Old
Testament nation of Israel was brought into existence as the vehicle
through which the seed of the woman -- Genesis 3:15 -- would come
forth as the Savior of the world, and to preserve God's word through
Torah and the prophets -- the Jewish nation as a "favored status"
people has ceased to exist. The mantle of special favor now rests
upon the ecclesia -- the church, the called out ones, the body of
Christ, which treasure we have in our earthen vessels by the shed
blood of Christ and the sealing and indwelling of the Holy Ghost.
There, however, have always been (and STILL ARE) believing Jews,
and those who desired to see Him of whom the prophets spoke...these
were the "Lost Sheep Of The House Of Israel", to whom Jesus said He
was sent.   Again, the apostle Paul tells us that, Romans 1:16 -- For I
am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God
unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to
the Greek. (Gentiles) But he goes on to say in the next chapter
Romans 2:6-11 (excerpts) [God] will render to every (includes
Jewish people) man according to his deeds...Tribulation and anguish,
upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the
Gentile...For there is no respect of persons with God. Also, we see in
Ezekiel 11:23 ...'the glory of the LORD went up from the midst of the
city, and stood upon the mountain which is on the east side of the
city.'   The next time it appeared in their midst, it was veiled within
the body of the Christ child. However, after the religious leadership
of the day rejected their Messiah-King he told them the parable of the
householder's vineyard and the wicked husbandmen (Matthew
21:33-41), and concluded by saying, "The kingdom of God shall be
taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits
thereof. "   Just who this nation is, is clearly delineated in I Peter 2:9-10
--

37:11

Then he said unto me, Son of man, these
bones are the whole house of Israel: behold,
they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is
lost: we are cut off for our parts.

37:12

Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith
the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will
open your graves, and cause you to come
up out of your graves, and bring you into the
land of Israel.

37:13

And ye shall know that I am the LORD,
when I have opened your graves, O my
people, and brought you up out of your
graves,

37:14

And 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.

37:15

The word of the LORD came again unto me,
saying,

37:16

2:10 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy
nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of
him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick,
and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children
of Israel his companions: then take another stick,
and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of
Ephraim and for all the house of Israel his
companions:

Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of
God: (the 'my people' in Ezekiel 37:13) which had not obtained
mercy, but now have obtained mercy.