Avoiding Dangerous and Deceptive Apostasy

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Ezekiel 12:1-28

 

Ezekiel 12:27-28

“Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say, ‘The vision that he sees is for many days from now, and he prophesies of times far off.’ ²⁸ Therefore say to them, Thus says the Lord God: None of my words will be delayed any longer, but the word that I speak will be performed, declares the Lord

(ESV)

 

We live in a world full of deception and why we must check all information for its authenticity. This is especially true in the information age where anyone can find information on the internet that may or may not be true because anyone can post something deceptive or false online. Checking information is especially vital for information presented as coming from God and why we must weigh all words presented as coming from God against the source, the Bible.

 

Ezekiel receives another word from the Lord that begins with the Lord reminding Ezekiel he lives in a rebellious house that refuses to see or hear from the Lord (Ezekiel 12:1-2). The Lord then instructs Ezekiel to prepare an exile’s baggage and go into exile by day in the sight of the people in the hope the people will understand the words from the Lord despite their rebellion (Ezekiel 12:3). The Lord also instructs Ezekiel to go out in the evening like one forced into exile (Ezekiel 12:4). Ezekiel is to dig through the wall and bring his baggage through the wall, carrying it over his shoulder covering his face so he does not see the land as a sign for the house of Israel (Ezekiel 12:5-6). Ezekiel did as God instructed (Ezekiel 12:7).

 

In the morning after doing what the Lord instructed, Ezekiel receives another word from the Lord asking Ezekiel if the house of Israel has asked him what he is doing (Ezekiel 12:8-9). In response to this question, Ezekiel is to tell them what he has done illustrates what is going to happen to them. The house of Israel shall go into exile (Ezekiel 12:10-11). Ezekiel tells the prince of Jerusalem that he shall lift his bag over his shoulder at dusk and go out through a hole in the wall, covering his face so he shall not see the land (Ezekiel 12:12). The Lord will spread His net over the prince, taking him in his snare, bringing him to Babylon but he will not see it and die there (Ezekiel 12:13). The Lord will scatter those around the prince including his helpers and troops, coming after them with the sword so they know the Lord is the Lord as the Lord disperses them among the nations (Ezekiel 12:14-15). However, the Lord will let some escape the sword, famine, and pestilence so they can declare their abominations among the nations, knowing the Lord is the Lord (Ezekiel 12:16).

 

Ezekiel receives another word from the Lord telling Ezekiel to eat his bread with quaking and drink water with trembling and anxiety (Ezekiel 12:17-18). The word from the Lord also tells the inhabitants of Jerusalem to eat their bread with quaking and drink their water with trembling and anxiety (Ezekiel 12:19). This is because the inhabited cities shall be laid waste, and the land shall become desolate so the inhabitants of Jerusalem will know the Lord is the Lord (Ezekiel 12:20).

 

Ezekiel receives another word from the Lord regarding a proverb among the people that says the time of Ezekiel’s word that the people will go into exile has grown long and the visions of Ezekiel have not yet come to pass (Ezekiel 12:21-22). Ezekiel is to let them know this proverb is going to end because the words of the Lord spoken by Ezekiel and his visions are going to come to pass (Ezekiel 12:23). The Lord declares an end to false visions and flattering words in Israel because He is the Lord and will perform all that He has declared (Ezekiel 12:24-25). The concluding vision of the Lord to Ezekiel declares there will no longer be any delay because the Lord will perform what He has spoken (Ezekiel 12:26-28).

 

False prophets have been tickling the ears of the people of Israel, telling them what they want to hear, that they will not be going into exile. The Lord has had enough of these false prophecies and instructs Ezekiel to illustrate what is about to happen to the people with the Lord warning them that time is short and that they will be going into exile. Ezekiel is not the only prophet to call out the false prophets for Jeremiah compared these false prophets to wind void of a Word from the Lord also letting the people of Judah and Jerusalem know they would go into exile (Jeremiah 5:12-17). Yet the people of Judah and Jerusalem ignored the words from the Lord uttered by both Jeremiah and Ezekiel and went into exile.

 

Jesus entrusted His Church with the mission of spreading the Gospel or Good News of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). However, the Church acts as a watchman and must guard against false and deceptive doctrine infiltrating the Church that tickles the ears of the congregation and does not align with the truth of the Bible. Paul warned his protégé Timothy that the time would come when Church congregants would find teachers that suit their own needs (1 Timothy 4:3). A look at the teaching propagated in many churches, on TV, on radio, and on the internet indicates that time has come.

 

The true Church teaching the principles of the Bible must fulfill the role of Ezekiel and speak out against any false doctrine propagated in the Church or over media. This includes Churches that diminish or do not speak of the sin in the lives of people, replacing it with a self-help message that God will give one anything they want, confusing wants with needs (Philippians 4:19). This also includes the adoption of the wokeness that has infected our culture that is racist pitting one group against another, fails to speak out against abortion on demand, supports same-sex marriage, and believes that God can make mistakes with the gender He gives to people. A word of warning to ministers supporting these issues, you will face God someday and give account of your support of these teachings. Fortunately, it is not too late to repent of teaching these false doctrines and return to teaching the truths contained in Scripture.

 

If you are reading this and have never prayed for forgiveness from sin and to make Jesus the Lord of your life with the reward of eternal life (John 3:16), I encourage you to do so now by praying with me.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

Merry Christmas to everyone and please read the Christmas stories in Luke 2:1-21 and Matthew 2:1-12, taking time to reflect on the reason we celebrate Christmas.