The Mark of Repentance

Then the LORD thundered, “Bring on the men appointed to punish the city! Tell them to bring their weapons with them!” Six men soon appeared from the upper gate that faces north, each carrying a deadly weapon in his hand. With them was a man dressed in linen, who carried a writer’s case at his side. They all went into the Temple courtyard and stood beside the bronze altar. Then the glory of the God of Israel rose up from between the cherubim, where it had rested, and moved to the entrance of the Temple. And the LORD called to the man dressed in linen who was carrying the writer’s case. He 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! [Ezekiel 9.1-3]

There is an important bit of information we should know here today from this passage in Ezekiel. Actually there are a couple things we should pay attention to.

First, God's punishment is severe. So severe in fact is God's discipline that it will go beyond the "explainable" (by man's godless knowledge) and be understood clearly by all as the wrath of God:

I will turn my eyes away and show no pity. I will repay you for all your detestable sins. Then you will know that it is I, the LORD, who is striking the blow. [Ezekiel 7.9]

People currently think a vaccine is the answer to our current dilemma. Soon, it will become strikingly obvious that our curse is beyond "scientifically explainable circumstances" and that this dilemma can only be the judgment of God.

The second important thing we should understand is that there is an insulating factor from the wrath of God: repentance. He 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.” The text is clear that God will spare those with the mark of repentance upon their lives.

There are many similarities in Ezekiel's prophecy in today's reading to the culture in which we now live (particularly so in the USA where I live). Look at what Ezekiel 7.10 says:

“The day of judgment is here; your destruction awaits! The people’s wickedness and pride have blossomed to full flower. [Ezekiel 7.10]

Notice that "wickedness and pride" are at maturity signaling eminent judgment... certainly that seems to be the case today from my perspective.

I am not saying Ezekiel was prophesying about these times today. Certainly his prophecy had relevance to his time. However, if the Bible is for our education about the character and nature of God (which it is), then we can rest assured our circumstances are likely about to become much more dire than they seem even now.

Repentance is our ONLY hope for being spared. This applies Old Testament or New Testament - After His temptation in the wilderness, Jesus began His ministry with these words:

From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” [Matthew 4.17]

Father, forgive me - forgive us - for our wickedness and pride. No doubt Your hand is raised against Your enemies and the weight of Your judgement is about to be felt. May the mark of repentance be found upon my life and may my life encourage others to receive that mark by their own willful and purposeful repentance.