S94; April 23, 2018 on Monday;

Explanation Of Ezekiel 4:12, 14, 15

Wonderful prophecy as it is, the saddest part now is to be told.

The Scripture about to be quoted has perhaps never been read publicly or reproduced in an literature, but if it was never to be studied out, read in public, or published, God would never have placed it in the Bible. However, it is there, no doubt for a purpose, and must be considered. The quotation as found in Ezek. 4:12, 14, 15, reads as follows:– “And thou shalt bake it with dung that cometh out of man, in their sight….Then said I, Oh Lord God! behold, my soul hath not been polluted: For from my youth up even till now have I not eaten of that which dieth of itself, or is torn in pieces; neither came there abominable flesh into my mouth. Then he said unto me, Lo, I have given thee cow’s dung for man’s dung, and thou shalt prepare thy bread therewith.” {SR1: 123.3}

The prophet was told that he could not use wood, or coal to bake the cakes upon, but that he should use “dung that cometh out of a man.” To Ezekiel it was too repulsive, and he pleaded to be excused. The Lord made an Allowance, not by compulsion, but for Ezekiel’s sake only, by telling Ezekiel to bake it with “cow’s dung.” The 13th verse gives an explanation of the symbol as follows: “The symbol is: Every portion of truth that has come so far, has been polluted, including this not with standing all the instructions given us, line upon line, and precept upon precept. The picture tells the story; Symbols Do Not Lie. Instead of being offended because we are told of our failings, we should only Praise GOD that in HIS Mercy HE has made a call for Rreformation, that we may not be left to perish in our sins, but are given an opportunity to choose whom we will serve. {SR1: 124.1}

The question may be asked, How have we polluted GOD’s Truth? Only one of the many references will be quoted here. Volume 1, pages 471, 472: “A great mistake has been made by some who profess present Truth, by introducing merchandise in the course of a series of meetings,…Ministers have stood in the desk and preached a most solemn discourse, and then by introducing merchandise, and acting the part of a salesman, even in the house of GOD….The burden of selling our publications should not rest upon ministers who labor in word and doctrine.” Volume 8, page 250: “I saw our Instructor [CHRIST] pointing to the Garments of so-called Righteousness. Stripping them off, He laid bare the defilement beneath. Then HE said to me: ‘Can you not see how they have pretentiously covered up their defilement and rottenness of Character? “How is the Faithful City become an Harlot?” MY FATHER’s House is made a house of Merchandise, a place whence the divine presence and glory have departed! For this cause there is Weakness, and Strength is Lacking’.” Thus we have the proof that every truth thus far has been polluted, including the Sabbath. {SR1: 124.2}