_Son of man, can these bones live?_ THE VISION OF A TRUE REVIVAL I. Such a revival often seems utterly hopeless. The condition of a nation in some of its eras of misfortune; the condition of the human race in their graves; the condition of men who have lapsed into low spiritual life;--are all cond... [ Continue Reading ]
_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._ THE RESURRECTION OF DRY BONES The prophecy of Ezekiel is a remarkable illustration of the nearness of the spiritual world, and of many of its laws, scen... [ Continue Reading ]
_There was no breath in them._ NO LIFE APART FROM THE SPIRIT OF GOD I. The servant of God, anxiously engaged in his work, often sees among the people to whom he ministers, a state of things which may be thus described: “There was no breath in them.” This may be said where there is-- 1. Theology w... [ Continue Reading ]
_Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live._ THE VISION OF THE VALLEY OF THE DRY BONES All else was done. Three things are prominent--the multitude, the dryness, and the isolation. We shall not stay to draw out the figure in detail in its national applicat... [ Continue Reading ]
_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._ DESPAIR DENOUNCED AND GRACE GLORIFIED I. A true word: “They say, our bones are dried.” 1. Observe, firs... [ Continue Reading ]
_Take thee one stick._ JOINING THE STICKS I. The sad condition of the people of Israel at the time the prophet wrote. It was that of separation and of estrangement. Such a condition was-- 1. Contrary to nature. 2. Displeasing to God. 3. Disastrous to themselves. That and other sin had reduced... [ Continue Reading ]
_I the Lord do sanctify Israel._ SANCTIFICATION I. We shall view it as the Holy Spirit’s work to “sanctify Israel.” He gives a new, another, a spiritual life, yea, His own life, to sinners who were dead in trespasses and in sins. That is the religion of the Bible. That sanctification which becomes... [ Continue Reading ]