Ezekiel 37 - Modern application of this type

I find myself most receptive to the promptings of the Spirit of God early in the morning when I first awake from sleep. Yesterday morning I was directed to move forward to Ezekiel 37 and given the following explanation on how this prophecy reflects the same pattern we have studied.

I was in the process of "drilling down" more deeply in the two previous examples but felt it was becoming more confusing if someone was actually trying to follow with me. Consequently I will limit this analysis to the pattern as we have identified it thus far.

Ezekiel 37 is one of the more frequently quoted prophecies in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because it is viewed as compelling evidence supporting the Book of Mormon. We commonly read of the sticks of Judah (the Bible) and Joseph (the Book of Mormon) often declaring the prophecy fulfilled when a "Quad" is held up to prove the two records have been joined together as one. Content to rest on the evidence, the prophecy spoken by Ezekiel thereafter tends to be over looked. Today we will compare events that follow thereafter to the pattern exemplified by Hezekiah and Josiah. If the pattern is embedded in the prophecy it substantiates the claim the pattern is relevant to the last days and has a modern application.

We begin our examination with verse 20 of Ezekiel 37, after the two "sticks" have become "one in mine hand":

"And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes. And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all: Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwellingplaces, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be m people, and I will be their God. And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them. And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever. Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And the heathen shall know that I the Lord do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore." (Ezekiel 37:20-28)

Elements from the Pattern found in this prophecy:

1. If you accept the "sticks" of Judah and Joseph represent the Bible and Book of Mormon the reader must accept this prophecy is chronologically linked to the last days.

2.The Lord commences gathering Israel from amongst the Gentile nations to the lands of their inheritance.

3. When Israel is gathered there is one king over all of Israel.

4. The division between two nations refers to the time when David was king of Judah and post Saul, Israel was without a king and the elders of Israel petitioned David and asked that he assume Israel's throne as well as Judah. Under one head, (David) Israel was again united.

5. When the two nations become one, Israel follows the same pattern of cleansing described by Josiah and Hezekiah. Idol gods were cast away along with all "detestable things" and repents. In return for solemn repentance, the Lord "will cleanse them." After Israel's gathering and cleansing the Lord accepts Israel as "my people" and Israel accepts the Lord as "their God."

6. The Lord's servant carrying out this work is "David." Initially (vs.24) David is declared a "king" and the Lord's shepherd who "shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them."

7. Israel and their children for several generations reclaim the lands of their father's inheritance.

8. David experiences a change in title in verse 25 wherein he was noted as a king over Israel to a "prince for ever." The change in title reflects priesthood/covenant advancement for both David and his people. The title of "king" is temporal, temporary and transient. The title "prince for ever" implies permanence and likely moving from Aaronic, vicarious representation before the Lord and personal representation before the Lord, (only available through Melchizedek Priesthood. This may reflect the same title sought by Abraham when pursuing the Patriarchal Priesthood. (Abraham 1:2, "prince of peace."

9. The Lord makes an everlasting covenant of peace with Israel. The Lord's sanctuary is set in the midst of Israel. (Temple)

10. The Lord's tabernacle will be with Israel so the higher blessings of the Melchizedek Priesthood can be ministered to Israel. Part of the higher covenant is the reaffirmation that Israel are the Lord's people and He is their God.

11. The "heathen", (Gentiles, all non covenant inhabitants in the world will "know" God is sanctifying Israel and God will forever dwell in Israel's midst.

3.