09/05/2011 - GOD STILL OPENS THE HEAVENS

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\”Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the River Chebar, that the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God.” (Ezekiel 1:1)
Ezekiel was a priest and a Prophet who saw the Heavens being opened, although he was among the people being held captive. He was contemporary to Daniel and, probably, one of Jeremiah’s disciples. His whole ministry was exercised in Babylonian captivity and he began prophesying in the fifth year when he was among the Israeli captives. His visions were quite complex and yet their message was easy to understand. That servant of the Lord was sent to the children of Israel who’d been taken to a distant land as prisoners due to their wrongdoings. Though he was one of those who found themselves in darkness, the Heavens were opened to him and he had divine visions.
My brethren, the visions we have – when in accordance with the Word of the Lord – make us useful in God’s hands. The study of secular things is important, but what we learn from the Scriptures is what it takes to accomplish the divine will. And those who receive any revelation from God must stand up to share it with everybody. We mustn’t make things up in order to help people get close to the Father. Even our standing on our feet must be done with the divine assistance. Once the Most High had granted those visions to Ezekiel, He commanded him to stand up because He wanted to speak to him; yet, that was only possible when the Spirit of God entered that man.
My brethren, the vision someone might have had doesn’t qualify them for the task they’re supposed to carry out. They need to listen to the Lord’s voice and learn more from Him so that they can speak in His Name. Newcomers should not be ordained, but trained as disciples till they’re fully prepared.
God had a purpose in the captivity of the people of Israel; after all, His people were there going through all kinds shameful situations. The Word always reveals itself where God wants to make Himself known. Those tyrants couldn’t keep the children of the Most High in their hands forever.
First, the Israelites had to know that there was a prophet among them and that his testimony would surely be given regardless of their interest in listening to it. We can’t judge what’s going on in the world, but we can notice, by faith, the divine hand operating all around the world. When the LORD brings back the captivity of His people, we’ll be like those who dream (Psalm 126:1).
Ezekiel was probably the same age as Daniel. God showed him that His people were committing all kinds of errors in secret. A “hole in the wall” was all he needed to understand what they were doing secretly. That also happens today: if God gives us a tiny revelation, all we have to do is to dig in to see the abominations that separate many servants of the Lord from His divine presence. So, run away from the captivity of sin and walk in the way of righteousness, believing that the God of Ezekiel is the same that can open the Heavens for you today. Believe in this word and stand firm!
In Christ, with love,
R. R. Soares