Saturday, June 27, 2015

ENTRY 38 REVELATION


Revelation is more than inspiration or more than a great idea. It is knowledge directly from God. Determining if a work is revelation begins with the speaker or author who is presenting the information. Does the presenter claim the information came from God? Or does the presenter claim to be the originator of the subject? We can't make claims that exceed the author's own claims. If the author does not claim the words are revelation from God, then we cannot jump to the conclusion that the revelation is from God.

God has told us to take caution how we use his name. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. That isn't referring to impolite language that you use when you smash your thumb with a hammer. Intention of the heart is everything to the Lord. Taking His name in vain is the act of using his name to gain more authority in the eyes of others.  This is essentially trying to rob authority from God that God has not actually granted. This occurs whenever we stand up at the podium and say that something is in the name of Christ when in all actuality Christ never told us to say it. It occurs when we perform ordinances without permission...from God. It also occurs when we seal in the name of Christ without receiving sealing power. It is especially tempting to use spiritual gifts to bolster ourselves up and seem more important than we really are. These are the kinds of actions that involve taking the name of the Lord in vain. It is vanity to declare we represent God without God asking us to make that representation.

Establishing a relationship with God is highly personal. There are a variety of the gifts of God and to each person is given different gifts. Learning to recognize those gifts and apply them to our personal situations without giving in to the temptation of pride and vanity is a test that everyone who seeks for the Lord must face. The gifts from God vary from subtle to the miraculous, but it is between the receiver of the gift and Christ to determine how to best apply those gifts in the service of others. Therefore, one person could receive communication from Christ by conscientious thought, or an internal conversation, by dreams, by voice, by angelic visitation, or by direct face to face communication. Regardless of the method there is only one source.  Christ is the source.  The person takes on the responsibility of speaking in the name of the Lord whenever they share those gifts with others, and especially when they share the source of those gifts which is Christ.  The level of commitment in taking on the name of the Lord must be determined by the individual. It is their risk of sin if they feign more authority than God grants. It is their responsibility to determine how much of that authority would be appropriate. 

It is an equal risk of sin to not give appropriate credit to the author of all good things, which is Christ.  If it is wrong to take on more authority in the name of Christ, it would be equally wrong to hide the true source of authority by which we receive a genuine gift from God.  This would be an attempt to rob Glory from God.  We attempt to do so by enjoying the gifts of God and enjoying the attention we receive for those gifts, without giving proper acknowledgment to the giver of the gifts.

We must not rob authority from God by claiming his name in something he has not given.  Neither should we rob glory from God by hiding his name in something which he has given.

For this reason, we must allow other individuals to make the determination of how much of the Lord's name is appropriate in the words that they speak.

If there is any hesitation on the part of the speaker to declare that the Lord gave him the words, then I will give the speaker the benefit of the doubt. That is to say, I give him the benefit of the doubt that he is not a vain, authority seeking person who would pretend to speak in the name of God. I would not presume that the speaker would pretend to speak for God and result to verbal sleight of hand to make us think he is speaking for God when he really is not.  God would see through such a ruse easily and wouldn’t accept the excuse that “Hey, I didn’t actually say you said it Lord.  They just assumed you said it.” Therefore, the words may be inspirational, good advice, best theory, worth pondering over, but I would not consider it as a revelation until the deliverer makes known that it is a revelation.    If God wants a spokesman, the spokesman will be direct about the origination of the words.  For that reason, we cannot claim revelation is received by someone else when that person has not made the claim themselves. If they did not deem it appropriate to make that claim public, then we are in no position to make that claim for them.

Therefore it is inappropriate to assert that "the Brethren" have known the Lord personally or been sealed up to eternal life or have been given the keys of the kingdom of God...etc...when they themselves have not made such a claim. If it is vanity to use such experiences to build oneself up as an authority, would it not be double vanity to amplify another's experiences to increase the persuasion of our own arguments? 

For example, to say that a leader of the church speaks for God even though the leader has never made that claim themselves.  Or to say, the leaders of the church have all seen the Lord, even though the leaders have never made that claim publicly.  Or to say that the leader was speaking for God when he spoke on some specific issue, even though the leader did not claim he was delivering a message for God at that time. Wouldn’t that be taking God’s name in vain by proxy? 

Why would someone do this?  They would do it to strengthen their assertions as they quote the statements made by the leaders.  They take on the position that should you disagree with them you are disagreeing with God.  The reasoning is that the leaders speak for God but are too humble to say it directly and since we agree with the leaders, we are “on the Lord’s side”.  And since you disagree with the leaders then you are not on the Lord’s side. 

But they are making claims for the leaders that the leaders would not make for themselves.

Why did the leaders not claim it was revelation from God?  Because the leaders have integrity. They know that a revelation is a message from God and that no statement should be made in the name of God unless it actually came from God.  Likewise, leaders with integrity know that when the message does come from God that they must make the means of that revelation known so that the people can judge appropriately and be held to the weight of full responsibility for any words that God delivered personally.

Therefore, when a member claims revelation on behalf of a leader, they are speaking in the name of the Lord falsely because they themselves have not received revelation from God and the leaders have not claimed to receive revelation for God, but they claim the leader’s statements are revelation.  They claim more in the name of the leaders than the leaders claim for themselves.  They do so to increase their own personal authority.    

Remember when the Spirit of God took Jesus up to the temple wall and then withdrew from him?  The devil came and tempted Jesus telling him that it was written that the angels would protect him.  If he tossed himself off the wall and the angels saved him before all the people,  just think of all the people who would believe.  The display of power would grant Jesus instant authority to persuade the people.  But Jesus would not do it.

“Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.

3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,

6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.” (Mathew 4)

 

It is evident from the narration about the temptations of Christ that the miraculous power of God is not to be used for self gratification.  Authority of God is used to serve others, not to serve self.  Anytime God speaks to someone it is a miraculous occurrence.  Therefore, speaking as if you have received a revelation in the name of God is a serious claim.  There is a heavy weight associated with that claim.  If it is true, it is a miracle.  If it is true that God wants you to deliver a message in His name, then He will make that known to you.  If God is giving people knowledge through the miraculous means of revelation than the message is something that we should listen to carefully.  The miraculous stamp of authority means that God is giving you knowledge that you will be held responsible for.  It is being delivered with His seal of approval.  It was something Christ did not do even to win persuasion over others.  Christ only used the authority of God in accordance with the will of God for the purposes of God.  Christ did not exceed the authority given by the Father.  

When a prophet speaks for the Lord and the Lord has genuinely given him or her a message to deliver, the person will tell us in some manner that the message is from the Lord. The words may be "thus saith the Lord" or something to that effect.  There should not be any ambiguity about the level of ownership the Lord has taken on the words delivered.   If there is ambiguity then it carries no more authority than the opinion of the speaker and the precepts of men.   But when it is truly made in the name of the Lord, it carries the full authority of God. 

For some examples, I would recommend reading the story of Joseph Smith in the History of Joseph Smith (Pearl of Great Price), or in the revelations published in the Doctrine and Covenants.  I would also recommend a few other examples from the Book of Mormon, such as Lehi, Nephi, Jacob, Isaiah, Abinidi, Alma, 3rd Nephi, Mormon, and Moroni.  I would also recommend all of the stories regarding revelations from the Old and the New Testament.  Anytime someone had a prophetic message to deliver to the people, they declared:  what the message was, how they received the message and who the source of the message was.  The originator of the message was the Lord and sometimes he spoke to these individuals by dreams, by angels or by his own voice or in person.  They included the explanation of the source for the audience to determine how much validity to place on the message.  By doing so, the weight of responsibility was put on the shoulders of the people.  It was up to the hearers of the word to determine how valid the words were.

Sometimes a man is speaking and we just have this feeling in our heart that his words are true.  In fact more than a feeling, we just know that it is a message from God to us.  "It was just what I needed to hear", we say as we tell our friends about the message delivered in church last Sunday.  However, that does not mean the speaker was speaking by revelation.  It just means that you were listening by revelation.  It was a message from God...to YOU.  You received the revelation.  What was the form of the revelation?  The form was God's light filling your soul with a renewed understanding.  Again, that places the burden of revelation...and the burden of claimed authority of revelation...squarely on your shoulders.  The speaker must take responsibility for how much authority to claim on his own words.  And you must take on the responsibility for how much authority to claim on your words.  You may receive your revelations at any time and from any source.  And when you receive them, you must recognize that the source of any true revelation comes only from Christ.     

We are better off to be modest in our claims about speaking in the name of God.

We should hesitate before we claim more authority for others than they claim for themselves.

When the claim of Revelation is made in the name of God, we must weigh the claim seriously.

If it is a valid Revelation than we will be accountable to God for how we respond to the message.

 

Friday, June 26, 2015

ENTRY 37 RESTORATION


A restoration of a church is not what is needed.  What is needed is a restoration of your soul to God.  Jesus Christ is sent to those who seek that restoration.  When you learn to rely upon Christ, then you are brought back to that restoration.

Here is a good explanation from the following link:

RESTORATION

ENTRY 36 MARRIAGE






In a previous entry, I explained why I believe the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants is Lost Scripture.

I accept this book as scripture for a couple of reasons.  

First, Joseph Smith presented the revelations as the words of God given to him directly from God.  The authenticity of a Revelation needs to begin with a claim that the words issued are actually the words of God.  Determining if a work is revelation begins with the speaker or author who is presenting the information.  Does the presentor claim the information came from God?  Or does the presentor claim to be the originator of the subject?  We can't make claims that exceed the author's own claims.  If the author does not claim the words are revelation from God, then we cannot jump to the conclusion that the revelation is from God. 
 
Second, once that claim is laid out before the people then it is up to the people to determine the validity of the claim.  God will provide two or three witness to the truth of all things. 

It does not take a lengthy search to find additional witnesses to the authenticity of this book.

In the case of this record there are more than three witnesses.  The General Assembly of August 1835 gathered together and the following individuals gave an individual testimony to the truthfulness of the book before the assembly:  WW Phelps, John Whitmer, John Smith, Levi Jackman, Leanord Rich, NK Whitney, John Corrill, John Gould, Ira Ames, Erastus Babbit, Wm Burges, and Thomas Gates.  The assembly as whole then “accepted and acknowledged it as the doctrine and covenants of their faith, by unanimous vote.”  At the end of their testimonies, W.W. Phelps arose once again and read to the assembly an article on Marriage which would also be included in the printing of the book.  This was also accepted by unanimous vote.   

Third, a personal acceptance of the revelation must be determined by study, prayer and faith.  (Recall that Faith means to exercise a personal motivation to find the will of God in all things.) For me that personal witness comes in the form of recognizing Truths that are more clearly laid out in the 1835 Edition.  One example of such Truth is the definition and explanation of Faith found only in this edition.  Another example of Truth found in this edition that has been subsequently lost in later editions is the definition of Marriage.  It is the harmonization of these truths coupled with the call to repentance found within this edition that compels me to accept it as a reliable source of revelation.  

Always recognizing that Truth is eternal and unchangeable and what I may understand as truth today may in fact prove to be false tomorrow.  Therefore it is with humility that I assert anything to be true, acknowledging my own failings and weaknesses.  To the best of my understanding as I seek to know the will of God, what I read in the 1835 Edition of Doctrine and Covenants is a record of valid revelations from God. 
But you will have to make that determination for your own self.

Please take a look at the original Section 101 published in 1835.  This is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints first official declaration on Marriage.  


http://josephsmithpapers.org/paperSummary/doctrine-and-covenants-1835#!/paperSummary/doctrine-and-covenants-1835&p=259

Section 101 • Statement on Marriage, circa August 1835
SECTION CI.

MARRIAGE.

1 According to the custom of all civilized nations, marriage  is regulated by laws and ceremonies: therefore we believe,  that all marriages in this church of Christ of Latter Day Saints,  should be solemnized in a public meeting, or feast, prepared  for that purpose: and that the solemnization should be perfor med by a presiding high priest, high priest, bishop, elder, or  priest, not even prohibiting those persons who are desirous to  get married, of being married by other authority. We believe  that it is not right to prohibit members of this church from  marrying out of the church, if it be their determination so to  do, but such persons will be considered weak in the faith of  our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2 Marriage should be celebrated with prayer and thanksgiv ing; and at the solemnization, the persons to be married, stand ing together, the man on the right, and the woman on the  left, shall be addressed, by the person officiating, as he shall be  directed by the holy Spirit; and if there be no legal objections,  he shall say, calling each by their names: “You both mutual ly agree to be each other’s companion, husband and wife, ob serving the legal rights belonging to this condition; that is,  keeping yourselves wholly for each other, and from all others,  during your lives.” And when they have answered “Yes,”  he shall pronounce them “husband and wife” in the name of  the Lord Jesus Christ, and by virtue of the laws of the coun try and authority vested in him: “may God add his blessings  and keep you to fulfill your covenants from henceforth and  forever. Amen.”
3 The clerk of every church should keep a record of all mar riages, solemnized in his branch.
4 All legal contracts of marriage made before a person is bap tized into this church, should be held sacred and fulfilled. In asmuch as this church of Christ has been reproached with  the crime of fornication, and polygamy: we declare that we be lieve, that one man should have one wife; and one woman,  but one husband, except in case of death, when either is at  liberty to marry again. It is not right to persuade a woman  to be baptized contrary to the will of her husband, neither is it  lawful to influence her to leave her husband. All children are  bound by law to obey their parents; and to influence them to  embrace any religious faith, or be baptized, or leave their pa rents without their consent, is unlawful and unjust. We be lieve that husbands, parents, and masters who exercise control over their wives, children and servants, and prevent them from embracing the truth, will have to answer for that sin.” [p. 251]

Please recognize an important point in this document.  

The official teaching of the church in 1835 was monogamy.  A man should marry only one woman.  A woman should marry only one man.  The only exception offered is if a spouse should be lost in death, then the living man or woman is free to marry again.  

This declaration was made in response to charges of fornication and polygamy.  

Subsequent years would later find the church openly teaching polygamy as an official doctrine.  See Section 132 of the most current edition of the Doctrine and Covenants.  The open practice of polygamy would not occur in Joseph Smith’s lifetime.  It would occur later under the leadership of Brigham Young. 

Just one month prior to his death, Joseph made this public declaration on May 26, 1844:
"...What a thing it is for a man to be accused of committing adultery, and having seven wives, when I can only find one. I am the same man, and as innocent as I was fourteen years ago; and I can prove them all perjurers." (History of the Church Volume 6, page 411)

Everything publicly taught by Joseph Smith was that a man should marry only one woman.  He unmistakably denied polygamy again and again.     

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are forced to make reconciliation about the teachings of our church as well as the narration of our history.  It is forced upon us by the duplicitous nature of the doctrines that have been presented to us over the course of the last 180 years.  This is the challenge that has been placed before us.  

Acknowledging that challenge is not evil speaking of others, nor is it an attempt to destroy Faith.  We have no need to contend about the doctrine, but rather we can lay out the facts as they are and examine the history under the light of truth.  Let us be honest before God and honest before our neighbors about the history.  In doing so, we may recognize errors in our traditions and repent of those errors as we discover them.  

The errors are mixed in with the truth.  This is for the purpose of forcing each of us to rely on God.  We are unable to rely exclusively upon any other source.  If any other source is used to the exclusion of other sources as the authority of God’s Truth, that source becomes an idol.  A person becomes guilty of idolatry when they declare that some leader or a book or a church organization or a program is the source of truth and can have no error.  It is painfully obvious that leaders, books and churches have corruption within them.   
Acknowledging this and sorting through the truth from error is not destructive of faith.  It is faith building.  That is to say, building your faith in Jesus Christ who is all your faith should ever be centered on anyway.  For this reason, Christ will never give you a person or a book or a church that “can never lead you astray.”  God wants you to rely on Christ. And so He gives you truth through a servant, through written words and through good people you meet at church, and He lets them mix in their own opinions and then He waits upon you to see if you will discern His voice as it is delivered through the imperfect source.  Will you hold to the truth and forgive the error?  Or will you reject the truth because of the error?  Or will you try to serve two masters and hold to the truth and the error?  

The following is from Boyd K Packer and is included here to illustrate how we cannot rely on any single source for truth.  We must rely upon God.  Boyd K Packer, speaking on changes in the book of revelations:

“Some have alleged that these books of revelation are false, and they place in evidence changes that have occurred in the texts of these scriptures since their original publication. They cite these changes, of which there are many examples, as though they themselves were announcing revelation, as though they were the only ones that knew of them.

Of course there have been changes and corrections. Anyone who has done even limited research knows that. When properly reviewed, such corrections become a testimony for, not against, the truth of the books.

“The Prophet Joseph Smith was an unschooled farm boy. To read some of his early letters in the original shows him to be somewhat unpolished in spelling and grammar and in expression.

“That the revelations came through him in any form of literary refinement is nothing short of a miracle. That some perfecting should continue strengthens my respect for them.

“Now, I add with emphasis that such changes have been basically minor refinements in grammar, expression, punctuation, clarification. Nothing fundamental has been altered.

“Why are they not spoken of over the pulpit? Simply because by comparison they are so insignificant, and unimportant as literally to be not worth talking about. After all, they have absolutely nothing to do with whether the books are true.” (Conference Report, April 1974, page 137).


Another reason I include the talk by Boyd K Packer is because it provides a nice counterpoint to what I am stating in this discussion about the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants.  I am providing the best case argument I could find against my own understanding for you to consider and decide for yourself.

I accept the declaration that a man should marry only one wife.  I believe this is consistent with the Book of Mormon’s teachings.    I believe this is consistent with the hearts and desires of the many good women I have met in my life.  I believe this is consistent with the current teachings of the LDS Church Inc.  I believe this is consistent with the will of God.  

However, some might say to me that it would be wrong to accept the 1835 edition now that the church has discontinued that edition in favor of the current one.  

Brigham Young replaced Section 101 Marriage with what is now called Section 132 in the 1870s.  This Section 132 declares that a man must be sealed to more than one woman.  It teaches that polygamy is the order of God and the Celestial Kingdom consists of those who are sealed in polygamous unions.  In 1921, the edition of Doctrine and Covenants that we are most familiar with today was introduced.  However, this edition retained Section 132.  It removed the Lectures on Faith because of inconsistencies about the Lecture’s teachings on the nature of God in comparison to the current teachings of the church officials.  However, it retained the section regarding plural marriage despite the fact that the church had discontinued the practice and no longer taught it as doctrine.  Undeniably, the church now teaches monogamy.  So the church today is actually in harmony with the doctrines of the 1835 edition. 

Boyd K Packer has said that such a change is “insignificant”, “unimportant”, “not worth talking about”, and has “absolutely nothing to do with whether the books are true.”   Boyd K Packer is one of my heroes since childhood.  And I agree with him that it is a miracle that Joseph could have written something so profound as the revelations. And I agree that things which are “basically minor refinements in grammar, expression, punctuation, clarification” are not something that detracts from the truthfulness of a volume writing.  There is nothing wrong in correcting such things.  I see nothing wrong with even adding more revelations.  I welcome more revelations and hope to receive more revelations in the future; from whatever source these may come.   
 Yet, I must admit that the topic of marriage is more than a minor correction.  It is an entirely new revelation that must be examined on its own to see if it will hold up to the light.  The nature of marriage is important.  Particularly in regards to a marriage covenant to be true and faithful to my one dear wife.  This is a doctrinal issue that is significant, is important, is worth talking about and is worth consideration for review of the truthfulness of any book.

From everything I can discern, the 1835 Doctrine and Covenant’s declaration on marriage is correct and truthful.  I will accept that explanation of marriage over section 132.  Section 101 of the 1835 D&C is also in harmony with the teachings of the LDS Church now, in 2015.  The church has placed me in a position to choose one over the other.  Which position is in accordance to the way God tests us to learn if we love truth or if we can be persuaded by the falsehoods of men.  So I accept 1835 D&C 101 which states “we declare that we be lieve, that one man should have one wife; and one woman,  but one husband”

What do you think? 

Thursday, June 25, 2015

ENTRY 35 PROPHETS ARE CALLED BY GOD


This is how God gives someone a calling to represent him:



 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mIf5VKiOy3Q

See also the following for an example of how individuals are called to speak for God:

WATCHMEN

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5CbsRsDhUE

If you think that God could not call this stranger to deliver a message for Him, then remember that Samuel the Lamanite came from outside of the religious Nephites.  He was a stranger to the Nephites.  He stood on the wall for a short time to deliver a message of repentance.  You can find Samuel's story in the Book of Mormon. 

Consider also the words found in Ezekial Chapter 2 and 3. As you read Ezekial, notice the following points:

God speaks directly to the person (verse 1).  The person sees the glory of God (verse 23).

God sends the person to speak to the rebellious to correct their erring traditions (verse 3).

The person is instructed to speak in the name of God (verse 4).

The person is sent to the House of Israel or in other words, to the religious (verse 5).

The person is taught directly by God and therefore he must teach the people exactly as God has instructed, otherwise the blood of the people is on his soul (verse 18).

If we recognize the voice of the Lord as it is delivered through the prophet then we are delivered from our destruction (verse 21).

From this passage in Ezekial, we can see that a prophet delivers difficult words to hear and not flatterying speeches to the rebellious people that the people may repent (verse 18). 

The prophet is not sent to lead the people, but rather to warn the people (verse 24,25).

The people repent by turning to God and then God will lead the people (verse 21).

The prophet is the messenger (verse 27), not the leader (verse 26) .

 

1 And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee.

2 And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me.

3 And he said unto me, Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that hath rebelled against me: they and their fathers have transgressed against me, even unto this very day.

4 For they are impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God.

5 And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.

6 ¶And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.

7 And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious.

8 But thou, son of man, hear what I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious like that rebellious house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee.

9 ¶And when I looked, behold, an hand was sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book was therein;

10 And he spread it before me; and it was written within and without: and there was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe.

 

 

1 Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel.

2 So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll.

3 And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness.

4 ¶And he said unto me, Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with my words unto them.

5 For thou art not sent to a people of a strange speech and of an hard language, but to the house of Israel;

6 Not to many people of a strange speech and of an hard language, whose words thou canst not understand. Surely, had I sent thee to them, they would have hearkened unto thee.

7 But the house of Israel will not hearken unto thee; for they will not hearken unto me: for all the house of Israel are impudent and hardhearted.

8 Behold, I have made thy face strong against their faces, and thy forehead strong against their foreheads.

9 As an adamant harder than flint have I made thy forehead: fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.

10 Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, all my words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thine heart, and hear with thine ears.

11 And go, get thee to them of the captivity, unto the children of thy people, and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord God; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear.

12 Then the spirit took me up, and I heard behind me a voice of a great rushing, saying, Blessed be the glory of the Lord from his place.

13 I heard also the noise of the wings of the living creatures that touched one another, and the noise of the wheels over against them, and a noise of a great rushing.

14 So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the Lord was strong upon me.

15 ¶Then I came to them of the captivity at Tel-abib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days.

16 And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,

17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.

18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

20 Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

21 Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.

22 ¶And the hand of the Lord was there upon me; and he said unto me, Arise, go forth into the plain, and I will there talk with thee.

23 Then I arose, and went forth into the plain: and, behold, the glory of the Lord stood there, as the glory which I saw by the river of Chebar: and I fell on my face.

24 Then the spirit entered into me, and set me upon my feet, and spake with me, and said unto me, Go, shut thyself within thine house.

25 But thou, O son of man, behold, they shall put bands upon thee, and shall bind thee with them, and thou shalt not go out among them:

26 And I will make thy tongue cleave to the roof of thy mouth, that thou shalt be dumb, and shalt not be to them a reprover: for they are a rebellious house.

27 But when I speak with thee, I will open thy mouth, and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; He that heareth, let him hear; and he that forbeareth, let him forbear: for they are a rebellious house.