Page 27 - May 2026 - Truth & Tidings

he previous articles in this is- the closing verses of Revelation, and we
sue have observed, among other will briefly consider herein key features
Tthings, the power, peace, provision of His presence.
and protection of the Lord in the names
ascribed to Him in the Old Testament. We God’s Purpose
come now to the last of those titles, found It was God’s purpose in creation that
in the prophecy of Ezekiel. man would enjoy His presence. The mani-
The years from 740 B.C. onwards were festation of this is in the order seen in the
among the darkest days in Israel’s his- Garden of Eden where He placed the man
tory. Having previously seen the nation as head of creation. Man had mediatorial
fracture in 975 B.C. following the reign of dominion over the creation, ruling and
Solomon, both parts of the nation slipped representing Him. God walked in the
deep into idolatry. The northern part (Is- garden with the man, spoke to him and
rael) was brought into exile in 722 B.C., instructed him. In this dispensation, God’s
and the southern part (Judah) suffered purpose is that believers should person-
the same outcome in 586 B.C. Two godly ally and collectively enjoy the presence
young men, Ezekiel and Daniel, were of the Lord. The Lord Himself mandated
separately also taken into exile in Babylon. to His disciples, “Where two or three are
The land, city and temple they left behind, gathered together in my name, there am I
which had known the presence and glory in the midst of them” (Mat 18:20).
of the Lord, were now in ruins, and Icha-
bod conditions were the norm due to the God’s Promise
governmental judgment of God having That close fellowship between man and
fallen on the rebellious nation through the God was broken by man’s sin, resulting
elect instruments of Assyria and Babylon. in man’s being “driven out” (Gen 3:24).
It is against this backdrop that Ezekiel, Throughout Scripture we are continually
at the end of his great prophecy, narrates aware of God’s desire that man would
a future day when the people of Israel know His presence and the promise of
will be returned, the land restored, the His presence. Some examples will show
city of Jerusalem and the temple rebuilt, this. The Lord told Isaac, “I will be with
and the glory and presence of the Lord thee, and will bless thee” (26:3). Joshua
known once more. Thus, he concludes was promised, “As I was with Moses, so I
his prophecy, “And the name of the city will be with thee” (Jos 1:5); and God told
from that day shall be, The LORD is there Israel, “I have redeemed thee … thou art
[Jehovah Shammah]” (Eze 48:35). 1 mine … I will be with thee” (Isa 43:1-2). In
The presence of the Lord is one of the addition to the promise of Matthew 18:20
great themes of Scripture, seen from the above, the Lord, in sending His disciples
earliest chapters of Genesis through to out to preach the gospel, told them, “Lo,
I am with you alway” (Mat 28:20). Before
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the leaving them, the Saviour promised He
KJV. would send the Holy Spirit to be with
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