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Articles by Alex Dodson
Dr. Samuel Miller of Princeton Theological Seminary wrote in 1833 after experiencing the wonderful years of the Second Great Awakening in America – “The frequency, the power, and the precious results of revivals, in almost every part of the American churches, within a few years past, cannot but fill the hearts of intelligent Christians with joy, while they furnish a most animating presage of the rapid manner in which the conversion of the world may be expected to proceed, when ‘the set time to favor Zion shall come’; and a no less gratifying pledge of the ease with which the Head of the church can solve that problem so perplexing to human wisdom – How the number of candidates for the ministry may be so rapidly multiplied, as in any good measure to meet the urgent and increasing demand for spiritual laborers, both in the domestic and foreign field? Let such revivals as we have been permitted to see, but with augmented power and extent, visit the churches year after year, and fill all lands, and the work will be done. The knowledge and glory of the Lord, without the interposition of what we call miracle, will soon fill the earth.” (Princeton and the Christian Ministry, Vol. 1, p. 701-702)
Ezekiel in the last chapters of his book describes a temple that would be built in the future. When Ezekiel prophesied this new temple, the old temple built by Solomon had been destroyed and lay in ruins. He spends nine chapters describing this new temple along with the land and city. Matthew Henry writes, “Here is one continued vision, beginning at this chapter (40), to the end of the book, which is justly looked upon to be one of the most difficult portions of scripture in all the book of God. The Jews will not allow any to read it till they are thirty years old, and tell those who do read it that, though they cannot understand every thing in it, ‘when Elias comes he will explain it.’ Many commentators, both ancient and modern, have owned themselves at a loss what to make of it and what use to make of it. But because it is hard to be understood we must not therefore throw it by, but humbly search concerning it, get as far as we can into it and as much as we can out of it, and, when we despair of satisfaction in every difficulty we meet with, bless God that our salvation does not depend upon it, but that things necessary are plain enough, and wait till God shall reveal even this unto us.” (Matthew Henry’s Commentary on Ezekiel, p. 993) To say the least it is a difficult passage to fully understand. Yet, it is a part of God’s Word and definitely there is a message there for us.
