Peter Barnes | Ezekiel 8
SERMON NOTES
ABOMINATIONS IN THE TEMPLE
Ezekiel 8; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12
– 14 months after Ezekiel 1:2; four abominations: the idol that provokes to jealousy (8:5-6); painted representations of creatures (8:10; probably Egyptian deities); mourning for Tammuz (8:14-15; a vegetation deity); and sun worship (8:16)
1. We must only worship the true God.
– Ex..20:5; 34:14; the World Council of Churches in 1991 declared it ‘inconceivable’ that there was any religion outside God!
– Eph.2:11-12
2. God is more angry with sin in the covenant community than with sin outside it.
– Josiah had got of all this idolatry (2 Kings 23:6, 11) but now it has returned.
– 1 Peter 4:17-18
3. Corrupt leaders of the covenant community do more damage than others.
– 8:11, 16 (cf. 2 Kings 22:3-14); note James 3:1; Acts 20:29-31; Mary Glasspool now a lesbian bishop in Los Angeles
– detestable used in verses 6, 9, 10, 13, 15, 17; Rev.21:8