What parallels exist between Ezekiel 9:2 and Revelation's depiction of divine judgment? Text snapshot “Six men came from the direction of the Upper Gate, which faces north, each holding a weapon of slaughter in his hand. With them was a man clothed in linen, who had a writing kit at his waist. They came in and stood beside the bronze altar.” (Ezekiel 9:2) Divine commissioners with instruments of wrath • Ezekiel: six men, “each holding a weapon of slaughter.” • Revelation: groups of angels likewise bear instruments of judgment— – Seven seal-opening scenes (Revelation 6) – Seven trumpet-bearing angels (Revelation 8–9) – Seven bowl-pouring angels (Revelation 15–16) The personnel differ numerically, yet both visions feature heaven-sent messengers moving in deliberate sequence to execute God’s wrath. The man in linen and Revelation’s linen-clad angels • Ezekiel’s lone figure “clothed in linen” stands out among the six. • Revelation repeatedly highlights linen-garbed heavenly beings— – The Son of Man dressed in a long robe, “with a golden sash around His chest” (Revelation 1:13). – Seven bowl angels “clothed in pure, bright linen” (Revelation 15:6). – Armies of heaven follow Christ, “dressed in fine linen, white and pure” (Revelation 19:14). The linen signals holiness and priestly service, emphasizing that divine judgment is executed with spotless righteousness. Marking versus sealing • Ezekiel 9:4 (immediately following v. 2) has the linen-clad man marking the foreheads of the faithful. • Revelation 7:3–4 echoes this safeguarding act: “Do not harm the earth…until we have sealed the foreheads of the servants of our God.” Both texts portray God’s prior identification and protection of His own before judgment sweeps through. Altar imagery: earthly bronze and heavenly golden • Ezekiel’s executioners station themselves beside the bronze altar in the temple court. • Revelation repeatedly references the heavenly altar: – Souls of the martyrs “under the altar” (Revelation 6:9). – Angel with the golden censer at the altar, whose fire is hurled to earth (Revelation 8:3–5). The altar setting in each book underscores that judgment issues from the place of sacrifice—where atonement was offered but is now rejected by the unrepentant. Judgment begins with God’s own house • Ezekiel 9:6: “Begin at My sanctuary.” • Revelation’s first rounds of warning address the seven churches (Revelation 2–3) before the wider world judgments commence. 1 Peter 4:17 corroborates the pattern: “For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God.” Structured, escalating plagues • Ezekiel observes a single, swift slaughter. • Revelation unfolds in escalating cycles—seals, trumpets, bowls—yet both visions move inexorably toward total purging, affirming Nahum 1:3, “The LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished.” Takeaway parallels – Both record literal, heaven-directed agents of judgment. – Both highlight a linen-clad figure signifying holy, priestly authority. – Both secure the faithful with an identifying mark/seal before wrath falls. – Both situate judgment at the altar, stressing sacrifice spurned. – Both depict judgment starting closest to God’s professed people, then extending outward. |
    |