Wellspring of Evil   

     Before we continue with (Daniel) miracles next week, we need to check in with Ezekiel.  

     Evil has vexed humanity since the serpent deceived Eve, and Adam failed to accept responsibility. It has plagued every nation in history, including ancient Israel, the folks God chose to reveal him to the world. 

     Jewish prophet Ezekiel is a captive in Babylonia, like Daniel. Unlike Daniel, he is occupied with The word of the Lord for all nations, words that repeatedly come to him from above. 

     In chapter 28, A Prophecy Against the King of Tyre, Ezekiel receives a word unlike any other. The king is judged severely; then in similar words...

This is what the Sovereign Lord says:

You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned  you. Your mountings were made of gold on the day you were created.

You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones. 

You were blameless in your ways...till wickedness was found in you. Through your trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, O guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones. 

Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted  your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth;          I made a spectacle of you before kings. 

~

     The Lord through Ezekiel reveals his rebuke of Lucifer, now called Satan. He was the unseen ruler of Tyre, and is the god of this world. Lucifer and a third of the (rebellious) angels were cast to earth. 

     That's a lot of demons, who despise you and me, made in God's image. God informs Lucifer he will come to a "horrible end." Also, see Isaiah chapter 14.

 Monday: Daniel prays; Gabriel answers