Congregation Book Study, Week of February 28-March 6, 2022, Chapter 21, Paragraphs 7-12, Answers Underlined.

Congregation Book Study, February 28-March 6, 2022, Chapter 21, Paragraphs 7-12, Answers Underlined.

Congregation Bible Study (30 min.): rr chap. 21 paras. 7-12.

7. What is the city that Ezekiel saw? And what could he represent? (See the drawing at the beginning).

So what is the city that Ezekiel saw? Remember that both the city and the land appear in the same vision (Ezek. 40:2; 45:1, 6). The Bible indicates that this land was symbolic or spiritual, so the city must also be a symbolic city. And what idea does the word city convey? The idea of ​​a community of people making up an organized structure. Therefore, the city that Ezekiel saw, which formed a perfect square, could represent a well-organized administration.

ILLUSTRATION:

Aerial view of the city called “Jehovah Is There”.

8. Where does the administration perform its functions, and how do we know?

Where does this administration perform its functions? Ezekiel's vision indicates that the city is within the symbolic or spiritual land. So this administration is performing its functions within the environment where the people of God carry out their spiritual activities. And what does it mean that the city is on common or non-sacred land? This shows that the administration is not heavenly, but earthly. Everything that said administration has been doing has been for the benefit of the inhabitants of the spirit paradise.

9. a) Who make up the terrestrial administration today? b) What will Jesus do during the Millennium?

Who make up that terrestrial administration? In Ezekiel's vision , the one in charge of the government of the city is “the chief” (Ezek. 45:7). He is about someone who supervises the people but who is neither a priest nor a Levite. This chief reminds us of congregational overseers, particularly those who are not anointed. These loving shepherds, belonging to the “other sheep” group, are humble servants of Christ's heavenly government (John 10:16). During the Thousand Year Reign, Jesus will elect and appoint competent “princes” or elders “throughout all the earth” (Ps. 45:16). Under the direction of the heavenly Kingdom, they will care for God's people during the Millennium.

"Jehovah Is There"

10. What is the name of the city, and what guarantees its name?

Read Ezekiel 48:35. The city is called “Jehovah Is There”. His name guarantees that Jehovah's presence is felt in this city. By showing Ezekiel this centrally located city, Jehovah was actually telling the exiles: “I will be with you again.” What an encouraging promise!

11. What other lessons do we learn about the city of vision and its name?

What lessons do we learn from this part of Ezekiel's prophecy? The name of this city or administration guarantees God's servants that Jehovah is and always will be with his faithful people on Earth. This meaningful name also highlights a fundamental truth: the city is not there to give authority to any human being, but to carry out Jehovah's reasonable and kind instructions. For example, Jehovah has not given the administration the authority to decide for him how to divide the country. Rather, Jehovah expects administrators to respect the distribution he has made, that is, the place he has decided to give his servants, including those who may seem insignificant. (Ezek. 46:18; 48:29).

12. a) What characteristic of the city can we highlight, and what does it make us understand? (b) What important idea does this vision remind the elders?

What other characteristic of the city "Jehovah Is There" can we highlight? Ancient cities were protected by walls that had as few gates as possible; but this city has no more and no less than 12 gates (Ezek. 48:30-34). With so many gates in this square city—3 on each side—it is understood that the administrators are accessible and available to all God's servants. Furthermore, the fact that it has 12 gates highlights that it is open to all , to “the whole house of Israel” (Ezek. 45:6). This feature of the city reminds the elders of something important: Jehovah wants them to be accessible and available to all the inhabitants of the spirit paradise.

ILLUSTRATION:

An old man talking to some children at the Kingdom Hall and looking at some pictures they made.

The elderly are very accessible and are always willing to spend time with others. (See paragraph 12).