New Leadership
|
Key Verse: “Ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord GOD.” Selected Scripture: |
THIS STUDY FOCUSES FIRST of all on the shepherds, or leaders, of the Lord’s flock. It alludes to the neglecting of the sheep of the flock in favor of themselves. The parable pictures the members of the flock being scattered. This failure to provide them with spiritual food and to assist them is a direct result of being too busy with the goats. The goats represent worldly elements that may take away their time and attention from what their true focus should be. The Lord is telling the shepherds that they were not appointed to look after themselves or the goats, but to look after the sheep class.
The Lord says, “Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth.” (Ezek. 34:10) Some may believe that this scripture is in the process of fulfillment due to the fact that we are living during the Second Presence of Christ. He is present in the world and is searching out the truly consecrated of his people and gathering them out of the world to himself.
The Great Shepherd is with his flock, and is causing his voice to be heard; and the sheep will be gathered to him out of every nation. Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27) The voice of the Lord amongst his sheep is to be heard now because it is the time of his Second Presence. He is now about to complete his flock of this present Gospel Age and to glorify them in the first resurrection.
Verses 11-13, of Ezekiel chapter 34, describe how the Lord will seek his sheep—“and will bring them to their own land.” The homeland of the Lord’s sheep of this age is heaven itself, and his bringing them to it will mean their resurrection change. Then they will be in the kingdom with Jesus, and will still be his sheep, his flock, and his bride. But the Lord declares also, “Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”—John 10:16
The ‘other sheep’ will include all of mankind who, during the Millennial kingdom, will be glad to avail themselves of the great provision the Lord has made for them. They have been purchased by Jesus, and redeemed from the curse of sin and death. All will have the invitation to become the Lord’s sheep, and by developing his character-likeness will prove their loyalty to him, and be granted everlasting life. “I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David.”—Ezek. 34:23
‘David’ refers to Christ, and this new leadership is highlighted in the scripture, “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”—Isa. 9:6,7