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The Slaughter Weapon – Part 1

A Warning and a Call for Understanding

We are about to study one of the most feared Bible chapters in "Present Truth Circles"—so buckle up. But before we proceed, let’s remember what Scripture tells us:

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” — 2 Timothy 3:16-17

The danger we face is not the text itself but wrongful interpretation. Our prayer is that the Holy Spirit guides us to understand the truth and set us free from the bondage of sin and death.

The Challenge: Knowledge or Righteousness?

As we continue with our 2021 theme—“fearlessly proving all things”—let’s examine the subject of the Slaughter Weapon in Ezekiel 9. But first, let me ask:

Are we tested on theological knowledge, righteousness, or practical godliness?

Send me your thoughts; I’d appreciate hearing from you.

Before we dive in, I must vent a little. It frustrates me to study with someone whose sole aim is to convert me to their theological understanding—perhaps I do the same sometimes. But if neither party is willing to yield, what’s the point? Now I understand what Mohandas Gandhi meant when he said:

“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

He had a point. Missionaries have too often become mercenaries, wielding the Sword not for salvation but for slaughter—young and old alike—under the guise of winning souls for the Kingdom of Heaven.

How different, then, are such mercenary Christians from the black-flag caliphates? They came to Africa, saw our gold, circumcised our hearts, and then slaughtered us in the name of Jesus. Somewhere, I read that the blue-eyed, blond figure on the walls of those who robbed our people is “another Jesus” (2 Corinthians 11:4)—a false, man-made god. I see his trail in the 1994 genocide.

The darkest chapters of history are stained with crimes committed by bigoted religionists. So, good luck defending your theological tenets—because if your life contradicts your faith, your Christianity is a curse to both you and the world.

Ezekiel’s Vision: Judgment on Religionists

Ezekiel 8:1 sets the stage:

“In the sixth year, in the sixth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I sat in mine house, and the elders of Judah sat before me, that the hand of the Lord GOD fell there upon me.”

Ezekiel receives a vision—a startling prophecy exposing the abominations committed by so-called religious leaders. These men, with all their orthodoxy, brought curses upon themselves and, by extension, upon the congregation.

The judgments in chapter 9 follow as a direct result of the church adopting worldly practices instead of practicing righteousness.

Prophecy for the Last Generation

Ezekiel 9 is prophetic and must be understood as a vision requiring deep interpretation. It was meant for a specific time—the time of the end.

“And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” — Daniel 12:8-10

This means that when the time of fulfillment arrives, God will grant understanding. We must also compare Scripture with Scripture to avoid misinterpretation—some things are symbolic, while others are literal.

So how do we discern when to spiritualize and when to take things literally?

The Slaughter Weapon Unleashed

Ezekiel 9:1-8 describes the vision:

“He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand. And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side...”

The Lord commands that a mark be placed upon those who sigh and cry for the abominations in Jerusalem. Those without the mark face merciless destruction. The judgment begins at the sanctuary—with the religious leaders.

“And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary.”

Ezekiel falls on his face in horror:

“Ah Lord GOD! Wilt thou destroy all the residue of Israel in thy pouring out of thy fury upon Jerusalem?”

The Slaughter Weapon in Africa

In my introduction, I likened Africa’s suffering to this biblical slaughter. We have been slain—both literally and spiritually—by mercenaries disguised as missionaries.

The spirit of Father Gonzalez da Silvera is now reincarnated in Prophet Java and his ilk. The artful dodgers of old have evolved; today’s pickpockets stand at the pulpit, robbing hypnotized Libyans and Ethiopians.

So, let’s examine this Slaughter Weapon—but let’s handle it wisely, using the correct rules of biblical interpretation.

The Mark of True Believers

The true people of God—those who genuinely care for the Lord’s work and the salvation of souls—will always view sin for what it is. They will stand on the side of truth, calling out sin and pleading for the church to repent.

In these last days, as God seals the 144,000, the faithful will feel the weight of the sins committed by professed believers. Ezekiel’s vision portrays this final work under the symbol of men bearing slaughter weapons—with one man setting a mark on those who grieve over abominations.

“And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.” — 3T 266.2

Final Thoughts

This is a heavy subject—one that challenges both our theology and our way of life. The question remains:

How do we handle the Sword?

Do we use it as mercenaries—slaughtering in the name of religion? Or do we use it as true disciples—defending righteousness and calling others to repentance?

The time is near. May God grant us wisdom.

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