From Death to Life The Doctrine of Regeneration

The Vision of Regeneration, Dry Bones Live – Ezekiel 37:1-14

Ezekiel’s vision of a valley of dry bones illustrates the promises of restoration, fulfilled in Jesus Christ. To remove their stony hearts and give them hearts of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26; Jeremiah 31:31-35).  To put His Spirit within them and move them to obey Him (Ezekiel 36:27). To be born again, not by human will but by God's (John 1:12-13). Last week we saw God the Father in all his greatness, personally touch Ezekiel (Ezekiel 1:3) and speak to him, putting His Spirit in him to obey his commands (Ezekiel 2:1-2). 

The Situation (37:1-6): God intentionally positioned Ezekiel to see this vision. The “hand of the Lord” brought him “by the Spirit of the Lord” to declare God's very words "I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life."

The Rejuvenation (37:7-10): In response to Ezekiel's obedient declaration, bones turned into bodies ready to breath. So Lord said - prophesy to the breath, say "come, breath breathe into these slain, that they may live. God transformed the valley of dry bones to a vast army.  God’s word and His Spirit brought life to a place overcome by death. Ezekiel obeyed God, who accomplished His purpose by His sovereign power.

The Explanation (37:11-14): This vision communicates more than God’s power to resurrect people from death. I love how this is explained in light of Jesus Christ in 1 Cor 15.

...As surely as there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body . So it is written [in Scripture], “The first man , Adam, became a living soul (an individual);” the last Adam (Christ) became a life-giving spirit [restoring the dead to life]. However, the spiritual [the immortal life] is not first, but the physical [the mortal life]; then the spiritual. The first man [Adam] is from the earth, earthy [made of dust]; the second Man [Christ, the Lord] is from heaven.

1 CORINTHIANS 15:44‭-‬47 AMP

Just as we have borne the image of the earthly [the man of dust], we will also bear the image of the heavenly [the Man of heaven].

1 CORINTHIANS 15:49 AMP

Who in your life seems completely dead, far away from God, hopelessly dry? How can you participate with the Spirit (breath, wind) and the bride (church, people of God) say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take (without cost) the free gift of the water of life. (Rev 22:17)

1. Dead in sin: Genesis 3; Ephesians 2:1-3

 2. Made alive in Christ: Ephesians 2:4-10; 2 Thessalonians 2:13

 3. New birth: John 3:3, 7; Ephesians 2:5; Colossians 2:13; Titus 3:4-7; 1 Peter 1:3

 4. Refusal to seek God: Romans 3:10-18