SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 26
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Your walls will tremble at the noise of the warhorses, wagons and chariots when he enters your gates as men enter a city whose walls have been broken through. [Ezekiel 26:10]
When the people of Tyre saw the destruction of Jerusalem, they pounced; this was their opportunity to rape and pillage a crumbling nation.
But Ezekiel warns them that their day is coming, that one day they will be invaded, defeated and crushed… their defenses will be reduced to rubble.
On the day of that invasion, it will be as an earthquake, the walls will tremble as they are assaulted and penetrated and broken down.
Then they will know that I am the LORD. [Ezekiel 26:6]

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. [Matthew 27:51-52]
This world is like a kingdom (like Tyre), and the prince of that kingdom (Satan) has reinforced his gates against the coming King, and has raped and pillaged this world and its inhabitants, and made them prisoners.
But Jesus’ coming is a heavenly invasion; God takes on the gates of hell.
The gates and the walls tremble, and the rocks split, the tombs break open.
Jesus is the coming of the Lord in mercy, to rescue the captives.
He will come one day in justice, to punish the captors and tyrants.
Ezekiel’s warning for Tyre comes also to us – now is the time of mercy, let down your walls and allow the Lord to set you free.
But the time of justice is coming, and those that refuse to recognize God will one day face the music.
Then they will know that I am the LORD. [Ezekiel 26:6]

To all who refuse to welcome God, to accept Him and submit to Him, a day is coming.
Build up your defenses, strengthen your walls… you cannot keep Him out, and one day your walls will tremble.
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. [Matthew 16:18]
The rock of which Jesus speaks is not Peter, but Peter’s faith, His recognition that Jesus is the Lord – “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” [Matthew 16:15]
Then they will know that I am the LORD. [Ezekiel 26:6]
And the gates of Hades (or Tyre, or your heart) will not overcome it. [Matthew 16:18]

PRAYER:
Lord, open my heart even more. I believe, but my faith is still weak, and my heart is still somewhat closed. Open my heart to You now, so that You do not need to shake it open later on!