Ezekiel 33-34; John 16 (The Message)

In the first part of Ezekiel 33 God reveals again to Ezekiel that He is a watchman for the people of God. a watchman is to warn them of coming war and danger. A pastor's job is similar in that we are to seek the Lord and relay the message to the flock or individual of impending spiritual danger. It is sometimes easier to be delivering a message of cheer than the one the Lord reveals. It is a very dangerous position to be in to deliver a message that is not from the Lord. As a member of a local body of believers we must decide what message we would rather hear. The Lord will never reveal something that is not necessary and ultimately beneficial to His children. The people of Jerusalem decided to remain in their evil ways and count on being a descendant of Abraham to save them. 29 "They'll realize that I am God when I devastate the country because of all the obscenities they've practiced."
Another thing that concerned the Lord was the people were eager to hear the message of God and then it did not affect their lives in any way. They went on and did exactly what they had were doing before. 30-32 "As for you, son of man, you've become quite the talk of the town. Your people meet on street corners and in front of their houses and say, 'Let's go hear the latest news from God.' They show up, as people tend to do, and sit in your company. They listen to you speak, but don't do a thing you say. They flatter you with compliments, but all they care about is making money and getting ahead. To them you're merely entertainment—a country singer of sad love songs, playing a guitar. They love to hear you talk, but nothing comes of it.

33 "But when all this happens—and it is going to happen!—they'll realize that a prophet was among them."

Ezekiel 34 tells us about the shepherds over the people of God that do not do their job. It shows how God will intervene in order to shepherd His sheep and protect them from shepherds that prey on His flock. 28-29 "'No longer will they be exploited by outsiders and ravaged by fierce beasts. They'll live safe and sound, fearless and free. I'll give them rich gardens, lavish in vegetables—no more living half-starved, no longer taunted by outsiders." He says He will replace them and His servant David will shepherd. That is pointing to Christ the Good Shepherd who is the shepherd of the churches. The pastor's role is that of an undershepherd under Christ's authority and direction, and that always puts things in the proper order.

1-4 "I've told you these things to prepare you for rough times ahead. They are going to throw you out of the meeting places. There will even come a time when anyone who kills you will think he's doing God a favor. They will do these things because they never really understood the Father. I've told you these things so that when the time comes and they start in on you, you'll be well-warned and ready for them."
We are living in a day when people will think they are actually doing god a favor by getting radical people out of public places. We witness young men getting thrown out of christian schools for speaking truth and telling people of all religions and denominations you must be born again.
33 "I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I've conquered the world."