Who is the Man Clothed in Linen?

[whirlwind]

Thank you Ret. You are always able to bring up very profound and introspective thoughts. :yes I agree, our own self, our carnal nature must be overcome but, in this instance the man in linen is marking "the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof." To me, it is more than our personal struggle. It is a picture of what is happening in this world. A picture of the those with the number of the beast spiritually slaying, "the old and young, both maids, and little children, and women."

Satan can deceive, but he can't slay. Those who don't believe are dead in their sins already.
The man in linen is putting the mark of God on the believers, so when God pours down His wrath they'll be protected.

This isn't God's wrath being poured. This is Satan's tribulation when he deceives the world. That is the slaying...spiritual slaying.

• Ezekiel 9:5-7 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." then they began at the ancient men which were before the house. And He said unto them, "Defile the house, and fill the courts with the slain: go ye forth." And they went forth, and slew in the city.

God's wrath follows and it is reserved for those Satan was able to deceive/spiritually slay.

 

[glorydaz]

He did change but realize he was not Satan himself but was a type for Satan who is the anti-christ. One and the same. Historically the king of Babylon took the house of Judah captive as the one he is a type for today holds Judah captive.

Then again...we can see types everywhere if we look hard enough.

As Nebuchadnezzar was given the land of Egypt by the Lord, for his service in defeating the king of Tyrus, (Satan) so the Father has given Jesus all authority and power under heaven for his defeat of Satan at Calvary. (Ezekiel 29)

And part of the judgment that Nebuchadnezzar carries out against Egypt is to destroy the houses of their gods. This alludes to the judgments the Lord made against Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt in Exodus. And it is a prophetic foreshadowing of the Second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, when He will carry out vengeance against Satan's kingdoms (the houses of their gods) in the heavenly places. (Jeremiah 43)

Then He will set up his throne in Pharaoh's house, and spread his royal pavilion there.

…And he shall array himself with the land of Egypt, as a shepherd putteth on his garment; and he shall go forth from thence in peace Jer.. 43:12. Which is to say, Jesus will set up his kingdom.
But First, Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem and burnt the temple. And afterward He conquered Egypt. Judgment must begin at the house of God, and then judgment will come upon the world.

The point being....who is the man clothed in linen?
He's sent by God to mark the elect before judgment is poured forth.
That can't be satan.

 

[glorydaz]

Yes, The wearing of linen, is deceptive as it is worn by both factions. It demonstrates how Satan will pretend to be Christ. In Exodus we're shown.....

• Exodus 39:27 And they made coats of fine linen of woven work for Aaron, and for his sons,

Of the priest...not all are of God. We also have the story of Lazarus and the rich man...the one not in the bosom of Abraham was wearing linen.....

• Luke 16:19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

Linen, as well as being associated with Jesus and the saints, is worn by Babylon....

• Revelation 18:16 And saying, Alas, alas that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!

I'm sorry, but none of these examples speak of deception.

How the chosen Scriptures accomplish that is by showing both factions wear linen....not just God's children. The deception is in that fact. Satan's workers pretend to be of Christ.


Matthew 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

I agree satan is a deceiver, but the man clothed in linen is sent by God...no deception there.

 

[Joe67]

This guiding thought in 2 Thessalonians 2:11 should be considered when weighing the evidences.

2 Thess 2:11
.....God shall send them strong delusion,... KJV

Joe

 

[RND]

This guiding thought in 2 Thessalonians 2:11 should be considered when weighing the evidences.

2 Thess 2:11
.....God shall send them strong delusion,... KJV

Joe

Joe, the context of this verse deals with who God will send delusion to not that he uses people to deceive others.

 

[whirlwind]

In looking back over this thread I realized a few things. Where Ret makes us look inward, that is as it should be. Six is the "number of man" and it is man that "has charge over the city." Specifically those six that come from the "higher gate," or....all men that teach the Word of God. The weapon in our hands is...The Bible. A weapon to defeat Satan or slaughter/deceive those that can be.

In this instance I believe it teaches of the deception going on...the slaughtering of the innocent, the misled. Whether or not one believes the "man in linen" is Satan or Christ or Michael perhaps isn't the important factor. It is to KNOW of the deception. To be prepared.

The verse Joe67 quoted is important for "the mystery of iniquity doth already work"....

• 11 Thessalonians 2:10-11 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

To me, part of the "strong delusion" is that Satan and his men, those with slaughter weapons, will/are now, deceiving. Some of us are believing their lies. Is part of the deception that the man in linen is thought to be Christ? Or...is it Christ? Or...is knowing of the deception the point of the passage?

 

[whirlwind]

In study on another topic I saw....

• Zechariah 13:9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.
  
  Isaiah 1:25 And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:
  
  Ezekiel 20:38 And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
  
  Proverbs 17:3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.

That refining, purifing...taking away the dross...is what is accomplished when the six men go through the city with a slaughter weapon in their hands.