2 Esdras chapter 12
[This chapter is in Orthodox Bibles] The dream-vision of a lion, continued. Uriel’s interpretation of the vision. The people come to Ezra. Ezra adapts a vegan diet again.
Note. The Book of Second Esdras is recognized as Deuterocanonical Scripture by the Orthodox Churches
THE DREAM-VISION OF A LION, CONTINUED
VERSE 1. It came to pass, while the lion spoke these words to the eagle, I saw,
VERSE 2. and behold, the head that remained disappeared, and the two wings which went over to it arose and set themselves up to reign; and their kingdom was brief and full of uproar.
the two wings. So say the chief so-called Oriental versions.
VERSE 3. I saw, and behold, they disappeared, and the whole body of the eagle was burned, so that the earth was in great fear. Then I woke up because of great perplexity of mind and great fear, and said to my spirit,
the whole body of the eagle was burned. In the Bible, the enemies of the LORD God are often destroyed by fire.
great perplexity of mind and great fear. Ezra is greatly perplexed. He has great fear.
VERSE 4. “Behold, you have done this to me, because you search out the ways of the Most High.
VERSE 5. Behold, I am still weary in my mind, and very weak in my spirit. There isn’t even a little strength in me, because of the great fear with which I was frightened tonight.
the great fear with which I was frightened. That fear drained Ezra of his strength.
VERSE 6. Therefore I will now ask the Most High that he would strengthen me to the end.”
URIEL’S INTERPRETATION OF THE VISION
VERSE 7. Then I said, “O sovereign Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, and if I am justified with you more than many others, and if my prayer has indeed come up before your face,
O sovereign Lord. Ezra is addressing the LORD God.
VERSE 8. strengthen me then, and show me, your servant, the interpretation and plain meaning of this fearful vision, that you may fully comfort my soul.
VERSE 9. For you have judged me worthy to show me the end of time and the last events of the times.”
show me the end of time. Ezra is granted an extraordinary revelation.
VERSE 10. He said to me, “This is the interpretation of this vision which you saw:
He. This is probably Uriel the angel.
VERSE 11. The eagle, whom you saw come up from the sea, is the fourth kingdom which appeared in a vision to your brother Daniel.
The eagle. This is the fourth kingdom. And implicitly, Rome.
your brother Daniel. That is, the prophet Daniel.
VERSE 12. But it was not explained to him, as I now explain it to you or have explained it.
VERSE 13. Behold, the days come that a kingdom will rise up on earth, and it will be feared more than all the kingdoms that were before it.
VERSE 14. Twelve kings will reign in it, one after another.
A succession of twelve rulers are expected.
VERSE 15. Of those, the second will begin to reign, and will reign a longer time than others of the twelve.
reign a longer time than others. The Roman ruler with a long rule is Augustus (27 BC–14 AD).
VERSE 16. This is the interpretation of the twelve wings which you saw.
VERSE 17. As for when you heard a voice which spoke, not going out from the heads, but from the midst of its body, this is the interpretation:
VERSE 18. That after the time of that kingdom, there will arise no small contentions, and it will stand in peril of falling. Nevertheless, it won’t fall then, but will be restored again to its former power.
after the time of. The so-called Oriental versions have in the midst of.
VERSE 19. You saw the eight under wings sticking to her wings. This is the interpretation:
VERSE 20. That in it eight kings will arise, whose times will be short and their years swift.
VERSE 21. Two of them will perish when the middle time approaches. Four will be kept for a while until the time of the ending of it will approach; but two will be kept to the end.
VERSE 22. You saw three heads resting. This is the interpretation:
VERSE 23. In its last days, the Most High will raise up three kingdoms and renew many things in them. They will rule over the earth,
kingdoms. The so-called Oriental versions have kings.
VERSE 24. and over those who dwell in it, with much oppression, more than all those who were before them. Therefore they are called the heads of the eagle.
VERSE 25. For these are those who will accomplish her wickedness, and who will finish her last actions.
VERSE 26. You saw that the great head disappeared. It signifies that one of them will die on his bed, and yet with pain.
one of them will die on his bed, and yet with pain. This ruler is Vespasian (69–79 AD).
VERSE 27. But for the two that remained, the sword will devour them.
the two that remained:
- Titus (79–81 AD)
- Domitian (81–96 AD)
VERSE 28. For the sword of the one will devour him that was with him, but he will also fall by the sword in the last days.
VERSE 29. You saw two under wings passing over to the head that is on the right side.
over to the head. So says the Syriac version. The Latin version has over the head.
VERSE 30. This is the interpretation: These are they whom the Most High has kept to his end. This is the brief reign that was full of trouble, as you saw.
VERSE 31. “The lion, whom you saw rising up out of the forest, roaring, speaking to the eagle, and rebuking her for her unrighteousness, and all her words which you have heard,
The lion. The Messiah is associated with Judah and David.
VERSE 32. this is the anointed one, whom the Most High has kept to the end [of days, who will spring up out of the seed of David, and he will come and speak] to them and reprove them for their wickedness and unrighteousness, and will heap up before them their contemptuous dealings.
The words in brackets are added from the Syriac version.
reprove them. The Roman rulers are indicted by the Messiah.
heap up. The Syriac version has set in order.
VERSE 33. For at first he will set them alive in his judgment, and when he has reproved them, he will destroy them.
his judgment. The Messiah executes judgment.
VERSE 34. For he will deliver the rest of my people with mercy, those who have been preserved throughout my borders, and he will make them joyful until the coming of the end, even the day of judgment, about which I have spoken to you from the beginning.
the rest of my people. The Bible describes a uniquely faithful group of believers called “the remnant.” Are they Jewish or Christians? Now or in the future? Who are they really? Read more »
my borders. These are the borders of the Holy Land.
VERSE 35. This is the dream that you saw, and this is its interpretation.
VERSE 36. Only you have been worthy to know the secret of the Most High.
the secret of the Most High. This revealed information is a very powerful secret of the LORD God.
VERSE 37. Therefore write all these things that you have seen in a book, and put it in a secret place.
write all these things that you have seen in a book. This command is new in this book.
VERSE 38. You shall teach them to the wise of your people, whose hearts you know are able to comprehend and keep these secrets.
teach them. Ezra is to reveal this powerful secret from the LORD God to the people.
to the wise of your people. Ezra is to teach the secret, but only to the wisest of people:
Matthew 7:6. Don’t give that which is holy to the dogs, neither throw your pearls before the pigs, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
VERSE 39. But wait here yourself seven more days, that you may be shown whatever it pleases the Most High to show you.” Then he departed from me.
THE PEOPLE COME TO EZRA
VERSE 40. It came to pass, when all the people saw that the seven days were past, and I had not come again into the city, they all gathered together, from the least to the greatest, and came to me, and spoke to me, saying,
saw. So says the Syriac version. The Latin version has heard.
VERSE 41. “How have we offended you? What evil have we done against you, that you have utterly forsaken us, and sit in this place?
VERSE 42. For of all the prophets, only you are left to us, like a cluster of the vintage, and like a lamp in a dark place, and like a harbor for a ship saved from the tempest.
Ezra is called prophet for the first time in this book.
VERSE 43. Aren’t the evils which have come to us sufficient?
VERSE 44. If you will forsake us, how much better had it been for us if we also had been consumed in the burning of Zion!
VERSE 45. For we are not better than those who died there.” Then they wept with a loud voice. I answered them,
VERSE 46. “Take courage, O Israel! Don’t be sorrowful, you house of Jacob;
VERSE 47. for the Most High remembers you. The Mighty has not forgotten you forever.
forever. So says the Syriac version.
VERSE 48. As for me, I have not forsaken you. I haven’t departed from you; but I have come into this place to pray for the desolation of Zion, and that I might seek mercy for the humiliation of your sanctuary.
VERSE 49. Now go your way, every man to his own house, and after these days I will come to you.”
VERSE 50. So the people went their way into the city, as I told them to do.
EZRA ADAPTS A VEGAN DIET AGAIN
VERSE 51. But I sat in the field seven days, as the angel commanded me. In those days, I ate only of the flowers of the field, and my food was from plants.
This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from Second Esdras and from the entire Bible.
2 Esdras 13:1. It came to pass after seven days, I dreamed a dream by night.
2 ESDRAS
CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, How Many People Will Be Saved
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