What the Valley of Dry Bones Means for Humanity
“Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken it and performed it,” says the LORD.
Listen to the "Verse by Verse" episode covering this scripture.
Over the last several days we have been discussing the second resurrection, which is pictured in God’s festival plan by the Last Great Day. Revelation 20:5, 11-12 ; Matthew 11:23-24 ; and 12:41-42 discuss aspects of this Great White Throne Judgment period.
Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones adds additional insights and specifically shows that this second resurrection is a resurrection to physical life with bones, sinews, flesh, skin and breath.
But, in addition to the breath of life that He has given all humans since Adam, God will also offer His Spirit ( verse 14 )! We know from the apostle Peter’s sermon on Pentecost that God only gives His Holy Spirit to those who repent and are baptized for the forgiveness of sins ( Acts 2:38 ).
This confirms that this second resurrection is not just a time of condemnation of those who refuse to repent, but an opportunity for the vast majority to be converted and offered salvation. The Book of Life is opened in order that many more names may be added to it ( Revelation 20:12 ).
For more about the second resurrection, see “Is the Second Resurrection a Second Chance?”
