Ezekiel 30:1

Ezekiel 30:1 says, The word of the Lord came again unto me, saying,  Ezekiel didn’t specify exactly when God’s word came to him this time, only that he knew that it was God’s word.  We may not be able to say exactly when God’s word comes to us, but we should always be able to say that we know that it did. 

Verse two adds, Son of man, prophesy and say, Thus saith the Lord God; Howl ye, Woe worth the day!  Ezekeil was to prophesy by howling woe to the people of Egypt.  Though we may not howl about the woe that unsaved people will feel when God’s judgment comes, we need to strongly advise them about it at the least.   

Verse three continues, For the day is near, even the day of the Lord is near, a cloudy day; it shall be the time of the heathen.  Ezekiel was to tell the people of Egypt that the day of God’s judgment, which was referred to as a cloudy, or dark day, was near.  They still had time to repent if they would, I believe.  We know that the day of God’s judgment is near, even if it doesn't happen for many, many years, and for some people it will come today if they die.  That is why we need to accept Jesus Christ while there is still time, which should bring an urgency to reaching out to people with the gospel.   

Verse four states, And the sword shall come upon Egypt, and great pain shall be in Ethiopia, when the slain shall fall in Egypt, and they shall take away her multitude, and her foundations shall be broken down.  God said that the sword was going to fall on Egypt and that there would be great pain there, and those who didn’t die would be taken away captive.  Those who die before Christ’s return who  haven’t put their faith in Him will die a captive of sin and death, just as those who are alive and haven’t accepted Him as their Savior and Lord will one day.   

Verse five adds, Ethiopia, and Libya, and Lydia, and all the mingled people, and Chub, and the men of the land that is in league, shall fall with them by the sword.  Ethiopia was mentioned in the last verse, but is also mentioned here as well, along with Libya and Lydia, nations that were aligned with Egypt.  We can be sure that all those who are aligned against God will one day face everlasting suffering.