Ezekiel 9:11
And, behold, the man clothed with linen, which had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, I have done as thou hast commanded me. And, behold, the man clothed with linen, which had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, I have done as thou hast commanded me.
The man clothed with linen marks those who grieve over the abominations among God's professed people before destruction begins, and those who receive that mark are spared when judgment falls, with his report that the commanded work is done covering both the marking of the faithful and the beginning of the slaying at the sanctuary. The scene is a judgment at God's sanctuary in which God draws a line of separation and recompenses people according to their deeds, seeing every transaction and bringing judgment on wrongdoing. The ninth chapter of Ezekiel will be literally fulfilled very soon, and this verse marks its close when every case will be decided for eternity. The time is short and God is now calling people to hear His message, humble their souls and be converted before it is too late, for the great mass of lukewarm professing Christians who lack the seal of God will meet bitter disappointment in the day of God. When God's servants reach Christlike character they are sealed in their foreheads and the recording angel declares their work complete, complete in Christ who is theirs by creation and redemption.
Marking and Judgment Scene
The man clothed with linen who has the writer's inkhorn by his side is the one who marks those who sigh and grieve over the abominations done among God's professed people in the church in Jerusalem, and this marking is done before destruction begins as God's final work of marking and separating people. Those who receive this mark are spared when judgment falls upon the unmarked. The setting to which the report belongs is a judgment at God's sanctuary in which God draws a line of separation and recompenses every person according to his deeds, with a faithful remnant grieving over the abominations around them.
The report that the commanded work has been done covers both the marking of the faithful and the beginning of the slaying at the sanctuary described in verses four to six. It comes at the appointed time when the Lord God of Israel does His work most thoroughly upon men of responsibility who have not glorified Him by faithfulness and integrity.
The chapter is to be studied in connection with God's judgment on wrongdoing, for the Lord sees every transaction and will bring judgment upon those who do wrong. In that judgment it stands as a warning that religious knowledge without vital godliness can lead others astray.
Soon Fulfillment and Warning
The ninth chapter of Ezekiel will be literally fulfilled, and its fulfillment is very soon and very near. This verse marks its close, when the marking work is finished and every case is decided for eternity. The time is short, and God is now calling people to hear, to receive His message, to humble their souls, and to be converted before it is too late. He will not bear much longer with a people who have great and important truths revealed to them, yet remain asleep and refuse to bring those truths into individual experience while time is passing.
Its solemn warnings point to stern realities that will shortly come to pass. In the day of God the great mass of professing Christians will meet bitter disappointment because they do not have the seal of the living God upon their foreheads. Lukewarm and half-hearted, backslidden, contentious, gossiping and faultfinding, they dishonor God more than the avowed unbeliever, grope in darkness, cause sinners to stumble, refuse the testimonies sent to help them, and neglect the many warnings of God's Word.
God will bring judgment unless those in positions of responsibility humble themselves, repent, and allow their hearts to be transformed. If judgment does not reach the institutions, it will be because their hearts have been thoroughly changed. The chapter lays upon God's servants the duty to deliver His warnings whether people listen or refuse, and shows the seriousness of failing to warn when souls are at risk. It stands as a warning that events of divine judgment are soon to take place and call every soul to prepare.
The report supplies the declaration of completion for God's work in His servants. When they reach Christlike character they are sealed in their foreheads. Then the recording angel declares the work complete. In that state they are complete in Christ, who is theirs by creation and redemption.