“Peace and war, with all the dangers attendant upon the latter, are not due solely to man; the controlling influence is with God who puts down and sets up men and nations in a way that will ultimately bring into existence a situation that will result in the fulfilment of His purpose on earth. Having expressed this principle, God indicated Ezekiel’s position as a prophet. ‘So you, Son of Man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel: whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, O wicked man, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at your hand.’ The prophet was in the position occupied by the watchman in the illustration that had been given. The principle runs through all times. Today there are individuals who are in the position of watchmen. Their responsibility is real and they cannot avoid it. An illustration may be found in the New Testament. When Paul was on his way to Jerusalem he arranged to interview the elders of the church in Ephesus, and warned them of their duties toward the believers who formed the flock in their charge. His words were clear. ‘Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you guardians, to feed the church of the Lord which He has obtained with His own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock… Therefore be alert.’ Whether or not the elders or their flock took the warning Paul discharged his responsibility The principle is as real today as it was in the days of Ezekiel and of Paul.”

W.H. Boulton, The Book of the Prophet Ezekiel