The Ultimate Destiny: The Unfolding Purpose of the Resurrected Host ✨
The vision of the Valley of Dry Bones in Ezekiel 37 is a seismic event in biblical prophecy, concluding with scattered, lifeless bones assembling, receiving flesh, and standing up as a vast, living army. This chilling, majestic scene naturally leads to a critical question that demands deeper scrutiny: What became of the army from the Valley of Dry Bones? Did this resurrected host march out of the valley as a literal military force to conquer their enemies, or does their transformation point to a greater, ongoing, and dual destiny that continues to unfold in both national and spiritual history?
This article will delve into the prophetic purpose of the resurrected host, exploring the biblical explanation given by God Himself. We will uncover the profound truth that this army was primarily a metaphor for national and spiritual restoration, not just military might. Their destiny was not a single, temporal event but a three-fold divine purpose: Physical Restoration, Spiritual Unification, and Eschatological Triumph—a spiritual army whose final chapter is still being written by God.
1. The Immediate Interpretation: Restoration to the Land 📜
God leaves no room for ambiguity regarding the primary, initial meaning of the dry bones. They represent the utter despair of the nation of Israel, suffering in Babylonian exile.
The Bones Are Israel’s Despair 💔
The “very dry” bones were a visible symbol of the people’s hopelessness, believing their national life and covenant relationship with God were permanently severed.
Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts. — Ezekiel 37:11 (KJV)
The First Destiny: Resurrection from the “Graves” 👑
God’s immediate purpose for the army was explicitly the physical and national restoration from exile.
Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. — Ezekiel 37:12 (KJV)
The “graves” are the places of exile and captivity. The army’s initial existence was as the restored remnant who returned from Babylon to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple. This entire miraculous context is essential to understanding the vision, as explored in detail in the preceding study on What Happened in the Valley of Dry Bones?.
2. The Deeper Destiny: Unification and the Indwelling Spirit 🕊️
The story of the army does not end with their physical return; it progresses immediately to their ultimate, long-term spiritual destiny, which requires the Holy Spirit.
The Second Command: Unifying the Sticks 🤝
Immediately after describing the resurrected army, the vision shifts to the prophetic act of joining two sticks—one representing Judah and the other representing Ephraim/Israel. This act symbolized the healing of the deep, historical wound that had split the nation into two kingdoms.
And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand. — Ezekiel 37:17 (KJV)
The resurrected army’s fate, therefore, was to achieve the long-sought goal of national unity under “one king,” the future Messianic King David. Their strength as an “army” was defined by their spiritual and national cohesion, not mere conquest.
The Essential Power: The Spirit of Holiness 🔥
The life-giving Ruach (Spirit/Breath) was the distinguishing mark of this new entity. God promised to place His Spirit within this unified nation:
And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD. — Ezekiel 37:14 (KJV)
The army’s destiny was to be the pure, Spirit-filled nation, making a “covenant of peace” that would be everlasting (Ezekiel 37:26 KJV).
3. The Eschatological Triumph: The Army of the Lord Today 🎯
The vision is not merely historical; it has a future, ultimate fulfillment that applies to the Church and the return of Christ. The army’s fate is wrapped up in the New Testament revelation of God’s people.
Corporate Fulfillment: The Church as the Army of the Living God 🏆
The resurrection of the bones is a powerful metaphor for the spiritual status of all who are in Christ. We, who were “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1 KJV), are now made alive and placed into Christ’s body, the Church, which stands as the “exceedingly great army” of the living God. Our strength is in the indwelling Ruach.
The Final, Literal Resurrection ⚓
The vision also points directly to the literal, bodily resurrection of all the righteous at the end of the age (1 Corinthians 15:52 KJV). The power that raised the bones in the valley is the same power that raises all believers to eternal life. The ultimate fate of the army is not simply dwelling in the earthly Israel, but being part of the eternal Kingdom. For more on the assurance of salvation, see What Happens in the Moment… God Erases a Name from the Book of Life?.
4. Profound Lessons for Believers Today: Purpose in the Present 🌟
The destiny of the dry bones army offers profound and practical assurance for the Church today.
- God’s Word Is The Only Weapon: The transformation began with Ezekiel speaking God’s Word. Our role is to courageously speak God’s truth over seemingly dead situations, trusting that the Word carries the power to create life.
- Nothing Is Beyond Redemption: The bones were “very dry,” symbolizing the situations we deem hopelessly dead—broken dreams, addictions, or relationships marked by profound failure. This vision assures us that God can take the absolute worst of human failure and breathe life back into it, transforming death into a unified, purposeful life. For more on spiritual endurance, see What Happens When Marriage Becomes a Test of Faith?.
- Sealed by the Spirit: Our security rests in the promise that God has placed His Spirit within us, securing us as part of His unified army. This divine sealing ensures our place in the final triumph.
Conclusion: The Final Chapter Is Unstoppable 🌠
What became of the army from the Valley of Dry Bones? They became the restored, unified, and Spirit-filled core of God’s covenant people. Their ultimate fate is their ongoing and future manifestation as the redeemed nation of Israel and the resurrected Church, unified and sustained by the Holy Spirit.
The army from the valley stands as an eternal symbol that God’s plan cannot be defeated by death, despair, or exile. The one who breathed life into the scattered bones is the one who puts His Spirit in us, forming us into His own vast, living, and unstoppable army.
For Further Study 📚
- Theology of Prophecy: Delve deeper into Ezekiel’s prophetic visions.
- Theology of the Holy Spirit: Explore the biblical role and work of the Holy Spirit.
- Theology of Redemption: Study the biblical principles of redemption and atonement.
- Biblical Imagery: Understand the symbolism of breath wind and spirit in Scripture. (See: Did You Know God Once Froze the Sun and Moon?)
- Spiritual Warfare: Understand the reality of spiritual warfare and how to stand firm against the enemy. (See: Every Spiritual Battle Is an Opportunity for Growth: Here’s Why)
- The Power of God’s Word: Explore how the Word of God functions as a source of life. (See: Why Did God Punish David… for Marrying the Wrong Woman?)
How does the vision of the dry bones change your perspective on a situation in your life that feels “dead”? Share your insights on God’s power below! 🤔
