Ladies Fellowship 18th April 2018
In the 1990’s leading up to the year 2000, we didn’t seem to think beyond that date. Today our world community of nations feels much smaller and closer that its’ ever been.
There are a number of different views on the scriptures concerning the second coming of Jesus, this view I’ve never looked at before. The everlasting peace agreement that God has promised Israel will be fulfilled after the Millennium battle when Satan is finally defeated.
Every one should have received two maps: the first one covers the nations that are mentioned in our reading Ezekiel 38: 1-6 and a sheet with the verses of scripture.
Ezekiel Chapters 38 & 39 were the last of 6 messages given to Ezekiel during the night. Ezekiel’s messages were to give assurance to the Israeli’s that God would remove the invaders from their land, and he will enter into a peace covenant with them.
Since 1948 Jewish people from across the world have gone to live in Israel. Ezekiel 36: 24 In our generation we can relate to this scripture as this event takes place after the people of Israel have been gathered into their own land. .
Ezekiel 38 & 39 has a double fulfilment of this prophecy
Firstly it takes place at the end of the tribulation period and the beginning of the Millennium where the Messiah’s coming with his armies defeats the beast ‘Antichrist’and his armies Revelation 19: 19 “”And I saw a beast and the Kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who sits upon the horse and against his army, and the beast was captured and with it the false prophet.”
Secondly towards the end of the Millennium period after Satan will be released for a period of time and the final battle takes place against Gog Satan and Magog Revelation 20: 8.
A double prophecy: 2 events.
Jesus tells us “So when you see standing in the holy place the abomination that causes desolation spoken of through the prophet Daniel let the reader understand.” Matthew 24: 15.
Today we may well be in the end times The words of Jesus tell us that in the last days we can identify Gog from where he comes from in the world and his allies, not all of the nations (world) are involved.
Reading is on the sheet, you will see in bold today’s location, it’s found on the map. Ezekiel 38: 1-6 “The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, set your face against Gog a ruler of, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of[a] Meshek and Tubal cities in Turkey. prophesy against him 3 and say: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against you, Gog, chief prince of[b] Meshek and Tubal. 4 I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army—your horses, your horsemen fully armed, and a great horde with large and small shields, all of them brandishing their swords.5 Persia- Iran, Cush – Sudan or Etheopia and Put – Libya will be with them, all with shields and helmets,6 also Gomer- Turkey with all its troops, and Beth Togarmah – Turkey or Southern Russia from the far north with all its troops—the many nations with you.” (various theories on the location of some of these place names)
Gog the antichrist will reflect the spiritual nature of the evil one: lies, accusations, manipulation, deception and is the enemy of God and humanity.
Israel’s disobedience God allows Gog to invade Israel.
Verse 10 “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On that day thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil scheme. After 52 years of Israeli’s living with the Palestinians to solve a huge problem of national security, the constant suicide bombings and threats of invasion. Israel’s leaders decided to build a wall in year 2000 Now a 436 mile long wall that runs through the centre of Israel and around Jerusalem
See map
The wall is the largest construction project ever undertaken by the nation, The leaders of Israel promised that the wall would bring peace. But it’s not a peace agreement that enables Israel to dismantle the wall they have built. It is God in his fury that will bring this about, His judgement on his people. God will use Gog to do this!
Why does he do this? Israel’s trust is in a wall
Therefore, it is unwise to predict a time of everlasting peace for Israel that will see them dismantle the wall through the country, but God will destroy it.
God will show his sovereignty over Israel
“Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: In that day, when my people Israel are living in safety, will you not take notice of it? 15 You will come from your place in the far north, you and many nations with you, all of them riding on horses, a great horde, a mighty army.” Ezekiel 38: 14, 15.
Where Israeli’s are unsuspecting and confident in their safety and security, while in reality a false perception. The Hebrew word “betach” as well as meaning safety, can mean having a false sense of security.
Gog will attack Israel when they least expect it.
“ . . shall quake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the cliffs will fall, and every wall shall tumble to the ground.” Ezekiel 38: 20
The wall falls God has allowed this invasion by Gog and his allies to remove the wall that has divided his land. God shows His sovereignty over the beast Gog and his allies are defeated.
“So when you see standing in the holy place the abomination that causes desolation spoken of through the prophet Daniel let the reader understand.” Matthew 24: 15.
“Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 2 Thessalonians 2: 3.
“ He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshipped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.” 2 Thessalonians 2: 4 .
Rev 17:12 –14. 19: 11-16. Jesus and the armies of heaven defeat Gog the beast. Jesus will come with his heavenly armies and with him his church defeat the beast and his allies. The aftermath, the burial that takes 7 months and the destruction of Gog’s weapons takes 7 years,
”From his mouth issues a sharp sword with which to smite the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron.” Rev 19: 15.
“Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potters’ vessel.” Psalm 2:8
The Messiah rules the nations for 1,000 years.
After the tribulation battle, Satan will be bound during the Millennium period. Revelation 21: 1
“So I will show my greatness and my holiness and make myself known in the eyes of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord.” Ezekiel 38: 23
The final battle against Satan Gog
Revelation 20: 7, 8. “When the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will come out to deceive the nations at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, in order to gather them for battle; they are as numerous as the sands of the sea. 9 They marched up over the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city.
Clearly John identifies Gog and Magog with Satan and this battle that takes place at Jerusalem.
Ezekiel 38: 11 “You will say, “I will invade a land of unwalled villages; I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people—all of them living without walls and without gates and bars.”
At the end of the Tribulation period, the wall has gone, so there are no walls around the towns and cities in the Millennium period. It will be an ideal situation for Satan to attack Jerusalem. All the nations of the earth will come against Jerusalem, there’s no mention of a group of kings. Zachariah 14: 2.
The final battle will brings peace an everlasting peace to Israel
God will not leave any Israeli to live among the nations any more, “God says, “I will not let my name be profaned any more; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel.” Ezekiel 39: 7.
God will show his sovereignty over Israel.
“Then they shall know that I am the Lord their God . . . . I will leave none of them among the nations any more; and I will not hide my face any more from them, when I pour out my Spirit upon the house of Israel, says the Lord God.” Ezekiel 39:22.
The Millennium nations will be present to observe the destruction of Gog. before the Judgement takes place at the White Throne.
We thank the Lord our God for the everlasting peace that he has promised will be fulfilled.
Studies: ‘Weekly World Watch’ Andy Walton
‘Ezekiel’ Ralph Alexander.