Bobservations' Column
Titled - "Dress Rehearsal"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz
Now that we have undertaken a Prophecy Update Series, things are heating up around the world. Venezuela, Switzerland, and Iran are in the news this week. Scour the news sites to stay abreast of current events, and more so, current events that will impact our faith and understanding of Bible Prophesy. Our faith might be challenged at times.
The world events impact the overall role of Almighty God in the lives of His Creation. He will remain faithful to all generations, but it might require specific changes to keep mankind within His will. And if changes occur, they will always be part of God’s will. Just because we didn’t see something coming, does not mean that He didn’t either. He is all-knowing; we are not.
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Mark 13: 32). Others think those days are far off in the distance. And some even think we are in the midst of them. Jesus taught that the Father knows His own timetable, and not even the Son knows. What that means might seem confusing, but the Father is truly the mind of God; the Son of the Father is that second person of the Trinity, the Word of God, who also acts out the word of God in the physical realm, and the Holy Spirit is Him Who acts to motivate the Son to the will of the Father. This third person of the Trinity also indwells the heart of every believer. This is the cohesiveness of our great Triune God: Three Persons all acting in union with one another, to perform His will.
I speak in terms of God’s consistency, and of His flexibility to be able to accomplish great things. The Virgin Birth itself is a prime example of this. Keep your eye on Jesus; His plan is the Father’s, and Jesus remains flexible to it.
~ John 14: 20 ~
“At that day, ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.” - John 14:20
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz
Now that we have undertaken a Prophecy Update Series, things are heating up around the world. Venezuela, Switzerland, and Iran are in the news this week. Scour the news sites to stay abreast of current events, and more so, current events that will impact our faith and understanding of Bible Prophesy. Our faith might be challenged at times.
The world events impact the overall role of Almighty God in the lives of His Creation. He will remain faithful to all generations, but it might require specific changes to keep mankind within His will. And if changes occur, they will always be part of God’s will. Just because we didn’t see something coming, does not mean that He didn’t either. He is all-knowing; we are not.
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Mark 13: 32). Others think those days are far off in the distance. And some even think we are in the midst of them. Jesus taught that the Father knows His own timetable, and not even the Son knows. What that means might seem confusing, but the Father is truly the mind of God; the Son of the Father is that second person of the Trinity, the Word of God, who also acts out the word of God in the physical realm, and the Holy Spirit is Him Who acts to motivate the Son to the will of the Father. This third person of the Trinity also indwells the heart of every believer. This is the cohesiveness of our great Triune God: Three Persons all acting in union with one another, to perform His will.
I speak in terms of God’s consistency, and of His flexibility to be able to accomplish great things. The Virgin Birth itself is a prime example of this. Keep your eye on Jesus; His plan is the Father’s, and Jesus remains flexible to it.
~ John 14: 20 ~
“At that day, ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.” - John 14:20
“That they all may be as one; as Thou, Father, art in me and I in thee, that they also may be one in us, that the world might believe that Thou hast sent Me.” - John 17:21
Bobservations' Column: Audio Version
Sunday Morning Message:
Prophecy Update: Ezekiel 38:17-23 - Dress Rehearsal
Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:
In this Prophecy Update Series, we are looking at what Ezekiel saw for Israel and the nations in the last days, we've seen that God has some pretty big events in store! God will make His name known in the last days to the nation of Israel and the nations of the world. Now that is pretty exciting! The Western nations especially live in a post-modern, post-Christian world. The thought of God is often mocked, ignored or not seen as relevant in this day. Yet God has events in store where He will, on a global stage, make His name known again.
Ezekiel 38 and 39 are well-studied chapters amongst Bible prophecy students. Ezekiel foretells of a supernatural war that is coming. It will be one that threatens the very existence of Israel as a nation. Even before drilling down into some of the details it is interesting to note the placement of these Gog and Magog chapters. Chapter 37 speaks of Israel being regathered from their 'graves' in the nations and becoming a nation again in their own land. It was the famous 'dry bones' chapter, and its fulfillment began with Israel becoming a nation again in 1948. Ezekiel 40-48 speaks of the Millennial Kingdom when Jesus shall rule and reign from Jerusalem after His return. But squeezed in between these two book ends are Ezekiel 38 and 39. The position of these chapters show us the timing of these events - The Gog and Magog war will occur somewhere between Israel becoming a nation again and the return of Jesus. And, as we have already seen in our study last week, the players involved in this war are seriously moving into position in our day.
To sum up, Ezekiel 38 and 39 speaks of a coming alliance of Russia, Turkey, Iran, Libya, Sudan, Somalia and possibly Germany. Russia and Turkey will descend upon Israel from the north. Iran will come from the east. Libya from the southwest. Sudan and Somalia will rush from the south. Israel will be entirely circled by some of the greatest threats and military powers that the world currently knows.
The main players being Russia, Iran and Turkey... It is VERY interesting that these countries are coming together today, strengthening military and financial alliances at the current time. The war in Syria over the last few years have seen Russia and Iran draw closer in a joint effort to control the Middle East. Turkey, while a NATO member and supposedly aligned with the West, has in recent years been moving in the other direction. Under the near dictatorship of President Erdogan, Turkey has been moving from a secular society to an Islamic one. Their alliance with the West has been waning while its ties to Russia deepen.
Now we don't interpret Bible prophecy by current events for things can move quickly and in unexpected directions. But it is interesting to see this Russian - Iranian - Turkish alliance as the Bible predicts. The other nations mentioned such as Libya, Somalia and Sudan are certainly no friends of Israel today either. They are all hotbeds of Islamic fundamentalism and strongly anti-Israel.
In verses 10-16, Ezekiel explained why these nations are going to come against Israel. Given the increasing anti-Semitism in the world today, it is not hard to see these nations wanting to destroy Israel. Iran especially is famous for its constant decrees and threats of destroying the Jewish nation and driving them into the sea. We have seen this 'everlasting hatred' mentioned in previous chapters of Ezekiel. But hatred ISN'T the primary reason given for this invasion. It is something less spiritual and far more material... MONEY! Ezekiel prophesied that thoughts would come into Gog's mind and he will device an evil plan. The reason for the invasion is to 'capture spoil' and 'seize plunder'. What are those spoils? Perhaps the vast oil supply that was found, or the abundant wealth from the minerals of the dead sea. Wherever the riches come from, it will be a strong enough hook in the jaw of Gog that will draw him out of his own country to invade, destroy and plunder another sovereign nation. There is of course one small problem... The nation that Gog has decided to invade, Israel, will be under the protection of the God of Israel!
This week we will be looking at Ezekiel 38:17-23. What will God do? With the coalition army surrounding Israel, and with no hope in sight for the nation of Israel, Yahweh, the God of Israel will act. Though the enemy will cover the land like a storm, and with certain victory within their grasp, they shall come to the same fate that the Egyptians experienced when the closed in on Israel at the Red Sea. As the scripture says, "Behold, He who keeps Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade on your right hand. The sun will not smite you by day, Nor the moon by night. The LORD will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in From this time forth and forever." - Psalms 121:4-8
Sunday Morning Audio Message: Upcoming Soon!
Ezekiel 38 and 39 are well-studied chapters amongst Bible prophecy students. Ezekiel foretells of a supernatural war that is coming. It will be one that threatens the very existence of Israel as a nation. Even before drilling down into some of the details it is interesting to note the placement of these Gog and Magog chapters. Chapter 37 speaks of Israel being regathered from their 'graves' in the nations and becoming a nation again in their own land. It was the famous 'dry bones' chapter, and its fulfillment began with Israel becoming a nation again in 1948. Ezekiel 40-48 speaks of the Millennial Kingdom when Jesus shall rule and reign from Jerusalem after His return. But squeezed in between these two book ends are Ezekiel 38 and 39. The position of these chapters show us the timing of these events - The Gog and Magog war will occur somewhere between Israel becoming a nation again and the return of Jesus. And, as we have already seen in our study last week, the players involved in this war are seriously moving into position in our day.
To sum up, Ezekiel 38 and 39 speaks of a coming alliance of Russia, Turkey, Iran, Libya, Sudan, Somalia and possibly Germany. Russia and Turkey will descend upon Israel from the north. Iran will come from the east. Libya from the southwest. Sudan and Somalia will rush from the south. Israel will be entirely circled by some of the greatest threats and military powers that the world currently knows.
The main players being Russia, Iran and Turkey... It is VERY interesting that these countries are coming together today, strengthening military and financial alliances at the current time. The war in Syria over the last few years have seen Russia and Iran draw closer in a joint effort to control the Middle East. Turkey, while a NATO member and supposedly aligned with the West, has in recent years been moving in the other direction. Under the near dictatorship of President Erdogan, Turkey has been moving from a secular society to an Islamic one. Their alliance with the West has been waning while its ties to Russia deepen.
Now we don't interpret Bible prophecy by current events for things can move quickly and in unexpected directions. But it is interesting to see this Russian - Iranian - Turkish alliance as the Bible predicts. The other nations mentioned such as Libya, Somalia and Sudan are certainly no friends of Israel today either. They are all hotbeds of Islamic fundamentalism and strongly anti-Israel.
In verses 10-16, Ezekiel explained why these nations are going to come against Israel. Given the increasing anti-Semitism in the world today, it is not hard to see these nations wanting to destroy Israel. Iran especially is famous for its constant decrees and threats of destroying the Jewish nation and driving them into the sea. We have seen this 'everlasting hatred' mentioned in previous chapters of Ezekiel. But hatred ISN'T the primary reason given for this invasion. It is something less spiritual and far more material... MONEY! Ezekiel prophesied that thoughts would come into Gog's mind and he will device an evil plan. The reason for the invasion is to 'capture spoil' and 'seize plunder'. What are those spoils? Perhaps the vast oil supply that was found, or the abundant wealth from the minerals of the dead sea. Wherever the riches come from, it will be a strong enough hook in the jaw of Gog that will draw him out of his own country to invade, destroy and plunder another sovereign nation. There is of course one small problem... The nation that Gog has decided to invade, Israel, will be under the protection of the God of Israel!
This week we will be looking at Ezekiel 38:17-23. What will God do? With the coalition army surrounding Israel, and with no hope in sight for the nation of Israel, Yahweh, the God of Israel will act. Though the enemy will cover the land like a storm, and with certain victory within their grasp, they shall come to the same fate that the Egyptians experienced when the closed in on Israel at the Red Sea. As the scripture says, "Behold, He who keeps Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade on your right hand. The sun will not smite you by day, Nor the moon by night. The LORD will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in From this time forth and forever." - Psalms 121:4-8
Sunday Morning Audio Message: Upcoming Soon!
Key Words and Definitions with Reference:
Are you he? (38:17) - God's foreknowledge. This verse is a prophetic question from God in the Bible, asking an enemy leader (Gog) "Are you the one I spoke about in former times through my servants, the prophets of Israel, who for years prophesied that I would bring you against them?". This refers to the general references to this time and the participants (cf. Joel 3:9-17; Amos 5:11, 23; Zephaniah 3:8). Even Daniel (Daniel 2:41;44) referred to this time at least three decades prior to Ezekiel 38. The nature of the question presupposes that the previous generalities are now being particularized in the person of Gog.
My fury will show (38:18-23) - God's patience will be exhausted with the repeated attempts to annihilate Israel since the "abomination" by Antichrist (Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15), and He will employ a great earthquake in Israel; panic will seize the invading soldiers (verse 21), who will turn and use their weapons against one another (cf. 2 Chronicles 20:22, 23). He will further decimate the invading ranks by pestilence, a deluge of rain, large hailstones, plus fire and brimstone. The descriptions here are identical to that of the last half of the seven-year Tribulation in Revelation 6:12-17; 11:19; 16:17-21; 19:11-21.
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