Are
You Concerned About the Future?
Ezekiel
38-39
Ø We
are in the middle of a fascinating study on End
Times prophecy
o We have been having a great time here on Sunday nights
o Pastor Rob will be back next week
Ø In his absence, he has asked me to teach out of Ezekiel 38-39
o
Why don’t you open to that passage and when it you get
it, lets stand together. – just verses 1-2
I want to divide up our study tonight into four parts, four questions that I hope we can answer as we go through the text
Ø Why are we studying this tonight?
Ø What is going to happen?
Ø Why does God allow this to take place?
Ø What should our response be to it?
o Lets take the first one….
Why are we study this passage
tonight?
Ø one reason I believe this passage is so important for us to get a handle on, is it very well maybe the next major development in Biblical prophecy to take place
o
in the High school group on
Sunday Mornings we are looking at the book of Revelation
o It is really fun to discover all these different things
§ But for all intents and purposes – we will never see them come to pass
I plan on being in heaven when
Anti-Christ is ruling – fire coming down in judgment
But that may not be the case for the events that we are going to study tonight.
Ø As pastor Rob shared last week, it is very probable the next two things that will happen on earth, that we have been told about in prophecy is the Rapture, and the battle of Ezekiel 38-39
o In fact – what the world may use as a reason to explain away the rapture may be found in the passage we are about to cover.
So, #1 – We are studying this passage because it may be the next major event to happen on planet earth
Ø making it very applicable to us and interesting to study
Ø What we are looking at tonight is much more than man’s opinion or ideas
o It is much more important than history books or books of poetry we may read
§ I know your respect and reverence for this book will increase tonight
God has spoken these events and they
will come to pass
Ø How can I be so sure???
o Simply because of what precedes these chapters
o
This is critical to understand
as we get into our study
Ø Ezekiel 38-39 are preceded by Ezekiel 36-37
o That is usually the way it works
Ø But Ezekiel 36-37 contain an amazing prophecy which sets up our study tonight
o It
is your grandparents or great grandparents prophecy
o It speaks of the rebirth of the nation of Israel.
§ God calls the dry bones and bring life to them again
§ God for saw this amazing event long before it took place.
Long after Ezekiel wrote Ezekiel, Israel was destroyed as a nation
Ø 70 AD – Titus Vespagen rolls into Jerusalem and conquers the city
o Israel is destroyed as a nation just as Jesus said would happen.
o And the Jews spread all over the world
§ In fact – more Jews living in New York city than in the Middle East at the beginning of last century
§ Their language was all but forgotten and their homeland over run by others
Scholars would look at the passages in Ezekiel 36-37 and
others like it, and laugh
Ø No nation has ever come back from extinction
o It has never happened before, how could this be true
But on May 14th, 19948 – the Nation of Israel was reborn. David Ben Gurion, quoting this passage, spoke of God bringing back the bones that were dead to life
Ø And when you look at it the passage goes even further than to speak of simply the rebirth of the nation of Israel
o It speaks of fruit growing like wild in the land
o And that too was a ridiculous prophecy when Israel first moved back in
§ The nation was a barren wasteland
Ø But through rebuilding, reforestation projects
o We see it how it is today – a nation only 1/3 the size of San Bernardino County and yet it is the 4th largest exporter of fruit in the world
Ezekiel 36-37 was fulfilled –
amazing – How did Ezekiel know???
Ø How did he figure out something that would happen 2,500 years after he would die??
Ø is more than man’s thoughts and wisdom
o This is the Word of the Lord
Ø And just as the things in Ezekiel 36-37 have come to pass
o So will the event we will study tonight
It is the word of the Lord
Ø This is more than man’s ideas or wisdom
o This is what God wants to say to us tonight on February 10th, 2002
§
And
thought it is a lesson in Biblical prophecy it is much more than that
§ It is God’s heart toward you and me
o So lets give this passage special attention
Ø I know your respect and reverence for this book will increase
tonight
Ø We are first introduced to the villain, the enemy
o It is identified as Gog of the land of Magog, prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal
o Now who is the world is this???
§ And why use such wired names
Ø The reasons God had Ezekiel use such weird names is not, (as some would think) so you wouldn’t be able to understand the passage
o But that so many for many generations would be able to understand what God was trying to say
Names change – we change the name of stuff all the time
Ø The city of Petrograd, was renamed St. Petersburg, then it was changed to Leningrad, then they changed it back to St. Petersburg again
o Byzantium changed to Constantinople, now its know as Istanbul
o
Who knows what the artists
formally know as Prince is named now
Ø but we don’t change the name of our ancestors
o and so the Lord here in Ezekiel is using ancient names for nations and people we will know in the end times
Ø So who is Magog, Meshech, and Tubal
o One of the world’s earliest historian – Hesid – identifies Magog as the father of the Scythians
o Josephus – a Jewish Historian living around the time of Christ, back this up as he writes..
“Magog founded the Magogians,
who were by the Greeks called Scythians. Who settled north of the Caucus
Mountains”
Ø Encyclopedia Britannica refers to the Scythians as the forbearers of the Russian people
o North of the Caucus mountains is the area known today as Russia
The Great Wall of China was once called – ‘Sud Yagog et Mog” – the rampart of Gog and Magog – it was built to keep those from Magog out.
Ø Later in the passage we are studying, it will refers to these people as those who are from the far north
o Now if you take a ruler and look far north of Israel, you don’t come to Europe or South America – you end up in the former Soviet Union
Other evidence comes from the words – Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal
Ø
Rosh – from the same root as Rus (also spelled Ros) which is the name of the
indigenous Slavs of the southern part of what is today Russia – in fact Russia
took her name from this root (Ros)
Ø
The tribes of Meshech and Tubal eventually settle in what is today Turkey,
but their some of them may have settled and give their name to major Russian
cities of Moscow and Tubolsk
o Our evidence is not based on
this, but the previous info
The Best scholarship points to Magog being what is now known as Russia
Ø This is not a new interpretation of this passage
o Walter Scott wrote in 1888…
“Russia is evidently destined
to become the master of Asia, her frontier line will grow to 5,000 miles in length.
It would seem as though the Russian policy will be one of steady aggression,
not only in Europe but also in Asia. She will become the most ambitious and
grasping of modern kingdoms, the most faithless of in public honor and treaty
engagements. This is the character described to her in these prophetic
scriptures! Coupled with her frequent outbreaks of undisputed and disastrous
hostility to the things of God and in the more awful future exhibit, Russia is
cast in a most unfavorable light scriptually.”
Ø these things were written not by Ronald Reagan in the 1980’s, but by Walter Scott in the 1880’s when Russia was a farming power in the north parts of Asia.
o So I believe we are on solid ground as interpret Magog to be what is today Russia
And the Bible says that this nation will be drawn into a conflict with Israel
Ø They come to battle for a reason, they will be drawn into it
o As Ezekiel says, “they will have hooks in their jaws”
o What those hooks will be we will look at in a minute
Ø But I want you to understand – they are coming!
o And I also want you to see they are not coming alone
Ø We will not go into as much detail with the supporting cast of nations
o If you are interested – Chuck Missler has a book “The Magog Invasion” – this is a well researched and documented book
Ø Persia = Iran
o Iran was called Persia well into last century
o Not until WWII was in known as Iran officially
§ Easy enough
Ø Cush or your Bible might say “Ethiopia”
o Cush was known as the region settled south of Egypt what is now Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia
o I find the Sudan part of that area very interesting
Ø Put – or Libya in some translations
o The area settled in North Africa
o Libya is a good translation for today
Ø Gormer
o Babylonian Talmud states Gormer is the father of those in Germania
§ Not is the sense of this Germany – but those group of people who used to make up the Germanic Tribes
§ A nation somewhere in Eastern Europe
Ø Togarmah
o Armenians still refer to themselves as “the house of Togarmah”
o These Old tribes settled in what is today Turkey
§ Which is also probably the best historical understanding to Meshech and Tubal as well
So we have Iran, Sudan or one those nations directly south of Egypt, Libya, a Eastern European or Baltic nation, as well as Turkey led by mother Russia in an invasion of poor little Israel
Ø well we will see what happens in a minute
o but did you notice these not only are these nations supplied by Russia currently
o But this is a genuine Islamic coalition
It may be that Russia’s former satellite countries who are nuclear armed and very Islamic might be the hooks in the Jaws, that draws, as well as the benefit of oil, Russia into a conflict it might not really want
Ø I find it interesting that not to long ago, seeing America as a friend of Israel, the PLO going to Putin for help.
o The stage is being set, the time is near
Ø We see in these verses the stage being set
o Verse seven talking about a process of time, bringing this to pass
It is amazing to me to look out at the world today and see God setting the scene for these events
Ø For many years critics have wondered what could possible
influence the Soviet Union – so huge, so powerful – how could they be drawn
into anything
o Now we have seen the fall of
the Soviet Union, and a nation in shambles, being led about in many various
directions
Ø We see the unrest with between Israel, the PLO, and all of the Islamic world – wanting to deal with the Jewish problem
o Even going to Russia for help
Ø We see Turkey as a nation wanting so bad to leave its
Islamic roots behind and become secular
o But then being rejected by the EEC to be a member nation
o And the resurge there of Islamic control
Ø in verse 8 we read it is during the “latter years”
o this is not a prophecy that has been fulfilled by the Romans this is prophecy for the end time
Ø In verse 9 we read it happens when Israel is back in the
land
o This prophecy could not have taken place in 1948
Ø In verse 11 – we see these nations come against ‘un-walled
villages’
o Something uncommon in Ezekiel’s day, but today in our time there are very few walled cities
Ø Also in verse 11 and again in verse 14, it speaks of Israel
at this time, “dwelling safely”
o Understand this is speaking about a frame of mind
o Israel today thinks it can handle itself
Ø even to the point of who is not involved mentioned in verse
13
o Sheba and Dedan – Merchants of Tarshish – these nations are not involved but instead say, “no, no what are you doing, is wrong” – but do nothing about it
Ø
Who are these people???
o Sheba and Dedan – are those who settled in modern day Saudi Arabia
o Tarshish – without going into much detail is most of Western Europe – Maybe even specially Great Britain
§ One of the main things we know about Tarshish from history is it was an excellent source of tin. Just as with England, Great Britain
§ Which brings up interesting sidelines of who are the young lions of Tarshish. Is that a reference to United States, Canada, and or Australia – I don’t know – have fun!!!
Ø 2,500 years ago, Ezekiel looks out into the future and sees this invasion of Israel and in just who he mentions isn’t involved is amazing
Saudi Arabia – the one middle eastern nation friendly to the west is not involved
Western Europe and those that came from her – strangely not involved
Ø I also find it is interesting Egypt is not involved with their current treaties with Israel not to attack if not attacked
Ø I find it interesting the Iraq, ancient Babylon is not mentioned
o Though they could be lumped
in with Persia (Iran) what if they are off the scene or politically different
minded – as you read the current newspaper – will we do to them what was done
in Afghanistan – I don’t know???
Ø God looks into the future and sees modern day treaties
o He sees the nations that would come together under “jihad” or holy war
o He sees those that would choose not to be involved
Ø
I don’t know why it would surprise me – this is the
Word of the Lord
o And it will come to pass
God is simply right now setting the scene – bringing the pieces together.
Ø and as it all comes together before our eyes
o
there will come a day, as
it says in verse 10 these nations will think up an evil plan
o Lets destroy the Jewish people
Ø It was the evil thought given to Greek commander Antiochus Epiphyses as he march on Jerusalem
o And he failed
Ø
It was the evil thought that plagued Hitler
o And he failed
And so will this army – lets see
what happens
Ø These nations come down from the “far north”
o Another picture of Russia
Ø They are ridding on horses
o Now the Hebrew word means “leaper” and though it is usually translated horse it is also translated chariot rider or we would say “tank”
Ø
Those it is possible, don’t
be too quick to discount horses
o Did you know that Russia has the largest cavalry in the world – I thought that was Costa Mesa – no not Calvary, cavalry
§ As in horses – 200,000 trained horses
o No body used horses anymore – yes they do
§ In Korean war 5,000 troops were carried by horse to avoid radar contact
§ They are still considered the most valuable way to transport troops by Military strategist through mountainous and rocky terrain.
So they come it tanks – Maybe
Ø
Horses – maybe
o The point is they come against the little nation
o This whole collation against this small people
§ All hope would be lost – except God steps in
Ø God is going to show His fury
o He is one person I would not want mad
o
Like when you were a little
kid, the last person I wanted mad was my Mom. My sister, people at school –
maybe – But not my Mom – because she could bring it
Ø Now I can’t even imagine God mad
o But He is, and He judges these nation in 3 ways
#1 – Judgment from the earth
Ø A great earth quake occurs
o There are three areas know as danger zones in the world for eminent large quakes
§ San Francisco – needs one
§ Tokyo
§ Israel – a 250 percent increase.
Ø Well it going to happen
o And when it does confusion breaks out in the armies and the next judgment comes upon the invading nations as we read in the verses
#2 – Judgment from within
Ø When things are halted by a huge earthquake, these countries start fighting each other
o
It is very similar to what
happened in the Book of Judges to the Midianites
o
They outnumbered Israel 450
to 1. And yet God commanded these 300 to take torches and put them under clay
pots, and then break the pots and shout
§ As they did the Midianties thought they were out numbered and they started to hack away at anything in sight, themselves
§ God had the victory
Ø So too this will happen again
# 3- Judgment from the sky
Ø flooding rain, hail fire, brimstone
o the sky is latterly going to be falling for this invading army
o As God intervenes and causes the greatest upset in Military history
God amplifies what is going to happen in chapter 39, just few verses from this chapter
Ø God destroys Magog and her allies
o With earthquake, internal fighting, and fire from the sky
Ø Then Israel takes the weapons that Magog has used and the use them for power for seven years
Now some people have problems with the passage we have just read
#1 – are these people really
fighting with bows and arrows
Ø I mean I can kind of see why they would use horses if Ezekiel isn’t speaking of tanks
o But it is a little hard for me to believe that modern military men would use bows and arrows
Ø I understand and I think though it may not be true with the word referring to the horses, when it comes to these weapons of warfare mentioned in verse 9, we need to look closer at their meanings
Ø it literally means – “destructive instrument”
o a sword is a destructive instrument and the translation is great in 1611 when the KJV was translated
o But today any thing that is a destructive instrument could be put in its place
Ø it literally means a “piercing weapon”
o arrow is great for King James, bullet or missile would be fine today
Ø literally “weapon launcher”
o it is what is used to launch this piercing weapons
So we see that these weapons they are using could be the modern weapons of warfare we have today.
Ø but the next question that we should have is how are they able to burn the weapons and have power for 7 years
o I throw out two ideas for you to think about tonight
#1 – An obvious answer is they
have nuclear weapons
Ø That when not detonated can be converted into usable energy with today technology
#2 – Another idea I just read about I thought was very interesting
Ø Terr Apple – 20 years ago he developed a substance known as
Lingo Stone
o It is 20 layers of compressed wood
§ Stronger and lighter than steel
§ Yet very flexible
Ø This lingo stone can be burned at high temperatures
o And when it does it gives off more energy than coal
Ø And Russia is the main investor in this new product
Ø by the way this is one of the reason we believe this battle happens before the start of the great Tribulation
o it seems ridiculous that the nation of Israel would need to rely on burning weapons during the Millennium
o However we know the Tribulation is seven years long
§ Interesting they burn these weapons for 7 years
Ø When the world is in complete chaos
o The Jews are taken care of again by God
What do I believe?? – Is it nuclear weapons or lingo stone
Ø I believe there are nuclear weapons involved
o At least in the conflict part of the battle
Ø God sends first down from heaven
o
That might be real God fire,
like in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah
o Or is might be and Old Testament reference to a Nuclear Exchange
I believe Nuclear weapons are involved somehow because of the description we read about the clean up after the battle
Ø
Clean up obstructs travel
o It brings the need to cleanse the land
Ø They used men of regular employment, which is NKJ for professionals to do the clean up
o They only do the process after seven months, they mark the bones and wait for the professionals to dispose of them
This must have seem strange to people in Ezekiel’s day
Ø why would you go through this whole process of clean up
o even in the not to distant past this seems to be a passage hard to understand
o
But if you have ever read
anything on the process to clean up after a nuclear exchange. (I have seen it
on the discovery channel.) This passage is right out of the manual
Ø God has set this whole seen
o The alliance of nations
o Israel back in the land with nuclear missiles and the stomach to use them
Ø He writes 2,500 years ago these things we see in the Newspaper today
Ø
We have seen – why we
should study this
o It should be the next major event in Biblical prophecy to take place
Ø
We have seen what happens
o A collation of what are now
Islamic nations, lead by a nation from the North (most say Russia)
o Come against little Israel
and are defeated, not by them, but by the Lord
§
Earthquake,
internal fighting and fire from the sky
But before we go I want us to ask ourselves two questions
#1 - Why would God allow this
to happen
Ø I think two main reasons
One – It is to judge godless
nations who have turned their back on him
Ø Russia has long been an enemy of God, the Islamic religion mocks the God of the Bible and the Christian faith
o And they have turned in rebellion and we see graphically illustrated for us on the hills of Israel the results of such decisions and life style
Ø Rebellion against God results in your total destruction
o You can go your own way for a time, you can do your own thing, make your own plans
o But eventually you will be destroyed
Two – To wake the other nations
and primarily Israel to the fact that Yahweh is one true powerful God
Ø Many nations and Israel in particular is resting on themselves to carry the load of life
o They have done well in battles of late
§ The six day war –the Yom Kippur war
o And now they are pretty confident
Ø “The reason Saddam didn’t shoot missiles with gas in them at us, was because we have the bomb.”
o That isn’t why – its because God’s hand of protection is on you!!!
o And they don’t see that – many don’t see that
So God allows these things to take place as well as the rest of the Great Tribulation for the reason as God says in verse 16 of chapter 38
“that the nations may know me.”
“Then they will know that I am the Lord.”
Ø God is going to wake some people up to realize that trusting in themselves isn’t going to cut it
o They need the Lord God and they need a loving personal relationship with Him
So finally tonight – the last question
What should our response be?
Ø If you are a believer here tonight I hope you are as amazed at the God you serve as I am
o He knows the future in advance, He has been setting the scene, and the day is coming soon
Jesus speaking to His disciples said, “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
Ø When you begin to see the end times events coming together
o As a believer you are instructed to look up, lift up your head
Ø
As Christians we spend so
much time
o Looking around – wow the world
o Looking down – my life is so horrible
Ø my redeemer lives and He is coming to take me home
o you can keep this world give me Jesus
o I am going to heaven.
As believer we need to rejoice, and get our eyes off ourselves and our problems
Ø realize the Lord is coming soon
o and what can I do to please my master!!!
If you are not a believer, if you have not committed your life to Christ
Ø you need to see this is real
o that God tells us future in advance
§ the nation of Israel back in the land
§ This will come to pass too
Ø You need to see this is real, you need to see the consequences of living for yourself
o Total destruction – The Bible says the effects of sin is death!!!
o And you know that to be true right now!!!
Ø the gift of God is eternal life though Jesus Christ our Lord
o God is offering you the gift of salvation
o You need to wake up – see He has been trying to get a hold of your heart – and submit to Him