God’s People Will Prevail

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Ezekiel 38:1-23

 

Ezekiel 38:18-19

“And it will come to pass at the same time, when Gog comes against the land of Israel,” says the Lord God, “that My fury will show in My face. ¹⁹ For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath I have spoken: ‘Surely in that day there shall be a great ^[e]earthquake in the land of Israel,

(NKJV)

 

Even a casual look at world news makes it clear that Israel is a focal point of global tension. That is why many read Ezekiel 38 and see an alignment of nations against Israel that will bring fulfillment to this prophecy. However, this prophecy also implies Israel has fallen into a sense of security before the battle ensues. Even though God will bring about the destruction of Israel’s enemies (Ezekiel 39:1-10), it is dangerous to fall into complacency from a false sense of security. Like Israel, the Church is in a spiritual battle and must not become complacent.

 

Ezekiel receives another word from the Lord, this time directed at Magog, and is instructed to prophesy against him (Ezekiel 38:1-2). The word says that the Lord is against Gog and intends to turn him around with hooks in his jaws, leading him out with his great army (Ezekiel 38:3-4). Gog will be joined by Persia, Ethiopia, Libya, Gomer, and the house of Togarmah from the far north (Ezekiel 38:5-6).

 

Gog is to prepare and be ready with his ally nations standing as a Guard (Ezekiel 38:7). After many days, the prince of Rosh will be visited and come into the land of Israel, a land long desolate but now inhabited by a once scattered people (Ezekiel 38:8). The armies of God and his allies will descend on the land like a storm, covering the land like a cloud (Ezekiel 38:9). The Lord tells Gog that on that day they will have thoughts and devise an evil plan, viewing Israel as unprepared and having a sense of security (Ezekiel 38:10-11). The purpose is to plunder the land with the nations of Sheba, Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, asking if they have come to take plunder (Ezekiel 38:12-13).

 

On a day when the leader of Gog believes Israel dwells in safety and is oblivious to any attack, he will descend upon the land with a great company and mighty army (Ezekiel 38:14-15). The Lord’s purpose in allowing this attack, which will occur in the latter days, is so the nations will know He is the Lord and hallowed in Gog (Ezekiel 38:16). Gog is he who was spoken of by the prophets of Israel would come against Israel (Ezekiel 38:17)

 

Judgment will come upon Gog with God responding in fury with jealousy with a great earthquake shaking every living creature, the mountains coming down along with the fall of steep places and walls (Ezekiel 38:18-20). God will then call the sword against Gog with every man fighting against his brother (Ezekiel 38:21). God will send judgement in the form of pestilence, bloodshed, flooding rain, great hailstones, fire, and brimstone (Ezekiel 38:22). These events will magnify and sanctify the Lord to the nations with them knowing He is the Lord (Ezekiel 38:23).

 

God’s people who are in exile will come back to their land (Ezra 1:1-4). This word is about a future attack on Israel after they have returned to their land and live in safety. This word implies that they may be complacent living in unwalled cities without bars or gates (Ezekiel 38:11). While this is not true of the present state of Israel or its condition during most of its history, they could enter into an agreement with their enemies that creates a false sense of security. The names of the nations coming against Israel are ancient names with Gog representing modern-day Russia or Rosh (Ezekiel 38:2). Persia represents modern-day Iran, which will align with Russia to attack Israel (Ezekiel 38:5), the seeds of which are present today. However, God intends to bring judgment on these enemies of Israel on that day when they devise their plan to destroy Israel (Ezekiel 38:18-23).

 

The Church is not exempt from falling into a false sense of security when everything appears peaceful. In Ephesians 6:10, scripture reminds us to remain diligent and be strong in the power of the Lord’s might. The reason for the need for diligence is God’s people are in a spiritual battle that is not against a flesh and blood army we can see, but a spiritual army of principalities, powers, and rulers of darkness and wickedness in heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12). Since this battle is spiritual and not against flesh and blood, it requires special weapons, the armor of God (Ephesians 6:11, 14-17). Remaining diligent when in a spiritual battle requires continuous prayer in the Spirit with watchfulness, perseverance, and supplication for all the saints (Ephesians 6:18). I pray that the Church does not fall into complacency but remains diligent because the forces of wickedness in our world have an expiration date with the Lord returning to take His people home. Instead of complacency, the mission of the Church is to bring Jesus to people and people to Jesus (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20).

 

If you are reading this and have never prayed to make Jesus your savior or have grown lukewarm or cold in your walk with the Lord, I invite you to either commit your life to the Lord for the first time or rededicate your life to the Lord by praying with me.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

I invite you to let someone know of your decision or to comment on this post about your decision. I also encourage you to become involved in a Church that teaches the Bible and follow through with baptism as a public confession of your faith in Jesus (Romans 10:9-10). May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.