Good Morning “Winners”. Today we are in Ezekiel 38.
This chapter is one of those highly debated chapters. The Ezekiel war prophesied through chapter 38 and 39 is coming. But who, why, and perhaps the most argued question when? Whether the language is literal or figurative is also argued. Your view likely depends on whose take you read and subscribe to, but suffice it to say NO ONE can answer all of the questions we can pose.
Personally I subscribe to the Theological approach of Biblical Literalism, which asserts that Scripture shall be taken literally unless Biblical evidence exists to the contrary.
Let’s get to it… The who is easily defined in the first 6 verses. God is sovereign and institutes this war for His purposes (vs 4), the national tools are listed here as well. They translate into modern day Soviet Union, Iran, Ethiopia, Somalia, Germany and Armenia - possibly others.
Why? God has much to accomplish in the heart of Israel… as far as the attacking nations, that’s easy, they want the spoils (38:10-13). But what kind of spoils? Natural resources? Perhaps, whatever it is it’s enough to be split between these nations and still be an incentive for them to advance.
When… ha ha well, that’s a much longer discussion but I’ll offer some brief highlights. Defining a time period for this war largely hinges on Ezekiel 39:9, the 7 years of burning war tools, and 7 months of burying their dead 39:11-13. Other problems exist with particular views as well.
5 major views exist. 1. Pre-Tribulation, 2. Mid-Tribulation, 3. End of Tribulation as part of Armageddon, 4. during the 75 day interlude between Tribulation and The Millennial Kingdom, and 5. the end of the 1000 year, Millennial Kingdom. This view believes it is the Revelation 20 battle of Gog and Magog.
The only view that allows for 7 years of burning is the Pre-Tribulation view. All of the others require the 7 years to spill into either the Millennial Kingdom, or the Eternal Order (New Heaven on Earth). Neither makes sense - nor is there evidence to such. Furthermore, the suggestion that the Ezekiel war is either Armageddon or The Revelation 20 battle of Gog and Magog is simply pointless. Both of those wars involve all nations and attack from all sides, and are NOT purposed for spoils. The Ezekiel attack comes from the North with only specific countries involved.
So do I believe the Pre-Tribulation view? Well… in fact the nations involved are either currently opposed to Israel or turning that direction. They are assembling as we read this. The details fit. This is the only view that deals with the 7 year issue keeping it from both the Millennial Kingdom and Eternal order. However; if the description is to be taken literal, what do we make of the horses, helmets and swords? Why are technological war tools absent? Hmmm… this just keeps getting deeper. The mystery is thick. Maybe that’s part of the point. Faith is exercised when we DON’T have all the answers.
Ok… so is there a point for us other than considering prophecy? Check out the last couple verses. God will protect His people, either in this life or by taking them into the next! His protection can include even giant hail stones and fire from Heaven… we’ve seen it before (Joshua 10:11). We ARE His! (Romans 8:28, 38-39). The point - He wins! We win!
Love you all! Dig in!
This chapter is one of those highly debated chapters. The Ezekiel war prophesied through chapter 38 and 39 is coming. But who, why, and perhaps the most argued question when? Whether the language is literal or figurative is also argued. Your view likely depends on whose take you read and subscribe to, but suffice it to say NO ONE can answer all of the questions we can pose.
Personally I subscribe to the Theological approach of Biblical Literalism, which asserts that Scripture shall be taken literally unless Biblical evidence exists to the contrary.
Let’s get to it… The who is easily defined in the first 6 verses. God is sovereign and institutes this war for His purposes (vs 4), the national tools are listed here as well. They translate into modern day Soviet Union, Iran, Ethiopia, Somalia, Germany and Armenia - possibly others.
Why? God has much to accomplish in the heart of Israel… as far as the attacking nations, that’s easy, they want the spoils (38:10-13). But what kind of spoils? Natural resources? Perhaps, whatever it is it’s enough to be split between these nations and still be an incentive for them to advance.
When… ha ha well, that’s a much longer discussion but I’ll offer some brief highlights. Defining a time period for this war largely hinges on Ezekiel 39:9, the 7 years of burning war tools, and 7 months of burying their dead 39:11-13. Other problems exist with particular views as well.
5 major views exist. 1. Pre-Tribulation, 2. Mid-Tribulation, 3. End of Tribulation as part of Armageddon, 4. during the 75 day interlude between Tribulation and The Millennial Kingdom, and 5. the end of the 1000 year, Millennial Kingdom. This view believes it is the Revelation 20 battle of Gog and Magog.
The only view that allows for 7 years of burning is the Pre-Tribulation view. All of the others require the 7 years to spill into either the Millennial Kingdom, or the Eternal Order (New Heaven on Earth). Neither makes sense - nor is there evidence to such. Furthermore, the suggestion that the Ezekiel war is either Armageddon or The Revelation 20 battle of Gog and Magog is simply pointless. Both of those wars involve all nations and attack from all sides, and are NOT purposed for spoils. The Ezekiel attack comes from the North with only specific countries involved.
So do I believe the Pre-Tribulation view? Well… in fact the nations involved are either currently opposed to Israel or turning that direction. They are assembling as we read this. The details fit. This is the only view that deals with the 7 year issue keeping it from both the Millennial Kingdom and Eternal order. However; if the description is to be taken literal, what do we make of the horses, helmets and swords? Why are technological war tools absent? Hmmm… this just keeps getting deeper. The mystery is thick. Maybe that’s part of the point. Faith is exercised when we DON’T have all the answers.
Ok… so is there a point for us other than considering prophecy? Check out the last couple verses. God will protect His people, either in this life or by taking them into the next! His protection can include even giant hail stones and fire from Heaven… we’ve seen it before (Joshua 10:11). We ARE His! (Romans 8:28, 38-39). The point - He wins! We win!
Love you all! Dig in!
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