Good morning. Let's pray.
One more time and I slow to help us as we open up his word
together. Father, we thank you.
That we have victory in your son.
And Lord in this place, we want to sense that Victory not just
in the emotions, the Lord in the spirit, in the fruit of Our
Lives. Lord, thank you.
That you have been faithful to us.
You have been good to each of us in this place.
Regardless of what we are facing today, we can look back and
realize what you have done, we will conclude you are good
always and if you've been good to us up to this point, you will
be good to us now. And until we see you face to
face. Thank you.
Lord. That in this house.
There is no Famine of the word but a feast That we can eat
together and that you are faithful.
Providing bread from heaven. We ask Lord that.
This word would come in power, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Lord. We know that power does not come
from volume power. Does not come from your
intellect or eloquence it comes from your spirit.
And we ask that the Holy Spirit would glorify Christ through
this message and that glorify Christ through our obedience We
come to you now with submissive Hearts, inattentive Minds in
Jesus name, we pray. Amen.
And I'm in, I'm sure you would agree that the events of 2020
Has taught the church, the capital c Church.
Many lessons about many things. An interesting observation that
I've made about many local churches and response to this
Unforgettable year was this launched into many conversations
and even sermon series around the end times.
Calmly from The Book of Revelation and you have
different Ministries and congregations that did not
hesitate to investigate the word of God to try to make sense of
what's happening on the Earth. Today things that we have been
facing things that we are still facing and from time to time I
believe that it is good for the soul to be able to see what's
happening especially on a global scale.
And then come to the word of God to try to find a way to
interpret it from his perspective.
Now, I'm not talking about cracking hidden codes, and every
news headline, you try to find a prophetic, passage that it
fulfills, that's dangerous. But what I am saying is about
being open. And actually having a reflex to
come to the scriptures and to allow what we witness before us
to nudge us and remind us what God has to say concerning
certain themes and truths found in the scriptures for what
purpose to sanctify us to sanctify us.
Let me give you an example the world coming together in 2022.
Battle against this covid thing. Raise the antennas of many
Believers to point to the coming reality of the Book of
Revelation, that speaks of a new world order that's in the Bible.
That's not conspiracy theory that the world will come
together. There will be a new system,
there will be a new leader that will guide the world into false
peace and what we've seen in 2020, we've never seen in world
history before and that's the world collaborating and working
together for fulfilling specific goals.
Or The Masks. That's another thing to write
the mass mandates, were you have to do something?
You have to wear something in order to be a candidate for
business basic services and society, that that points to
that pulls us towards what will be a reality under the universal
Mandate of the mark of the beast?
I'm not saying the mask or the vaccine have anything to do with
what we see in Revelation, but I will say this confidently, we
have been in a dress rehearsal. We have been.
And 2020 didn't stop with 20 21, because as we've leaked into
this year, there have been many other Global events that have
immersed that have captivated the world's attention and
stirred emotions of fresh. And one of those things is the
ever sensitive subject of the israeli-palestinian conflict.
And throughout the years, whenever breaking news of a
fresh scrimmage between Israel and Palestine erupts, you have
many that will point to it. As a sign that this is the red
carpet that will usher in the tribulation period.
And I don't think that's necessary because the only issue
with that is that there's always been conflict ever since Israel
has been a nation from the Bible and even in modern history.
Nevertheless I believe that it is crucial that the believing
Community, understands the spiritual implications of the
reality of Israel's existence today.
And I think that what's been happening lately provides a good
opportunity for us to get clarity on an important subject
in the word of God. And I want us to turn there in
Romans 11:25, please. And if you're scared that, I'm
going to be preaching politics, don't be scared.
It's going to be Bible and then you can do with the Bible, what
you want. I just advise that you obey it.
Romans 11 chapter, 25, read with me, hear what Paul says to this
church and to all churches for all ages.
Lest you be wise in your own site.
I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery Brothers.
A partial hardening has come upon Israel until the fullness
of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way, all Israel will
be saved as it is written. The deliverer will come from
Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob, and this will be my
Covenant with them. When I take away their sins, did
you notice the first two phrases of this verse and chapter 11
verse 25? He says lest you be wise in your
own site. I do not want you to be unaware
of this mystery. You know what the holy spirit is
saying, I don't want the believing Community to be in the
dark about a certain subject and the subject that the Holy Spirit
has in mind that this portion of the word of God is the mystery.
God's dealing, his Sovereign work with the ethnic people of
Israel. You have to do origami with the
Bible to think that this is speaking about a spiritual
Israel. We're talking about the actual
people, the race. And you know what, the holy
spirit is saying. I don't want you to be unaware
and the, the mystery that God has in mind, you're
specifically, is that due to the rejection of the Messiah, when
he entered into this world to come as their King.
The Gentiles have received the gospel, their rejection became
the open door for the world to receive the Gospel.
And then, once the last Gentile gives his life to Christ, In
God's mind, he will seal that deal.
And then his work will return back to Israel as a people to do
a saving work in them as a nation.
That's the mystery that's the mystery but we can broaden this
verse to ask ourselves a very important question.
How many Christians today are unaware of how Israel relates to
our faith? Because he says, I don't want
you to be unaware. And he says that into other
places in the Bible and it's quite interesting where he says
in well, that's for another message for another time.
But here in this place, he says, I don't want you to be unaware
misinformed, and then he goes on to say, lest you be wise in your
own site, meaning less. You have your own opinion about
it. There are a lot of people have a
lot of opinions, What he's saying here is I'm pulling you
into what God has to say about this matter.
And it's important for us to understand it because we must
have a Biblical perspective on God's relationship with this
people group not for political purposes, but for theological
ones, The main purpose of this message this morning, is not to
answer every question about this topic because it is too vast,
but to get a grasp that God's word speaks of the future as
much as it does the past. In other words, the Bible is
very bold to make predictions about things.
Not yet. Come to pass very bold.
And what's amazing is that and when you study the Bible
carefully, you will realize that much of the prophecies about the
future beyond our day have to do with Israel.
You can't deny it. And as my pray that through a
message like this, we will be stirred to worship God that God
would doesn't just tell us what has happened in the past.
But what will happen in the days to come so let us turn to a
prophecy in the Book of Ezekiel, please and what I want is to do,
here is to just see And use this recent battle that we've been
seeing on the news that has ceased for some time.
Now, few days to turn us to another battle that the Lord God
will prophesy about in these chapters.
And let me tell you. This is Eco 38 and 39.
I encourage you to read these chapters on your own time.
It doesn't take much time and you will be greatly encouraged
to see the details and the significance of what is being
said here. Ezekiel 38, let's read together
and I want us to break down this message.
And, and three ways who is involved, who is involved, when
will this happen and why will it happen?
Very simple, right. Let's read a little bit.
First few verses, the word of the Lord came to me verse 1.
Son of man, set your face toward gog.com land of Magog.
The chief Prince of meshech and tubal and prophesy against him
and say thus says the Lord God, behold I am against you Gog,
Chief Prince of meshech and tubal.
And I will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws.
And I will bring you out and all your army horses and Horsemen,
all of them clothes and full armor, a great host, all of them
with Buckler and shield wielding swords Persia cush, and put our
with them. If you have a different
translation, it would say Ethiopia and Libya are with
them. All of them would shield and
helmet Gomer and all his hordes Beth togarmah from the uttermost
parts of the north. With all his hordes.
Many peoples are with you be ready.
And keep ready, you and all your host that are assembled about
you and be a guard for them. After many days, you will be
mustered in the latter years. That's an important phrase in
the latter years. You will go against the land
that is restored from war. The land whose people were
gathered from many people's upon the mountains of Israel, which
has been a continual waste. Its people were brought out from
the peoples and now dwell securely all of them.
All of them. The Lord tells Ezekiel hundreds
of years before our time to prophesy against an individual
named GOG. He is according to these verses,
the chief Prince and one, who rules the land of Magog and
different regions around that area called Michigan to bomb.
Now, we learned that other nations are in partnership with
GOG. And the list is more
identifiable than him and his region again some transition
Persia, right? That's modern-day what Iran you
have Libya, you have Ethiopia, some would say, that's
modern-day Sudan. And so we see that there is an
alliance being made here and what's important is that the
alliance the nation's that are aligned with him are Islamic
background. They are Muslim countries mainly
and they're in partnership with this mysterious figure named Gog
from Magog. And you can imagine that over
the centuries how God and Magog has caused much a debate between
Scholars to try to identify him. But this may surprise you that
one clue that has left many people to identify Gog and Magog
as modern day Russia. Comes from what we see in verse
15. In Ezekiel 38, you will come
from your place out of the uttermost parts of the North.
You and many peoples with you. All of them riding on horses, a
great horse, a mighty Army. So they would say, well if
Israel as we know it today is the central point of Direction.
Then if you, if you go, north directly, check it out on Google
Maps where you going to land Russia.
That's why many people hold to that view, and they would also
include Southern parts of Russia and even turkey itself.
Now, we can't be safe with that because the Bible is not clear
and that's just speculation. Son little clues that we can't
be dogmatic about, but I think the idea the fact that God and
Magog are mysterious. People actually is to our
benefit to the authenticity of this prophecy.
Why? What are some of the ancient
enemies to Israel is known in the word of God Egypt Assyria?
Babylon, right? The amalekites the Canaanites.
But there is no record. There is no history.
I mean, just look it up in your word and you'll see that there
is no correlation. There's no relationship between
God and may God ever up to this point.
There's no type of friction, there's no type of record of a
battle between them. And that is quite interesting.
The only place mentioned may God is in Genesis 10, and that has
to do with an individual, which means something quite
fascinating, doesn't it that this prophecy speaks of a battle
led by a new previously, unknown people that will become an enemy
to Israel from the distant North And the players of this war,
don't end there, come down with me here to verse 13.
Sheba and dedan and the merchants of tarshish and all
its leaders will say to you. So say to God, these other
nations will say, have you come to cease spoil?
Have you assembled your host to carry off plunder to carry away,
silver and gold to take away livestock and goods to see these
great spoil. So now you have different people
groups. That are not in participation
with this war. But what are they doing?
They are realizing, what's about to take place and they are in
favor of it? And they're wondering that this
battle will actually be to their personal gain as Leaders of
Nations that they will profit from this plunder themselves.
And so what you have is beyond this Alliance, you have people
outside of that nation's beyond that that are cheering this
Invasion on and they're saying go for it.
Rent, suck them. Take over you saying, what's so
significant about that? Because it's becoming very clear
in this prophecy that at this point in history you will have
Nations that will not be hesitant to speak against this
people and even come against this people while nobody seems
to be standing with them. you read this prophecy in your
realize that nobody comes to their defense, nobody comes to
back them up and it's describing a hopeless scene for Israel,
really Nations will not be hesitant There will be plans and
there will be a partnership amongst many to say, let's come
against them. And how will it look at verse 9?
You will advance coming on. Like a storm.
You will be like a cloud covering the land, you and all
your hordes and many people with you.
This confederation of armies will come like a storm.
It will be quick, it will be executed fast.
It will be an invasion that will catch the World by surprise
almost. That's why they're asking like
what are you guys doing? Are you guys going live?
Go for it. And they will be so
overwhelming. This is not a small thing, it
will be so overwhelming that it will cause all the witnesses of
the Earth at this time to say they're finished.
They're finished. And so realize that this is
speaking about an event that has not taken place yet.
It hasn't taken place in the history books yet it's yet to
come. It's yet to happen which brings
us to our next point. When will this happen?
I'm sure that's what most people are curious about when it comes
to Prophecy in the Bible when when when and there are some
elements that are disputed and some that are undeniable and the
undeniable element here is found in verse 8.
After many days, you will be mustard, In the latter years in
the latter years. Now, go to verse 16 of the same
chapter, you will come against up against my People, Israel,
like, a cloud covering a land in the latter.
What days? Now, if you interpret the Bible
with the Bible, you will know that that phrase is exclusively
used to speak about the end times.
The culmination of all human history.
It speaks about the last chapters before God rolls up,
the scroll of the earth and ushers in his Reign and the
Eternal age. And so this is undoubtedly about
things to happen, still And it's talking about the end times,
which some may object and say well Hebrews 1 tells us that the
end days the last days have begun since Jesus walked on the
earth in his Earthly ministry, right Hebrews 12 so what he's
talking about the last days it's been 2000 years.
But there is something in this verse verse 8 of chapter 38,
that tightens the tight timeframe for us to help us
understand what point in history.
This will happen. Look what it says.
After many days you will be mustard in the latter years.
You will go against the land that is restored for more the
land whose people were gathered from many people's upon the
mountains of Israel. This future battle will take
place in the end times. After the Jewish, people have
been gathered from all around the world.
To occupy their ancient land. and we know that there was a
Babylonian exile and then they came back and then once Jesus
came on the scene after they occupy that land and rejected
their Messiah, They punished, they were punished for that.
They were dispersed throughout the whole earth.
And would, you know it in 1948, a miracle took place?
That these Jews were gathered and became an independent state.
and if that doesn't Peak your interest, nothing in Bible
prophecy will You saying, what's the significance of land?
Because when you talk about land, especially especially
amongst those from Middle Eastern culture, people get
tight. Because they're thinking
politically put your politics aside and come to the Bible.
What does the Bible say? Not your opinion, not what
people say, not what the news says.
What does the Bible say? Your Christian right?
What does the Bible say? And this is what the Bible says.
That the physical restoration of Israel in the land proceeds, the
spiritual Revival of that people.
The physical restoration of that land proceeds, the spiritual
Revival of that people. In other words, you can't have
Romans 11:25 and 26. All Israel shall be saved until
Israel has a land. Opinion Bible.
Let's go together. Ezekiel 36.
Verse 24 and look what God says. Now, this is where the ESV does
this service? Who here has a new King James
lift. Your hand who here has the King
James King, James? Okay, who here has the nasb?
Who here has ESV? Okay, this is where the ESV does
a disservice. And I'll show you how, let's
read verse 24. I'm going to read it from the
King James and you're going to notice a difference in your ESV
Ezekiel 36:24 for. I will take you from among the
Heathen. He speaking to the Jews and
gather you out of all countries. All countries and will bring you
into your own land. Now, what is verse 25 cent ESP I
will take you right? My King James people, what does
the word say before? for and other places would say,
then, Then I will sprinkle clean water upon you and verse 25.
Then I will sprinkle clean water on you and ye shall be clean
from all your filthiness. And from all your Idols will, I
cleanse you? You see that word then is that
they're in the ESV? No.
But it's an important word. It's a crucial word because it
describes a series of events, there's a knot.
He says I'm going to bring you into this place from all
countries. When was this fulfilled
partially with the Babylonian exile?
Because Ezekiel here speaking to those who are in Babylonian
Exiles but the greater prophetic fulfillment is from all
countries, all the four corners of the earth, isn't that what
they say all countries? And will bring you to this place
and when they're brought to this place, then the holy spirit
says, then I will do a spiritual work in you guys.
So this is why it's important because the spiritually revived
people that will experience the power of the New Covenant is
something that comes much later after the land is restored.
So what's the connection between Israel's salvation and
recognizing the Messiah and the land one, simple fact that God
is just fulfilling his promises And he wants to fulfill every
promise that he's made to this people.
And one, promise that he made to this people, is what?
That you will have this land forever.
The abrahamic Covenant. Now this is where people again,
to be getting tight, man, they're getting sweaty and
uncomfortable. Because it's giving the idea
that you favor a people. And that you were as steaming a
nation. That sins that creates
Injustice. So is God showing favoritism is
God calling one people greater than all other people's I'll let
God answer it for himself. Look at verse 22 of chapter 36.
Therefore say to the house of Israel.
Thus says the Lord God it is not for your sake o House of Israel.
that I'm about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, Which
you have profaned among the nation's to which you came, you
know, when you start talking about, like this people call you
all these names Zionist this, and that you favor them.
Look at all the things that they're doing to them.
And look at all the things they're doing to them.
Listen, God is not approving any Behavior.
God is not celebrating anything. God is Not on the side of
unrighteousness, whether your Jew or Gentile, why is God doing
this for his namesake His name's sake, he's doing it because he
declared a Word of Promise and he's not going to break that
promise you say, well, we're in a different Covenant and where
the church absolutely. But let me shatter something.
That is a great misconception. Amongst many, if God is willing
to break his promise with Israel, what makes you think
that? He's not willing to break his
promise with the church? Get out of the political realm
brothers and sisters as tempting as it is.
And let's look at God's reason for this.
This is much more about the character of God than about
boundaries and real estate. And so, this is significant. as
I said, because it deals with the nature of God, and that's
why Paul wrote Romans 9 10 and 11, by the way, Because let's
turn there. He goes on to describe the
wonderful relationship that God has with this people, from the
old Covenant and we know that in the New Covenant that wall of
hostility was brought down and there is neither no Jew or
Gentile. We Are All One in Christ.
But then, after describing how this, people have the adoption,
the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship.
And the promises. Look what he says here in Romans
9 Verse 6 but it is not as though the word of God has
failed for not all who are descended from Israel, belong to
Israel. What is he trying to say he's
getting into the mind of the reader and is assuming that they
will bring up this protest? Well, you're describing how
wonderful God is in relating to this people, but our question
is, did he fail? Did his word not come to pass?
Why would they say that? Because the Messiah comes the
Messiah that these Gentiles believed in, but who didn't
believe in him Israel? And so Paul is trying to defend
the case, Romans 9 10 11, the centrality, the thesis is about
Israel and God's dealing with them.
And what is he saying here? In Romans 9 6?
I'm about to prove to you that God's word didn't fail.
Just because they rejected Christ doesn't mean God's
finished with them, and then he goes on to explain why?
And then it culminates in Romans 11, where he says, do you
realize that a hardening? Because they rejected the
Messiah, a hardening comes upon them, where they're still
rejecting the Messiah, and in that hardening, I'm softening
the hearts of the Gentiles and I'm winning them one by one and
there it's going to the nation's and the moment in God's calendar
and in God's mind he has a number of mine where he says
that's it, he seals the Work with the Gentiles.
And then he returns in the Book of Revelation to work with the
Jews to win their hearts, to the Messiah.
So, you see, right? Do you see that Paul in himself,
is realizing that, this whole deal is about the character of
God, the faithfulness of God, the authenticity of his word,
the never changing God. If we get that, a lot of tension
will be eased. So he says here you have to
understand that God did not fail but God has plans.
And they will be fulfilled. Now, we might think.
Well, do we have more specifics? I mean, you're saying the latter
times but give me some dates, man.
Which I'm not if anybody does kick them out the door.
But you have people who hold different views on when this
will take place within the latter times.
And would you know it? Do we have people with different
opinions on this and guess what? If you're on either one of those
sides, you're not a heretic. So you can take a deep breath.
You have some people. If we come back to Ezekiel, 38,
that would say this battle of Gog and Magog will take place
before the tribulation period. Now, this is a different sermon,
doesn't it feels like it's more Bible study?
That's okay, so let's pull back. Here's here's a timeline for us
here. We're in the church age.
When the church age is complete, you have what the tribulation
period, which lasts what seven years and then you have at the
end of that seven years, the second coming of Jesus Christ.
And after the second coming of Jesus Christ, what do you have
1000 year? Millennial Reign where Jesus
Christ physically rains on the earth.
And after that thousand years, what do you have?
The Eternal age, the new heavens and the new Earth come in and
then we are where God wants us to be.
You have people that would say well, where'd this is Gog and
Magog thing take place and they'll say look at verse 9 of
chapter 38, excuse me of chapter 39 which is the same sequence of
the prophecy. Then those who dwell in the
cities of Israel will go out and make fires of the weapons and
burned them Shields, and Buckler's bow, and arrows clubs
and Spears. And they will make fires of them
for 7 years. See see what's happening after
God intervenes, and he wipes out the enemies that are coming
against this people. There will be so much weaponry
and ezekiel's using his language of understanding weapons for his
days for his people to understand.
But we have no fear to think that this is speaking about an
ancient battle because there's bows and arrows know it's just a
way of interpreting what he is seeing for his people.
There's going to be so much weaponry.
That this people are going to say, what are we going to do
with it? And they begin to recycle it and
they use it for different purposes and they make fires out
of and they turn the material for something else and you know
how long that's going to take seven years, that's how much is
going to be seven years now, does that ring a bell?
It does because that's the period of the tribulation seven
years. And so people will say that this
battle will have some kind of part in tribute and triggering
the tribulation period. And they would go on to say Well
it fits really well because if you have this war in a
humiliating defeat towards the enemies which many of them are
neighboring Nations that it would make sense for Israel to
have the confidence now to do what build the temple.
Now's our chance, let's build the house of God so that we can
worship God. It also makes sense for the
Antichrist to enter into the scene and to offer what a peace
treaty. After this war is said and done
and the smoke Rises the Antichrist can stop and say,
listen, this is getting too messy, guys, we have to, we have
to finish this once and for all and he shows up into the world
as a false Messiah. And he writes any offers a
seven-year peace treaty that he will break halfway through.
which causes people to believe that this can't happen before
the tribulation, but in the middle of the tribulation, why
would people say that will come here to verse 11 of chapter 38
Ezekiel 38 verse 11 and look at the description of Israel before
this war And say he's speaking about what God, this Prince
rulers thinking and say I will go up against the land of
unwalled villages. I will fall upon the quiet
people who dwell securely, all of them dwelling Without Walls
and having no bars or Gates. so whatever point of History,
Israel's out of here, we know one thing, they feel secure They
feel safe. They feel like there is no need
to put up a shield to have walls have a defense system, they feel
so confident. Even with all the threats that
they've known throughout history to actually be at a place where
they don't need to have weapons or any kind of thing to guard
them. And here's what you and I know
that's never happened. Nor will it ever happen for
Israel? They will never come to a place
where they feel this secure and less and less.
There is one slot in history that would give him that kind of
confidence and when would it be when the Antichrist comes?
And he makes a peace treaty with them and he makes sure that he
will protect Israel in the beginning of the tribulation
will those say okay we're secure and they let their guard down
and what's your what? The happen is near the midpoint,
you're going to see nations rise up when they see them like a
Sitting Duck and say let's go after them.
Because when you read Revelation at the halfway point of the
tribulation, there is a war that breaks out against this people.
And some would say this is part of it and then there are others
who say, no, no, it's not going to be before the tribulation,
it's not going to be in the middle of the tribulation.
It's gonna be at the end, none of the tribulation.
But when the millennium Say, where are they getting that idea
from? Well, let's go to Revelation.
Chapter 20 and see So remember there are some who would say no
no no this is not happening even during the tribulation, this is
going to happen. After Jesus comes back rules for
a thousand years and sets up his kingdom.
And the idea is not from thin air.
It comes from attacks and Revelation 20 verse 7 and when
the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his
prison. Now, hold on for a second.
Verse 8 says and will come out to deceive the Nations that are
at the Four Corners of the earth, Gog and Magog.
To gather them for battle, the number like the sand of the sea.
See see where they're drawing the connection from, right.
But before we even go there, I can't help but look at this and
realize how stupid Satan is. I'll tell you why think about
this? All it took is one Angel to bind
this Beast. Into an abyss for a thousand
years. One, Angel read the verses prior
to this. And after that thousand years,
he has the confidence to arise deceive the Nations and try to
Dethrone Christ. What do you need to learn before
you realize that you're not going to win?
What's motivating this Fallen Angel.
I'll tell you what it is. A combination of deep pride and
deep hate. And when you have such a level
of demonic, hatred residing in a heart, there is no telling to
the degrees in the campaigns that you will make to make sure
you get what you want in your hatred.
This hatred is so powerful. It is blinding to his own
weakness and his failed attempts in the past where he is foaming
at the mouth and he will do everything.
He can with every bit of strength, he has left to make
sure that he has Christ underneath his feet.
And I can't help. When I read that, I thought to
myself if hatred looks like this.
It looks outrageous. It looks Reckless.
It looks like Faith to believe the impossible.
What can love do? If hatred made Satan crawl out
of the abyss and try to war against Christ again.
Do you want to know what perfect love looks like?
Christ leaving his throne and coming to the world to be slain
by Sinners, so that he can save those same sinners.
Satan crawls out of a pit and hatred Christ comes down from
glory and serves. That's love, that's love.
You know what's amazing reading this.
I can't help but think Satan and his hatred wants to deceive
Nations while Christ and his love wants to win Nations and
that same love that Jesus had in his heart can be in our hearts,
as well. I saw this and I contrasted it
with with God's love and I thought to myself where can love
take us if we allow Christ to dominate our hearts you know
what Paul said in second Corinthians 5:14 For the Love of
Christ controls us For the Love of Christ, controls us.
And, you know what he says after.
He knows that Christ's love, controlled him and verse 15.
He died for all that those who live might no longer live for
themselves. But for him who for the sake
died wasn't raised when you allow the love of Christ.
I mean, you and I look into this world and we see this perversion
we live in a city where there's murderers, Every weekend.
And we think what kind of hatred can possess people to do such a
thing? Well, the reflect reflecting the
Father, the devil, If hatred can take people so far, what can
Christ's love due to his people. And Paul says it controls, me
and it controls you to the point.
You know, you know, when Christ's love controls you, when
you can say here, I don't live for myself.
That's what the love of Christ does in you, and makes you
sacrificial, makes you look outward you steam others,
people's feelings and needs and wants above yours.
So you and I have an opportunity to show the world, the opposite
of what Satan shows. The world that we can win people
to Christ, by example, by love. If we allow it to control us
Coming back to the main point, Gog and Magog are mentioned
here. And for many people that's it
that's a case closed right there.
It's there's no there's no argument there.
These are the main two places in all of scripture that God and
Magog are mentioned. But here's why if you make a
careful study, you can challenge that thought even which is not
making it easier for you. I'm sure to know where you're
going to land on this. Firstly, in Ezekiel 38 we have a
description of mainly in enemy from the north.
That is coming down with an alliance of other nations here.
We read that it's going to be the nation's from the four
corners of the Earth. Secondly, as we come in Ezekiel
38, we're told that it's going to take seven years to burn
these weapons. And listen seven months to bury
the bodies. Now, here's the question, if
this is happening at the end of the Millennium and after the end
of the Millennium, what do you have the Judgment, the great
white Throne. Judgment regard, judges, those
whose names are not written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
If you have that coming right after this, what's the point of
taking seven years to burn weapons?
And what's the point of taking seven months to bury bodies?
God is going to raise everybody up, anyway, and then judge those
into Eternal damnation. And lastly, we come here, and we
realize that one of the purposes of Gog and Magog and Ezekiel 38.
One of the purposes is to get Israel's attention.
But in Revelation, 20 already has their attention crisis
ruling and reigning from Jerusalem.
There's no need for that. So then why Gog & Magog
mentioned then, there are mentioned by name and I think
the way to explain it is that the Bible is trying to make a
connection between the rebellious spirit that operated
in God in Revelation. I'm rather in Ezekiel, 38 is
duplicated. Now, in this final battle before
the Eternal age, it's the same spirit.
It's the same Rebellion, it's the same hatred for Christ,
that's operating then and now it's operating here.
So you see that in the Bible with the use of the word
Babylon, Babylon? Is a physical place in the
Bible, but it's also a word used to describe a spirit and
ideology that is anti-god. A system that is raised in
society that profanes and blasphemes Christ.
So, Gog and Magog here is not perhaps the literal Gog and
Magog we've seen Ezekiel 38, but the same operation of the spirit
behind it. So enjoy picking a position.
What's more important is that it will happen.
It will happen. And the question is, why will
this happen? Why is this war that's been
prophesied? Thousands of years ago.
Why is this going to take place in the answer is there's two
reasons, a natural reason, and a spiritual reason, when you come
back to Ezekiel 38 you see the natural reason behind it.
The natural reason is in the thoughts of Gog.
Verse 10 of Ezekiel 38. Thus says, the Lord God on that
day. Thoughts will come into your
mind. Annual device, an evil scheme,
verse 12 to see spoil and carry off, plunder to turn your hand
against the waste places that are now inhabited and the people
who are gathered from the Nations who have acquired
livestock and goods who dwell at the center of the earth, it's a
political move. I'm into your mind.
Will see them in a secure place. Defenseless without arms and
they will say this is our chance to use our power for greater
prosperity. It's just a political move.
So they're operating here. Like how Nations operate today
you go to war for greater power and greater Prosperity.
That's what they're, that's what they're attempting here.
But verse 4 shows us the spiritual reason.
Look What God Says and I will turn you about and put hooks
into your jaws and I will bring you out and all your horses and
Horsemen all of them, clothed in full armor, a great host, all of
them, with the Buckler and shield wielding swords, And so
in God's mind, and the Nations that are in partnership with
them, they're saying we got this.
We're taking it to the bank easy-peasy.
This will be effortless. And they think they're in
control, and you just read who's really in control.
God, is orchestrating. This God, is Sovereign over
this. God is the one who is moving the
pieces. And he's saying, I'm going to
put a hook in your jaw and pull you towards this in violation to
the free will of God. No.
But in partnership with it. God, God was determined to do
this and God says, you want to do this I will raise you up so I
can show my power and he draws him to his own judgement because
of his own evil scheme in evil desires.
He did that with pharaoh. And so we see here that there is
a spiritual element to this. And now what you see here in the
natural reason seems political It seems like just Warfare but
behind the scenes, there's something else going on.
God is the Lord of hosts who Reigns over every nation.
He's the one who has the story Pain.
Doubt, already of how all of this is going to turn out and he
knows how it's going to end, and we know how it's going to end.
God is the one who is in control over the Affairs that you.
And I, and many people are witnessing.
Here's why that's important, because this proves that God is
in control, not just of our world, but of the Unseen World,
you want proof of that. So this is Gog and Magog.
I know there's a lot of Bible. Today's Bible study, it's okay.
When you realize that there's another battle and it's not Gog
& Magog. There's another battle in
Revelation. Tell me the name of it Battle of
what you're right. Good, good students.
Battle of Armageddon. It's a different fight than this
one. Now in preparation for that war,
just listen to what the holy spirit says about the battle of
Armageddon. And 16:14 of Revelation for,
they are demonic spirits. They are demonic spirits
performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world
to assemble them. For battle.
On the great day of God the almighty.
Who's behind it? Demonic spirits.
You have demons that will deceive people on that day
because the demons know what is coming down the pipe.
What's coming down. The pipe, in Revelation Christ
is going to split the sky open plant his feet on the Mount of
Olives and established his throne in Jerusalem and the
demons. Feel it, the demons know, their
Bibles and they realize it's coming.
Let's gather the Kings and they gather all the nations to come
to Armageddon in Israel to fight against Christ.
Who's the one energizing? These leaders demonic spirits.
But who's really behind it? Go to Zechariah.
I hope this was Stir you to see how exciting the Bible is in
Zechariah Chapter 14. Another Prophecy of the end
times. God speaks about the same
battle. The battle of Armageddon.
Verse 1 behold. The day is coming for the Lord
when the spoil taken from you will be divided in your midst.
Now look at this verse 24. I will gather all the nations
against Jerusalem to battle and the city shall be taken, in the
house has plundered. And the woman raped who is
gathering the nation's I I will gather them but I just thought
in Revelation, it was the demonic spirits.
It's God giving the demonic spirits permission and these
demons have leashes on them. Go go, tempt him and who's
behind it? The same God behind the Battle
of Gog, and Magog. He is.
Sovereign, he's in control and the world is gonna be watching
news headlines. And think this is crazy, this is
out of control. And there is someone occupying a
throne, that knows what's going to happen.
So we realize that there's a spiritual element to this.
You might be wondering, well, can you give me reasons why this
is significant. I'll give you reasons.
Number one. This battle is important because
it proves that Satan wants to overthrow God's promises and
plans you heard in Revelation 20, he is a tenacious fake
confidence that he can actually obstruct an obscure.
What God had said would happen. He did it with Egypt with Moses.
A deliverer was going to be raised because Satan knew the
years that were counting down before God took Israel out of
Egypt and brought him into this land.
And what did he do? You try to cause a massacre
amongst the children, Then you have the greater Moses, the
greater deliver, not from a place, but from our sins who is
born in Bethlehem under the rule, and reign of who Herod,
and what happens there? Another Massacre.
Trying to do what eliminate the seed of the Messiah.
Now that dispensation is over and we're in the church age and
the gospel is being proclaimed to All Nations and that's
Satan's men ambition to restrict to Halt to fight against the
spreading of the Gospel but he has different purposes as well.
And one of them is this if Jesus Christ said he would Rule and
Reign physically in that land, do you think he's gonna have a
problem with that land? I'll leave that for you to
figure out. There's no wonder that.
It's the hottest piece of real estate in the world.
Today, there is no question why, there are so many and the four
corners of the earth that have an opinion about this land.
Because there's somebody else that realizes something that
some professing Christians don't even believe that Christ will
come and plant his feet and Rule with a rod of iron From that
place. And guess what?
Satan doesn't want. I want to rule and Reign this
world. What is first, John 5, tell us
that the world lies in the power of the evil one.
And when Jesus comes, yes, he defeated him on the cross, but
he's going to come and stick his rod in his face and say, I'm now
ruling and reigning this world and Satan doesn't want that And
he wants to make God look like a liar.
And you had a lot of people had a different opinions about this
whole subject that I'm presenting to you today before.
1948. When 1948 happen, some people
went what? Be careful of using every
headline to try to find it in in the Bible.
Just stick with the word of God, and you'll be safe.
But there's a second reason, God will use this war and 38, and 39
of Ezekiel to display his glory to the world.
Go to chapter 39 and look with me here in verse 21.
After all is said, and done after this war is complete.
Look What the Lord says. And 39:21, and I will set my
glory among the Nations and all the nations shall see, my
judgment, that I've executed and my hand that I have laid on
them. For lunch, fill your belly.
You probably skip breakfast today, I'm assuming most of you
fill your belly. Take the time to read, Ezekiel,
38, and 39, especially 38. When you read 38, you will
realize that when God intervenes, it is a supernatural
intervention. You will read that.
He will use natural sources and Supernatural sources to.
Actually, even bring this people, these enemies that are
surrounding this land to such confusion where they actually
now, commit Friendly Fire and start killing each other.
And read carefully. You'll notice that Israel in
this Ward does not lift one finger, And here this nation and
the world will be watching and obvious intervention from
heaven. And God declares when this
happens and when it is all said and done, the Nations will not
be able to debate that this was something apart from the
natural. How did this happen?
He'll fire these. These people that came together
and I'm shooting each other. People are committing suicide on
the hills of Israel. Wow.
And God says, I'm going to display my glory through this
judgment. Why?
Because when you read Revelation you realize every catastrophe
every super natural disaster, everything that has taken place
is to cause the people to repent before it's too late to have one
final chance before that Millennial Reign comes and
before the Eternal judgment comes one chance and he'll use
disasters and Supernatural intervention to get people's
attention. He will display his glory and
the world will have a choice to either say this book is true or
I hate this. God.
Read Revelation, you'll realize that even after all the signs,
it says that the people will bite their tongues and Na and
refuse to repent as they curse God.
That's how Wicked we are. Apart from Christ.
God will use this to display his glory to the world, but lastly
and thirdly, God will use what Ezekiel prophesize here to get
the attention of his people. Ezekiel 39, 21.
Look at Ezekiel 39. 22 the house of Israel shall know that I am
the Lord their God. From that day forward.
Meaning what that after this
takes place, God, moves on their behalf, they're going to look at
one another and their hearts will begin to be stirred and
then they're going to look up. And I believe this is the
beginning of that work, that Paul speaks of in Romans 11,
where they're going to realize that there is a God and maybe we
miss this Messiah. They're going to recognize God,
and that's interesting, right? Because between the period of
the restoration of their land. And this moment many years have
passed by many years have passed by But there is going to come a
time with there will be a stirring in the spirit and God
will use this to get their attention and say do you realize
who I am now? Do you realize that despite your
wickedness and your sin that I'm still keeping my promise to you?
And then somehow the connections going to be made and Christ will
be recognized. And Paul says, all Israel shall
be saved. Not that, every Jew will be
saved but that the nation of Israel as a whole, will
recognize Jesus Christ as the anointed one.
Why do I bring this message to you today?
Because, for many reasons, one, I want you to look at things
like Ezekiel, 38 and 39, not be intimidated by it.
I want you to see the glory behind it.
I want you to realize that the Bible has much to say about
prophecy, things to come to pass and just whet your appetite,
what? Your appetite not to be
conspiracy theories or to again, look at every news blog and
breaking news and say, ah, it's here.
It's in this verse know not to do that, but to be encouraged by
a reality of who we serve. And here's the reality, Isaiah,
46:9, and 10. Remember the former things of
old for? I am God and there is no other.
I am God and there is none like me declaring the end from the
beginning. And from ancient times things
not yet done saying my counsel shall stand and I will
accomplish all my purpose. You have a book that doesn't
just tell you what has happened and what you're supposed to do
today, but tells you what will happen?
And Isaiah says that should be a reason for you to worship.
Let me put it this way. if you're not right with God, you
better get right with God. You better get right with God
man. Because he has things planned in
the future and they're already set.
And the thing that you need to worry about more than whether
this is going to happen before the tribulation mid-tribulation
post tribulation and a millennium is, if you're on his
side, So, are you? Let me encourage you everything
that the prophet said about the first coming of Christ was that
on? Do you think is going to mess up
on the second one? You better get right with God.
And I'll tell you how you get right with God.
You received the Messiah. And I'll tell you about the
Messiah. Whether your Jew or Gentile, you
need him. The cross provides a level
ground, we're all equal at the foot of it.
Just because you are from a Jewish race, doesn't mean that
you're more favored by God than anybody else.
You need Christ, you need his saving work, don't be like the
Pharisees and say Abraham is my father.
You know how Jesus respond to that?
He says, you know, you think so right now, actually, your father
is the devil and whether your Jew or Gentile, if you put any
other confidence in anything else except Christ, your father
is the devil. You need to receive the Lord
Jesus Christ, and I bring this word to you, from Ezekiel, to
stir your heart, and realize things are coming to pass.
Prophecy will be fulfilled. And the way things are looking.
I'm out here setting day. So don't throw stones at me at
lunch. You can see the budding of the
Fig leaves. The platform, the stage is being
set. It's no wonder that local
churches of every denomination almost.
It's going to the Book of Revelation, good for them.
The preparing the people brother isn't the Rapture going to take
place and we're going to escape all this.
I hope for a pre-trib Rapture but I'm preparing for a mid one.
Whatever. Hold of the Rapture you have,
you still need to get right with Christ.
Because there's nothing in the Bible that says that just
because you hold to a pre-trib, Rapture view that you won't
suffer before then, And so I make a call from this text for
you to repent and believe on the Lord, Jesus Christ, because he
is set history, and his prophetic calendar and nobody
will change it. In fact, when you read Ezekiel,
38 at lunch, with your friends, you're going to see that even
through the prophet. The God calls the people to
remember that. He said this prophetic word.
He's like, don't you realize that I said this, don't you
realize that I already declared this from a bold, don't you
realize that God was the one that I spoke about many years
ago? He says that in the text.
Why is prophecy given just to piqued our interest?
Just so we can hide in our basements just so we can have
some conversation and some debate.
No, I'll tell you one reason why we understand prophecy and it's
found in the book of First. John, you don't have to turn
there but listen to John 3:2. Beloved we are God's children
now and what will it be? Has not yet appeared.
But we know that when he appears we shall be like him because we
shall see him as he is now look and everyone who thus hopes in
him purifies himself as he is pure.
If you hope, if you believe that he's going to return, there's a
purifying work in that belief, a purifying work and understand
that I'm going to see him face-to-face, he's going to come
and he's going to deal with Israel and he's gonna deal with
the Gentiles and it's not about him having this political view
and he believes that Israel should have these neighborhoods
and Palace. I know it's about his character,
his faithfulness. What he has said and it's all
about the gospel underneath. It's all about the Gospel of
Jesus Christ. It's all about even a text, like
this to draw your heart to him, and to realize that things are
going to happen. And you need to get ready.
So, how do you Pur your purify yourself?
Well, if you're a Christian, you sanctify Yourself by the spirit,
but if you're not a Christian, the only way you can be pure in
the side of Christ is receiving his blood.
Being washed by his blood. See you coming to Christ is not
you doing something to impress him Christ.
Took your place and he impressed the father on your behalf and he
took your judgment and he took your wrath and he took your hell
and he made the payment for your iniquities and he calls you to
embrace him and believe that you have nothing within yourself to
offer God to have eternal life. But Christ himself, your gift of
Salvation is all that God. There's so you receive that
gift, you Embrace that gift. And as you embrace it, the right
attitude is I don't want the sin that put him on the cross.
I don't want the sin that Grieves him to be a part of my
life. So you repent of your sin and
you walk with Jesus from a place of approval.
Not for approval. Have you done that yet?
What are you waiting for another
pandemic? What are you waiting for another
lockdown? What are you waiting for the
mark of the beast? if we're going to be there for
that, What are we waiting for? Today is the day of salvation.
Yeah, many people say ridiculous things.
Well, if the Rapture happens, I don't know.
This whole thing is real and then I'll accept Christ really.
That's your plan. You clearly haven't read the
book of Revelation to realize, you have trouble going into a
store without your mask and people yelling at you to put it
over your nose. Huh?
What happens when you can't buy food or drink unless you have
the mark of the beast on your hand or your forehead?
What happens when you can't get even your supply of food?
Because you have not made your allegiance to the Antichrist?
You know, you're gonna have people on that day in their
living rooms, looking at their Starving Children.
The ribs are starting to show, it's been three days, four days
three weeks now without food, just water and pieces of bread.
And they're going to make a decision honey.
Let's just take the mark. Our kids are dying here.
Let's just do this and get it over with we're dying.
See, the Antichrist is so pathetic that he can't win the
hearts of the People. Like Jesus Does that he has to
coerce them and pressure them and use an incentive like food
and water. He's so desperate for worship
the devil. He's so that's why we see him
with such intensity wanted to restrict Christ from coming in,
fulfilling his plan. Jesus Christ is coming.
Let's pray and prepare our hearts.
Father, thank you for stirring our hearts through a text that
perhaps would have intimidated us or hold no significance or
value to our present-day life. Lord, thank you that in the
cross. There is no Jew or Gentile.
Thank you. That in the New Covenant.
We Are All One. And we are equal in your sight.
Thank you that according to Roman's 11.
We are grafted into the Olive Tree as Gentiles.
Thank you that you've used what seemed to look like a failure
when the Messiah came to his own and they did not receive him to
actually give us a chance to be a part of your family.
Lord, we pray that in this place.
We would realize that we serve the God.
Who knows the end from the beginning.
Who is declared the end from the start?
Who knows what will happen before it even happens?
And has told us about it. Lord, we rejoice in you, we
rejoice in you, God, and we pray for the present crisis and
Israel with Palestine. And we ask for one thing souls
to be saved. People to come to the knowledge
of Jesus Christ. People to realize that apart
from Christ, there is no peace whether in land or in their
hearts. And so, both Jew.
Gentile israeli-palestinian and everybody be on.
That may they see the need for Christ, The Prince of Peace,
Lord. In this place together, we
rejoice in knowing that we are on your side by faith.
Through Grace. We will be on the side of
victory at the end of it all. Thank you, Lord, that you are
the all-knowing. God and Lord.
If you know, what will take place in the Middle East many
years from now, you know, what will take place in our own
lives? You have a plan for each of us
and Lord. We pray that we would not be
like the foolish virgins and not take up all you'll especially in
these days where it is getting dark and help us.
Lord be Faithful Servants with all.
That is happening in the world. Lord, we come to you and rejoice
in your presence for you are the God who speaks and Jesus name,
we pray. Amen.
And amen. Let's stand and Worship the Lord
together with with a sense of rejoicing knowing that even in a
short prophecy like this, we know so much about who God is.