Ezekiel 38
Today I bring up Ezekiel 38 because I keep hearing a buzz about war in the Middle East and Christians asking if we will be here if there is war there. The answer to the question is yes, the church will still be here. According to scripture, the sound of the last trumpet will not blow until the two witnesses in the Holy City will prophesy for a thousand two hundred and threescore days. This equals about 3.5 years and as soon as they are finished prophesying they will be killed. This Holy City is referring to Jerusalem in Israel.
And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. Revelation 11:3 KJV
There is only one last blow of the trumpet. It would not be fair to the chosen people of God to be left out of that call. Do you think?
* The Spark *
From Ezekiel it appears there is an evil thought that enters into the minds of the Israelites and they decide to go take a spoil from their neighbors. It looks like this is the reason why the other countries retaliate and start to attack Israel back. It is the “spark that lights the flame,” so to speak.
Thus saith the Lord God; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought: (11)And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates, (12) To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land. Ezekiel 38:10-12 KJV
As we see in the scriptures above and as I mentioned earlier, we read an evil thought will come to their minds. Everything seems to be at peace and they decide they will go to the neighboring lands that have no walls, nor gates and steal goods from them. The walled city is known as Jerusalem. No other cities in the east have walls and this is why Israel decides to overtake them.
When those countries decide to unite and retaliate against Israel for what they have done this is exactly when the Lord will come to save them. He would not allow them to be destroyed or completely annihilated.
And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord God, that my fury shall come up in my face. For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel; Ezekiel 38:18-19 KJV
In the Strong’s dictionary “Gog” is also referred to as a mountain in the Greek language. We know from scriptures found in Mark 11 a mountain is spiritually known as a “problem” we may face. It is fitting in this scenario as we see those who are invading Israel is indeed a problem. But the Lord will deliver them out of their afflictions.
For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Mark 11:23 KJV
The mountain in this scripture is known as a problem we as followers of Christ may face.
As we continue to read on we see the Lord will rain great hailstone, fire and brimstone upon the enemies of Israel.
And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. Ezekiel 38:22 KJV
This scripture lines up with the scripture found in Revelation 16 that states the same scene.
And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great. Revelation 16:21 KJV
We must remember that the church will not be taken up or also known as “raptured” before Israel. We need to always keep our eyes on what is happening to them and pray that many will surrender to the prophecies the two witnesses will be presenting during those 3.5 years. No one comes to the Father except through Jesus. The Jews will still need to accept Jesus, their Messiah, has already come but he is coming again.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6 KJV
The Jews also must enter in to heaven through faith. Faith in the son of God.
Please continue to read the rest of chapter 38 and Ezekiel 39. The Lord does not leave us in the dark. He reveals his plans to us to give us time to prepare for his coming. Are you prepared?
