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September 8th

The bible reading today is in Ezekiel 38,39.

Here Ezekial prophesied that there would be a great battle one day between Israel and the nations of the world. And Israel’s God would make sure that Jacob’s children won...big time.

“Therefore, son of man, prophesy, and say to Gog, Thus says the Lord God: On that day when my people Israel are dwelling securely...at rest from conflict...You...Gog...and the other nations in the world...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 host, a mighty army. You will come up against my people Israel, like a cloud covering the land. “In the latter days” “I will bring you against my land”, that the nations may know me, when through you, O God, I vindicate my holiness before their eyes.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭38:14-16‬

There was coming a day when God was going to assemble the armies of the nations upon the mountains of Israel. They would come to destroy Israel, but instead, God would destroy them and make it clear to the world that He was God over all forever and that Israel belonged to Him.

The battle would be so huge and so decisive against the unbelieving nations...“That.... those who dwell in the cities of Israel will go out and make fires of the weapons and burn them, shields and bucklers, bow and arrows, clubs and spears; and they will make fires of them for seven years so that they will not need to take wood out of the field or cut down any out of the forests, for they will make their fires of the weapons of their enemies. They will seize the spoil of those who despoiled them, and plunder those who plundered them, declares the Lord God.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭39:9-10‬ ‭

Let us listen to Isaiah’s prophesy about this coming battle with the nations...“For behold, the Lord will come in fire, and his chariots like the whirlwind, to render his anger in fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire will the Lord enter into judgment with all flesh, and those slain by the Lord shall be many. For I know the works and the thoughts of the nations, and the time is coming to gather “all of them”. And they shall come to Jerusalem and shall see my power and glory, and I will set a sign among them...the sign of the “supernatural deliverance” of God’s “remnant” in Israel...And from “them”, (that remnant of Jewish believers), I will send to the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, who draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to the coastlands far away, that have not heard my fame or seen my glory.****And they shall declare my glory among the nations.

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭66:15-16, 18-19‬ ‭

Now that would be some kind of introduction to evangelizing the world...except there was coming one better. The miracle of the Messiah. His miracle birth., His miracle-working life., His miracle “finish” to his death, and the prophesied miracle of His resurrection. Jesus’ climax was better and still is.

“I will send fire on Magog and on those who dwell securely in the coastlands, and they shall know that I am the Lord. “ And my holy name I will make known in the midst of my people Israel, and I will not let my holy name be profaned anymore. And the nations shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel.

Behold, it is coming and it will be brought about, declares the Lord God. That is the day of which I have spoken.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭39:6-8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Ezekiel prophesied that the Lord will make known His Holy Name to the most hard-hearted pagan in the world when He chooses. Sometimes He does it through firey judgment and at other times He uses His mercy and grace.

Ezekiel further prophesied that God would make Himself known in the “midst” of His people.

What a promise from God. We know that God made himself known to the prophet. But here He promises to reveal Himself to the congregation where we live.

No wonder God tells His people “not to forsake the assembling of yourselves together”...that’s where I will meet you.

Ezekiel further prophesied that “God put his foot down...” that the nations would not get away with profaning His Name. The end of all of that was coming....and “He” “will” bring it to pass.

Have a great day