In Today's Email:
Ezekiel 38 Notes
In this chapter Gog gathers the armies of the northern alliance to invade Israel.
vs. 1-9 – We are introduced to a northern alliance of nations. Gog (perhaps means “mountain”?) is the leader of the nation of Magog (“the land of Gog”), which are descendants of Japheth in Genesis 10:2 that lived in the northern area between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. God is described as the “chief prince” (Hebrew – “Rosh”, possibly linked to Russia). Meshech (“drawing out”) and Tubal (“flowing forth”) are two other nations descended by Japheth in Genesis 10:2. Gog will lead an alliance of northern and African nations against the land of Israel. However, we note that this is before the ultimate restoration of Israel (vs. 8). There is no historical fulfilment that matches this invasion. It is certainly an event of the End Times. It must occur in the Tribulation as world powers defy the rising dictatorship of the Antichrist.
vs. 10-13 - The goal of the alliance’s invasion is seen. They expect an easy victory and rich rewards.
vs. 14-16 – God will stand against this invasion that the world may know His glory.
vs. 17-23 – The fury of God’s judgment against the invading army.
Ezekiel 39 Notes
In this chapter the armies of the northern alliance are annihilated.
vs. 1-7 – The terrible defeat of the Northern alliance under Gog. Only one sixth of the armies survive. God is glorified in supernaturally fighting for Israel.
vs. 8-10 – The cleanup of the debris from the attackers takes seven years to clean up. The nation is able to use resources from the spoils to meet their own needs. I imagine this refers to things like gasoline and diesel.
vs. 11-16 – The retrieval and burial of bodies of the fallen takes seven months. The bodies seem to be torn to pieces, making the recovery more prolonged. A valley (called Hamongog, “the multitude of Gog”) is filled with the graves and the city nearby is called Hamonah (“multitude”).
vs. 17-20 – The fowls that feed on carrion are called to feast on the slain soldiers.
vs. 21-24 – As with everything God does, it is all about His glory. It was not that Israel deserved such a defense.
vs. 25-29 – The annihilation of the northern alliance’s army is contrasted with the restoration of Israel. This victory is presented as a major factor in the people turning back to God.
Ezekiel 40 Notes
In this chapter the measuring of the End Times Temple begins.
vs. 1-4 – The year is 572 B.C. God grants Ezekiel a glimpse of a rebuilt Temple. This is not Zerubbabel’s Temple that was rebuilt after the Babylonian Captivity. This is a future Temple, one that will stand in the End Times. There are Jews preparing now for its construction. The One that Ezekiel sees is Christ. The flax in He carries is a line for measuring length.
vs. 5-16 – A reed, which is roughly 10 feet long, is now used to measure. The End Times Temple is measured. A cubit is generally considered to be 18 inches. I will not get into the details of the measurements, but the overall footprint of this Temple and its courtyards is 500 cubits by 500 cubits (750 feet by 750 feet). By comparison, Solomon’s Temple was only 60 cubits by 20 cubits (90 feet by 30 feet). The eastern gate and the wall are measured here, with various chambers and porches.
vs. 17-27 – The Outer Court is measured, along with the areas around the northern and southern gates. There is no western gate.
vs. 28-37 – The Inner Court is measured.
vs. 38-47 – The tables used in offerings are measured, along with the various chambers in the inner court.
vs. 48-49 – The porch on the front of the Temple is measured.
Closing Thoughts
The scope and scale of what occurs in the Tribulation is astounding. We read here of one major invasion, but that is only part of the wars and rumors of wars that define that terrible time. We will see more details of it when we get into other books like Daniel and Revelation. Mankind is speeding towards this time. It seems that the pieces are being moved into place as we watch. Let the coming darkness be a catalyst that springs us to action, warning everyone we can that we can escape this terrible time through faith in Christ.
Hymn for Today
Our hymn today appears in early printings under the title “The Alarm”. It was written in 1840 by Episcopalian bishop Arthur Cleveland Coxe. It warns us to see the signs of the times and be busy working for Christ.
We are living, we are dwelling,
in a grand and awful time,
In an age on ages telling;
to be living is sublime.
Hark! the waking up of nations,
Gog and Magog to the fray;
Hark! what soundeth is creation’s
groaning for the latter day.
Will ye play, then? will ye dally
far behind the battle line?
Up! it is Jehovah’s rally;
God’s own arm hath need of thine.
Worlds are charging, heaven beholding;
thou hast but an hour to fight;
Now, the blazoned cross unfolding,
on, right onward for the right!
Sworn to yield, to waver, never;
consecrated, born again;
Sworn to be Christ’s soldiers ever,
O for Christ at least be men!
O let all the soul within you
for the truth’s sake go abroad!
Strike! let every nerve and sinew
tell on ages, tell for God.