Warfare at Two Levels July 26, 2017
Spiritual Spilling into Physical
Ezekiel 38:17 – 23
Ezekiel 39:1 – 8 Page 1
What Do We Know?
God is using Ezekiel to tell us about a future war.
A war that involves Israel regathered together as a nation.
A war that involves, essentially, mostly Muslim countries.
And God has called out Gog.
Gog is probably a supernaturally enabled (possessed) individual.
Last week we learned that the idea that Gog will have is all about plunder.
We looked at the potential geopolitical picture that will possibly be existing at that time
It is all about tangible assets.
Financially and geopolitically at the time of the war, Israel has been on the winning side
Gog wants to change all of that.
This invasion consists of an alliance of nations that originate from the Black Sea area, Persia, and northern Africa (38:2, 5–6; Gen. 10:2, 6; 1 Chron. 1:6). The time is in the acharit-hayamim (the last days) when Isra’el will be gathered out of many peoples to her land where she will live securely
(Ezek. 38:8, 14, 16).
Barry Rubin, ed., The Complete Jewish Study Bible: Notes (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Bibles; Messianic Jewish Publishers & Resources, 2016), 770.
And this invasion is not just about nations moving against Israel. As we have pointed out, there is much more going on here.
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An ancient reader would have looked for an invasion from the north, but would have cast that invasion in a supernatural context. In other words, the language of Ezekiel is not simply about a human invader or human armies. An ancient reader would also have noticed that this invasion would come at a time when the tribes had been united and dwelt in peace and safety within the Promised Land—in other words, once the period of exile had ended.
Michael S. Heiser, The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible, First Edition (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2015), 364.
Ezekiel 38:14–16
“Therefore prophesy, son of man, and say to Gog, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “On that day when My people Israel are living securely, will you not know it? You will come from your place out of the remote parts of the north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great assembly and a mighty army; and you will come up against My people Israel like a cloud to cover the land. It shall come about in the last days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me when I am sanctified through you before their eyes, O Gog.” (NASB95)
The Hebrew text is framed as a rhetorical question: “will you not take notice?”
Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition Notes (Biblical Studies Press, 2006),
Eze 38:14.
One of the motivating factors for Gog is he will take notice of the fact that Israel is back in the land and they are living securely, this is not like today.
Remember: None of this is truly going to be Gog’s idea.
Ezekiel 38:4–6
“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 splendidly attired, a great company with buckler and shield, all of them wielding swords; Persia, Ethiopia and Put with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer with all its troops; Beth-togarmah from the remote parts of the north with all its troops—many peoples with you.” (NASB95)
Who is bringing Gog out of the north?
Why is Gog interested in Israel?
Gog and his allies will consider the cost and determine that the odds lay heavily in their favor.
Israel is not as prepared as they were in the past.
They are at peace.
So a swift mobilization and after their planning, they move thinking they have devised a foolproof attack plan.
Psalm 2
Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans? The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the LORD and against his anointed one. “Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and free ourselves from slavery to God.” But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them. Then in anger he rebukes them, terrifying them with his fierce fury. For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.” The king proclaims the LORD’s decree: “The LORD said to me, ‘You are my son. Today I have become your Father. Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession. You will break them with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots.’” Now then, you kings, act wisely! Be warned, you rulers of the earth! Serve the LORD with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling. Submit to God’s royal son, or he will become angry, and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities— for his anger flares up in an instant. But what joy for all who take refuge in him!” (NLT)
Did you catch verse two?
Psalm 2:2
“The kings of the earth are present, and the rulers are gathered together against the Lord and against his anointed one.” (LES)
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The kings of the Earth are present
We know who they are but
The rulers are gathered together
This is not another reference to the kings of Earth
Even in Psalm 2 we see what Ezekiel has laid out for us several times already, there is a power behind the throne.
Because of the powers, those fallen divine beings who are in rebellion, God kept the whole First Coming of Messiah and a Second Coming somewhat mysterious but not mysterious at the same time.
By God’s design, the Scripture presents the messiah in terms of a mosaic profile that can only be discerned after the pieces are assembled. Paul tells us why in 1 Corinthians 2:6–8. If the plan of God for the messiah’s mission had been clear, the powers of darkness would never have killed Jesus—they would have known that his death and resurrection were the key to reclaiming the nations forever. Chances are good that you’ve heard the New Testament mistakenly read back into the Old hundreds of times. Therefore you might be surprised to hear me say that the Old Testament profile of the messiah was deliberately veiled.
Michael S. Heiser, The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible, First Edition (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2015), 241.
We have to remember the same exists for His Second Coming as well as the events leading up to that.
The Jews did not see two comings, they saw one.
This two-stage fulfillment caused the Kingdom to be present (inaugurated), but future (not fully consummated). This is the NT tension of the already, but not yet!
Bob Utley, Ezekiel, Study Guide Commentary Series (Marshall, TX: Bible Lessons International, 2008), 328.
We see clearly in verse 14 who the target of Gog truly is. Before we had descriptions but not a name, now we have the name…My people Israel.
Notice whose people Gog is moving against.
In fact God will say this two times, verse 14 and verse 16.
His method of foreign policy has never changed. It still holds true even today.
Genesis 12:1–3
Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father’s house, To the land which I will show you; And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” (NASB95)
Zechariah 2:8
“For thus says the LORD of hosts, “After glory He has sent Me against the nations which plunder you, for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye.” (NASB95)
God is not done with Israel yet.
We see here in Ezekiel, in the Last Days, God once again dealing with Israel and He calls them explicitly His people.
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God endows the Jewish people with this title at a time when He has re-gathered them from the nations back into the land of Israel in the latter years. One might justifiably question the whereabouts of the church at this time. If Israel is at some point again called “My people Israel,” then where on Earth are “My people the Church?” The Church is thought to be the people of God in these days; could it be they will be raptured on or near the time of Israel regaining their client nation status? Salus, Bill. PSALM 83, The Missing Prophecy Revealed - How Israel Becomes the Next Mideast Superpower (Kindle Locations 1416-1420). Prophecy Depot Publishing. Kindle Edition.
Romans 11:25–29
“For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, “THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION, HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB.” “THIS IS MY COVENANT WITH THEM, WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS.” From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (NASB95)
One other thing to note. Ezekiel has used this term several other times in the book, each time talking about something the nation will be doing in the Latter Days ostensibly after the Church is removed.
Prior to the destruction of Jerusalem, He refers to My people Israel in chapter 14.
Edom to be judged in chapter 25 by my people Israel.
In chapter 36, the people are back in the land and are referred to as My people Israel
Here in chapter 38 we see it twice.
God is dealing with Israel again, the Church is out of the picture.
If you study the book of Revelation, you see the Church referenced up to…
Revelation 4:1
“After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.”” (NASB95)
The Church is not referenced after that as they are no longer here on planet Earth, just as we see here it is about Israel, we also see that in Revelation.
In verse 16, God reiterates the point of His people.
Ezekiel 38:16
“…and you will come up against My people Israel like a cloud to cover the land. It shall come about in the last days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me when I am sanctified through you before their eyes, O Gog.”” (NASB95)
Not only is Israel God’s distinct people, He also has a claim on the land as well.
Yahweh’s purpose in bringing on the hordes of Gog is to convince the nations of his presence and his person. He is not satisfied with his own people drawing this conclusion from their full restoration as his people; as the sovereign of all nations he desires that all know him, specifically his holiness. The unique form of the statement represents a deliberate rhetorical ploy, drawing attention to the fact that Gog is not actually the agent through whom his holiness is manifested; he is the locus of the revelation! The recognition formula provides the first concrete indication since the opening challenge that the real antagonists in this oracle are not Yahweh and Israel, but Yahweh and Gog. In an ironical twist, Gog’s opportunism vis-à-vis Israel is seized as an occasion to achieve Yahweh’s own goals.
Daniel Isaac Block, The Book of Ezekiel, Chapters 25–48, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1997–), 451.
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Romans 8:28
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (NASB95)
In this case, God will be glorified through judgment.
This is familiar to Ezekiel’s listeners as the last time they heard this theme it was how God would be glorified through judgement on Israel, now it is to be on those who oppose Israel.
Ezekiel 38:17–23
Thus says the Lord GOD, “Are you the one of whom I spoke in former days through My servants the prophets of Israel, who prophesied in those days for many years that I would bring you against them? It will come about on that day, when Gog comes against the land of Israel,” declares the Lord GOD, “that My fury will mount up in My anger. In My zeal and in My blazing wrath I declare that on that day there will surely be a great earthquake in the land of Israel. The fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, the beasts of the field, all the creeping things that creep on the earth, and all the men who are on the face of the earth will shake at My presence; the mountains also will be thrown down, the steep pathways will collapse and every wall will fall to the ground. I will call for a sword against him on all My mountains,” declares the Lord GOD. “Every man’s sword will be against his brother. With pestilence and with blood I will enter into judgment with him; and I will rain on him and on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, a torrential rain, with hailstones, fire and brimstone. I will magnify Myself, sanctify Myself, and make Myself known in the sight of many nations; and they will know that I am the LORD.” (NASB95)