The last three chapter of Ezekiel, I believe, refer to the end times when man will make a multi-nation attempt to fight against Israel just prior to the second coming of Jesus Christ. Why would I think this?
There are several reasons that lead me to believe this. The first is the mention of Gog and Magog. You'll note that Ezekiel is commanded to speak a prophecy to warn a leader by the name of Gog, the prince of the nation of Magog who rules over the land of Meshech and Tubal. The first mention in the bible about Magog and Meshech is in Genesis 10:2. This verse tells us that Magog and Meshech were the sons of Japheth - one of the three sons of Noah. When Noah's sons left the ark, they took their wives and built families the spread into different parts of the known world at the time. Shem is considered the founder of the Middle East families or the Arabs. Ham is known for taking his family south into the regions now known as Egypt and Africa. Japheth went north into the lands we now know as Europe and Russia.
Knowing that Japheth sons were Gog and Meshech, we also know from history that Meshech is considered the territory where Moscow, Russia now sits. So...Meshech is Moscow, and Tubal is the current city of Tubalsk - both of them being cities in Russia. In fact, Ezekiel calls them cities "in the distant north."
From Revelation 20 we learn that Gog and Magog will gather a number of nations together to attack Israel just before the arrival of Jesus Christ to claim His throne in Jerusalem just prior to the Millennial Reign of Christ, "When the thousand years come to an end, Satan will be let out of his prison. 8 He will go out to deceive the nations—called Gog and Magog—in every corner of the earth. He will gather them together for battle—a mighty army, as numberless as sand along the seashore. 9 And I saw them as they went up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded God’s people and the beloved city. But fire from heaven came down on the attacking armies and consumed them."
As we read further in Ezekiel 38, God describes how Gog will take his army in the distant future to destroy Israel, "Get ready; be prepared! Keep all the armies around you mobilized, and take command of them. 8 A long time from now you will be called into action. In the distant future you will swoop down on the land of Israel, which will be enjoying peace after recovering from war and after its people have returned from many lands to the mountains of Israel. 9 You and all your allies—a vast and awesome army—will roll down on them like a storm and cover the land like a cloud.
God is foretelling of this future event and how they will one day make an attempt to forever wipe out God's people - Israel, "15 You will come from your homeland in the distant north with your vast cavalry and your mighty army, 16 and you will attack my people Israel, covering their land like a cloud. At that time in the distant future, I will bring you against my land as everyone watches, and my holiness will be displayed by what happens to you, Gog. Then all the nations will know that I am the Lord.
7 Months To Bury The Dead!
This chapter correlates with a number of chapters in the Bible about the future destruction of the armies who come against Israel in the last days. In fact, the Bible says in Revelation 16:16 that demonic spirits will be actively involved in leading the armies through the valley of Megiddo for the battle of Armageddon. Just as this multi-nation army descends on the people of Israel, Jesus will come with a shout. His shout will completely destroy the entire valley of warriors. In fact, the bloodshed will be so horrific that the blood will fill the valley up to the horses bridle and it will take 7 months to bury the dead! Listen to what Ezekiel said, "12 It will take seven months for the people of Israel to bury the bodies and cleanse the land. 13 Everyone in Israel will help, for it will be a glorious victory for Israel when I demonstrate my glory on that day, says the Sovereign Lord. 14 “After seven months, teams of men will be appointed to search the land for skeletons to bury, so the land will be made clean again."
2 Powerful Testimonies Will Come Forth!
1) Israel and the nation will know God is real! “In this way, I will demonstrate my glory to the nations. Everyone will see the punishment I have inflicted on them and the power of my fist when I strike. 22 And from that time on the people of Israel will know that I am the Lord their God."
2) The whole world will know "WHY" God allowed Israel to go into captivity! Here's what God said through Ezekiel, "The nations will then know why Israel was sent away to exile—it was punishment for sin, for they were unfaithful to their God. Therefore, I turned away from them and let their enemies destroy them. 24 I turned my face away and punished them because of their defilement and their sins."
We know that this prophecy is for the end times because God promises Israel the following, "29 And I will never again turn my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit upon the people of Israel. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!” God clearly indicates that trouble will never happen to Israel again. This could only refer to the final battle before the 2nd coming of Christ!
The last chapter of Ezekiel (Chapter 40) tells of the future dimensions of the new Temple when Jesus will return. From that Temple, Jesus will rule the world for 1000 years! Isn't that amazing?
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