Scripture
My people Israel will know Me, and they will no longer disgrace My holy name. Everyone on earth will know that I am the holy Lord God of Israel. The day is coming when these things will happen, just as I have promised.
~Ezekiel 39:7-8, CEV
Quote
If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing.
~Paul of Tarsus
Most of us were not living in 1948 or at least don’t remember Israel being reinstated as a Nation but when this happened, it triggered a rash of books on prophecy. Many like Hal Lindsey thought they knew exactly what these current events meant in terms of prophecy. It is a fact that all the prophets predicted the Jews returning to their homeland. This began in 1882 but it was accelerated in 1948 when Israel was recognized as a nation. Approximately 3,000,000 Jews have resettled in the homeland since 1948. The migration has been small but consistent. I think it will increase in time. Concerning Ezekiel 38-39 and especially 38:1, Ezekiel, son of man, condemn Gog, that wicked ruler of the kingdoms of Meshech and Tubal in the land of Magog,” there has been a lot of speculation.
Lindsey and many of his cohorts jumped to the conclusion that Magog was Russia but Russia was not a nation in Ezekiel’s time and all prophecy had a present as well as future interpretation. It is not likely that Ezekiel would speak a message that had no relevance to his times. Gog is the name of a leader of the land of Magog, the prince of Meshech and Tubal, territories named after Noah’s grandsons (Gen. 10:1-2). We cannot identify these areas precisely, but Ezekiel likely has in view the peoples to the far north of the land of Israel: we would be talking about modern-day Turkey and beyond. The Jews of Ezekiel’s day had never met these mysterious nations who lived beyond the boundaries of their known world.
With each succeeding generation of bible interpreters the enemy from the north has changed. This antisemitic empire has been identified at the Japhetic tribes, Huns, Khazars, Mongols, and Scythian’s. Of course this could include the immediate north which today could be the Muslims in Turkey and beyond. This area of the world has a varied history: it has been occupied by many different ethnic groups. Bottom line, we don’t know anything definite other than an enemy from the north will invade Israel and it will be a mistake in judgment on their part.
The two basic prophecies here are: [1] the people of Israel will know Me and [2] Everyone on earth will know that God is holy and He is the God of Israel. Very few Jews in Israel or abroad acknowledge the LORD. Like the exiles in Babylon, they have a chip on their shoulder and anger toward God for their plight. They view themselves as victims living in a world of injustice. Yes there are some orthodox Jews and there are Messianic Jews but the majority are like George Soros, Michael Bloomberg, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Mark Zuckerman–they are agnostics in the mold of ancient Sadducees. They believe in money and power and not much else. Many are entrepreneurs and philanthropist but they have very little if anything to do with Judaism. I believe this will change. I believe before the end comes, a great host of Jews will turn to Jesus. I also believe the entire planet will see the glory of LORD God of Israel. I have no idea how or when but I believe it will happen.
I had an interesting experience yesterday, I toured the Marshall County Tech High School facility located between Guntersville and Albertville. Principle Sherman Leeth gave me a guided tour. I saw every thing from rapid responders to race cars. I’m not kidding, they have a race team and their own car. They run at Huntsville and Nashville. They invited me to go to Pensacola this Friday but I told them I couldn’t make it this Friday. They told me they would restore the “Squeak” if I would pay for the materials. They have their own body and paint shop.
Our Grace Point Ladies are going to Mildred’s in Ardmore for lunch today. I was to be their bus driver but our bus has an issue and they will have to go in cars. I have not dined at Mildred’s since they changed locations.
How do baseball players make it to the major leagues without being able to bunt. It is a fundamental part of the game.
My focus now is to endure this heat wave. According to the forecast, we get a short reprieve and then it heats back up to 97 Saturday. I am looking forward to next Monday and 88.