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GoBeDo ministriesGo Be and Do as the Lord commands!
Study the Prophecies of Revelation and Daniel |
last update: 14 August 2005 |
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Ezekiel's Visions - Gog and MagogThere is much misunderstanding about the prophecies found in Ezekiel about Gog and Magog. Everything we hear about in end time prophecies today is centered on Israel and the Jews. We saw in times past how the Jews misunderstood the prophecies and rejected their Messiah. Will we do the same today? Is this a deception of satan to take our eyes off of what will truly happen so we might be deceived and in our disappointment be turned from the true living God? Most of the theories are centered on the rebirth of Israel as a nation in 1948, a 7 year tribulation, the rebuilding of the temple on the Temple Mount, and the Antichrist. Let us examine these in the light of the Scriptures. A 7 year tribulation? Many believe that the Jews are still God's chosen people and that the fulfillment of a glorious Israel spoken of in Ezekiel, Isaiah and Jeremiah are still yet to be fulfilled during the 70th week of Daniel. They believe the 70 weeks of Daniel are separated into 69 weeks and the 70th week is yet to be fulfilled in the future. They believe the church will be raptured and after the church is in heaven there will be a conversion of 144,000 Jews to Christianity. They believe that they will have another chance at salvation if they should miss the rapture. The seventy week prophecy does not teach a 7 year tribulation yet to be fulfilled, for it has already been fulfilled. This doctrine when closely examined will not stand under the study of what the Bible says. First there is no evidence in Scripture of a rapture of all the living saints to precede the righteous dead to heaven. 1 Corinthians 15:51-55; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; John 6:54 + Revelation 20:6 + Revelation 7:9-17 Some use Matthew 24: 40-42 to support a pre-trib rapture, but see Luke's account in Luke 17:34-37 as to where they are taken. The Bible is clear as to how long the Great Tribulation will last. Daniel 12:11-12 "And from the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. How blessed is he who keeps waiting and attains to the 1,335 days! From the time of the casting down of the censer of Revelation 8:5 until the Second Coming is 1,335 days. The Great Tribulation is not 7 years long! Too many have their eyes on the Middle East instead of their Bibles! Ezekiel's visions were God's original plan (Plan A). God wanted to bring sin to an end shortly after the 70 weeks of Daniel 9. There was to be no 2nd Coming. It is not mentioned in the Old Testament because it was Plan A. But, Israel failed to meet God's conditions and God went to Plan B as He could not fulfill all that was under Plan A. "Seventy weeks (490 years) have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy place So you are to know and discern that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince there will be seven weeks and sixty two weeks; it will be built again with plaza and moat, even in times of distress. Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined. And he will make a firm covenant with many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate." Daniel 9:24-27 The word weeks in Hebrew is Shabuim and means "sevens". As used in these texts it is referring to weeks of years. The 70 weeks stand as one unit THE QUESTION OF WHICH DECREE? God did not tell Daniel which decree to start counting from. There were actually 4 decrees. 536 BC by Cyrus Ezra 1, 519 BC by Darius, and two by Artaxerxes in 457 BC and 445 BC in Ezra 7 and Nehemiah 2. Four hundred and eighty three years after one of these decrees we should see the appearing of the Messiah. My own Bible declares in the margin 445 BC (Nehemiah 1:1- 2:8) to be the year of the decree to rebuild and restore Jerusalem that was issued by King Artaxerxes of Medo-Persia. This date is not historically possible because AD 40 is too late for the appearing of Messiah. 483 years after 536 is 53 BC being too early. 519 BC is 36 BC which is too early. 483 after the decree in 457 BC (Ezra 7) that was issued by Artaxerxes, we see Christ arrives right on time in 27 AD exactly 483 years from the decree. Luke records who was ruler in the beginning year of Christ's ministry. Luke 3:1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of the region of Iturea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene. 21 Now it came about when all the people were baptized, that Jesus also was baptized, and While He was praying, heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, "Thou art My beloved Son, in Thee I am well-pleased." 23 And when He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years of age, being supposedly the son of Joseph, the son of Eli. Christ was baptized at 30 years of age and anointed by the Holy Spirit. The year was 27AD, 483 years from the decree in 457 BC. The end of the 70th week ended in AD 33. God gave Israel 70 "7's" probationary time, the measure of forgiveness. …. "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven." Matthew 18:21-22 We are to forgive just as God forgave Israel but God's mercy was over. They had been given 70 times 7. Another confirming point. The wisemen studied Daniel's writings and knew that a priest in Israel had to 30 years of age before beginning His ministry. They calculated the time when the 483 years would end and subtracted 30 years to determine the year of Jesus' birth. Their journey took approximately 2 years. There is no other prophecy other than Daniel 9 in the Bible that tells us when Christ was born. They did not go without believing they would see the birth of Jesus. Would you be as excited today that you would have made this long journey? This also confirms that 457 BC is the correct decree. The promised destruction Even though an end to the sacrifices for sins was accomplished at the cross, the Jews continued their observances until the promised destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. God knew at the end of the 490 years of probationary time that Israel would reject Him still, and He said that wars and evil would continue until Jerusalem would be destroyed again and the temple was destroyed in AD 70. Behold, your house is being left to you desolate! Matthew 23:37 A Roman soldier threw a firebrand into the temple and it burned. The temple gold melted in between the stones and they took each stone apart getting to the gold. …not one stone here shall be left upon another. Matthew 24:2 If we separate the seventy weeks into 2 units we completely do away with the crucifixion and the putting a stop to the sacrifices. This prophecy was to be fulfilled within 10 generations of the decree to rebuild and restore Jerusalem. "If" Israel had been faithful, sin would have ended for the Earth within the 490 years of Daniel 9. Christ would have ruled the earth from David’s throne. "If" means conditional The "if" meant this promise was conditional. And Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain saying. "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel:’ You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself. Now then if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel." Exodus 19:3-6 There was to only be one Advent of the Messiah. For a child will be born to us, a son will given to us; And the government will rest on his shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-7 Israel became a nation at the time of the Exodus, their deliverance from slavery. For 30 Jubilee cycles God tried to implement Plan A through Israel. He even sent His Son to tell them of His love but they refused to listen. God abandoned Plan A in 34 AD. He then moved to Plan B that is available to everyone who accepts Christ as their personal Savior. God is faithful and will accomplish all He has promised to Abraham’s descendants, but can God keep a promise to an unbelieving nation? There are those that claim God’s promises were not conditional, citing Romans 11:29. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Let there be no doubt that God will keep His promises. However history shows God has abandoned a whole generation for rebellion and unfaithfulness. He then starts over with a new generation. "For forty years I loathed that generation. And said they are a people who err in their hearts, And they do not know My ways. Therefore I swore in My anger, Truly they shall not enter into my rest." Psalm 95:10-11 God is not caught by surprise! Just think what a different world we would live in if only Israel had followed Plan A, sin and the wicked would have been destroyed. But, also think of it in another way, you and I would not have had the chance to spend an eternity with our Lord! Ezekiel’s visions did not come to pass in the time allotted because they were conditional. When Israel failed, God brought Plan B into effect. The "new" Israel not based on lineage but faith in Christ alone came into being. God created a "new" Israel through His Son. There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; neither are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but: through Isaac your descendants will be named. That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. Romans 9:6-8 Paul says, That I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the law and the temple service and the promises. Those are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen. But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who descended from Israel, neither are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but: through Isaac your descendants will be named. That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. Romans 9:2-8 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring heirs according to promise. Galatians 3:28-29
God made a new covenant with the 12 apostles in the upper room on Mount Zion before offering Himself. For this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. Matthew 25:28 Jesus Christ the True Seed made a new covenant with a New Israel. "Spiritual Israel" All those who accept Jesus Christ as their Savior become seeds of Abraham, spiritual Israel, the children of the promise. Abraham had 2 sons. One born after the flesh, Ishmael and one born when Abraham had faith in God’s promise, Isaac. Ishmael represented the unbelieving Jews. Isaac represents the children of the promise. For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman. But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh. And the son by the free woman through the promise. This is allegorically speaking: for these women are two covenants, one proceeding from Mount Sinai bearing children who are to be slaves, she is Hagar. Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother. For it is written, rejoice, barren woman who does not bear; break forth and shout, you who are not in labor; for more are the children of the desolate than of the one who has a husband." And you brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise. But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also. But what does the Scripture say? Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be an heir with the son of the free woman," So then, brethren, we are not children of a bondwoman, but of the free woman. Galatians 4:22-31 Therefore remember, that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "Uncircumcision" by the so-called "Circumcision," which is performed in the flesh by human hands- remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But no in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one, and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall. Ephesians 2:11-15 In order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:14 For we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh. Philippians 3:3 In Matthew 21:12-13 And Jesus entered the temple and cast out all those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the seat of those who were selling doves. And He said to them, "It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer; but you are making it a robbers den. Notice that in these verses He calls it His house. Verse 18 Now in the morning, when He returned to the city, he became hungry. And seeing a lone fig tree by the road, he came to it, and found nothing on it except leaves only; and He said to it, "No longer shall there ever be any fruit from you." And at once the fig tree withered. The fig tree represents the Jewish nation. Jesus gave a parable that outlined the history of Israel to the priests. In Matthew chapter 21:33-41 we read the parable about the landowner (God) that planted a vineyard (Israel). He put a wall (God’s love) around it and built a tower (temple). He rented it out to vine-growers (Jewish leaders) and went on a journey. When the harvest time approached he sent slaves (prophets) to receive his produce. The vinegrowers beat and killed the slaves. Each time he sent slaves they did the same to them. He finally sent his son (Jesus) who was the heir to inheritance and they killed him too. Verse 44: "Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you, and be given to a nation producing the fruit of it.
Jesus wept over the Jewish nation near the end of His earthly ministry. And when He approached, He saw the city and wept over it saying, "If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes. For the days shall come upon you when your enemies will throw up a bank before you, and surround you, and hem you in on every side, and will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation." Luke 19:41-44 In Ezekiel 35 God did all He said He would do to Edom. Can this vision still apply to Edom at some future time? No. But I have hated Esau, and I have made his mountains a desolation, and appointed his inheritance for the jackals of the wilderness." Though Edom says, "We have been beaten down, but we will return and build up the ruins", thus says the Lord of hosts, "They may build, but I will tear down and men will call them the wicked territory, and the people toward whom the Lord is indignant forever." Malachi 1:3-4 God fulfilled all that He promised within the context of Israel’s return to their homeland in 457 BC. This prophecy does not have a dual fulfillment. History confirms this to have already occurred. In Chapter 36 of Ezekiel the restoration of Israel promised had nothing to do with the establishment of the nation of Israel in 1948. "Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branches already become tender, and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; even so you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Matthew 24:32-34 It has been a popular belief in this last century that this was a fulfillment of prophecy, that this had to be the restoration of the Jews to the land. But wait a minute! Lets look at a parallel passage in Luke. And He told them a parable: "Behold the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they put forth leaves, you see it and know for yourselves that summer is now near. Even so you, too, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near." Luke 21:29-31 Did you see that, "all the trees"? Jesus was not saying just one tree representing Israel in 1948, but all these signs happening. He is talking about all the signs happening listed in Matthew 24. Reading on in Luke verse 32-35, "Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. Be on guard that your hearts may not be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life. And that day come on you suddenly like a trap; for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth. But keep on the alert at all times, praying in order that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man." The Valley of Dry Bones Ezekiel 37:1-14 Ezekiel is in Babylon as an exile along with thousands of other Jews because Israel had done wickedly before the Lord. God sent Nebuchadnezzar against His people. When Nebuchadnezzar's army destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC they did not bury the dead. Over a period of time the sun bleached the bones of the dead of Israel. The Lord wanted Ezekiel to know He wasn’t finished with Israel and they would be restored. The Lord Himself said He would resurrect Israel’s dead at some future point in time. Then, Israel would recognize that their strength came from the Lord. Verses 11-14 describes the restoration of Israel. The setting is about 575 BC during the Babylonian captivity. This vision was fulfilled. The Lord restored Israel to their land. First though the decree of Cyrus in 536 BC, then through the decrees of Artaxerxes in 457 BC. Even though Israel was in captivity, God intended to restore power to Israel and He was going make Israel alive "if" they would cooperate with Him. This is why the 70 weeks of probationary time was given to Israel. Ezekiel 38 is fulfilled in Revelation 20 Although there were changes in Plan B, some of the elements in Ezekiel's visions will happen at the end of the millennium. The promised battle in Ezekiel will be accomplished. He will defend the "New Jerusalem." in Revelation 20. Sin is destroyed and Christ will reign for eternity. A third temple? There is no Scripture that says anything about a 3rd Jewish temple being built. Now think about this, would it be God’s temple? Did Christ not put an end to the sacrifices? Would any child of God feel it was necessary to offer sacrifices? As Christ died on the cross for our sins he said;…"It is finished!" John 19:30 In Thessalonians 2:3-4 "Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalt himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. This text is often used to support the building of a 3rd temple. Strong’s: temple 3485 naos {nah-os'} from a primary naio (to dwell); TDNT - 4:880,625; n m AV - temple 45, a shrine 1; 46
Whether or not a 3rd temple is built, it will not be God’s temple. This does not mean that the devil will sit in a temple. Th e devil will sit in authority and control the religious and political bodies that will make up Babylon. He will lead powerful men to war upon the saints. He will be received as the arrival of Almighty God. He will use his miracle working powers to deceive many and establish a one-world government. In Revelation 13:8 we read: And all who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. "How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth, You who have weakened the nations! Bus you said in your heat, I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, And I will sit on the mount of assembly in the recesses of the north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High. Isaiah 14:12-14 …Because your heart is lifted up and you have said, ‘I am a god, I sit in the seat of gods, In the heart of the seas’ Yet you are a man and not God. Ezekiel 28:2 What is the temple of God? When Christ died for our sins, His people became the temple of God, the Church. Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are. I Corinthians 3:16-17 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, I will dwell in them and walk among them; And I will be their God, and shall be my people. 2 Corinthians 6:16 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. Ephesians 2:19-22 The temple of God is the Church! Satan will sit in authority within the church. Gog and Magog Ezekiel 38 The prophecy of Ezekiel 38-48 contains the conclusions of Plan A. This explains how God would have brought an end to sins and the establishment of His kingdom upon the earth if Israel had turned to His conditions. Jesus would have come to earth and died for our sins and would not have gone back to heaven to wait for the earth to be given to Him. Whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time. Acts 3:21 At the appointed time (Ezekiel 38:10-12) there would have been a king named Gog who would rule over a territory in the far north called Magog. (38:15) This evil king would stir up all the nations against Jerusalem. (38:14). Gog would surround the people of God to destroy them and God who would be dwelling among them. God would then send fire, hailstone and burning sulfur upon all the wicked and Gog and destroy them. (39:11) Ezekiel 39 gives more detail to the destruction of sin and sinners. It points out the weapons of Gog would be used for fuel by Israel for seven years. Also, Gog and his armies would have been buried in the valley so all could see what happens when there is rebellion against God. (39:21-23) As far as the Hebrews were concerned destruction always comes from the North. (Jeremiah 1:14; 4:6; 6:1,222, 25:9.) When Satan comes before the Second Coming, Daniel calls him the king of the North because he is the destroyer. (Daniel 11:36-45, Revelation 9:11) And they have as king over them, the angel of the abyss; his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in the Greek he has the name Apollyon. Revelation 9:11 Strong’s Abaddon destruction, the Hebrew name (equivalent to the Greek Apollyon, i.e., destroyer) of "the angel of the bottomless pit" (Rev.9:11) "God fulfills His promises to "Spiritual Israel" Just as Ezekiel saw in chapter 38 and 39 the wicked will surround the "New Jerusalem". And when the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison, and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore. And they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, and fire came down from heaven and devoured them. Revelation 20:7-9 If you will carefully examine God’s plans in the light of a full restoration that He intends to do on behalf of Israel you will see that Plan B is very much Plan A. Many Christians are confused about prophecy because they accept false doctrines like dispensationalism, the rapture and the conversion of Israel. One must study asking for the illumination of the Holy Spirit to lead you to truth. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. I John 2:2 May God bless your studies
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