Ezekiel 38
Last Saturday, October 7, 2023, the atrocities of evil were unveiled and unleashed in southern Israel. By now, you are acutely aware of its many activities and demonstrations. Those will not be enumerated. Instead, please pray for those who are grieving and those who do not know the condition or location of their loved ones who were abducted.
Early last Saturday I received a call from a dear friend who is a brother in Christ who asked, “Is this it?” As we talked of what had happened, based on what we had heard and read, we considered the following:
1. Although this attack was not from the North, as prophesied in Ezekiel 38, there must have been external influences involved as Hamas was somehow able to bypass Israel security at the border wall. This bypassing security, which allowed for the destruction of part of the border fence, had not yet been exercised.
2. Also, from the prophecy of Ezekiel 38, Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, is from the land of Magog (Ezek. 38:2) which corresponds to the region of northeast Turkey.
Here are a couple of thoughts of things to consider.
1. The attack by Hamas may be a precursor to the attack from the North.
2. Israel will need to continue her retaliation against Hamas and, as of today, October 14, 2023, against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. At the same, attacks against the Aleppo and Damascus airports will need to continue. These are necessary exercises for Israel to reestablish her sense of security or safety. According to Ezekiel 38:14, Gog will know that Israel is dwelling securely, or safely, before he leads his horde army down from the north.
3. If the Ezekiel 38 attack introduces the antichrist, then according to Revelation 13:5, he will continue for 42 months. The time of his reign will conclude when he is destroyed by the brightness of the coming of Jesus – 2 Thessalonians 2:8.
All this brings us to the one thing we simply cannot determine – time. When will this happen? I have no idea, but, like you, by faith I know Jesus is coming and I pray His return is soon.
So, until He arrives, we must be watching and praying – Luke 21:36. Perhaps the more imminent we believe His arrival, the more diligently we will be in preparing to meet Him.