Ezekiel 38 - 39 Part One

Psalm 83 was the focus of our last two messages since it describes probably the next war in which Israel will have to confront their enemies. This Psalm describes in detail Israel's enemies on their borders and how these enemies are working together to destroy Israel. The Psalm 83 Battle is also referred to as the battle involving Israel's inner circle of enemies.

This week we will start a series of messages identifying Israel's outer circle of enemies or those who will try to destroy Israel in the Battle of Gog and Magog illustrated in Ezekiel 38 and 39. Ezekiel 38:1 shows Jehovah God speaking to a person known as Gog located in Magog. Who is Gog and where is Magog? It is believed that Gog is the leader of Russia and is also the leader of the nations involved in the invasion from the far North since Russia is directly North of Israel. 

What is most intriguing about Ezekiel 38 and 39 and the Battle of Gog and Magog is that God is in control of all the events. Ezekiel 38:4-6 show God speaking to Gog and saying, "I will turn you around and bring you out with your whole army . . . Persia, Cush and Put will be with them . . . also Gomer with all its troops." God is planning an invasion of Israel. Why? We will keep you in suspension and answer this question next week.

For this week's message, we will identify those nations invading Israel and the timing of this battle. Ezekiel 38:5 identifies these invading nations with God using their names when Ezekiel was written. Again, Russia will be the leader but Iran also is involved which was called Persia at that time. This is no surprise! Other countries involved are believed to be those between Israel and Russia including Turkey.

Let us now try to pinpoint the timing of this battle, this is more challenging. Some believe it will happen just before the Tribulation Period. I believe the Word of God validates it being part of the Tribulation Period. Ezekiel 38:8 says with God speaking to Gog, "You will invade a land that has recovered from war . . . now all of them live in safety." Ezekiel 38:11 says a similar message, "Gog will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people." 

When will Israel live in safety and be unsuspecting? We know that the Anti-
Christ in the beginning of the Tribulation Period establishes a peace treaty with the people of Israel. As a result, for a short period of time, Israel lives in peace and is an unsuspecting people. Could this be the timing of the Battle of Gog and Magog?

Currently, are there any signs of this battle being close at hand? Well, both Russia and Iran have troops in Syria on Israel's border. Also, the relationship between Turkey and Israel is very tense. Stay Tuned!

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You This Day And Every Day,

Frank      

Psalm 83 - Part Two

We are currently presenting a series of looking at the events and atmosphere in current day Israel. We have learned that between now and that Glorious Day when Jesus Christ returns to earth, Israel will be involved in a number of wars. Last week we started a study of Psalm 83 which illustrates Israel's enemies on her borders are "Consulting Together To Destroy Israel."

One enemy not mentioned last week and listed in Psalm 83 are the Ishmaelites. In order to properly identify them, we need to look at Genesis 16. Sarai, Abram's wife, "Had borne him no children." Sarai recommended  to Abram that their maid Hagar should bare him children. An angel of The Lord said to Sarai in verses 11 and 12, "You are now with child and you will have a son. You shall name him Ishmael. He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone's hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers."

Notice this prophetic message says, "Ishmael will be a wild man and his hand shall be against everyone." Certainly, we come to the conclusion that current day descendants of Ishmael are enemies of Israel living among them and on its borders.

Additionally, as we observe conditions on Israel's borders and realizing the Psalm 83 War could be close at hand we need to look at the scenario along Israel's border with Syria. Syria has been involved in a Civil War for many years with their citizens trying to overthrow the Dictator Assad. Iran has been involved backing Assad and trying to draw Israel into the conflict. 

Please witness the following recent events showing how close war could be:

A Russian made Syrian jet was shot down over Israel by the Israeli Air Force. 

Seven terrorists enroute to Israel were killed by an Israeli helicopter.

Iranian trained Syrian forces are now on the border with Israel.

Israel has stopped shipments to Syria of food and medicine for refugees.

Bomb shelters in Northern Israeli towns are being supplied with food.

Isaiah 62:1, "For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem's sake I will not remain quiet." For Zion's sake, now is not a time to be quiet! We need to Pray And Proclaim! Pray for God's protection for His people and proclaim the truth that God gave all of Israel and more to His Covenant People.

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You This Day And Every Day,

Frank     

   

Psalm 83

Last week's message showed how current day Israel is surrounded by enemies. However, we also learned that Jehovah God will always protect Israel (Jeremiah 31:35-36.) History also validates this prophesy since Israel has fought ten wars and God has protected them in each battle - Bless His Holy Name!

The future of Israel according to the anointed Word of God shows Israel participating in a number of future wars. The exact number of battles and their timing can be open to interpretation. As part of our study of current day Israel, we feel it necessary and appropriate to identify these future wars along with showing current signs of the approaching battles.

We will start with analyzing Psalm 83 that combines showing Israel's enemies plotting to destroy them plus a passionate and urgent prayer petitioning the God of Israel to intervene. Verse one starts this passionate prayer by saying, "O God, do not keep silent; be not quiet, O God be not still." The urgent plea in this verse is for God to notice what the enemies of His people are planning and for Him to get involved.

Verses three to five shows distinctly who Israel's enemies are and what they are planning, "With cunning they conspire against Your people; they plot against those You cherish. 'Come' they say, 'Let us destroy them as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more.' With one mind they plot together; they form an alliance against you." They are plotting to destroy Israel so it will not be remembered any more.

Who are these enemies? Verses six through eight identifies them, "The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the descendants of Hagar, Gebal, Ammon and Amalek, Philistia, with the people of Tyre. Even Assyria has joined them to lend strength to the descendants of Lot."

During the time this Psalm was written, current day Lebanon was called Tyre and Gaza was called Philistia. We learned last week both of these are now enemies of Israel. Also, Assyria is current day Iraq from which the terror group ISIS emerged. Verses six through eight are happening right before our eyes. In fact, many Bible scholars believe the Psalm 83 War is close at hand.

Psalm 83:13-17 show this urgent prayer for Jehovah God to get involved and to defeat Israel's enemies. The Psalm ends in verse 18 by saying God should do this so Israel's enemies will know "He Is Lord And The Most High Over All The Earth."

How can we who love Israel also get involved? Let me recommend that we pray Psalm 83 each day in addition to all our other prayers for Israel!

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You This Day And Every Day,

Frank

Jehovah God Will Always Protect Israel

Our last few messages centered on Ezekiel 36-37. We learned that Jehovah God scattered His Covenant People all over the world because of disobedience but is in the process of bringing them back to Israel. Additionally and most important, He is putting His Spirit in them and is cleansing them meaning Jewish people are being saved. Bless His Holy Name!

When we started the current series, we promised to discuss what is happening in present day Israel. In Psalm 122:6 we are all mandated by God to "Pray For The Peace Of Jerusalem." This verse is usually interpreted to mean we should pray that God will physically protect His people. This is correct but the Hebrew meaning of peace also includes the total well being of a person to include body, soul and spirit. As a result, when God wants us to pray for His People Israel this includes all aspects of their lives.

What is really happening in current day Israel? The residents of Israel are surrounded by enemies and have enemies living among them. Believing that giving up a portion of their land to the Palestinians would bring about peace, Israel turned over Gaza to them. Shortly thereafter, the terrorist group Hamas gained control and started terror attacks including firing rockets into Southern Israel, building tunnels for terrorists to penetrate Israel and storming the borders with large numbers of terrorists. Recently, Hamas has launched kites and balloons into Israel which burst into flames upon impact burning large portions of Southern Israel.

Looking to the North, the Golan Heights shares a border with Syria that has been involved in a Civil War for many years. Residents of Syria have attempted to over throw Dictator Assad resulting in him killing thousands of citizens. Occasionally this war spills over into Northern Israel. The largest concern is Iran is involved and supports Assad. Iran continually states it wants to "Destroy Israel."

In Lebanon, which is also on the Northern border of Israel, the terror group Hezbollah has gained control of the government. Hezbollah with help from Iran has gathered weapons that can reach Tel Aviv and Jerusalem plus it also wants  to destroy Israel.

Residents of Israel live with these threats everyday but still they are considered  some of the happiest people in the world. How is this possible? Millions of people all over the world are praying for their peace as The Lord calls for in Psalm 122:6. Hallelujah! 

Lastly, Jeremiah 31:35-36 says, "This is what The Lord says, He who appoints the sun to shine by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar - The Lord almighty is His name; 'only if these decrees vanish from My sight,' declares The Lord, 'will the descendants of Israel ever cease to be a nation.'"

Jehovah God Will Always Protect Israel! 

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Every Day,

Frank   

    

"The Valley Of Dry Bones"

Ezekiel 37:1-3 says, "The hand of The Lord was upon me and He brought me out by the Spirit Of The Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, 'Son of man, can these bones live?' I said, 'O Sovereign Lord, you alone know.'" The beginning part of Ezekiel 37 is a prophetic vision given by God to Ezekiel. He sees a valley of many very dry bones. The purest interpretation of this vision  illustrates a spiritually dead Chosen People Of God scattered around the world.

Notice what Ezekiel 37:5 says, "This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones; I will make breath enter you and you will come to life." Jehovah God says He will bring His people back to life and He will do it so all peoples will know He is Lord!

Let us analyze this vision further. Occasionally, Pastors apply this vision to their churches when they are praying for a Spiritual Revival. This is not a false interpretation but we should notice this vision was first about "The Whole House Of Israel" which also shows their hope is gone and they are cut off.

Remember the Jewish people are scattered all over the world. Certainly there was a time when they felt abandoned by God and had lost hope. However, God did not forget about His people. Ezekiel 37:12,14 shows how He responded, "I will bring you back to the land of Israel . . . I will put my Spirit in you and you will live." He will bring His Covenant People back to Israel and He will put His Spirit within them.

Has this vision been completed? Yes, but not totally. Jewish people are moving back to Israel! Today in Israel there are more Jewish people than any where else in the world. However, many more need to return. There are parts of the world where anti-Semitism is so strong God's people feel threatened. 

Additionally, when Jehovah God says He will put His Spirit within His people it means they will receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Hallelujah! This also is happening but needs to accelerate. We know that the number of Messianic Congregations throughout the world increases each year especially in Israel. This is a key indicator that Jews are being saved. Jehovah God does what He says He will do! Praise The Lord!

If you desire to help in bringing the Jewish people back to Israel, Bridges For Peace is a Ministry that has been doing this for many years through "Project Rescue." For more information go to: www.bridgesforpeace.com.

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You This Day And Every Day, 

Frank (Today Is Frank's 78th Birthday . . . Happy Birthday Man Of God!)      

Prophesy To Mountains Of Israel - Part Two

Last week's message started a new series about what is happening in current day Israel and its future. We started the series in the 36th chapter of Ezekiel which is a prophesy about the mountains of Israel. Where are the mountains of Israel? They are located in Judea, Samaria and parts of Galilea that the world media calls the West Bank. Last week we learned that the nations who mistreated Israel have suffered scorn; that Jehovah God has caused His people to become fruitful, numerous and prosperous so that all will know He Is Lord! 

Our study this week will begin in Ezekiel 36:22-23 in which God says, "It is not for your sake, O House of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of My Holy Name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone. I will show the holiness of My Great Name." We must realize that God scattered His people to all the nations of the world because of their disobedience. While they were scattered there was a time when they profaned the name of their God. However, this is all changing! Bless His Holy Name! 

Notice Ezekiel 36:24: "For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land." God has miraculously been bringing His people back to Israel for many, many years. In fact, over one million have come out of Russia alone. In reality, there are over 700 verses of Scripture that prophesy this event will happen.

Jehovah God will also make His name great and holy again by cleansing and saving His people. Ezekiel 36:25-28 says, "I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean . . . I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you . . . I will put My spirit in you and move you to follow My decrees and be careful to keep My laws." This can only happen when a person receives Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior or Messiah. Jehovah God will save His Covenant People Israel! Hallelujah! 

For all of us who love Israel and the Jewish people, what is our current commission from God? Pray, Pray, Pray, and Pray Some More. Petition our Lord and Savior to save His Covenant People soon and very soon and He will do it for the "Sake Of His Holy Name." {Ezekiel 36:22}

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Every Day,

Frank  

"Prophesy To The Mountains Of Israel"

The title for our message this week is actually the title for Ezekiel Chapter 36. Even though this chapter is referred to as a prophesy, some of the prophesied events have already taken place since it was written in 593 B.C.; some events are happening currently and some will happen in the future. For the last couple of months our messages have been about how the Jewish people became God's Chosen People and was an abbreviated history of Israel. This week we start a series of messages about current day Israel and its future. Our purpose for this new series is to show that what Jehovah God Promises, He Does To Perfection.

Ezekiel 36:1,2 says, "Son of man prophesy to the mountains of Israel and say, 'O mountains of Israel, hear the word of The Lord. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: The enemy said of you, aha! The ancient heights have become our possession.'" These prophesied events have taken place numerous times in the past as Israel has been under foreign control. However, Jehovah God did not abandon His people when he says in verse 7, "I swear with uplifted hand that the nations around you will also suffer scorn." Israel has had to fight a number of wars but with the might and the power of God they have been victorious every time. Also, many of the empires or nations that have fought against Israel do not even exist today. God Keeps His Promises!

This prophesy continues in Ezekiel 36:11 when God says, "I will increase the number of men and animals upon you, and they will be fruitful and become numerous. I will settle people on you as in the past and will make you prosper more than before. Then you will know that I am The Lord." In the very early years of Israel, it was primarily a barren dessert. Today Israel produces some of the largest and delicious fruits in the world through advanced irrigation techniques. Also, this verse talks about the people of Israel becoming prosperous and today Israel has one of the strongest economies in the world and its people are prosperous to a large degree. God Keeps His Promises!

Lastly, we raise the question - why does God keep His promises? I believe there are two primary reasons - He is a Covenant Keeping God and He is keeping the Abrahamic and Mosaic Covenant!s Also Ezekiel 36:11 says, "Then you will know that I am The Lord." Jehovah God is keeping His Promises so that the whole world will know that He Is The King Of Kings And The Lord Of Lords. Hallelujah! We are just getting started. Stay Tuned!

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You This Day And Each Day,

Frank