Introduction

Good morning, beloved congregation. As we gather on this blessed day, we find ourselves standing on the precipice of a grand revelation, a divine unveiling. We are about to embark on a spiritual voyage through the prophetic landscapes of Ezekiel 38:1-23. This is not just a passage, but a prophetic panorama that stretches the canvas of our understanding, challenging us to look beyond the present and into the divine mysteries of the future.

We stand today, not as mere spectators, but as active participants in God's grand narrative. We are not just reading the Word; we are living it, breathing it, and experiencing it in our day-to-day lives. In the immortal words of the great Billy Graham, "The end will come with the return of Jesus Christ…That is why a Christian can be an optimist. That is why a Christian can smile in the midst of all that is happening…We know what the end will be: the triumph of the Lord Jesus Christ." We are about to unlock that key and set forth on a journey that will lead us to a deeper understanding of God's prophetic plan.

Prophetic Perspectives on Current Events

A. Now, let's look at the first part of this passage. God speaks to Ezekiel and tells him to prophesy against Gog, of the land of Magog. This is a powerful image. It's a picture of a great conflict, a struggle between the forces of good and evil. It's a picture of a world in turmoil, a world in need of God's intervention.

Application – This isn't just an ancient prophecy. It's a message for us today. We live in a world where conflict is a daily reality. We see it on the news, we hear about it from our friends and family. We see it in the struggles and challenges we face in our own lives. But this passage reminds us that God is not distant or detached from these conflicts. He's actively involved. He's working out His purposes, even in the midst of turmoil and strife.

B. Next, we see that God is directing these events. He says, "I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army." God has control over the events of the world. He's not just watching from the sidelines. He's in the game, directing the players, guiding the action. When we look at the world and see chaos and confusion, we can take comfort in knowing that God is in control. He's not surprised by the events of our time. He's not caught off guard. He's working out His plans and purposes, even when we can't see it.

C. Then, we see a list of nations that will join Gog in this conflict. Persia, Cush, Put, Gomer, Beth Togarmah. These were ancient nations, but they represent the nations of the world today. They remind us that the conflicts we see in the world are not isolated events. They're part of a larger narrative, a global struggle between good and evil.

D. Finally, we see that this conflict is not just a physical battle. It's a spiritual battle. The weapons are not just swords and shields, but faith and truth. The enemies are not just nations and armies, but spiritual forces of evil. They're part of a larger war, a war that has been raging since the beginning of time. But this passage reminds us that we're not just observers in this war. We're participants. We're part of God's army, called to stand for truth and righteousness in a world that often rejects both.

Application – This is a crucial truth for us to grasp. The battles we face in our lives are not just physical or emotional. They're spiritual. We're not just fighting against people or circumstances. We're fighting against spiritual forces of evil. But we're not fighting alone. God is with us. He's our strength and our shield. He's our defender and our deliverer.

Preparation for the Prophesied Times

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