SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 39
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
I will make known my holy name among my people Israel. I will no longer let my holy name be profaned, and the nations will know that I the LORD am the Holy One in Israel. It is coming! It will surely take place, declares the Sovereign LORD. This is the day I have spoken of. [Ezekiel 39:7-8]
For a time God is not honoured on this planet, even by His own people…
But the day is coming when the truth about God and His kingdom will be be heard.
The nations will know that He is the Lord of Israel and the Lord of the Universe.
Those who stand up against Him, those who resist Him to the bitter end, will find out the hard way that they were wrong.
Using descriptive language for wars in that day (when animals and birds feast, when bones and weapons litter the land), this war is described as the ‘mother of all wars’.
God will once and for all deal with those who reject the good news of His kingdom.
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. [Matthew 24:14].
Some might take exception to calling this passage good news – its all blood and gore and death and misery.
Yes, true, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
This is not about God attacking people minding their own business; this is a gathering of all those opposed to God and His people, a huge army eager for blood.
If only they could hear the good news of God’s message: He is not just God of one nation, He is God of the whole world, of every person!
His justice and mercy and generosity and patience and strength are available for all.
No one has to suffer and die; the ones that do are those that reject peace and justice.
Like Ezekiel, Jesus is a messenger of God’s mercy and peace, and everyone who believes it can receive it.
More than just a messenger, Jesus is the accomplisher of mercy and peace.
Through Jesus, Gog (a symbol for Satan) is defeated, his armies routed, and his captives released.
Through Jesus, God shows His face to us again, restores is to Himself, and grants us His Spirit of life and hope and power and peace [see Ezekiel 39:25-29]
This is good news for all, if they will receive it!
Like Ezekiel, like Jesus, we are now messengers of this good news.
This good news (gospel) of the kingdom will be shared with the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
It will surely take place, declares the Sovereign LORD. This is the day I have spoken of. [Ezekiel 39:8]
And they will know that I am the LORD! [Ezekiel 39:6]
PRAYER:
Lord, this IS good news, yet we keep it buried! Make me bold to share it with others, and may they hear it for the good news that it is!